“Boss, are you sure you wanna do this? I won’t go easy!” Liu Xiaoyu grinned, already flipping through her deck of Celestial Duel Cards.

“You sound as if you’ve been playing this for a long time,” Lin Mo amusedly replied.

“But, of course! I’m your prodigious assistant! I can be an expert on everything if I want to!” Liu Xiaoyu touched her nose as she lifted her chin, causing the audience to break into smiles and laughter.

They’re not unfamiliar with the energetic assistant of the store as her liveliness has always been a theme of the store.

“Sure, let’s see how your prodigious talent could be translated into this game.” Lin Mo snidely remarked, hyping up the crowd further.

Liu Xiaoyu clapped excitedly, her energy vibrating around her, “Hehe! Sure! I’ve been waiting for this! Boss, don’t hold back too much, or I’ll stomp you flat!”

With that, the platform shimmered as a glowing dueling field materialized beneath them the exhibition stage where Yan Wei and Zhou Rui fought yesterday.

Then, a deep, mechanical voice echoed across the entire hall as the golden screen flickered:

[Initializing Celestial Duel Platform…]

[Deploying Celestial Duel System…]

[Celestial Duelists Detected: Lin Mo, Liu Xiaoyu]

[Match Type: Normal Exhibition]

[Arena Type: Celestial Plains]

[Deployed Decks: Celestial Beasts (Lin Mo), Celestial Idols (Liu Xiaoyu)]

Before everyone’s eyes, the area around the platform transformed into a vast ethereal battlefield, floating in a cosmic void filled with swirling nebulae. The ground beneath them solidified into an expansive dueling stage with radiant golden markings.

A floating scoreboard appeared above the arena, displaying Celestial Energy: 5,000 for each duelist.

Lin Mo raised his hand. His Celestial Duel Gear shone as his deck became slotted within his gear. They appeared in a soft blue glow making them look so different from the Summoning Card Talisman from earlier.

Liu Xiaoyu did the same, grinning from ear to ear. “Whoa. This is amazing! Alright, Boss! Let’s see who has the better luck!”

The audience watched with bated breaths. Although their brows and foreheads couldn’t help but furrow at trying to understand what those lines meant, the transformation and the way the two figures of the Divine Convenience Store moved got their eyes glued to the stage.

[Celestial Duel Start!]

Lin Mo’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the rules. Unlike the trading card game it ripped off, there were only two phases that both Celestial Duelists would take at the same time.

The [Setting Phase] and the [Battle Phase].

There are only two categories of cards, Units and Spells. And each one is categorized between Levels 1 to 5

During the [Setting Phase], will draw two cards from their deck and they can summon up to two [Units] of Level 3 and below while [Spells] can be set freely. The [Spells] will only activate during the [Battle Phase] and once that phase is done, the round will be calculated, dealing corresponding [Celestial Energy] against their opponent before starting the next round.

To win the match, one has to deplete their opponent’s [Celestial Energy].

As Lin Mo and Liu Xiaoyu locked eyes, they both smirked at each other, waiting for the signal for the [Setting Phase] to commence.

On the other, the entire crowd had fallen silent as they watched the duel unfold.

Lin Mo took a deep breath. “Alright, Xiaoyu. Let’s begin.”

The moment his words fell, four glowing cards were drawn from their deck to their hands. Following that, they also materialized before both of them, floating gently in the air to allow the audience to see what they’ve gotten.

Two cards from their respective decks then drew themselves toward their hands, signaling the start of the [Round 1: Setting Phase].

Liu Xiaoyu smirked as she eyed her cards. “Oh, I’ve got a good feeling about this.”

Lin Mo, maintaining his usual calm expression, examined his own cards.

[Lin Mo’s Hand]

– Azure-winged Griffin (Unit – Level 3)

– Celestial Shield (Spell)

– Stormfang Wolf (Unit – Level 2)

– Summon Reinforcements (Spell)

– Sacred Roar (Spell)

– Starfire Hatchling (Unit – Level 1)

[Liu Xiaoyu’s Hand]

– Sapphire Melody (Unit – Level 3)

– Harmonic Backup Dancer (Unit – Level 2)

– Resounding Echo (Spell)

– Celestial Idol Transformation (Spell)

– Shooting Star Performance (Spell)

– Harmonic Chorus (Spell)

Lin Mo took the initiative and raised his hand.

His Celestial Duel Gear emitted a soft hum as he set his units by pulling the cards from his hand and setting them in the illusory field in front of him.

“I summon Azure-winged Griffin and Stormfang Wolf onto my field.” He made his voice sound a little dramatic, mimicking the way those anime characters declared their moves.

Soon, two radiant figures emerged on his side of the dueling platform. The first was an imposing, azure-feathered griffin with piercing golden eyes. Its massive wings flexed as it let out a cry that sent gusts of wind across the arena. Beside it, a sleek, silver-furred wolf materialized. Its sharp fangs crackled with electricity.

“I also set one Spell Card face down.” Lin Mo tapped his Celestial Duel Gear, and a glowing golden rune appeared in front of him, marking the hidden [Celestial Shield] spell.

