Day 28 marks Lin Mo’s first four weeks in the Realm of Nine of Heavens. Looking back to everything that happened, he had now beco fully acclimated to the wonders of the world, while his store beca a center of focus on the Eastern Abyssal Region as they faced the threat of Outer Realms and the malicious Violethaven Temple.
Following their intimate, albeit highly professional, strategic alignnt in the Imperial Starlight Pavilion, he felt a profound sense of clarity.
The exhaustion of constantly spinning plates across multiple realms and factions had been washed away by the amber-silver waters and the quiet understanding he shared with Wu iyu. Talking about his past also made him feel lighter.
As they walked out of the private corridor and into the main lobby of the Celestial Hot Spring, the morning light was just beginning to filter through the store’s magical windows.
Waiting for them, sitting cross-legged on one of the plush massage chairs with her arms folded and her foot tapping an impatient rhythm, was Liu Xiaoyu. Sparky, the summoned lightning wolf cub, was curled up at her feet, mirroring her master’s narrowed, scrutinizing gaze.
"Good morning, Xiaoyu," Lin Mo greeted smoothly, adjusting the collar of his pristine green and white uniform. "Ensuring the facilities are operational bright and early? Your dedication as Assistant Shopkeeper is comndable."
Xiaoyu hopped down from the chair, circling them like a predator inspecting its prey. She leaned in close to Lin Mo, sniffing the air theatrically, before doing the sa to Wu iyu.
"Mhm. Apart from the sweet sll of spring water, you both carry each other’s scent. How’s that possible? Did you two truly just bathe together? Or did you two take advantage of the privacy and do... so explicit things?"
"Explicit things?" Lin Mo’s lips twitched, fighting the urge to let out a tired sigh.
He couldn’t bla her for it, though. Anyone would think the sa if two grown adults who clearly see each other fondly got locked in that intimate setting.
But still, while the thought also crossed his mind, he just couldn’t recklessly go at it, right? Especially when he also had close, albeit a little vague, relationships with other won.
And for the First Princess, who had been raised in a sheltered environnt, going at it casually is sothing foreign to her. It’s already bold of her to strip in front of him and be in that close contact underneath the water.
As for progressing further than that, it’s better to let ti decide.
Dao Companion. Dual Cultivation. Those terms weren’t unfamiliar to him, as they’re always part of the cultivation world in the fiction he had read back on Earth. In the future, he’ll definitely have to face that. But for now, he’s satisfied with what they have currently.
Shaking his head, Lin Mo raised a hand and with practiced precision, his fingers t Xiaoyu’s forehead.
Flick!
"Ow! Boss! I’m just asking a question. If you resort to violence, does that an you’re guilty?!" Xiaoyu yelped, rubbing the red spot while Sparky let out a sympathetic whine.
Next to him, Wu iyu softly giggled, "Xiaoyu, are you afraid that your Boss may be stolen by this Princess?"
"Ugh... Not exactly, I just want to know if... he finally caved in to the temptation."
"What do you see as? A lecher?" He was truly deflecting all those temptations away. Venom Master Xun, Yu Qingyan, and now Wu iyu. But in his defense, it’s just not the appropriate timing.
"No. But, Boss, n are like that, you know? It’s actually surprising that you... seem to have no interest in... doing those things."
Lin Mo let out another sigh. He felt like he’d be exhausted again if he let this conversation continue longer.
"I have an interest. I can’t say I don’t." He glanced at Wu iyu, who was already blushing, perhaps rembering their ti inside the suite.
"Oh! Then... why, Boss?"
"Because you cannot rush those things and then regret it afterwards."
"Oh! Got it! You’re like father. Mom said, he, too, took a long ti before he gave in to her advances. He’s so focused on cultivation that Mom said she had to knock him out in a duel and lock him in her room as part of their bet. They spent a whole month together before he gave in. That’s how I was conceived."
Lin Mo’s eyebrows couldn’t help but twitch upon hearing that. That’s a crazy tale. And to think that the child beca the one with a Heavenly Physique...
"Alright, I got your point, Xiaoyu. Let’s go and open the store."
