Chapter 212: Chapter 180: Alliance Leader’s Command

"Due to the circumstances, all bets for this competition are void, and everyone’s principal will be refunded. Additionally, everyone will receive an 80% discount voucher for purchases at Shuangye Square, enjoying extra discounts!"

Despite some disputes, the audience gradually calmed down.

After all, two thousand people witnessed it firsthand—both fairies showed their true skills, and everyone found it very entertaining. The audience, primarily composed of Qi cultivators, were captivated by the fairies’ stunning beauty and charm. Such a thrilling and exquisite high-level battle was indeed a delightful surprise to them.

After a short break, Zhuang Qing took the stage again to announce the result of the match.

"After friendly negotiations, the two fairies admire each other, evenly matched. Both agreed that the battle is too close to call and ended in a draw!"

"Why won’t you let me fight?" Gu Niqiang angrily glared at Lu Qian in the Yunshan Sect booth, her eyes ablaze with fury. "I still have my latest moves unused, and they would surely make that wench kneel and beg for mercy!"

"She also has moves left unused... Alright, alright." At times like these, only Lu Qian could pacify her. "Auntie, with Foundation Establishment approaching, it’s truly unwise to add complications. If you indeed injure her badly, and the Divine Flood Dragon Sect seeks revenge, won’t that disrupt the major plan?"

Thinking about Lu Qian’s impending Foundation Establishment, Gu Niqiang snorted angrily and fell silent. Lu Qian further coaxed, "Once I establish a Foundation and inscribe Dao Patterns, how about we spar properly, so you can enjoy a thorough fight, alright?"

Gu Niqiang truly became happy, her high ponytail flickering with sparks. "I reckon you wouldn’t dare lie to me. Though you specialize in arrays, I’m curious about the appearance of Dao Rhyme and Dao Patterns in this aspect."

The much-anticipated Foundation Establishment level arena contest concluded perfectly, with the audience discussing loudly and excitedly leaving the event. The sudden outflow of two thousand people caused the entire marketplace to be overcrowded.

This medium-sized marketplace was designed to accommodate approximately fifteen hundred cultivators. Lu Qian hadn’t expected the carnival to be so effective; currently, the marketplace housed around two thousand six to seven hundred cultivators.

Following the carnival’s conclusion, a comprehensive expansion is planned, aiming to sustain daily foot traffic at around fifteen hundred people. Among medium-sized marketplaces, this is exceptional, especially considering Shuangye Square is a newly emerging marketplace.

On the last day of the carnival, numerous merchants displayed enticing discount signs. Particularly, under Lin Le’s proposal, Shuangye Alliance’s stores first increased prices and then offered discounts by one-fold to two-fold, with clearance banners attracting another substantial wave of customers.

Satisfied after watching the competition, the cultivators eagerly entered the marketplace for one last round of purchases.

Meanwhile, Lu Qian had already led the group back to the Central High Tower and convened a meeting with his allies.

Days ago, the Shuangye Alliance gathered an elite group of Loose Cultivators to target Fanglan Square and Jiuzhi Square. Sect leaders from various factions and two vassals of the Yunshan Sect sent elite disciples for assembly. Following the extermination of the Loose Cultivators, the disciples returned first; however, the sect leaders remained, making matters quite convenient.

Thus, the Sect Leaders from Yuqing Zhou Family, Spirit Snake Peak, Wuwang Temple, Zhuquan Sect, Qingli Mountain, and Liuhua Valley sat in the meeting room, waiting for Lu Qian’s instructions. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Upon revealing that the opportunity for his Foundation Establishment had arrived and he was about to head to the Treasure Land, all sect leaders beamed with joy, congratulating in unison.

Zhou Chao, having broken through to the tenth level of Qi Cultivation with unmatched talent, still needed seven to eight years to achieve Qi Cultivation Perfection and reach the Foundation Establishment threshold. Hearing Lu Qian’s success, he felt envious yet genuinely joyous, with no other thought than "Surely deserving of Sect Leader Lu."

The Sect Leaders Zhao, Wang, and Sun from three factions burst with happiness. Ever since joining the Shuangye Alliance, they’ve seen successive benefits, not facing external threats, and the Spirit Stones profited from Shuangye Square were unimaginable. They admired Alliance Leader Lu immensely, believing that his success in Foundation Establishment would elevate the Shuangye Alliance further, lifting the status of their Qi Cultivation Minor Sects.

Xuu Yingcai from Qingli Mountain and Chen Wei from Liuhua Valley had mixed emotions. Originally sharing deep animosity towards Yun Mountain, they submitted as vassals due to the sect’s survival. Over the years, Yun Mountain’s power thrived, and Shuangye Alliance became increasingly solid, besides Lu Qian’s fair and upright manner. For over two years, aside from utilizing manpower occasionally, they faced no oppression.

In this situation, the two factions had no grievances, earningestly supporting Yunshan Sect. Now, hearing Lu Qian is about to establish a Foundation, strengthening Yunshan Sect’s power, they sighed, realizing they had to be more cautious and wholeheartedly serve as vassals.

As the saying "employ troops for a thousand days, use them for a moment" goes, this assembly of six sect leaders was not merely to convey felicitations but to mobilize elite forces to aid his Foundation Establishment without reserve.

"Currently, within Zhongming County, despite the fragile peace maintained by Foundation Establishment factions, undercurrents run deep. Vigilance is necessary. Countless eyes monitor our Shuangye Alliance. Therefore, my departure for Foundation Establishment must remain strictly confidential among all involved."

"I’ll leave Elder Guh stationed at the mountain gate, with two Foundation Establishment Honored Guest Elders defending Shuangye Square. After the carnival, the Law Enforcement Team can partially withdraw to the mountain gate, leaving about eighty cultivators in the marketplace."

The group felt relieved, knowing Gu Niqiang’s presence ensured safety. Yet, Yunshan Sect members were visibly startled; Jiang Qingfeng displayed anxiety, ready to speak but Lu Qian halted him.

"Furthermore, each faction should dispatch elite forces, accompanying me as instructed."

"Qingli Mountain and Liuhua Valley, each send four Late-Stage Qi Cultivation and five Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation cultivators, led by the respective Sect Leaders."

This directive mobilized nearly all elite forces from the vassals. Yet, as fluctuating vassal sects, they had no bargaining rights, and Lu Qian’s following words slightly eased their concern.

"Your locations are closest to Bichao Mountain. Naturally, Yunshan Sect will assist in defense. Moreover, two years’ worth of Annual Tribute will be waived as a token of appreciation."

Now, with Shuangye Square active, a cross-market intelligence system spanning five marketplaces, along with a substantial ongoing commercial revenue, Lu Qian disregarded the thousand spirit stones in combined annual offerings.

Xuu Yingcai and Chen Wei stood and bowed, expressing willingness to go through fire and water for the Sect Leader’s Foundation Establishment.

"Zhou Family, Spirit Snake Peak, Wuwang Temple, Zhuquan Sect, dispatch a total of ten Late-Stage Qi Cultivation and ten Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation cultivators, led by Spirit Snake Peak’s Sect Leader Zhao."