Divine Convenience Store

The Cloudstrider Blades flew deeper into the Abyssal Forest, skirting through the winding path created by the towering trees while evading the demonic beasts lingering around.

Because of the commotion at the Conduit Tower, most demonic beasts had already been drawn to that place. But Lin Mo wasn't worried. With the collection of experts gathered there, only a huge force could break through them. And with the store products that could enhance their abilities, only a Void Refinement Stage expert could make them hesitate.

"We're almost there, Shopkeeper." Jiang Jianxin announced, "The Anchor in question has appeared in the middle of a natural basin. It was already drained out when our Deacon discovered it and ventured inside. He set up an illusion array around it to prevent the foreign energy from leaking out and drawing in demonic beasts. I explored it with an Elder and some disciples recently and so I have already informed you, the Elder was poisoned by the creatures inside. They seemed to have been from a so-called Decrint Tribe. "

Their Cloudstrider Blades began a slow descent, weaving through a particularly dense section of ancient, gnarled trees.

The trees soon parted, revealing a vast, circular depression in the earth. It looked like some old ruins that became a natural amphitheater, choked with ancient, thorny vines and massive, petrified trees whose branches reached like skeletal fingers toward the sky.

In the very center was a set of stairs leading down to the Anchor's entrance.

They dismounted from the Cloudstrider Blades and went down the stairs with the Sword Fairy's lead. Xiaoyu, whose energy was boundless, turned serious as she could also sense the thicker-than-normal foreign energy around them. Xiaoping stuck close to his sister but his eyes shone with determination.

As Lin Mo expected, it was similar to the one outside Fanling City. A shimmering distortion in space that leads to a separate dimension that acts like a labyrinth or a dungeon to construct a dimensional bridge between the Realm of Nine Heavens and the Outer Realm from where this Anchor originated.

Just like back then, the foreign energy was doing nothing to him. It was like his body was quickly adapting to it, supplementing his cultivation base.

"This is it," Jiang Jianxin said as her hand instinctively rested on the hilt of her sword.

Lin Mo nodded and stepped forward. And soon as he did, the Store Token in his hand glowed and a notification from the Divine System Interface appeared before him.

[The Shopkeeper has approached the effective range of an Outer Realm Anchor]

Then, three more glowing panels popped up showing the status of the Anchor, plus the optional actions he could take regarding the Anchor before them.

[Anchor - HLFB#0227]

[Status: Active]

[Mode: Group Exploration]

[Current Threat Level: Moderate – Anchor Stabilization in 40 hours if the Core isn't reset.]

[Number of Areas: 4]

[Accessibility: Spirit Condensation Stage to Foundation Establishment Stage only]

—

[Recorded Details - Extracted from Area 1 Core]

[Anchor Designation: HLFB#0227]

[Outer Realm Identified: Highland Realm]

[Identifier: Decrint Tribe Outpost]

[Identified Creatures: Decrint Tribe (Highland Realm subspecies, melee-focused, reliant on Boneforge technology)]

[Anchor Map: 1 out of 4 completed]

—

[Option 1: Establish Anchor Link]

[Effect: Stabilize Anchor's resonance, linking it to the Divine Convenience Store through the deployment of Store Beacon. Additionally, grants an additional Exit Zone for each Area of the Anchor's separate space. Will be marked on the complete map.

[Cost: 10000 Dimension Essence]

[Risk: May provoke heightened defenses of the foreign entities inside or run into a strong surge of foreign energy being funneled from the Outer Realm. It can rebuff the spiritual energy of our realm, leaving one weakened enough to be unable to exert their full force inside.]

—

[Option 2: Sever Anchor Link]

[Effect: Disrupt Anchor's alignment, forcing dormancy. Prevents dimensional breach but may damage the Anchor's structure.]

[Cost: 1000000 Dimension Essence]

[Risk: May provoke retaliation from the Anchor's source to forcefully widen the passageway to open a dimensional breach despite the cost it would take.]

Lin Mo read through the two options. Since it was already an active Anchor, the link that could be established was no longer temporary. Furthermore, there was no option to capture the Anchor Link.

He also noticed that even without interfacing with the Anchor's Core, Jiang Jianxin's previous trip inside managed to extract data from the Area 1 Core.

While he hadn't seen it personally, he understood how it was divided into different areas. During his exploration of the inactive Anchor with Monk Huiyin and the City Guards, there wasn't such a designation yet and they only faced Anchor Fledglings.

Here, it was now filled with the inhabitants of the Highlands Realm.

He could still remember their description from Jiang Jianxin. The Decrint Tribe was like the typical goblins from fiction on Earth. Green-skinned, small stature and frail bodies.

