Liu Xiaoyu tugged on his sleeve again as she whispered in a strained voice, "Boss, maybe we should run. Like... now?"
"Run? Tell . How will you run when they're standing there at the entrance?"
Before Liu Xiaoyu could respond, the tension snapped.
The thug leader roared, drawing his massive blade in one fluid motion. Its edge shimred ominously as he lunged forward, aiming for the cultivator's head.
But the cultivator didn't move.
Instead, he drew his own sword, a sleek, radiant weapon that vibrated with his spiritual energy. Monts later, white flas engulfed it.
CLANG!
The clash of their blades sent shockwaves through the store, rattling shelves and almost sending smaller items tumbling to the floor.
Lin Mo flinched as he shielded his face from the burst of wind. anwhile, Liu Xiaoyu yelped and ducked behind the counter.
"Stop! You're about to break things!" Lin Mo shouted instinctively, though his voice was completely drowned out by the deafening clash of spiritual energy.
As the shockwaves from the clash subsided, Lin Mo stumbled back against the counter, his body aching even though all he had to do was withstand the surging wind created by their clash.
The shelves were barely holding up as the jars rattled ominously. One more blow like that and the neatly placed inventory of store goods would be reduced to debris. How much would that cost? He had no idea. He didn't have an inkling on which scale he should compare the spirit stones the cultivator used to buy the item he picked.
But that's a thought for another ti.
The cultivator twisted his wrist mid-clash, deflecting the thug leader's blade and sending him skidding back across the floor.
The smug expression on the thug's face wavered which was intantly replaced by a flicker of uncertainty.
"You call that an attack?" The cultivator sneered, the white fla covering his sword intensifying. "Pitiful."
With his pride stung, the leader growled and lunged again. However, the result was the sa. He was no match.
"Don't think you've won just because you're stronger. Numbers matter!" He gestured, and his three lackeys imdiately surged forward, their weapons drawn and auras flaring in unison.
Once again, Lin Mo felt his legs weaken as the oppressive energy intensified.
"This is insane," He muttered. "They're going to demolish the store... and along with it."
[System Notice: Ergency Protocol Available]
[One-ti Use: Divine Reprimand – Restores Order in the Divine Establishnt]
Lin Mo blinked, the glowing text catching his attention amid the chaos. "Divine Reprimand? Finally, sothing useful!"
He quickly jabbed at the panel, activating the option without a second thought.
A mont later, the oppressive energy in the store shifted dramatically.
A sharp, commanding chi rang out which resonated in every corner of the store. The air grew impossibly heavy, pressing down on everyone like the weight of a mountain.
"ENOUGH."
The voice echoed as if spoken by a thousand deities at once. Lin Mo instinctively ducked, though he wasn't the target. The cultivator and the thugs froze mid-motion, their weapons quivering in their hands.
A golden glow then enveloped the store and with a burst of light, a massive ethereal figure materialized in front of the counter.
It was Zhenren Taihao.
"Causing trouble in my Divine Convenience Store?" Taihao's voice bood, his radiant form towering above them all. His usually jovial expression was gone, replaced by a fearso scowl that could silence armies. "You dare disrespect this sacred establishnt?!"
The thugs imdiately dropped their weapons. Their faces paled as they fell to their knees.
"W-we didn't an to offend, Great One!" the leader stamred, sweat pouring down his face.
Taihao clicked his tongue and waved his hand.
As if extinguishing an ant, the bodies of the hulking thug and his lackeys disappeared without a trace, leaving only their ashes.
"Consider that a warning," He said coldly.
Lin Mo, Liu Xiaoyu, and the cultivator, who were left behind, shivered at the terrifying sight.
He erased them just like that.
Lin Mo couldn't help but gulp down as he thought, So, he's really a divine being.
Ignoring their reactions, Taihao's glowing eyes shifted to the cultivator. "And you. I appreciate your patronage, but this is not your battlefield."
The cultivator, to Lin Mo's surprise, sheathed his sword and offered a respectful bow. "M-my apologies, Senior. I was rely defending myself. I am Xue Biyu of the White Ember Sect. Please accept my thanks for intervening."
Taihao scoffed, not entirely impressed by his answer.
The cultivator shivered further as he straightened his back, trying to maintain his composure.
"I'll take my leave." He said before carefully striding toward the exit. The doorbell chid softly as he left.
Silence fell over the store.
Taihao turned to Lin Mo, his stern expression softening into a grin. "Well, that was exciting, wasn't it?"
Lin Mo glared at him, his hands still trembling. "Exciting? Exciting?! They nearly destroyed the store! Where were you this whole ti?"
Taihao chuckled, patting Lin Mo on the shoulder with a spectral hand. "Consider this a learning experience, young man. You handled yourself admirably."
Lin Mo wasn't convinced. "I pushed a button and prayed for the best. How is that admirable?"
"Adaptability is the hallmark of a great shopkeeper," Taihao said with a wink. "Besides, the Divine Reprimand is a one-ti feature. You'll have to figure out the rest on your own."
"One-ti feature?!" Lin Mo's voice cracked. "You an I won't get that again in case of an ergency?"
Taihao waved dismissively. "No need to panic. You'll do fine. Just rember, the Realm of Nine Heavens is full of challenges. And opportunities. Keep the store running, and you'll see."
With that, Taihao's form began to fade, his laughter echoing as he disappeared.
Lin Mo collapsed into the nearest chair, his legs finally giving out. Liu Xiaoyu erged from wherever she was hiding, her face pale but her eyes full of disbelief.
"Boss," She said, her voice trembling, "is it always going to be like this?"
Lin Mo leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "You're seriously asking ? Why not ask your clan's deity?"
As he sat there, trying to process the chaos, the doorbell chid again.
Lin Mo's head snapped toward the entrance, his heart sinking.
"Not again," He muttered.
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