"And for the Poison Demon Cult," Lin Mo said, "You require the forbidden. The dangerous. The knowledge that drives lesser men mad. You will be granted 'Research Clearance'. You will access the Jade's sealed archives on biology, foreign energies, and... darker arts. You will use this to build your 'Institute of Forbidden Anatomy'. It will exist side-by-side with the Pavilion's archive. But be warned... the system watches. If you use this knowledge to harm the realm rather than defend it, your access will be revoked instantly. Permanently."

The High Priest cackled, tapping his staff on the floor. "Heh heh... A leash for the mad dog. Fair enough, Shopkeeper. Fair enough. We only wish to bite the intruders. The dissenters for your convenience. We accept your terms. The secrets of the flesh shall be ours to unravel."

"Good." Lin Mo exhaled, the tension finally leaving his shoulders. He looked around the table.

"The Liu Clan trains the elite. The Kingdom provides the infrastructure. The White Ember Sect fuels the alchemy. The Azure Gale Sect speeds the flow. The Crimson Vale acts as the shield. The Red Lotus Academy teaches the mind. The Verdant Sky Pavilion enlightens the masses. The Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect arms the soldiers. And the Poison Demon Cult sharpens the poison."

Summarizing their roles like that, everyone in the room felt a shiver run down their spines. They realized that this event further solidified the alliance that they had formed during the appearance of the second Conduit Tower. Now, with the Divine Convenience Store truly putting itself as the core of it by keeping Boundless Knowledge Jade to be implemented in the Viewing Jades, the distribution of power would be even. As for them? They became cogs in the machine built by the divine beings, managed by a mortal, and powered by… convenience.

If Lin Mo could hear their thoughts, he'd probably put on a bitter smile at how much he had scammed them. After all, the pivot to convenience was still something he just used on a whim, not knowing that it would lead to this grand formation.

"The board is set," Lin Mo concluded, his voice ringing with finality. "The artifacts are yours to share. The Liu Clan may take the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] after selecting the location for the Storm Ascension Ground. The Red Lotus Academy will take the [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] to install in their academy for the creation of Divine Simulation Exchange. As for the [Boundless Knowledge Jade]... it stays here in the store."

"We will begin integrating its database into your Viewing Jades promptly. Palace Master Yu, Sect Master Li and High Priest, each of you will receive your access keys. Once the Palace Master creates the initial page of the Omniscient Archives, you'll get your own dedicated section to customize according to your needs. This way, your work remains compartmentalized but accessible."

He waved his hand, and the pedestals for the Fountain and the Orb floated towards their respective new owners. Patriarch Liu accepted the glowing fountain with a reverence that bordered on religious. His eyes that seemed to call for the storm were already calculating the formations needed to stabilize it. Headmaster Feng received the Orb with trembling hands, likely envisioning a thousand new lesson plans in which its simulations could be used.

Those who shared those artifacts with them also closed in as they wanted to privately talk about the cooperation they had just agreed on.

Meanwhile, the Viewing Jades of Yu Mingrou, Li Changqing and the High Priest glowed as their access was promptly sent to them. They now have sub-administrator access, but only to that new page dedicated to them. The Bulletin Board and the front page, when accessing the Viewing Jade, will remain under the store's supervision.

The High Priest grinned, his cloudy eyes fixed on the Jade that Lin Mo tucked back into his inventory. He didn't need the physical object. He knew the true value lay in the access key that had just been digitally transmitted to his Viewing Jade.

[System Notification: The 'Pledge of Convenience' has been ratified.]

[Alliance Status: Formed.

[Designation: Coalition of Convenience.]

[Auction Complete. Processing Transactions…]

A blinding light enveloped the whole arena as the artifacts were seemingly radiated with joy as they would now be properly used.

Simultaneously, a torrent of notifications flooded Lin Mo's vision. Millions upon millions of high-grade spirit stones were instantly transferred into the store's treasury.

[Current Revenue: 39,000,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones]

[Note: Due to the massive influx of capital, the conversion rate to Dimension Essence has been temporarily optimized.]

[Conversion Prompt: Convert 50% of revenue to Dimension Essence? Y/N]

Lin Mo mentally tapped 'Yes' without hesitation. Spirit stones were good for the local economy, but Dimension Essence was the fuel for his god-tier upgrades.

