As Grandmaster Lian stepped inside, her hair was noticeably disheveled as though it was tied back hastily. Her eyes were also bloodshot as if she spent the previous day stressed out.
Behind her followed a small delegation from the Red Lotus Academy. Two Elder Professors clad in flowing red robes adorned with the same lotus motif and three superior students, each exuding the confidence of noble lineage and exceptional talent.
Their eyes widened slightly as they took in the store’s eclectic interior. It was a sight that was too foreign to them. Not to mention, the expanded space that wasn’t obvious from outside.
Lin Mo’s Stillwater Perception swept over them, noting the refined spiritual signatures of the group.
Grandmaster Lian’s spiritual aura stood out the most. She’s a Core Formation Stage expert while also being a talisman grandmaster. The other two were less intense but no less impressive, their cultivation bases were late and peak Foundation Establishment Stage respectively. As for the students, two were at the peak of Spirit Condensation Stage while the one at the front had a stabilized early Foundation Establishment Stage aura.
Clearly, the academy had sent its best to make an impression.
"Shopkeeper Lin, it’s good to see you again." Grandmaster Lian greeted with a polite nod. Her switch from being a threatened professional talisman-maker to a loyal patron of the Divine Convenience Store had finally settled.
There wasn’t any hint of hostility in her demeanor anymore. She was fully sold.
Lin Mo returned the nod, his welcoming smile remaining in place. "Dear customer, welcome back. I see you’ve brought company this time."
She gestured to her entourage. "Indeed. As I have mentioned in our direct messages, I am here to represent our Red Lotus Academy. These here are our esteemed Elder Professors, Professors Wei and Chen and three of our top students, Jiahao, Liying, and Mingzhu."
Although the professors were silently unimpressed by his strength and appearance, they were not that ignorant of the growing reputation of the Divine Convenience Store. Just one sweep of their spiritual perception and they’d notice the number of strong cultivators present within the store.
The two clasped their fists in front of them in greeting.
As for the three students, they did the same before they looked on curiously around the store before their attention got piqued by the poster on the wall, specifically the one regarding the [Celestial Duel Platform].
Lin Mo inclined his head slightly and nodded, "The moment you stepped inside our doors, you are all our dear customers. The Divine Convenience Store doesn’t discriminate. But I assume you’re here for more than just browsing? Is that right, Grandmaster Lian?"
Grandmaster Lian’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her tired eyes betrayed the urgency behind her visit. "Indeed, Shopkeeper Lin. We’ve come to discuss a potential collaboration."
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Like the three students, her gaze shifted to the poster on the wall, where the bold text outlined the platform’s upcoming release.
"I’ve shown the Headmaster and everyone in here the recording from the Alpha Test and recent Celestial Duel you posted in the Store Bulletin Board. Everyone believes it could be a valuable tool for our students’ training."
Lin Mo picked up the subtle excitement in her tone, tempered by a layer of calculated professionalism.
He glanced at the professors and students, noting their reactions. Professors Wei and Chen remained stoic, their expressions guarded. They’re interested but not as much as Grandmaster Lian who found the Celestial Duel Cards a masterpiece in the field of talisman-making.
Meanwhile, the students, Jiahao, Liying, and Mingzhu, couldn’t hide their intrigue and excitement. Their eyes darted between the poster and the Viewing Jades on display, clearly eager to explore this new phenomenon.
They were clearly of noble descent. They won’t be lacking in spirit stones.
"A collaboration, huh?" Lin Mo said, crossing his arms casually. "That’s an enticing offer. What exactly are you proposing?"
Grandmaster Lian stepped closer, lowering her voice slightly to keep the conversation discreet amidst the bustling store.
"The Red Lotus Academy would like to integrate the Celestial Duel Platform into our curriculum. We see it as a way to sharpen our students’ strategic minds and combat instincts in a controlled environment. Read new chapters at freewebnovel
In exchange, we’re prepared to offer resources—spirit stones, rare materials, even ideas that could improve the game. We could also promote the platform across the kingdom, giving your store a wider reach."
Lin Mo rubbed his chin, his expression unreadable but his mind already turning over the possibilities. The academy’s backing could indeed amplify the store’s influence, however, it’s not like he isn’t planning to release the platform publicly. Whether or not they collaborate with the Red Lotus Academy, it will still spread within the realm.
