Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 231: What’s inside the Hidden Realm?

Upon stepping inside, Jiang Jianxin's gaze swept the enclosed space, her spiritual senses probing the intricate layers of energy woven into it as it sealed them off from the bustling noise of the store. However, no matter how much she tried, the formation's craftsmanship was beyond her comprehension. It further solidified everyone's speculation regarding the divine beings behind the store.

Her fingers brushed the hilt of the Ethereal Cloud Edge, a reflex born of caution, but she relaxed slightly as Lin Mo's calm presence anchored the room.

Lin Mo walked towards the front of the three display shelves and turned to face her.

"Alright, Sword Fairy. You've got my undivided attention. Let us hear about this underground ruin. Please don't hold back, I believe what you described to me before was eerily similar to what we've discovered just outside this city."

"Outside the city? You mean… another underground ruin?"

Jiang Jianxin's eyes narrowed.

"Yes. However, it was still closed. Dormant, if I may say so. But it was already leaking foreign energy.

Hearing that, the Sword Fairy became more alert. She expected as much from a man tied to divine machinations but to hear an underground ruin also appeared nearby the city, it made her change her opinion a bit.

Yes. The Divine Convenience Store had a link to these phenomena, but if it's the one responsible for them, why would it put something like it so close to its base of operations? Her mind whirled and she arrived at a conclusion.

The divine beings behind the store were privy to whatever they were and the store was their attempt to influence the realm indirectly.

Accepting that explanation temporarily, Jiang Jianxin straightened and nodded before speaking, "I see. An underground ruin nearby, yet it remained inactive. Meanwhile…"

She trailed her voice for a bit to check Lin Mo's face. Finding his expectant expression, she took a deep breath and continued, "I cannot be certain if it is the same kind but our Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect uncovered a hidden realm inside the Abyssal Forest and nearby our mountain. Accessed through an underground ruin. Adding to what I revealed to you before, a Deacon ventured inside with a group of our sect's disciples to investigate it upon discovery. Regrettably, only he returned… and changed. His cultivation surged from mid to late Foundation Establishment in that venture, courtesy of the energy absorbed by his body from killing the creatures inside. He said they were humanoid, green-skinned, long-nosed and long-eared. However, there's a shadow in his meridians, like a residue of the foreign energy that he absorbed. Master believes it may be similar to the Tower. You've told me they originated from the Fractured Planes, are they the same?"

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Lin Mo didn't answer right away. He waited until she finished listing what she knew about it. The creature she described eerily fit goblins from Earth's fictions. But if he based it on what Lihua revealed to him regarding the Anchors, whichever realm that Anchor was tied to, goblins might've been native to them.

The question is… are they intelligent creatures? The ones in the Conduit Towers were definitely not.

"Alright, since our realm will have to deal, it won't hurt to tell you about it. Just for the record, Sword Fairy. This information was only relayed to me as well."

"It's not a problem. It must be the divine being who informed you, correct?"

Lin Mo's lips twitched before nodding, "According to them, these hidden or secret realms were called Anchor. They are gateways to other realms. Hostile ones that surrounded our Realm of Nine Heavens. They can also be considered trial grounds like the Conduit Towers, but messier, there was another purpose for its existence…"

Jiang Jianxin finished his sentence for him, "Gateways. The inhabitants of those hostile realms are going to use them as a stage for their invasion."

"Exactly."

"Then, Shopkeeper. How do we close them?"

"At the moment, I am also clueless. But the fact that your Deacon managed to exit it alive meant it's not going to be a graveyard that will lock anyone who ventures inside it. Furthermore, you can go in as a group and not tackle the challenges inside alone."

Lin Mo crossed his arms as he tried to think of any possibilities, even pulling the knowledge he had about those 'dungeons' that were prevalent in fictional works back on Earth.

"Perhaps, one needs to explore it in its entirety and figure out if there's a core or anything that was being used to transfer those foreign creatures inside the hidden realm."

