Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 274: Celestial Duel Gear’s Effectiveness

Yan Wei's rapier flashed in a seamless arc, its blade infused with the sharp intent of his spiritual energy. Lotus bloomed at the wound as the properties of the [Blossoming Lotus Breathing Technique] also weaved with his energy.

The Dark Sentinel he targeted staggered, its shadowy form unraveling under the precise strike, dissipating into wisps of foreign energy that were swiftly absorbed by the Conduit Tower's floor.

The [Stormrider Scout] weaved between two more Sentinels, its daggers carving shallow wounds to keep them distracted, buying Yan Wei time to position himself.

"[Tempest Barrage], activate!" Yan Wei's voice rang out, his spiritual energy surging into the Spell Card.

The [Celestial Duel Gear] pulsed and his Celestial Field gave birth to a tempestuous vortex of piercing winds, swallowing the remaining sentinels. It tore through their forms, shredding them like paper caught in a gale.

The panel updated instantly.

[Dimension Essence Earned: 250]

[Total Dimension Essence: 500]

[Timer: 28:42]

[Next Wave in: 10 seconds]

Yan Wei exhaled, his chest heaving slightly as he flicked his rapier to dispel the lingering foreign energy clinging to its edge.

The [Stormrider Scout] returned to his side, its azure armor unmarred, ready for the next wave.

"Too easy," He proudly muttered as he checked the recording jade he clipped on his robes to capture his 'epic' moment.

The Celestial Duel Gear then hummed as it absorbed the foreign energy in the air, replenishing some of what he used.

Just like what Lin Mo said in the announcement, not only could it strengthen the summons when fighting against foreign entities, but the Celestial Duel Gear could also recycle the foreign energy they emitted, substituting the use of spiritual energy.

"Pretty handy too! I won't stop at Floor 5. Floor 7 or 10. Here I go! The whole Eastern Abyssal Domain shall know this genius!"

The chamber rumbled, and the walls pulsed with a deeper hum of foreign energy. The Tower System's panel flickered before him:

[Wave 2: 6 Spiked Sentinels]

—

Like Yan Wei, similar scenarios were happening in the spaces of the challengers with Celestial Duel Gear. Adding one unit was enough to divide the pressure by half or even entirely, depending on how strong and targetable their summons were. And given that they could command it mentally, coordinating with their summon was like having a trusted companion.

Naturally, that one guy who bought the discounted Battle Construct at the Store Beacon also had a much easier time dealing with waves of enemies. Still, once these new challengers exited the Tower, they would all praise the effectiveness of becoming a Celestial Duelist.

—

"Amitabha… I'm finally back here." Monk Huiyin, the Towerbreaker, murmured to himself as he returned to the vicinity of the Conduit Tower.

After his expedition with Lin Mo at the dormant Anchor outside of Fanling City yesterday, he traveled back to the Jade Hollow Plains, his bald head and his patched robes catching the late morning sun as he approached the Conduit Tower.

His [Celestial Duel Gear] rested snugly on his wrist, its faint glow syncing with the tower's rhythm, as if eager to dive back into the fray.

Huiyin's serene expression mirrored the storm of anticipation within. The Anchor expedition with Lin Mo had been enlightening. Those Anchor Fledglings were truly different from the ones he'd faced inside the towers he demolished before.

"Benefactor requested to see this Tower for myself and decide. Amitabha. I will follow his advice."

His Viewing Jade vibrated softly, pulling him from his musings. A quick glance revealed a flood of Bulletin Board threads, most buzzing about Lin Mo's duel with Yu Qingyan and the rising hype around the [Celestial Duel Gear].

One thread caught his eye: "Towerbreaker Visited The Store. Has he been bought by the Convenience Saint?"

The monk pressed his lips together and smiled, "The Shopkeeper's legend grows faster than bamboo in spring. But this monk isn't bought. I was gifted."

He then skillfully typed a comment on that thread under his chosen username [ThousandSpringMonk] saying "Amitabha. The Convenience Saint is generous."

After that, he put the jade back with a flick of his wrist, his focus returning to the tower.

The line of challengers had thinned since Yan Wei's group entered, leaving a handful of cultivators milling about, more than half of them had their own [Celestial Duel Gear] glinting as they discussed strategies.

Huiyin's arrival drew curious glances. His reputation as the Towerbreaker preceded him, and whispers rippled through the crowd.

"The Towerbreaker is back!" A young cultivator exclaimed, drawing the attention of the others in the vicinity. "Is he here to destroy this tower? Should we stop him?"

"But didn't the Shopkeeper already deal with him? Go on and ask… I'm scared. If that one thread was true, he decimated many sects guarding a tower alone before he arrived at our Eastern Abyssal Domain!"

