Meanwhile, as the announcement of the Immortal-grade Artifacts got posted at the Store Bulletin Board, the five Golden Patrons with the Viewing Jades had already read about it.
They didn't even have time to comment below it as they immediately understood the weight of it. Yu Qingyan, Yan Wei, Elder Chu Yueying, Pill Master Ying and Grandmaster Jian began calculating in their minds, strategizing how they could secure these rare artifacts before others caught wind of them.
Immortal-grade Artifacts? That's something like out of a fable. Many sects and forces barely have a Heaven-grade Artifact.
Yu Qingyan, who was still on her way back with her caravan, immediately contacted her grandmother, the Pavilion Master of the Verdant Sky Pavilion.
Yan Wei immediately asked his father, the Sect Master of the Azure Gale Sect for an audience.
Elder Chu went to find the Sect Master of the Crimson Vale Sect, Hong Ying, informing her of its value.
Pill Master Ying interrupted the research about the array formation manual at the White Ember Sect to raise it to Sect Master Lin Yuanzhi.
And lastly, Grandmaster Lian, who was still busy running around the Red Lotus Academy to find students and professors for the visit to the Divine Convenience Store, had to stop as she weighed her choices. She could tell it to the Headmaster or directly send a message to the Royal Palace of the Southern Wu Kingdom, the sponsor of their academy.
Back at the [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall], the tension in the air had yet to dissipate.
Elder Hu Zhen gritted his teeth as he felt the sharp edge of Jiang Jianxin's sword hovering just a breath away from his throat. His hands clenched into fists, trembling from the humiliation more than the pain.
The Ironclad Blood Sect was known for their physical might. To lose in such a decisive manner, in front of so many witnesses, was a crushing blow to his pride.
He couldn't let this end here. They're the ones who started this for being unbridled with rudeness and arrogance. He could admit their wrongdoings, but he couldn't allow his sect to be humiliated because of him.
"T-this isn't over yet!" With a disgruntled voice, Elder Hu Zhen slapped his spatial pouch. A Vitality Restoration Pill and a Spirit Replenishing Candy bought from the store flew out and popped into his mouth.
The effects were immediate. His bleeding ceased, his complexion recovered, and his spiritual energy, which had been rapidly depleting from his earlier technique, surged back to its peak.
A murmur ran through the crowd.
"He's using store-bought items mid-battle?"
"Isn't that allowed under the rules?"
"Yeah, but isn't this just too shameful? He already lost but his pride was gnawing at him, preventing him from admitting defeat."
"What of it? It is the Sword Fairy herself who allowed the use of items! She shouldn't have said that if she's going to take fault for our Elder using store products." One disciple of the Ironclad Blood Sect barked angrily at the negative comments his Elder was getting.
However, he was ignored, causing him to fume more. But before he could rage over it, another Elder stopped him.
"Do not bring further humiliation to our sect. Watch Elder Hu properly and learn."
Back on the stage, Elder Hu Zhen roared as his spiritual energy flared once more. It was the same brutish, overwhelming force as he seemingly recovered miraculously, showcasing the effectiveness of the store's products.
Jiang Jianxin's brows slightly furrowed as she watched him jump away. However, it was not because she was displeased, she was just as baffled at how quick the store's products took effect.
"Good," She murmured, her sword humming in her grasp. "I was worried you would yield too soon. I'll take it upon myself to shave off your sect's unbridled arrogance."
Hu Zhen wiped the blood from his mouth and sneered. "Heh. Try me. I won't let a flimsy sword fairy trample over my sect's honor."
With a sharp exhale, he stomped the platform before slapping his spatial pouch again. A pack of Card Talisman and a Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seal flew out.
His spiritual energy opened their packaging. Three basic Card Talismans; strength, agility and endurance, floated in front of him. Following that, one Sticker Seal floated. It showed an illustration of a minotaur-like creature labeled the Infernal Bull Spirit.
