Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

Chapter 815: If CEO Chu Had Made This Decision, There Had To Be A Good Reason (II)

Shang Ziliang brought the conversation back on track and said seriously, "Raising disciples with both strong cultivation and good character isn’t something that can be done overnight. It would take at least a generation and over ten years."

"No need." Chu Liang shook his head. "I have an idea. Is the event Male and Female Cultivators, Charge Forward still running?"

"It’s still running," Shang Ziliang replied. "It’s become a regular event at the Red Cotton Peak. Every day, a sizable crowd gathers for the event, at times surpassing even the number of shoppers in the marketplace. The moment news spread about shutting it down, complaints flooded in."

Previously, to stimulate short-term talisman consumption in the world of immortality, Chu Liang devised this obstacle challenge event. Contestants who reached designated checkpoints would earn rewards, while those who failed would be sent tumbling into the sea of clouds below.

The obstacle challenge became wildly popular, attracting hundreds of cultivators daily from the South Sea and beyond. Even more people gathered just to spectate, as watching others struggle and embarrass themselves seemed to be a constant source of amusement.

The event Male and Female Cultivators, Charge Forward was originally launched to help the Talismanic Sect establish itself in the market. Now that their products were widely accepted, additional promotion was no longer needed.

Huan Leisheng’s statement at the Assembly of the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten had now become reality. The Talismanic Sect took the perfect chance to cut prices, unintentionally gaining a massive edge in the market over traditional handmade talismans.

With its mission accomplished, Red Cotton Peak no longer needed to spend money keeping the event going, so Chu Liang decided to shut it down. However, as soon as the news got out, the public erupted in protest.

Red Cotton Peak still had room for improvement compared to Taotie City at its peak. While its trade and business had grown beyond its predecessor, it was still lacking in entertainment. Taotie City had everything, from gambling to all kinds of vices. However, bringing those things to Mount Shu was out of the question. Otherwise, Lin Bei would have achieved his dream.

An event like "Male and Female Cultivators, Charge Forward" was the perfect way to keep visitors entertained. Those who came to Red Cotton Peak to buy and sell things could also stop by to watch the excitement, which greatly boosted visitor retention. Some even traveled to Mount Shu just for the spectacle, enjoying food, drinks, and shopping along the way.

The show had become a highly anticipated pastime for the cultivation world.

It had even surpassed Chu Liang’s expectations, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Chu Liang said, "Spread the word. Male and Female Cultivators, Charge Forward won’t be canceled, but it will be replaced with a new event. The new event will also be open to everyone."

"What is it?" everyone asked.

Chu Liang explained casually, "It's an event to recruit disciples for the Talismanic Sect. To carry on the legacy of the Celestial Talisman Master, we will hold an open selection for young cultivators under the age of twenty who have reached at least the second realm and have a strong passion for talismans.

"Over the course of three months, candidates will be assessed on character, talent, intelligence, and other qualities. The most exceptional ones will become the first batch of disciples under Mister Huan, the leader of this newly recognized sect of the Terrestrial Ten.

"The entire selection process will take place publicly at Red Cotton Peak. Spectators can show their support for their favorite talisman specialists by casting votes with the small gifts that they can get through purchases at Red Cotton Peak. These votes will have a significant impact on the final selection."

"Hmm..." Lin Bei pondered. "Sounds a bit like the selection process at the South Melody Conservatory?"

"It's the same kind of talent show," Chu Liang explained, "but the key difference is that anyone with a dream of becoming a talisman specialist can apply. As long as they have enough passion, even someone from humble beginnings can rise to the top."

He continued, "We also emphasize authenticity. At the South Melody Conservatory, you don’t see what happens behind the scenes. Here, everyone will witness the true personalities of the talisman specialists."

Lackey A immediately chimed in, "This approach might make the audience feel more engaged?"

"Exactly." Chu Liang nodded with a smile. "It’ll let people experience the joy of nurturing a rising talisman specialist.

"Then I definitely want to nurture a beautiful and gentle female talisman specialist," Lin Bei said with a grin. "Why not make it an all-female competition and call the show Super Maestra of Talismans[1]?"

"There aren’t nearly as many female talisman specialists as male ones. We might as well call it Happy Maestro of Talismans[2] instead," Shang Ziliang said. "Actually, we really don't have to limit this event by gender."

"That’s true," Lackey A agreed. "Since they’re not official talisman specialists yet, we could just call it Talisman Specialist Trainees."[3]

"I've already decided on the name," Chu Liang announced. "Our goal is to discover the most promising talisman specialists across the nine provinces and restore this long-overlooked cultivation legacy. We’ll call it the Rise of the Nine Provinces Talisman Masters."

"That’s a good one!" Lin Bei was the first to agree. "It sounds intense."

"Then it's settled. Any other questions?" Chu Liang asked.

Just as everyone was shaking their heads, Huan Leisheng suddenly raised his hand. "I have a question."

"Go ahead, Mister Huan."

"Are disciples chosen through public voting really reliable?" Huan Leisheng asked. He couldn't help but feel hesitant. The audience would be there for entertainment, but in the end, these people would actually become his disciples in the Talismanic Sect.

"Hmm..." His question left everyone stumped.

Who knew if the disciples recruited through the event would actually be dependable?

In the end, Lin Bei bluntly pointed out, "Why do you care? It’s not like you rely on them to make talismans anyway."

Oh, right. Huan Leisheng suddenly understood.

The Talismanic Sect wasn’t like traditional talisman specialist sects as its talismans were all made by the Celestial Talismanic Wheel. It didn't matter if the disciples were reliable, as all CEO Chu wanted was for the recruitment event for to happen.

Realizing this, he once again looked at Chu Liang with reverence. If CEO Chu had made this decision, there had to be a good reason.

...

At the edge of the Holy Mountain in the Northern Regions.

Chu Yi stood with his hands behind his back and let out a long sigh. "I was still too naive after all. How could I ever hope to outmatch Senior Brother? I planned meticulously, yet I don’t even understand how he won."

Behind him, Lu Jiangtong blinked and said slowly, "Do you think maybe...it was just a coincidence?"

Despite his youthful appearance, Chu Yi reprimanded him with the wisdom of someone far older. "Too naive. You could say the first and second times were coincidences, but what about the third?"

"Uh..." Lu Jiangtong hesitated before replying, "That means he has good luck?"

"..." Chu Yi stared at his increasingly foolish subordinate and shook his head. "When someone repeatedly succeeds in ways you can’t understand, you should ask yourself if they’re standing at a height beyond your reach. If I can plan three steps ahead, then Senior Brother is planning four or five. If even I can’t fully grasp his strength, I can’t blame you for failing to."

Lu Jiangtong nodded repeatedly and said. "This subordinate is ignorant."

Though he didn’t fully understand, he still acknowledged Chu Yi’s words.

"You see, if he went through such a discreet setup just to ensure the Talismanic Sect secured a spot among the Terrestrial Ten, that means he must have grander ambitions," Chu Yi said, gazing into the distance. "A true expert never makes idle moves. With the world shifting as it is, this might be a key piece in his plan for the nine provinces."

He then asked, "Any major movements from the Talismanic Sect?"

"There actually are," Lu Jiangtong replied.

"Oh?" Chu Yi asked again. "What are they up to?"

"Uh..." Lu Jiangtong hesitated before answering. "They're running a talent show."

1. Author is referencing a singing competition for girls in China. Refer to Link. ☜

2. Author is referencing a singing competition for boys in China. Refer to Link. ☜

3. Author is referencing Idol Producer. ☜