Rollout

Fang Shi hadn't been too concerned about the dangers Blue Moon city was currently facing, but a new screen appeared in front of him:

[ New tab created, Events!

As a merchant in the world of cultivation, the host will rarely observe or participate in opportunities or events. As your job is to sell goods to customers, it is detrimental for your business to be involved in the chaos of the world. Occasionally the store might be involved in such things, and while it's possible to solely depend on the system for protection, it's a waste of energy.

This, the system suggests the use of events, in which the host can get the customers involved as well. There is no real reward for hosting an event other than raising the reputation of the store, and if the host decides to create an event, it must be rewarding enough for the participants.]

Fang Shi thought for a moment before asking the system, 'Is something about to happen that caused you to suggest this to me?'

'Answer: Yes', the system replied, 'Due to a series of decisions, a beast tide will soon break through the city wall near the store. Buffulo, board, deer, and wolves will soon arrive, and if nothing else happens, countermeasures will be deployed to ensure the stores safety.'

Now understanding the situation, Fang Shi had the puppet that usually replace him arrive early as he headed home. There he sat down in his most comfortable chair with tea, and opened the panel for events. He selected the option to create a new one, and quickly typed out an announcement before setting the prizes.

First prize would get a full set of a custom made weapon and armor with a 'cultivator' set of pills and talismans. Second prize would be a choice of weapon or armor and pills or talismans. And third would get a choice of either a weapon, armor, pill, or talisman.

Also, First prize would include a pass the cultivation building good for a week. Second prize would be good for 3 days, third prize for 1 day, and all the other participants would get a voucher for 3 hours.

Participants would get a bracelet that tallied their points, and if the cultivator ran into danger, would execute an escape technique to the their life. This would also destroy the bracelet, and they would have to pay to get a new one as the only the first bracelet was free. Fang Shi decided not to be heartless, and any progress made would be saved when they purchased a new bracelet.

Fang Shi finished by assigned points based on the power and intelligence of the beasts, and satisfied with everything, initiated the event.

Customers immediately grew nervous as array formations of protection, illusion, and attack activated around the whole pavilion.

A voice that Fang Shi modeled after a newscaster began the announcement, "Guests of Heaven & Earth pavilion, please do not be concerned. A beast tide will soon break through a weak point of Blue Moon city's wall nearby, but the owner guarantees the safety of all visitors.

The owner also decided to reward any who wished to join in the defense of the city, and display your Monster Slayer skills in a new event, 'Rumble in the Jungle'. The first entry is free to sign up, and participants will receive points to killing spiritual beasts. Once you sign up an artifact will be given to calculate your points, and has a special function that will allow you to escape if you are in danger. Only the first artifact is free, but replacements will not be expensive. You can sign up at any counter of the pavilion, all shops have the artifact available."

The announcer continued on as she informed everyone about the prizes rewards based on place. Once it finished, a mad rush started as cultivators quickly crowded around the registers to sign up.

Rui Zhong looked at the crowds in interest, and was deciding if he wished to get involved as well when he spotted Fang Shi returning to the main store counter. Instead of dismissing the puppet that filled in for him, both Fang Shi and the puppets tried to quickly handle the customers.

Lord Rui stood off to the side before asking Fang Shi, "Owner Fang, I'm sorry to bother you when you are busy. Can you answer two questions for me?"

"Sure", Fang Shi responded without looking at Rui Zhong.

"If someone were to win of the top three prizes, can they use it for someone else?", Rui Zhong inquired, "And if I were to win the first prize, would you be able to redeem it?"

Even though his hands were swiftly registering cultivators, and handing out bracelets, he still answered, "If we said you have a choice, we mean it. If you wished to give the prize to someone else, that's up to you. As for the second question, we are not able to make items that would match your realm at the moment, but there is no expiration date on the prize. Once we hiring the artisans capable, you can turn the prize in at a later date and receive what you wish as promised."

Satisfied, Lord Rui got in line to sign up before looking at his daughter and their entourage. Immediately, everyone understood his intentions and lined up behind him to participate as well.

The announcer had began speaking again after the first cultivators had signed up and received their bracelets.

"Once you have signed up and gotten your artifact, head through the bamboo forest to the other side. A gong is being used to inform you of the time left before the beast will break through. Five strikes of the gong is the current time before the event begins. In the event you are forced to escape, you will return to the counter where you received the artifact", she instructed the cultivators.

Everyone who had already been through the line was already walking to the assigned meeting place, and cultivators who knew each other through the Monster Slayer realm were greeting each other or grouping up.

By the time Lord Rui, Rui Lan, Xue Jian, and their followers had arrived behind the bamboo forest, three strikes of the gong had already passed.

"Xue Jian", Rui Zhong called out to the other golden core cultivator, "Do your best to protect Rui Lan, and leave the small fry to her. Also, try to assist her in obtaining the top spot, but don't make it obvious. You don't need to go all out unless spiritual beasts at the gold core realm appear."

"Yes, Lord Rui", Xue Jian replied.

Meanwhile, Rui Lan was angered because she saw three contestants that were very familiar to her. The three slaves that had disappeared many weeks ago, and now the trio were standing together laughing. As much as she wanted to cause an issue, she realized even her father was at a disadvantage here, so she held back.