Waving his hand to dispel the topic like that, he turned to Wu iyu who had her mouth gaping. She was also shocked to hear what Xiaoyu just shared.
Liu Xiaoyu crossed her arms again and pouted. "Hmph. Fine, you can dodge for now, Boss. But I stayed up all night practicing the [Thundering Void Stomp] in the training room while you two spent the night together."
Having recovered from the shock, Wu iyu stepped forward and gently patted Xiaoyu’s head. "Xiaoyu, you should understand. It was a necessary relaxation for Lin Mo. The Shopkeeper bears a heavy burden. Ensuring his mind and foundation are stable is critical for the store’s continued operations. Besides, I believe your own progress is the true marvel here. The air around you crackles with the imminence of a Golden Core."
Xiaoyu’s cheeks flushed slightly at the praise, her competitive indignation lting away. "Hmph. Well, I am a prodigy. But next ti, I’m booking the suite! And Boss, you have to accompany too!"
Lin Mo could only shake his head at that. Whether that was a declaration of joining the race or not, he had no idea. Among the won around him, she’s the most whimsical. But he knew how smart she could be. Naivety has long left her.
Soon, they walked out of the Celestial Hot Spring area. Lin Mo checked on Pan Ruo, who was already arranging the new bundle that they had tested last night inside the newly opened Fanling City Anchor.
The display she had arranged was a masterpiece when it ca to product placent. At the forefront were the iron maces and heavy broadswords that were always in excess in the weapon racks. Right beside them sat pristine, brightly colored boxes of [Ironhide Gummies], [Stamina Gum], and [Fruity Healing Tablets]. Then, the packets of [Basic Card Talisman] and [Spirit Embodint Sticker Seals].
The bundles were then neatly stacked in boxes behind that display just like the newly-stocked Celestial Duel Gear Bundles. Although they couldn’t see the contents because of its seal, they could inspect it with their spiritual senses.
Above the display, a floating holographic banner read:
[Anti-Magic Vanguard Kit: Because Sotis, You Just Need to Hit Things Very Hard. 15% Off for a Limited Ti!]
"Morning, Pan Ruo," Lin Mo greeted, walking behind the counter. "I see the new bundles are ready for our patrons."
"Good morning, Shopkeeper. Princess iyu. Assistant Xiaoyu," Pan Ruo bowed with an eerie and flawless composure that kept reminding Lin Mo she was a reincarnated immortal. "The bundles are optimally positioned for impulse buying. Based on the preliminary data from the Bulletin Board overnight, the mortality rate in the Viridescent Hollow Anchor is low, but the equipnt degradation is exceptionally high. Cultivators are entering with their prized spirit swords, having their qi drained by the Dyshanti Drones, and retreating with shattered blades."
She adjusted a stack of gummies with mathematical precision. "Therefore, I anticipate a 400% surge in demand for disposable weapons. If our stock of mortal-grade weapons isn’t enough, I will draft a commission for the Professional’s Foundry to bulk-order more iron clubs from the artificers and blacksmiths. I believe any artisan won’t hesitate to take a commission from our store."
"Mhm. Great job, Pan Ruo. You are truly ticulous in this." Lin Mo praised her. Although there could be a difference in quality if they eventually had to commission more mortal-grade weapons, it wouldn’t be much of a problem. They could just lower the price a bit. Furthermore, he could be certain that if Zhenren Chuang heard about it, he’d definitely churn out more of them the next day. And if he truly puts his mind into it, higher-grade weapons might see an increase in stock.
"It is for convenience, Shopkeeper." Pan Ruo’s eyes sparkled with zeal as she then bowed to take her place behind the counter.
"Alright, it’s ti," Lin Mo said, glancing at the digital clock floating in his peripheral vision.
Day 28. It felt like a lifeti had passed since he first opened his eyes to this realm.
He flipped the glowing sign to [Open].
The sound that followed was akin to a dam bursting. The doors slid open, and the sea of waiting cultivators poured in.
The waiting staff imdiately went to work, so guiding the new patrons, while the rest stood by to restock the shelves that would run out first.
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