Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 258: Sword Fairy’s Resolve
Divine Convenience Store, Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall
Once again, Lin Mo, his assistant and their first employee were making use of the immortal-grade artifact [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] operated by Yangyang.
Lin Mo was doing another Mental Simulation, furthering his comprehension of the [Foundational Martial Technique] and [Everlasting Serenity Sutra]. An hour in reality stretched to ten hours had yielded him new insights. Recalling the exploration at the Anchor during the day, he tried simulating those battles without the presence of the Monk and the City Guards. And by using different types of weapons, he gradually solidified his lack of finesse when it comes to wielding a sword. His movements, while passable thanks to the [Foundational Martial Technique], lacked the fluidity of a true swordsman like Jiang Jianxin. The simulation revealed his reliance on raw spiritual energy and store products, a crutch he'd need to shed if he wanted to stand on his own in the Realm of Nine Heavens.
Lin Mo exhaled as he opened his eyes, exiting the Mental Simulation.
Yangyang's bespectacled face welcomed him back as she handed a can of [Frosted Cloud Cappuccino], one of the iced coffee varieties added to the store's beverage section. Its frothy texture and strong taste could recover exhausted mental strength.
"You spent two hours in it, Shopkeeper Lin. Are you sure you're not pushing yourself?" Yangyang asked as she leaned in just enough to inspect his state before stretching her hand for him to take.
"Mhm. I spent ten hours meditating with the [Everlasting Serenity Sutra] and through the remaining ten, I cycled through different weapons to reach basic proficiency in the [Foundational Martial Technique]. Turns out I was average at everything. I should pick a specialty and stick with it." Lin Mo scratched his cheek before popping the can open and taking a sip.
The cappuccino's chill bit his tongue, soothing some of the exhaustion he accrued during the twenty-hour-long mental training. He then grabbed Yangyang's outstretched hand and stood up.
The [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] was still floating in the middle of the stage as Xiao Ya was within a Physical Simulation, training herself to be more accustomed to her Golden Lotus Physique.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiaoyu was sprawled not far away from them on her cultivation mat. She had also finished her training in a mental simulation and was taking a break by browsing the Bulletin Board, giggling occasionally as she read through them. She had yet to notice Lin Mo finishing his training because if she did, she'd enthusiastically bound over to check on him and his progress.
"Average, huh?" Yangyang's voice pulled him back, her lips quirking as she adjusted her glasses. "Shopkeeper, you're too hard on yourself. You came here with nary a knowledge of our realm, yet you're already juggling over the store, the customers' satisfaction and the pantheon's expectations. Most cultivators would've buckled by now. Picking a weapon's just details. I get it. You must've felt insufficient when you ran into that situation earlier."
Lin Mo couldn't deny that. He felt a little helpless, but it's not like they're expecting him to be this extremely capable expert who could thwart any threats. It was his introspection that was pushing him to do more than what he's already capable of.
"Details do matter, especially when it comes to threats beyond my capabilities. If I cannot respond properly, I won't survive for long. Right now, I'm leaning too hard on the store's products. They're a lifeline, sure, but I need something I can call my own. Sword, spear, bow… none of them clicked. Felt like I was play-acting the Sword Fairy's moves."
Yangyang tilted her head, her scholarly air softening into something almost teasing.
"Not everyone is born with the Sword Fairy or Xiaoyu's talent, Shopkeeper. You're a merchant, not a sect prodigy. Why not lean into that? Your strength is in strategy, not swinging a blade or diving into any obstacle headfirst. Let's see… ever thought about something less… traditional? Like an artifact tailored to you?"
His eyes narrowed before his lips cracked into a small smile. "You sound like you've read what I submitted, Miss Yangyang."
She laughed, waving a hand. "Yes, I did. I mean, I can read the logs. Zhenren Taihao may be playful, but I know Zhenren Lihua. She is compassionate enough not to leave you empty-handed when she's aware of the threats you may face. What do you think? Firearms, is it?"
Lin Mo's grin tightened, a spark of curiosity igniting. "Yeah, but I didn't expect them to take it seriously. A gun in the Realm of Nine Heavens? Sounds like a fever dream. Still…"
He trailed off, picturing a sleek, formation-ridden revolver in his hand, channeling spiritual energy into a shot that could pierce through the toughest opponent he could think of. The idea felt absurdly right, like a piece of his old world slotting into this one.
