Divine Convenience Store
Chapter 352 - 352: Tribulation Passed and Instantaneous Travel

Shhrrrk!

The fourth bolt descended. A colossal spear of violet lightning tore through the sky. It did not split, yet it still aimed for both Yan Wei and Zhou Rui simultaneously. It was a single, devastating strike intended to crush both their ambitions.

Yan Wei's eyes widened. His already weakened umbrella shattered into countless fragments, unable to bear the brunt of this new force. He had no more defensive artifacts. With a roar, he channeled all his remaining spiritual energy into a green barrier of wind qi, mirroring the cultivation method of his ancestor.

Zhou Rui snarled at the destructive power. His crimson aura surged, forming a protective cocoon around him, interwoven with his fervent belief in his 'Benefactor' and the store's power.

He activated a [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal] depicting a crimson-winged seraph, its fiery wings momentarily flared around him before merging into his body, empowering his defense further.

And then, the lightning struck.

A blinding flash of violet and gold erupted around Yan Wei. His barrier held for a heartbeat, then fractured, sending him sprawling backwards, coughing up a mouthful of blood. He lay still, his body scorched, but a golden light still pulsed faintly from his dantian, signaling his success.

Around Zhou Rui, the crimson cocoon exploded outward, deflecting the lightning bolt with a force that shook the ground. He stood firm, his skin glowing faintly crimson, singed but unbroken. The crimson-winged seraph flickered, then dissolved. Zhou Rui stood triumphant, his eyes blazing with fierce satisfaction.

Unfortunately, although they both survived it, they could only settle for a Solid Foundation.

Nevertheless, the crowd erupted into a deafening roar, congratulating both of them. The tribulation they faced was not a normal one. And it all had to do with the amplification done with the foreign energy emitted from the tower.

Yan Wei adopted his usual pompous tone, raising his chin high despite the smoke still coming from his body.

Zhou Rui was more humble as he thanked the disciples and Sect Elders who supported him. He also didn't forget giving a shoutout to Lin Mo and the Divine Convenience Store.

The Bulletin Board exploded, threads multiplying faster than ever before. It was already a habit for a lot of them to post literally any significant event in it.

Just as the cheers reached a fever pitch, everyone within the vicinity of the tower all turned in a certain direction.

The new structure that appeared next to the Conduit Tower suddenly had a rush of spiritual energy surging into it.

Those who were peeking from the entrance archway saw one of the circular carriages at the platform shimmer and disappear.

A second later, it reappeared, now containing Sect Master Yan Tianfeng, Pavilion Master Yu Mingrou, the Poison Demon Cult High Priest, Venom Master Xun and a lot more sect masters, elders and disciples. The Carriage Saucer was wide enough to accommodate a thousand, after all.

They were all grinning widely, their faces alight with an almost childlike wonder as they looked around them.

While the interior of the Celestial Shuttle Network at the Jade Hollow Conduit Tower was similar to the one that appeared at the Abyssal Forest, there were a few differences. Furthermore, those who were left behind were nowhere to be found. Instead, they saw those curious onlookers outside with wide eyes and gaping mouths.

"It works!" Sect Master Yan Tianfeng bellowed, his voice amplified by spiritual energy, echoing across the plains. "The Celestial Shuttle Network! Instantaneous travel!"

The High Priest cackled, his skull staff thumping against the ground. "The Shopkeeper's convenience knows no bounds!"

The crowd around the Jade Hollow Plains Conduit Tower surged forward, a wave of cultivators pushing towards the newly activated Celestial Shuttle Network hub. Gasps of disbelief and shouts of awe mingled with frantic chatter as the reality of instantaneous travel between the tower and the Divine Convenience Store dawned upon them. Many of those who had been debating whether to take the risk and challenge the tower now found their resolve hardening. The Shopkeeper truly delivered on his promises.

Yan Wei, barely recovered from his ordeal, also strutted to the structure, his eyes widening as he saw his father and the other sect leaders emerging from the ethereal carriage.

A Solid Foundation was still a success, but the awe inspired by the shuttle network momentarily eclipsed his personal triumph.

Zhou Rui, still pulsing with residual crimson qi, felt a surge of fervent belief. "Benefactor… truly a being of unparalleled vision!"

He stumbled towards the hub, eager to experience this miracle firsthand.

Chu Yueying, having witnessed the shuttle's arrival, quickly typed another message into her Viewing Jade.