[Conversion Complete. Dimension Essence Balance: 21,695,331 DE]

[The remaining 50% will be used to repair and enhance the structure of the Divine System Interface.]

[Projected Contribution: 5%]

He suppressed a grin and a grimace at the same time. The store was rich again. He now had enough essence to buy more upgrades on the list, or perhaps save up for that Tribulation Transcendence-level Divine Guardian Construct. He could also buy some upgrades for the connected Anchors. He'd think about that later.

"This concludes the Private Auction for Divine Patronage," Lin Mo clapped his hands once, the sharp sound echoing through the transformed arena. "Thank you all for your generous bids and your continued patronage. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe the Celestial Hot Spring is scheduled to open in... ten minutes."

The lights in the arena shifted, the spotlight on the table dimming as the ambient lighting returned to a warm, inviting glow. The oppressive atmosphere of high-stakes negotiation evaporated, replaced by a palpable buzz of excitement and relief.

He gestured towards the store proper, where a muffled roar of excitement could be heard even through the soundproofing. "I suggest you secure your spots. The first soak is always the most memorable."

The leaders exchanged glances. The tension of the high-stakes negotiation evaporated, replaced by a sudden, very human curiosity.

"A hot spring..." King Wu Tianzhen murmured, stroking his beard. "A bathhouse that had been generated by the divine beings... Perhaps this King should inspect this facility personally. To ensure it meets royal standards, of course."

"Hmph. My old bones could use a soak," Patriarch Liu grunted, carefully storing the Fountain in his spatial ring. "After fighting that Violethaven witch, my shoulder still aches."

"Wait, Shopkeeper!" Sect Master Hong Ying called out, her eyes blazing. "What about the Dreilling? Should we not respond to that new threat right away? Also, about my earlier proposal regarding Elder Chu..."

"Sect Master Hong," Lin Mo interrupted with a slightly tired amusement. He raised a hand, forestalling her renewed attempt at matchmaking. "The Dreilling threat is being contained. Chieftain Borok and the raid force have encircled the Anchor. My assistant has already relayed the necessary tactical adjustments. Your Blood-Forged disciples, once they arrive, will be the hammer that breaks their mental hold. But even hammers need to rest before they strike."

He gestured towards the door leading back to the store. "As for Elder Chu... I believe she is currently in the Northern Arctic Dominion, busy helping our Official Distributor secure another tower. Let us not make decisions for her in her absence. It would be... inconvenient for her to return to a wedding she didn't agree to."

Hong Ying huffed, crossing her arms, but the corner of her lip twitched upwards as if she'd done her fellow woman and subordinate a great service. "Very well. But the offer stands. The Crimson Vale does not retreat from a challenge, be it in war or love."

"I... will keep that in mind," Lin Mo replied diplomatically while inwardly sweating. He quickly pivoted, "Now, if you will all follow me. The Grand Opening awaits."

The group filed out of the Divine Arena, the previously suffocating atmosphere of political maneuvering was replaced by a lighter, albeit still competitive, air. They emerged back into the main store, which was already teeming with patrons.

The notice about the Celestial Hot Spring had done its job. A massive crowd had gathered near the newly generated entrance.

Like the door to the arena and shuttle hub, it was partitioned by see-through glass doors. From there, everyone could see the beautiful archway of polished cedar. Above it, a holographic sign glowed with inviting warmth: [Celestial Hot Spring].

As he neared, a system window once again popped up.

[Facility Construction Complete: Celestial Hot Spring]

[Status: Operational]

[Staffing: Requires 4 attendants (2 Male, 2 Female) for maintenance and service.]

"Mhm. Just in time," Lin Mo grinned.

He gathered the staff. "Xiaoyu, Meiyu, Pan Ruo. And... you four." He pointed to four of the newly hired staff who were already pre-selected earlier.

Among them was a burly young man named Tie Niu, who was a disciple of a body-cultivating sect, and a nimble girl named Li Li, who was among the mortals that passed the interviews. Xiao Ya quickly became friends with her. As for the other two, they were both among Wu Meiyu's Royal Escorts.

Flanked by his staff, they stood before the door to inaugurate its formal opening for the patrons.

"Greetings, dear customers," Lin Mo started as his eyes held the glint of profit.