Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 608: Returning to the Store

Locating the Exit Zone after that provided their group no more difficulty.

Although they still encountered more Dyshanti Drones and their lashers, they had been taken care of quickly by Liu Xiaoyu, who remained unsatisfied with the challenge provided by them.

She pummeled them all by herself. At one point, she even equipped her Legionary Set to add the augmentation of the armor to one-hit the drones and terrorize the Lashers, whose abilities had already been gauged by them.

Apart from that, child-like Vyrnethi, whom Lin Mo didn’t give a chance to show what he’s truly capable of, the Lashers could at most match a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator on their own. Their primary abilities had nothing to write home about other than their unique constitution of being filled with life-force through the conversion of Viridescent Energy.

Their ability to harness the Viridescent Energy was technically superior to any of the Dyshanti races. And that’s why they control the Hive-Trees and have the protection of a Viridescent Hollow World Tree.

Perhaps if not for that, they would’ve long been dethroned by the more physically superior Dyshanti races.

Still, Lin Mo believed that the Vyrnethi who could only become Lashers would be the lowest in the hierarchy of their race. As for that child, he might be a noble or someone with a higher standing, given that he could probably have some sort of control over the Hive-Tree.

It was similar to the Dreilling. Zyrith, Xylos, and Vespera clearly operated on a different tier of authority and power compared to the generic mind-controlled puppets or the rank-and-file Decrint Tribe.

The Outer Realms were terrifyingly structured. Totally different from the Realm of Nine of Heavens.

As for the true reason why they’re invading, he believed he was still too weak to even know the background for it. It was led by existences that were at the level of the divine beings in the pantheon or higher.

That’s why they could only defend and not retaliate by sending the cultivators or even immortals from the Second Heaven to those four Outer Realms surrounding the Realm of Nine Heavens.

"Here it is," Lin Mo announced as he put down the [All-Seeing Compass].

Past the green walls covered with vines, a small clearing could be seen. It was devoid of the vines. In the middle, a dormant portal could be seen.

It still needed to be activated by pouring spiritual energy, similar to the Exit Zones of other Anchors.

As they stepped into the zone, the oppressive pressure from the Viridescent Energy and the glow was relieved.

Lin Mo didn’t feel that much different since he could resist them but the others immediately found themselves feeling light. And the tension on their bodies loosened up.

Liu Xiaoyu and Wu Meiyu walked to the portal to activate it while Lin Mo turned to face the three groups that accompanied them.

"Captain Zhao, I’m now giving you the authority for our group. The three of us will be returning to the store now. I’m certain the City Lord also gave you a task to complete, correct?"

Captain Zhao’s candy-apple red skin had already returned to normal. The duration of the gummy’s effect had already ended. He thumped his chest before answering.

"Yes, Shopkeeper! The City Lord tasked us with securing a permanent foothold for Fanling City’s forces and gathering as much material as possible. We are to ensure the perimeter remains safe for the influx of patrons who will be challenging this place."

"Then this Exit Zone is your perfect staging ground," Lin Mo nodded approvingly. He retrieved another pack of [Ironhide Gummies] and [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals]. "Here, take these and hold this place for the other patrons that might need to evacuate safely without using their [Emergency Escape Talisman]."

Captain Zhao received the token with reverence. "Many thanks, Shopkeeper. The Rainbow Vanguard will not yield an inch of this ground. We’ve learned a lot from watching the Assistant Shopkeeper."

Upon hearing that, Liu Xiaoyu, who was a few steps behind Lin Mo, seemed to perk up before shouting, "Hehe, Captain Zhao, remember. There’s nothing you can’t beat to a pulp as long as you put your mind to it. And in this Anchor, it’s better to do it like that. Those drones are so annoying with how abundant lifeforce the vines contain."

Lin Mo then turned his attention to the young master of the Lightning Amethyst Sect. "And you, Xu Ming? Will your group hold here and farm the respawning Drones, or are you aiming for the Area Boss? I guess it’ll be best for you to find the other groups."

Xu Ming’s eyes burned with ambition. He glanced at his fellow disciples, who nodded back with fierce determination. "We push forward, Shopkeeper. The ’Thunder-Forge Stance’ requires the pressure of strong opponents to truly temper our bodies. We will leave the harvesting to the mercenaries. We aim to clear Area 1 and claim the first spot on the Realm Guardian Leaderboard for this Anchor."

