Divine Convenience Store

The crowd buzzed with excitement as they watched the participants preparing for the duel. Many of them were still trying to wrap their heads around the mechanics of this new dueling system, but one thing was clear: it was an innovative and thrilling way to battle without the usual dangers of cultivation duels.

Elder Shen Liang observed his surroundings with a cautious yet intrigued expression. His sharp eyes studied the Celestial Duel Gear on his disciple's wrist and then shifted toward Lin Mo, his mind gradually filling with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

"This… artifact allows cultivators to engage in this so-called [Celestial Duel] without real consequences? Fascinating."

Lin Mo paid no attention to their guarded reaction as he just continued normally.

"It's a game, dear customer. A game that rewards wit, adaptability, and, of course, a little bit of luck."

Xue Yuan sneered. "Hah. Luck? That's for weaklings. True strength is absolute. A mere game won't change that."

Lin Mo's smirk deepened. "Oh? Then why don't we test that theory, dear customer? Xiao Ya here is also playing this for the first time. And for the record, this product has only been tested once. Yesterday."

Xue Yuan scoffed but didn't back down.

His pride wouldn't allow it. He turned to the glowing deck floating in front of him, already linked to his Celestial Duel Gear. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

Xiao Ya, standing beside Lin Mo, clenched her fists in excitement. "Boss, are we really doing this? I get to duel against a so-called genius?"

"Of course," Lin Mo said, patting her shoulder. "You'll do fine. Just remember the rules. I let you watch my demonstration with Xiaoyu yesterday, right?"

"Yes! I understand the basic rules!"

"Great. If you win against him, I'll give you a bonus."

"Oh! Bring it on then!" With renewed enthusiasm she turned to her opponent as she used her most lethal attack. Her cuteness, "Young master, please go easy on me."

Xue Yuan winced before averting his gaze as he responded without the usual sharpness in his tone, "Don't worry. I'm not one to bully a little girl. Blame your Boss for pitting you against me."

Next to him, Elder Shen Liang remained silent, watching with narrowed eyes. He clearly understood that Lin Mo was up to something, but he wasn't sure what.

The golden screen above flickered, signaling the start of the duel.

[Initializing Celestial Duel Platform…]

[Deploying Celestial Duel System…]

[Celestial Duelists Detected: Xue Yuan, Xiao Ya]

[Match Type: Normal Exhibition]

[Arena Type: Heavenly Sword Plains]

[Deployed Decks: Crimson Battle Spirits (Xue Yuan), Arcane Blossom Court (Xiao Ya)]

The crowd who witnessed the Alpha Test pointed at the screen.

"Oh! Different decks! I thought we were going to see the Celestial Idols again! They're all so beautiful!"

"Pervert! All you guys can think of are women. Besides, they're all illusions. Not real! Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing another Level 5 Unit being summoned!"

"You're right! That was exhilarating. When Shopkeeper Lin summoned the Jadevein Qilin, it truly felt like a Celestial Beast of Legends arrived."

Lin Mo inwardly nodded as he heard the customers' exclamation. This was one other reason why he decided to challenge Xue Yuan once again. Yesterday. The decks Celestial Beasts and Celestial Idols were showcased. Today, it was the other two prepared decks for the initial launch of the [Celestial Duel Platform].

A sudden shift occurred as the illusionary battlefield was deployed.. The store's dueling platform extended outward, creating an expansive battlefield filled with floating swords embedded in the ground and ethereal petals drifting in the air. There was also a false sky with a deep twilight hue and stars twinkling like distant fireflies.

It's like the whole platform conjured a different world, making everyone mesmerized.

The Elder figures, be it the Storm Elder on the platform or the ones in the audience, all narrowed their eyes as they tried to see through the intricacies of the array formation that allowed for it to manifest.

However, no matter what they did, it was impossible for them to comprehend.

The floating scoreboard appeared above the arena, displaying their Celestial Energy: 5000 for both duelists.

Xue Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Hmph. Flashy, but it doesn't mean anything."

Xiao Ya grinned. "We'll see about that!"

[Celestial Duel Start!]

The duelists drew their opening hands, and the Setting Phase began.

Xue Yuan quickly scanned his cards and smirked. "I summon [Crimson Bladed Disciple] and [Fiery Warhound]!"

Two glowing formations appeared in front of him as his units materialized into the field. They were Level 2 and 3 Units respectively.

The first was a red-cloaked warrior, holding a pair of curved crimson daggers, his form wreathed in a faint aura of fire. His stats appeared on the floating scoreboard. Next to him, a beast-like creature emerged. It was a massive warhound, its fur aflame, eyes burning like molten lava.

