The crowd erupted in cheers as Lin Mo’s field lit up with golden radiance as though heralding the arrival of a Divine Beast.

The card floated midair, its surface glowing with celestial symbols as the summoned unit materialized.

A mighty Jadevein Qilin emerged towering over the entire Celestial Field.

Its body was wreathed in a pure lush aura as intricate patterns ran along its celestial hide. Its majestic jade horns crackled with what could be mistaken as divine energy and with each step, the air around it boiled with oppressive power.

It was one of the four most powerful units that could be collected to the Celestial Beasts deck. A Level 5 Celestial Beast that could only be heard of from legends within the realm.

The other three weren’t that unfamiliar to Lin Mo since there were references to them on Earth called the Four Holy Beasts as opposed to the more popular Four Symbols.

But in the deck, they’re called, Azurefrost Dragon, Nethershell Turtle and Sunflare Phoenix respectively.

Apart from the Jadevein Qilin, he only had one other Level 5 Unit in his deck; the Sunflare Phoenix.

It was in the rules that one could only put two Level 5 Units, after all. And to summon one normally, it needed the sacrifice of two Level 4 Units. In regards to Level 4 Units, aside from the Spell Cards Xiaoyu used, one could also sacrifice two Units of Level 3 and below to normally summon a Level 4.

The good news is Unit effect isn’t going to be included in the game yet.

According to Zhenren Lihua, she had to collect more data first. Besides, the Battle Phase wasn’t really decided by the designated number of Attack or Defense Points.

Just like how they demonstrated it, the Units could freely move inside the field and would naturally follow the Celestial Duelists’ commands.

On the release, the Celestial Duel will only introduce four main decks – two more aside from the ones they’re using for the test – along with a few unaffiliated Units and Spells.

It would take a long time before the customers of the store could grow tired of mixing cards to create their personalized decks.

“That’s still cheating, Boss! How can you just summon the strongest [Unit] in your deck at this stage of the match?!” Liu Xiaoyu cried unfair.

Lin Mo was merciless though. He simply grinned before saying. “Not my problem I’m so lucky. If I pulled a Level 1 Unit. Will you allow me to call it unfair?”

The audience went wild, some cheering while others who had bet on Liu Xiaoyu groaned in despair.

[Updated Status – Lin Mo’s Field]

Azure-winged Griffin (Level 3)

Jadevein Qilin (Level 5)

[Updated Status – Liu Xiaoyu’s Field]

Celestial Harmony Diva (Level 4)

Liu Xiaoyu clenched her fists, dramatically falling to her knees to appeal to her supporters. Suddenly, she stood up and a resolute expression washed over her despair-filled face, “My diva is totally outclassed! But I won’t let you get your way, Boss! This is for my combat technique manual!”

Some spectators laughed, while others eagerly awaited her next move.

But Lin Mo wasn’t done yet. He pointed at her remaining unit. “Mhm. I admire your perseverance. Go Jadevein Qilin, Celestial Stomp!”

The divine beast let out a mighty roar before it raised its gigantic hoof.

Without anywhere to go, the poor Celestial Harmony Diva awaited its doom.

Nevertheless, Liu Xiaoyu’s unit tried to resist, its radiant aura flaring, but the power difference was too great. In an explosion from the force of that stomp, the diva vanished into flickering lights as the card got sent to the discard pile.

Liu Xiaoyu’s Celestial Energy also took a direct hit from that.

[Updated Status – Liu Xiaoyu’s Celestial Energy: 3000 > 1500]

The audience gasped again. A complete field wipe!

But Lin Mo wasn’t going to let up just yet. “And now, Azure-winged Griffin, Storm Dive! Finish our lovely assistant.”

The Azure-winged Griffin soared high before dive-bombing toward Xiaoyu, striking her directly.

[Updated Status – Liu Xiaoyu’s Celestial Energy: 1500 > 0]

“Gah!” Liu Xiaoyu clutched her chest as if she had actually taken damage, dramatically rolling backward. “B-Boss,t-this… I will take my revenge next time!”

