Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 757 Preparing for opening

Xiao Ran helped contact the company about the bus stop issue.

This is meant to facilitate cooperation between the two sides.

The company welcomes such evil entities that can be communicated with and even cooperated with.

Soon, they sent someone with a contract expert to discuss cooperation with the driver, and successfully signed several cooperation contracts.

In short, the company provides vehicles and is responsible for their operation and maintenance, assists in the expansion of the bus terminal, and plans future routes.

However, the company needs to acquire a 30% stake in the bus terminal and have its personnel stationed there to participate in dispatching and command.

This request wasn't unreasonable, and the driver agreed without hesitation.

When the Lost City lands, a large number of people will inevitably be eliminated by the tide of events. This includes not only ordinary people who are old, weak, sick, or disabled, but also evil spirits who are not strong enough.

Although he is an evil spirit, he is not like other evil spirits who dominate a region and have the capital to become a king. The only bargaining chip he has is the management authority of the bus terminal. If he does not have a powerful backer, he will probably be eliminated by the trend of the times soon.

Therefore, he naturally wouldn't refuse the opportunity to cooperate with the company.

Xiao Ran glanced at the driver and then noticed his name: Shanpao.

The company staff were also puzzled by the name. The driver scratched his head and said, "I don't know why it's called this, but it's the only name I can remember."

Fortunately, these do not affect the contract.

After the contract was signed here, Xiao Ran also signed an advertising investment contract with Shanpao.

After everything was settled, Xiao Ran did not linger there any longer. He still had many things to do, so after saying goodbye to Shanpao, Xiao Ran directly used his authority to return assets and went back to Jingqi Pavilion.

Time passes day by day.

With Xiao Ran's help in clearing the obstacles, the bus stops in various locations were quickly completed.

Once the first batch of vehicles started running along the route of the bus station, Xiao Ran received a notification that the mission was complete.

[Special Mission: Station Construction Completed!]

Task Description: You need to build at least two stations and meet the conditions for opening the line.

Mission Difficulty:? ?

Task Reward: Right to name a station.

Station naming rights: All passengers getting off or boarding at this station will have a special mark on their person.

With this tag, you can peek at the other person's profession and attribute information at any time.

Xiao Ran had already written down the names of the stations at Shanpao's place, so after the first batch of drivers had completed their journeys, these stations would be given the names left by Xiao Ran. From then on, anyone who entered Ruzhou by train would have their information displayed to Xiao Ran without reservation.

The introduction of public transportation further attracted a large influx of people seeking refuge in Ruzhou.

The company is also increasing its development efforts around Ruzhou.

However, according to the area delineated by Xiao Ran, the commercial district has always been limited to the area centered around the Amazing Pavilion.

It is said that Penglailou and Donglongfang argued with the company's senior management many times over this matter, but in the end they could only let it go and obediently moved the originally selected address to the vicinity of Jingqige.

The locations of both places are not bad, but the location of Jingqi Pavilion is better. As a result, whether people are heading to Donglongfang or Penglai Tower, they will be drawn to Jingqi Pavilion.

In addition, Xiao Ran invested heavily in advertising.

Even before its official opening, the Amazing Pavilion has already sparked much discussion.

However, Xiao Ran still wanted to continue building momentum.

Before long, a special display case appeared in front of the Amazing Pavilion.

There are three items displayed in this showcase.

One item is a pendant called the "Yin Magnetic Aurora Jade Pendant," a cursed object unique to the Underworld. The wearer has a special privilege once a day: Yin Light Escape.

It enables users to make long-distance runs at extremely high speeds in a short period of time.

The second item, also a specialty of the underworld, is the [Following Mirror]. Using it allows one to shrink or enlarge their body.

It can be as large as a small giant, or as small as an ant.

Use twice a day, each time for 3 minutes.

The third item is a mask, but not a "Warrior Mask" but a "King Kong Mask." This is a high-end item from the mask shop.

After equipping the mask, you will not only gain a triple bonus to strength, agility, and constitution, but also a special privilege, the Vajra Body, which can reduce the physical damage you suffer.

These three items, once placed in the display case, immediately attracted a large crowd.

"The 'Shadow Light Escape' technique of this jade pendant sounds quite useful; it could save your life or help you catch up in a critical moment."

"It's a 'follow-the-line mirror,' which can change size. It's good for reconnaissance, infiltration, or hiding. The time limit is a bit short, but it's still okay."

"The King Kong Mask has excellent attribute bonuses and damage reduction privileges, making it a top-quality item!"

"Hmm, they're all good, with a reasonable combination of attributes, especially the Vajra Mask, which is a decent cursed item."

"Indeed, these three cursed items are all of excellent quality and can fetch a good price on the market."

