Divine Convenience Store

"The balance of medicinal energy is… perfect," he whispered under his breath. "No impurities, no side effects, and yet… it isn't artificially refined like a standard pill. It's as if it was produced naturally by the heavens…"

The old man with sharp eyes exclaimed as he scrutinized the Seven-Colored Rejuvenation Tablet. He couldn't believe it. Even without taking it out from its packaging, he could tell by its glow how valuable the tablet was…

As the one who organized the gathering late last night and the one who brought this group of professionals into the store, he couldn't believe he was also feeling awe from the product in his hand.

He had prepared a speech to complain to that smug, young Shopkeeper at the counter yet all those vanished in his mind.

"No wonder Sect Master told me to visit the store once. This is why…" He sighed dramatically as he put the tablet in his shopping basket. "I have to study this and maybe… ask those old masters at the Pill Association and see them gawk as well. I have to spread this feeling of frustration. Perhaps, it can spark another wave of innovation."

Before long, his basket became filled with numerous pill bottles and candies along with a few packs of snacks and sodas.

When he walked back to where the counter was, he reunited with the members of their group and all of them had the same expression as him.

With wry smiles, they lined up and waited for their turn at the counter where Lin Mo was busily tending to the ones at the front, his professional smile unwavering.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo had long noticed the peculiar expressions of these so-called professionals as they lined up with full baskets. Though they attempted to maintain a dignified front, the occasional spark of bewilderment in their eyes betrayed their thoughts.

Some of them still held onto the hope that they could replicate these products or at least find the secret of how to make them, but others had already realized the truth. This store's wares weren't something that could be easily copied. But it could still aid them in mastering their craft.

As the first of them reached the counter, Lin Mo greeted him with his usual professional smile. Judging from his robes that made him recall that first customer, Xue Biyu, this old man was a part of the White Ember Sect.
Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

"Welcome, esteemed customer! Did you find everything to your satisfaction?"

The old man with sharp eyes coughed and straightened his back as if trying to regain some of his lost composure. "Hmph. Your store is… certainly interesting. The variety of items here is unexpected."

"I'm glad you think so. Our products are designed to be both practical and convenient. As for their quality, it is not our intention to revolutionize the current trend. We simply strive to provide the best for our valued customers."

The old man's mouth twitched. "Not your intention? Hmph. Where do we sell our wares then? I admit, I won't be able to recreate any of your pills here. But because of these… you've stripped us of our businesses. We spend decades perfecting our craft only to be kicked out by your store's mass-produced yet high-quality products."

Lin Mo inwardly sighed. He couldn't blame them at all. That's actually what's going to happen, after all. Although they can probably continue providing for their sects, the extra income they're going to receive for accepting requests from other cultivators will be extremely affected.

After all, why will they still look for these professionals? They can just visit the Divine Convenience Store and conveniently find what they're looking for.

Lin Mo deliberated whether to refer him to the Customer Service Hotline and let Yangyang deal with their complaints but… an idea popped up in his head.

He tilted his body slightly to the side to check the expressions of the other professionals. Seeing that they were paying attention to their conversation, he put on a humble smile and said.

"Dear customer, we have a Barter System in place, we can offer store credits in exchange for any valuables you have in hand. For example, a treasure that doesn't have a particular use but contains spiritual energy, worn-out artifacts, raw materials such as herbs and ores, or completed products professionals like you produce can all be used for the exchange. This means that rather than losing your livelihood, our store will take the burden off of you by offering them fair exchange using store credits."

Lin Mo's words struck a chord with the gathered professionals. The old man with sharp eyes furrowed his brows, deep in thought, while the others exchanged uncertain glances. This was unexpected. They had assumed this store was simply a disruptive force, one that would make their skills obsolete. But if what this young Shopkeeper said was true, then perhaps… they weren't entirely out of business after all.

The old man folded his arms. "Store credits? Hmph. Not spirit stones?"

"I'm afraid it's impossible. But fear not, dear customer," Lin Mo gestured around the store. "Store credits can be exchanged for anything available for purchase in our store. Pills, talismans, elixirs, snacks, tools, even our limited-time promotional items."

"Tell me, what will happen to our products that will be handed to you? Is your store also going to display them?"

The old man's eyes narrowed as he realized the serious implications behind what Lin Mo was offering.

In other words, the store will be able to monopolize the market for them. And if they see something they crafted themselves displayed on the store shelves, and purchased at a higher frequency than before, would that not mean they were still indirectly profiting from their skills?

Lin Mo, noticing the growing understanding in the old man's sharp eyes, maintained his confident yet respectful demeanor.

"Not quite," He replied. "Our store does not directly sell products created by others.

Instead, those items are processed and either refined, repurposed, or broken down for materials. The store's capabilities ensure that no resource goes to waste. For example, an unfinished or slightly flawed pill may be analyzed and improved, allowing us to produce a perfected version that adheres to the store's standards. This also means that artisans like yourself can contribute your craft while benefiting from the convenience we provide."

At least, that's how he felt about what the divine beings were doing with the items being exchanged through the Barter System.

The old man's fingers twitched. This concept was both astonishing and infuriating. To think that the pills and artifacts they had painstakingly created, items they might have considered failures or lower quality, could still hold value in this enigmatic store.

The talisman grandmaster in their group hesitantly stepped forward. Her face was still twisted with the frustration of encountering products far superior to her own, but there was also curiosity in her eyes.

"If what you say is true, then that means even our mistakes can be sold? Wouldn't that encourage mediocrity?" She asked skeptically.

Lin Mo chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Absolutely not, dear customer. Our exchange rates are fair and based on the quality of the items presented. An expert's failure may still hold immense value, but a careless, rushed product would fetch very little. In the end, the effort put into creation will always be rewarded accordingly. Besides, I doubt you'll stop improving your skills even after dumping what you produced on us. Won't you strive to refine something at the same quality as our store's wares?"

A deep silence followed as the professionals processed his words. This system wasn't simply replacing them. It provided an entirely new avenue for them to continue their craft without being completely overshadowed.

Furthermore, Lin Mo's words ignited a fire on them. He's right. They will not stop improving and striving to refine something as godly as the ones offered by the store… And with the store credits, they will have a lot of samples to analyze if they exchange it with what they need. On top of that… the store was simply irresistible. It's like heaven for anyone who stepped inside. They can find anything they need. They can even taste some heavenly dishes they won't normally find even at prestigious restaurants.

The power of convenience being offered by the Divine Convenience Store was just too much.

To their surprise, Lin Mo wasn't done yet. With a meaningful grin, he added,

"Oh! If I may add, in the future, there exists a possibility for the experts behind our products to hold a lecture, sharing their knowledge about their craft with interested individuals."

That single sentence shattered the last bits of resistance among the gathered professionals.

Lectures? They can meet the ones pumping out these high-quality products?

Lin Mo watched in interest as their faces experienced a brief turmoil as they had no idea how to react with it.

But in his head, he's already seeing that possibility as a reality. With the Viewing Jades going live soon and the multipurpose hall he specifically chose for expansion, he could put out a suggestion to the divine beings of the Divine Pantheon to hold lectures.

They can charge these so-called professionals through their store credits or spirit stones to attend the lecture.