A while later, Lin Mo's grin returned, wider than ever.

Why sell the cow when you can sell the milk, the cheese, and the leather separately? And the same goes for the artifacts as well.

"The bidding is closed," Lin Mo announced as he stood up. The room fell silent.

"The bids were... enlightening. And they have made one thing clear.

No single faction can fully utilize these artifacts for the benefit of all. The realm needs the Liu Clan's training grounds. It needs the Academy's simulations. It needs the Pavilion's database. It needs the Sect's sword army. And, regrettably, it needs the Cult's research."

He looked at the three pedestals.

"Therefore, I am altering the deal."

He waved his hand. The [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] floated towards Patriarch Liu Tianfeng.

"Patriarch Liu, the Liu Clan wins the first artifact. Build your 'Storm Ascension Ground'. Make it the forge of our future heroes."

Liu Tianfeng stood, bowing deeply, his face flushed with triumph. "The Liu Clan thanks the Shopkeeper! We will not fail!"

He then glanced at Lin Yuanzhi and Wu Tianzhen.

"Sect Master Lin, Your Majesty," Lin Mo continued, his tone smooth and diplomatic. "Do not be disheartened. The Liu Clan provides the venue, but a venue also requires infrastructure and maintenance."

He turned to the White Ember Sect Master. "Sect Master Lin, the Liu Clan's 'Storm Ascension Ground' and the Everlasting Spirit Fountain will possibly produce an excess of spiritual liquid. Raw energy is potent, but even immortals that transcended our First Heaven will have a hard time absorbing them all for cultivation and breakthrough. I propose that the White Ember Sect become the exclusive refining partner for the facility. You will process the excess energy into [Spirit-Condensing Fluids] to be distributed to everyone."

"For your troubles, you may take a part of what you produced. You can sell them privately as long as it won't benefit our enemies or be used for your own pill refining. Furthermore, your alchemists and pill masters gain priority access to the facility for their own cultivation."

Lin Yuanzhi's eyes lit up. Although he failed to claim ownership, he had gotten his sect a guaranteed, high-level contract that utilized his sect's specialty. "A symbiotic arrangement. We accept!"

Lin Mo then faced the King. "Your Majesty, your bid was one of infrastructure. The Liu Clan can guard the fountain, but they cannot guard the entire realm. I accept your offer to build 'Convenience Hubs' in your major cities. Furthermore, I grant the Southern Wu Royal Family the right to be the primary sponsor of the 'Storm Ascension Ground'. Your Royal Guards will have reserved slots for training alongside the Liu disciples. You gain the benefit without the burden of management."

King Wu Tianzhen stroked his beard. He didn't mind giving over the eight million spirit stones even if it was a failed bid now that he gained access to the training ground, and solidified his kingdom's infrastructure tie to the store.

"Acceptable. The Southern Wu Kingdom remains the store's staunchest ally."

"Excellent," Lin Mo nodded, satisfied. One crisis averted. Two to go.

Lin Mo then waved his hand at the [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb]. It floated not to the Red Lotus Academy alone, but hovered between them and the Azure Gale Sect.

"Headmaster Feng, Sect Master Yan. You both presented bids that solve different problems. Education and Rapid Response. Therefore, you will share."

"The Orb will be installed in the Red Lotus Academy. The 'Divine Simulation Exchange' is a concept too valuable to ignore. Education multiplies power. A sword kills one enemy, but a lesson can kill thousands if taught correctly."

"The Azure Gale Sect will have permanent, priority access to train their 'Gale Riders' and assist in creating the combat simulations. You will work together. That is my condition."

"The Azure Gale Sect offered speed. I am holding you to that pledge. The 'Gale Riders' courier service is approved. Everyone will be relying on your rapid logistics within the domain. In exchange, your disciples will receive a 90% discount on accessing the Academy's simulations. You get the training you want with little cost. We could've waived the 10% but it also needs maintenance. That's what the 10% is for."

Headmaster Feng and Sect Master Yan exchanged a glance. It was unorthodox, but acceptable. They bowed in unison. "We accept the Shopkeeper's, no, the Convenience Saint's wisdom."

He then turned to Hong Ying, "Naturally, I won't forget you, Sect Master Hong. I promote convenience so… there's no way I'll leave you out after you showed us your willingness to defend our realm."

