"A compelling pitch, esteemed guests," Lin Mo’s smile curved up meaningfully, "However, there is a fundamental flaw in your proposal."

Both leaders stiffened.

"You speak of our Dimension Essence lacking physical backing." Lin Mo continued, tapping the table. "You misunderstand. Dimension Essence is backed by the eradication of the Outer Realm threat. It is backed by the survival of this world. It requires no gold in your vaults to give it value."

He looked at Woody. "I will not allow a third party to manipulate the exchange rate of our primary currency. That invites inflation and economic instability, which is highly inconvenient."

Woody’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent.

"I’m certain your territories are not lacking these Outer Realm threats. You may stand by and watch it proliferate but once an Anchor stabilizes, it’ll mean conceding a piece of our Realm to these vultures waiting to devour us. If you put strict control on a tower and monopolize its reward, you risk slowing down the development of your territory. You see, disaster and opportunity always go hand in hand."

Woody and Layla were aware of it. The Western Sacred Lands is a huge region. It doesn’t only contain the prominent sects like the Violethaven Temple or the Supreme Sun Church. And for the past few weeks, they had already documented the discoveries of certain ruins and towers, most of which were first thought to be inheritance sites left behind by ascended immortals.

However, when they got their hands on the Viewing Jade, they finally got a clearer understanding of what they signified.

Lin Mo understood that these two came to the store after much deliberation within their organization. And being individuals who climbed to this height, they naturally wouldn’t simply submit themselves like Jin Cheng did. For them, benefiting and profiting remained of the utmost importance.

They prepared a lot of schemes, baits and other methods to entice Lin Mo to accept their proposal.

Unfortunately for them, even without their help, Lin Mo would, more or less, set his sights on their industry in the future.

After all, even if his understanding of the world, be it in his past life or his current life, was shallow, he only needed to pitch the idea and someone would volunteer to take up that task.

Still, with these two behemoths presenting themselves to the store, he’d naturally give them a chance.

After a few seconds of silence, Lin Mo then turned to Layla. "Dear customer, for luxury branding, the Divine Convenience Store does not fancy itself as a boutique. In the name of ’convenience’, we do not do ’exclusive’ releases for big shots to hoard. The Golden Card Patron privilege that you’re enjoying right now also doesn’t set you apart from any of our normal patrons. Let’s just say it is our store’s way to give those with bigger wallets a chance to spend their wealth.

"Yet, if a mortal scrapes together enough Dimension Essence or spirit stones by carrying bags for the Harvester’s Guild, he has the same right to purchase a [Celestial Duel Gear] as a Void Refinement Patriarch or even climb those stairs after accumulating enough purchases. Equal access is the bedrock of our business model. And that is the heart of our ’convenience’."

Layla’s amber eyes narrowed. "Then you refuse our partnership? You will leave the West solely in the hands of the Golden Carp?"

"I didn’t say that," Lin Mo smiled but to these two elder-level figures, it looked like a predatory grin that made them feel a sudden chill. Even Layla’s already pristine face took on a paler complexion.

"I said your current proposal is flawed. But I am always open to restructuring. You want to be part of the ecosystem? Fine. However, let me be clear about something first."

He paused for a moment and gestured to Wu Meiyu who produced two jade slips in her hand. Its content wasn’t anything important, just Lin Mo’s insights into Earth’s economic infrastructures or his shallow understanding of them.

The two Golden Patrons picked it up and used their spiritual energy to probe its contents.

A minute later, both of them wore a frown on their faces before facing Lin Mo’s gaze again.

"Executive Woody, if I allow the Sacred Foundation Bank to issue spirit stone loans specifically earmarked for Dimension Essence conversion at fluctuating rates, you may introduce speculation and quicken the inflation. On top of that, the possibility of a ’subprime cultivation crisis’ where desperate disciples mortgage their souls to buy a [Celestial Duel Gear] or any store products, default on the loan, and end up as your indentured servants. That is highly... inconvenient."

