Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 208: Crimson Flow Phantom Steps

Lin Mo stood up from his mat and he instantly noticed the subtle change in his body. His movement became smoother. He tested it by stepping forward.

To his surprise, his body shifted as a faint afterimage was left behind. He darted to the left and then pivoted to the right, each motion seamless and silent. The air barely stirred, yet he crossed the formation's boundary in a blink. "Not bad for a lazy shopkeeper, huh?"

"Yes. It's not bad, but Shopkeeper, be careful. You might hit them. It's still hard to control, right?"

"Well, now that you mention it, it feels like I'm just stepping on a gas pedal without the ability to steer the wheel."

"Gas pedal? Steer the wheel? Uh…" Yangyang tilted her head, not understanding Lin Mo's analogy.

"Ah. Forget it, Miss Yangyang, that's a terminology from my old world. I meant I cannot turn even if I want to. Or at least, it's hard with how quick my movements are. I only sidestepped from left to right and stopped before I hit this barrier. It'd be bad if I crashed into it." He awkwardly laughed as he explained.

Luckily for him, Yangyang isn't Liu Xiaoyu, who'll definitely tease him for it before goading him to tell her more about Earth.

"I see. That's normal, Shopkeeper. The technique has just settled in your body. You have yet to fully adjust to it." Yangyang nudged her glasses and then pointed at the other immortal-grade artifact, "Do you wish to test if you truly mastered the [Crimson Flow Phantom Steps]? It is also possible to simulate an obstacle course for you using this [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb]. And there are two types of simulation, Mental and Physical."

Yangyang began explaining a more detailed use of the immortal-grade artifact. The Divine Interface System might've given a brief description of it, but to fully understand the artifact, using it was the best method.

Lin Mo tilted his head, intrigued by the possibilities. He could get the gist of it but for the sake of learning, he still asked, "Mental and Physical, huh? What's the difference?"

"The Mental Simulation runs entirely in your mind. It's like a dream. You'll experience the obstacle course, fight enemies, or practice your technique, but your body stays still. It is perfect for refining your understanding or testing strategies without physical strain. The Physical Simulation, though, manifests the illusion in reality. Well, within the artifact's range. You'll move, dodge, and strike for real, and your body will feel the exertion. It's risk-free since the damage isn't permanent, but it'll push your limits like actual combat."

Lin Mo rubbed his chin, glancing at the [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] hovering faintly within the formation.

Its surface shimmered with a soft, iridescent glow, promising depths he was only beginning to grasp. On Earth, it's like virtual reality. The mental one is the ideal technology that many hoped to see within their lifetime. The physical one is already partly emulated through the use of devices invented specifically for it but in the end, it's still a far cry from the capabilities of the immortal-grade artifact before him.

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"So, Mental is for the brain, Physical is for the muscle. Got it. Let's go with Physical Simulation, Miss Yangyang. I believe that is the most ideal way to enable my body to truly absorb my mastered [Crimson Flow Phantom Steps]. No point mastering it in my head if my body can't keep up, and I trip over my own feet when using it."

Yangyang nodded approvingly. "Wise choice, Shopkeeper. The Physical Simulation will let you adapt the technique to your body's rhythm. Since it's your first time… Let's see. Looks like there are already presets here. I can set it to a basic obstacle course. Nothing too intense. We'll save the combat scenarios for later, once you're comfortable. Also, let's move location. This place is too cramped to manifest the obstacle course."

She stepped toward the orb, her fingers brushing its surface as her channeled thread of divine energy paused. She picked it up and walked towards the opening of the defensive formation.

Lin Mo nodded, left behind a note for Xiaoyu to read when they finished digesting their techniques and followed Yangyang towards the [Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall].

As it was also covered with top-tier divine-grade formations that could be configured by him, he instantly accessed the system to expand the stage in the middle of the hall based on Yangyang's specifications.

Once that was done, Yangyang went in the middle of the and channeled her divine energy to the artifact again, activating it.

Almost instantly, the surrounding energy thickened and got drawn toward the orb like water to a drain.

Shortly after, a faint sound echoed as a field expanded from Yangyang's feet, marking a ten-meter radius around them on the stage.

"Stand here," Yangyang instructed, pointing to the center. "I'll activate it once you're ready. The simulation will adjust to your cultivation so it won't overwhelm you. In this obstacle course, you'll be facing moving platforms, shifting barriers, and a few low-grade spirit beasts. They are illusions, of course, but they still can deter you from advancing. Focus on applying the [Crimson Flow Phantom Steps]. Any questions, Shopkeeper?"

