I don’t want to miss a Thing

Mayor Chen of Blue Moon city was sitting in the dining room with his wife and their children eating the evening meal. This was an unusual event that was starting to become more common lately as his servants were purchasing food ingredients from the Heaven & Earth pavilion recently. At first it was just spirit rice, but last week when he visited, he saw newer items appear in the main store that was specifically meant for Golden Core cultivators. He had quickly ordered his servants to acquire these items after going to the restaurant first to taste their quality, and tonight was the first time that his personal chef had confidence in the meal cooked for him.

Sitting at the table was his wife, Lin Ying, his two sons, and two daughters. Lin Ying was at the Mid level Foundation Establishment realm while his sons, Chen Shaoguang and Chen Zhengyi (ages 22 and 16), and daughters, Chen Liyuan and Chen Xiaoyun (ages 19 and 10) were at various levels of the Qi Gathering realm. Mayor Chen Wei was enjoying his meal, but two issues were weighing on his mind.

The first issue was reported to him in a recent meeting with his advisors, The price of spirit rice was falling and the number of breakthroughs of cultivators was on the rise. The first problem wasn't really much of a problem for him, just the complaining of the merchants who sold rice. If anything, he personally thought it was a good thing to see the citizens of the town prosper as they could now spend more money. The second problem was a bit more complicated as Blue Moon city was located on a 3rd rate spirit vein. That was the main reason that only he could reside in the city, but no other Golden core cultivators could.

Chen Wei was actually belonged to the Celestial Radiance sect, the biggest 1st rate sect that managed this part of the continent. When he reached the Golden Core realm, it had been determined that his chances to become a Nascent Soul was dreadfully low, so he was given this assignment. But in the last week of eating the food at the Heaven & Earth pavilion and using the pod artifacts, something inside of him felt different. Even though it hadn't been long, he could feel his cultivation level rising much quicker than before. This would mean that it wouldn't take too long for him to reach the Mid Golden Core realm, but that would also mean he would have to return to the sect. The spiritual vein would no longer be able to substation his cultivation, and he would most likely be sent to a new city with a stronger vein. The trade off would be that he would no longer be the mayor anymore, and just be a protector.

"Wei, dear", his wife's voice interrupted his thoughts, "What has you contemplating this much during dinner?"

"Ying'er", he replied, "My apologies, just some recent developments of good and bad luck have appeared, and I'm trying to make sense of it."

Chen Wei proceeded to tell her what he had been thinking about before waiting for her response.

She sat and thought for a few moments before speaking, "There has to be a source for their business, right? If you can find it, you could claim a large merit with the guild."

"I've thought about that", Chen Wei admitted, "When Lord Rui and I were inspecting the land, it was very strange. Inside the gate definitely had the aura to sustain my realm but outside felt just as barren as always. I've tried to secretly send troops to investigate underground, but the senior watching over the store immediately found them. If I had some evidence, I could go to the sect to recruit an elder to help, but it would be very risky."

"Why is that?", Lin Ying looked at her husband in surprise.

"Lord Rui felt that the senior inside was stronger than his own father who is a Nascent Soul. I do not have the reputation in the guild to request someone of that level to come here to investigate without proof."

Lin Ying understood the problem, even with her contacts, she wouldn't be able to invite a higher level cultivator either.

"It's a store, so why doesn't it sell the cultivation artifacts you mentioned before, father?", Chen Xiaoyun interjected.

Realizing their children could hear their conversation, Chen Wei and Lin Ying felt embarrassed.

"Yun'er, it's normal that if a shop can be the only source for a product or service, and gain an advantage", Chen Wei explained, "They wouldn't foolishly allow others to share in their success."

Chen Shaoguang looked over at his youngest sister before turning back to his father, "Father, if there is a cultivator of a higher realm than you here in the city, shouldnt it be easy to prove that they either are using our spiritual vein or a mystery source of power?"

"Yes, I've thought of that too", Chen Wei answered, "The problem is that people have their secrets, even the four of you. But if the senior watching the shop is as powerful as we fear, and we are caught investigating, Blue Moon city would be finished."

