As the ripple of divine energy cascaded through the aisles like a celestial breeze, the shelves and the products seated on them glowed with subtle radiance.
Liu Xiaoyu's excited grin llowed slightly. Xiao Ya clapped her hands, understanding who was about to arrive. And Yangyang moved closer, ready to receive the divine beings.
On the other hand, Wu iyu's royal poise faltered, her eyes widening as she instinctively took her place behind Lin Mo as she had no idea if her presence as a non-store employee would displease the divine being.
Liu Tianfeng's beard twitched, his storm-hardened gaze softening with reverence as he clasped his fists toward the source of the energy. The whole of the Liu Family worships Taihao but not in a way that churches or cults do. Their faith was more grounded on the fact that they are blessed by him and they vowed to be his servants.
Many Liu Family ancestors before him didn't even manage to hear his voice through the divine talisman but tonight, he was about to appear in person.
Soon, a figure materialized. A radiant old man in a gold-threaded robe with his hair still a ssy streaks of silver and bear flowing past his waist. Taihao's presence filled the room, not with oppressive weight but with a buoyant, mischievous energy as he floated a few inches off the ground.
Behind him, another figure erged, her ember-red hair blazing like a contained inferno.
Although Lin Mo was eting her for the first ti, the na of a divine being already coincided with his appearance in his mind.
The Ember Saintess, Huoling. The one mostly responsible for all the edible snacks and als of the convenience store. Her fiery orange robes were emitting faint sparks that danced across the floor. On her hand was a crimson ladle. Her eyes instantly landed on him, smirking as she scanned him from head to toe.
Taihao's mischievous radiance and Huoling's fiery playfulness were sohow complenting each other.
Before he could say anything, Liu Tianfeng imdiately went down on his knees before bowing deeply with his forehead pressed to the floor.
"Divine Lord Taihao," Liu Tianfeng greeted, his voice filled with reverence, "your humble servant greets you."
Taihao heartily chuckled, enough for his silver beard to sway.
He waved a hand and a ripple of divine energy gently lifted Liu Tianfeng to his feet. "Old Liu, no need for the floor-kissing. You're making my shopkeeper's nice tiles dirty. You've done well at acting right away when the Nine Heavens Exquisite Body was exposed."
The old Patriarch almost stuttered as he kept his head low, "Liu Xiaoyu is family. It was an unfortunate coincidence that the Violethaven Temple arrived to try and take her away.
Although she wasn't acknowledged by Liu Tianfeng, Huoling turned her attention to him, her crimson ladle twirling in her finger. " Patriarch Liu. You and your storm fists gave that Violethaven peacock a proper thrashing. That was a great show. Say, how does the noodle taste? This shaless old man's na was put in it but it wasn't his handiwork."
"Huoling, must you undermine my brand?" Taihao's beard quivered as he feigned indignation while crossing his arms. "The [Taihao Spicy Noodles] carry my divine na! That's worth more than your ladle's fancy twirls."
Huoling snorted, her ember-red hair flaring briefly like a sparked fla. "Divine na, my foot. I slaved over those recipes while you slapped your na for giving the idea. Tell , Patriarch Liu, didn't the noodles singe your beard just right?"
Liu Tianfeng's weathered face cracked into a rare grin, his reverence giving way to cautious amusent. "Divine Saintess, the noodles… they were a revelation. My ridians churned with fire qi after just one bowl. Your craftsmanship is unmatched."
Upon hearing that, Lin Mo almost called him out. What ridians? What revelation? This old man knows how to boot lick. No wonder he gets to that age. The effect of the noodles isn't that exaggerated.
"See, Taihao? The man knows quality when he tastes it." Huoling smirked, tossing her ladle into the air, where it spun before vanishing in a flicker of sparks.
Her gaze then shifted to Lin Mo with her eyes sparkling with scrutiny. "And you, Shopkeeper. Blasting a heaven-grade artifact. Was that Old Chuang's handiwork? You're making my dishes look ta."
Lin Mo put on his usual smile and clasped his hands together. He was respectful but not filled with reverence like Liu Tianfeng, "Saintess, it is indeed Zhenren Chuang's handiwork. A prototype of sorts. Zhenren Lihua is also responsible for it. I'm grateful that my request has been t with acceptance. Without it, the Divine Guardian Construct would have to stretch its body.
