"Understood, Captain. We''ll report back by midday." The lieutenant saluted crisply as he gestured to half the squad, a group of ten soldiers clad in the crimson and gold armor, indicative that they were close retinues of the Crown Prince and not just part of the northern border defense army.


    They peeled off toward the bustling crowd near the gates. Their armor clinked faintly as they blended into the throng, their sharp eyes and ears attuned to the murmurs of merchants and cultivators alike.


    Captain Ying turned to the remaining soldiers. "The rest of you, with me. The First Princess''s estate isn''t far from the city center. Mind your manners."


    With a flick of her wrist, she led the group forward, their disciplined steps cutting through the early morning chaos.


    The sunlight had just started to peek from the horizon, yet the air in Fanling City was already buzzing with anticipation. Its streets were already alive with the promise of more visitors that could enrich the livelihood of the citizens.


    Captain Ying''s mind churned with questions. What kind of man could turn a border city into a hub of such fervor? And what did the First Princess, Wu Meiyu, see in this place that warranted her prolonged stay as an envoy?


    —


    Inside the Divine Convenience Store, Lin Mo''s consciousness snapped back to reality as the mental simulation dissolved.


    His brows were furrowed as his eyes fluttered open. A faint sheen of sweat lined his forehead despite his body remaining still for the past hour or so.


    He exhaled slowly before flexing his fingers as the sensations of the [Foundational Martial Technique] settled into his mind.


    More than ten hours of mental practice had condensed into a single hour and though his body hadn''t moved, his understanding of the stances, flows, and spiritual energy circulation felt as real as if he''d drilled them physically.


    The spear''s weight, the shift of his footing, the rhythm of channeling energy through his limbs, all of it lingered like a phantom memory. However, unlike the effect of the [Boundless Knowledge Jade], what he could remember was his own understanding of the manual, not actual mastery of it.


    "How do you feel, Shopkeeper? Did the mental simulation meet your expectations?" Yangyang asked.


    Lin Mo rubbed the back of his neck, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I figured I can also be lazy inside there. I somehow lost at least an hour reminiscing about my previous life."


    "Pfft. Typical of you, Boss. So? Have you finally put that concern to rest?"


    "Kinda… And I understand that I have to carve my own path here now. The store. My cultivation. And what I will do from now on. Me, giving up this privilege of managing such a mystical store will not be considered anymore. This is my golden finger and I feel at peace managing it." Sёar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That''s not just resting your concern. You''ve achieved enlightenment. The acceptance of your situation." Liu Xiaoyu resolutely said as she approached him and hit his chest lightly, "Boss, let''s continue spreading convenience and prevent whatever is encroaching this realm!"


    "I… I''ll also help, Boss. I will work for the store and my family." Xiao Ya was taken in by the sudden shift in the atmosphere.


    Yangyang''s lips curled up in a gentle smile. "The store''s operation is only starting, but for you to have that conviction already, it will definitely ease the Divine Pantheon''s concern."


    "Concern, huh? Does Taihao think I will give up one day?"


    "I cannot say." Yangyang dodged the question before shifting back the topic, "So, how do you feel, Shopkeeper?


    Lin Mo didn''t push on the topic either as he replied, "Great. I''ve got the basics down. Stances, thrusts, sweeps. Even the energy flow feels natural now. Not mastery, but… solid enough to not embarrass myself. I may have used the spear since I thought I had to practice weapon by weapon, but it seems I was overthinking. The [Foundational Martial Technique] encompassed everything. I feel like I''ve just become a martial artist but not a cultivator."


    Liu Xiaoyu chuckled as she tapped his shoulder, "I told you, Boss. It''s just the start. You can branch off from there. Once you figure out how to circulate your spiritual energy in a specific path or rhythm, your understanding of spell manuals and other techniques will smoothen up. Creating your own technique won''t be impossible. Anyway, now you''re not just a shopkeeper who runs away, you can poke things too!" She mimed a spear thrust but as clumsily as possible, almost tumbling over Lin Mo who caught and supported her up.


    Lin Mo snorted and patted her head. "Yeah, yeah. As if I can when my comprehension is still low. I better pick some tested manuals and use them instead. Just like my breathing, core and movement techniques."


