Chapter 286: A Tense Deal in Mingsha City

This!

At these words, Daoist Master instinctively glanced at the dust on his clothes. His face burned with embarrassment as he silently cursed his own foolishness.

Who gets so crammed into a train that they end up covered in sand and dust!

The mood in the reception hall grew tense. After a brief pause, Daoist Master finally looked up at Xu Hao and said, “Chengzhu, there’s something we need to discuss.”

Before Daoist Master could finish his sentence, Xu Hao waved him off.

“Daoist, as expected. Today’s trending topic involves you too. You might not know, but my two older sisters were on that plane—they claimed they saw a man in the clouds.”

“In the clouds?”

Daoist couldn’t help but smile wryly and shake his head.

“Don’t start telling me to believe in science or that it was a hallucination! Only ordinary folks would buy that nonsense!”

Xu Hao fixed his gaze on Daoist Yougong.

“Alright, Chengzhu! Now I suddenly understand why Daoist Master Cangshan insisted on rebuilding Wuzhuang Temple in Mingsha City. With you on board, the temple’s fortunes are bound to be bright.”

Hearing this, Daoist Yougong seemed to piece things together, his expression noticeably lightening.

“Then may I ask, why do you want to join the Magic Competition? For someone of your caliber,”

Xu Hao slowly lowered his teacup and pressed on,

At this point,

he was convinced that the Daoist before him and Daoist Master Cangshan were in a league of their own—not the typical sort found in the Long Kingdom’s Daoist Association.

Simply put,

from the moment he laid eyes on Daoist Master, he felt something was different.

Joining the Magic Competition at this level would be a downgrade for a magician! “Frankly, the cultivation hall left by the Ancestor has fallen into disrepair, and funds are scarce! You know well that outsiders like us have many limitations.”

Daoist Yougong replied honestly.

“So it’s all for that 30-plus million Dragon Coins prize?”

“Yes! You see, could it be…”

After a brief pause, Daoist Yougong drew a deep breath.

“Chengzhu, before I arrived, General Zhu mentioned that if you joined the competition, you’d help us repair Wuzhuang Temple?”

Xu Hao didn’t answer directly. Instead he countered,

“Indeed! Outsiders only receive rewards when they earn them!”

Daoist Yougong nodded almost without a moment’s thought.

“Then how about this: even if you don’t participate in the Magic Competition, Mingsha City will cover the costs for refurbishing the hall if you agree.”

Xu Hao straightened his posture.

He knew well the caliber of Daoist Master Cangshan. When someone like him shows up, it’s only natural to form a good connection.

“Change the terms?”

“Daoist, truth be told, Mingsha City plans to build several small islands on the lake. On one of them, we want to construct a Bi You Gong. Your Daoist name, Yougong, suggests a fateful link with this palace! How about helping us build the Bi You Gong? I’ve already promised Daoist Master Cangshan that I’d handle Wuzhuang Temple myself.”

“Ah? You want to build a Bi You Gong in Mingsha City?”

At first, he was nonplussed, but when he heard it, Daoist Master Cangshan was instantly taken aback.

“Yes!”

“Is this Bi You Gong meant to be an ordinary hall, or one designed to attract devoted worshippers?”

Coming back to his senses,

Daoist Yougong hurriedly asked,

“Of course it’s meant for genuine worship. If it were a mere hall, our teachers from Mingsha Academy’s Ancient Building Department could handle it. And as for the materials, don’t worry—whatever you need, Mingsha City will provide. Even Thunderwood, Firewood, or Kunlun Jade—we’ll figure it out.”

Xu Hao added,

In truth, the idea of having Daoist Master build the Bi You Gong struck him just then. To create the Three Immortal Mountains, you need a strong following.

Only with drifting incense and wafting mists can these artificial islands evoke the aura of a celestial mountain. Besides, a building meant to receive worship must be built with care. He even had plans for a Penglai Pavilion, which might prove too much to handle.

“Thunderwood, Kunlun Jade—Chengzhu, no problem! This is an extraordinary opportunity!”

To Xu Hao’s surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, Daoist Master replied, clearly animated.

“No problem? We’re pressed for time! It needs to be finished in just three months.”

“As long as the materials are sufficient, there’ll be no issue!”

Daoist Master beamed with delight.

“Alright, it’s settled then. Daoist, you’ll stay in Mingsha City for now to help out. When the International Magic Competition kicks off, you can just jump in!”

Seeing this, Xu Hao didn’t hesitate and decided immediately, “Alright!”

“Then Daoist Master, tonight please provide a list of materials.”

“Got it, Chengzhu!”

An hour later, Daoist Yougong left the Ancient Building Courtyard. He glanced at his room card before looking over at the main gate. He pulled out a talisman, paused as if reconsidering, then tucked it away and dialed a number on his phone.

Soon,

the call connected! Almost immediately, a young man’s voice emerged on the line.

