At the Big Bird a.s.sociation.

The president looked at the data in front of him. They had conquered 30% of the market during the peak hour period and 50% during the non-peak hour period. This was the current situation of the food delivery sector.

Within just half a day…

Half of the territory that they had painstakingly built up over many years was gone.

The food delivery business was very profitable.

After all, powerful cultivators had to ride on huge birds and travel extensively for more than tens or even hundreds of kilometers to deliver food. How could the service be cheap?!

The labor cost of hiring a cultivator was very high!

Therefore…

The Big Bird a.s.sociation's food delivery service could be understood as the high-end service! Those who were willing to pay the price were typically homebody cultivators who condensed fireb.a.l.l.s in the depths of the forests!

Of course.

It was up to them whether they wanted to order red braised phoenix tail or dragon marrow sour and spicy noodles.

They would deliver even if it was a bottle of alcohol!

Therefore…

It had not been easy for the big bird a.s.sociation to widen their market share over the years. They had worked hard for many years to build a loyal base of difficult customers!

Right now…

Someone had grabbed their market share. How could they take it lying down?!

Furthermore…

He could not understand which forces were powerful enough to be able to rob them of their business. Yet, they had not heard of them before?

Afterward…

He asked a few vice presidents to investigate and found a strange outcome — His people had been making the deliveries! The other party had come up with a tactic of sending meals without hiring any humans.

Hehe…

Faking a food delivery to earn money?

The president's eyes lit up.

"What should we do?"

The vice president glanced at him.

"What can we do?

The president looked calm instead. "Same rules. This is not our first compet.i.tor anyway."

"This doesn't seem appropriate?"

The vice president felt somewhat frightened.

Again…

Is it going to start again?

For the purpose of destroying the Sister Group, they utilized some unspeakable tactics in the past and paid a hefty price before it ended!

And now…

"There is no need to do this?"

The vice president sighed. "I heard that the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation has many graduates from The First Academy and they don't have that many disciples. We don't have to engage in such means."

"Humph!

"There is no altruism in business.

"Since they've issued us a challenge, there is no need for us to endure it and give in."

The president sneered. "Perhaps it's time for them to witness how we vanquished the world in the past and conquered 90% of the market!"

Shus.h.!.+

He got up with a cold and serious expression. "Lu Ming hopes that we can compete with him, right? We'll do that then."

"Okay."

The vice president sighed.

That tactic was quite interesting and novel. If modifications were to be made to it, perhaps it could be a success.

It was such a pity…

…

Hence…

That afternoon.

During the peak hours.

A shocking scene appeared.

In a certain area.

A customized order of deep-sea fish big bowl thick noodles was hijacked in the sky by a man in black during a delivery. That man s.n.a.t.c.hed the noodles away!

Somewhere at a building.

A hot and piping barbecued chinese mitten crab was hijacked by a man in black just as it was reaching its destination.

Somewhere in the streets.

There a steamed flaming chicken was toppled.

Somewhere in the suburbs.

Fish with diced hot chili was destroyed.

…

There were many other similar situations.

Basically, every Original Card which flew out from the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation and every food delivery had been targeted by someone. Furthermore…

They were all men in black!

One could not see how they looked!

There were no distinct clues!

In terms of energy…

Well…

They were Energy Warriors!

They were also the largest and most extensive group without any specific characteristics!

Hence…

The disciples from the Card Creators a.s.sociation who had been feeling excited for the entire afternoon did not earn anything for the delivering lunch! They did not even complete a tenth of their food delivery orders!

Everything had been robbed!

Everything had been destroyed!

"This is too infuriating!"

Li Haoran was furious.

This was simply unfair compet.i.tion!

How could anyone do this!

This was a fine meal delivery service. In the end, someone started to use covert methods!

Although they also had tactics to deal with the other party, they did not contravene the law! If the other party was not greedy and did not hijack and rob their deliveries, they would be fine!

They were only conning the guys who blocked and robbed others!

Unexpectedly…

The other party was even worse!

You want us to s.n.a.t.c.h them, right?

We will s.n.a.t.c.h it to our hearts' content then?

"Calm down."

Lu Ming did not think much of it.

He had seen such situations many times in the past. It was not just the food delivery business… Even Xiaolan and Xiaolu who sold cell phones could end up in a fight outside their doorstep…

"But this concerns the disciple's welfare."