    He then glanced at Xiao Ya, who sat cross-legged nearby, her eyes heavy with exhaustion but bright with pride from her earlier success. "You did great, Xiao Ya. Get some rest soon, alright? We''ve got a busy day ahead."


    Xiao Ya nodded, stifling a yawn. "Yes, Shopkeeper Lin. Thank you… I''ll be ready to help later."


    Eventually, they moved back to the store proper. Yangyang set the orb back into its protective case within the formation before Lin Mo closed it again and made it invisible even for him to see.


    Lin Mo glanced out the store''s front, where the first rays of sunlight gradually painted the sky a soft orange.


    Sure enough, a line of customers snaked along the street, their chatter waking up the whole neighborhood. The City Guards stood watch, their presence a familiar sight now that the Divine Convenience Store continued to increase in influence, becoming a hotspot for cultivators and merchants alike.


    "Another day of chaos," He muttered, then turned to Liu Xiaoyu. "Xiaoyu, get the counter ready. And… keep an eye out for the First Princess. She said she''d show up today. As for you, Xiao Ya, go take a rest in our quarters. Miss Yangyang, can you look after her?"


    Yangyang nodded and guided the young girl inside.


    Liu Xiaoyu''s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, right! The royal observer! I''ll make sure she gets the full Divine Convenience Store experience, Boss. Maybe I''ll even get her to greet customers!"


    Lin Mo shook his head, a faint grin breaking through his fatigue. "Just don''t scare her off. She''s still our Golden Patron. Sooner or later, we''ll also have to show her the immortal-grade products."


    As they dispersed to their tasks, the store hummed with the quiet energy of preparation. The [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] bubbled softly, its spiritual energy mingling with the morning light filtering through the windows.


    Lin Mo''s Passive Spiritual Energy Absorption kicked in, soothing the faint strain from his night of training. His dantian stirred, teetering on the edge of another minor breakthrough. And to his surprise, even his comprehension of [Everflowing Serenity Sutra] rose a bit during his mental simulation. It was the courtesy of him achieving enlightenment.


    According to the tracking done by the Divine Interface System, his current comprehension rose to 40%.


    —


    Captain Ying''s squad moved with purpose toward the First Princess''s temporary estate.


    The modest compound sat just beyond the City Lord Mansion, its walls adorned with the Southern Wu Kingdom''s insignia.


    Her guards stood at attention, their spears glinting in the dawn light.


    Captain Ying approached the gate and addressed the lead guard. "Captain Ying of the Crown Prince''s retinue. I seek an audience with Her Highness, First Princess Wu Meiyu. It''s a matter of urgency."


    The guard''s eyes narrowed briefly before he nodded. "Her Highness is expecting visitors today, though she''s currently absent. She left word she''d be at the Divine Convenience Store for the whole day. I can guide you there if you wish."


    Captain Ying''s brow furrowed. "The store, already? No need. We''ll head there directly. Still, inform Her Highness of our arrival. She must''ve left a communication jade, right?"


    The guard nodded and saluted, seeing them off.


    Captain Ying turned to her squad. "Change of plans. We''re going to the store. Keep your wits about you. This Shopkeeper Lin Mo has the First Princess''s attention and we need to figure out why."


    As they marched toward the Divine Convenience Store, the other half of her squad wove through the crowd and arrived at the street where it was located.


    But before approaching it, the scarred lieutenant bartered with a merchant for a small pouch of ordinary goods, his ears catching snippets of conversation.


    "–heard the Sword Fairy cleared Floor 3 yesterday. Got a silver blade out of it, they say! I''ve read it on one of the threads!"


    "–Shopkeeper''s goods are a godsend. I invested my remaining fortune to buy something from his store. And I sold it to a merchant five times the price in gold! Now, I need to find something to barter with. Gold cannot buy you anything in the store but it secured my living expenses for at least three months."


    "–Crown Prince tried the tower too, didn''t he? Ran out with his tail between his legs!"


    The lieutenant almost lost it when listening to that last guy but he managed to hold back. To dare insult the Crown Prince is an affront. Unfortunately, they''re ordered not to cause a scene.


    As he continued to listen to various conversations, the chatter painted a picture of reverence for the store and its mysterious Shopkeeper. A man who''d turned convenience into a currency more valuable than spirit stones. He signaled his men to regroup, their findings aligning with the growing legend of Lin Mo who, according to at least five people, had yet to step out too far from the store.