My Monster-Derived Skills Are the True Power
Chapter 18: The Art of Publicity

"Fun Seekers Club’s First Challenge Against a Formidable Opponent: Home Match Versus Xuanguang Sect's Half-Step Grandmaster Gongsun Jie. Tickets now on sale! Entry starts at just 50 coins, with premium seating available for one tael of silver. Food and lodging included during the match—limited tickets available, so act fast!"

"Fun Seekers Club boasts a powerful lineup for its debut match. Founder Li Ye makes his first appearance, teaming up with 'Supreme Shadow Kick' Shi Xiang as left and right forwards. The team will play in a 4-4-2 formation. Will the twin stars obliterate the half-step Grandmaster's reputation?"

"Betting markets in Weining City are open! Will the rising stars of Fun Seekers Club trample their elder martial rival and rise to fame, or will they be crushed under the weight of the Xuanguang Sect’s might?"

"Confirmed: Weining Prefecture's magistrate and other officials to attend the Fun Seekers Club's debut match."

---

Over the past two days, Weining City had erupted into a buzz of activity. Everywhere, people were talking about the showdown between the Fun Seekers Club and Gongsun Jie.

Every street was plastered with promotional posters.

The eye-catching headlines were paired with striking visuals. The standout piece was a group portrait of the Fun Seekers Club players. On the poster, eleven figures surrounded Li Ye in a V-formation. Arms crossed and exuding swagger, Shi Xiang, Liu Guangsheng, and the others looked formidable.

Above each player was their nickname—"Supreme Shadow Kick," "Rear Strike Master," "Iron Foot Immortal," "Lightning Legs," "Black Iron Shield," and others. For those without nicknames, Li Ye had made sure to assign some.

The artist’s work was impressive, capturing the players’ likenesses with a few deft strokes.

Only Li Ye’s face remained a mystery. At the center of the group, his portrait featured a large question mark, and his nickname was simply "The Mysterious One," maximizing intrigue.

Individual player posters were equally flashy. Shi Xiang’s showed him delivering a powerful kick to an opponent’s groin, accompanied by a dramatic comic-style "Bam!" sound effect. Liu Guangsheng’s depicted him sneaking up behind someone, fingers poised mischievously to poke their... vulnerable spot, his face painted with an exaggeratedly lecherous grin.

---

Accompanying the posters were booklets introducing the game of soccer. These included explanations of rules, positions, and formations, alongside profiles of Gongsun Jie and the Xuanguang Sect, detailing their martial status and notable techniques.

For the people of Weining City, who had never encountered such a well-rounded promotional campaign, the Fun Seekers Club became the talk of the town, captivating men and women, young and old alike.

---

At Ruyi Tower, the largest inn in Weining City and a hub for the elite, a group of wealthy young men sat around a table in the Luminescence Pavilion.

A dashing youth in his early twenties asked, "Brother Liu, are you going to Wolf Valley?"

"Of course. They sent an invitation to my family," replied Brother Liu, who appeared around twenty-five. He sipped his wine before adding, "Facing a half-step Grandmaster—don’t you want to witness it?"

"I do, but what if the Fun Seekers Club loses? Won’t the Xuanguang Sect retaliate against us?" another youth said hesitantly.

"You’re afraid of the Xuanguang Sect, but not the Fun Seekers Club?" the first youth countered. "Shi Xiang is from the Scarlet Flame Sect, notorious for their ruthlessness. Every move is designed to cripple their opponents permanently..."

"Enough. That’s exactly why we have to go!" Brother Liu said bitterly, slamming his cup on the table. "The Fun Seekers Club is outrageous. Not only did they send invitations, but they also demanded sponsorship fees. My family’s silk business has thrived for over a century without needing their promotion, yet they extorted five thousand taels from us! Highway robbery!"

"My tea house suffered the same fate," the dashing youth admitted with a sigh. "Another five thousand taels gone. They’re practically bandits, claiming to provide free food and lodging while using our money to do so."

"Let’s keep our voices down," a quieter young man interjected, lowering his hand. "The Flying Bear Gang is spreading their propaganda in Weining City. If they hear us, we’ll be in serious trouble. Think of it as paying for peace."

"Let’s hope they eventually provoke the Inspection Bureau," the dashing youth muttered, glancing out the window. "What a mess they’ve made of the world."

Outside, common folk chatted loudly.

"Old Zhang, are you going to watch the match?"

"Of course! Fifty coins for several days of food and lodging? How could I miss it? I heard Wolf Valley bought all the pigs and sheep in the area—the food should be great."

"Not just the food. They even bought all the spare furniture and bedding from my house. They paid three hundred coins for an old quilt! Honestly, the Fun Seekers Club is incredibly generous—they gave my family a whole tael of silver. What’s fifty coins compared to that? I wish they’d hold matches more often!"

"Fifty coins? Old Shi’s family are stonecutters. They were hired to help with construction, so they don’t even have to pay. Free meals and lodging for the whole family!"

"So the Fun Seekers Club really is charitable!"

"Hey, have you placed your bets?"

"Of course! Those rich kids are all betting on the Grandmaster. I went with the Fun Seekers Club instead. If they pull off an upset, I’ll make a fortune! Even Grandmasters feel pain if their eggs get cracked!"

"Ha ha ha!"

---

Upstairs in Ruyi Tower, a young swordsman slammed his hand on the table, scowling. "Ignorant fools! A half-step Grandmaster isn’t so easily defeated. The Xuanguang Sect has stood unshaken in the martial world for a reason."

"Senior brother, don’t stoop to their level. What do a bunch of villagers know?" A spirited young woman in a green outfit frowned slightly. Though she was strikingly pretty, her face was clouded with concern. "I just don’t understand why Master Gongsun agreed to fight these scoundrels. Winning is fine, but if he loses, the Xuanguang Sect’s reputation will be in tatters."

"Perhaps he couldn’t stand their antics," the young man replied, shaking his head. "Since we’re here in Weining City, we can’t ignore this. Let’s lend Master Gongsun a hand."

"Agreed," the woman said, gripping her sword. "These lawless rogues have been running rampant for too long. It’s time they tasted the wrath of the Ethereal Fairy."

---

Meanwhile, construction in Wolf Valley was in full swing. Slopes were transformed into viewing stands, while rows of simple wooden houses were built in the valley.

Some spectators who bought early tickets joined the labor force after hearing about the wages offered.

The original training ground was expanded into a massive 500-meter plaza, with the field’s size adjusted for the destructive power of this world’s inhabitants.

Thanks to Li Ye’s aggressive promotion, Shi Xiang’s spiritual energy surged, and both Liu Guangsheng and Fan Jie advanced to Innate Experts.

The other players also made progress, their excitement palpable as they eagerly awaited the match.

Still, there were concerns.

Standing beside Li Ye, Shi Xiang occasionally glanced toward the valley entrance, worry etched on his face. "Li Ye, we’ve made such a big scene. What if Gongsun Jie doesn’t show up? Cao Bin isn’t reliable—he hasn’t sent any word. What if he betrays us?"

"Don’t worry. He’ll come," Li Ye said confidently. "Even if Gongsun Jie wasn’t planning to come, the rumors spreading here will draw him in."

Shi Xiang remained skeptical. "But what if he really doesn’t show up?"

Li Ye smirked and turned to him. "Then we keep promoting, saying Gongsun Jie fled from us in fear of Wolf Valley."