Divine Convenience Store
Chapter 322 - 322: Another Tower Appearance

Elder Ji's face twisted in humiliated fury, his Core Formation aura flaring uselessly against the silver thread binding his weapon.

His spiritual senses screamed at him to retreat but the Poison Demon Cult's formation pressed down like a suffocating shroud.

The Shadow Veil disciples huddled closer, their feeble auras flickering like candles in a storm. They're not weak at all, but having stepped into the ambush set by Venom Master Xun, all they could do for now was to defend.

Furthermore, one of their core strengths, Elder Chen, his distant gaze remained fixed on Venom Master Xun, his will ensnared by her seductive charm.

"E-elder. Why don't we use the store products? There might be something to lift the charm off of Elder Chen. Also, the [Card Talismans] and [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals]. They're powerful enough to even empower the Spirit Severing Stage ancestors." One of the quick-witted disciples suggested with a trembling voice.

The disciple's words sparked a flicker of hope in the Shadow Veil Clan's ranks as they all clutched their spatial pouches filled with what they purchased from the Divine Convenience Store.

Elder Ji clenched his jaw. The store's products had turned the tide against the Violethaven Temple's forces in Fanling City, Foundation Establishment cultivators not dying right away against Core Formation cultivators, Spirit Severing ancestors dominating their peers. If there was a chance to break free, it lay in those peculiar artifacts, talismans, seals, and heck, even those consumable snacks that were promoted for indulgence.

But to rely on them now, in front of the Poison Demon Cult's sneering Venom Master, felt like admitting defeat before the fight even began.

"Foolish child," Elder Ji shook his head. "You think those trinkets will save us from her? Xun's a peak Core Formation cultivator, half a step from Nascent Soul. The Poison Demon Cult would also not lack the same store products."

The disciple flinched but held her ground, her young face set with determination. "Elder, even if they have the same products, we saw what those [Card Talismans] did in Fanling! If we combine them with the [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals], we might disrupt her array and free Elder Chen!"

Venom Master Xun's laughter cut through the disciple's desperate attempt to convince her elder, "Oh, how adorable! The little mice think they can play with the spider's toys? By all means, you have to try them out to see the power of Shopkeeper's 'convenience'."

Her Doom Spider edged closer, its mandibles clattering like a clock ticking down.

The Abyssal Hounds controlled by the Priests circled closer, their corrupted auras pressing against the Shadow Veil's defensive formation. The Acolytes and the few Poison-bearers they brought pulled out their supply of store items, empowering them before the disciples of the Shadow Veil Clan could even activate theirs.

"My lady, shall I crush them now? Their defiance grows tiresome." Marrow Weaver asked, her hand already angled to wave at her skeletal constructs.

Venom Master Xun pressed a finger on her lips, "Patience, little bird. Let's see if these mice can struggle with the power of 'convenience'. If they satisfied me, I might just keep them alive… as pets. Like you."

Understanding that they're truly out of options, Elder Ji released a sigh.

"Fine. Disciples, prepare the [Card Talismans] and the [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals] to boost your abilities! Break Chen free and we'll carve a path through these vermin!"

The disciples clenched their fists as they moved without hesitation. They pulled the thick card packs and stickers from their pouches.

After activating the Basic Card Talismans, enhancing their basic abilities, each disciple slapped a [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal] onto their wrists or chests as they ignited, releasing the spiritual projection of different illustrations before merging into their bodies.

"Now!" The quick-witted disciple shouted. The sticker seal that merged with her was a radiant phantom phoenix. Its fiery wings momentarily appeared, scorching the air as she dove in front of Elder Chen. The other disciples followed suit, taking advantage of the spiritual projection that merged with their bodies – a coiling dragon, a roaring tiger, a jade tortoise, and humanoid illustrations – each one got them to exhibit an ability unique to them..

Their attempts to bring their elder out of his charmed state made Xun's smile widen.

"Impressive." Her fingers weaved through the air as silver threads formed from her spiritual energy, intercepting the disciples effortlessly.

The quick-witted disciple screamed in pain as a thread pierced her shoulder while the others either got knocked out right away or luckily dodged.

Elder Ji hurriedly blocked Xun's threads, saving them from more pain. The disciples staggered as their faces paled. Against Venom Master Xun, who's at least a whole stage higher than them, they were naturally powerless.