"Your 'Blood-Forged' vanguard is a terrifying weapon. We need it. I am commissioning your sect to be the store's 'Heavy Infantry'. You will be the first to be deployed in high-threat zones identified by the sensors. In return, you also get subsidized access to the simulations to temper your disciples' bloodlust. You wanted a shield? You have become the shield."

Hong Ying slammed her fist against her chest. "The Crimson Vale accepts! We will break the enemies of convenience! And if you still fancy our Elder Chu, this master doesn't mind you taking her as your wife."

It's not just Lin Mo, everyone in the room froze in shock at the words Hong Ying uttered.

Fancy their Elder Chu? Chu Yueying? Since when did that happen?

Lin Mo glanced around and the gazes from Wu Meiyu, Liu Xiaoyu, Jiang Jianxin and Yu Qingyan's grandmother bore into him. Like they're waiting for him to clarify the situation. Or whether it was true or not.

Lin Mo felt a bead of cold sweat slide down his back, feeling this scrutiny more dangerous than the tribulation lightning.

"Sect Master Hong," Lin Mo started as he faked a cough before his voice strained for a tone of professional neutrality while studiously avoiding the laser-like glares of the women around him. "Your offer is... generous. Elder Chu is a valued patron and a dear friend. But let us not mix personal affairs with the fate of the realm. Marriage proposals are decidedly 'inconvenient' in this situation."

He cleared his throat loudly, channeling his spiritual energy to amplify the sound and shatter the awkward silence.

"Now! The final item." Waving his hand as quickly as he could so they could get their attention away from that topic.

He turned to the [Boundless Knowledge Jade]. The simple slip suddenly became like a hot potato as their gazes focused on it.

This was the hardest sell, the one with the most potential for conflict. Three distinct philosophies, three vital needs.

"The Verdant Sky Pavilion desires to educate. The Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect desires to arm. The Poison Demon Cult desires to dissect." Lin Mo's gaze swept over Yu Mingrou, Li Changqing, and the High Priest. "All three are necessary. If I give this Jade to one, I cripple the other two. If I deny the Pavilion, the realm remains ignorant. If I deny the Sect, our armies remain weak. If I deny the Cult... we remain blind to the enemy's biology."

He paused, letting the dilemma sink in. The leaders looked at each other, their earlier competitive fire replaced by a grim understanding. They knew he was right.

"Therefore," Lin Mo announced, a gleam of absolute authority in his eyes, "The [Boundless Knowledge Jade] will belong to no one."

A shockwave of confusion rippled through the room.

"It will belong to everyone. Or rather, it will remain here, at the Divine Convenience Store. It will serve as the Central Core. The 'Server', if you will. A central unit for our realm-wide network."

He waved his hand. The system responded to his will, projecting a complex diagram above the jade. It showed the jade at the center, with three distinct, colored lines of spiritual energy branching out to icons representing the three factions.

"The Jade will remain in the store. However, I will be giving you the 'Access Rights'."

He turned to Pavilion Master Yu Mingrou. "Pavilion Master, your 'Omniscient Archive' is a noble goal. You will be granted the 'Administrator Access' for the public database. Your scribes will connect to the Jade remotely. You will curate the history, the geography, and the beast knowledge. You will build the library that enlightens the world. It'll be a new separate section on our Viewing Jades."

Yu Mingrou blinked, her mind racing to comprehend the concept. "We... we accept. To be the curators of the realm's wisdom is an honor greater than ownership."

Lin Mo nodded and turned to Sect Master Li Changqing. "Sect Master, your 'Sword Saint Corps' requires specific, high-level martial arts. You will be granted 'Military Clearance'. You will have access to the Jade's repository of combat manuals and war strategies. You will extract the 'Myriad Sword Origin Scripture' and any other techniques needed to train your army. But you will not hoard them. You will refine them, standardize them, and distribute them. It will also be included in the Pavilion's archive."

Li Changqing stroked his beard, his eyes sharp. "A centralized armory of knowledge... accessed from our own mountain? Efficient. The Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect accepts. We will be the blade honed by this Jade."

Finally, Lin Mo turned to the High Priest.

The old man was grinning. He had already guessed where this was going, after all.