Li Haoran felt aggrieved.

Seriously…

This was the benefit that they obtained for the new disciples but in the end…

It was gone before it even started!

How could they not feel angry?

Li Haoran turned back and saw the dejected-looking disciples. This was a great blow to them as they had just seen some light at the end of the tunnel!

"I want to call the police!" Li Haoran gritted his teeth and said.

"Okay."

Lu Ming did not object, although he knew that this would not have much of an effect.

True enough.

Very soon…

The police sent them some information—'Based on the current videos and images, we can only estimate their size and vocation. We can't tell you anything else!'

The most important point was…

The number of men in black was too terrifying!

Basically, it was a different man in black who stole every food delivery order!

There were thousands of them!

How was one going to investigate that?!

If they were to call the high-level police forces, they might be able to investigate it.

However, each activation would deplete extra police resources and even required the mobilization of investigators from the serious crime department. All of this required additional expenses.

Who was going to fork out that money?

They could not possibly seek help from Zhao Yunshan again!

Since the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation wanted to grow and develop, they had to come up with a normal operation mode.

Li Haoran was silent.

He very much wanted to bring this group of guys to justice but he had no alternative. If they were to hire a big shot investigator, the targeted search would cost too much money!

Are we going to let them go like that?!

And…

Do we still continue with the deliveries?

"Master?"

Li Haoran looked at Lu Ming.

"There is no hurry."

Lu Ming smiled slightly. "We'll let them continue with the deliveries. Just tell them that someone will definitely bear this loss. They just have to be responsible for arranging the logistics."

"Huh?

"Master, is this okay?"

Li Haoran felt very worried.

"Don't worry."

Lu Ming smiled faintly.

"Okay."

Li Haoran clenched his teeth.

Since Master had already said that, what was there to be afraid of?

Hence…

He told the disciples to continue with their deliveries. After hearing this, the disciples felt better. Oh, they would be paid regardless of whether the delivery is successful. If that is the case…

Whoos.h.!.+

Whoos.h.!.+

The disciples felt even more motivated.

It was to the extent that…

They continued to deliver the food via the most familiar route. If the food was robbed, the Original Card would return swiftly and continue to accept te takeaway orders…

The sales order of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation reached a new high!

Although most of the deliveries did not arrive.

However…

They did not know that the police's faces had turned pale at this moment…

As a usual practice, the police would be notified of each case of robbery. Therefore, the number of cases was as high as the mountain now!

"Should we get the investigative team to do some deductions?"

"How is that possible! They consume a ma.s.sive amount of energy and effort each time they do a deduction. If it were that easy to deduce, everyone can be an investigator!"

"Then what should we do?"

The policemen had a headache.

These cases…

Although most of them did not cost a lot, each case was independent! They had to find evidence for every case!

Who did this?

The Big Bird a.s.sociation!

They had dealt with the Sister Group with the same tactic. Everyone knew what happened. However, where was the evidence?

How were they going to arrest people without any evidence?

"I'm afraid this year is a goner.

"It's only June. We're definitely going to lose our midterm bonus…"

The policemen were teary-eyed.

However…

Just as they were feeling vexed and pulling at their hair, someone called Li Ergou came knocking on their door and provided them with the best service.

Professional navigation!

Professional search!

He only wanted 10% of the mission reward!

They could look for those men in black based on their aura!

"Really?"

The policemen were doubtful.

Although these were minor cases, it would be a great performance for the police if they could solve all of them!

This was because of the huge volume!

"Of course."

Li Ergou smiled faintly.

The Original Card remembered the aura of the men in black. How could they not recognize them?!

"Please trust us.

"We are professionals in searching for people!"

Hence…

The next day.

The policemen began to spring into action.

Shus.h.!.+

Shus.h.!.+

One by one, the Original Cards appeared and swept its gaze across the photographs. They then brought the policemen to look for the aura of that cultivator…

After a long time… in a certain rented apartment.

A middle-aged man was arrested on the spot. There were even remains of the emperor hibiscus chicken in the room… Well, there was hearsay that this kind of chicken could maintain one's youth. Therefore, it was very popular with female cultivators. It was also one of the more expensive foods among the delivery orders this time.

In the end…

The person had been identified!