[Lin Mo’s Field]

– Azure-winged Griffin (Level 3)

– Stormfang Wolf (Level 2)

– One Spell Card

As the crowd wowed at the appearance of Lin Mo’s units, Liu Xiaoyu giggled mischievously, drawing the eyes of the crowd to her. “Hehe, not bad, Boss! But it’s my turn too!”

She waved her hand dramatically, and two shimmering figures appeared on her side of the field.

“I summon Sapphire Melody and Harmonic Backup Dancer!”

A dazzling idol-like spirit with sapphire-blue hair and a celestial microphone appeared. She floated mid-air, radiating waves of harmony. Beside her, a dancer wrapped in glowing silk ribbons twirled gracefully, exuding a supportive aura. Many young men in the crowd couldn’t help but gulp down at their appearances.

They’re truly Celestial Idols.

“And I set two Spell Cards face down!” She added, making those who’d seen what she put down nod in agreement.

[Liu Xiaoyu’s Field]

-Sapphire Melody (Level 3)

-Harmonic Backup Dancer (Level 2)

– Two Spell Cards

The golden screen above displayed the status of the duel:

[Celestial Duel Status]

Lin Mo

– Field: Azure-winged Griffin, Stormfang Wolf

– Spells: 1 Set

– Celestial Energy: 5,000

Liu Xiaoyu:

– Field: Sapphire Melody, Harmonic Backup Dancer

– Spells: 2 Set

– Celestial Energy: 5,000

A wave of anticipation passed through the audience. Even though they were still processing the mechanics, the visual spectacle alone was enough to keep them on edge.

Lin Mo flicked his fingers again before announcing. “Now, we enter the [Battle Phase].”

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And as if on cue, the golden screen announced it.

[Round 1: Battle Phase. Start!]

As the phase was initiated, all Spell Cards revealed themselves automatically if their conditions were met.

Liu Xiaoyu grinned as she shouted “Let’s go! Spell! Harmonic Chorus!”

From her field, Sapphire Melody raised her celestial microphone and sang a resonating melody. Following that, a wave of golden soundwaves swept across the arena.

[Harmonic Chorus – Effect]

– Boosts all Harmonic-type units’ Celestial Energy attack by +500 for this round.

Both of her units shone in a blue, mesmerizing as their energies surged.

Lin Mo smirked slightly. “Oh? A power boost? Not bad, Xiaoyu. You really know what you’re doing.”

“Hehe. I’m not done yet, Boss! My Harmonic Backup Dancer has an ability! When a Harmonic Spell activates, she grants an additional +300 attack to my leading unit! Meaning, my Sapphire Melody is even stronger now!”

[Updated Status – Liu Xiaoyu’s Field]

Sapphire Melody (Level 3) – Celestial Attack: 1,500 > 2,300

Harmonic Backup Dancer (Level 2) – Celestial Attack: 800

Liu Xiaoyu pointed. “Sapphire Melody! Harmonic Backup Dancer, go and attack! Slip past his beast and hit the Boss with Starlit Serenade!”

The celestial idol spun midair, then released a burst of golden light in the form of radiant musical notes, aimed straight at Lin Mo.

But Lin Mo watching all that only shook his head..

“You’re too excited, Xiaoyu. Celestial Shield!”

Before Xiaoyu’s attacks could reach him, the [Spell] he set up activated and a shimmering golden barrier erupted in front of him, absorbing the damage.

[Celestial Shield – Effect]

-Blocks the first incoming attack in a round and negates all damage.

The audience gasped as the energy blast crashed into the shield, dispersing harmlessly.

Liu Xiaoyu pouted. “Booo! A defensive [Spell]?!”

Lin Mo smirked. “A duel is about both offense and defense, Xiaoyu. You cannot recklessly charge like you did. Now, how will you attack me now? You turned your back on my units.”

“Azure-winged Griffin, take down her Sapphire Melody. Stormfang Wolf, you go after that Harmonic Backup Dancer.” He commanded.

The crowd peeled their eyes as the massive griffin flapped its wings, summoning a storm of wind as it launched forward, slashing down with its talons.

Liu Xiaoyu grinned. “Boo! Not so fast, Boss! Resounding Echo!”

Activating his other [Spell], a wave of harmonious energy pulsed from her field.

[Resounding Echo – Effect]

-Redirects an opponent’s attack to another target.

The griffin’s talons barely missed the Sapphire but it got pulled toward the poor Harmonic Backup Dancer!

Lin Mo’s gaze flickered. “A clever redirection but because of this, you’ll be hit directly by my Stormfang Wold”

The Azure-winged Griffin’s talons slashed into Harmonic Backup Dancer, dealing 500 Celestial Energy damage to Liu Xiaoyu and sending the unit to her Discard Pile. Then, the Stormfang Wolf appeared before her, biting at her, dealing 1000 Celestial Energy damage.

[Round 1: Result]

– Lin Mo: 5,000

– Liu Xiaoyu: 3500 (-1,500 damage)

Although everyone was worried about Xiaoyu, they immediately noticed that she came out unharmed.

They then erupted in cheers, showering Lin Mo with praises.

“Wow! That was kind of intense, no?”

“No wonder he’s the Boss!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep