Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 256: Lihua Pitching Lin Mo’s Request

- Monk Huiyin (Cultivation Unknown, presumed Core Formation or higher)

- Captain Zhao and 5 City Guards (2nd Level to 5th Level Spirit Condensation Stage)

- Elder Wen and 2 Junior Diviners (Early Foundation Establishment Stage)]

[Objective: Stabilize Anchor, extract data, and assess Core functionality]

[Duration: Approximately 3 hours]

[Resources Used:

- 10,000 Dimension Essence (Temporary Anchor Link)

- 2,000 Dimension Essence (Core Interface + Store Beacon deployment)

- Spirit Replenishing Candies, Spirit Rejuvenating Tea, Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal

- Mortal-Grade Spirit Spears, Celestial Duel Gear (unused by Monk Huiyin)]

—

[Findings]

[Anchor Structure:

- Multiple Areas with Maze-like passages generated by the Anchor Core.

- Foreign energy saturation reduces spiritual energy efficiency (15-25% penalty). It may be lower or insignificant after activation.

- Natural formation separates the outer and core chambers. It may be harder to reach after activation.

[Entities Encountered:

- Low-tier Anchor Fledglings (14): Early Foundation Establishment Stage, neutralized with minimal injuries.

- Mid-tier Anchor Fledglings (6): Mid Foundation Establishment Stage, guarding Core, neutralized with coordinated tactics.]

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[Neutralizing entities reduces Foreign Energy Saturation and grants cultivation boosts (akin to essence absorption).]

[Anchor Core:

- Crystalline orb suspended in tendrils, pulsing with viridescent energy.

- Function: Dimensional bridge creation (45% alignment).

- Upgrades deployed through Anchor Interference: Core Interface (data extraction), Store Beacon (access upon activation).]

–

[Strategic Recommendations]

[Preparation:

- Arm Fanling City's guards with store products ([Emergency Escape Talismans], [Mortal-Grade Spirit Spears]).

- Rally local sects for coordinated defense and exploration.

- Stockpile essence for future Anchor upgrades (e.g., Disrupt Anchor Construction).

[Anchor Management:

- Deploy cultivators to clear the Anchor upon activation, similar to Tower challenges.

- Monitor Core data for Vyrnethi movements and potential retaliation.]

[Long-term:

- Establish a network of Store Beacons across Anchors for control and profit.

- Collaborate with sects (e.g., Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect) to share Anchor data from discovered sites.]

- Investigate Monk Huiyin's knowledge of Towers and Anchors for strategic insights.]

In the Divine Pantheon, Lihua presented the written report by Lin Mo after his trip to Taihao and another divine being, the master of the Celestial Forge and head of the Divine Pantheon's Development Division, Chuang. The Great Poison Demon also lingered nearby, but he was reduced to something like a servant and a captive of the old man Taihao.

"Huh. Look at our little Shopkeeper. He can even write something like this? Is this something he often does in his previous world?"

"It seems to be the case. Writing reports is within the scope of his occupation. What do you think of this, Chuang? The Shopkeeper's report is meticulous. Shouldn't we give him some edge? His first trip into an Anchor was successful, but without the monk there, it would've been a dangerous endeavor." Lihua said, her jade-like fingers tracing the edge of the report's ethereal projection.

Her eyes, gentle yet having a sharp tilt, landed on the master of the Celestial Forge, the God of Craft and Innovations.

Chuang's broad shoulders shook with a low chuckle, his hammer-scarred hands folded over his chest. "Hmph. The boy's got a knack for structure, I'll give him that. This report reads like he's been charting Anchors his whole life, not selling snacks for two weeks. I understand now why you called me up here. An edge… Are you testing me to see if I will forge a personal weapon artifact for him?"

Lihua's lips curved into a pleased smile."It is great that you're quick to pick it up, Chuang. Here's an entry he submitted to [Feedback and Suggestions] but it's more of his personal request. A proposal for producing a specific weapon that hasn't been seen in our realm yet. Taihao should know about this. This is the preferred weapon from his world. Unfortunately, he lacks sufficient knowledge to explain the mechanics behind this 'hot weapon' called a firearm. I get the idea behind it. For a world that lacked spiritual energy, they had to rely on alchemy and science to produce it."

