Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 556: Instruction

Faced with the sword technique by Sect Master Li Changqing, Lin Mo could only do an evasive maneuver while hoping to deflect as many of them as possible. Using his [Crimson Flow Phantom Steps], his figure split into three indistinct crimson blurs as he weaved through the gaps in the falling sword rain.

However, Li Changqing was not a sect master for nothing. As Lin Mo moved, the twelve phantom blades adjusted their trajectory, tracking him with the persistence of a homing missile.

"Illusion is born from reality, and reality can be masked by illusion, Shopkeeper." Li Changqing's voice echoed calmly from everywhere at once. "To deceive the eye is simple. To deceive the intent is one of the paths of the sword."

The blades accelerated.

Lin Mo gritted his teeth. He knew he couldn't dodge them all. If he tried to block with the spear alone, he'd be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of attacks, even if it's a heaven-grade artifact.

"Deceiving the intent, huh? Alright. If I can't tell which is real, I'll just treat them all as real."

He slammed his heel into the ground, halting his retreat.

His [Stellar Domain] contracted rapidly. Instead of spreading it out to suppress the environment, he pulled it tight against his skin, forming a second, luminous skin that covered him like a protective suit.

Then, he spun his spear in a vertical rotation in front of him. In his mind, he envisioned one of the techniques he created in the Premium Cultivation Room. And it was one he could consider a defensive one with limited use.

"[Flowing Star Combat Style: Celestial Millstone]!"

He poured his spiritual energy into the rotation. The starlight qi extended from the shaft, forming a solid disc of grinding energy.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The rain of swords slammed into the millstone.

Sparks of azure and silver flew around like fireworks. The phantom blades shattered upon contact as their illusory structures were unable to withstand the grinding force of his starlight qi.

However, amidst the shattering illusions, one blade didn't break.

The real sword.

It struck the center of the spinning spear with the weight of a mountain.

The impact traveled up Lin Mo's arms, threatening to dislocate his shoulders. His boots cracked the stone floor as he was driven downward by inches. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Li Changqing hovered above him with a serene expression, pressing down with a single hand as he controlled the sword through a thin strand of his qi.

"Good defense. You converted rotation into a shield. Alas, a shield that does not push back is merely a target. And a stationary target had its weakness exposed."

The old man flicked his wrist. A burst of sword qi exploded from his blade, disrupting the rotation of Lin Mo's spear.

His defense broke and Lin Mo was thrown back like a kite losing its string.

He tumbled through the air but righted himself with a twist of his waist, activating [Qi Solidification] to create a platform behind him to catch himself. He kicked off of it, killing his backward momentum and launching himself back into the fray.

With a fierce grin plastered on his face, Lin Mo retorted, "Thanks for the lesson, dear customer."

He didn't give the Sect Master time to set up another technique.

He thrust his spear forward.

"[Starcoil Thrust]!"

A drill of spiraling starlight shot towards Li Changqing's chest.

The Sect Master side-stepped effortlessly, the spear passing harmlessly by his robes.

But Lin Mo didn't retract the spear. He activated the new property of his qi.

The amethyst hue of the [Psionic-Tempered Starlight Qi] flared.

[Soul Shock]!

A ripple of mental disruption exploded from the shaft of the spear as it passed Li Changqing.

And for the first time, the Sect Master's serene expression faltered. His eyes widened slightly as he felt a sharp, intrusive buzz in his spiritual sea.

It wasn't enough to damage him, his cultivation was too profound, but it was enough to create a microsecond of hesitation.

A hesitation that Lin Mo decided to exploit.

He released his grip on the spear with his right hand and summoned a dagger of solidified starlight with [Qi Solidification].

He slashed at the Sect Master's exposed flank.

Li Changqing reacted with the instincts of a veteran. He couldn't bring his sword back in time, so he simply released a burst of Sword Intent from his body.

The invisible force acted like a physical wall. Lin Mo's starlight dagger shattered against it, and he was pushed back again.

They landed ten meters apart, staring at each other.

"Mental attacks infused into physical qi?" Li Changqing stroked his beard, a look of genuine intrigue replacing his calm demeanor. "That is… unorthodox. And highly effective. If I were truly at the Foundation Establishment Stage, that momentary lapse would have cost me an arm."

