Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 509 - 509: Artifact Tribulation

The first one to make a move was none other than Lin Mo. He ordered the stationary Divine Guardian Construct at the entrance to clear the way for Liu Tianfeng and Feng Haoran. Since they're still in the vicinity of the store, it could act as a temporary lightning rod.
The colossal construct, which was usually a silent sentinel of stone and divine inscriptions, moved with a speed that seemed to contradict its size. Its eyes flared with a golden brilliance as it raised a massive arm towards the angry sky.
The first bolt of tribulation lightning gradually formed. For those watching the scene, they'd probably think someone was undergoing their Immortal Embryo Stage tribulation. That was the next tribulation that a cultivator would meet after Foundation Establishment.
However, given that it involved immortal-grade artifacts, the aura being exuded from the sky was something that made everyone feel like they were already being electrocuted just by looking at it.
Soon, a jagged spear of pure white destruction meant to punish the existence of the [Everlasting Spirit Fountain] slammed down along with a furious crackle of thunder.
BOOM!
The lightning's target was clear. It headed straight towards Liu Tianfeng and Feng Haoran, who had just taken their first step outside the store. The impact shook the foundations of Fanling City, making the City Lord who was watching it from atop the wall tremble in fear.
However, as everyone feared that it would end right away, the Divine Guardian Construct glanced up as a golden barrier, woven from its divine inscriptions, materialized above it.
The lightning struck the barrier and shattered, dispersing into harmless sparks of spiritual energy that rained down like a glittering curtain.
"Go!" Lin Mo's voice, amplified by his spiritual energy, cut through the thunderous aftershocks. "The Guardian can only suppress the tribulation within the store's immediate vicinity. Once you step beyond the city gates, you are on your own!"
Liu Tianfeng didn't need to be told twice. With a roar that rivaled the thunder above, he shot into the sky. He transformed into a streak of purple lightning wrapped in a storm of his own making.
"Come then, Heavens!" The Patriarch bellowed, his laughter sounded boisterous, wild and defiant, fully showing his determination to take on this challenge. "Test the resolve of the Liu Clan! We have weathered exile and stagnation! A little lightning is nothing but a temperamental greeting!"
As he soared further, he flew directly through the dark, rumbling clouds and headed towards the distant Liu Clan estate. After all, the Storm Ascension Ground had yet to start its construction. He needed a secure place to store it first and there's no better place for it than their hidden estate.
The tribulation clouds, seemingly insulted by his arrogance, churned and followed him, a massive, swirling vortex of doom tracking his every move.
Meanwhile, the elites from the Liu Clan led by Wen Xinyi, the Southern Wu Kingdom led by King Wu Tianzhen and the White Ember Sect led by Sect Master Wu Tianzhi followed after him. Their bodies were already adorned with numerous talismans, formation flags and even peculiar items that came from the store. Their roles weren't to be the vanguard. They just needed to follow and assist the patriarch.
Then, on the ground, Headmaster Feng Haoran was far less enthusiastic but equally determined.
"Formation! Protect the Headmaster!" Sect Master Hong Ying commanded.
The elites of the Crimson Vale roared in unison. Their Ancestors even showed up. Their skin turned a deep, angry red as they activated their blood-burning techniques.
They formed a tight shield barricade around the Headmaster, locking it above their heads.
"Move! Azure Gale Sect, scout the path! Drop the lightning rods and don't let the lightning lock onto a single target!" Sect Master Yan Tianfeng barked his own orders.
The elites of the Azure Gale Sect became blurs of green wind, darting back and forth, creating updrafts and wind tunnels to disrupt the gathering spiritual pressure in the air.
It was a chaotic, magnificent display of the new alliance in action.
As Feng Haoran's group rushed out of the city gates, the second wave of tribulation lightning, this one targeting the [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb], descended.
It was a multi-pronged fork of blue lightning, seeking to bypass the shields and strike the artifact directly.
"Hold!" Hong Ying screamed.
The Crimson Vale elites didn't flinch. They channeled their qi into a unified crimson barrier.
CRACK-ZIZZZT!
The blue lightning slammed into the crimson shield. Several elders groaned as blood trickled from their noses. The impact shook their internal organs, but the line held.
The lightning was grounded, dispersed through their formation and into the earth.