"A lofty goal. I like the ambition, but don’t underestimate these foreign entities. There’s still a lot of unknown regarding them." Lin Mo reminded him before tossing his Anti-Magic Vanguard Kit. It was practically untouched by him.

"We will not forget your teachings, Convenience Saint!" Xu Ming bowed deeply, his voice echoing with genuine fanaticism.

Lin Mo’s lips twitched at the title, but he forced his smile to remain steady. "Just... Shopkeeper is fine. Mercenary Leader Yin, I assume you and your men will capitalize on the cleared path?"

The rogue cultivator grinned, revealing a missing tooth. "You know us too well, Convenience Saint. We don’t have the resources of a sect. These green seeds seemed to be valuable. We’ll gather more and sell them. The Harvester’s Guild will surely be paying top spirit stones for these [Viridescent Life-Seeds]."

"Mhm. Good. Here, I’ll also leave this to you. Take it as your fee for accompanying us." Lin Mo produced two more Anti-Magic Vanguard Kits and handed them to the mercenary leader.

Since they’re not backed by a sect, their resources were naturally far from what Xu Ming and his fellow disciples could take. Most of them probably didn’t even have an [Emergency Escape Talisman] due to its price. They’ll just rely on their luck at escaping from a crisis.

Although news on the Bulletin Board about the Anchor and Towers was mostly positive, casualties were still present. And more than half were rogue cultivators like them.

Framing it as payment rather than a handout maintained the convenient structure he established for the store patrons.

Behind him, the portal flared to life with a brilliant, steady blue light as Xiaoyu and Meiyu finished channeling their spiritual energy into the base of the portal.

"Portal’s open, Boss!" Liu Xiaoyu called out, "I need a shower. I smell like grass!"

"Let us depart, Lin Mo," Wu Meiyu added, her golden aura finally receding completely, leaving her looking slightly pale but otherwise immaculate. "The foundation is laid here. Our presence is no longer a strict necessity."

Lin Mo gave a final nod to the assembled cultivators. "Happy hunting, patrons. May your convenience be absolute."

With that, he turned and stepped through the portal, Xiaoyu and Meiyu close behind.

—

After giving a brief rundown of what happened to the City Lord, Lin Mo glanced at the newly erected Celestial Shuttle Hub next to it first, watching as the patrons crowded it. Those entering were patrons who were at the back of the queue for the Anchor, while those exiting were patrons from other places checking the new Anchor out.

The crowd parted for them as they walked towards it. They’re gonna use the hub to quickly return to the store instead of walking back into the city.

Upon returning, Liu Xiaoyu separated from them to check on Xiao Ya and Liu Xiaoping, who should be training and cultivating upstairs.

"I’m going to check on Pan Ruo, Lin Mo... Can you... I leave you the preparation of the suite at the Celestial Hot Spring?" Wu Meiyu asked, her voice dropping to a tone that was both entirely professional and undeniably intimate.

A faint, rosy tint touched her cheeks, making her more attractive than she already was.

Lin Mo blinked as his mind briefly stalled. He remembered the promise. And Wu Meiyu wouldn’t let her act like he didn’t agree to it.

Between Venom Master Xun’s aggressive propositions and Yu Qingyan’s quiet, devoted advances, he was starting to feel like a highly contested, limited-edition product on his own shelves.

Still, Wu Meiyu was different. She was his Chief Operations Officer. And these days, she was always by his side in a different way than his chaotic prodigious assistant.

"Celestial Hot Spring," Lin Mo repeated, masking the sudden spike in his heart rate. "Of course. Leave it to me. I will have a suite prepared for your relaxation. I mean, ’our’ relaxation. Take your time with Pan Ruo."

Wu Meiyu’s smile deepened, a spark of genuine appreciation in her eyes. "Thank you, Lin Mo. I shall join you shortly."

With a graceful turn, she headed towards the Shopkeeper’s Quarters, where the reincarnated immortal should be resting by now.

Lin Mo checked at the time and wryly smiled. There are only three hours left before the sun rises again. That’s a long enough time to... rest.