The discussion in the main hall died down as Fang Shi emerged from the elevator. Over half the eyes that observed him brightened while the rest quickly lost interest as they turned back to their respective business.
"Owner Fang", a voice he recognized called out to him.
Fang Shi turned towards Mao Qingyue, the disciple of the Asure River sect that would often flirted with him before left for the north. Even when he disappeared, her shamelessly didn't dissipate and she regularly sent suspicious messages to his Tianmu phone artifact. Fortunately, she had the good sense not to overstep boundaries and merely greeted with a slight bow.
"Daoist Mao", he gave a quick bow in return, "I'm surprised to see you today. Shouldn't your sect have everything to meet your cultivation needs?"
Mao Qingyue gave him a slightly mischievous smile, "Owner Fang if I had to guess from your reaction, I would think that I'm an undesirable customer. Is there a problem with me coming here?"
"No problem at all as long as you're following the rules", Fang Shi did his best to suppress the urge to run away.
"Well normally, I do train at the sect but this morning after finishing my meditation, I felt fate guide me to here", Mao Qingyue replied, "I was correct to listen to it as I was here for your return."
Fang Shi wanted to sigh because it was easy to see that this woman could lie so effortlessly, but then someone else called her out.
"What fate?", the woman scoffed, "You've been coming here everyday since my arrival, and you want to pretend it was fate?"
When he looked over, Fang Shi recognized the one the voice belonged to, Lady Rui Lan.
"Lady Rui", he greeted her, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Rui Lan turned away from Mao Qingyue, who had been trying to quietly refute the former's claim, "I'm not sure where you've been, but I imagine you know about the surge in Qi that took place recently?"
Fang Shi simply nodded, so she continued, "Our spiritual vein has gone through changes as I believe everyone who also own a vein can understand. To effectively use the vein, my family assigned me with the task of acquiring additional cultivation artifacts. I had heard you had gone north to expand your stores, but unfortunately for me you are here."
After hearing this Mao Qingyue became upset resulting in the two arguing, so Fang Shi used the opportunity to slip away and walk to the counter where a young man was.
"Ren Qingsong?", he called out to the employee behind the counter.
The man named Ren Qingsong nervously replied, "Owner Fang, how can I assist you today?"
"I don't need any help", Fang Shi tried to assure his employee, "It's just my first time here since hiring everyone so I'm taking the chance to meet and talk to everyone."
Fang Shi spoke with Ren Qingsong for about five minutes before allowing the latter to return to work. He began his trek through the Blue moon location afterwards holding similar conversations with the other employees until the evening when he returned to his domicile.
During dinner, he followed his normal routine of checking the performance of both stores and was pleased to see that the Tianbao location hadn't suffered in his absence. Then Fang Shi focused on the other purpose of his wandering today. He didn't only speak to employees today, but also with both new and old customers to gauge their interests in the various products and services offered by the pavilion. As expected, the older games still had its fans but he could still sense that they didn't have the same enthusiasm as before. The thrill of the hunts still kept them playing but they had long since mastered most of the encounters by now.
Newer games like Samsara weren't fairing much better. Even though it was the game released recently, it was only the first act of six. The length of the game wasn't very long, and even though each session was different due to its random nature, players would still take breaks try other things.
Fang Shi hadn't released that many movies or tv series either and they could only satisfy the customers for a fixed amount of time, so after finishing his meal he went to his pod. For the next few days, Fang Shi stayed on his floor preparing his next move.
One quiet morning, guests were playing the pods or walking around both stores as usual when all the light screens went blank and silent. At first, hardly anyone noticed but after a few minutes several attentive customers began to murmur and draw other's attention to the strange event. A guest was about to walk over to the counter to inform the employee about the malfunctioning screens when the top of the hour sounded and the screens switched to a new display. In the cultivation hall and on people's phones, they also received a notification. Those that paid attention and decided to select the new notice also saw the same as those in the store.
On the screen, a small but familiar village came into view from above before it focused on a bird that was flying around. As this bird flew, not only the village but the surrounding countryside could be seen as well, prompting an old customer to remark.
"That's the home village of Li Xiaoyao!", he said.
"Who's Li Xiaoyao?", several younger people asked.
The man was about to start explaining when a voice stopped him, "Eight years have passed since the hero saved the world from the ancient water spirit beast summoned to cleanse the land. Peace has reigned during this time, but recent events have threatened the lives of many."