The moment Liu Xiaoyu’s Celestial Energy hit zero, the golden screen flickered and a deep chime resounded throughout the entire hall.

[Celestial Duel Concluded! Winner: Lin Mo!]

Fireworks of golden light exploded above the stage, celebrating the first-ever Celestial Duel in history before it gradually returned to its original state, dispersing the Celestial Plains projection.

The audience erupted into cheers, some reveling in the spectacle while others groaned over their lost bets.

The event not only entertained them but also fully immersed the audience in the mechanics of the game.

Lin Mo let out a small laugh as he walked over to his overly dramatic assistant, extending a hand to help Xiaoyu up, “That was a good match.”

Liu Xiaoyu huffed, crossing her arms as she refused his hand, still keeping up her dramatic act. “Hmph! If I had drawn a better hand, I would’ve stomped you, Boss!”

“Right, right. I would’ve lost if I failed to draw the Qilin” Lin Mo smirked before turning toward the crowd.

“What did you all think, dear customers? Exciting enough?”

A chorus of enthusiastic voices responded.

“That is amazing, Shopkeeper! When will it be released?!”

“I thought Little Xiaoyu had it, you turned it around in one Spell Card!”

“Boss Lin Mo is too strong! He actually drew a Level 5 Unit at random! What kind of luck is that?!”

“I need to get my hands on these cards!”

Lin Mo internally nodded, satisfied with the reception.

Celestial Duel was a battle of strategy that contained more unpredictability and a bit of luck. It will give everyone something beyond direct combat.

They had to be intelligent enough on how to set and command their units. Or when they’re going to use their Spell Cards. Anyone with a bit of experience with board games like chess would naturally enjoy it.

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What more? With stunning visuals like that, who would be able to resist?

Zhou Rui, standing with his betting records, gave a pleased chuckle before sending another voice transmission to Lin Mo. “Benefactor! The bets have been settled. As agreed, I’ll be delivering 20% to the store. I’ll only be taking 5% of the cut. It’s fine right?”

Lin Mo replied. “Take 10% and give the store the remaining 15%. Consider it your reward for running the stall.”

Zhou Rui’s eyes widened before he cupped his fists gratefully. “Thank you, Benefactor! I shall continue to serve the store with utmost dedication!”

While the audience was still caught up in the excitement, Elder Chu finally stepped forward.

She had watched the entire duel with rapt attention. But more than that, she was more interested in the fact that Lin Mo himself stepped up to demonstrate it in front of everyone.

Many were still dismissing him as a little Shopkeeper because of his current cultivation level but she could see what kind of enigma Lin was becoming. No wonder Yu Qingyan couldn’t get him out of her head.

“Shopkeeper. Congratulations. It was a fun demonstration. It’s a cultivation of foresight, adaptability, and tactical thinking. Something even experienced cultivators could benefit from. Yu Qingyan will be mad to find out she missed such an event.”

“Thank you, dear customer. I believe Miss Yu won’t think she missed a lot. Besides, the entire match will be posted on the Store Bulletin Board. Anyone with the Viewing Jades can watch.

Elder Chu’s eyes shone with delight. “Is that so? How thoughtful of you, Shopkeeper Lin. I’ll be sure to leave a like and a comment.”

Soon more Elders and prominent figures approached him, giving him their two cents regarding the Alpha Test. Even those who had initially dismissed the duel as a mere pastime had started reconsidering whether to pick it up the moment it was released.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, he was then met with City Lord Wei Xian alongside her daughter, Lady Wei Lan who also praised the product as they inquired when it would be released. They also asked about the Viewing Jades as its function had already spread to the customers of the store.

As for the High Priest and the rest of the entourage from the Poison Demon Cult, they waited until there was no one around before approaching Lin Mo.

Specifically, it was the High Priest who probably wanted to introduce himself properly.

“Shopkeeper, may this old man have a bit of your time?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep