At the Jade Hollow Plains, the night deepened over Faguang City.
With the Conduit Tower still needing ti before challengers could attempt to conquer and climb it, the cultivators had already dispersed to their own camps or inside the city after being invited by Elder Tang as a show of their gratitude towards those who ca to their aid.
Yu Qingyan was resting in a courtyard prepared for her by Qianng and her family, the modest ho adorned with simple wooden furniture and a small herb garden visible through the open window.
The scent of spirit ginseng that Qianng grows lingered in the air, a faint reminder of her earlier work before the tower's upheaval.
Yu Qingyan sat cross-legged on a woven mat as she reviewed the [Distributor Interface] – checking her current inventory and revenue for the day from setting up a stall in the city as well as reviewing Lin Mo's ssages.
Her Viewing Jade also sat quietly on her lap as she browsed the new comnts and threads popping up.
To most cultivators, night was just a ti for ditation but with the release of the Viewing Jade, many of them forgo ditating and cultivating as they actively participate in the Store Bulletin Board.
Little Spring was also in the room but because she didn't have a Viewing Jade yet, she was quietly cultivating on her corner.
Qianng entered quietly, carrying a tray with a steaming pot of tea and three clay cups.
Her movents were careful as she set the tray down before glancing up at Yu Qingyan with a hint of admiration, "Senior Yu, I brewed the spirit leaves I bought from your stall. It's not much but I heard it's more effective for relaxation compared to the common spirit leaves."
Yu Qingyan offered a warm smile, gesturing for Qianng to sit. "Thank you, Qianng. It's more than enough. You've already done plenty today."
Qianng blushed slightly, settling onto a cushion across from Yu Qingyan.
"It's nothing compared to what you and the others did. I still can't believe we held off those creatures. And that tower… it's like sothing out of a legend."
Little Spring opened her eyes, her cultivation interrupted by the conversation. She scooted closer as she poured a cup for the three of them.
"Elder Yu, do you think the Shopkeeper knew this would happen? That Jade Token of yours… It's like it was waiting for the tower."
Yu Qingyan picked up the cup and inhaled its aroma while contemplating the question. "The Shopkeeper… he's always a step ahead, isn't he? I don't think he knew the exact mont. However, the purpose of the Divine Convenience Store seems to be connected to monts like this. The reaction of the Jade Token wasn't random. It was part of sothing larger. Sothing that the divine beings behind the store are aware of."
"I see. The mysterious backers of the store that even the Pavilion Master is wary of…" Little Spring muttered.
Qianng blinked in slight confusion and asked, "Is the rumor about divine beings true?"
"Yes. It is true. Otherwise, it will be hard to imagine where the store is getting all these high-quality products." Yu Qingyan pointed at her Viewing Jade and then at the tea that they were drinking.
Qianng stayed in their room for a while to continue consulting Yu Qingyan and broadening her horizons.
anwhile, in the camps or courtyards of the other factions, they're also going to have a restless night as they begin planning for the opening of the tower. So of them already sent word to their sects to bring more disciples qualified to challenge the tower.
At the Azure Gale Sect camp, Yan Wei was proudly bragging to his junior brothers and sisters who never stopped throwing praises at him. Most of them had their Viewing Jades and they continued bumping up his new thread, calling for other challengers to compare results in the tower even though there's still no information about what kind of challenge they're going to face.
"Young Master, you're so cool!" Female disciples cheered for him as they snacked on potato chips and Heavenly Dew Soda that Yan Wei shared with everyone.
On the other hand, Zhou Rui used the ti to train the [Scarlet Phantom Blade Art] along with his fellow disciples from the Crimson Vale Sect.
Elder Chu Yueying was supervising them while Zhao Jianshi lounged nearby, his crimson saber resting across his knees as he watched the disciples drill their techniques. The elder's wild grin had softened into a thoughtful smirk, his eyes glinting with anticipation for the tower's opening.
Zhou Rui paused mid-strike, wiping sweat from his brow as he shot a playful glare at the Core Formation Elder. "Elder Zhao, I'll have that pompous braggart eating dust with our result. Just watch. My saber has been itching for a real challenge. The creatures earlier are not enough. They lacked blood!"
Chu Yueying scoffed as she glared at the disciple, she still hadn't forgotten the Banana Peel Incident where she raged at Zhou Rui for matching Yan Wei in relying more on store products than his skill, "Focus on your practice, Zhou Rui. The tower won't care about your rivalry with that brat of the Azure Gale. Test your limits. If what we faced earlier were simply a fraction of the tower's danger, the challenge would definitely test your limits. The store's wares might give us an edge, but it's your skill that'll carry you through."
Although she said that, she's also secretly waiting for the tower's opening as her rivalry with Yu Qingyan could also be tested in it.
Narrowing her eyes, she glanced in the direction of Qianng's house where the Emissary of the Verdant Sky Pavilion was resting.
Outside the city, Xue Biyu stood atop a low wall near the White Ember Sect's temporary outpost, his white flas flickering faintly as he gazed at the sealed tower. The night breeze tugged at his robes, and his hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the [Heavenly Shield] talisman still tucked safely in his spatial pouch.
"A trial ground tied to the store," he muttered to himself. "Perhaps, this is also my opportunity."
One of his disciples approached, a young woman with a Viewing Jade clutched in her hands. "Elder Xue, the sect is sending reinforcents. More Spirit Condensation Stage disciples. They'll arrive by dawn. Should we prepare them for the tower?"
Xue Biyu nodded, "Mhm. Go to the Verdant Sky Pavilion's stall and stock up on store products. We don't know what's waiting inside the tower, but store products have long proven their effectiveness. This will be a dangerous endeavor for us."
—
In the Abyssal Forest, the High Priest erged from the ritual chamber, the venomous mist clinging to his robes, making his baleful presence more intimidating.
The Great Poison Demon's guidance burned in his mind. Seek the store's gifts, unbind our strength.
He strode into the main hall where Luo Ming awaited, his moss-green robes pristine despite the late hour.
"High Priest," Luo Ming greeted, bowing. "What did the Great One reveal?"
The High Priest's skeletal grin widened, "The Towers are opportunities, the Anchors chains. The store holds the keys to our ascent. We'll move to the main temple at dawn to cleanse everyone's doubt, as He commands. Then, we'll claim our place in this new order. We will open that side of the forest to the Divine Convenience Store's influence and beco its representative. Let us see if the Shopkeeper remains adamant against shaking our hands for a common objective."
Luo Ming's eyes glinted with understanding but one part of the High Priest's words confused him, "Anchors?"
Instead of giving him a straight answer, the High Priest simply gave another command.
"Before setting off, leave behind so Acolytes in command of the Abyssal Hounds. Scour the forest for underground fissures."
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