Huoling's lips curved up at his answer, certainly amused at how daring he could be.
"Hoho… Young man, it appears your audaciousness has improved. Does that artifact embolden you?"
"Old man, what are you talking about? Aren't I acting the sa? By the way, welco to our Divine Convenience Store, Ember Saintess.
Huoling laughed, "Impressive. You've figured out my identity. As expected of the young man picked by this shaless old man."
Lin Mo replied, "Divine Saintess Huoling, your dishes are always a treat. The [Taihao Spicy Noodles] have always been a bestseller, and now, everyone knows the superior taste of our als."
"Oh-ho? It was only right. If soone complains, give a list and I'll dip them in my heavenly fire."
Lin Mo's lips twitched but before he could say anything, Liu Xiaoyu bounced forward, cutting him off.
"Saintess Huoling! Your noodles and lunchboxes are the best! I've been telling everyone on the Bulletin Board to grab a bowl with extra [Blaze Chili Dust]! Can you make a spicier version of the Spicy Noodles? The sa spicy level as Infernal Ghost Pepper Flavor Spirit-Infused Potato Chips!"
Huoling grinned at her suggestion, "That thing sells as well? Sure, little prodigy, you've got a palate after my own heart. I'll whip up an [Inferno Dragon Broth] and a [Deep-fried Inferno Dragon Brisket] to go with it just for you. But if you start breathing fire, don't co to for a redy!"
Xiaoyu's grin widened, undeterred. "Deal! I'll eat it and post a review that'll make the Western Sacred Lands' elders choke on their bland spirit rice!"
Lin Mo's urge to flick her forehead rose but considering the occasion, he held himself back.
He glanced at Taihao, his mind already trying to deduce the reason He decided to descend tonight.
Is He going to reveal more information? Or is He just here to see how they're doing now that they reached the next tier?
As for the Ember Saintess's presence, he could tell that she simply tagged along with the old man. Like Zhenren Lihua ntioned, the other divine beings were also curious about the store.
—
Abyssal Forest – Newly Erged Conduit Tower
With the sudden appearance of the Conduit Tower, both the Poison Demon Cult and the group of Shadow Veil Clan were caught up in defending against the swarm of foreign creatures spilling out of the tower.
Venom Master Xun was still relaxed as she continued her flawless performance since conquering the Bone Ash Syndicate's village. He commanded her subordinates and let her Doom Spiders catch and crush the shadowy creatures with their web and mandibles.
The Poison Demon Cult's Priests and Acolytes fought with disciplined ferocity, their [Windstrike Talismans] exploding batches of them and the [Spirit Embodint Sticker Seals] empowered them.
The skeletal constructs under Marrow Weaver's command ford a bony barricade, impaling the creatures that got too close.
"These beasts are relentless!" Marrow Weaver shouted, her gauntlets glowing as she summoned another bone construct to block a claw swipe. "My lady, we can't hold them forever! The tower's spewing more by the second! How do we stop these?"
Venom Master Xun narrowed her eyes. The High Priest had already replied to her. He sent the limping rebellious branches to reinforce her, while he would also personally lead the Priests and Acolytes located at their main temple.
His close aide, Luo Ming, was sent sowhere else so he had to move personally this ti.
"I've read this one in the Bulletin. Closing that door will stop it from spewing more creatures. However, little bird, it'll be suicide for a cultivator below Nascent Soul to charge through those."
She pointed at the two shadowy creatures standing like doorkeepers. They didn't have wings, nor did they look agile. They had bulky arms and huge axes for weapons.
In her estimate, the pressure they're emitting was on par with hers. Peak Core Formation Stage.
The Shadow Veil Clan, montarily forgotten in the chaos, seized the opportunity to slip away from the Poison Demon Cult's encirclent.
However, escaping from the vicinity of the tower was also impossible. The disciples would be chased by those winged foreign creatures. Outrunning them was out of their abilities, even with the enhancent provided by the store products.
"... This. You. Hurry and post sothing on your Viewing Jade. Xun must've called for her cult to reinforce her. We have to rely on those orthodox factions to survive this. A Void Refinent Stage cultivator would be able to travel here quicker than anyone else!"
After knocking down the chard elder and then defending the small space they managed to grab for themselves, the grumpy Elder Ji commanded the quick-witted disciple.
Before returning to the Shadow Veil Clan to suggest following the sa path as the cult, they must survive this night first.
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