Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 613: Handling Patrons
After a few hours of helping out with managing the rush of customers downstairs, Lin Mo climbed up the second floor to entertain the Golden Patrons who went up there.
While he didn’t actually need to introduce each higher-grade product and artifact displayed there, since the system could put up a holographic window for them to view its specs and optimal usage, personal interaction remained the cornerstone of luxury retail. He owed that much to them.
A Shopkeeper’s presence, after all, elevated the perceived value of the goods. It was the difference between a self-service vending machine and a bespoke boutique.
As he reached the top of the staircase, the frantic and sweaty energy of the first floor, filled with cultivators clamoring for Anti-Magic Vanguard Kits, was replaced by a serene atmosphere.
The Golden Patrons were mostly elites of their sects and factions, after all. They wouldn’t be as rowdy as young disciples or as rough as rogue cultivators.
On one side, the scent of different brews of special tea and coffee spread out as a few Sect Elders gathered around it.
They liked the aspect of the automatic machine more than the drinks themselves.
Because it was made by a divine being, most of them were studying it, hoping to see through the mysteries of divine forging.
Little did they know, it was simply a mechanical knock-off from Earth, which was outfitted by divine inscriptions that mimic the circuits to make them work unplugged and be as durable as a divine artifact. Furthermore, the simple mechanisms were cloaked by formations that no formation or array master from the First Heaven would be able to decipher.
Still, studying those formations would truly be beneficial for them.
Maybe in the future, he could suggest to Taihao to start selling modern appliances even if they would be impractical in a cultivation world.
"Shopkeeper Lin," A respectful voice broke him away from his thoughts.
Lin Mo turned to see Elder Shen Liang of the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion standing a few paces away. The elderly cultivator was holding a cup of [Celestial Cream Latte]. He appeared so fascinated by the floating foam art, which was a remarkably accurate depiction of a sea serpent.
"Elder Shen," Lin Mo greeted, clasping his hands behind his back and offering a polite smile. "I see you’ve discovered the wondrous latte art of our coffee makers."
It had nothing of value other than aesthetic, of course. Taihao probably only added that because he was fascinated by those.
"Indeed. This is simply a work of art. I feel hesitant to consume it." The elder sighed as he shook his head.
"Don’t be hesitant. The art is fleeting, but the flavor and the clarity it brings to your spiritual sea are the true products," Lin Mo finished as he gestured smoothly toward the cup. "Besides, if you let it get cold, you’ll be missing out on the optimal consumption temperature. A true waste of convenience."
Elder Shen Liang let out a booming, appreciative laugh that drew a few sideways glances from the other Golden Patrons. "Wise words, Shopkeeper. Then I shall partake in this exquisite beverage."
He raised the cup and took a sip. His eyes immediately closed, and a visible wave of relaxation washed over his aged features. The erratic fluctuations in his aura smoothed out into a tranquil rhythm.
"Mhm. Exquisite," the Elder breathed out, opening his eyes, which now shone with a rejuvenated light. "I must confess, Shopkeeper, I was initially skeptical of these new artifacts you had in your store. But I should’ve known. None of your products can be lower in quality than the highest-grade elixirs crafted by our sect’s grandmasters. And it dispenses it in seconds."
"Efficiency is the core of our business model," Lin Mo smiled, "Now, speaking of business, I believe you had a rather large order pending from yesterday? The five hundred Viewing Jades and the reserved Celestial Duel Gear Starter Bundles."
At the mention of the order, Elder Shen Liang’s expression shifted into one of profound yet almost comical relief. He quickly set his cup down on a nearby table and pulled out an ornate spatial pouch.
"Yes! I’ve received the Celestial Duel Gears. It’ll be our last day here. Your words from yesterday and these products will be the key to unlocking our Pavilion Master’s stubbornness."
"Oh? Are you leaving? Then... I must ask you, elder, to keep an eye out for any Anchor or Towers near your pavilion’s territory. It’ll give way for us to construct the Celestial Shuttle Hub for a quicker passage from the southern part of the region. After all, a journey of several days is highly inefficient for a modern cultivator, wouldn’t you agree, Elder Shen?"