Besides compensating the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation for the financial loss, damage to their reputation and the losses caused by a delay in deliveries, they were also fined a huge sum as a punishment!

Of course.

10% of the incentive was given to the Original Card who led the way…

It was a win-win situation for all!

Hence…

The policemen worked even harder.

In just three day's time, they identified and arrested all the men in black who stirred up trouble. Besides being fined, they also had no choice but to pay a huge sum of money for the bail…

When everything was added together…

It would cost them a hand!

…

At the Big Bird a.s.sociation.

The president's hands were trembling slightly when he was sipping tea quietly.

He was the one who had forked out all the money! If he did not do that, he would have been reported jointly by thousands of people! That scene would have been very touching. Therefore, he had to fork out all his money.

Of course.

He was most furious that —this situation was also a tactic!

Yes.

The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation had only delivered takeaway for one day. The remaining three days were spent helping the policemen arrest people… They were earning big bucks!

Had they long thought of this?

Therefore, they set up this so-called scheme to swindle them?

"How did they find us?"

The president could not figure it out.

Seriously…

Clearly, no one was doing the deliveries…

There was only the Original Card!

This tactic would at most retrieve the short video images and scenes from its memory chip. How did they recognize them?!

Obviously…

They did not know that the Original Card… was a living being with an intellect!

"I don't know.

The vice president also looked puzzled.

The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation…

h.e.l.l.. What kind of place is that?

"Check it out!"

The president of the Big Bird a.s.sociation had a sullen look in his eyes. "We must not lose this fight!"

…

At this very moment…

The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation was filled with cheers.

They were successful!

They made back the earnings lost during the first day of delivery!

Because of the Big Bird a.s.sociation's 'help' and the fact they had been hijacked, they had exceeded the number of orders within a short time. Therefore, these earnings…

They were extremely scary!

Of course.

That was only for the first day!

From the second to the fourth day, they relied on the Original Cards to lead and provide navigation to the policemen to arrest people to gain a ma.s.sive amount of incentive!

Unfortunately, this situation did not last long.

After experiencing this once, the Big Bird a.s.sociation was more law abiding now. They did not hijack the Original Cards anymore. Lu Ming and the group were quite disappointed by this… Arresting them was also a form of sales!

"Are they really not robbing anymore?!"

"Yes, I told Xiao-Xiaoji to bring a brewed phoenix tail soup in front of them for a long time but the deliverymen did not take any action."

"It's such a pity."

"That's right."

The disciples of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation heaved continuous sighs. "Why don't we think of something? For example, secretly luring them to take away the food?

"We can wrap another layer and write cultivation elixir on it. Someone is bound to grab it."

"Good idea."

The disciples came up with various strategies.

Li Haoran was speechless.

What are you guys trying to do?!

Suddenly, he felt somewhat worried.

They adopted the two retaliation tactics under forced circ.u.mstances!

Master utilized such a defense and retaliation way for the sake of the disciple's interests!

They were conning only the greedy people!

Afterward…

This group of disciples started to go astray before they had even grown up…

Children, don't go astray! You can't adopt these swindling tactics!

You have to become someone as great and n.o.ble as Master!

Hence…

Li Haoran specially gave a cla.s.s on moral values for the disciples before the situation ended.

In the end…

The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation's food delivery sales resumed normalcy. The Big Bird a.s.sociation also quieted down. The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation had about 20% of the daily market share.

After all…

Although they had fewer people, they were faster!

The main point was…

24 hours without a rest!

Both the deliverymen and the huge bird needed to rest, have meals and cultivate. On the other hand, the Original Cards were cultivating and delivering at the same time for 24 hours a day without any rest. There was no backtracking.

The same route and same delivery - The Original Card could do it faster!

Basically, one card was tantamount to 10 deliverymen!

Therefore…

Almost all the Original Cards were diligently earning money.

Even when Li Haoran and the group were researching techniques, Xiao-Xiaoshé and the few of them created a wristband communication devices and went out for deliveries…

"The Big Bird a.s.sociation doesn't care anymore?"

Lu Ming was shocked.

They slashed 20% of their revenue and the Big Bird a.s.sociation endured it? Judging from their previous tactics, they were not the salted fish type.

"Perhaps it's due to the hot weather?"

