Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 361: Secret Realm Recruitment

Venom Master Xun’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly. A guaranteed seat was valuable, but the second offer... a private audience where she could truly discuss a ’partnership’ was what she truly revels in. She had made numerous attempts to get his attention but even last night, she was brushed away. Now, by doing a favor for him, she would get the acknowledgment of her status and ambition beyond that of a simple patron.

Naturally, her ambition had to do with weaving his thread around the enigmatic Shopkeeper.

She let a meaningful smile grace her lips. "Shopkeeper, you are a master negotiator. You offer the very things one cannot simply buy with spirit stones." She turned to Marrow Weaver. "Inform the High Priest I will be undertaking a personal mission on behalf of the Shopkeeper. The Arachnid Branch will oversee our cult’s interests at the Abyssal Forest Tower in my stead."

Marrow Weaver bowed silently and retreated to use her Viewing Jade.

Venom Master Xun then turned back to Lin Mo, her gaze intense. "I accept your commission. However, I have one small condition of my own."

"Oh?" Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.

"This ’private conversation’..." She started in a low, seductive tone as she stepped closer, "... will be just one of the many to come. I’m certain, my Arachnid Branch can procure certain... unique ingredients from the deepest parts of the Abyssal Forest that even the High Priest cannot easily obtain. Ingredients that your divine alchemists might find... inspiring." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Lin Mo’s smile became genuine. She wasn’t just asking for a favor; she was offering a valuable, long-term business relationship. She was proving her worth. This was exactly the kind of initiative he was looking for. However, what kind of unique ingredients could she bring that would entice the divine beings? Heck, even the grass in the 3rd Heaven might’ve been more valuable than anything they could find in the 1st Heaven.

"Venom Master Xun," He said as he extended his hand to her. Thinking about it, it didn’t matter at all. Since she was willing to accept the commission, he wouldn’t mind indulging her. "You have a deal. Provide me with a detailed, accurate report, and we can discuss the terms of that contract upon your return."

Instead of shaking his hand, she took it gently as though she was trying to burn the sensation in her mind. The moment she fully grasped his hand, Venom Master Xun’s lips stretched further.

"I look forward to a most... fruitful partnership, Shopkeeper."

Letting go, she gave him a final, meaningful smile before bowing again and bringing her entourage, whose baskets were now filled with different items, to line up at the counter.

Problem solved. He had turned a problematic and notoriously manipulative figure into a temporary, and highly effective, asset.

He watched her back. The art of management, he was finding, was all about putting the right person on the job. And he had this gut feeling, she’s going to bring him surprises.

With that done, he then turned his attention back to the Divine Lecture preparations.

—

Meanwhile, at the Frigid Peaks of the Northern Arctic Dominion...

The air was thin and sharp amidst a tempestuous weather, carrying the scent of pine and ancient ice. Yu Qingyan stood on a snow-dusted ridge with her breath misting before her.

Below, one could spy a shimmering, almost invisible distortion in the air nestled between two colossal, fang-like mountains.

The entrance to the Secret Realm she had discovered.

Her caravan, consisting of carts and carriages of the Verdant Sky Pavilion, was encamped in a hidden vale nearby. She had personally set up a complex illusion formation called [Misty Veil Array] which was further enhanced by instant formation kits bought from the Divine Convenience Store, to conceal their presence and the Secret Realm’s entrance from any wandering cultivators or powerful arctic beasts.

"Everything is secure, Elder Yu," The deacon of the pavilion serving as her caravan captain reported. His voice was muffled by his thick, fur-lined cloak. "The perimeter is clear. No signs of approach. I’ve deployed a few disciples to deal with the wandering ferocious beast stepping inside."

"Good," Yu Qingyan replied, her gaze fixed on the shimmering portal. "Maintain vigilance. The spiritual fluctuations from this place, though subtle, could still attract unwanted attention."

She pulled her own Viewing Jade from her spatial ring, its warm glow a stark contrast to the biting cold. The Bulletin Board was ablaze with news of the Divine Lecture. The two disciples serving as her assistants were pretty busy browsing and commenting on various threads for her.

