Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 121: High Priest’s Ambition

In a lavish palace chamber in the Royal Capital of the Southern Wu Kingdom, a woman clad in imperial robes stood before a table as she studied a glossy can in her hand.

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Her fingers traced its smooth surface as a rare smile formed on her lips.

"The Divine Convenience Store… Heavenly Dew Soda. When can I get more of this?" She murmured softly after savoring the last drop she could get from the can.

The merchant who delivered these goods to her along with a few packets of Spirit-Infused Potato Chips and Spicy Taihao Noodles had only given her six pieces.

One, she drank on the spot. Two were put away by her to sparingly drink as the days passed by keeping it cold with an artifact. The rest were sent to the Royal Court Alchemists to research the properties of the soda and replicate it.

However, after days of study, there still wasn’t a report. They couldn’t even give her an explanation about the fizziness of the drink. They could only identify it as some type of gas.

Because of that, she decided to ask her Royal Father for a decree, sending out the Royal Intelligence Division that was handed over to her in order to investigate and procure more of the store’s products for her.

They should be returning soon. She had already received a message from Hall Leader Jian about their successful mission. He did say something about it being expensive but for someone of her stature, she could wave them off, saying she’s going to reimburse their expenses.

But she heard yesterday that the Left Minister had also visited the store and now… her father’s interest in it had peeked.

A soft knock echoed from her door.

"Your Highness, it is time for your audience with His Majesty."

The woman, Princess Wu Meiyu, set the empty can down with a satisfied yet longing sigh.

The taste lingered on her tongue. For her, its crispness and invigorating sweetness could not be replicated by delicate floral teas or rare imported wines that the Royal Treasury Vault stored.

Brushing a strand of her midnight-black hair with a few golden highlights behind her ear, she took one last glance at the can before turning toward the door.

"Let us go and meet, Royal Father. I must get the seat for the position of the Royal Envoy to that store."

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She left her chambers with practiced grace in her steps. Two palace attendants fell in step behind her as she moved through the grand corridors of the palace.

The smooth marble floors echoed with her footsteps as the embroidered banners displaying the imperial emblem fluttered gently in the midday breeze.

As she neared the throne room, her mind wandered back to the report she received and her anticipation bubbled up from it.

Divine Convenience Store. A store that sells convenience made by divine beings.

If she heard it mentioned in the Royal Court without any proof of its product’s existence, she’d certainly scoff at the official who brought it up. But having direct contact with what that store can produce, she’s certain she won’t be disappointed.

—

Meanwhile, back at the Divine Convenience Store.

The lingering customers in the store still chattered excitedly about the Celestial Duel demonstration, some even forming impromptu discussions about strategies they could use once the game officially launched.

After studying the High Priest before him with his usual professional smile, he gestured toward a quieter corner of the hall, away from the lingering crowd.

"Of course, dear customer. What can I do for you?"

Although the Aura of Harmony was still in effect, he naturally wouldn’t be so carefree around this old man. It’s someone who’d probably not bat an eye sacrificing members of his cult or killing mortals. He was here as a customer today but that wouldn’t erase the fact that his cult was up to no good inside the Abyssal Forest. He might not have witnessed it but their notoriety was real. There’s even a living example with Luhan and his fellow spies. The rotting stench of their body from the poison baptism they had undergone still lingers in his head.

No matter how successful Lin Mo was already in enticing the cult leader to his store’s products, that still wouldn’t signify that the old man would throw away his faith in the Chaotic Deity; Poison Demon.

The old man was merely acting smart not to antagonize the store which could easily elevate the strength of the surrounding factions with its products - as shown during the recent skirmish two days ago.

The High Priest eventually gave a deep nod as he followed Lin Mo to the quieter corner. His moss-green robes fluttered roughly as its hem created a soft screeching sound as it got dragged on the floor.

He stopped Luo Ming and the rest of his entourage from following, making it a private conversation between him and the Shopkeeper.

At the moment, though his expression appeared calm, it held a flicker of something unreadable. Curiosity, calculation, and perhaps the beginnings of respect.

But Lin Mo wouldn’t buy it easily. He even heard the voice of the City Lord, telling him that he was watching from outside. All he needed was to shout and he’d come to his rescue.

The High Priest stroked his long, silvery beard before finally speaking.

"Shopkeeper Lin, this humble one has come to express his… admiration. The demonstration just now, though seemingly a mere game, truly impressed this one. It holds the potential to shape how cultivators perceive combat. Strategy over brute force. It is a fascinating concept."

Lin Mo smiled politely while inwardly thinking, ’Fascinating, my ass! You prefer poison over brute force. Not strategy.’

After ensuring that his thoughts remained restrained in his head, he replied,

"I’m glad you found it interesting, dear customer. However, I suspect you’re not here just to praise the Celestial Duel."

The High Priest let out a guttural chuckle. It sounded like a screech. If not for seeing his curved lips, Lin Mo would think that this old man was trying to scare him.

"Indeed. I do not believe in idle flattery, Shopkeeper. I came here to discuss something far more pressing."

His fingers drummed against his staff or cane that he was using as a walking aid. It’s a gesture that made Lin Mo wonder if it was a subconscious habit or a calculated move to draw attention to the dark jade serpent coiling around it.

"I have already had the pleasure of sampling a few of your store’s items," The High Priest continued, "And while I admit they are far beyond anything available in the secular world, I am especially intrigued by your elixirs and pills." His gaze sharpened. "The ones that heal, the ones that strengthen. Such miraculous concoctions. No, I should call them divine elixirs. They are of great interest to me. I won’t try to deceive you. I want to try them all on my poisons. It can help me breakthrough in my research of creating a poison that cannot be cured by any antidote."

Lin Mo’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly, he was already cursing the old man.

What a bold declaration. But well, if he can truly create something that will also negate elixirs and pills made by the divine beings of the Pantheon then that will be a great achievement.

"The Divine Convenience Store provides its goods fairly to all customers, as long as they can afford them," Lin Mo said smoothly. "If the High Priest wishes to purchase more, the shelves are always stocked. Of course, within the daily purchase limits. We can’t have you take all of our stocks even if you have the spirit stones to spend. After all, we provide convenience to everyone. Not just to select a few of our customers."

That last part wasn’t just a casual remark. It was a subtle warning.

However, the High Priest didn’t even flinch. He came here to the shop prepared, after all. Bringing up pills, elixir, and poison is his way to make Lin Mo loosen up his wariness for a bit. Because in any type of transaction, honesty can make one trustworthy.

Many nights ago, when he discovered the divine energy laced in every product of the store, he already set his eyes on getting his hands on them.

"Shopkeeper, I am not merely seeking to buy more. I am here to propose something… Something that can be beneficial to both of us."

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow as he feigned curiosity. "Oh? And what might that be?"

As if he was waiting for this moment, the High Priest coughed once as he revealed his thoughts, "The Poison Demon Cult has influence stretching to the other side of Abyssal Forest. Our reach extends into territories that the factions from this side dare not tread. If you were to grant us exclusive access to your wares, our cult will ensure your store gains a foothold in places that even the royal court or prominent sects will struggle to touch."

Hearing that, Lin Mo tilted his head in thought. This old man, he’s really after a smoother flow of products to them. But at the same time, Lin Mo cannot deny it. If he wanted to stretch the Divine Convenience Store’s influence inside the inner circle of the Abyssal Forest, the Poison Demon Cult was his way to go.