Lin Mo didn't think much of it as it was within his expectations. He stepped into the circle, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "Just one. How do I stop it if I mess up?"

Yangyang's lips quivered into a rare smirk. "Just say 'End Simulation,' and it'll shut down instantly. Or, if you're too flustered to speak, I'll cut it off manually. Don't worry, Shopkeeper. I won't let you flail too long and will observe your progress closely."

"Comforting," Lin Mo muttered dryly, though a spark of excitement flickered in his chest.

He took a deep breath. Popped an Energy Replenishing Candy and triggered his Stillwater Perception to sharpen his focus.

"Alright, let's do it."

Yangyang nodded, pressed her palm fully against the orb, and the world around Lin Mo, or rather, the ten-meter radius area, shifted.

The multi-purpose hall's interior vanished, replaced by a sprawling stone platform suspended in a void of swirling gray mist.

Jagged pillars rose and fell at irregular intervals, their surfaces seemingly wet with illusory dew. Narrow beams connected the platforms, swaying faintly as if caught in a breeze. Then, in the distance, he caught a glimpse of shadowy forms of spirit beasts prowling. They are wolf-like shapes with glowing eyes, their growls echoing softly.

Before he could narrow his eyes to zoom in his spiritual perception on them, a chime sounded in his mind, courtesy of the orb:

[Simulation: Basic Obstacle Course]

[Objective: Reach the endpoint within 5 minutes]

[Difficulty: Spirit Condensation Stage]

[Starting in 3… 2… 1… Go!]

Lin Mo had just finished reading those, and the first pillar immediately lurched upward, forcing him into motion.

He instinctively tapped into the [Crimson Flow Phantom Steps], and his spiritual energy surged through his legs.

His body blurred forward as a faint crimson afterimage trailed behind when he leaped onto the rising stone.

The movement felt alien yet intuitive to him. It's like a memory he'd always had but never used.

He landed lightly on his feet, the technique's misdirection kicking in as his momentum shifted seamlessly to the side, avoiding a sudden drop as the pillar tilted.

"Was that… sixth sense?" He couldn't help but question himself as a grin tugged at his lips.

The manual's mastery was real, he could feel the technique guiding his steps, turning what should've been a clumsy stumble into a fluid dodge.

A beam extended ahead, narrow and wobbling.

Lin Mo dashed across it, his steps leaving phantom echoes that confused even his own senses for a split second.

Halfway across, a gust of illusory wind slammed into him, testing his balance. Yet, his body twisted mid-stride, the [Crimson Flow Phantom Steps] redirecting his weight as he pivoted and landed on the next platform with a soft thud.

At this point, he reached the area of the spirit beasts.

They immediately stirred. Two wolf-like spirit beasts lunged from the mist, their claws slashing at the air.

Lin Mo didn't have a weapon – or combat skills, for that matter – but he didn't need them yet.

He sidestepped with a flicker of crimson, the technique's agility carrying him out of reach as the wolves' claws scraped the stone where he ran through.

Another step, and he was behind them, the afterimages throwing off their pursuit as he bolted for the next beam.

"Am I really doing this?" He muttered in disbelief as his heart pounded with exhilaration rather than fear.

The wolves chase after him but the technique's misdirection kept them snapping at his afterimages.

He leaped onto a rising pillar, then another, each movement smoother than the last as his body adjusted to the technique's rhythm.

Ahead, the endpoint glowed.

A simple golden ring hovering above a final platform.

Thirty seconds remained on the timer ticking at the corner of his vision.

Then, a final barrier emerged.

It was a wall of shifting stone slabs, sliding back and forth like a puzzle.

Lin Mo narrowed his eyes, his enhanced spiritual perception picking out the pattern. He darted forward, crimson afterimages flaring as he wove through the gaps. His footsteps acted like a blur of calculated chaos.

With a final leap, he sailed through the golden ring, landing in a crouch as the simulation dissolved around him.

The hall's interior snapped back into view, the formation's glow fading as the [Heavenly Mirage Illusion Orb] settled into dormancy.

[Simulation Complete]

[Time: 4:42]

[Performance: Excellent]

Before he could stand up, a cold sensation pressed against his face. It was a Heavenly Dew Soda.

He looked up and saw Yangyang smiling in satisfaction, her eyes filled with praise. "Good job, Shopkeeper. Here's a refreshment."