A low growl rumbled from the warhound, making Xiao Ya flinch at how lifelike it was.

Xue Yuan grinned confidently. "Hmph. I'm not done yet. I also set one [Spell Card]. This is easy."

Xiao Ya recovered quickly before pouting, "I'm not afraid of you! I summon [Blossom Guardian] and [Sakura Mist Priestess]!"

She placed her cards down onto the platform, and two glowing figures appeared. Like Xue Yuan's units, they were Level 2 and 3.

Before her, a towering armored figure wrapped in vines and petals materialized, a massive shield in its hand.

Beside it, a serene woman in flowing pink robes appeared, a mystical mist swirling around her.

Xiao Ya smirked as she listened to the cheers from the audience upon seeing the priestess. She could be mistaken as one of the Celestial Idol units!

After that, she put down two [Spell Cards].

With that. The [Setting Phase] was over and the [Battle Phase] began.

As the golden display above shimmered, the audience held their breath.

[Round 1: Battle Phase. Start!]

Xue Yuan's confidence oozed from every pore. He cracked his knuckles and smirked at Xiao Ya.

"I'll go first. [Crimson Bladed Disciple], attack her [Blossom Guardian]!"

His unit flickered forward as a trail of embers followed his swift movements. The red-cloaked warrior slashed his curved daggers in a dazzling cross-strike, aiming straight for the floral guardian.

Xiao Ya, however, didn't waver. "Activate Spell Card! [Petal Barrier]!"

A pink radiance erupted from the ground, forming a swirling vortex of cherry blossom petals. The [Crimson Bladed Disciple]'s attack was intercepted mid-air, his daggers deflecting harmlessly against the gentle but unyielding floral shield before it held the unit in place as the vines coiled around him.

The audience gasped.

"She countered it!"

"That's unexpected! It looked like Xue Yuan had the clear advantage!"

"Look! The Blossom Guardian is moving! He's screwed! HAHAHA!"

And sure enough, the towering guardian bashed the helpless disciple until it disappeared.

Xue Yuan's Celestial Energy immediately dropped by 500.

Xiao rubbed her nose as she basked in the praises from the crowd.

Xue Yuan frowned but quickly recovered. "Tsk. Annoying little trick. Fine, then. [Fiery Warhound] attacks her [Sakura Mist Priestess]!"

The warhound let out a guttural growl before charging forward, flames licking its paws as it pounced at the robed woman.

Xiao Ya's grin widened. "Hehe, I was waiting for that! My [Sakura Mist Priestess] is not an ordinary unit! She can vanish like a mist and avoid damage entirely!"

Right before the warhound's fiery fangs made contact, the priestess shimmered and dissolved into a mist of cherry blossoms, reforming as a silhouette in the distance. The warhound snapped at empty air before landing with a thud, growling in frustration.
Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

The crowd erupted into cheers.

"What an incredible ability!"

"She dodged a direct attack?! That's broken!"

Zhou Rui, at the betting stall, smirked as he adjusted the odds. "Heh, who would've thought? This little girl is giving the so-called prodigy a run for his money."

Xue Yuan gritted his teeth. He had expected this to be an easy win, yet this so-called 'game' was proving to be more intricate than he had anticipated.

Huffing, he activated his [Spell Card]. "[Crimson Retribution]!"

A wave of scarlet flames engulfed his [Fiery Warhound] that made the fire around burn even brighter and its claws extend, enhancing its attack power for the next turn. "Let's see if you can run forever."

But Xiao Ya was unfazed. Before the [Battle Phase] concluded, her [Sakura Mist Priestess] suddenly reformed right in front of Xue Yuan, a weapon in her hand

"What?! I thought it retreated? It can still attack?!"

"Of course. It's not a turn-based battle. Each unit has one chance to attack, if I'm not wrong. But they can keep moving around the arena and defend themselves on top of making use of the terrain."

Someone from the crowd who watched yesterday's Alpha Test explained.

Xiao Ya lifted her chin as she grinned, "And I activate my other [Spell Card]. Go [Blossoming Requiem]!

A burst of pink light engulfed the battlefield as the [Sakura Mist Priestess] raised her hands, the swirling mist around her solidifying into countless spectral sakura petals. With a gentle wave, the petals formed a deadly storm, rushing toward Xue Yuan's side of the field.

Xue Yuan's eyes widened as he couldn't see anything in front of him but the pink light and the sakura petals. "This spell… What does it do?!"

And then, he saw the outline of the priestess's weapon, hitting him, followed by two red panels indicating the reduction of his Celestial Energy.

[-650]

[-1000]