Lu Chengqing brought along his four top musicians.

Accompanied by Lu Chengqing, Chu Xinghe critically watched the performance for a full half-hour...

When the final piece concluded, Chu Xinghe fell into deep thought.

Lu Chengqing wasn't just skilled; he was damn skilled.

If it weren't for the concern of maintaining his identity, Chu Xinghe felt he would have to critically watch for even longer...

The attraction was just too strong...

Even Chu Xinghe thought that such a performance, even if priced a bit higher, was justified.

Do you know how hard it is for these musicians?

Look at them, wearing so little in the freezing weather, performing so diligently. Isn't that worth your money?

If Lu Chengqing really started operating like this, wouldn't the Grand Sky Tower take off instantly?

This kind of high-end customized service is truly hard to refuse.

"Senior Brother Xinghe, what do you think? Isn't it a bit too effeminate?"

Chu Xinghe really wanted to nod and say it was great, and then critique it further.

But the problem is, damn it, is this what I'm here to critique? I've already managed to get three of the four branches to take off.

If the Southern Branch really goes back and adopts this effeminate style, wouldn't it take off again?

After thinking it over, Chu Xinghe spoke, "President Lu... isn't this a bit vulgar?"

"Senior Brother Xinghe, you might not know, but we're already much better than the Star Moon Tower of the Star Moon Sect."

What? Better than the Star Moon Tower? Then what does the Star Moon Tower do?

Hearing this, even Senior Brother Xinghe wanted to go critique it.

Lu Chengqing then introduced the situation of the Star Moon Tower. In the past, the Grand Sky Tower was the dominant force in the south, and the Star Moon Tower couldn't compare in terms of strength or musicians' abilities.

But the Star Moon Tower had its tricks...

With various customized costumes, it managed to rise rapidly, and now it's almost on par with the Grand Sky Tower.

It's only because Lu Chengqing is skilled that the Grand Sky Tower hasn't been overtaken by the Star Moon Tower.

Lu Chengqing's introduction of the effeminate beauty in customized costumes was an attempt to compete with the Star Moon Tower.

After hearing Lu Chengqing's introduction, Chu Xinghe remained silent for a long time.

The branch president of the Grand Sky Chamber of Commerce isn't just a title; Lu Chengqing's ability to remain the Southern Branch president for seven years without falling is a testament to his true capability.

If they follow his plan, it's obvious that the Southern Branch will soar in the second half of the year, and their performance will surely see a massive boost.

"President Lu, our Grand Sky Sect is a reputable and upright sect. The methods of the Star Moon Tower are indeed too vulgar; how can we learn from them?"

"So, I think we should abandon this effeminate beauty idea, but I have another path for you."

Initially puzzled by the rejection, Lu Chengqing's eyes lit up when he heard Senior Brother Xinghe mention another path.

Here it comes... Senior Brother Xinghe finally thought of a way to help our Southern Branch?

"I think pure music and dance are too monotonous, so you can find your Senior Brother Ma Liang. With his Feng City Ten Thousand Ghost Formation, you can surely open the door to a whole new world!"

Chu Xinghe became more excited as he spoke.

Lu Chengqing wanted to pursue effeminate beauty, right? Can our Grand Sky Sect engage in such vulgar things?

Can I, Senior Brother Xinghe, just watch your Southern Branch take off?

Of the four branches, I'm now counting on the Southern Branch's report for the last bit of comfort.

And you want to take off with effeminate beauty?

I'm telling you, it's impossible!

Forget about effeminate beauty, Lu Chengqing... but Senior Brother Xinghe still has to thank you for providing me with a new idea.

You like effeminate beauty, right? How about Senior Brother Xinghe plans an infernal beauty for you?

Why go for effeminate beauty? Let's go for infernal beauty!

The customized costumes and beautiful musicians of the Star Moon Tower are too damn vulgar.

Our Grand Sky Tower will not follow this path; we focus on the infernal.

With so many beautiful musicians, when the time comes, they'll play music while various fierce ghosts dance around. Tell me, isn't that infernal?

This infernal beauty is something you won't find anywhere else but our Grand Sky Tower.

Compared to those who reduce clothing fabric at the drop of a hat, tell me, isn't the sight of fierce ghosts flying around more elegant?

And this move not only completely kills Lu Chengqing's rise plan but also fixes the bug where the Northern Branch made a killing with alchemy using the Wan Ghosts Formation.

The Northern Chamber of Commerce made a fortune with fierce ghost alchemy, right?

I'll just pull the rug from under you, taking away a bunch of fierce ghosts for your alchemy, and won't your production plummet?

This move by Senior Brother Xinghe kills two birds with one stone; won't both the Southern and Northern Chambers suffer a double loss?

But don't worry, Lu Chengqing, Senior Brother Xinghe is all about virtue. You take the loss, and when the sect blames us, I'll take the fall. In taking the fall, I've never backed down!

Lu Chengqing looked at Senior Brother Xinghe, utterly confused.

Regarding Senior Brother Xinghe's suggestion to use Ma Liang's Wan Ghosts Formation, Lu Chengqing's mind was a bit stuck.

