"The reason we’ve gained so much profit is due to advertising, the three carnival events, and the various customer incentives and traffic measures I’ve set down. But these strategies can all be replicated."

Lu Qian’s words dampened everyone’s inflated enthusiasm, pulling them out of the somewhat illusory bubble of fantasy.

"Take advertising, for instance; Meihua Square has already fully started imitating it. The other initiatives are easy to learn, with no secrets," Lu Qian said seriously. "The fact that we’ve made so much money is indeed a pleasant surprise, but we must remain clear-headed. The urgent matter is how to retain this first-mover advantage without letting this carnival be a one-time gain, leaving Shuangye Square unnoticed and forgotten in the future."

Another impressive new term! Lin Le eagerly noted it down in his notebook, writing the words ’first-mover advantage’. He looked up, his eyes burning with curiosity as he gazed at Lu Qian. Just how many magical ideas does the Sect Leader have in his mind?

"Alliance Leader, surely you have a brilliant plan. Whatever you say, we shall do," Zhao Xianzong, the Sect Leader of Spirit Snake Peak, patted his chest loudly in a show of loyalty, as everyone nodded in agreement, throwing the heavy burden back onto Lu Qian.

Lu Qian smiled internally; being trusted and relied upon by them wasn’t a bad thing. As the economy and force tied comprehensively, it gradually came to pass that Yunshan Sect became the lone voice within the Shuangye Alliance. In a few decades or even centuries, merging the sects would be an inevitable development.

It’s just that having to consider everything himself was indeed exhausting.

Yes, once Lin Le in the sect matures further, he can be relied upon as a valuable aid in operations, providing strategies and counsel. While strategically and tactically, I wonder if I can find a remarkable strategist-like talent in the future?

"I think this method of retaining our advantage is related to the Jade Flood Dragon Fairy, isn’t it?" Zhuang Qing smiled and asked.

Lu Qian nodded toward him, as among those present, apart from Ji Yunrou, this Grand Elder of Spirit Talisman Sect also possessed considerable wisdom and depth. Having visited Spirit Talisman Sect several times, Lu Qian even felt this Grand Elder was more suited to be Sect Leader than their current leader, Yinn Hongbo.

"Elder Zhuang is right. How to maintain an advantage is complicated and not something explained in a few words. However, one approach we can implement immediately is to expand the marketplace’s size while it’s bustling and attracting many merchants and customers, thereby boiling oil with fervor, decorating the flowers with brilliance."

"With increased size, it will undoubtedly become an important link in the regional commerce flow, with more customers inclined to shop at the larger marketplace, thereby allowing Shuangye Square to enter a good positive cycle."

Everyone nodded, and Lu Qian emphasized his voice.

"Lady Ji is willing to invest one hundred thousand Spirit Stones for the market expansion in exchange for ten percent shares of Shuangye Square."

This statement shocked everyone, who thought they had seen enough surprising things tonight, into silence, stunned beyond belief.

Seeing this situation, Lu Qian sighed, knowing everyone was intimidated by one hundred thousand Spirit Stones without realizing the relationships involved here. He had to explain concepts of investment, stock issuance, and equity dilution.

Lin Le’s pen moved swiftly, almost smoking in his notes.

Finally realizing it, the others understood that given Shuangye Square’s current market value, investing one hundred thousand for a ten percent share was actually a bargain. Moreover, in their circumstances, the expansion of Shuangye Square didn’t necessarily require Ji Yunrou’s investment.

Then why did Sect Leader Lu still allow Lady Ji to interject herself? Could it be he was enchanted by her beauty?

Noticing the peculiar glances of the crowd, Ji Yunrou blushed and said bashfully, "You’ve guessed it right, this is the bride price Sect Leader Lu has given me."

Lu Qian choked on his tea, coughing loudly.

Jiang Qingfeng, who had heard Lu Qian’s explanations without many details before, naturally didn’t believe Ji Yunrou’s nonsense and glared coldly at her, "Sect Leader Ji, please show some respect!"

Who knew Ji Yunrou would giggle, "Good sister, don’t be anxious, you can be the principal, I’ll be the secondary."

Jiang Qingfeng instantly became red-faced, speechless, and was left defeated."

Lu Qian hurriedly stopped Ji Yunrou, who kept causing trouble, and faced the excited onlookers with an exceptionally solemn demeanor, explaining the first transaction between Ji Yunrou and himself.

Everyone finally understood; it turned out Ji Yunrou exchanged information about the enemy for the opportunity to invest in the marketplace. Involving a hidden enemy in the marketplace naturally put everyone on alert."

"Exterminate the enemy as early as possible, and now with Lady Ji’s assistance, we will act immediately tomorrow, mobilizing all forces to sweep them up at once."

After discussing the eradication plan, Lu Qian supplemented the marketplace operations.

"As I just mentioned, to maintain the advantage of Shuangye Square, besides expanding the size, producing unique flagship products is also crucial," Lu Qian turned to Zhuang Qing, "For example, I hope Spirit Talisman Sect could consider withdrawing from other marketplaces in Chongming County entirely, selling only high-quality Spirit Talismans at Shuangye Square. If that’s not feasible, at least ensure the broadest range and most competitive prices at Shuangye Square."

Zhuang Qing immediately understood Lu Qian’s intention and started to carefully ponder the feasibility of this move.

Ji Yunrou’s eyes lit up, "Lu Lang..."

After receiving a fierce glare from Lu Qian, she reluctantly corrected herself, "Sect Leader Lu, I am willing to concentrate the Spiritual Pet business of Divine Flood Dragon Sect within Shuangye Square."

As it turns out, the Spiritual Pets like Spirit Snakes and Spirit Lizards from Divine Flood Dragon Sect are also a sect’s featured industry. If Shuangye Square’s unique products continue to increase, it will naturally attract more customers. These cultivators are originally drawn for certain products, and when entering the marketplace, other consumption occurs naturally.

Unfortunately, the Yunshan Sect currently doesn’t have any unique products, as after two years of hard work, the sect disciples have made significant progress in planting, breeding, talisman making, and alchemy, barely returning to self-sufficiency. The "Four Treasures Purifying Spirit Pill" has been mastered by several Inner Sect Disciples, allowing most disciples to consume this quality elixir."

However, there’s nothing available for market competition yet. Perhaps the recruitment of the skilled Spirit Alchemist Cui Shanyan to turn Lotus Peak into a large spiritual medicine experiment and cultivation base might be an opportunity?"

I wonder if there will be other talents at the recruitment fair.

Lost in thought for a moment, Ji Yunrou chuckled lightly, "Sect Leader Lu hasn’t seen the unique spiritual pet of our sect yet, right? How about I gift this little fellow to you?"

Speaking, she waved her hand over her crystal-clear earlobe, and a very thin white snake originally coiled like an earring was retrieved by her.

Ji Yunrou carefully held the white snake, "This pair of small snakes is actually a couple, please, Lu Lang, take the male snake while I will keep the female one..."