In an unremarkable corner of "Sanxian Port," a small stall was set up.
The stall owner was a chubby young man, his round face sporting a "harmless" smile.
When he smiled, he revealed six neat, white teeth…
For the past three days, the chubby young man had come here to "set up his stall" every day.
Each time he "set up his stall," he would ostentatiously erect a "golden signboard" beside it.
The "golden signboard," written in a flamboyant calligraphy, bore five large characters – the Dragon Rider Merchant Association!
The scattered cultivators around, who were also "setting up stalls," often liked to tease the chubby young man.
"Fellow Daoist Qian, you're just a one-man stall, is there any need to give yourself the title of a merchant association? It seems a bit ostentatious!"
The chubby young man had a great temper and didn't get angry when "teased." He maintained his "harmless" smile, sitting there calmly as if awaiting a "big deal."
However, the surrounding scattered cultivator vendors knew that the chubby young man's "stall" would never get any business.
This was because the chubby young man's "stall" was completely empty, not a single item for sale.
Uh…
It wasn't entirely accurate to say "completely empty." There was a sign placed on his "stall," the content of which was incredibly arrogant: Business below one hundred thousand spirit stones, don't even bother talking!
What the heck!
Are you here to do business or to show off?
The consequence of "showing off" was that Qian Duoduo's "stall" had been ignored for three consecutive days.
What a lunatic!
You set up a "stall" and tell me "business below one hundred thousand is not to be discussed"?
If I had one hundred thousand spirit stones, wouldn't I go shopping in the city? It would be so much more satisfying!
If I'm here "browsing stalls," do you think I have one hundred thousand spirit stones?
Despite this situation, the chubby young man wasn't anxious. He sat there happily setting up his stall every day.
Finally, an old cultivator next to him, named "Shen Shan," couldn't bear it any longer. He kindly reminded him:
"Little Qian, this isn't going to work. Why don't you change your business strategy? You need to open for business first!"
"Old Master Shen Shan" meant for the chubby young man not to "aim too high."
What "business below one hundred thousand is not to be discussed" is too ridiculous!
Be practical!
Get the business started first. One spirit stone isn't too little, and a hundred spirit stones isn't too much. Earn whatever you can!
"Old Master Shen Shan" was a genuinely kind person. He advised the chubby young man this way entirely for his own good.
The chubby young man appreciated his kindness. He smiled and said:
"Elder Shen, thank you for your concern! But…"
While he appreciated it, the chubby young man would never change his "business strategy." Their "Dragon Rider Merchant Association" was here to "dump," oh no... to "do big business."
"...I've set the business threshold at one hundred thousand spirit stones, and that's already a very low threshold. It can't get any lower!"
The chubby young man's words were sincere.
A business threshold of "one hundred thousand spirit stones" was indeed very low!
According to his original intention, each deal would start from at least a million spirit stones, otherwise, no discussion!
Sigh!
Young people these days are too impatient!
"Old Master Shen Shan" looked at the chubby young man and shook his head helplessly.
Someone nearby, however, couldn't stand it any longer.
"Fatty Qian, are you going to die if you don't brag!"
A thin, sharp-faced, dark and scrawny cultivator jumped out.
This person was named "Lu Yun," and he was "setting up his stall" not far from the chubby young man.
He was utterly fed up with the chubby young man's "boasting."
A business threshold of one hundred thousand spirit stones, and you say it can't be any lower?
You've truly blown your boasting to the heavens!
Keep in mind that scattered cultivators like them often didn't sell goods worth "one hundred thousand spirit stones" in an entire year.
As for profit, it was even less.
After a year of hard work "setting up stalls," it was hard to say if they could even earn "five thousand low-grade spirit stones."
The more "Lu Yun" thought about it, the angrier he became.
We're all "poor beggars," why are you here "blowing hot air"?
If this can be tolerated, then nothing can be!
"Fatty Qian, if you don't want to do business, then get lost quickly and don't be an eyesore here!"
The chubby young man's face still wore his "harmless" smile.
He didn't care about "Lu Yun's" scolding.
His expression remained unchanged, and he smiled at "Old Master Shen Shan" as he said:
"Elder Shen, I'm calculating the time. I'll soon have a large amount of business coming my way, and there might be quite a few people then… Could I trouble you to help maintain order? I won't let you work for nothing, I'll give you a deal for free!"
The chubby young man was speaking to "Old Master Shen Shan," but "Lu Yun" jumped over, continuing to glare at the chubby young man with an aggressive attitude, his words laced with sarcasm, and even starting to "pick a fight."
"Fatty Qian, I've warned you, and you still dare to brag here! Big business coming? Lots of people? Bah! People like you don't deserve to set up stalls here, get lost!"
Faced with "Lu Yun's" unreasonable behavior.
The chubby young man remained unperturbed.
The smile on his face didn't change, still "harmless."
"Fellow Daoist Lu, may I ask when you became the Grand Steward of Sanxian Port? Is setting up stalls also your responsibility?"
In "Sanxian Port," scattered cultivators "setting up stalls" had no restrictions.
This was considered a commercial activity permitted by the "Sanxian Sword Sect."
As long as you don't cheat or deceive people, you can set up your stall anywhere.
"Lu Yun" himself was just a scattered cultivator "setting up a stall," how could he have the right to control others?
The chubby young man's smiling words made "Lu Yun" roll his eyes.
"Old Master Shen Shan" was also very displeased with "Lu Yun's" arrogant and unreasonable attitude.
He said in a deep voice:
"Lu Yun, you've gone too far!"
"Old Master Shen Shan" had high prestige among the "scattered cultivator vendors." When he spoke, everyone felt that "Lu Yun" was being unreasonable.
"Lu Yun, you, the newly appointed Grand Steward of Sanxian Port, are quite imposing!"
"Grand Steward, you'll have to look out for us more in the future!"
"Grand Steward, can you give us a backdoor so we can do business in the Sanxian Immortal City?"
…
The "sarcastic" taunts from everyone made "Lu Yun's" face turn red, and he was furious.
He didn't dare to vent his anger on "Old Master Shen Shan," so he could only direct all his rage and dissatisfaction towards the chubby young man.
"Fatty Qian, I hate people who brag the most. Do you dare to make a bet with me? Didn't you say you'd have a lot of business coming your way soon? Let's bet on that! If in the next half a day, you still have no business, then you lose… you have to kneel down and kowtow a hundred times!"
"Lu Yun" issued a "challenge" to the chubby young man.
Hearing this, the chubby young man's smile remained unchanged, still looking "harmless."
However, in the depths of his small eyes, a sharp glint flashed.