Divine Convenience Store

Chapter 247 - 247: Celestial Providence Triggered

In the Divine Pantheon, Lihua couldn't help but tilt her head at Lin Mo's decision. Her golden eyes narrowed slightly as she watched his figure disappear into the stabilized rift leading to the separate space of the Anchor through the Area Monitor's feed.

"Taihao. How did you predict he's going to venture inside it himself? Lin Mo has always been about convenience and his survival. Yet, here, he's venturing into the unknown."

Taihao chuckled like a jolly old man watching his grandson go on his first field trip. "Lihua, it is not that I predicted it. Lin Mo simply got a spark of curiosity brighter than his pragmatism. He has taken this new life of his as something he has to secure. Settling into his role as our store's manager is also a part of it. With the knowledge of the Anchor you armed him with, he was spurred on to solve it, especially when it was nearby. We gave him the tools to survive, but his heart? That's what's driving him now."

Lihua pressed her lips together as she didn't know whether she should feel relieved about that or not. She was worried. She had been observing him whenever possible, but the Lin Mo she got used to seeing was this man who always had a pragmatic approach to things rather than diving into unproven considerations.

"What tool did we give him? The Celestial Providence you bestowed upon him has yet to fully bloom. The divinity inside him has just recently drawn a spark. He neither had a life-saving artifact nor an ability that could save him from certain death. The [Emergency Escape Talisman] may have been made with consideration to hidden realms and separate spaces, however, it shouldn't be the be-all, end-all means of escape. It can still be blocked." The Goddess of Harmony and Commerce argued.

Taihao's laughter softened like a deep rumble that seemed to soothe the tension within the room. "Lihua, you fret like a merchant guarding her last spirit stone. The young man's spark is young, true, but it's tethered to the Divine Interface System. The system we crafted in order to provide utmost support to the store and, by extension, to its manager, Lin Mo. It contained all that he needed. It'll guide him, nudge him, even if he doesn't see it. As for the talisman, it's no divine-grade relic but it should be enough for what those eyeing our realm had prepared. It'll hold against most traps or entities in a fledgling Anchor like that."

Lihua's golden eyes flickered, unconvinced but relenting. "If it is as you say, fine. But if he does fail to emerge from it, where, then, will you find someone else to be in his place?"

Taihao's grin widened, "Lihua. Oh Lihua. You have little faith in our Shopkeeper. The young man will emerge with more than he entered. Essence, knowledge, or maybe new potential customers. You'll see. If your concern cannot be put to rest, you are free to bestow him another blessing."

With the Area Monitor's feed turned black as the scene shifted to the current state of the store and the multipurpose hall.

The Great Poison Demon, still standing not far away from them, cautiously interjected, "Exalted Ones, the Shopkeeper's entry into the Anchor risks exposure to the Outer Realm's intent. If the source detects his uniqueness, they may accelerate their plans. Shall I command my children to accelerate their

Lin Mo nodded, his wry grin masking the unease creeping up his spine. "It says here that there should be a twenty percent efficiency drop."

Despite saying that, the earlier sense of repulsion from the foreign no longer bothered him. It's like he had been at home. Since it was written there, he attributed it to the Celestial Providence.

However, it was different for the others. They're not like him. That 20% reduced efficiency was probably what that sense of repulsion was earlier.

"Take a Spirit Replenishing Candy or Spirit Rejuvenating Tea, dear customers. That may be able to stabilize the sensation."

Captain Zhao and the rest followed his advice, except the monk.