Woody’s eyes shuddered slightly before subtly nodding his head. Sure enough, the Shopkeeper anticipated his bank’s long-term business model. Many cultivators had already fallen on it. And they became the Bank’s servants, doing their bidding in the hopes of eventually climbing out of their debts.

Those who defaulted and eventually got ensnared by the contracts not only include mortals and lower-stage cultivators, but even high-ranking elders or sect masters from various Cultivation Lands had fallen into their trap.

Naturally, it’s not like they’re acting like loan sharks from Earth. It is just that, more often than not, the goals set by those who borrowed from them were unaccomplished, leaving them no hope of repaying their debts.

"Then how, Shopkeeper, do we integrate?" Woody asked, adopting a tone of genuine yet cautious inquiry.

"You don’t underwrite the Dimension Essence," Lin Mo stated. "You underwrite the patron. I can introduce a new feature to the Viewing Jade users named ’Credit Line’."

"Credit Line? Please elaborate, Shopkeeper." Woody’s forehead creased. It was a foreign term to him.

"Let’s see. This is still just an idea but I can grant the Sacred Foundation Bank an access key that will open another specialized section in our Bulletin Board, integrating your bank into our network. When a verified patron wishes to make a purchase but lacks the immediate spirit stones or Dimension Essence, they can apply for a Credit Line at checkout. Your Bank’s algorithms will assess their sect affiliation, cultivation base, and creditworthiness within seconds. If approved, you pay the store the spirit stones upfront. The patron receives the goods immediately. The patron then owes the Sacred Foundation Bank the spirit stones, plus a regulated, store-approved interest rate."

It’s the credit system, of course. While not that different from giving out loans, it will allow a patron not to easily be buried in a debt they couldn’t pay. Depending on their capabilities, a starting credit will be granted to them. They have to prove they’re an outstanding customer by making timely repayments to increase their limit.

Woody’s eyes, previously narrowed in caution, slowly widened as the scale of the concept settled in his mind. He was a banker, a master of numbers and leverage, and what the Shopkeeper was proposing was a fundamental restructuring of how wealth flowed through the realm.

"You are separating the risk from the transaction," Woody murmured as he unconsciously tapped against his thigh. "The store assumes zero risk, receiving immediate payment. The Bank assumes all the risk of the loan, but gains unparalleled access to the purchasing power of the store patrons and eventually, the realm. And because it is regulated and tied to their Viewing Jade profile..."

"...if they default, their access to the store’s network will be suspended until they repay their outstanding credit or reach an agreement with us," Wu Meiyu finished for him. "However, their access to the Celestial Shuttle, the Leaderboard, the Harvester’s Guild, and future purchases of high-tier consumables will also be limited. In this new era, being cut off from convenience is a punishment worse than having one’s cultivation crippled. The default rate will be infinitesimally low."

Woody inhaled sharply.

Although he’s still hoping for a quick profit, he could tell how brilliant a concept it was. It was foolproof. And even if they don’t apply their predatory contracts, it will provide them a high-volume and low-risk revenue stream that ties their institution directly into the unbreakable bedrock of the store’s ecosystem.

"Shopkeeper... This matter... I’m willing to risk my position for it–"

"Hold it, dear customer. Think it over, you can also consult your colleagues or even the Executive President. For now..." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

His voice trailed there before shifting his gaze to the Orange Silk Matriarch who could be seen biting her succulent lower lip. After all, that concept he just introduced was truly extraordinary and he allowed her to listen to it.

It’s like she had no idea what to do with that information and she’s afraid Lin Mo would ask her to make an oath not to divulge to anyone.

Luckily for her, Lin Mo didn’t mind if she spread it. If other forces could implement that system, it would save him the trouble.

Now, with the bank dealt with, it’s her consortium’s turn.

Inside Lin Mo’s head, he was already enumerating all the establishments tied to them. Auction Houses. Brothels. Covert Information Brokers and more.