As soon as the Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals were activated, the two young cultivators' spiritual energy billowed out, sinking into the seal. They then slapped it on their wrists as the spiritual projection of the illustrations inside their respective seals appeared like apparitions behind them.
They overlapped with their bodies and gradually merged into their forms.
Zhou Rui's figure was instantly engulfed by the phantom of a crimson-armored warrior wielding a massive saber. Its presence had drawn a collective gasp from the crowd at how overwhelming it was in their eyes. The projection roared, its ethereal eyes flashing with bloodthirsty intent that swept around the entire multipurpose hall. However, it was blocked by the inherent barrier formation equipped on the stage that stopped any stray attack from spilling into the audience.
Yan Wei, on the other hand, was shrouded in the apparition of a towering azure falcon, its sharp wings stretching wide as if preparing to take flight. The wind swirled around his body, forming a tempestuous aura that distorted the air around the arena.
The Spirit Embodiment Sticker Seals had fully merged with them.
Zhou Rui had the illustration of [Bloodcrimson Guardian] on his sticker seal while Yan Wei had the illustration of [Azure Tempest Falcon] on his.
Their auras surpassed the Spirit Condensation Stage as the spiritual projections enhanced their abilities, elevating their combat prowess to a level beyond what their exhausted bodies could originally sustain.
Yan Wei's already formidable speed now reached an almost untouchable level. His every step sent out miniature windstorms, and with a single movement, he disappeared from view, leaving only a violent gale in his wake. And somehow, images of blossoming lotus could be seen on the feet of his afterimages. That's the effect of Blossoming Lotus Breathing Technique mixing with his Azure Gale Steps.
In contrast, Zhou Rui exuded sheer, unrelenting dominance. His Celestial Wind Saber was now infused with the Bloodcrimson Guardian's spirit. It extended its reach with every swing, sending forth arcs of crimson energy that carved deep grooves into the stage which would visibly get repaired under the naked eye.
"HAHA! This is what I'm talking about! Benefactor's products will never disappoint!" Zhou Rui laughed, his voice filled with unrestrained battle lust.
Yan Wei narrowed his eyes. "You're enjoying this too much, you fool. You do not understand the greatness of someone like me."
Zhou Rui lunged forward with an overhead strike, causing the air to tremble. Perhaps if he's a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, he might even cut the space before him.
But that didn't mean it wasn't formidable yet. Against someone of the same level as him, it was already terrifying.
Yan Wei barely managed to evade, his body flickering to the side as wind blades erupted in his wake, counterattacking Zhou Rui who remained at his spot.
But Zhou Rui had anticipated it.
He reached into his robes with his free hand and flicked a [Gravity Burst Talisman] at Yan Wei's location. It was another talisman from the store! It was quite expensive than the standard one but its effect was more than what he imagined.
An invisible force pressed down on Yan Wei mid-step, his speed abruptly stalling. His foot slammed onto the stage with unexpected heaviness, causing him to stagger.
"What?!" Yan Wei's eyes widened as gritted his teeth.
Zhou Rui capitalized on the momentary weakness, his saber descending like an executioner's blade.
But Yan Wei wasn't out of tricks either.
With a flick of his fingers, he hurled a [Wind Repulsion Talisman] directly at Zhou Rui's saber. Again, another store product that he fancied of its name had 'wind' on it.
A violent burst of wind exploded outward, sending Zhou Rui skidding back, his strike missing its target by mere inches.
The audience was losing their minds at what they were witnessing. Even their fellow disciples were slack-jawed.
"They're using talismans mid-fight?!"
"This is insane! Who even fights ?!"
In the VIP seats, Elder Chu Yueying was practically screaming from her seat. "Why are they fighting like rogue cultivators in a back-alley brawl?! USE YOUR TECHNIQUES PROPERLY!"
Yu Qingyan, on the other hand, was more amused at her adversary's hilarious state than the ongoing exhibition. Still, she kept an eye out on the store products they were whipping out. She's already thinking about how much she could sell them for.
"I think this is a new style of combat. We should start training our disciples in… [Divine Convenience Store Item Utilization]. What do you think?"
Lin Mo almost choked on his drink at that but then he found the others nodding at her suggestion. If they're rich enough they could do so. Regardless, he and his store would be the one benefiting from it.
On the battlefield, neither Zhou Rui nor Yan Wei were done. They began showcasing more store products in between the clashes of their weapons.
Zhou Rui took out a [Flashfire Smoke Bomb] that looked like a normal sandbag and crushed it in his hand.
A burst of crimson smoke erupted around him, momentarily obscuring his form.
Yan Wei clicked his tongue, immediately backing away.
But the moment he did, something slammed into his gut.
A brick flew out of the smoke and hit him squarely.
Yan Wei stumbled back, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"All's fair in battle! I got that from an obscure shelf in the store. It says Indestructible Brick* (*Do not put in water). " Zhou Rui's voice rang out causing the crowd to break into laughter.
Was he serious about its name? Then someone hurriedly ran outside and returned confirming that there was such a brick in one of the shelves.
Yan Wei's eyes twitched. He hadn't expected this bastard to use such an underhanded item, and worse, it actually hurt!
Zhou Rui grinned, tossing the brick up and down in his hand. "Oh? Are you still standing? I should've bought two."
Yan Wei took a deep breath, forcing down the embarrassment. He wasn't about to lose because of a damn brick! His fingers flickered as he activated another talisman alongside an Azure Gale Technique.
The [Windstep Acceleration Talisman] instantly propelled himself forward at a speed that made his form blur.
Zhou Rui's grin widened. "About time!"
He reached into his robes again, and this time, he pulled out a small golden slip of paper and slapped it onto his chest.
[Golden Body Talisman]. A rare defensive talisman from the Divine Convenience Store. This one was gifted to him by one of his fellow disciples when the price overhaul had yet to happen in the store. Now, it's priced as 1 high-grade spirit stone per piece. Too expensive!
Yan Wei's rapier lunged forward, aiming straight for Zhou Rui's shoulder. But just as the blade was about to pierce through.
The blade rebounded off Zhou Rui's body as if it had struck solid metal.
Yan Wei's expression darkened. "You're cheating!"
Zhou Rui smirked, flexing his arms as his body momentarily gleamed like gold under the talisman's effect. "Nope, just using the wonderful products of Benefactor's Store."
Yan Wei frowned as he reached into his own robes and pulled out a [Featherweight Talisman], slapping it onto his back. His entire body instantly became light as a feather, allowing him to maneuver around the battlefield as though he were flying.
Just , the fight turned into a spectacle of item usage.