Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 522: Puppets

That last bit was said under Lin Mo’s breath. If Xiaoyu heard him, she’d probably ask him about what a ’gunslinging cultivator’ is.

That’s a concept that will naturally form once the weapon hits the shelves.

Naturally, it wouldn’t actually replace the traditional weapon artifacts but it could be a secondary weapon for those who ran out of spiritual energy or needed a quick ranged attack. A reliable backup that could save lives when a technique was on cooldown or interrupted.

"Alright, let’s pick up what they dropped and move," Lin Mo said, holstering his revolver. He could feel the sliver of Highland energy that came from the Decrints he killed, being refined by his dantian. "The repeater is quite convenient, isn’t it? But this product wasn’t meant to replace your weapons. Don’t get too reliant on it. It doesn’t have the stopping power to break a defensive artifact or the natural armor of a high-tier beast. It’s for crowd control."

"Understood, Shopkeeper," Liu Jingshan nodded, his eyes still admiring the sleek weapon. "Though against these unarmored creatures, it is devastatingly effective. The Liu Clan will certainly place a bulk order."

"Same for the Stormhowl," Borok grunted, kicking a Decrint corpse aside to retrieve a dull, pulsating crystal from its chest. "It lacks the honor of a blade, but it saves strength for the real fight. We will need many crates."

"We can discuss the bulk discount later," Lin Mo said, waving his hand. "We’re here for a different reason."

With that, they pressed deeper into the seemingly wide and endless cave networks.

After encountering a few more ambushes that they resolved either with the use of the Stardust Repeaters or just a simple counterattack when the enemies got too close, Lin Mo and Xiaoyu continued to traverse the path that was already fully mapped.

They’re heading straight to where the passage leading to Area 2 was located.

He had no idea if a new Area Boss had been spawned, considering all the explorers had retreated except those who had been controlled by the Dreilling. But given that he hadn’t gathered enough information about that new entity yet, it’s better to venture further.

The Emergency Escape Talisman was already prepared in their robes and pockets, ready to activate instantly the moment they encountered a danger that not even the three Nascent Soul Stage experts could handle.

Eventually, he found that the bioluminescent fungi grew denser. It cast long, twisting shadows that seemed to dance in the periphery of their vision.

The surrounding air seemed to grow heavier but not because of the lack thereof, but because of the sweet scent that masked the underlying rot.

The scent of the Highland’s corruption that was seeping further into the anchor’s walls. It’s the sign of stabilization. Once it had completely settled, this Anchor would transform into a small territory owned by the Highland Realm.

All the benefits that they could get right now would disappear. The Store Beacon would be recalled and the Celestial Shuttle Hub outside might also become inactive.

Or so that’s just his theory for now, considering he hadn’t encountered a fully stabilized Anchor yet.

Still, if the inhabitants of the Realm of Nine Heavens can take control of the Anchor, the same is possible for the invading realm.

[Warning: Highland Energy concentration rising.]

The Anchor’s system sent a timely warning but despite that, the three Nascent Soul Stage experts were affected.

"Ugh," Yan Chen grunted, stumbling slightly. He pressed a hand to his temple. "The itching... is getting worse. It feels like someone is whispering behind my ear, but I can’t make out the words."

"I see. So, that’s how they’re doing it, huh? Ignore it, dear customer. Focus your will." Lin Mo calmly said.

Compared to them, he found himself still immune to the influence. Next to him, Xiaoyu was the same. " Xiaoyu?"

"I’m fine, Boss," Xiaoyu answered with her usual playful grin. A faint, golden light shimmered over her skin, the natural defense of her Nine Heavens Exquisite Body repelling the intrusion. "I can hear something like an insect buzzing. Annoying, but not biting."

Upon hearing that, Lin Mo was surprised. Even her Nine Heavens Exquisite Body couldn’t totally block it.

"Alright. Stay close to me," Lin Mo expanded his [Stellar Domain] to its maximum effective range for protection, enveloping the group in a bubble of serene, starlight-infused cloak.

The effect was immediate, however, it’s not strong enough to totally block the influence for them. If he grew stronger perhaps but for now, only Xiaoyu who could somewhat resist it, lightened up.

Nevertheless, the relief still came for the other three.

Yan Chen’s breathing steadied, and the tension in Borok’s shoulders eased.

"Better," Borok breathed. "The whispers grew quieter. Your spell is strong, Shopkeeper."

"It’s not magic. Just a convenient ability." Lin Mo quipped, though his eyes were scanning the darkness ahead. "Anyway, it appears we are not going to the next area easily... Something’s out there."

Lin Mo pointed at what was supposed to be the Area Boss Room, emerging from the tunnel into a vast underground cavern.

The barbarians and the cultivators were already familiar with it having cleared this place once.

But their face fell when they sensed what was inside.

In the center of the cavern, a massive, fleshy structure pulsed with a sickly purple light. It looked like a beating heart made of corrupted vines and throbbing veins, rooted deep into the cavern floor. It was pumping the Highland energy into the ley lines of the area.

But what made the blood run cold was not the structure itself, but its guardians.

Surrounding the heart were dozens of figures. They stood perfectly still, their heads bowed, weapons hanging limp at their sides.

They were not Decrints.

"That’s... Warrior Gorn," Borok whispered, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. "And Hunter Yul. Those are my tribesmen! The ones who didn’t failed to return

"And those robes..." Liu Jingshan’s face paled. "Those are disciples from the small sects who joined the Mercenary Guild’s commission. They’re... they’re still alive?"

"Physically? Yes," Lin Mo said in a grim tone, his refined soul perceiving the twisted, purple threads of energy connecting the figures to the pulsating heart in the center. However, he couldn’t find the entity that should be controlling them.

Can it be that the Dreilling also has the ability to remotely control them?

His eyes then focused on that fleshy structure and he instantly understood.

"Mentally? They’re gone. Or suppressed. They are puppets now. And that structure seemed to be acting as a control tower where the Dreilling can remotely control them." He said to the other three. Xiaoyu, on the other hand, had already started aiming her repeater at the fleshy structure.

As if sensing their presence, the ’puppets’ raised their heads in unison.

The whites of their eyes were gone, replaced by glowing pools of violet light. Their expressions were slack, devoid of any consciousness.

Then, a voice echoed in the cavern. It didn’t come from any mouth, but resonated directly in their skulls.

It was a smooth, melodic, and terrifyingly polite voice.

"Guests. Fresh vessels. How... convenient."

Lin Mo’s eye twitched. "Did it just mock our tagline?"

"Boss, I think it did," Xiaoyu clicked her tongue. "Can I shoot it? The voice, I mean. Or the heart-thingy."

"Hold," Lin Mo ordered. "That voice... must be the Dreilling. It’s projecting its will through the heart structure. It’s not physically here. But to think it could communicate. It was truly a higher being than the Decrints."

"Resistance is inefficient," The voice continued, the psychic pressure ramping up, slamming against Lin Mo’s domain like a physical weight. "Surrender your wills. Join the unity. The Highland welcomes all. Your realm will be well managed by us."

The puppets moved.

Instead of charging like the simple-minded Decrints. They moved with the skills they possessed in life.

The Stormhowl barbarians roared, their muscles bulging as they charged with axes raised. The cultivators formed hand seals, preparing spells.

"No. Don’t kill them!" Borok shouted, conflicted anguish in his voice. "They are our kin!"

"Dear customer, unfortunately you must face them as if you’re facing an enemy." Lin Mo said coldly. "Or else, it’ll use your hesitation against you. This is a test of resolve."

He raised his revolver. "Standard engagement rules don’t apply to hostages, but we have tools for this. Only use the ’Pulse’ mode of the repeaters. Low output. Aim for the legs or shoulders. Incapacitate them if you’re able. As for us... Xiaoyu, can you see those threads? Or am I the only one seeing it?"

"Threads? What do you mean, Boss?" Liu Xiaoyu tilted her head after firing once at a controlled cultivator’s leg. She narrowed her eyes as though attempting to see what Lin Mo was pointing at, but all she saw was the pulsating purple glow emanating from the fleshy heart and enveloping the puppets.

So there’s truly a limit to her heavenly physique.

But then, Lin Mo went cold from the possibility.

"My eyes became special? Or is it my whole existence?" Lin Mo muttered, recalling the unique perception granted by his refined soul and the Primordial Starlight Dew.

It seemed to have given him the ability to sense the metaphysical connections, the puppet strings of corrupted energy controlled by the Dreilling.

If that’s the case. Can he also touch it?