Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 301: Minor Tribulation

"A tribulation? Now?" Lin Mo's voice carried a mix of disbelief and exasperation as he steadied himself with Yu Qingyan and Wu Meiyu's help. He read and heard about that kind of tribulation where a cultivator had to face a heavenly lightning tribulation.

Looking at Xiaoyu, whose aura was already spiraling upward like a storm gathering strength, Lin Mo was finally convinced it was truly going to happen.

The crowd's murmurs rose into gasps as the air around her crackled with spiritual energy.

Her tattered store uniform fluttered as if caught in an invisible gale.

Rumble!

Above, the night sky churned. The moon and stars were covered as dark clouds rolled in from nowhere. Their edges flickered with arcs of silver lightning.

The Tower's still-shining obsidian spire seemed to hum in resonance, its foreign energy amplifying the tribulation's intensity.

The cultivators at the base of the Tower instinctively backed away.

A minor tribulation for Foundation Establishment was common in this realm and every cultivator had to pass it and continue down their path of immortal ascension. But one triggered so publicly, and by someone who'd just cleared the Conduit Tower, felt like a spectacle ordained by the heavens.

"Xiaoyu!" Lin Mo called, his voice cutting through the rising wind. "You couldn't pick a better time? Like, say, back at the store?"

Despite the storm brewing above, Liu Xiaoyu turned her head, her grin as mischievous as ever.

"Pfft, Boss, it's not like I planned this! It doesn't work that way. Besides, the Tower's energy just… pushed me over the edge. Don't worry, I got this!"

She gave him a playful wink, but her eyes sharpened with focus as she glanced skyward.

Just a few days ago, she mentioned solidifying her foundation and going after a Perfect Foundation as she intentionally let herself linger at the 8th Level for so long. But now, just right after reaching the 10th Level, she had already accumulated enough after exiting the tower.

Will she be alright?

Yu Qingyan's lips twitched into a half-smirk as her grip on Lin Mo's arm tightened. "She's right. There's no stopping it when it arrives. However, one can sense it coming days before, so many can still prepare for it. Look at Yan Wei and Zhou Rui, they just announced that they're going to tackle it as well but unlike Xiaoyu, it'll take a while before their tribulation arrives."

"This is no ordinary tribulation. The Tower's foreign energy is amplifying it. The difficulty of not getting injured by it to establish her Perfect Foundation is high. Wu Meiyu's regal composure held, but her eyes narrowed as she assessed the situation.

"Do you still doubt her, Your Highness? Look at that smile of confidence. I don't think we have to worry about her. We just have to ensure that no one disrupts this." Yu Qingyan said, flourishing her sleeves as she pointed at Xiaoyu, who already sat down in a lotus position, waiting for the tribulation clouds to form fully.

"Yangyang!" Lin Mo glanced up at the bespectacled functionary hovering above. "Help me keep the crowd back. We can't let anyone interfere!"

Yangyang's divine aura pulsed once as a gentle wave that nudged the cultivators further away without force.

She descended slightly, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority. "All of you, retreat to a safe distance. The Divine Convenience Store will not be responsible for injuries caused by this tribulation."

Although it was already common knowledge that a tribulation couldn't be stopped by outside forces, its lingering force will be indiscriminate.

Yangyang's words, backed by her divine presence, sent the crowd scrambling.

Even the Core Formation Elders, who'd been eyeing Xiaoyu with interest, retreated. The Verdant Sky Pavilion disciples and Wu Meiyu's royal escorts formed a loose perimeter, ensuring no one got too close.

"Boss, what's happening to Sister Xiaoyu?" Xiao Ya asked as she came over with the other three.

"She's about to face her minor tribulation. We talked about it last night, right? Don't worry. She's going to pass it in flying colors." He patted the little mushroom girl's head as he pulled him to his side, shielding her from the pressure coming from the tribulation cloud.

At the moment, Liu Xiaoyu's hair was being whipped by the surging winds. She's not holding anything else. Just the [Celestial Duel Gear] pulsing at her risk.

"Xiaoyu, don't show off too much, alright? You've already got the whole realm buzzing!" He called out to her with light teasing just to ease the growing tension.

In the future, he might also face the same thing. But like Yangyang said, he might breeze through it easily, unlike most cultivators.

Xiaoyu stuck out her tongue playfully before her expression turned serious. "Got it, Boss! I'll be fine. Just watch me shine!"