The moment the sticker touched his skin, it activated and a spiritual projection of the Infernal Bull Spirit appeared behind him.
It roared as if it was a living being before merging with Elder Hu Zhen as a powerful transformation seemingly took place.
A crimson glow erupted from the sticker seal as its energy fused with his physical body.
His muscles swelled even further, his skin darkened from red to a bronze sheen. Two faint, spectral horns formed above his head.
His eyes burned with a deep red hue and his already oppressive presence doubled.
It was the Ironclad Blood Sect disciples' turn to cheer.
"That's…! That talisman grants the strength of a spirit beast!"
"An Infernal Bull Spirit's raw power combined with our Elder's Ironblood Body Refinement... Is this even fair anymore?"
"Fair? Hah! The Sword Fairy allowed store items! Now she gets to see why our Elder is one of the top warriors of the sect!"
The tide of the audience's opinion began to shift.
At first, they mocked Elder Hu Zhen for relying on store products, but now, seeing the effects, many cultivators couldn't help but reevaluate. After all, it wasn't really against the rule to rely on external items like the sticker seal and the card talismans.
Even Jiang Jianxin's usually impassive gaze flickered with intrigue.
"A store talisman can grant such a transformation… Interesting," She whispered softly as she adjusted her stance, letting go of her sword again.
Shortly, the three Card Talismans activated, further empowering the scar-faced Elder of the Ironclad Blood Sect.
Enhanced Power! Enhanced Speed! Enhanced Defense!
Hu Zhen tested his newfound strength. He flexed his hands as wisps of crimson energy crackled around his fingers.
His smirk returned, this time filled with unshakable confidence. He picked up his dropped saber, calling it from where it dropped through a wisp of his spiritual energy.
The ground beneath him shattered as he launched forward like a flaming comet.
His movement was nothing like before. Gone was the sluggish, brute-force fighter. Instead, he was now a monstrous force of speed and raw destruction.
She's fast? His thoughts raged. Let's see how she dodges now!
Jiang Jianxin barely had time to react before his saber. Now coated in a burning red glow, it came crashing down.
For the first time in the fight, she was forced to block while using the [Flying Sword Technique]
The impact sent shockwaves through the entire platform.
Jiang Jianxin skidded back several meters, her heels digging into the arena floor as she absorbed the impact.
A hushed silence fell over the crowd.
Then… someone broke it with a voice filled with disbelief.
"Did… did he just overpower the Sword Fairy?"
"She actually blocked? I thought she'd dodge like before."
"Wait, look closely! She's not injured at all! And her sword, it. It's completely fine!"
Indeed, despite the raw power behind his strike, Jiang Jianxin remained unscathed. Her sword, imbued with refined Sword Intent and Sword Will had perfectly neutralized the attack.
"I can see now why this store has taken our region like a storm. This is the extent of the store's products. Can I get my hands on it later?" She mused, her eyes flashing with understanding.
Hu Zhen sneered. "You sound like you're impressed. But let's see if your swordplay can still keep up!"
He stomped forward as his movements blurred while unleashing a relentless barrage of saber strikes.
Each swing left trails of burning red arcs in the air as he kept on activating the Ironclad Blood Sect's techniques.
Jiang Jianxin's sword continued dancing through her will.
Each of her movements was precise. A step back. A twist. A flick of the wrist.
Her blade sliced through the very air, parrying, deflecting, and redirecting each attack like an artist painting the perfect stroke.
Despite all the enhancements that Elder Hu Zhen received, she was still lording over their fight.
Nevertheless, while she managed to avoid getting directly hit, the relentless force behind each clash forced her further and further back.
Hu Zhen had closed the gap between their abilities.
The brute force fighter had transformed into a relentless predator.
Lin Mo, watching from below, chuckled to himself.
"This is exactly the kind of advertisement I need. Elder Hu Zhen. Use everything you have and promote them to everyone present. I apologize to the Sword Fairy though. She should've bought our items first."