"Ahh… I'll be eternally grateful to Zhenren Lihua. But if you read my submission, you should know that type of weapon was also something I never had a chance to encounter physically."
Yangyang snorted, barely stifling a laugh. "You're right. However, aren't you excited, Shopkeeper? I can see it from your expression. Anyhow, you're not wrong to want a specialty. It'll be bad for you to focus on many things at once and then be mediocre at everything."
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Anchor - HLFB#0227
The Area 1 Boss swung its sledgehammer meeting the tip of Jiang Jianxin and the [Camellia Sword Maiden]'s swords.
Even without making contact yet, Jiang Jianxin could already sense the disparity in their strength.
CLANG!
Sparks flew as the dull sound of metal getting deflected rang out. But despite that equal, almost tyrannical force of the Area Boss's sledgehammer, Jiang Jianxin fluidly turned and twirled her body, sacrificing a bit of her momentum before regaining her trajectory. Her flying swords now carry the same intent.
Meanwhile, her summoned unit was thrown back by the force, only to stop at the edge of her Celestial Field as though it had hit a wall. It waved its sword, creating a visually-appealing petal-like slashes to break its fall.
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Before the Area Boss could leap from its pillar, Jiang Jianxin's flying swords reached its body, stabbing through its taut muscles. And then, the Ethereal Cloud Edge, gripped tightly by her hand, followed after, delivering a swift strike to its chest.
Pssch!
Wrapped in her Sword Intent, the blade flashed a silver light as it sliced through the crude bone armor as if it were paper.
Green blood sprayed, sizzling against the pillar and the branches around it.
The Area Boss roared, its sledgehammer swinging in a wild arc to force her back.
Jiang Jianxin danced away, flipping gracefully as she landed lightly on the ground, her flying swords circling like twin hawks to harry the creature's flanks.
After that, the [Camellia Sword Maiden] recovered, its petal-like slashes weaving a defensive net that intercepted the boss's follow-up strike, buying Jiang Jianxin a moment to reposition.
Below, Elder Shi and the disciples held their own against the swarm of green-skinned creatures. Li Ruo's [Crimsonshadow Archer] loosed another volley, each arrow finding its mark and thinning the horde while she charged through it, cutting down the dodging creatures on her path.
The other disciples' summoned units – a [Jadeclaw Tiger] and a [Mistveil Sorceress] – worked in tandem to give the other disciples an opening to exploit.
The tiger launched heavy strikes, scattering the green-skinned creatures, knocking the weapons from their hands while the sorceress's frost spells slowed their advance.
Elder Shi's broadsword carved through the chaos, his [Mountain-Cleaving Strike] leaving trails of green mist in its wake.
On the surface, they were overwhelming their opponents but their cunning couldn't be underestimated.
Elder Shi had to quickly turn around to deflect a bone axe coming from his rear. And sure enough, a few more green-skinned creatures appeared, leaping from somewhere above them.
"Jianxin, don't overextend!" Elder Shi bellowed as he retreated to regroup with the disciples. "That thing may also be as crafty as these little bastards!"
Jiang Jianxin had no time to reply as she produced three more of her flying swords, controlling them to activate the [Five Indomitable Sword Formation].
Five swords floated around her, transparent energy threads of her Sword Will extended from her body to control them like limbs.
With a wave of her silver sword, the five flying swords followed her intent, welcoming the Area Boss who was about to leap from the pillar.
At the same time, her Celestial Duel Gear flashed as she summoned another unit and activated a Spell Card.
A Level 3 unit, [Lunar Blossom Soldier], materialized beside the [Camellia Sword Maiden]. The soldier's spear spun in a graceful arc, intercepting the Area Boss's sledgehammer mid-air. The clash sent a ripple of foreign energy but eventually crushed the poor summon from the disparity in strength.
Simultaneously, Jiang Jianxin's Spell Card, [Petal Tempest], activated as cherry blossoms scattered in front of her, covering the vision of the Area Boss.
Taking that as an opportunity, the [Camellia Sword Maiden] faced it next, sacrificing itself as well, allowing Jiang Jianxin to deliver a decisive blow.
The five blades hummed in unison, the Sword Formation in full effect as they weaved a net of silver arcs that sliced into the boss's hulking body before it reached the ground.
Waiting underneath that was Jiang Jianxin with her silver sword, her body following the stance of the [Silent Moon Swordplay]
