Chapter 86: Spectators Naturally Delight in Escalation

Su Jian spoke sullenly, "What's so interesting to see? Watching yourself is much more real."

Could it be that the other party had some unknown preference?

Zhao Qianxue wrapped her arms around Su Jian's neck, their gazes locking.

"Don't you ever want to try a different method of cultivation?"

"Do you have some bold idea?" Su Jian was taken aback, his expression turning slightly awkward.

"Yes, the cultivation of the Mystical Maiden Scripture seems to have reached a bottleneck. If we don't try another path, I'm afraid neither of us will make much progress anytime soon." Zhao Qianxue admitted openly.

After all, they weren't strangers, so what was the point in hiding?

Su Jian was momentarily at a loss to refute; her reasoning was impeccable.

But wasn't this the wrong way to go about it?

In the end, Su Jian gave in, but only this once.

He considered it a reward for her.

Seeing this, Zhao Qianxue was momentarily stunned.

It was far more dazzling than she'd imagined.

...

Late at night.

Su Jian and Zhao Qianxue began to chat idly.

He learned that Ruoshui and the others had safely arrived at Immortal Guest Inn, encountering no trouble along the way.

The staff he had recruited earlier had already been dismissed by Zhao Qianxue, each given double wages for the day.

That was reasonable enough.

When it was necessary to be decisive in action, one must be so, but it was unwise to burn bridges entirely, lest resentments fester.

Zhao Qianxue hesitated, "Those two women you found—the songs they sing sound rather indecent. Is this really alright?"

She had initially thought, based on Ruoshui's account, that it was a good way to attract customers.

But when Ruoshui and Luo Xiaomi, faces flushed, performed before her—

She had never heard such bizarre tunes.

Not only was it embarrassing for the performers, but even the listeners felt a sense of vicarious shame.

Wouldn't this scare the customers away?

Su Jian laughed, "You're worrying too much. If we want to establish ourselves quickly in Hanshan City, we can't stick to the old ways."

He had planned to discuss this with her.

When they had opened a shop in Yingdu before, what they lacked was marketing.

Besides, Ruoshui and Luo Xiaomi were just the beginning.

Soon, he would implement the membership card system from his previous life.

...

For example, top-up rewards, point accumulation and exchange for goods.

There were only so many cultivators in a mortal city; repeat customers were crucial.

Though such methods were stale in his former world, here they were novel.

In essence, it's all just a gimmick—the wool comes from the sheep itself.

For now, this would do; better ideas could be added later.

As for marketing schemes like half-price for a second item or singing together outside the shop for a free meal, Su Jian had no interest. He wasn't running a charity, nor did he want to shoot himself in the foot.

This was a world of immortals and martial heroes, where fighting for cultivation resources, killing, and treasure snatching were commonplace.

Compared to licking blood off the blade, losing a bit of face was nothing.

If his shop hosted such activities, it would likely shut down the next day.

Then,

Su Jian shared all these ideas with Zhao Qianxue.

Zhao Qianxue's eyes widened in astonishment.

To think there could be so many tricks to running a shop.

...

The next morning, Zhao Qianxue set off early for Hanshan City.

Meanwhile, Su Jian received news in his mind of the movements of the Holy Master and Ouyang Feng.

Matters were progressing much as he had predicted.

[Ouyang Feng and the Holy Master colluded, used a Binding Charm to loot the Treasure Pavilion in Yingdu City, successfully framing the Righteous Alliance and breaking the last layer of civility between the Pavilion and the Alliance.]

It seemed the Treasure Pavilion feared the Righteous Alliance greatly, willing to swallow even the humiliation of having their Hanshan City shop raided.

Perhaps they wished to retaliate in secret; as long as they didn't tear off the mask outright, reconciliation was always possible.

Yet with Ouyang Feng meddling, things became complicated. His strength wasn't much, but he was skilled at scheming.

Compared to him, the Holy Master's cunning was childlike in its innocence.

This time, they'd even sacrificed the key item needed for the next stage of their mission.

But it was no big issue; Su Jian immediately devised a remedy.

Having robbed the Treasure Pavilion, their wealth would surely soar.

Now, the player trading platform's utility would come into play.

But there was no rush; he'd wait to see their full movements before acting.

[Treasure Pavilion dispatched nearly a thousand cultivators; Ouyang Feng and the Holy Master blended in. The Righteous Alliance also received early warning of the Pavilion's incursion.]

[Both sides confronted one another several dozen miles southeast of Yingdu City, tensions mounting.]

Su Jian paused; the site of their confrontation was not far from Lingxiu Village.

...

It felt like a street brawl...

It appeared they hadn't started fighting yet.

Su Jian sighed, "Why are you pecking at each other like chickens? Hurry up and start!"

The onlookers never mind the chaos.

Ideally, one side would wipe out the other, saving him a great deal of trouble.

With only a few dozen miles between them and such a grand spectacle, if he found a high vantage point, he might safely watch the battle unfold.

Should he join the excitement or not?

He wasn't worried about being caught up in the fray; with the right spot and the Double Transmission Talisman as a backup, he was invincible.

This scene wasn't quite a once-in-a-century event, but at least once in several decades.

Though the last time had been not long ago—the destruction of the Biyou Divine Palace.

That spectacle was far greater than this confrontation between the Treasure Pavilion and the Righteous Alliance.

But last time, he'd been too busy fleeing to watch.

Su Jian stepped outside, searching for the best viewing spot.

This time, he could admire his own handiwork.

A curious satisfaction welled up within him.

As he passed the village entrance, Li Ling'er happened to be nearby, walking her dog.

It was the same big yellow dog as before.

She called out to Su Jian.

"Big bad guy, where are you going?"

Hearing her, Su Jian halted.

He noticed this girl was always idle, seemingly even more so than himself, and he encountered her nearly every time he went out.

All she was missing was a cage.

Su Jian replied casually, "Just wandering."

Li Ling'er blinked, sizing up Su Jian, then said playfully, "You and those people at the village entrance yesterday must be plotting something. Why not tell me honestly?"

"Childish," Su Jian smiled calmly. This little girl had quite the imagination.

Li Ling'er rolled her eyes and snorted, "If you won't tell me, I'll just follow you everywhere!"

"And those people from yesterday were terrible. They claimed to be helpful, but all ran off halfway. Worst was the one who left Old Chen in the outhouse—if I see them again, they'd better watch out!"