Chapter 178: Chapter 148: Three Grand Events

Jiang Baitao suddenly made a gesture to silence them: "No shouting!"

The person quickly covered his mouth, glanced up, and saw Wang Ruoyu awkwardly standing next to Jiang Baitao, while another kid was hiding behind a small stall, too obscured to identify.

Jiang Baitao akimbo, glared: "You haven’t seen us, got it? Just sell your candied haws properly. If I find out you tattled, you’ll be in trouble..."

The disciple bitterly smiled and nodded repeatedly, while Jiang Baitao swaggered forward with Wang Ruoyu, and suddenly whirled back like a storm, snatching a big handful of candied haws from the haystack, then left with a show of confidence.

The disciple sighed, thinking to himself, ’I don’t want to provoke this troublesome aunt, but you are famous for causing chaos. In case something weird happens later and it’s discovered that I knew but didn’t report, that would be a big crime. Anyway, you likely won’t remember me, just weighing the lesser of two evils.’

He reluctantly put away the candied haws and blended into the crowd.

"Here, for you." Jiang Baitao stuffed a stick of candied haws into Wang Ruoyu’s hand, "Strange, where’s Li Zi?"

"I’m here." Li Da smoothly emerged from behind the small stall, "I just scouted, there’s only that one Yunshan disciple around."

Jiang Baitao was pleased and handed over a stick of candied haws: "Well done, you’re clever as always."

The three continued walking with the crowd, dazzled by the surrounding shops, which continually emitted fresh and interesting calls that made people want to stop and take a look.

"Ten Stones, ten stones, everything for ten stones, everything in the store for ten. Ten Spirit Stones, you won’t suffer a loss or be deceived; countless varieties, everything you need..."

"Cangzhou Liangxiang, the biggest Artifact Refining Workshop has closed down, that wretched owner Huang Lu squandered and owes thirty to fifty thousand Spirit Stones, ran away with his sister-in-law! We’ve got no choice, using Magical Artifacts as wages. Originally priced over a thousand, eight hundred, five hundred, now all two hundred, all two hundred! Huang Lu, you scoundrel, you owe us our hard-earned money!"

...

Li Da listened, dumbfounded, and whispered: "That’s called an advertisement line, reportedly devised by the Sect Leader and Senior Brother Lin Le. Our sect now even takes custom advertisement orders, earning money without spending capital, bags full of cash."

Initially, Jiang Baitao was quite interested in a shop with a banner reading "Rent due, clearance sale, whole store 70% off, last day!", but upon closer inspection, saw the flag of Yuqing Zhou Family hanging, fearing to be seen by acquaintances, the three scooted away a bit.

Just as they were hesitating about which direction to go, a cultivator passed by, casually tossed a few colorful papers into his hand, one flew right into Jiang Baitao’s embrace.

Baitao was just about to get angry, but then immediately spotted the embossed Yunshan Sect insignia on the top right of the paper, so the few of them quickly gathered to look at it.

On the paper, it was written in colorful fonts, "Celebrating the opening of Shuangye Square, the first ’Six-Six’ Festival kicks off!"

"During the festival, everything is 20% off, with extra discounts at Shuangye Alliance stores!"

"Don’t miss the festive occasion, ten days long festival, stock up for ten years!"

"Free travel expenses! We have transportation points at Meihua Square, Xianling Mountain, Xinghu County, and Kongxuan Mountain in Liangxiang County, with exclusive Sky Rays at your service, relaxed and comfortable direct access!"

"Rip off the coupon below and enjoy a 50% discount on accommodation and meals at Shuangye Alliance hotels!"

The coupon below had already been torn off, Baitao flipped the paper over and saw a brief map of Shuangye Square printed on the back. Upon looking again, he couldn’t help but exclaim.

The layout of Shuangye Square turned out to be a three-layer circle.

From the outer wall inward, the outermost circle is the residence for mortal servants, which is the area with low houses that the three crawled out from after exiting the tunnel. The middle circle is divided into five fan-shaped workshop districts for raw materials, elixirs, talismans, artifact refining, and miscellaneous, interspersed with inns, restaurants, trading companies, pawnshops, and so on.

The innermost circular area comprises three buildings, each labeled in small text.

First is the Arena, second is the Convention Hall, third is the Multi-Purpose Hall.

The central core is a tall tower, home to important cultivators of Shuangye Alliance.

Jiang Baitao gulped, thinking her sister and Sister Nishang surely must be in the tower, hoping not to be caught.

Li Da, after reading, shared his thoughts: "This advertisement, I wonder who designed it, so tactlessly colorful it dazzles the eyes, very tacky."

Baitao snorted, turned to ask Wang Ruoyu: "Shitou, if you were a loose cultivator, seeing this advertisement, would you want to visit Shuangye Square?"

Wang Ruoyu nodded without hesitation: "I would! Meals with half price, travel expense free!"

Li Da rolled his eyes. Well, even a fool would want it, other cultivators would surely be attracted.

The three began to inspect another two pieces of colorful paper.

One paper stated "The first ’Divine Strategy Pavilion’ Cup Tournament at Shuangye Square is officially starting, heroes of Cangzhou, dare to take on the challenge?"

Jiang Baitao excitedly shouted: "It’s worth coming, it’s finally the tournament! Quickly, see when it begins?"

This turned out to be an advertisement for a tournament. The tournament, hosted by Shuangye Alliance, is divided into two major sections of Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment, with two major categories for loose cultivators and sect cultivators.

The inaugural event only features solo matches, no team competitions.

The Qi Cultivation Stage competition runs from June 9th to June 15th. The venue is the Arena and Multi-Purpose Hall in Shuangye Square.

The competition for loose and sect cultivators is held separately, with rewards for the top eight in each category. Ultimately, a friendly match between the top three of both sides is scheduled, with additional rewards for the winners.

The Foundation Establishment Stage competition is set for June 16th, the closing day of Shuangye Square’s "Six-Six Festival", with a purely friendship match, no prizes.

After all, the strength and status of Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars are completely different. Shuangye Alliance is unsure if they can attract any to the tournament, nor do they wish for the event to turn into a grudge match. Another key reason is that Shuangye Alliance currently cannot produce any high-value prizes. If there are indeed none attending, a friendly internal competition will be arranged for formality.

The final line of the advertisement reads: "This tournament is exclusively sponsored by ’Divine Strategy Pavilion’, perfect weapons, all at Divine Strategy!"

"June 9th, that’s tomorrow, isn’t it? Such fun things, why didn’t anyone tell me!" Baitao’s eyes were shining.

Li Da pondered for a moment, highly impressed: "Brilliant, the prior festival targets cultivators with shopping needs, while the subsequent tournament attracts another batch. Those originally indifferent about shopping, coming purely for fame and profit, will also engage in other marketplace spending. Quickly, see what’s on the last sheet?"

The third sheet, titled "The inaugural talent recruitment event at Shuangye Square officially begins!"