Elder Ji cursed under his breath, drawing a [Card Talisman] of his own. He then slapped a [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal] onto his chest. A spectral saber-wolf materialized, its blade-like claws gleaming with dark qi before merging with his body.

Venom Master remained unfazed as she looked on with amusement. "A wolf? How fitting for someone like you, Elder Ji."

She flicked her wrist and heavy force descended from above. The old man could only grit his teeth to resist it.

As blood trickled from his lips. The [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal] on his chest dimmed, its energy nearly spent. "Impossible… these talismans felled Core Formation elders in Fanling!"

Xun's laughter was a venomous caress. "Oh, Elder Ji. You said it yourself. Whatever you bought from the store, our cult wouldn't be lacking in them. After all, we were the ones who became its loyal patrons first."

She then rolled her sleeve, showing a sticker seal plastered on it.

"Now, shall we continue this dance, or will you hand over your haul?"

The Abyssal Hounds lunged, their jaws snapping at the disciples' heels. The Poison Demon Cult's encirclement tightened. Now, there wasn't even a space for them to move.

Dread and hopelessness crept into the disciples' expressions.

One brave disciple tried to kick a corrupted Abyssal Hound away, only for a part of his leg to be bitten off. Another disciple brandished her dagger against an Acolyte, which was blocked quite easily. Then another Acolyte hit her with a blunt weapon.

The disciples, despite their boosted abilities from the [Card Talismans] and [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals], were still outnumbered, their spiritual projections dimming under the cult's suffocating pressure. They only managed to match the strength of those in the same cultivation stage as them. Unfortunately, the Acolytes and Priests that Venom Master Xun brought were at that stage.

As the ominous shadow of resignation began to envelop the Shadow Veil Clan's group, a sudden shift happened.

The demonic energy prevalent in the Abyssal Forest shifted as the ground trembled violently.

Venom Master Xun and Elder Ji were the first to sense the disturbance. Their expressions shifted to alarm as they scrambled to issue commands.

"Move away!"

"Back off!"

Venom Master Xun directed the Doom Spiders, guiding them to retreat a few meters.. Meanwhile, Elder Ji leapt into action, hastily sweeping the bewildered disciples and the dazed Elder Chen to the side.

Before their wide, astonished eyes, deep fissures began to fracture the ground. Serpentine cracks snaked outward as a magnificent obsidian spire erupted from the earth. It pushed upward with relentless force as it pierced the sky.

Once it soared above the treeline, a heavy, unbreathable thickness cloaked the air, infused with a strange and foreign energy. Their meridians throbbed and their spiritual senses became set ablaze.

The Abyssal Hounds whimpered, their corrupted forms recoiling from the spire's aura, while the Poison Demon Cult's Priests faltered in their chants, their array flickering under the sudden surge of power. Even Venom Master Xun's silver threads trembled, her Doom Spider skittering back as she narrowed her eyes at the emerging towering structure.

"Is this…" Elder Ji muttered, his voice a mix of awe and dread. His [Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal] flickered out, the saber-wolf's projection dissipating as he steadied his trembling disciples.

"A Conduit Tower!" Venom Master Xun exclaimed. However, before she could rejoice, a surge of foreign energy blasted out of the structure.

Shadowy foreign creatures materialized out of them, and the huge door at the base of the tower creaked open, spitting out more foreign creatures.

They were not like the spirit beasts or demonic beasts native to the realm, their forms were almost the same as the winged creature that initially appeared when the Jade Hollow Conduit Tower appeared, except only a few of them had wings.

The creatures moved with unnatural speed, their claws raking the earth as they fanned out, hissing against the cultivators' spiritual senses like nails on a jade tablet.

Venom Master Xun narrowed her eyes as she snapped her fingers. "Priests, reinforce your formation! Acolytes, use the [Windstrike Talismans]! These are no mere beasts. Suppress them and close that door!"

Her Doom Spider and its kin reared, their long legs and mandibles catching the foreign creatures charging at them one at a time.

While her eyes focused on the structure before her, Venom Master Xun sent a quick message to the High Priest through her Viewing Jade.

[ArachnidMistress: High Priest, a Conduit Tower has emerged inside the Abyssal Forest. Our cult must secure this before someone else swoops in.]

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!