"By the heavens… they actually stopped it," Left Minister Shen whispered from inside the store, watching the scene through the open doors with wide eyes. He wasn't a combatant, so he naturally stayed behind.
"The Crimson Vale… they are using their bodies as grounding rods."
"It's the [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal] - Tortoise Variant," Wu Meiyu observed coolly, her sharp eyes picking out the glowing stickers on the disciples' armor. "Combined with their physique, it grants them a temporary absolute defense against energy attacks. A convenient application."
Lin Mo watched until both groups disappeared into the distance.
Liu Tianfeng was a streak of light in the clouds, and the Academy's convoy was a rushing river of qi on the ground.
The tribulation clouds dispersed from above the store, chasing their respective targets.
"Well," Lin Mo said, dusting off his hands as the heavy pressure in the air finally lifted. "That concludes our after-sales service. The rest is up to them. If they drop it, no refunds."
He turned back to the store, which was now filled with a stunned silence. The remaining patrons, mostly those who didn't know about the auction or were just there for the hot spring, were staring at the door with slack jaws.
They had just witnessed what could be described as the wrath of heaven, orchestrated by the Convenience Saint. What in nine realms did the Shopkeeper give them that Heaven's Will sent down a tribulation?
Soon, their Viewing Jades lit up as many started posting about the event.
"Alright, show's over!" Having recovered first, Liu Xiaoyu clapped her hands, breaking the spell. "The store is closing in five minutes! Final purchases at the counter! And please, return your wristbands to the hot spring reception!"
The store sprang back to life, though the buzz of conversation was now frantic and filled with awe.
Lin Mo walked back to the counter, feeling a wave of exhaustion that had nothing to do with physical exertion. It was the mental tax of managing egos, gods, and logistics all at once.
Xiao Ya handed him a can of Heavenly Dew Soda, which he quickly drank in one gulp.
"You handled that well, Shopkeeper," Wu Meiyu said as she followed after him. "The Coalition is currently undergoing its first test. They have to defend the assets they acquired from the store. It seems the other three are also planning to contribute to the efforts."
Because the Boundless Knowledge Jade remained at the store, the Verdant Sky Pavilion, the Cerulean Cloud Sword Sect and the Poison Demon Cult didn't have to undergo the same tribulation but in light of their newly-defined 'coalition', they couldn't just stand and watch from the sides.
Similarly, many other factions also started paying close attention to it. Some had even announced that they had taken the initiative to send assistance the moment they read about it on the Bulletin Board.
"They're defending their investments," Lin Mo corrected gently. "But yes. It worked. Now, we just have to hope they don't blow up their own sects trying to install those things."
He leaned against the counter, watching Pan Ruo efficiently handle the last-minute rush of customers buying recovery pills.
"You're not worried?" Wu Meiyu asked.
"Worried? Of course, I am worried. However, I'm but a mere merchant, Your Highness. And remember, the divine beings and the system wouldn't pick them as eligible bidders if they cannot bring it home."
Hearing that, Wu Meiyu nodded in understanding.
The final customer, a mortal from Fanling City, clutching a pack of [Taihao Spicy Noodles] like it was a treasure, hurried out.
With that, Lin Mo flipped the sign on the door to [Closed] and locked it. The twenty-third day of the store's opening had finally concluded.
—
Sleeping Dragon City, Martial World.
In a private room on the second floor of the 'Pavilion of Drifting Clouds', a neutral establishment run by the Luo Merchant House, the atmosphere was so tense it could be cut with a dull knife.
Hu Gan, the first-rate martial artist of the Crimson Tiger Sect, sat on one side of a scarred wooden table. He was nervously tapping his fingers on the table, his eyes darting to the door every few seconds.
Opposite him sat Ling Qiumei of the Silent Rain Sect. Her new sword, the pristine mortal-grade blade given to her by the 'ghost', lay on the table within easy reach. Her expression was icy, her gaze fixed on the bandit who had hunted her just days ago.
Between them, acting as the uneasy mediator, was Luo Lanyi. The young mistress of the merchant house looked calm, sipping her tea, but her other hand was clutching a small tin of [Clear Sky Mint Mints] as if it were a life-saving talisman.
The three days that Senior Ghost promised have arrived, and they're all waiting for his arrival.