"I aim to please, dear customer," Lin Mo replied, shaking out his numb hands. His [Stillwater Body] was working overdrive, absorbing the kinetic energy of the previous clash to replenish his stamina. "But I think the 'quality check' should end here. I am still far from your level."

Li Changqing nodded, "Indeed. But you're approaching the level of my disciple, Jianxin. No wonder she speaks so highly of you. Her sword heart is pure, and she does not give praise lightly. To think a merchant could wield a spear with such... enterprising intent. It is refreshing."

Li Changqing slowly sheathed his blade. The action was a slow hiss of steel against scabbard that seemed to draw all the ambient killing intent in the room back into the weapon. The swirling galaxies in his eyes faded, returning to the calm, aged depth of a grandmaster.

"However…" He added as his tone shifted from praise to instruction, "... your [Flowing Star Combat Style] is still in its infancy. You rely heavily on reaction and redirection. Against a chaotic force, reaction is dangerous. You must learn to impose your will before the strike lands. Your [Stellar Domain] does this spatially, but your spear must do it conceptually."

Lin Mo nodded, absorbing the advice. He dismissed his spear, the starlight dissipating into the air. "To dictate the flow of the transaction before the customer even opens their wallet. I understand the principle, Sect Master. Application is the tricky part."

"Hah! Transaction..." Li Changqing chuckled, shaking his head. "Only you would compare a life-and-death duel to a sale. But perhaps that is your Dao."

The tension in the waiting room finally broke. The spectators, who had been holding their breath, exhaled collectively.

"Very well, we must return to the store. Do not hesitate to use our Store Beacon, dear customers. Convenience may be the key to your progress. The tower offers great rewards, but the real war is outside."

With that, Lin Mo and Liu Xiaoyu stepped onto the teleportation array of the waiting room.

The world twisted. The grey stone of the tower dissolved into streaks of light as they were engulfed in darkness.

When they materialized again, they were back in the familiar, bustling environment outside the Abyssal Forest Conduit Tower.

"So, Boss. That fight. You held back, didn't you?" Liu Xiaoyu asked as they entered the Celestial Hub and walked towards the carriage saucer.

"Held back?" Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. "I used my domain, my new qi, and my movement technique. I was sweating, Xiaoyu. How did I hold back?"

"Yeah, but you didn't use the armor. And you didn't use the revolver." She counted off on her fingers. "If you went all out... do you think you could have won?"

Lin Mo stopped. He looked at the ceiling of the hub, considering the question.

Could he have won against Li Changqing?

The Sect Master had suppressed his cultivation to match Lin Mo's, yes. But his experience, his Sword Intent, and his mastery of the Dao were things that couldn't be suppressed. That final strike, [Phantom Cloud Rain], had nearly overwhelmed Lin Mo's defenses even with the [Stellar Domain] active.

"No," Lin Mo admitted honestly. "Not in a duel of martial arts. Even with the armor, he would have likely found a gap in my defense. His technique is flawless. But... if he's truly at the same cultivation stage as me… I might have a 40% chance. If I'm willing to blow up half the mountain with us."

"Forty percent against a Sword Grandmaster? That's high, Boss!" Xiaoyu grinned. "I'm also not confident in beating him. At least, in his peak strength. Hehe~"

Lin Mo smilingly shook his head at his assistant's remark. He wasn't doubting that. Xiaoyu could definitely stand her ground against someone like Li Changqing. Even more so, if she eventually breaks through to the Core Formation Stage. Beating a peak Nascent Soul Stage expert like Sect Master Li Changqing would be more than a possibility.

"Alright. Let's stop with that. I don't prefer antagonizing our customers. Besides, we have a lot to digest from this trip. Let's go back to the store."

"Oh! You're right! I can sense it. I'm close to forming my core!"

"Really? Well, good for you. I'm still far from it." Lin Mo said and then he closed his eyes, sensing the new constellation orbiting his dantian. Like he had expected, he successfully formed the remaining nodes for the third constellation. He's now halfway through the second layer of the Starflow Meditation Manual.