Li Haoran looked at the weather outside.

The weather was very hot.

The outdoor temperature was about 40 Degree Celsius.

The endurance levels of the big birds and the deliverymen had reduced noticeably… Perhaps this was the reason that the Big Bird a.s.sociation gave up on competing with Lu Ming and guys?!

"It's quite hot."

Lu Ming squinted his eyes.

Is the weather already that hot in June?

However…

Come to think of it…

Lu Ming touched the ground and felt some warmth.

It was very strange!

The last time he had this strange feeling was when that huge python came to Qing Ming City to stir up trouble and traces of cold aura were emanating from the ground then…

Hence…

Lu Ming lodged a complaint with Tian Du City.

The next day.

Everything resumed to normal.

According to the response from the relevant authorities, they had accidentally turned on the heater and caused certain areas to be heated.

Lu Ming was speechless.

You can turn this thing on accidentally?

However, nothing strange occurred over these two days. It seemed that things had been resolved regardless of whether anything had happened.

…

"It's been very quiet for the past two days."

Li Haoran reported as usual.

Zhang Yang's publicity work was carrying on in an orderly manner. He was preparing to get Ye Liangfei and the group to return to their alma mater and give speeches to attract more people to join the crossroads college…

The Big Bird a.s.sociation also appeared to be competing openly with them.

Lu Ming felt peace again.

However, just as he was preparing to research cards, he received good news —The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation official channel had recruited a first generation disciple who truly satisfied all the criteria!

Qualified talent!

Qualified looks!

He also had a sister!

The publicity done by Salted Crispy Chicken all the while had finally proved useful!

Lu Ming and the rest were excited.

The next day.

The disciple arrived at the a.s.sociation.

Everyone could not help but widen their eyes. They knew a disciple who was outstanding in all areas but did not expect this disciple… to be a woman.

"h.e.l.lo, seniors," the female disciple said softly. She was very charming.

"h.e.l.lo, h.e.l.lo."

All the eyes of the disciples shone.

Even disciples like Li Ergou and Li Haoran were smiling. Finally… there was finally a female disciple! Sob… The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation was almost a 'monk' a.s.sociation.

Xiaobai was silent.

"You don't count," Li Haoran explained.

Xiaobai's beautiful face turned as cold as frost.

"You belong to Master after all," Li Haoran whispered.

"Hum."

Xiaobai then revealed a satisfied smile.

However…

Just at this moment, Li Ergou looked at this new female disciple worriedly. "I'm afraid she will also become Master's."

Shus.h.!.+

Xiaobai's eyes turned dagger-like. She glanced at Li Ergou first and then at that female disciple.

After a long time…

"Humph!

"This is annoying."

Xiaobai furrowed her brows. "I don't like her."

She just felt strange.

"What's on your mind?"

Lu Ming rubbed her little head.

That girl…

Am I the kind of person who forgets loyalty when in love?!

Women and all that…

Miss Xiaoqing is also very outstanding? However I was reborn once and am no longer bothered by such things. Things like romance are basically…

"O huo!

"So big…"

Lu Ming looked up and was instantly shocked.

Xiaobai was silent.

Cough, cough.

"Master is referring to her age. Yes, age. She's much older than you," Lu Ming explained.

Well…

He swept his gaze across the woman and felt somewhat stunned.

Seriously…

This girl had outstanding looks. Long, slender legs and voluptuous figure. She had the combination of the various positive attributes of Miss Xiaoqing, Senior Qiu Shuyi, and Xiaobai!

This lady… was certainly a qualified disciple!

"Greetings to the president."

The lady gently walked to him as she spoke.

"Don't frighten other people."

Lu Ming rubbed Xiaobai's head unhappily. He did not know whether to laugh or cry. As the Senior Sister, how could she look at other people like that?

Hence…

He walked over and prepared to receive this new disciple. However, just at this moment, his entire body trembled.

Bang!

There was a deafening sound in his Sea of Consciousness.

A pair of dazzling and enormous eyes with a golden s.h.i.+ne emerged in his Sea of Consciousness.

Over there, Brother Cat who had been asleep for very long suddenly woke up. It shook the hairs on its body. Its gaze penetrated through the void and traversed Lu Ming's body… and landed on this disciple.

Lu Ming was shocked. What is happening?

…