Divine Convenience Store
Chapter 355 - 355: Setting up the Next Branch

"Mhm. It's more than convenient, Miss Yangyang. Looks like you already familiarized yourself with this… new addition."

She nudged her glasses and nodded, "Indeed. It surprised me when another expansion appeared next to the inventory room. So this is the Celestial Shuttle Network, huh?"

Before Lin Mo could answer, Liu Xiaoyu dashed towards Yangyang, "Sister Yangyang! That was amazing! We were there, and then blink, and we're here! Let's go and try it again. Together!"

Yangyang giggled as she patted Xiaoyu's head. "Perhaps later, little prodigy. For now, you will have to get busy again. Furthermore, I believe the Shopkeeper and the Sword Fairy still have important matters to discuss before morning."

She then turned to Lin Mo, "The store's expansion is almost complete, Shopkeeper. The new cultivation rooms and the second floor are ready. You and Xiaoyu can test it out. It's not as convenient as using the Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb but it contained similar features. There's an option for a Physical and Mental Simulation on the rooms. Anyway, my return portal to the Divine Pantheon is also prepared. I will depart after the expansion completes."

Lin Mo nodded. But upon hearing that last sentence, he couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance thinking about Yangyang eventual departure, "Understood, Miss Yangyang. Thank you for everything."

"It has been a pleasure, Shopkeeper. You have exceeded all expectations. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few final adjustments to make to the new systems before I leave. Xiaoyu, come help me. Bring your little brother." With a final, graceful bow, Yangyang walked towards the back, where the sounds of soft whirring and subtle energy shifts indicated the ongoing store expansion.

"Come on, Xiaoping! Let's go help Miss Yangyang." Liu Xiaoyu smilingly nodded as she dragged her little brother behind Yangyang.

They disappeared into one of the new rooms that had been generated after the expansion of the store.

Now alone with Jiang Jianxin, Lin Mo turned to her, a hint of exhaustion finally showing on his face. "Miss Sword Fairy, I believe we've gathered more than enough data for one night. What do you plan to do with the information?"

Jiang Jianxin gently smiled, "I will take the shuttle again and go to the Jade Hollow Conduit Tower immediately, Shopkeeper. My master and maybe the Sect Masters of the alliance must be informed of the true nature of these Anchors and the Highland Realm. The Eastern Abyssal Domain needs to prepare for a threat far greater than any internal squabble. Also… I can't miss my chance on challenging that tower one more time before I tackle the Core Formation Stage and form my Golden Core."

"I see. Good luck on your challenge, Miss Sword Fairy. Many users of the Bulletin Board will tune in again on whether you can finish it or not. I'll have Xiaoyu send you some hints on what to expect on the higher floors."

Jiang Jianxin chuckled, "I'll look forward to that, Shopkeeper. Then, I shall endeavor to 'flaunt' the store's products appropriately.

She gave him a respectful bow. "Thank you for this enlightening and... surprisingly efficient expedition, Shopkeeper. Your vision for this realm is truly grand."

"You're welcome, Miss Sword Fairy. And thank you for your unwavering trust and assistance. Safe travels. I'll see you tomorrow."

With a final nod, Jiang Jianxin stepped back towards the Celestial Shuttle Network hub, pushing the glass doors and getting another ticket at the kiosk. The gates hissed open for her and she entered, her figure disappearing into the ethereal glow of the carriage.

A moment later, a soft chime announced her departure.

Lin Mo was left alone in the now-quiet store, the hum of the new systems a constant reminder of the day's events. He glanced at the ticking clock on the Divine System Interface. Dawn was an hour away, and the morning rush would soon begin.

He sighed, stretching once more, feeling the deep ache of physical and mental exhaustion.

He walked over to the counter and propped himself onto the stool, pulling out a [Heavenly Dew Soda] and cracking it open. The cool liquid soothed his parched throat.

After a while, Lin Mo accessed the [Convenience Nexus Hub] menu on his Divine System Interface.

