If I don't spend my merits, what am I saving them for

The next morning, the Rare Treasures Bazaar grew even more bustling, with the streets teeming with lively crowds.

Today marked the official opening of the bazaar, and the trading period would last for a full month. The first few days were always the busiest, with the most vendors and the largest influx of visitors searching for their desired treasures.

"Five-hundred-year-old sea silk! The finest and most luxurious material for garments!"

"A secret treasure recipe from the Crab Clan, passed down through generations—the only one in the world! I went through hell to obtain this, and I’m selling it for eight hundred taels of gold!"

"Aren’t the Crab Clan’s secret recipes never shared with outsiders? How do we know yours isn’t fake?"

"Impossible! I stole it with my own hands!"

Stalls lined the bazaar, ranging from small roadside setups to large shops with storefronts, each employing their own tactics to attract customers.

Some relied on discounts for quality goods, others on captivating storytelling, and some simply on sheer volume.

But no promotional method could compare to the dazzling spectacle at the heart of the bazaar today.

Not far away, atop the exquisitely designed Pearl Tower, shimmering projections flickered to life, enveloping the entrance like a mirage. The images displayed a beautiful sea-dwelling maiden holding a rare treasure and a bright-eyed young man.

It was an advertisement—crafted using principles similar to a mirage!

And within it... was what seemed to be a live product demonstration?

"Uh, Little Tian, hold the item up properly—yes, one hand raised high, let it dangle down..."

Li Mo directed Lan Tian to adjust her pose before placing the merchandise in her hand.

Anyone who frequently drank coconut milk might find her somewhat familiar...

Yesterday, Young Li had successfully become the majority shareholder of Pearl Tower—not just with mountains of gold and mystic crystals, but also with his advanced business acumen and... the golden reputation of being a royal merchant.

Coincidentally, he had also run into Lan Tian, who had come to sell her hometown’s seafood.

With the promise of free meals and generous wages, he managed to recruit the food-loving girl as Pearl Tower’s very first live-streaming hostess.

However, Lan Tian was new to this and still nervous, so Li Mo decided to personally guide her through the process.

"Isn’t that Li Jianhao, the top-ranked genius of Hidden Dragon, wielder of the Fourfold Mirage?"

"I heard he has a legendary sword."

"Is he giving out freebies to celebrate his engagement to the Frost Fairy? Sounds too good to be true—let’s hear what the deal is."

Even here on the eastern shores, Li Mo’s reputation had spread far and wide.

In an instant, crowds swarmed around Pearl Tower, forming layers upon layers of onlookers.

"The bazaar is now open, and coincidentally, I’m about to get engaged. To celebrate this joyous occasion, I’m personally funding a special promotion for all of you!"

"Struggling with empty pockets? Pearl Tower now offers Golden Mountain Subsidies!"

"Worried about buying something expensive only to use it once? Fear not! Here’s a second benefit—group purchases of three get an extra 10% off!"

"And if that’s still not enough..."

Li Mo trailed off deliberately, then chuckled awkwardly and shut his mouth.

The suspense left the crowd hanging on his every word.

"Didn’t you say everyone could get their friends and family to 'slash the price'? That if enough people joined in, they could even get treasures for free?"

The naive Lan Tian blurted out, completely oblivious to the pained expression on Young Li’s face.

"What are you talking about? When did I ever say that?"

Li Mo stiffened, waving his hands in frantic denial.

"'Slash the price'?"

Among the crowd, a young man in a purple shirt, who had just arrived outside Pearl Tower, paused in his steps.

"What’s Li Mo up to? Why is he drumming up business for Pearl Tower? Did they bribe him, or is this promotion real?"

The old man beside him also looked up.

After exchanging a glance, the two decided to wait and observe.

"Brother Li, you definitely said it! You told me that customers could invite friends and family to 'slash the price'—one slash per person. If enough people joined, they could even get rare treasures for free!"

Lan Tian’s innocent, clueless demeanor made it impossible to doubt her words.

"Stop talking, just stop!"

Li Mo gritted his teeth.

"I didn’t expect the bazaar to draw such a huge crowd. What I said earlier doesn’t count anymore—do you want me to go bankrupt?"

His face twitched, and if not for the audience, he might have lunged to cover Lan Tian’s mouth. Even an expert con artist wouldn’t be able to tell if he was acting.

"So 'slash the price' means bargaining?"

"Free rare treasures? How is that possible?"

"No wonder they call him the Benevolent Swordmaster. My clan is famous for its large families—if we all come to slash the price, won’t that be insane?"

"Young Hero Li, a man of your stature can’t go back on your word!"

In an instant, both humans and sea-dwellers alike lit up with excitement.

With Pearl Tower’s long-standing prestige and Li Mo’s endorsement, who would doubt its legitimacy? Soon, countless people were calling over friends and relatives.

Some even stopped random passersby with the plea, "Can you help me slash the price?"

Unbeknownst to them, Pearl Tower’s other shareholders watched from above, their expressions a mix of awe and exasperation as they observed Li Mo’s theatrics.

Was this the acting prowess of Qingyuan Sect’s best leading man?

No wonder he became a royal merchant.

Word spread like wildfire, and soon Pearl Tower was flooded with customers, forming long queues outside.

......

"Did you hear? Young Hero Li is getting engaged and giving out promotions at the bazaar!"

"You mean the 'slash the price' deal where you can get treasures for free if enough people join in?"

"Not just free—a friend of mine got lucky! After just three slashes, he not only got a treasure but Pearl Tower even gave him five hundred taels of silver!"

"But why would Young Hero Li do this? Isn’t this like free money falling from the sky?"

"He didn’t want to! The Lan family’s daughter accidentally spilled the secret, and he had no choice but to honor his word to save face."

......

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the street, members of the Luminous Heart Sect had been observing from a teahouse for some time.

The young man in the purple shirt watched the endless stream of people exiting Pearl Tower, thoughtfully rubbing his thumb ring.

Cautious by nature, he refrained from acting immediately, even as the frenzy across the street grew.

"Young Sect Master, it seems genuine. This is a heaven-sent opportunity."

The old man could barely contain his excitement.

Though the Luminous Heart Sect was wealthy and had the potential to become a regional powerhouse, who would ever turn down more riches?

Between the Golden Mountain Subsidies and the "slash the price" deal—even a literal mountain of gold wouldn’t last long. If they hesitated any longer, they might miss out on this windfall entirely.

Finally, the young sect master made his decision.

"Send word—have all three thousand of our disciples come and slash the price!"