Chapter 393: Unexpected Closure and Rising Tensions

A Moment

Staring at the newly updated trending topic on the computer screen, Li Jue and Liu Shan were stunned once again.

The entry boldly declared:

“To enhance visitor experience and prepare for the Peach Gathering, Mingsha City will undergo maintenance in three days. No visitors will be admitted temporarily. We appreciate your understanding and support.”

Initial estimates suggest

that Mingsha City will reopen after maintenance on September 30. Netizens are cordially invited to visit.

They exchanged glances.

After a long pause, Li Jue and Liu Shan straightened up. “This…”

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled entirely with confusion.

“To shut down the entire Mingsha City for a Peach Gathering and an artifact exhibition? It seems completely unnecessary.”

“Exactly! In fact, the goal of attracting public attention has already been achieved.”

The announcement made it clear: this wasn’t a typical, hidden repair like other attractions—it was a complete shutdown.

Although online buzz around Mingsha City had dipped slightly due to issues with No.4 Entertainment City, summer visitor numbers for study tours and travel had actually surged.

The guesthouses and hotels in the scenic area were booked solid.

Some even argued online that, unlike certain domestic chain hotels that doubled prices amid the tourist surge, the guesthouses in Mingsha City remained reasonable. Had they hiked prices, summer revenue could have quadrupled.

“Alright, call Old Cao immediately—he’s on-site! Ask him for the specifics. With Mingsha Academy students in the middle of enrollment, could the shutdown affect them?”

After a brief silence,

Liu Shan couldn’t help but speak up.

“Got it!”

As Li Jue contemplated, he picked up the phone on the table and dialed Cao Jun’s number.

Beep beep beep. In a few moments, the call connected and Cao Jun’s voice came through:

“What’s up, Old Li?”

“Old Cao, I just saw the online announcement from Mingsha City. Are they planning to close the attraction?”

Feeling the urgency, Li Jue didn’t waste time with pleasantries and got straight to the point.

“It appears so. I received a call from Xiao Xu just half an hour ago.”

Instantly, Cao Jun confirmed.

“Why? Just because of the Peach Gathering and that barely noticed artifact exhibition?”

Li Jue instinctively exhaled.

“Yeah, probably.”

Cao Jun replied.

“Why? It doesn’t seem like either the Peach Gathering or the artifact exhibition warrants such a drastic move. For the Peach Gathering, a square is enough—Mingsha City has plenty.

And the artifact exhibition? Any grand hall in the Historic District would do. Plus, what about the students of Mingsha Academy? This year’s enrollment was off the charts, even drawing comments from top-tier universities like 985 and 211.

Under these circumstances, won’t the new students have concerns? What about next year’s enrollment?”

Seeking confirmation,

Li Jue couldn’t hold back his worries.

He was especially anxious about Mingsha Academy.

Mingsha Academy had launched with a bang—a true game changer. As long as it stayed on course, it was destined to rival the likes of Qinghua University and Yan City University.

“As for Mingsha City’s specific projects, I’m not entirely sure, but Mingsha Academy shouldn’t be affected by the closure.”

On the other end, after a brief pause upon hearing Li Jue’s concerns, Old Cao finally spoke.

Cao Jun, the Vice Dean of Mingsha Academy and in charge of all academy matters, admitted he wasn’t fully informed about the city’s construction issues.

“Unaffected?”

Both Li Jue and Liu Shan were taken aback.

“Yes! The academy’s registration only closed the day before yesterday, and the following month is reserved for military training. Since the academy is already closed during training, there’s no real impact.”

Cao Jun explained.

Inside Mingsha City, everything—from medical care to gourmet food—was set to the highest standards. Moreover, with Mingsha Academy’s expansive north and south zones coupled with the North Campus’s Eight Formations Array and Jixia Academy, even if students were allowed out, they’d hardly venture beyond.

In fact, after the closure, the students might even cheer.

Without the crowds, they could finally enjoy some peace.

“Well then, it’s a relief there’s no impact. We always thought it was just a couple of minor projects that didn’t require such fuss.”

At these words,

Li Jue and Liu Shan let out a slight sigh of relief.

“Old Li, don’t worry! Since Xiao Xu has decided on this course, there must be a reason. Haven’t you seen what kind of person he is? With Mingsha City’s vast resources, how could he afford to mess up?

He wouldn’t sink Mingsha City into chaos just because of a government request.”

Understanding their anxiety for Mingsha City, Cao Jun reassured them further.

“Sigh, we can only take it one step at a time. By the way, if you need any help over there, call immediately. The Ancient Architecture Institute will coordinate the solution.”

At this point, there was little else Li Jue and Liu Shan could say.

In truth,

the shock over the city’s closure wasn’t confined to Li Jue and Liu Shan. Officials like Qin Xuan from Mingsha County, Dong Liping and Feng Wancheng from Su Province, and even leaders from Haishi, Dino Park, and Fengdu Ghost City—who fancied themselves Mingsha City’s top rivals—were all dumbfounded.

Especially Cole from Dino Park,

who, after his initial daze, acted as if he were under siege. In the end, he called Headquarters and, after discussions, canceled Dino Park’s Magic Academy pre-event scheduled during the Long Kingdom’s National Day.

To him,

Mingsha City would never shut down entirely for a Peach Gathering and an artifact exhibition. There had to be more to this.

By National Day, all eyes would be on Mingsha City; no other domestic attraction or tourism project could steal its spotlight.

Given this, postponing the event might actually be wise.

And as for the earlier announcement from Dino Park?

Since Mingsha City could make such quick statements, they could just as easily shift it to New Year’s Day.

Yet, what Cao Jun, Cole, and the others didn’t know was that this sudden shutdown wasn’t pre-planned by Xu Hao—it was forced upon him.

After the auction, Xu Hao received a call from Li Jue. They wanted Mingsha City to help shoulder some of the media pressure.

After agreeing, he called Zhu Qiang and Luo Peng, instructing them to release some project updates.

The idea was simple: as long as it attracted attention, it was enough.

But things quickly spiraled out of control. The term ‘Peach Gathering’ elevated the promotional effect to top-tier levels while stirring significant controversy.

The Peach Gathering originally planned by Xu Hao and Luo Peng was far less mystical than the online rumors suggested. The plan was to work with Wuzhuang Temple and keep the original projects running as scheduled, with the true focus being the artifact exhibition.

However, the public fixated on the Peach Gathering, ramping up expectations to unprecedented heights, while the artifact exhibition faded into obscurity.

As a result,

the original plan for the Peach Gathering was no longer viable—it had to be radically upgraded, or Mingsha City’s reputation would suffer greatly.

At that moment,

in the Mingsha City and Mingsha Tourism conference room, Xu Hao—who had rushed back overnight from Haishi—was furrowing his brows. In the room were not only Zhu Qiang, Luo Peng, Fang Hou, Li Shaoqing, and Zhuang Yang from Mingsha City’s core management but also Daoist Master Cangshan and Canghai.

“At this point, let’s all speak up. With National Day around the corner, how far along are your current projects?”