Soon enough, all the shops were empty as the crowd now stood awaiting the enemy. Another gong strike occurred, and everyone had started taking out weapons and talismans in preparation. Everyone watched as the array formation broke, but Blue Moon city had it set up to protect sections. This caused a hole to open in the protective array without the collapse of the whole formation.

The awaiting cultivators heard as the wall suffered impact after impact, and they guessed it wouldn't take long before the tide of beasts would breakthrough. As if it was timed perfectly, the final gong struck as the wall of the city collapsed, and buffulo, boars, and deer surged through. A quick scan by Rui Zhong made him quickly realize that these were the weakest beasts of the tide.

He amplified his voice, "This are just the small fry, I would suggest we leave these to most appropriate competitors."

Most of the crowd seemed to be thinking the same as they watched the youngest and lowest level cultivators rush forward to engage the beasts. Rui Zhong didn't have high hopes for these young people, so he sat down to meditate and keep a watch for potential dangers. After the time it would take to burn several sticks of incense, Lord Rui checked the battlefield again only to be surprised that no one had escaped yet. Becoming curious, he started watching these young cultivators fight.

To Rui Zhong surprise, they were fighting in a coordinated effort with a degree of skill higher than normal. He even thought that the juniors of his family were not as skilled as these young men and women. Confused, he found a foundation establishment realm cultivator nearby.

"Pardon me, Daoist", he got the cultivator's attention, "Are these young people the elite of Blue Moon city?"

The man saw who was speaking, and became polite, "Pardon me, my lord, but as far as I know, they belong to the 3rd rate sects of Blue Moon city."

Rui Zhong was taken aback, "Do these sects have a long history and deep foundation for their disciples to be so outstanding?"

The man shook his head, "I don't believe so, most of their training happens here in the pavilion, just as everyone else."

"What?", Rui Zhong couldn't believe it, "How could that be?"

"This is probably not the appropriate time to discuss this", the man suggested, "But after this event is finished, I can guide the lord around and introduce everything to you."

Lord Rui turned his attention back to fight, and noticed that stronger beasts had started to emerge. Mid level Qi Gathering realm cultivators has joined in at this point, but what impressed Rui Zhong was that the early Qi Gathering realm cultivators had grouped together and were still fighting. It wasn't until later when the arrival of beasts that were equivalent to the late Qi Gathering realm, that the first cultivators were forced to escape using the artifact.

Meanwhile, as the customers fought to win prizes, Mayor Chen and Captain Lan were in a carriage heading towards the southwestern wall. It had been reported that the beast tide had gathered there, and broken through the barrier and wall. The mayor was worried about Lord Rui, not that the latter was in danger, but that the lord would blame him as the mayor for the failure of the defenses of that area.

"Captain, how quickly can we get guards to that location?", Mayor Chen asked, "And when can the barrier be repaired?"

"Mayor, as I've answered the last time, my men are already moving that", Captain Lan grew frustrated with the repeated questions.

Soon, the carriage arrived in front of the Heaven & Earth pavilion and when the two stepped out of the carriage, the sight caused them by surprise.

"Has a store this grand been here the whole time?", Captain Lan inquired.

"I don't know", Mayor Chen was honestly befuddled, "As far as I know, this store has only been open for a year."

The two couldn't help but look around as they saw the beautiful gardens before entering the store. Once inside, they saw shelves of spirit fruits and rice, but they also noticed many cultivators standing around watching a large pair of light screens. On one screen, cultivators could been seen battling the beasts while on the other screen had a list of names with points displayed next to them. The ones standing around were cheering what they saw, or speaking to each other about something that the Mayor and Captain were unsure about.

Remembering his purpose, the Mayor walked up the counter, "Excuse me clerk, can you tell me where Lord Rui is? He told me he was coming here, and I want to make sure nothing has happened to him."

"Sure", Fang Shi said, "He is where the beast tide is, over there."

Fang Shi pointed towards the bamboo forest, but the mayor looked at him strangely, "Does your boss know that you speak with guests like this?"

"It's not a problem", Fang Shi laughed, "I'm the owner so there's no one to tell."

Mayor Chen was floored. He had heard from several important figures how this store had not only disrespected them, but forced them into compliance. All he could see was an early Qi Gathering realm cultivator sitting here claiming to be the owner. He decided to ignore this for now, and find Lord Rui first so he motioned to Captain Lan, and the pair started to make their way to the back.

"Excuse me", Fang Shi said as he saw the two of them walk away, "If you want to join Lord Rui, you need to register first, and get your bracelet artifact before you go."

The pair stopped for a few moments when the boy first spoke, and then ignored him as they continued on their way. Just before they reached the back door, a horrible feeling overcame both of them as they suddenly felt all their strength disappear.

"I don't know who you are, nor do I care", Fang Shi said in a cold tone, "My store, my rules. If you don't like it, get out, otherwise I need you two to comply."

With no other option, Mayor Chen and Captain Lan did as Fang Shi asked before resuming their walk towards the bamboo forest. The mayor understood why others had become respectful of the store now, but he didn't understand how this store could operate here. Before long, they made their way through the forest of bamboo before exiting on the other side and seeing all the cultivators engaged with the spiritual beasts.