Although she felt a pang of disappointment given that she might miss it, abandoning this discovery was out of the question.

Her finger hovered over a new message from Chu Yueying.

CrimsonDaisy: Qingyan, the store has these new training rooms. I feel like I’m on the verge of my breakthrough. Should I come there after I formed my Golden Core? You know what? I’ll spend another day here. Anyhow, the Shopkeeper even has the Royal Guards working as cashiers. That First Princess is doing her best to impress him, don’t you think so?

A small smile touched Yu Qingyan’s lips. Of course, Lin Mo would manage something so absurd. The image of those stoic guards fumbling with scanners was amusing.

A part of her missed the comfortable chaos of the store, the easy banter with Xiaoyu, the quiet satisfaction of eating spicy noodles with a can of Heavenly Dew Soda next to her. Of course, she could still do that out here but... the cozy atmosphere within the store was still different..

In any case, that princess... Yu Qingyan couldn’t help but clench her fist as she imagined him flirting with her.

’He may be stupid but he won’t do that.’ She muttered under her breath before quickly sending out a reply to Chu Yueying.

Pushing the distracting thought aside, she focused on her duty.

But then, she noticed that the [Communication Hub] attached to her Distributor Token was pinging her. That only meant one thing. Lin Mo sent him a message.

Without missing a beat, she opened it.

Lin Mo: Miss Yu, I believe that discovering the Secret Realm is your fortuitous encounter. Should you require assistance in exploring that Secret Realm, don’t hesitate to ask. You know how dangerous an unexplored place like that can be.

Upon reading that, a warmth spread through her chest, chasing away the arctic chill. As always, he has his way to make her flustered, even unintentionally.

In any case, his message did more than just warm her heart; it sparked a brilliant idea.

He said to ask for assistance. He didn’t say who she had to ask.

She could call on her sect and ask her grandmother to send more experts but would that be the right move? Like Lin Mo said, this was her fortuitous encounter. She should capitalize on it.

At the moment, she’s not just the Emissary of the Verdant Sky Pavilion, she’s also the Official Distributor of the Divine Convenience Store. And the store had provided her with a far more powerful tool.

With newfound resolve, she opened a new thread on the Bulletin Board. It was a bold and unprecedented move for anyone using it. But she’s convinced that it was exactly what Lin Mo would do. Leverage the network built among the patrons.

[Recruiting Cultivators: Secret Realm Expedition - MistyRain]

"Greetings, fellow patrons of convenience. I have discovered a previously unknown, high-potential Secret Realm. The spiritual energy within is pure and ancient, but the dangers are unknown. In the spirit of cooperation and shared opportunity fostered by the Divine Convenience Store, I am officially recruiting a small, elite expedition team to explore this realm with me. This won’t be a casual outing but a high-risk, high-reward mission.

Requirements:

- Minimum Cultivation: Peak Foundation Establishment Stage.

- Proven Combat Experience: Must have cleared at least Floor 5 of the Jade Hollow Conduit Tower.

- Team-Oriented Mindset: Lone wolves need not apply.

- Discretion: What happens in the Secret Realm, stays in the Secret Realm.

Compensation:

- Priority access to all artifacts and resources discovered, distributed based on contribution.

- A full set of store-provided expedition supplies (potions, talismans, rations) for all selected members.

Interested parties, please reply to this thread with your qualifications. I will be conducting brief interviews via private message. Let’s spread convenience to the forgotten corners of the realm, together."

After reading it thrice, she hit ’post’. She knew the risk of announcing it in the Board, but at the same time, this could confirm the store’s prestige and propagation of convenience. Given that she’s not going to reveal the details right away, she could properly screen trustworthy patrons who could join her.

Seconds after the thread was posted, the effect was instantaneous. Comments instantly flooded it. However, not everyone was applying or laying down their qualifications. Most were simply curious about the Secret Realm’s discovery. With Anchors and Tower already a public knowledge, some were thinking she might’ve stumbled into an Anchor instead.

Yu Qingyan did not attempt to clarify it. It’s up to them whether to believe her or not. She’s certain it was a Secret Realm, otherwise, the Distributor Token would prompt her to deploy a Store Beacon inside.