Let’s get down to Business

The doors to the room open as a line of servers enter pushing carts of a large assortment of food and drinks. Steaks, sushi, Peking duck, fried chicken, bratwurst, a variety of vegetables, white rice, fried rice, tofu dishes, pasta dishes, an assortment of bread, seafood, and many more dishes were placed in front of the guests and told only they can consume it or the center of the tables which was safe for everyone. Tall bottles of juice were placed on the table next to pots of tea and bottles of juice, before Wei Huoran stood up, "Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce our new products we will be offering starting this week. The first one should be familiar, it is our very own Sun & Moon island's line of spiritual wines using fruits homegrown here on the island and aged to perfection. Next is something new, using spirit grains of the purest quality, we brewed a variety of drinks: beer, ale, and mead. The final product is the distilled essences of various products into something called spirits or spiritual whiskey. Just a little reminder that these products are strong so please control yourself and do not share food with a cultivator weaker than you or we will have to transport you to the hospital. Now please enjoy the feast."

Kong Chun couldn't remember the last time he had eaten, but this was normal. As cultivator moved up in realms, eating became an unnecessary distraction as the cultivator's body would be substained by the Qi he cultivated. He was only eating because the food had already been placed in front of him and he didn't wish to be rude, 'I'll just eat a few bites to show my respect to the host and drink some wine. Beer, Whiskey, what strange names, but I'll try a small amount to experience the craftsmanship', he told himself as he brought some duck to his mouth. After smelling the the delicious scent, he ate it and was instantly greeted by flavors he never expected. Pleasantly surprised, he sampled each dish and drank small amounts of the different drinks and was delighted as not only the flavors to his liking, but he could feel his body filling with Qi. As he sat down feeling comfortable, he organized his thoughts before using a slight pressure to gain everyone's attention, "Doaist Wei, I wonder if I can discuss some business with you", he said to Huoran.

"Yes, I don't mind, but I believe everyone here should able to participate", Huoran countered, "Is there any problems with that?"

"That is agreeable with me", Chun replied, "There are so many new opportunities and ideas here, and I wonder if it's possible to find a way to make the Qphones work in our town."

The other leaders listened to Kong Chin's question, and turned to look at Wei Huoran to see his answer.

"I have no issues with that request", Huoran responded, "I see two way we can accomplish this: the first is that I visit your town and set up everything for you, but I don't recommend this choice. The second option is that you send your people here to attend classes on how create the complex array formations needed to build your own network for your city. They will also need to know how to connect your city to your alliance's networks, and to our city as well. This way we can create a new delivery service if you are interested but you will need to have a network and bank. This would be option I would pick and is the one I recommend."

"I have an idea why, but can you explain why you would suggest the second option over the first", Chun asked Huoran.

"If our people install everything for you, it would be quicker but you wouldn't feel like your system is safe. First of all, if we build it, even if we do it in the way you ask us, it won't feel like your network. Second, if someone should intentionally or unintentionally damage the network, and you don't have qualified support, then you have to wait for someone from here to visit your network hub to repair it. Lastly, if you have us do it instead of your own people, you will always feel a sense of unease that we could exploit a vulnerability against you. But if we train your people and they do everything, all these problems are no longer problems."

Kong Chun nodded and smiled, "You precisely described the issues I was thinking of, and one I didn't know I needed to consider."

"Sect Leaders and Elders, here is what I will propose, if you request a class on something you see here, be it profession or service. Sun & Moon island will provide the class as long as your able to pay for it. This can include artifact refinement, network management, or the banking system. I don't wish to say this but I feel like it should be said, I will offer any class that doesn't involve the safety of the island", Huoran promised everyone, "If everyone agrees then let's make an appointment before it's time for you to return to your homes, but for tonight let's enjoy the show."

Everyone in the room looked out the window as the saw lights appear and heard music begin to play. They found recliners and sat down as they watched the different performers sing music and the visual effects produced by the illusion arrays.

During the performance of the Midnight Lotus Blossoms, Meng Bo, the sect master of the Beast Souls sect, a tamer sect, remarked, "Boss Wei, you have excellent courtesans here. How much would it take to see maybe a few of them after this?"

"Sect Master Meng, I must apologize. These residents are not courtesans, in fact there are no courtesans on the island", Huoran replied with cold, intimidating smile, "I should also mention that slavery is abolished on this island and if any residents go missing, we have our ways to find out and extract revenge on the perpetrator."

The room grew slightly colder from his aura and a few of his guests cleared their throats.

"Don't misunderstand me", Huoran continued, "I won't stop you from attempting to recruit, but please remember that they are all under contract that clearly defines what compensation is required to break the contract early. Any forceful coercion will also result in the expulsion of the perpetrator and they will forever consider hostile and killed on sight should they returned. I believe everyone should remember that we have ways to monitor you."

Meng Bo looked embarrassed, "Forget I said anything, Doaist Wei, it would be better to sit back and enjoy the moment."

Over the next thirty minutes, several musical acts appeared, each with their own unique visual style. Once the last performance finished, Huoran spoke to the group, "Thank you for attending tonight and please continue to enjoy your time here. I will contact you tomorrow to arrange a time to discuss further cooperation. Your transportation back to the hotel has arrived, please return to your room to mediate. Your ID cards and Qphones are notifying me that your Qi levels are almost at unsafe levels."

The group bid farewell to Huoran and entered the limousine, followed by the departure of the cars. Huoran sat at a small table with a small plate of sashimi on it and a small bowl of sake, he took his time to eat the small meal and drink the smooth alcoholic drink. He thanked the staff and swiped his phone to pay for today's dinner before walking out the front door and returning home by teleporting.

Zeng Meirong returned to her apartment after the first day of class. Before she ñcould attend talisman classes, she had to pass the Runes 100 examination. Today, an event happened this morning that had caused her to panic, as she was waiting for the train to arrive, she felt the pressure from a Void Refinement stage magical beast. Assuming the worst that it was here for her to either kill or capture her, she quickly scanned her surroundings to find a possible escape route. Just when she was about to slip through the crowd, the pressure disappeared causing her to pause. She was still trying to locate the lost aura when she heard someone clearing their throat behind her. She realized that she was holding up the line and quickly entered the train car. As the train moved forward, Meirong pulled out her Qphone and opened the 'News' app to see if there was an explanation. After a few minutes, a story appeared that discussed how a rogue sea monster had approached the entrance of the formation only to be killed by the Grand Array formation. She made her way to class which consisted of Introductions, study and practice materials distributions, and a lecture about the rules and expectations of the class. She gathered all the materials given to the students, packed them away, and went to local grocery store to shop for dinner.

She thought to herself, 'When I get home, let's open the rune guide and see how many runes I'm missing.'