CrimsonDaisy: Hey! The Celestial Shuttle Network is active! You know. The ones they said Lin Mo activated at the new tower. The people who went over there had just arrived from the Abyssal Forest Tower!

MistyRain: What?! Really? I just found a Secret Realm myself, and now this?! Are you serious?! I need to get back there immediately! No, wait, I need to secure this Secret Realm first. And I have to find another tower to deploy a Store Beacon to connect it.

CrimsonDaisy: Where are you going to find one? It's not like it can simply sprout anywhere. Now, if you don't secure that Secret Realm, someone else will! But if you find one, tell me right away so I can skip traveling to join you!

The Bulletin Board was now a torrent of information, a digital explosion of wonder and ambition.

Yan Wei and Zhou Rui's breakthrough was once again buried by news of the Abyssal Forest Conduit Tower, its integration and the Celestial Shuttle Network. It rippled across the realm, connecting distant corners with unprecedented speed. Every sect, every clan, every rogue cultivator with a Viewing Jade was now acutely aware of the Divine Convenience Store's growing power.

Those who weren't from the Eastern Abyssal Domain had started having midnight meetings to send people over to see the wonder of the store's convenience.

The Royal Capital of the Southern Wu Kingdom was also currently having a sleepless night as Princess Wu Meiyu reported everything she witnessed as well as Lin Mo's advice to search for hidden Anchors and undiscovered Towers.

—

Back at the Abyssal Forest, Lin Mo and his party landed near the newly established Celestial Shuttle Network hub, their Cloudstrider Blades dissolving back into Jiang Jianxin's spatial ring.

Since they couldn't challenge the tower yet, almost everyone gathered inside and outside the hub.

"Hmm? Looks like the old folks have finally tried out the Celestial Shuttle Network." Lin Mo said as he couldn't find the Pavilion Master, High Priest and the other Sect Masters. He then called out to one Azure Gale Sect disciple, asking him what happened after they left earlier.

"Oh, welcome back, Shopkeeper! It has been relatively peaceful. The alliance has now secured the perimeter. No demonic beasts or Inner Abyssal Circle faction other than the Poison Demon Cult have been allowed inside. There are people from the Shadow Veil Clan who have arrived. They said they're also patrons of the store but… Sect Master expressly ordered not to allow anyone else in. Uhm… I think the Liu Family Patriarch went over to take a look."

The disciple fidgeted, glancing nervously towards the entrance of the newly-erected hub. "They were very insistent, Shopkeeper. Especially Elder Ji. He was shouting about 'unjustifiable exclusion' and 'monopolization of divine convenience'. Patriarch Liu just… escorted them to a quieter negotiation."

Lin Mo stifled a chuckle while Xiaoyu facepalmed, most likely imagining her grandfather scaring the wits out of the Core Formation Elder. Even if they bring their Clan Leader or Ancestor, they won't be able to cope with the Void Refinement Stage old man.

"Unjustifiable exclusion, huh? Well, as long as no one's spilling blood over it, I suppose it's fine." He cast a glance towards the Abyssal Forest's deeper reaches, where the glow of spiritual energy from the distant confrontation could still be faintly seen.

"Boss, what do we do now?" Liu Xiaoyu asked, her gaze drifting between the hub entrance and the still-glowing portal to the Abyssal Forest Conduit Tower. "Do we go back to the store now? Let's try the shuttle!"

"You're in a hurry, huh? What's so fun about it?" Lin Mo shook his head.

"Hmph. Maybe it's not fun for you, Boss but this… this is the convenience you keep on flaunting about. I want to experience it!"

"That's right, Shopkeeper Boss! I also want to experience it."

"Regrettably, I'm of the same mind, Shopkeeper."

With Xiaoping and Jiang Jianxin also chiming in, Lin Mo could only wryly smile.

"Alright. Let's go back by using that shuttle. But first…"

Upon saying that, he checked the entrance of the tower and the system panel for the remaining time before its opening.

[Conduit Tower - Abyssal Forest]

[Status: Active - 4 hours 07 minutes and 55 seconds before Challengers can be admitted inside]

[Current Threat Level: Intermediate - Next Tower Break in 5 Days unless Floor 5 is cleared]

[Number of Floors: 25]

[Accessibility: Spirit Severing Stage and below]

[Store Beacon Status: Active]

"Hmm… I wonder which Fractured Plane this tower is connected to." He mused. "Anyhow, I guess we can admit the Shadow Veil Clan. The Poison Demon Cult needed an ally in that region. Let's go and see the old man."