"Lord Rui visited recently without incident", Shaoguang reasoned, "You should have enough standing to invite someone of reputable status from the Profound Sword and Azure River sects to assist you."

"I think Shao'er is right", Lin Ying added, "Just request cultivators with sensitive divine sense."

His wife was going to say more, but when she saw that the other three children had become excited, she took a moment.

"As far as I can tell from what you have said, there shouldn't be any danger to us", Lin Ying continued, "We should go as a family to hide our intentions."

"It is a very beneficial place", Chen Wei said as he placed his chin in his hand, "It's also a good excuse to show everyone around, but all of you must promise not to get involved. I will leave the search to the guests I invite, and we act normally."

Soon, dinner finished and Chen Wei went to his study to pen a few letter to some of his contacts he had made with the two 2nd rate sects. Once he finished, he sealed them and sent them out before entering the room with his wife as she had already started her nightly meditation. He also took some pills he had gotten from the sect using his merit points before closing his eyes, and entering a mediating trance on his own mat.

For the last few days, everyone had been constantly discussing 'Fairy and Sword' inside the cultivation cafe. Fang Shi had been pleased to see his demonstration had been successful, and many new faces had appeared lately. By now, most of the Dusty Peak sect members regularly gathered here, and greater number of disciples of the Ironclad Forge and Verdant grove sects had also begun showing up as well. This was starting to cause a situation as Fang Shi had to consider adding floors to the cultivation hall to handle the increase as everyday he saw larger groups in the lobby waiting for an open pod.

This wasn't his only option, it just happened to be the first thing to come to him when he was thinking about solutions. After looking over his land, it dawned on him that another thing he could do is enlarge the building not in height, but in width and length. This would be a good temporary fix, but if the number of people continued to increase, more floors would have to be added. There was another solution he had thought of as well, but he wasn't sure if the system would allow it.

'System, is it possible to sell cultivation pods to others?', he asked.

'Answer: It is possible, and this unit will support you', the system replied, 'But it will be the host that must settle all the details.'

'Then what will you do?', Fang Shi asked, 'It seems like you're leaving everything to me.'

'Answer: This artifact was designed by the host initially', the system reminded him, 'As it was the host's idea, it is also the host's responsibility if the artifact will be sold. This unit will only take materials provided to produce artifacts and the 'realms' as required.'

'If I require a scroll to be included to explain everything to the customers, can you handle that as well?', Fang Shi inquired.

'Answer: Of course', the system said before remaining silent.

Fang Shi was sitting behind the pod cafe counter with a pensive expression on his face while he 'spoke' with the system. Lately, he had been hanging out here instead of the main store because he wanted to see how 'Fairy and Sword' would be received by his customers. After speaking with the system, Fang Shi noticed that a group of customers seemed to keep glancing at him, so he looked at them. When the group saw that Fang Shi was paying attention to them, the supposed leader walked over.

"Excuse me Owner Fang", the teenage boy bowed, "I am Lu Zhang, and my friends and I had the privilege of seeing you play 'Fairy and Sword' a few days ago. We are having some difficulties getting through the game, and wished to ask you to play again for us to watch?"

"Wouldn't it be boring to play if you watch someone else do it first?", Fang Shi asked as he stayed seated, "Also, I have almost reached the end. I doubt I'm anywhere close to the point in the game you are stuck at. And finally, my cultivation method is different than yours, so there will be attacks that I can do that you wouldn't be able to."

The group of teenage men and women quickly reassured him that anything he could show them would be beneficial, so Fang Shi shrugged in resignation and went to find a pod. The group of young cultivators became excited, and followed after him. Word got around, and soon many including Peng Hui and his group, the eight family scions, and others were following the crowd.

Sitting down in the pod, Fang Shi inserted his jade slip and started to play. The crowd soon understood the situation, Zhao Ling'er, Li Xiaoyao's first wife was a snake demoness and been captured and held in the demon prison tower of the Shi Mountain sect.

"How could they do that to her", a voice in the crowd was heard.

"Yeah, it's true she is a snake demoness, but she hadn't harmed anyone", a female voice agreed.

