NOVPUB"Shopkeeper, my students and I have gotten the much-needed experience in Celestial Duels today. We're now set to fully introduce it as a new curriculum."
That was Grandmaster Lian's words upon exiting the multipurpose hall. In the end, they ended up renting the place until the last hour. Her students like Jiahao, Liying and Mingzhu had already racked up matches both with the casual game Celestial Duel and the Awakened Celestial Duelist mode.
"That's good to hear, dear customer. You spent a lot of spirit stones. It'll be disheartening if the result is unsatisfactory." Lin Mo maintained his amicable smile as he escorted Grandmaster Lian and her students toward the store's exit.
Liu Xiaoyu and Xiao Ya trailed behind, the former waving enthusiastically at the Red Lotus Academy group while the latter clutched a ledger from the betting stall, her eyes sparkling with the day's profits.
Grandmaster Lian responded with a satisfied smile as she clasped her hands in gratitude. "Your store's ingenuity never ceases to amaze, Shopkeeper. And it is far from unsatisfactory. Jiahao's tactical mind is now sharper. He's finally able to seamlessly apply it even in an Awakened Celestial Duel. Liying's control over her summons is near flawless, not to mention her talent to adapt and learn quickly. The only thing holding her back is her cultivation. Then, Mingzhu…" She paused, glancing at the youngest boy who was fiddling with his Viewing Jade, likely posting about his latest duel. "Well, his enthusiasm is now multiplied by getting recognition from the Bulletin Board. Xiao Ya also gave him an eye-opener earlier. He can improve more."
Lin Mo's merchant grin widened, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his green-and-white uniform. "I see. He's a kid. He'll grow out of seeking validation once he experiences some setbacks. As for the others, I know they're the type to lead their peers. Our store will do its best to complete your pre-ordered Celestial Duel Gears. It'll take at least a week though."
"That's no problem, Shopkeeper. Our academy will not attempt to monopolize it. We only need enough to populate our academy with Celestial Duelists. After the officiation, we can send the students here to your store instead." Grandmaster paused and then turned to Lin Mo, her eyes seemingly scanning him from head to toe, "By the way, it'll be in four days, Shopkeeper. Pick your best attire as you're going to be our Guest of Honor."
"Ah. You don't have to do that, dear customer. I'm already honored just to be invited as a guest." He felt a little awkward but ensured that his mask wouldn't break.
"Pfft. No can do. It's the Headmaster's decision." Grandmaster Lian stifled her giggle as she tapped his shoulder lightly, "Besides, Shopkeeper needs to look the part now that you've gained a lot of reputation. Convenience Saint."
Ending that with a wink, Grandmaster Lian made Lin Mo's guts coil slightly. She's now also using that to tease him.
But Lin Mo knew how to strike back, "Dear customer, have you read my latest announcement. The divine being specialized in talismans may also hold a lecture in the future. What do you think will happen if I write that their expertise is not needed anymore?"
"Shopkeeper, have you no heart?!" Grandmaster Lian immediately clutched her chest in horror. Her eyes widened with exaggerated dismay. "Threatening to silence a divine talisman lecture? You wound me, Shopkeeper! How can you do this to your loyal patron?"
Lin Mo playfully grinned, "Oh, I'm sure you'd storm the store with talismans blazing, dear customer. But don't worry, I won't do that. I only presented a hypothetical question."
Grandmaster Lian laughed, a warm, resonant sound that drew smiles from her students. "You're a dangerous man, Shopkeeper. Fine, I'll behave. You know how important talismans are to me. I will pay anything for that lecture."
"Mhm. I appreciate your desire for improvement, dear customer."
Upon saying that, it was his turn to wink, earning giggles from the students behind them.
Their Grandmaster was often strict despite her young age, so many thought she was as old as the other grumpy professors of their academy. It was refreshing for them to see her banter with someone as young as her.
Grandmaster Lian silenced them with a glare before waving her hand, acting like she didn't just lose her composure there.
"Alright. Thank you for your patronage, dear customers." As they reached the door, Lin Mo held the door open for them.
Before stepping out, Jiahao perked up with his sharp eyes glinting with curiosity. "Shopkeeper, will you have new merchandise tomorrow? Like new Card Packs? I heard a rumor on the Bulletin Board about a [Starlit Pantheon] expansion!"