Huiyin's serene smile didn't waver as he overheard the murmurs, one of his hands rested behind his back while the other gently dragged his staff on the ground in a gesture of calm humility.

The whispers of the cultivators buzzed like flies around a lotus pond, but he let them pass without ripples in his heart.

His patched robes swayed gently in the plains' breeze, and the [Celestial Duel Gear] on his wrist pulsed faintly, as if resonating with the Conduit Tower's foreign energy.

"Amitabha," He murmured. His voice carried the weight of tempered resolve. "This monk seeks only to understand, not to destroy. The Shopkeeper's guidance has opened new paths."

He stepped forward, ignoring the wary glances, and approached the tower's entrance. The obsidian surface shimmered, its system panel materializing before him with a faint hum:

[Conduit Tower – Jade Hollow Plains]

[Status: Accepting Challengers]

[Mode: Individual Trials]

[Current Threat Level: Low – Next Tower Break in 7 days unless a floor is cleared]

[Number of Floors: 10]

[Accessibility: Foundation Establishment Stage and below]

[Active Challenger(s): 119]

[Highest Floor Cleared: 3

[Floor 1 First Clear: Yu Qingyan - Peak Foundation Establishment Stage (9:27)

[Floor 2 First Clear: Yu Qingyan - Peak Foundation Establishment Stage (15:48)

[Floor 3 First Clear: Jiang Jianxin - Peak Foundation Establishment Stage (27:02)]

Huiyin's eyes traced the leaderboard, lingering on Jiang Jianxin's name.

"The Sword Fairy's blade dances with precision," He mused. "Yet the tower's heart remains untouched. Benefactor Lin's words ring true. This place holds secrets beyond mere conquest. I must see it for myself."

A young cultivator, emboldened by curiosity, edged closer. "Towerbreaker, are you… really climbing the tower? Or are you here to, uh, break it?"

His voice wavered, caught between awe and fear.

Huiyin turned, his warm gaze disarming the youth's nerves. "Amitabha. This monk climbs to learn, not to shatter. The tower is a mirror, reflecting the heart's strength and flaws. Have you faced its trials yet, young benefactor?"

The cultivator blushed, scratching his neck. "Uh, just Floor 1. Got knocked out by a Spiked Sentinel. But with this gear…" He tapped his wrist, grinning. "I'm aiming for Floor 2 today!"

Huiyin nodded approvingly. "A fine start. Trust your summons, but trust your heart more. The gear is a tool, not a crutch." freewebnøvel.coɱ

His words carried a gentle weight, and the cultivator bowed hastily before scurrying back to his group, newfound determination in his step.

The tower's entrance pulsed, and Huiyin took a deep breath, his spiritual energy circulating in harmony with the [Thousand Spring Chant].

"Benefactor Lin spoke of balance," Huiyin murmured. "Let us see what this tower reveals."

He stepped forward, accepting the tower's call. The obsidian surface swallowed him, and the world shifted, depositing him in a vast chamber of shifting shadows. The walls pulsed with foreign energy, and the Tower System's panel appeared the moment he stepped further inside.

[Wave 1 – 5 Dark Sentinels]

—

Back in the Divine Convenience Store, Lin Mo and Jiang Jianxin emerged from the Shopkeeper's Quarters. The latter's face, which was filled with urgency earlier, had calmed down, replaced by her usual serene composure.

However, her silver eyes still held a glint of determination.

Xiao Ya immediately ran over to them carrying the box of [Starfire Energy Tonic], a bag of [Celestial Peach Gummies], and a box of [Celestial Duel Card Pack]. All secured for the Sword Fairy's needs.

The discussion with Lin Mo had been brief but productive, touching on the Anchor's dangers and the foreign entities they'd encountered. His insights, drawn from the divine beings behind him as he claimed, were sharp and totally informative to an uncanny understanding of the realms' shifting tides.

Lin Mo returned to the counter, his merchant's grin sliding back into place as he scanned the bustling store.

Wu Meiyu was handling the line with surprising efficiency, her royal poise blending with a playful charm that kept the customers engaged. Chu Yueying, meanwhile, was inspecting a display of [Heavenly Mulberry Bars], her crimson robes drawing curious glances as she tossed a teasing smirk his way.

Jiang Jianxin paused by the counter to get her purchase scanned and paid for. The other customers let her cut in line. Most likely because of what they witnessed. They thought they'd be able to watch another drama unfold.

"Shopkeeper, I'll return soon with news of the tonic's effects. If it works as promised, the Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect owes you a debt."

And with that, she clasped her fist and turned around, leaving the store to the customers' dismay.