The old man, lounging on a cloud-wrought cozy seat, slurped a sip of [Celestial Peach Wine] from a jade flask – a trial alcoholic beverage that had yet to be released to the store, his weathered face wrinkling with amusement. "A firearm? Indeed. I've seen them from his world. A mortal weapon that spits fire and metal. But is he giving up on learning the sword, spear or even magical spells? I took him for a man who'll try his hand on them after living a fairly peaceful life in his previous world."

He took another sip of his wine and pointed at Chuang, "Hoho. Doesn't it sound like something you will tinker with for fun? It's no match for a proper divine-grade blade. Still, if the Shopkeeper's set on it, I say let him have his toy. Knowing him, he might popularize it again, and we'd get gunslinging cultivators down in the First Heaven."

"Hah! Toy, you say? Don't underestimate mortal ingenuity, old man. This… 'firearm'... lacks spiritual resonance, but according to this writing of his, they're precise and scalable. If the Shopkeeper wants one, I'll craft something that blends their alchemy with our celestial forge. A weapon that channels his spiritual energy into it, perhaps. And laid it with several spells to enhance his shots. But I'll need more than his vague request. Lihua, does he have any specifics? Range, impact, or… what's the word… ammunition?"

Lihua's smile widened, her fingers accessing the ethereal projection of the interface to pull up Lin Mo's [Feedback and Suggestions] entry.

"He describes it as a 'handheld device, small enough to carry, that launches projectiles with explosive force.' He mentions 'bullets' and 'gunpowder,' but admits he's no artisan. His knowledge about it is superficial enough that he only knows they're a convenient weapon in their modern age. He's relying on us to fill the gaps. It appears he has been learning the [Foundational Martial Technique]. He may be able to incorporate that weapon with it. Truthfully, I see it as a practical choice, given his cultivation is still nascent and he's more familiar to them than any martial arts or spells."

The Great Poison Demon, relegated to the corner with a sullen expression, snorted softly and carefully as he still valued his head. "A mortal trinket for a divine shopkeeper? May I say that you're all indulging him too much? He's already got the store's arsenal and that monk shadowing him. What's next, a celestial war chariot for his caravan?"

Taihao shot him a sidelong glance, his grin sharp. "Poison Demon, the Shopkeeper is earning his keep. You should bother instructing your believers to assist him wholeheartedly. It is for our realm. Unless you want to be sent to scrub the Celestial Forge's polished floors."

The Poison Demon's frame stiffened, but he bit back his retort, his gloomy yet sinister eyes flickering with suppressed resentment.

Lihua ignored him, her focus returning to Chuang. "The Shopkeeper's proposal aligns with his Anchor expedition findings. The foreign energy's suppression makes traditional cultivation techniques weaker. A firearm, if infused with celestial craftsmanship, could bypass that penalty. It's a bold request, but practical. What can you forge with this?"

Chuang stroked his beard, his mind already sketching blueprints in the air. "A handheld artifact, then. I'll base it on his 'firearm' concept but weave in spiritual energy compatibility. A core that could condense his spiritual energy input to a bullet, projectiles etched with micro-formation arrays to enhance them depending on his intended use. Range… let's say fifty paces to start, adjustable, the denser the energy he fed to it. It'll need a name. Something fitting for a shopkeeper-turned-adventurer."

"[Starshot Revolver]," Lihua suggested, her tone playful yet decisive. "It suits his unassuming flair and the divine spark he carries."

Taihao raised his flask in approval. "Starshot, eh? I like it. Make it flashy, Chuang. The boy deserves to be a bit imposing not just against those worms slithering towards our realm. And toss in a few extra features. Maybe a stun array or a tracking glyph. He's got a knack for stumbling into trouble."

Chuang nodded, his eyes ignited with a thrill of creation. "Consider it done. I'll have a prototype ready in three days. But I'll need the Shopkeeper to test it in the field. An Anchor or a Tower would be ideal. His feedback will refine the design. Lihua, can you arrange for him to receive it discreetly? We don't want every cultivator in Fanling City clamoring for one before it's perfected."

Lihua's jade-like fingers danced across the projection, sending a subtle pulse through the Divine Interface System before nodding in satisfaction. "It's arranged. I'll embed the delivery in his [Weekly Task] reward. He'll think it's a store perk. As for discretion, Lin Mo himself can deal with it."

Taihao nodded and laughed boisterously before chugging his flask once more. "That's a fitting surprise. Lihua, you've gotten fond of our Shopkeeper."