Jiang Jianxin digested his words and processed them. Lin Mo's words made sense. Without accurate information as to what's truly inside it, it will be difficult to understand its structure.

"We're going on an expedition inside it later, Shopkeeper. To investigate it but…"

Sensing her hesitation, Lin Mo said, "Are you not confident, dear customer?"

She raised her gaze and fell silent. She didn't want to admit it but Lin Mo already saw through her.

"Why don't you bring an Emergency Escape Talisman inside? If it's working inside the tower with a trial space that was also isolated from our realm, it might also work inside. That way… you, at least, have something to fall back on in case your expedition goes awry."

"... That." She gritted her teeth. The idea of relying on an [Emergency Escape Talisman] grated against her pride as a sword cultivator, but the memory of the Deacon's haunted eyes and the shadow in his meridians tempered her resistance.

Survival outweighed sentiment and the Shopkeeper's pragmatism had a way of cutting through her hesitations.

"An escape talisman," She murmured with reluctant acknowledgement. "It's… a practical choice. I'll take a few for the expedition. Better to return with answers than not at all."

Lin Mo's lips curved into his trademark business smile, though there was a noticeable hint of satisfaction and approval in his eyes. "Smart move, dear customer. The Anchors aren't like the Towers. It may be akin to stepping into someone else's territory. You'll want every edge you can get. And speaking of edges…"

He gestured toward the three display shelves behind him, each radiating a hint of immortal qi that spoke of their quality. The immortal-grade artifacts gleamed under the formation's soft light: the [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb], the [Boundless Knowledge Jade], and the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain].

Jiang Jianxin's spiritual senses prickled at the sheer potency emanating from them.

"These," Lin Mo said, his tone shifting to the measured cadence of a merchant unveiling a prize, "are what I wanted to show you. Immortal-grade artifacts. Not for sale yet, but Golden Patrons like your Cerulean Sword Sect get a preview. They're tools for the realm's defense, meant to tip the scales against threats like the Anchors and Towers. Interested?"

"Immortal-grade…" That's all Jiang Jianxin could say as she stepped forward to inspect them closely.

Lin Mo didn't stop her and even assisted her by pulling up their description.

—

Several minutes later, Lin Mo escorted the Sword Fairy out of the divine-grade formation. They blended seamlessly back into the bustle of the store.

Although they're not that reliant on strong artifacts, Jiang Jianxin knew the importance of those immortal-grade artifacts. Simply getting their hands on one of them could elevate their sect's strength and potential.

With Lin Mo telling her that it might take a while until the store decides on the requirement on how to purchase them, her sect was given time to discuss it thoroughly.

Meanwhile, her concern about her upcoming expedition lessened. Lin Mo pitched different store products to her that could truly increase their chances in being successful in it.

Furthermore, after hearing about the extensive explanations regarding the [Celestial Duel Platform], her feet brought her to it.

"Dear customer, are you also interested in this bundle?" Instead of Xiao Ya, she found the new employee of the store there. And since she's unaware of the First Princess's identity, she gauged her cultivation instead.

"You're a new face," She said. "How did Shopkeeper Lin scout you?"

Wu Meiyu's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and guarded charm as she met Jiang Jianxin's gaze. Clad in the store's green-and-white striped apron, she looked every bit the diligent employee, though the regal poise in her posture hinted at her true identity. Her cultivation, subtly masked, registered as mid-Foundation Establishment to Jiang Jianxin's senses. Impressive for a store employee, but not enough to raise immediate suspicion.

"Scouted? Oh, let's just say the Shopkeeper has a knack for spotting potential," Wu Meiyu replied, her voice carrying a subtle hint of playfulness. This was the Sword Fairy she was admiring. While she's quite sad that she failed to recognize her, she's still glad to interact with her.

She gestured to the [Celestial Duel Gear] bundle on display, her movements fluid and confident. Somehow, she's truly fitting in as a floor staff of the store.

"As for this, it's quite the marvel. Even a sword cultivator like yourself might find it… intriguing. Care to see a demonstration, honored customer?"