Inside the Shu family inn..

"In three months..," a guest said to his fellow adventurer, "..the Purple Mist Sect will open a portal in the formation blocking the wasteland."

"Well, I heard that a year ago a sage beast white tiger attempted to break from inside through the formation," the other adventurer replied. "I also heard somebody hunted it.. but unfortunately, nobody knew where the beast went."

"I'm pretty sure a strong cultivator killed it," the guest said. "Anyway, I think I heard that the sect will attempt to open a gate only for Expert realm cultivators."

"That's pretty obvious," the other adventurer interrupted, "the sect has plenty of half-step Sage disciples.. if they're opening a gate, they'll make sure to monopolize the treasures in the wasteland."

"Makes sense," the guest said, "but its good the sect is opening the event to other cultivators.. I heard some big clans in Jiang City were invited."

"Do you think we have a shot at getting anything in there?" the other adventurer asked.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone like us," the guest replied. "There must be tons of treasures in there.. if we're lucky, we can get one or two.."

Unknown to the two guests, Shu Liang was intently listening.

***************

"Father," Shu Liang called when the family gathered for dinner.

"I heard earlier today that the Purple Mist Sect is opening a gate on the Wasteland's formation," she said.

"Hmmn," Shu Ling remarked. "It seems it's gonna be busy around here soon."

"Isn't that good for the business?" Qai asked.

"I mean, we're the only inn nearest to the Wasteland," he added.

"Hmmn..," Shu Wei listened intently and asked, "..Liang'er, according to what you heard, when will the Purple Mist Sect start activating the gate?"

"They said it's in three months," Shu Liang replied.

"That would be the first since I got here in the plateau," Shu Wei explained. "The Purple Mist Sect have not gone inside the Wasteland in many years.. I'm pretty sure even the great clans in Jiang City will participate."

"Then we have to take advantage of the occasion," Qai said.

"What do you mean Little Brother?" Shu Wu asked as he joined the conversation.

"Well, we can grab this opportunity to earn some..," Qai explained. "Aside from reconstructing our inn into a bigger one, we can set up temporary trading area at the center of the plateau."

"We can ask Elder Lu to invite some merchants and charge them for their stalls.. we can set up our own shop as well," he added with a grin.

"Ha ha ha, that's brilliant son," Shu Wei happily said.

"But that would mean we're gonna need manpower..," Shu Ling remarked.

"How about we hire the services of two servants to help us in the inn and the shop and then arrange with the sect to help us out in the security.. it's their affair in the first place," Qai suggested.

"We can let the sect and clan elders use the other rooms we built for inner disciples," Shu Liang added. "Its a good thing built many."

"It's not a bad idea," Shu Wu said.

"I just hope the Purple Mist Sect will cooperate.. there'll be lots of strong cultivators gathering here soon.. and the last thing we would want to see is to let them get out of control and start to wreck havoc in our property," he added.

"Hmmn.. that's for me to worry," Shu Wei remarked. "I guess I'll invite the two village chiefs to help me out to convince the Sect Master.. I'm sure, their villages will greatly benefit as well."

"Let's start all the preparations first thing tomorrow," Shu Wei said.

After they divided their tasks, all of them went their separate ways and spent the rest of the night cultivating.