Bzzzt! Crack!

Without warning, the first bolt of lightning split the sky as a jagged silver arc roared toward Xiaoyu with a deafening crack.

The Tower's foreign energy twisted the bolt, giving it an eerie violet hue that pulsed with otherworldly menace.

Liu Xiaoyu's eyes narrowed. She raised her free hand, spiritual energy coalescing into a shimmering barrier shaped like a huge hand. She cycled her energy with flawless precision, amplifying the barrier's strength.

The lightning struck, and the barrier flared, absorbing the bolt's force with a distinctive loud boom. Wisps of violet energy dissipated harmlessly but the ground beneath her cracked from the impact.

The crowd gasped, their Viewing Jades capturing every moment. New threads exploded on the Bulletin Board:

[Liu Xiaoyu, the Divine Convenience Store's Assistant, is Facing a Tribulation Right After Floor 10! – StarryVoyage]

[Is This the Tower's Blessing or Curse? – JadeSeeker]

[Shopkeeper's Assistant is a Monster! I'll go get her to sign my back tomorrow! – IWantHerAutograph]

Lin Mo couldn't help but blink at that sudden flash of light. But hearing the gasp of awe as well as the constant chiming of the Bulletin Board from the nearby cultivators with their Viewing Jades, his lips twitched into a wry smile.

"She's turning this into a damn show," He muttered but instead of being annoyed, he was a little proud of the girl. He glanced at Yu Qingyan and Wu Meiyu. "You've both been through this. What else is going to happen? How many tribulation lightning strikes will there be?"

Yu Qingyan's eyes stayed fixed on Xiaoyu, her expression a mix of admiration and analysis.

"For a Foundation Establishment minor tribulation, it's typically three bolts for a standard cultivator. But Xiaoyu is aiming for a Perfect Foundation, and with the Tower's foreign energy amplifying things, I'd wager she's facing four, maybe five. Each one will be stronger than the last, testing her endurance, control, and willpower. She's handling the first like it's nothing, but the later ones will push her limits."

Wu Meiyu nodded, her regal poise unshaken despite the crackling energy in the air. "Elder Yu is correct. The Tower's influence makes this tribulation unusually potent. The violet hue in the lightning suggests it's laced with foreign energy, which could disrupt her spiritual flow if she's not careful. But given her performance in the Tower, I suspect she's prepared."

Lin Mo's brows furrowed as he processed their words. "Four or five bolts, huh? And she's just sitting there like it's a picnic. That girl…"

The little mushroom girl clutched his sleeve, her eyes wide with awe as she watched Xiaoyu. "Sister Xiaoyu's so cool, Boss! She's gonna crush this, right?"

"Crush it? Possibly, but we'd better prepare for her to gloat about it when we return to the store," Lin Mo quipped, ruffling her hair to ease her tension.

His gaze flicked back to Xiaoyu, who remained serene in her lotus position, her spiritual energy cycling smoothly despite the brewing storm.

Rumble!

The second bolt descended, thicker and faster than the first, its violet arcs twisting like lightning serpents.

The air screamed as it tore toward Xiaoyu, the foreign energy within it pulsing with a malevolent intensity that made even the Core Formation Elders flinch.

Xiaoyu's grin didn't waver. The [Celestial Duel Gear] on her wrist flared, and a Celestial Field expanded beneath her, its starry terrain shimmering with spiritual energy. She raised both hands as the initial cards floated in front of her.

She grabbed one and instantly activated it.

"[Aegis Hymn]!" she called, her voice clear and commanding.

It's a Spell Card from the [Celestial Idols] deck, conjuring another radiant shield above her. The shield's surface rippled like liquid silver as notes playing a calming tune seemingly comprised it,

The lightning bolt slammed into it, the impact sending shockwaves that rattled the ground and kicked up clouds of dust. The [Aegis Hymn] held firm, dispersing the violet energy into harmless sparks that rained around Xiaoyu like falling stars.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their Viewing Jades flashing furiously. New threads flooded the Bulletin Board:

[She's Using the Celestial Duel Gear in a Tribulation?! Now it's a must-have for those facing a tribulation! – SkyChaser]

[Liu Xiaoyu's Making History Again! – LotusDreamer]

[That Shield Spell is overpowered! Shopkeeper, I'll switch to the Celestial Idols Deck! – CelestialBeastFan]

Lin Mo's lips twitched. "Good girl. She's promoting a product during her tribulation."