[Convenience Nexus Hub]

[Description: Sets the initial store as the Main Branch and enables the establishment of a Divine Convenience Store branch anywhere in the Realm of Nine Heavens. A branch will have a similar tier progression to the main branch, but with a lower requirement. A portal will be generated inside the Main Branch to travel between stores (Limited to the Shopkeeper, Branch Manager, and designated employees up to two.]

[Active Store: 1/3]

—

[Available features upon opening of a new branch:

- New employee position: Branch Manager (Below Assistant Shopkeeper)

- Additional Divine Guardian Construct for each branch

- Branch Tasks]

[Note: Each branch requires a designated Branch Manager and a divine-grade contract to ensure loyalty to the Divine Convenience Store to operate.]

[Opening a new branch is free for the first time. A fee of 10,000 Spirit Stones for the second branch. (Will be deducted from Shopkeeper's Personal Balance).

[Current Personal Balance: 480 Spirit Stones]

Lin Mo scrolled down to the 'Open New Branch' option.

[Open New Branch]

[Location Selection:

- Southern Wilderness (Recommended)

- Northern Arctic Dominion (Higher Risk/Reward)

- Western Sacred Lands (Extremely High Risk/Reward)]

[Note: Risk/Reward refers to the ease of establishment, potential for conflict, and potential customer base.]

He tapped "Southern Wilderness (Recommended)".

[Confirm New Branch Establishment: Southern Wilderness?]

[Note: This will consume one 'Active Store' slot. The initial establishment is free. Future branch openings will incur a cost.]

Lin Mo confirmed.

The interface whirred, and a holographic map of the First Heaven of the Realm of Nine Heavens materialized before him, pinpointing their current location in Fanling City. A second beacon, radiating a soft, emerald glow, blinked into existence deep within the Southern Wilderness.

[New Branch Establishment Commencing: Southern Wilderness]

[Location: Emberfall Tribes, Blazing Ridge Outskirts]

[Status: Establishing connection. Deploying Divine Guardian Construct. Constructing Branch Storefront (Estimated Time: 120 hours).]

[Branch Manager Required: Yes]

[Note: The Shopkeeper must travel to the branch location to finalize setup and designate a Branch Manager.] Chapter source: My Virtual Library Empire (NovelFire).

Lin Mo's grin widened. "Mhm. There, I have five days to travel there. The Red Lotus Academy's inauguration of the Celestial Duel curriculum might happen later or tower. I should go after that. It's about time the Southern Wilderness and the Emberfall Tribes are about to get a taste of our convenience."

He gulped the remaining soda from his can before murmuring again, "Now, who should I appoint as a Branch Manager?"

He rested his chin on his hand. The Divine System Interface already presented a list of potential candidates for the Branch Manager position, albeit with a 'Currently Unavailable' tag. Meaning, none of them were fit for it.

[Potential Branch Managers (Currently Unavailable):

- Liu Xiaoyu (Assistant Shopkeeper – Primary Duty: Main Branch Operations)

- Xiao Ya (Store Staff – Primary Duty: Main Branch Support)

- Wu Meiyu (Honorary Employee – Primary Duty: Southern Wu Kingdom)

- Yu Qingyan (Official Distributor – Primary Duty: Trade Network Expansion)

- Jiang Jianxin (Golden Patron – Primary Duty: Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect)]

Lin Mo scoffed. "Unavailable? You're just showing me my current employees and loyal customers. That's not helpful at all."

He rubbed his temples. The Branch Manager needed to be trustworthy, capable, and willing to commit to the Divine Convenience Store's vision. And crucially, they needed to sign a divine-grade contract. That alone narrowed down the pool significantly. It couldn't be just anyone.

Without that requirement, he could just pick anyone. Just like how he was picked up and transmigrated by Taihao to this realm. Now with the current influence of the store, the position now required a deeper level of commitment and accountability, essentially binding the individual to the Divine Pantheon's mandate.