Chapter 73: The Preschool Class Begins

Ye Jiuyou was completely unaware of the discussions taking place within Falling Leaf Sect. He remained busily engaged in instructing Forty-Four and Forty-Five, moving between the two with diligence. Meanwhile, Nangong Mingyue looked at Ye Jiuyou with disdain, her face exuding confidence, as if victory was already within her grasp. From time to time, she would mock and ridicule him coldly.

Yet Ye Jiuyou paid her no mind whatsoever, continuing to focus on his own affairs.

“Have you got it down?” he asked.

“Mm,” both replied in unison, exchanging glances full of mutual defiance.

“In three days, do your best. From then on, the financial future of Tongxuan Sect will rest on your shoulders.”

“Don’t worry. My skills in forging (or alchemy) will definitely surpass his!” they declared, each unwilling to concede to the other.

Ye Jiuyou watched them and laughed softly. This was just as he hoped; without any further effort from him, these two would push each other forward. Where rivalry exists, self-improvement follows. This was precisely why he had chosen them.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

At dawn, Ye Jiuyou arrived at the foot of the Tongxuan Tower. Forty-Four and Forty-Five had already prepared themselves, wearing expressions of utmost seriousness.

“From today, you each have a stage name,” Ye Jiuyou announced, pointing at them. “One shall be called Tong Zhatian, the other Xuantian Zha. This is your first step. From now on, work hard and devote yourselves to the arts of alchemy and forging. Our prosperity depends on you both.”

Forty-Four became Tong Zhatian, Forty-Five, Xuantian Zha—neither of their origins were simple.

“Now, we’ll officially begin recruitment. I doubt the Falling Leaf Sect would dare make a move in the Xuantian Tavern. At worst, we’ll give Huaming Feng a cut.”

With his plan decided, Ye Jiuyou led the pair down the mountain. There were still sixteen or seventeen days left before his wager with Nangong Mingyue. This battle needed to be fought beautifully, to spread his reputation far and wide.

After that, he’d never have to worry about lacking funds to operate the Tongxuan Tower again.

After all, perhaps only he knew the secrets of the Tongxuan Tower. The ill-fated Emperor Marten might have only guessed at the truth. Otherwise, why would Emperor Marten have hinted that the Tongxuan Sect would bring him a surprise? Perhaps this very surprise was the Tongxuan Tower itself.

The three of them changed into fresh robes and sped down the mountain.

The Xuantian Tavern was as bustling as ever. The cultivators coming and going seemed even more powerful than before. What appeared to be a simple rotation was, in fact, a covert inspection of the establishment. Beneath the calm surface, a storm was brewing.

As the owner, Huaming Feng was naturally prepared for anything. She ordered her people to patrol the area, ever vigilant for any hidden dangers.

Before long, three figures arrived, causing an uproar, as if a massive stone had been thrown into a tranquil lake, sending waves crashing in all directions.

“Ye Jiuyou?!”

“That fat guy who throws cauldrons—his cauldron explodes! Terrifying!”

“And that one… the madman who even fights his own people…”

…

The moment the crowd spotted Ye Jiuyou and his companions, the place erupted. Fingers were pointed, discussions flared. Upon hearing the commotion, Huaming Feng immediately appeared above them, her immense pressure enveloping the scene.

A few murderous auras flickered within the crowd, but under Huaming Feng’s coercion, they vanished instantly. Ye Jiuyou paid no attention to the would-be assailants. He was here for business. Harmony was the key; even a common enemy could become a friend, and such people often had the deepest pockets. Thus, Ye Jiuyou cared not at all.

As long as you’re spending money, everything can be negotiated.

“Lady Hua, may I borrow a private room on your second floor?” he asked.

“Help yourself,” she replied.

Ye Jiuyou thanked her with a polite bow and led his companions into the tavern. The same bartender as before greeted him, though now with a sharper look in his eyes.

“You’re back, young man?”

“Yes. And thank you for your help before. Here—take this. Don’t be polite.”

With a flash of Ye Jiuyou’s spatial ring, another ring appeared—obviously filled with treasures. Many onlookers turned green with envy, but no one dared act. The jealousy in their eyes faded, and they returned to drinking at their tables.

“Come with me,” said the bartender, accepting the gift without hesitation.

Ye Jiuyou was a little surprised, but he smiled. He noticed the bartender had changed—perhaps for the better.

Led by the bartender, the three entered a private room. The accommodations were complete in every respect. Clearly, Huaming Feng was showing them goodwill.

“Brother, would you please post this advertisement for me? Thank you for your trouble!”

From his ring, Ye Jiuyou drew out a stack of paper, each bearing abstract illustrations and mismatched slogans, with a bold headline.

On the left: “Fifteen-Day Mastery of Alchemy and Forging—Honest Dealings for All.”

On the right: “While you hesitate, even sows are climbing trees.”

Headline: “Preschool Class Now Open!”

The bartender’s mouth twitched at the sight, but he asked no questions, simply taking the bundle of papers and heading out.

“You two, remember your stage names. Whether Tongxuan Sect flourishes depends on you.” Ye Jiuyou spoke earnestly, wearing an expression of sincere hope that moved the two to gratitude.

They felt as if they would die for a leader who understood them.

The bartender pasted the advertisements in prominent places throughout the Xuantian Tavern, immediately attracting a crowd.

“Huh, what’s this?”

“Alchemy and forging in fifteen days?”

“Yeah, right—who are they trying to fool? Do we look like children?”

“A preschool class? Really?”

“Are they joking?”

“Exactly! I can’t believe Tongxuan Sect has fallen so far, resorting to scams…”

“So was that news about them defeating Falling Leaf Sect a lie too? After all, everyone knows how strong Falling Leaf Sect is…”

“Could be! Tongxuan Sect barely has fifty people—how could they possibly have crushed Falling Leaf Sect? Must be fake…”

For a time, the crowd debated the contents of the poster, and many began to doubt the recent tales of the two sects’ confrontation. Even Huaming Feng had her doubts—had she not seen it with her own eyes, she might have gone to question them herself.

Ye Jiuyou, listening to the clamor below, knew his plan was already in motion. The best publicity wasn’t people praising your product, but people criticizing it. After all, the real fear wasn’t products being compared, but being mocked. The more people talked, the greater the curiosity. And once curiosity was piqued, there was no stopping it.

As long as your goods were truly good, the path to wealth would not be far. Ye Jiuyou understood this well.

Thus, he had Zhong Shaoshan and others go down the mountain to hire a few “mature,” “eloquent,” “good men” to stir the pot. Hence the spectacle unfolding below the Xuantian Tavern.

“You two, get plenty of rest. Tomorrow, it’s time to work. The preschool class depends on you. The days of making money and growing rich are here!”

A gleam of excitement shone in Ye Jiuyou’s eyes, and the two obediently went off to sleep, actually taking his advice to heart.