“Master, have you heard anything?”

“Muling, stay put and gather all the important items from the Daoist Hall. I’ll be tied up here in Mingsha City for several months!”

Daoist Yougong instructed.

“Ah? Several months? And we have to pack up all the important items?”

“Yes! This is a major opportunity. Daoist Master Cangshan is incredibly cunning—always scheming to benefit his faction without being forthright with us. This time, I’ll make sure to build our hall even better than Wuzhuang Temple to get under his skin!”

“A major opportunity?”

“You’ll see soon enough! And by the way, if you ever meet Chengzhu, you must show him unwavering respect. Don’t think your modest skills can get you far—he’s no ordinary man!”

“Oh!”

For some reason, the festive spirit of the New Year seemed to be fading. The holiday passed almost unnoticed—in fact, New Year’s Eve felt like nothing more than collecting a few red envelopes and having a simple meal.

Forget the Spring Festival Gala—I hardly even tuned in.

Yet New Year’s Eve in Mingsha City had tourists raving. Early in the morning, visitors ascended to the Jiuding Altar atop Langya Mountain to offer incense to the Ancestor; at noon, they visited Nanzhao Ancient Capital to enjoy local festivities; and at night, employees and patients from Taiyi Hospital joined a dinner at Zhaixing Pavilion. Finally, gathered on the pavilion, they admired the city’s dazzling lights and fireworks—a New Year celebration straight out of a TV show.

Thus, Mingsha City once again won overwhelming favor, becoming a top-year-round destination for travelers.

From sunrise to sunset,

before anyone knew it, it was the third day of the New Year. At nine in the morning, someone shouted, “Props team, bring everything over here!”

In a small courtyard in Qixia Town, the place buzzed with activity.

Fang Hou stood atop a large suitcase, directing the staff.

“No choice! Even though Xu Hao said he’d take it easy this year, Mingsha City’s departments are too competitive—how can I possibly rest?”

Especially as he looked at the barricade erected north of Taiyi Hospital along with a small hill barely visible beyond, an inexplicable pressure welled up inside him.

No one else knew, but as a top executive in Mingsha City, he was fully aware that heavy machinery had been working in that area—only stopping for one day on New Year’s Eve.

So he picked up his phone and began calling the actors from Longmen Escort Agency!

The TV series Longmen Escort Agency, a sequel to Wulin Wai Chuan, is being filmed at the newly built Longmen Inn at the end of Qixia Town.

“Everyone, hurry up! Today we handle costumes and makeup; tomorrow the entire Daoist crew will be set to start filming!”

A few minutes later,

seeing that everything was nearly ready, Fang Hou took his loudspeaker and said, “Alright, Director Fang!”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Director Zheng, sort out the set here while I go fetch the script from the leadership!”

Jumping off the wooden box,

Fang Hou handed the loudspeaker to Zheng Dan and said,

“Fetch the script?”

Zheng Dan was momentarily stunned.

Wasn’t the script for Longmen Inn already delivered? Why fetch it again?

“During last year’s Cultural Expo, Director Xu and Yan City TV discussed a historical sci-fi project. As our series starts filming, that project will also begin casting!”

Fang Hou explained casually.

“Ah? A historical sci-fi drama?”

Zheng Dan was immediately taken aback.

He had never heard of such a mix—how could history and science fiction possibly blend?

But since it’s been decided, he’d review the script and then discuss casting with General Zhu.

“Alright!”

At that moment, Zheng Dan’s curiosity grew. He was eager to see what this historical sci-fi drama would be like.

No secret stays hidden, especially not in a film crew!

A few days later, news about Haofang Culture’s new series had the internet abuzz. Yet discussions in the forums weren’t about Longmen Escort Agency—they focused on that historical sci-fi drama.

“Really?”

“Yes! The word came from extras in the crew. Some even checked with Yan City TV staff and got the same answer.”

“How can history and science fiction be combined?”

“I’m not sure, but judging by the stir in Mingsha City, this series is bound to be a blockbuster!”

“Mingsha City is making waves?”

“Yes. Over the past two days, tourists and patients at Taiyi Hospital mentioned a huge barricade built behind the hospital. Inside, massive machinery, construction vehicles, and a swarm of workers can be seen—it seems all are preparing for the series.”

“For the series? Weren’t there reports that the area behind was for the International Magic Festival?”

At the mention of the barricade, many netizens quickly questioned it.

For some reason, whenever Mingsha City sets up barricades, anticipation always rises—especially after the Cultural Expo. Every time the barricades come down, it heralds a spectacular project.

“Definitely not! This barricade is massive, far larger than that of Mingsha Academy, and way too big for a Magic Festival venue!”

Some netizens immediately dismissed the idea.

“Right! So when will this series launch?”

“Not sure! But one thing’s certain: the historical dramedy we’ve already filed will premiere sometime between the Magic Festival and the actual Magic Competition.”