Despite the positive reviews, the general reaction was relatively calm, with expressions of appreciation and valuation in their eyes. It seemed that this was just a warm-up tactic for Amazing Pavilion to showcase its strength and attract customers.

These cursed items are certainly valuable, but in the current environment of the Lost City, they are not considered any special treasures.

There are similar cursed items in Donglongfang, and they're not too expensive.

Just then, a middle-aged man in the crowd, wearing a single pair of glasses and seemingly quite knowledgeable about appraisal, frowned more and more deeply. His gaze swept back and forth between the description labels and the actual items of the three objects, as if confirming something.

Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, he gasped for breath and cried out, "Wait!! These cursed objects... they... don't need to be activated?!"

The exclamation wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples in the crowd!
"What? No activation required? What do you mean?" Someone asked blankly, not quite understanding.

But the quick-thinking and experienced beginners immediately changed their expressions!
Activate! This is an essential condition for using most cursed items, and even for activating certain privileges.

The effects of cursed items will vary depending on the profession.

But each person can only have three professions.

In other words, at most, each person can only activate three cursed items at a time.

This is a hard rule that cannot be changed.

While it's true that many cursed items don't require activation, those that don't are mostly one-time consumables, and they tend to focus on auxiliary functions rather than combat.

But right now, these three cursed items don't need to be activated for anything—whether for escape, ambush, or even self-enhancement.

This means that if you possess these three cursed items, you will have twice as many privileges when fighting others?

Instantly, the atmosphere at the scene transformed from calm onlookers to frenzied spectators!

"Shopkeeper! How much is this jade pendant?"

How much does the King Kong mask cost?

Can a conformal mirror be used anytime? Are there any hidden requirements?

"Are these three items exhibits or for sale? When will they be available for purchase?"

Once they realized what was happening, the crowd could no longer contain themselves and rushed to the display case, surrounding the shopkeeper of Jingqi Pavilion who was standing guard beside it, eagerly asking for detailed information and prices!
Although the shopkeeper was somewhat flustered by the crowd, his eyes shone with excitement and composure, clearly having anticipated this. He began to patiently answer the barrage of questions.

The news, like ignited kerosene, spread rapidly through the mouths of the onlookers, quickly reaching every corner of Ruzhou City and becoming the most explosive news on the streets.

In less than a day, the shocking news spread far and wide, even reaching Bone Spirit Street. Many professionals were alarmed and set off for Ruzhou to see if such a magical cursed object truly existed when the store opened.

The newly opened restaurant next to the Amazing Pavilion, Zhen Ding Wei, was already bustling with activity and every seat was taken.

Thanks to the opening of the bus service, Ruzhou City became more convenient and safer to connect with the outside world than ever before. The number of people flocking to the city seeking shelter and development surged, driving prosperity in all walks of life.

Wu Man's restaurant, Zhen Ding Wei, is even more extraordinary.

Not only is it located in the core business district, but it is also right next to the Amazing Pavilion, with Penglai Tower on one side and Donglongfang on the other. Its excellent location allows it to attract traffic from all three, making it a huge profit.

With such a prime location, it's no wonder that countless people are envious.

Huang Le was sitting behind the counter with a smile on his face, skillfully tapping a calculator with one hand, his face showing genuine satisfaction and peace.

After returning to his original, dangerous settlement, he moved his entire family to Ruzhou without hesitation. Wu Man made him the manager of [Zhen Ding Wei] and gave him 15% of the shares, which was enough to ensure that Huang Le's family would not have to worry for the rest of their lives.

At this moment, almost every table of diners in the restaurant was enthusiastically discussing the same topic.

That's the Amazing Pavilion right next door!
When the bus station was heavily advertised before, many people were amazed by the strength shown by Jingqige.

You have to understand, when Changchun Guild Hall, Penglai Tower, and Donglongfang opened, there wasn't this much fanfare. This place hasn't even opened yet, and there are advertisements everywhere. Even the entrance to this [Zhen Ding Wei] restaurant has a huge advertisement sign for Jingqi Pavilion.

What's more, there are those three cursed items that can be used without activation!
"Have you heard? That Vajra Mask, you can use it as easily as putting on a regular hat! Your strength and agility will increase dramatically!"

"The Yin Magnetic Aurora Jade Pendant is truly amazing! It's an excellent artifact for escaping and traveling!"

"The adaptive mirror is even more amazing! Its size can be changed at will! If you're doing reconnaissance, stealing... uh, infiltration, or evading pursuit, this is simply a divine tool! Two uses a day, it's a hundred times better than some junk that can only be used once!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, the Amazing Pavilion hasn't even officially opened for business yet, and it's already making such a big fuss!! Amazing. I heard that an advertisement for the Amazing Pavilion has also been put up at the entrance of Donglongfang. What does that mean? It's obvious that they recognize the Amazing Pavilion's growth and strength, and its potential to replace Changchun Club."

