Taking the Celestial Shuttle Network to the Divine Convenience Store from the Jade Hollow Conduit Tower, Chu Yueying nodded in satisfaction from the experience.

Along with the other cultivators who had taken their first trip using the convenient shuttle, she walked through the exit gate and into the glass doors which led to the store proper.

With her Golden Patron status, which granted her an almost imperceptible aura of privilege that parted the sea of regular customers, her first impression of the newly expanded Divine Convenience Store was one of sheer scale.

The first thing that caught her eye was the grand, spiraling staircase of white jade. It continued to draw gasps of awe from everyone.

Two new checkout counters flanked the original and to Chu Yueying's immense amusement, they were manned by two ramrod-straight figures in the store's green and white uniform, looking profoundly out of place.

"Welcome to the Divine Convenience Store," Captain Zhu Min stated with a forced smile, which made him look stiff. He held the scanner with the same rigid intensity he would a treasured sword as his eyes fixed on the customer in front of him before pointing at their basket.

"Please present your… items… for… scanning."

The customer, clearly someone who's doing a purchase for the first time, nervously handed over a pack of [Morning Dew Popcorn Puffs].

Captain Zhu aimed the red light with the precision one could see in those aiming a ranged weapon. Beep. A flicker of surprise, followed by satisfaction, crossed his stern face.

He did it.

Next to him, Wu Meiyu hovered nearby with the critical eye of a general inspecting her troops.

"Escort Ning, your grip is too tense. The scanner is a tool of convenience, not a weapon of war. Relax your posture."

"Yes, Your Highness!" The female escort swiftly replied as her movements became marginally less stiff.

With a smirk playing on her lips, Chu Yueying shook her head. So, the Shopkeeper also had a talent for turning even the most stoic warriors into his store's staff.

She bypassed the bustling main floor and ascended the grand staircase, which many who were denied entry by an invisible barrier. As it turned out, it only allowed Golden Patrons. The formation used on it could recognize the Golden Card handed to them.

The second floor was like a different world from the bustling first floor. Rеаd аhеаd аnd gеt updаtеs by visiting

Due to the number of Golden Patrons still below 100, it was fairly deserted, on top of having quite a huge space to fill.

Past the stairs, the floor was lined with plush carpets that muffled all sound. A small, elegant lounge area with comfortable seating was tucked into one corner, offering complimentary [Starlight Infusion Tea].

Liu Xiaoyu stood as the official greeter, her usual mischievous grin toned down to a more professional, welcoming smile.

"Welcome to the Golden Patron Floor, Elder Chu!" She chirped before bowing like an elegant lady. Her green and white uniform makes her movements seem out of place. "You're the fifth Golden Patron to visit our new floor. Today, we have a limited edition [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals] with illustrations depicting some of the Divine Pantheon's divine beings. A [Spirit-Infused Snack Bundles] containing all of the recommended snacks by yours truly. It is only exclusive to this floor. Would you care for a tour?"

"I'll browse on my own, Xiaoyu," Her eyebrow jumped before shaking her head as her eyes got drawn to a signage quite similar to the ones she saw downstairs. It says, 'Premium Cultivation and Training Rooms'.

Xiaoyu's smile widened as her usual energetic vibe subtly leaked out. "An excellent choice, Elder Chu! Our new Premium Cultivation and Training Rooms are the pinnacle of convenient cultivation. Compared to the ones downstairs, these two are the commercial version of the immortal-grade artifact [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] that got the privilege to view before. They offer enhanced spiritual energy density, controlled environmental simulations, and even combat analysis feedback. Perfect for breaking through bottlenecks or honing new techniques. Naturally, if your sect could acquire the rights to buy the said immortal-grade artifact in the future, it'd be best to use it rather than rent our training rooms."

She led Chu Yueying to a sleek modern terminal next to a series of reinforced doors. The terminal's screen glowed with a familiar interface, reminiscent of the Viewing Jade's projection.

"You can select your desired room duration, spiritual energy density level, up to ten times the ambient spiritual density of the store, and even set up a combat or mental simulation," Xiaoyu explained, tapping the screen to demonstrate. "The cost is deducted directly in spirit stones or Dimension Essence. Care for a trial run? First-time Golden Patron users get a 30-minute session for free."