The audience was becoming restless as they watched Li Xiaoyao and Lin Yueru confront the Shu Mountain sect.

As everyone watched Fang Shi play, another group of people had also entered the cultivation hall.

"Elder Jian, Elder Shui, this is the cultivation hall", Mayor Chen narrated as he led a man and a woman inside alongside his family, "I have tried these artifacts before, and I must say that it really feels like you enter a secret realm."

"The wine we tasted earlier was also very good", Elder Jian smiled, "I have to ask why you haven't just used your authority to take this shop for yourself?"

"Surely you jest", the mayor responded, "Lord Rui of the Rui prosperity trading company told me that he believes that the guardian of this shop is even stronger than his own father. Why would I invite disaster upon myself by angering such a senior?"

Elder Shui gave Mayor Chen an alarmed look, "Rui Zhong said that?"

After seeing the mayor nod, Elder Jian said, "Then are trying to get us killed instead?"

"Of course not", Mayor Chen answered, "I simply wanted to wished to see if it was possible. If it wasn't, there is no loss because you had the opportunity to see this wonderful store."

The mayor's oldest son came over and bowed, "Father, please pardon me but I was told that the owner has entered a cultivation pod to demonstrate an adventure to everyone."

"Where is he?", Mayor Chen asked.

"Please follow me father, honored guests", Chen Shaoguang told them, "I have already asked, and will lead you to him now."

The first son guided the group to where a large audience had gathered, and where watching the light screen.

"Excuse me, fellow Daoist", Chen Shaoguang asked a nearby cultivator, "Can you tell me what is happening?"

Without taking his eyes off the screen, the man quickly recounted what had happened to everyone before falling silent.

The mayor's group immediately paid closer attention to the light screen as they watched a man and a woman battling against the members of the sect. As Li Xiaoyao made his way through the sect defenders with the help of Lin Yueru, the two elders paid close attention to the sword and water techniques used. Both elders were shocked to see techniques much higher than their own level being performed flawlessly, and stopped speaking with Mayor Chen as they tried to learn even half a move from the screen. Soon, Li Xiaoyao and Lin Yueru reached the Demon Prison tower, and as Fang Shi expected, the crowd was in awe when the god guarding the tower emerged.

"What kind of sect could have a god guard it?", a customer exclaimed.

The battle continued, and the rescuers were able to meet again with Zhao Ling'er again during the fight. Soon, Li Xiaoyao, Lin Yueru, and Zhao Ling'er pulled out their trump card to fight the Prison Guarding Wisdom King as they combined forces to cast the Liquor Immortal spell. At this point, the audience was overloaded by the events as they watched the spell defeat the god, and the heroes rescue Zhao Ling'er.

As the defeat of the Prison Guarding Wisdom Kin, the audience at first cheered to see the successful rescue, but soon they began to argue as fans of Zhao Ling'er and Lin Yueru began to show their support for their favorite character. Just as the trio prepared to leave, the prison collapsed and everyone watched in horror as Lin Yueru saved Li Xiaoyao only to be buried underneath. The fans of Lin Yueru started to despair as they realized she had died to save Li Xiaoyao, and they silently cursed Fang Shi was unable to save her.

With reddened eyes, they kept watching as Li Xiaoyao took the fainted Zhao Ling'er to safety. Once he ensures her security, Li Xiaoyao goes on a quest to collect items to save the lives of Zhao Ling'er, and their unborn child.

Then the light screen went blank and disappeared to the surprise of everyone as Fang Shi exited the pod.

"Owner, did something happen to your artifact?", someone in the crowd asked.

"No", he answered, "I've just been playing for awhile, and decided I will finish tomorrow."

Just as everyone was about to argue or complain, Fang Shi raised his hand and everyone felt suppressed, even the two elders the mayor had brought.

"If you are so concerned, go and play the game yourself", Fang Shi admonished the crowd, "I will finish it tomorrow, but whether I will allow anyone to watch will depend on your behavior."

Fang Shi left the hall and returned to the main store and once he left, everyone's realm returned.

"I see what the mayor spoke earlier was true", Elder Shui said as she tried to comprehend what had occurred.