The elderly cultivator nodded vehemently, "I couldn’t agree more, Shopkeeper. Once our Pavilion Master witnesses the scale of the network upon these Viewing Jades, he will undoubtedly dispatch our top geomancers and elders to scour the coastlines. Beyond the sea, many dormant ruins and forbidden zones that have remained untouched for millennia. If even one of them is an Anchor or even a Tower..."
"Then the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion will be the first to reap the benefits of integration," Lin Mo finished for him, his smile adopting the perfectly calibrated warmth of a seasoned executive closing a lucrative deal. "I look forward to your sect’s contributions to the Realm Guardian Leaderboard."
"Oh. I have planned to have Xue Yuan and a few of our core disciples remain here in your city... It’ll be in their best interest to test themselves in the towers and join the efforts to defend against the Outer Realms."
Lin Mo’s lips twitched slightly, though his smile remained perfectly pleasant. Defend against the Outer Realms? he thought in amusement. More like defending his high score on Cabinet #5 and rolling for a foil-stamped [Sapphire Melody] card.
"A commendable decision, Elder Shen," Lin Mo replied, entirely willing to indulge the elder’s idealized view of his disciple. "The environment here in Fanling City is unparalleled for a young cultivator’s growth. Between the competitive spirit fostered by the Celestial Duel Arcade and the rigorous, hands-on experience available in the nearby Anchors, Young Master Xue Yuan will undoubtedly return to the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion a transformed man."
Transformed into a hardcore gamer and a gacha addict, Lin Mo mentally added.
But as long as the young master’s spirit stones were flowing into the store’s registers, Lin Mo was more than happy to facilitate his ’martial tempering.’
"I leave him in your capable hands, Shopkeeper. May the winds of fortune guide your establishment," Elder Shen Liang said, offering a respectful bow before turning back to enjoy his cup of coffee.
Lin Mo continued on his way, greeting the Golden Patrons before finding his usual spot to rest his legs on. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
With no one else disturbing him, he waved his hand, willing a few holographic windows to be displayed in front of him.
They were the Bulletin Board, the Distributor Interface, and the Feedback and Suggestions page.
On the Bulletin Board, with his administrator privilege, he configured a program to monitor the Public Channel and the new threads being posted, catching messages or thread titles that may contain rumors or unverified information about a tower, an anchor, or an unknown creature.
With Liu Xiaoyu, Wu Meiyu, and Pan Ruo helping him manage the store, he could now set some of his attention to further expansion. Not the expansion of the store itself, but for the convenience it was spreading. Furthermore, there’s the significance of each Tower and Anchor discovered.
The more he integrates into the store, the less danger they will pose in the realm.
On the Distributor Interface, he was exchanging messages with Yu Qingyan, the High Priest, and the Golden Carp Guild Leader. It’s mostly about the trade route they’re all establishing and how well the places they’ve been to are taking the ’convenience’ they’re spreading.
Yu Qingyan had the most progress in it as she’s already approaching the third city in the Arctic Sea Palace’s territory. As for the Frozen Spire Tower, it remained unconquered despite having only five floors. The floor challenges were truly too difficult for an individual cultivator.
Apparently, the Elders of the Arctic Sea Palace have also started climbing it, only to escape using the [Emergency Escape Talisman] at around Floor 3.
The Palace Master herself was intrigued by it, but she had no plans of moving out until she met with him. Unfortunately, visiting the Arctic Sea Palace still had to wait. There were more urgent things Lin Mo had to attend to at the moment, after all.
Meanwhile, High Priest was still waiting for the Venom Master’s report. They had just set out yesterday, after all. But since it was more convenient for him to contact Lin Mo through the Distributor Token, he’s also relaying the progress regarding the construction of his Institute of Forbidden Anatomy and the initial findings about the amalgamation they brought back from the Sunken Caverns Anchor yesterday.
There wasn’t any breakthrough yet, but the old man was so fascinated by how the amalgamation was formed. He even expressed his willingness to join the upcoming operation to the Anchor just to secure more samples.
Lastly, the Feedback and Suggestions page showed Zhenren Lihua’s response to his suggestion about the Queue System for towers and anchors to be integrated in the Viewing Jade. It was approved.