Chu Yueying's interest was genuinely piqued. A controlled environment for honing techniques was a luxury even the Crimson Vale Sect's elders rarely enjoyed. Even with immortal caves that sat above spiritual leylines, they couldn't achieve the effect of what these training rooms were offering.

"I'll take the trial run. I have recently had the luck of being able to pick and buy the elusive manuals of your store. Unfortunately, it has been stubbornly resisting my full comprehension."

"The Crimson Bloom Heart Sutra, I presume?" Liu Xiaoyu said with a knowing wink. Of course, she's the one who scanned it for her. Even with the continuous expansion of the store, picking a manual from their selection remained to be determined by luck and perhaps, fate.

"I can set up a simulation to aid with that. How about a sparring partner? A Spiritual Echo of an expert called 'Crimson-Dance Empress', perhaps? She was a legendary cultivator from an ancient era, known for her mastery of crimson-qi manipulation. It might provide the perfect catalyst for your breakthrough."

Chu Yueying's eyes widened slightly. An echo of a legendary figure she had never heard of before? Clearly, that was something that the divine beings behind the store had added. "That would be… acceptable."

With a few more taps, Xiaoyu finalized the settings. One of the reinforced doors hissed open, revealing a minimalist room. Its walls were a smooth, shifting gray.

"Enjoy your session, Elder Chu!"

As the door sealed behind her, the gray walls shimmered, transforming into a vibrant, sun-drenched valley filled with crimson blossoms. The spiritual energy in the room thickened, humming with a potency that made her meridians tingle.

"Well, I told Yu Qingyan I'm going to visit the store first. Her Secret Realm can wait."

[Simulation: Crimson Bloom Valley - Activated]

[Spiritual Energy Density: 10x]

[Sparring Partner: Echo of the Crimson-Dance Empress - Generated]

A figure of crimson blood and shadow coalesced before her. A regal woman with eyes like a ruby.

The Spiritual Echo before her radiated a pressure that was on par with her peak Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation. Like the Sword Fairy and Yu Qingyan, she only needed a single spark of enlightenment to be fully prepared in forming her Golden Core.

Chu Yueying took a deep breath, her own crimson aura flaring to life. She began to cycle her energy according to the Crimson Bloom Heart Sutra, but the flow was sluggish, the final channels refusing to connect.

The Crimson-Dance Empress's Echo moved, not with a direct attack, but with a graceful, almost hypnotic dance.

With each step, the crimson blossoms in the valley pulsed. Their crimson qi flowed towards the Empress as they weaved into a complex, beautiful pattern of offense and defense.

Chu Yueying watched, mesmerized. She couldn't help but think about how she's been using her allure to entrap men and gain benefits from them. Compared to the Empress, she's like a little chick mimicking a beautiful hen.

Before her, the Empress harmonized with the environment, becoming one with the crimson qi. It was the very principle her sutra was trying to teach her, but in a form she had never been able to visualize.

She mirrored the movements as her spiritual energy gradually began to follow the same patterns.

Then, the Spiritual Echo attacked. A flurry of crimson tendrils lashed out, aiming at her fatal spots.

Chu Yueying countered, her own crimson qi clashing with the Empress's.

[Combat Analysis: Inefficient qi circulation detected. Energy leakage at 12%. Recommend focusing on meridian channel 3B for stabilization.]

A calm, synthesized voice echoed in the room. It was precise feedback that was startlingly accurate.

Chu Yueying couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement. It felt like she was under the tutelage of an expert.

Guided by the feedback and the Spiritual Echo's movements, Chu Yueying refined her technique. The sluggish flow began to quicken and the stubborn channels finally yielded.

A profound sense of enlightenment washed over her as the final piece of the sutra clicked into place. Her crimson aura surged, blooming like a magnificent blood lotus.

The 30-minute session ended, leaving Chu Yueying breathless, her robes soaked with sweat, but her eyes gleaming with a newfound clarity and power. The Echo of the Fire-Dance Empress bowed gracefully before dissolving into motes of light.

Stepping out of the room, she felt a fundamental shift in her cultivation. She hadn't broken through to the next major realm, but her foundation at the Foundation Establishment Stage had become immeasurably more profound.

"Xiaoyu, I needed an extension. Five more hours." She shouted towards the ceiling of the room.

Seconds later, the Shopkeeper's Assistant's voice echoed, "Got it, Elder Chu."