As the narration continued, the bird swerved around before flying through the village one more. It passed by a home where the audience could see a young man except for his face. The bird flew towards some mountains, and it transitioned into a dark painting with the title appearing, 'Fairy and Sword: Chapter 2'.
For the customers familiar with the game, this caused them to open their eyes.
"Chapter 2", one man exclaimed, "Is this a continuation of the first game?"
"I gave up trying to save Lin and Ling'er", another man replied, "Maybe I can do it in chapter 2!"
Seeing the excitement of the older customers, several newer guests decided to investigate this game later on. But before anyone could move the title screen disappeared, and was replaced by a dense jungle. The area was quiet for only a moment before a monster crashed through the trees as four hunters chased after it. For several minutes, a deadly duel took place between both sides as the winged beast did it best to defend itself against its assailants. One of the hunters had finally gotten in position to attack the beast, but before he could a giant tail came out of nowhere heavily injuring the fleeing monster, as well as several hunters. The screen showed a close up of one of the injured hunter's eyes, and everyone watching could make out the large jaws and teeth of an unknown creature right before the screen changed to black. After a moment, another title surfaced, 'Monster Slayer: Calamity'.
More cheering filled the room making it obvious that this game had more fans than the other, and they were excited to have new monsters to hunt. Realizing this more announcements were probable, the crowd returned to watching again to see more.
A cute animal appeared making a cute noise many in the audience to gasp.
"The road to becoming a spirit beast master is long and there's always a higher mountain", the narrator spoke.
The previous spiritual beast was followed by its master who in turned held out his arm and summoned a large bird. Taking on last look at the land behind him, the man climbed onto the bird with his beast before the bird went airborne.
"Now that the your home region has been dominated, it's time to travel to a new region to discover beasts never seen before, battle other masters, and explore new mysteries," the narrator continued, "Introducing 'Spiritbound: Shadows of Tianzu' which introduces new beasts, new lands, and new challenges. New players aren't required to buy or play the first Spiritbound, and they can call Tianzu their home. Face one another or defend your home against the old masters coming from across the mountains. Be the very best."
The video played as new environments appeared on screen as it panned out to show some of the new beasts wandering around. Reactions from the audience included mild excitement to groups of people coming together to discuss with fervent passion. The video closed with the title, 'Spiritbound: Shadows of Tianzu' before going dark again.
The next trailer played, and as the screen brightened again, the crowd saw a man go through a gate, "The traveler have battled the lower deva that held opened the portal between worlds. With the traveler's actions, the realm of man is once again safe from the invasion of beasts but a desperate attempt cause the hero to pass through the gate as well. What lays on the other side and can the traveler return to his home realm? Or will the traveler fall to the dangerous beast who make this realm their home? Prepare to battle your way through dangers never seen before as you try to find your way back home."
As the questions get asked, the screen shows terrifying creatures such as wolves, tigers, eagles, earth dragons, flood dragons, and more. Environments included deserts, under the ocean, mountains, and more as the character on screen trudge through it all.
"For those who made it through Samsara: Act 1, The realm of Man, prepare for Samsara: Act 2, The realm of Beasts", the announcer said as the title encompassed the screen.
There wasn't a single disappointed person as the trailer ended, but just when people expected more game announcements to come out, the tone of the next trailer shifted.
"Injured by his own weapon that he refined, Sitake Tuoni had to used his godly artifact refinement ability to escape his captors. Once he returned to his lands, a plot of betrayal from his trusted ally nearly caused his death. What will he do now that he attracted the attention of the strongest sect in the country? Can he protect himself, his artifacts, and his land? Coming soon to the Heaven & Earth pavilion, Man of Steel: Reforged."
To drum up interest in the games and movies, but to keep them interesting, Fang Shi edited each trailer to only show a few certain scenes that wouldn't spoil the show. By the standards of his past life, it would be a very minimalist approach but in this world it was good enough. As he watched everyone watching the trailers, his confidence grew and he had little doubt that his products would fail.
Fang Shi turned his attention back to the screen as drums that sounded like heartbeats played, "What if one moment changed your life forever? If fate seemed to be against you, would you fight against it or resign yourself? If you gained new power but couldn't control it, would you still use it? Get ready to watch 'The Beast'."