Besides, what can their ideas add when the platform is being developed by multiple divine beings who can be considered the best in their trade?
"Interesting," He finally said, which immediately made Grandmaster Lian’s expression brighten, "As you have noticed, the platform is not released yet. It will be in a few days. But I can see the appeal for an academy like yours. What’s the scope you’re thinking of? A trial run, or full adoption? Our store is planning to release it publicly, there’s no need to offer a collaboration, don’t you think so?"
Grandmaster Lian’s expression faltered for a brief moment at Lin Mo’s response, her enthusiasm tempered by the realization that the Shopkeeper wasn’t as easily swayed as she’d hoped.
"You’re right, Shopkeeper Lin. The platform’s public release will naturally spread its influence regardless of our involvement. But allow me to elaborate. The Red Lotus Academy will be promoting it extensively, even allowing every student to pick it up. We can popularize it not just in our academy, but also in the territory of the noble lineages behind the student. And with the Southern Wu Kingdom being our academy’s biggest sponsor, it may just become a national sport. In short, it’ll save you the time to promote them through word of mouth."
Professor Wei, a tall man with a stern face and a neatly trimmed beard, spoke up for the first time. "Shopkeeper Lin, if I may. Based on the recordings that we’ve watched, we’re all intrigued as to how it truly works. Can we ask for you to give these students a chance to try it out ahead of its release?"
Professor Chen also chimed in, he was shorter and stockier with a perpetual frown, "If this platform is as revolutionary as Grandmaster Lian claims, a demonstration would help us assess its practical value. We’re not here to waste your time, Shopkeeper. We want to see it in action."
Lin Mo could pick up the genuine curiosity beneath their guarded tones. And thanks to his Stillwater Perception, he became more certain of it.
The professors might be skeptical, but they weren’t dismissive. The students, meanwhile, practically vibrated with anticipation. Jiahao, a broad-shouldered youth with an air of quiet confidence, stepped forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with interest. Liying, a slender girl with sharp features, clasped her hands behind her back, while Mingzhu, the smallest of the trio with an aura of serene focus, stared intently at the Viewing Jades as if trying to decipher their secrets.
"A demonstration, huh? Fair enough. I can arrange that. But let’s be clear. This won’t be a free trial. If you want to witness the [Celestial Duel Platform] in action, it’ll cost you. Call it a… preview fee. On top of that, there’s also a fee on using our multipurpose hall. The arena you’ve seen in the recordings that Grandmaster Lian showed."
Grandmaster Lian’s smile returned, though it was tempered with a flicker of caution. "Of course, Shopkeeper Lin. We wouldn’t expect anything less from a businessman of your caliber. Name your price."
Lin Mo glanced at Liu Xiaoyu, who had already sidled up beside him. Her Viewing Jade still in hand. She gave him a subtle wink, clearly enjoying the negotiation.
Even without saying it, she clearly wanted to be the one to show them how it works and maybe duel those three top students of the academy. Xiao Ya, who won against the prodigy of the Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion yesterday, also looked over, clearly expressing her desire to play the game again. Unfortunately, she was already dealing with a line of customers checking out their items.
Apart from that, the mention of [Celestial Duel] didn’t escape the ears of the customers. Some of them started murmuring among each other, talking about yesterday’s Celestial Duel. And obviously, the people from the Poison Demon Cult also picked up on it.
Now, their attention was gathered on Lin Mo as they waited for his decision.
With a serene expression, he turned back to Grandmaster Lian and her entourage.
"Our store offers convenience so… the price will be more considerate for you, dear customers. Thirty high-grade spirit stones for the [Celestial Duel Platform]’s trial and twenty high-grade spirit stones for the use of our [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall]" He started, "That amount gets you a live demo right now. My assistant here will be dueling your students one by one. Everyone in our store can watch but your group will be in a priority seat for a premium viewing experience. Plus, I’ll throw in a Viewing Jade for each of you as part of the deal. What do you think, dear customers?"
Inwardly, Lin Mo’s sly grin stretched from ear to ear. This is another chance to rake in extra profit. No matter how small, it’ll be a step closer to the next tier progression of the Divine Convenience Store.