Lu Qian was shocked, his Divine Sense surged, and his thoughts flashed like lightning, considering various possibilities, but his face remained expressionless. "What Loose Cultivator? I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Ji Yunrou sighed softly, "I came with full sincerity, why must Lu Lang pretend to be on guard? In the afternoon, just a little bit of my Charm Art made the men wish they could swallow me whole on the spot, yet Lu Lang was unaffected. Without Foundation Establishment level Divine Sense, it would be impossible to remain unmoved."

"Lu Lang also excels in Array techniques, clearly indicating possession of Consciousness Collection. With Consciousness Collection, the speed of thought is far beyond ordinary people, and combined with the various strategic methods employed in this Marketplace, all of which are Lu Lang’s handiwork. So, Lu Lang is truly the smartest person I’ve ever met."

The Jade Flood Dragon Fairy’s eyes shone with admiration, causing Lu Qian to feel a bit flattered.

She continued, "With Lu Lang’s intelligence, how could two Marketplace setups by a few idiots possibly escape your notice? An unruly crowd, full of gossip, can’t keep secrets at all, leaking everything from a hundred miles away. Entrusting major affairs to Loose Cultivators, even they know it’s too foolish, so they rely on me to consolidate the situation."

Since she spoke so straightforwardly, Lu Qian no longer hid his intentions. "So, Lady Ji, you’re not with them?"

Ji Yunrou gave Lu Qian a flirtatious glance, her waist gently sinking, her luscious and plump peach shape making hearts race, "Until this afternoon, I was with them, planning a combined effort to destroy Shuangye Square. But after taking a circle around the Marketplace tonight, I decided to side with Lu Lang."

Lu Qian silently cursed this seductress ten thousand times and stepped back a few paces, lightly laughing, "I wonder what treasures in Shuangye Square could make Lady Ji change her mind?"

Ji Yunrou traced circles on the table with her slender fingers, "I work with Fanglan Square, Jiuzhi Square, and five other Sects to open a Marketplace, merely to earn some Spirit Stones. We wanted to destroy Shuangye Square just to protect Fanglan Square and Jiuzhi Square’s profits."

"But at night, as I took a stroll through this Marketplace, just the advertisement fees and sponsorship fees Lu Lang thought of would easily bring in at least thirty thousand Spirit Stones over the ten-day festival. Now, more and more Cultivators are gathered by the three grand events, estimating nearly two thousand, and the Spirit Stone flow from each shop is clinking, along with revenue from arena tickets and the massive gains from the betting on the matches..."

"With these calculations, just from the eleven days of the festival, Shuangye Square could earn a pure profit of one hundred fifty to sixty thousand Spirit Stones, wow!"

Lu Qian grew more cautious, realizing this woman was also skilled at business. Just one night, and she nearly figured out Shuangye Square’s profit points, guessing the profit margin almost accurately—truly remarkable.

However, all profits would be shared among the shareholders, with an estimated six thousand reaching the Yunshan Sect.

Ji Yunrou looked at Lu Qian with flushed cheeks. "My Fanglan Square and Jiuzhi Square, even without Shuangye Square’s competition, hardly earn a few Spirit Stones all year round. Since it’s all about making money, rather than conspiring with a few fools to destroy Shuangye Square, why not become its shareholder and earn more?"

Finally, the truth was out. Watching Ji Yunrou making her own plans, Lu Qian chuckled lightly, "Lady Ji wants to invest, which I naturally welcome, but all current shareholders of Shuangye Square are already full. How could you fit in so soon?"

Ji Yunrou put on a pitiful expression, trying to approach Lu Qian, who quickly retreated to maintain distance. This enchantress’s Charm Art was genuinely strong, and should she get too close, once it activated, even his Consciousness Collection might not keep him conscious.

"Lu Lang is trying to deceive me again," Ji Yunrou said, pouting, "I already found out that Shuangye Square is expanding soon, and if I seize this chance to invest, wouldn’t that count as my share?"

Well, this enchantress even understands equity dilution and stock issuance?

"But Lady Ji is, after all, from a Sect in Liangxiang County. Wouldn’t this be betraying your allies? Aren’t you afraid of being attacked by the other five Sects?"

"Lu Lang needn’t worry, it’s just business; it can’t be considered an alliance. Anyway, Liangxiang County and Chongming County aren’t enemies. If I want to do business in Chongming County, who can interfere?" Ji Yunrou covered her mouth and giggled, "Moreover, the Golden Core Major Sect of Liangxiang County is different from Chongming’s. They strictly supervise subordinates, prohibiting internal strife, resolving disputes through arbitration by the Golden Core Major Sect."

"Those five Sects hiring Loose Cultivators to cause trouble in Chongming County was a covert action, done without permission, and they can’t report it. Even if they could, given my many friends in the Golden Core Major Sect, how could they win against me?"

Friend or something else entirely...

Lu Qian suddenly felt a bit envious of Liangxiang County. For a Sect seeking stable growth and development, it truly was a land of order.

But order represents stability, which in turn leads to rigidity. Just differences in choices, I suppose.

"In short, as long as I can secure twenty percent of Shuangye Square’s shares, even if I flip against them, it will still be a surefire profit," Ji Yunrou’s eyes twinkled with a bizarre and dangerous green light, yet beautiful. "Besides, a bunch of fools losing some Loose Cultivator funds, dare they turn against my Divine Flood Dragon Sect?"

Lu Qian clapped softly, "Lady Ji, astute and decisive, indeed a heroine among women. But what if I refuse?"

Ji Yunrou replied indignantly, "Why would Lu Lang reject a win-win situation? Do you dislike me so much? If Lu Lang refuses, I won’t tell him their deployments."

Mid-sentence, she suddenly smiled brightly, "I know Lu Lang is shrewd, and must have plans. You’re considering hiring external reinforcements, possibly seeking help from the Spirit Talisman Sect or even the Xuanguang Sect, deploying troops outside, setting ambushes within, to crush the Loose Cultivators the moment they act."

In that instant, Lu Qian was equally surprised.

This woman! She even guessed that I would invite external reinforcements!

Watching Ji Yunrou’s face showing an expected smugness, Lu Qian suddenly felt exhausted, another image crossing his mind—a chubby man who always seemed harmless and cheerful. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Why are all my adversaries so troublesome?

"Yet, Lu Lang, no matter how quick you respond, you’re ultimately on the defensive. Should those Loose Cultivators suddenly attack, indiscriminately striking at nearby Cultivators and vandalizing shops, how much can you salvage? With crowds gathered in the Marketplace, engaging in fierce combat here, how many innocents will be caught in the crossfire?"