"Hey, why bring up Changchun of all things? It's bad luck!"

Speaking of the Changchun Association, people haven't heard of this name for a very long time.

The last time I heard about the Changchun Association was when the incident at the Fifth Hospital was exposed, which triggered widespread condemnation and outrage against the Changchun Association.

Therefore, when someone mentioned the Changchun meeting at this time, it was met with more ridicule and sarcasm.

Everyone was talking about it, and it was clear that the Amazing Pavilion was poised to rise to prominence and become a major new force among beginners.

Zhen Ding Wei [Tian Zi Hao] Private Room.

The bustling noise downstairs was blocked out, but the air inside seemed to be solidified like lead.

Several exquisite dishes on the table emitted an enticing aroma, but no one touched them at the moment.

The windows were wide open, and even from a distance, one could still faintly see the frenzied crowd blocking the entrance to the Amazing Pavilion next door, as well as the dim light emanating from the display cases inside.

Inside the private room, several people were leaning against the back of their chairs, arms crossed, staring gloomily at the commotion outside the window, their fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of their glasses as if trying to rub off a layer of glaze.

Only the middle-aged man sitting in the main seat seemed to be in another world.

He was dressed elegantly yet modestly, and moved slowly as he picked up a small, translucent bamboo shoot with his chopsticks.

He chewed slowly, his expression calm, even with a hint of barely perceptible enjoyment, as if the delicious food on his plate was the only thing in the world worth paying attention to.

The hustle and bustle of the outside world seemed to have nothing to do with him.

After a long while, the man sitting by the window raised his head, a thick layer of gloom covering his thin face. This man was the Water Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

He spoke in a dry voice: "These bastards, have they forgotten that if Changchun hadn't set rules for all beginners back then, issued them beginner manuals, and guided them on the path, these beginners probably wouldn't be able to figure out the ins and outs even now?"

After saying that, he turned around, his face ashen: "I can let Donglongfang go, but Penglailou is hiding in the back like a coward, letting the so-called Jingqige grow bigger and stronger. I don't think their fate will be any better."

Shui Ma looked excited and picked up the wine on the table, drinking it down in one gulp.

The other members standing nearby were all key elites of the Changchun Society. Some were under the command of Beast Master, while others were experts under the command of Stealing Jade. Now, they were all grouped together.

Hearing Shui Ma's complaints, the expressions on their faces also turned very unpleasant.

They are all people who have witnessed Changchun's growth and development step by step, its boundless potential, and its progress toward the grand plan.

But they also watched helplessly as the Changchun Guild sank deeper and deeper into the mire. Beast Master died tragically, Jade Thief disappeared, the Twelve Zodiacs either died or vanished, and even the Changchun Guild Hall could not be saved. To this day, these once high-ranking experts dare not even mention their own names when they go out. It is a humiliating situation. No one but themselves can understand the bitterness of this situation better than them.

Another awkward silence fell over the table.

Finally, the middle-aged man at the head of the table put down his chopsticks. He picked up a warm towel from the side and slowly and meticulously wiped the corners of his mouth.

After doing all this, he raised his eyelids, his seemingly calm eyes sweeping over everyone present, as deep as an ancient well.

"What's the rush?" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange sense of stability that instantly suppressed the unease in the room.

"Everything is just on the surface. The foundation of the Changchun Association cannot be shaken by one person, one force, or even a company. Failure is only temporary. Don't forget, the purpose of the Changchun Association should never be to regard itself as a force, but as a whole world."

The middle-aged man raised his glass: "Wherever there are people, there is a jianghu (martial arts world), and wherever there is a jianghu, there will inevitably be the Changchun Society. This is the unchanging truth of the Changchun Society. The reason why Beast Master, Jade Stealer, and Po Jun failed is that they deviated from this principle."

Upon hearing this, Shui Ma and the others fell into deep thought. When they saw the middle-aged man raise his glass, they quickly stood up and raised their glasses as well.

"Clouds are in the sky, water is in the bottle; when the wind rises, the clouds gather; when the wind stops, the clouds disperse. There is no obstacle that cannot be overcome. Everyone should look forward."

Everyone nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

The middle-aged man smiled calmly and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, but his eyes narrowed into slits. "As for the Amazing Pavilion, hmph, it won't be so easy for them to take advantage of the situation."

Those present perked up slightly at his words, their gazes all focusing on the composed middle-aged man at the head of the table. Someone couldn't help but lower their voice and ask, "Master, do you mean...?"

The middle-aged man put down his empty wine glass and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a crisp and rhythmic sound.

The curve of his lips carried a hint of cold amusement.

He scoffed, leaning back in his chair, his eyes as cold as an abyss. "Let him create momentum if he wants to. Little does he know the principle that those who create momentum are strong, and those who ride the wave remain strong. The bigger he creates, the brighter the fire will burn, and the more thoroughly it will burn him to death..."

