CHAPTER 461: DIVINE LECTURE ENDS

Once the Divine Lecture ended, the avatars of Xingxing and Danzhu disappeared from their lecture halls, leaving those who attended ruminating about everything they learned.

However, instead of departing from the First Heaven now that they’re done with their obligation to impart their knowledge, the two divine beings simply moved to a more private venue.

They were to give him their evaluation regarding the First Heaven and the patrons of the Divine Convenience Store.

Lin Mo understood that it also had to do with the Divine Pantheon’s plans for the future. He’d like to hear advice from them but at the same time, he was wondering what exactly Xingxing wants with him that Lihua warned him about.

Unfortunately for him, the moment he stepped out of Danzhu’s lecture hall, he got caught by the four women who also had just exited Xingxing’s lecture hall.

"Boss, there you are. Shall we see our guests out?" Liu Xiaoyu bounded over with her usual grin. Although faint, he could tell that the lecture was also beneficial to her. The aura being passively emitted by her became more radiant. Xingxing’s polishing method had already given her some benefits.

Of course, Lin Mo also couldn’t deny that she became more attractive, or rather, his improved will got him to see his prodigious assistant in a new, clearer light. The refinement of his own soul had stripped away a layer of mundane perception, allowing him to see the true, innate brilliance of those around him.

It wasn’t just Xiaoyu. Wu Meiyu’s regal bearing now had a more defined edge, as if the concept of ’royalty’ itself had been polished to a finer sheen. Jiang Jianxin’s sword-like aura felt purer, the killing intent that once subtly clung to it now completely gone, replaced by an absolute, diamond-sharp focus. And Venom Master Xun... her seductive charm was no longer a technique she wielded. It seemed to become a fundamental and harmonious part of her being, making her even more dangerously alluring.

They had all benefited immensely from the lecture, and the subtle shifts in their presence were proof of its profound effect.

"The guests are already making their way out," Lin Mo replied, gesturing vaguely towards the staircase where the last of the specialized lecture attendees were descending. "They seemed to have a lot to think about. Our job here is done."

"Is it?" Venom Master Xun asked as she gracefully stepped closer, her previous hold on his arm seamlessly re-established. He didn’t even have the time to dodge it. "I believe your job, dear Shopkeeper, has only just begun. The seeds of a new era have been planted today. Next comes the inconvenient process of cultivation. Don’t you think so?"

Wu Meiyu nodded in agreement. "She is right. The knowledge shared today will create a surge in our region’s overall power level, but it will also create new rivalries and ambitions. The sects will be competing to see who can master the new alchemical formulas or the refinement techniques first."

"Which means more business for the store," Xiaoyu interjected with an optimistic smile. "We can expect more sales! More people will want to rent the training rooms to practice the polishing method... Boss, when can we expand again?"

Lin Mo couldn’t help but smile. They were already thinking steps ahead, each from their own unique perspective.

Just as he was about to commend them, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.

[System Notification: The divine lecturers request a post-event debriefing. Please proceed to the Shopkeeper’s Quarters at your earliest convenience.]

Lin Mo let out a quiet sigh. The main event was over for everyone but for him, it had been extended.

"It seems I’m being summoned," He said, gently trying to extricate his arm from Xun’s grasp, who only tightened her hold with a playful pout. "I have a confidential meeting with our... divine lecturers. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait."

"A confidential meeting, Boss?" Xiaoyu’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, her gaze darting from Lin Mo to Venom Master Xun’s clinging arm, then to Wu Meiyu’s thoughtful expression and Jiang Jianxin’s stoic silence. "Is it a very confidential meeting, or just a ’only Shopkeeper and his prodigious assistant’ meeting?"

Before he could answer, Wu Meiyu also chipped in with her eyes twinkling with amusement. "As your Chief Operations Officer, I believe I should be privy to any high-level strategic discussions."

And it didn’t stop with her.

"As a key partner, I believe my insights would also be... valuable," Venom Master Xun leaned close to his ear and whispered.

Jiang Jianxin simply tapped the hilt of her sword once, a silent but clear statement of her own desire to be included.