In this movie trailer, viewers watched as an alchemist was refining an elixir when something went wrong. Acting quick, he evacuated everyone from the pill refinery when his rival locked him in. The next scene was from farther away as the building everyone escaped from exploded. As smoke poured into the air, cultivators moved forward to cast water spells to extinguish the fire but at the last second a guttural growl was heard as the trailer ended.
Like clockwork, the previous trailer faded to black and another started playing afterwards. A small, weak mortal man could be seen trying to join a powerful sect but as expected, he is turned away every time. Despite this, Luojiesi Shidifu never gave up and volunteered to participate in a sect experiment that would strengthen normal mortals to fight against low level spirit beasts and cultivators. Luojiesi Shidifu walks into a coffin shaped box with alchemists and artifact refiners looking on. The lid on the coffin opened, but the screen started to fade to black and the audience caught glimpses of a strong, muscular figure.
As this was shown, the voice narrated, "What would you do if your strength doesn't match your spirit? Resign yourself to your fate or do you take fate into your own hands? Find out what happens next by watching, 'Guardian'."
The screen faded again and another trailer started, "Leishen Tuo'er was the son of the heavenly emperor who was blessed with the power of thunder and lightning. Unstoppable in battle, his arrogance knew no bounds and his strength caused everyone in court to view him with envy until one day. Disregarding his father's rules, Leishen Tuo'er was punished by having his power sealed and sent away to live with mortals. His war hammer was also sent with him, and until he could prove that he was worthy to once again wield it, he would stay powerless. Can he temper himself, and prove himself to his father and the heavenly court before his enemies find out his situation."
On the screen, a handsome young man with white hair could be seen in armor fighting against spiritual beasts using an impressive war hammer. Next, the heavenly court was shown as Leishen Tuo'er proudly stands above everyone but one man before attending a huge feast. Leishen Tuo'er is then shown in a different realm battling giant men before his father arrives, capturing him and taking him away. The scene shifts as the young man finds himself in the slums with his father's reprimand echoing in his ears before realizing his clothes were tattered and his strength has disappeared due to seals all over his body. Several humorous moments are shown as he tries to adapt to his new situation as the trailer fades only showing the title, 'Thunder Immortal'.
"So far, the Heaven & Earth pavilion has proudly presented the additions to the games and movies, but now it's time to introduce two new tv series", the narrator said, "When empires fall, heroes rise. Two sons, born of brotherhood, one raised with honor, the other swallowed by ambition. When destiny calls, the sons of fallen heroes must choose between betrayal and sacrifice, between power and honor."
While the screen remains dark, a thunderclap is heard before an eagle cry. Two young men are seen in between other scenes, such as banners of war, being surrounded by soldiers, swords clashing, a soaring condor, cities burning, and lightning striking a cliff while two men duel. The screen fades to black except for the title, 'Legend of the Condor Heroes.'
The screen came to life again, "This is a world where the boundary of life and death is razor thin, and the night is ruled by the demons. Only those who walk the path of the blade can cleanse the night. The night devours the weak, only the blade can shine eternal."
The first scene is a serene mountain with cherry blossoms slowly falling towards the ground. The view shifts to show a village in ruins stained in blood with a young man kneeling next the bodies of a woman and a few children. The next scene shows the same young man training on the mountain dodging traps, and practicing with a blade until a faint glow is seen. The young man walks through the city, then a forest, and finally a farm with eyes glowing in the back ground before the title appeared, 'Demon Extinguishing Blade'.
The familiar voice returned, "In a world where immortals walk amoung me, and the line between justice and chaos blurs. One man defied the heavens, and paid the price. You shouldn't have returned, you broke the rules, but your heart was never evil. A bond that defied fate, and a legacy that will not die."
A flute plays as fog rolls across a lake before aiming towards the sky to reveal a sect floating in the sky. A man in white swings his sword leaving large gashes in the surrounding clouds. Next, a man in black robes sit on a cliff edge playing the flute before cutting to the next scene as cultivators clash in the air. A building with banners that read 'Lan' sect is seen before changing to a set of armor with a mark that says, 'Jin'. The two men walk towards each other as the screen fades away except for the title, 'Untamed'.
Everyone from both stores and cities continued to watch until the screen returned to the previous advertising that had been playing before. When they realized that the announcement was finished, all the viewers immediately became noisy as they began discussing what they just witnessed.
It didn't take long for someone to ask the question on everyone's mind, "When does everything come out?"