Because after hearing it, Lu Chengqing imagined...

Beautiful musicians playing... and fierce ghosts flying around? Damn, how does that sound like something normal people can appreciate?

But precisely because he couldn't understand, Lu Chengqing became more serious. Hasn't Senior Brother Xinghe always been known for his incomprehensible methods?

And history shows that the more outlandish Senior Brother Xinghe's operations seem, the better the results usually are. Although he couldn't understand the appeal of fierce ghosts flying around, since Senior Brother Xinghe said it, it must be useful.

Lu Chengqing thanked Senior Brother Xinghe for his suggestion and then asked if there were any other instructions. After confirming there were none, Lu Chengqing immediately went to find Ma Liang in the sect.

Ma Liang was dumbfounded after hearing it.

Wan Ghosts Formation paired with musicians? What kind of nonsense is this? Who the hell came up with this idea? Is this person an idiot?

What? Senior Brother Xinghe? Then Senior Brother Xinghe must have a deeper meaning!

Hearing it was Senior Brother Xinghe's idea, Ma Liang immediately realized this wasn't simple.

He pulled Lu Chengqing aside to ask in detail what exactly Senior Brother Xinghe had said.

But Lu Chengqing, looking bewildered, said he only remembered the most critical parts.

Hearing this, Ma Liang looked at him with disappointment.

Lu Chengqing, oh Lu Chengqing, you're so muddle-headed!

Senior Brother Xinghe's guidance has no distinction between what's critical and what's not.

Every word from Senior Brother Xinghe might contain hidden meaning, and every sentence might have a deeper significance.

Senior Brother Xinghe always wants us to grasp the key points ourselves, thereby improving our comprehension. Senior Brother Xinghe told you so much, and you didn't remember any of it...

You really don't know how to cherish it!

Hearing Ma Liang's words, Lu Chengqing was also filled with regret...

I had no idea... What should I do now? Should I go back to Senior Brother Xinghe and ask again?

But just as Lu Chengqing was about to get up, Ma Liang stopped him.

"Lu Chengqing... if you go back to Senior Brother Xinghe, you'll disappoint him..."

Hearing this, Lu Chengqing was shocked... Disappoint Senior Brother Xinghe?

That won't do... If Senior Brother Xinghe is truly disappointed in me, then no matter how much the Southern Branch rises, it will be hard to have a long-term future.

But just as Lu Chengqing was at a loss, Ma Liang spoke calmly, "Lu Chengqing, you should be grateful. As Senior Brother Xinghe's number one confidant, you're in luck with me here!"

Lu Chengqing was incredibly excited upon hearing this.

He thanked Senior Brother Ma Liang for his loyalty and then listened to how Senior Brother Ma Liang had always precisely assisted Senior Brother Xinghe.

After hearing it, Lu Chengqing knew that with Senior Brother Ma Liang's help, he was secure!

Then Lu Chengqing first introduced the musicians. When Ma Liang heard about the rejected customized costume plan, he said, "What is this?"

There's even this? Senior Brother Xinghe critiqued it? Then I must critique it too...

Not knowing what to critique, but once he started, it was brutal...

Watching the customized costume performance, Ma Liang was teary-eyed... Senior Brother Xinghe was right.

Vulgar... too vulgar... It's so vulgar it makes me sick.

Our Grand Sky Sect, how can we rely on such vulgar things to win?

Effeminate beauty? This is just vulgar... So, Lu Chengqing, have them perform again; I must critique them harshly once more.

In fact, have them perform every day, and I'll help you critique them several times daily!

Meanwhile, I'll also think about how to combine the musicians with the Wan Ghosts Formation.

And so, Ma Liang began his daily journey of painful and disappointing critique...

At the Spirit Crane Palace, Chu Xinghe, with a critical expression, said, "Senior Brother Feng, aren't you being too stingy?"

Previously, when he proposed the reverse gifting plan, although Senior Brother Feng was confused, he agreed. Over the past two days, Senior Brother Feng personally thought about what gifts to prepare for the guests.

Then he pulled out a gift list.

But looking at the list, Chu Xinghe critiqued, "Senior Brother Feng, isn't this a bit too stingy?"

Giving ten spirit stones as gifts to ordinary disciples?

Giving a top-grade spirit weapon as a souvenir to the various big shots?

Is this gifting? This is embarrassing!

Our Grand Sky Sect is wealthy and powerful; isn't giving so little too conservative?

Then Chu Xinghe offered his opinion.

With so many big shots traveling from afar to our Grand Sky Sect, can we be stingy when they casually wish us prosperity?

So why not give each a Flute of Time and Space?

And those Chosen ones, who will be big shots in the future, shouldn't we build good relationships with them early?

So why not give each a top-grade spirit weapon? Just asking, what's wrong with that?

After hearing Junior Brother Xinghe's gifting plan, Feng Fei was dumbfounded... Junior Brother Xinghe, are you serious?

Top-grade spirit weapons are one thing, but casually giving away Flutes of Time and Space? Do you know how high the cost is to craft a Flute of Time and Space?

Now the Flutes of Time and Space are priced sky-high outside... Isn't giving them away for free a bit too outrageous?