……

"Master, the situation outside is very good right now. Although we haven't opened for business yet, people come to observe and inquire every day."

Li Botong stood smiling beside Xiao Ran, but his eyes were fixed on the razor in Xiao Ran's hand.

Two young children were sitting in front of Xiao Ran. The older child was no more than six years old, and the younger child was not even five years old.

These two are children that Yu Deng recently found who meet Xiao Ran's criteria, but whose destinies are incomplete.

With the three delivered yesterday, and the one encountered on the road earlier, Xiao Ran has already completed half of the quota of twelve children.

This speed is already very fast.

If it were someone else, finding a child who meets the requirements in a short period of time would not be an easy task.

After Xiao Ran shaved the two children's heads and helped them complete their destiny, she also gave them extra money, arranged for someone to send them back to their parents, and even asked Yu Deng to arrange a job for their parents to ensure the family's livelihood.

This can be considered a form of compensation for Xiao Ran.

"Let's get ready. Send the word that we'll open for business next week."

To create momentum, one must ride the wave. Now that the momentum has been created, it is imperative to open the business as soon as possible while the momentum is still there.

Otherwise, it will be too late to open once the hype dies down.

"promise!"

After Li Botong turned and left, Wu Man walked in with one hand in her pocket, holding a lunchbox: "Hey, if you spread this news, Penglai Tower will probably be in a lot of trouble."

"How to say?"

Xiao Ran washed her hands, turned around and took the lunchbox from Wu Man. The lunchbox had two layers. The first layer contained stir-fried minced meat and chili rings, as well as golden and crispy fried bread slices. The second layer contained fermented noodle soup.

As a Los Angeles resident, a bowl of fermented noodle soup is definitely one of the most memorable foods in my memory.

Xiao Ran swallowed hard, picked up her chopsticks and stirred the liquid a few times. The pale yellow liquid had a slightly sour taste.

This sourness comes from soaking mung beans, grinding them into a paste, and then naturally fermenting it to make sour liquid. It has a light sour and fragrant taste with a mild fermented flavor. It is used as a soup base for noodles, along with a large number of side dishes, and its main feature is a sour and refreshing taste that whets the appetite.

Compared to the douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) in the capital, both are made from mung beans, but the processes are very different. Douzhi is made by fermenting waste pulp residue (the remaining liquid after filtering starch), and then after the douzhi is left to stand and separate into layers, the upper fermented liquid is taken out.

As for the taste... it's sour, thick, and has a strong sour and rancid flavor, similar to the taste of "swill" or "rotten celery".

Although both are made primarily from mung beans, Xiao Ran was unsure why the process of making mung bean juice involved so many steps and why it had such a unique flavor. After much thought, she realized that this might be what was meant by "authentic".

Xiao Ran took a bite of noodles, topped with minced meat and chili, the sour and spicy flavor whetting her appetite and making her mouth water. Then she took a bite of a golden fried mantou slice, which was even more satisfying than eating meat.

Wu Man, sitting to the side, said, "What else can I say? Business is tough. Nowadays, many people would rather go to Donglongfang to order cursed items than go to Penglai Tower. Penglai Tower has a terrible reputation."

Since it was exposed that Penglai Tower used the so-called three-for-one exchange method to swindle professional scrolls from a large number of beginners, Penglai Tower's reputation has been ruined.

It is said that as a result, three managers of Penglai Tower were dismissed, twelve long-term employees were expelled from Penglai Tower, and the senior consultant who planned the event was crippled by Penglai Tower.

But no matter what, the reputation of Penglai Tower has been ruined and its business is declining, which is an undeniable fact.

Now that Xiao Ran's Amazing Pavilion is about to open, it's no surprise that people who have heard the news are clutching their wallets, waiting to spend money on the opening day. As for Penglai Tower, to be honest, if they weren't the largest professional scroll dealer, they would probably have closed down long ago.

"That's good too."

While eating noodles, Xiao Ran said, "From now on, the three of us will split up. They will specialize in selling professional scrolls, and Donglongfang will handle the custom-made cursed items. We will focus on selling high-quality cursed items. As for the trading of ordinary cursed items, that will depend on each company's capabilities."

They were talking.

Huang Le rushed over, his chubby little face flushed red, panting heavily as he ran: "Oh no... no... huff huff huff... something's happened."

Seeing Huang Le's expression, Xiao Ran and Wu Man turned to look at him. Wu Man pulled him and said, "Don't rush, what's wrong? Tell me slowly. Is there a problem with the restaurant?"

"No...no...that's not it!"

Huang Le waved his hand, plopped down in a chair, and after catching his breath several times, said, "I just heard someone in the restaurant say that Bone Spirit Street... Bone Spirit Street... was blown up!"

(End of this chapter)