Jiang Jianxin also mentioned the Area 1 Boss they fought and Lin Mo imagined a hobgoblin, a somewhat evolved form of it that was taller and more muscular.

After absorbing the information, Lin Mo turned to Jiang Jianxin. "Miss Sword Fairy, it seems your previous exploration already interfaced with the Area 1 Core, extracting data. That's good. It confirms the threat level and primary inhabitants."

Jiang Jianxin nodded. "Indeed, Shopkeeper. Area 1 was teeming with these 'Decrint Tribe' creatures. They're cunning in using ambushes, use crude bone weapons, and are surprisingly resilient despite their frail appearance. Their 'Boneforge technology' must be the skills they've shown us. It seemed to be some form of rudimentary spiritual crafting, allowing them to imbue their weapons with a slight enhancement. The elder was afflicted by a poison from their attacks."

"We never managed to venture to the next area because Elder Shi was poisoned by one of their hidden weapons. Thankfully, you provided us the needed tonic. He was already stable. The items we managed to acquire from the chests that seemed to be purposefully left behind were still being analyzed. We still don't know if the antidote that Elder Shi refused to take can truly cure the poison we may still face inside."

Lin Mo mentally pictured the hobgoblin. "So, the 'Decrint Tribe Outpost' is essentially their forward operating base for establishing this Anchor. And to stop the stabilization, we must clear all four areas."

"Indeed. Area 1 is already teeming with those green-skinned, ambush-loving creatures. I dread what's waiting further into the other three areas before we reach the core. Shopkeeper, you mentioned being able to help ease our exploration of this place. What is it?"

"Ah. When I say that, I meant this." Upon saying that, Lin Mo brought up the [Anchor Interference Upgrade] menu. He made it visible to Jiang Jianxin and the siblings.

[Anchor Interference Upgrades]

[Current Essence Available: 3209]

[Available Upgrades:

- Interface with the Core (Cost scales per % data extracted)

- Disrupt Anchor Construction (25000 DE): Weakens the spatial foundation, allowing permanent Aura Dimension Essence Upgrades to also be deployed within the Anchor.

- Restriction Loosening (50000 DE): Adjusts cultivation restriction.

- Set up Hidden Rest Areas (15000 DE): Create safe spaces at each area with increased spiritual energy recovery. The price is per area.

[Note: Additional upgrades may be available depending on the data extracted from the Outer Realm.]

Jiang Jianxin read through that, her eyes flickering with interest. Once she's done, she turned to Lin Mo.

"Shopkeeper, this is extremely useful. Does this mean we can stop this one from stabilizing by spending Dimension Essence?"

"Not exactly. Just like the tower, we still have to venture inside and reset the Anchor's Core itself. Furthermore, these upgrades aren't available to this Anchor yet. I have yet to deploy the Store Beacon inside. Unfortunately, we're still short of a few thousand after spending the five million for the [Celestial Shuttle Network]'s activation."

Lin Mo put on a wry smile after realizing the blunder he had made. Although he had already recovered quite a few thousand, it was still short of the 10,000 needed for Option 1.

Jiang Jianxin's gaze drifted from the interface to Lin Mo, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "So, Shopkeeper, you've brought us to an active Anchor, ready to showcase the Divine Convenience Store's aid, and yet… you lack the Dimension Essence to activate the very link that would provide it?"

Liu Xiaoyu giggled, nudging Lin Mo. "Boss, you dunce! Because you're a showoff, you forgot you had to spend Dimension Essence here."

Xiaoping, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Shopkeeper Boss, you still have 3209 Dimension Essence. That's enough to buy three Interfaces with the Core upgrades and get 30% more data from the Anchor."

Lin Mo cleared his throat, acting unbothered outside but flustered inside, "Alright, alright, I admit it. I got a little… enthusiastic with the upgrades. But Xiaoping, that's not how it works. The Interface with the Core won't work without this being linked to our store yet. Anyway, the [Celestial Shuttle Network] is a necessary upgrade."

He rubbed his chin. "I suppose since we're going to venture inside to try and reset the core. Let's go in first. What say you, Miss Sword Fairy?"

Jiang Jianxin's lips twitched into a faint smile. "As you wish, Shopkeeper. Delaying will only allow the Anchor to stabilize further. However, I must advise caution. Without the store's enhancements, our current foray will rely solely on our existing strength."

"Oh? Have you forgotten who you are with?" Lin Mo pointed at him and Liu Xiaoyu. "You got the Shopkeeper and the Assistant of the Divine Convenience Store. We're stocked with every useful store product."