Lin Mo felt a headache coming on. He was standing in a hallway surrounded by four of the most powerful and influential young women in the domain, all of whom were now staring at him with varying degrees of expectation.

He could understand Xiaoyu and Meiyu coming with him but for Venom Master Xun and Jiang Jianxin to also express their desire to accompany him, he felt like he must’ve erred in cultivating his business relationship with them.

"It is a debriefing with the divine beings from the Pantheon," He stated plainly, deciding that directness was the most convenient solution. "Their request was specific. Only the Shopkeeper."

The mention of the ’Divine Pantheon’ had the desired effect. The playful pressure subsided, replaced by a sense of awe and respect. Even the audacious Venom Master Xun knew better than to argue with a direct summons from a god.

She reluctantly released his arm. "Very well, Shopkeeper. Do not keep them waiting. But remember," She whispered again with her breath subtly tickling his ear, "you still owe me a private audience. I will be collecting that debt soon."

Lin Mo gave a noncommittal nod, already moving towards the staircase. "Xiaoyu, Meiyu, please oversee the final closing procedures. Do accommodate our guests who just had their horizons broadened."

"Got it, Boss! Don’t get eaten by the pretty goddess!" Xiaoyu called after him, earning a final, sharp glare from Jiang Jianxin.

The Sword Fairy remained quiet. Whatever was in her mind, Lin Mo pretended not to feel that sharp glare stabbing his back. He’ll hear her out later.

After that, he made his way to the private quarters behind the main counter, the most private place in the entire store.

The scent of cherry blossoms and the dry, herbal aroma of a laboratory filled the lounge as Xingxing and Danzhu materialized, taking seats on the plush couches as if they were old friends dropping by for a casual chat.

Xingxing’s amethyst eyes shone with amusement as her gaze locked on him.

"My, my," Xingxing’s melodic voice echoed. "Such a popular little shopkeeper. It seems my lecture on refinement has attracted a few unpolished gems who wish to stake their claim on you. A princess of a kingdom, a prodigy of a reclusive clan, a swordmaster of a righteous sect, and a queen of a poison cult. You have a most... eclectic taste in patrons, Shopkeeper. And it seems you haven’t made your choice yet."

Her words were light, but they carried the weight of a goddess casually dismissing the pretensions of mortals.

"They are all valuable partners and employees of the store, Your Divinity," Lin Mo replied smoothly, his newly honed will allowing him to meet her playful, probing gaze without flinching. "Their contributions have been most convenient."

Xingxing let out a melodious laugh. "Of course, they have. You seem to trust all of them enough. How intriguing."

She leaned forward, her divine charisma washing over him again. Last time, his resistance against it almost broke. This time, however, was different.

Unconsciously, his [Stellar Domain] pulsed subtly. A passive field of serene, starlight order acted as a buffer. The instinctual urge to please her was still there, but no longer overwhelming. It became an external pressure he could observe, analyze and ignore. His employee soul had been promoted to management. Or so that’s what Xingxing herself said earlier.

Xingxing’s eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise, then her smile became one of true, appreciative delight. "Ah, there it is. The will of a sovereign. You have learned your lesson well and quickly. Taihao’s hammer-and-chisel method provided a solid foundation, but a gem is not truly precious until it has been properly polished and set. You now have the bearing of a master, not the mortal that Taihao brought over from that mundane world."

"My thanks for your guidance, Your Divinity," Lin Mo said, offering another sincere bow.

"Enough of this philosophical nonsense," Danzhu grunted from his seat, looking thoroughly bored. "The boy’s soul is fixed. Good. Let us move on to more practical matters. The evaluation. Xingxing, you first. You’re the one who enjoys these things."

Right at that moment, another chime echoed in Lin Mo’s head and a window panel popped up in front of him.

[System Information: Area Monitor has been upgraded to the Anomaly & Corruption Sensor Network.]

[New Function: Integration of a partial divine sense of the Purveyor of Miasma and Corruption, formerly known as the Great Poison Demon. The system is now capable of performing passive scans on a selected area for dormant Outer Realm Anchors and significant concentrations of foreign energy and Dimension Essence.]