Lin Mo tilted his head. Where did that rumor start? And why is it a pantheon? Certainly, someone was making a false claim. It is only the second day of the gear's release. It's too early to release an expansion.
He waved a hand dismissively. "Rumors, Jiahao? You know better than to trust every thread. Focus on mastering your current deck or try to personalize it. There will be an expansion in the future. But not this early."
Mingzhu nearly dropped his Viewing Jade upon hearing that, "Shopkeeper, post a hint on the Bulletin Board when it's coming, please! None of the starter decks suit my style!"
Liu Xiaoyu, bouncing to Lin Mo's side, flicked Mingzhu's forehead playfully. "Oi, don't pressure the boss! You're making excuses. Say that after you win against everyone using all four decks."
"Ugh… Sister Xiaoyu is a bully." The boy pouted as he held his stinging forehead.
Next to him, Liying awkwardly smiled as she brought the boy out. Jiahao also followed not long after.
As for Grandmaster Lian, her expression turned a little serious. "Shopkeeper. I've read about it. The cult is growing bolder in using your and the store's name. Their victory over the Bone Ash Syndicate is no small feat. Our Red Lotus Academy will stand with you if they bring trouble to this side of the forest."
Lin Mo nodded and smiled, "You need not worry, dear customer. The Poison Demon Cult may be acting brazenly there but they won't do anything that will make me cut them off from our store."
Grandmaster Lian stared at him for a few seconds before nodding and exiting the store.
Lin Mo watched them climb into their carriages and roll off the store's vicinity.
With the other customers also leaving after making one last purchase, the store soon closed its doors, ending another hectic day.
—-
[Weekly Tasks - Completed]
[Attract New Customers: 500/500]
[Returning Customers: 1000/1000]
[Sell Viewing Jades: 3000/3000]
[Sell Bundles: 500/500]
[Sell at least 10 high-grade spirit stones in one transaction: 300/300]
—
[Day 14 Evaluation: Excellent]
[Sales Summary: 608 Transactions – Revenue: 471054 Intermediate-grade Spirit Stones]
[Viewing Jades Sold: 1110 units]
[Celestial Duel Gear Bundle Sold: 500 units]
[Awakened Celestial Duel Mode Activation: 258 units]
[Store Bulletin Board User Count: 5325 users]
[Betting Stall Revenue: 27558 Intermediate-grade Spirit Stones]
[Distributor Revenue: 150000 Intermediate-grade Spirit Stones]
[Divine Hall & Exhibition Arena Rent Fees: 7000 Intermediate-grade Spirit Stones]
[Rewards: +80 Spirit Stones to Personal Balance for both Shopkeeper and Assistant, +50 Spirit Stones for the Staff, Prototype: Starshot Revolver (Weekly Task Bonus)]
[Tier Progression: Thriving Store (981123/1000000), Golden Card Patron (56/20)]
Several minutes after closing, Lin Mo stared wide-eyed at the interface showing the day's evaluation. Beside him, Liu Xiaoyu's lips were quivering as they gradually curved upwards, while Xiao Ya jumped jovially, celebrating not just her bonus for the day but also the progress the store had made.
"Shopkeeper, that's impressive." The one who broke the deafening silence was none other than the temporary staff, the First Princess. "If I interpret this correctly, you're on the cusp of the store's upgrade. But what's more impressive is that your store's revenue reached as high as 47,000 high-grade spirit stones. Even a renowned trading establishment in our royal capital seldom nets this much profit in a single day… How enlightening. My father would have you knighted or chained to the treasury just to keep you in the capital."
Lin Mo failed to hear her clearly because his mind was more occupied by his mental calculations. Despite expecting a surge in revenue since Yu Qingyan had just turned over the 15,000 sales, he couldn't help but feel like he should've let the door open for a lot longer.
19,000. That's all that's left before the next tier.
When that happens, the store can finally open a new branch. Maybe a new function too and lastly, another expansion.
Just a few days ago, he was thinking he'll need at least a week more to fill the progress to the next tier. But just two days of Celestial Gear release already brought them to the precipice.
"Indeed, Your Highness. It is impressive. But chained to a treasury sounds like a demotion, so I'll pass," Lin Mo turned to her with a smirk after gathering his wits back, "Anyhow… let me check this out first."
Without waiting for her response, he scrambled to the counter where a seemingly normal-looking box lay quietly. The Realm of Nine Heavens is about to witness the birth of a new weapon.
