Chapter 47: When You Enter Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Whatever You Do, Do Not Look to the Left! |
"Of course it is not about killing the customers. This flash sale activity is all about making auctions randomized and part of daily life."
"Various shops will purchase spiritual materials, pills, magical artifacts, and other cultivation supplies from cultivators, but the purchasing price is usually lower than the actual market value. Independent cultivators are actually quite reluctant to sell at those prices."
"We can change this acquisition method into an auction. They can place their items in Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and then we hold a limited-time auction."
"When the auction ends, the highest bidder takes the auctioned item."
"This kind of auction does not necessarily require real customers to buy. We can design it ourselves, and even handle the promotion ourselves."
"For example, we can send people to places where cultivators gather, have them show off the items they won, and brag about the great deal they got."
"This way, many cultivators looking for a bargain will occasionally drop by Hundred Treasures Pavilion. As foot traffic increases, our regular goods will naturally sell better."
Yulou was quite full of ideas. This was essentially taking the online auction model of e-commerce platforms and adapting it to the offline world.
"What if the item sells for a low price?" Tang Nianqiu asked proactively.
Old Tang had spent many years in Clear Stream Market and was intimately familiar with independent cultivators. They valued every single spirit stone.
If even one Hundred Treasures Pavilion auction caused an independent cultivator to take a loss, those slighted cultivators would curse the shop to death.
"We can just buy it ourselves."
Yulou spread his hands as he answered.
Was this even a question? This clearly wasn't a problem at all!
If the final bid differed too greatly from the actual value, Hundred Treasures Pavilion could just use a shill to scoop up the bargain themselves.
Tang Nianqiu fell silent. He had indeed underestimated Yulou a bit due to his youth, which was why he had asked such a foolish question.
"The key point here is to let the customers see the possibility of getting a good deal, thereby encouraging them to visit Hundred Treasures Pavilion more often."
"We can also put our own goods up for this limited-time auction. As long as the final price is higher than the cost, we will not lose money."
"The same goes for the three-person ten percent discount promotion. By utilizing the customers to actively promote for us, we expand Hundred Treasures Pavilion's reputation. Once our reputation grows, why would we worry about business?"
In his past life, the reason Pinduoduo managed to break through the differentiated monopolies of various e-commerce platforms wasn't just because of low prices and penetrating the lower-tier markets.
Its viral low-cost promotion model and its high-frequency, small-amount transaction model also played vital roles.
The three-person discount promotion mobilized the customers' initiative. Supported by this initiative, they could help Hundred Treasures Pavilion achieve viral promotion at a low cost.
At the same time, because of the discount, customers would be more willing to make purchases, which could cultivate a habit of high-frequency, small-amount transactions.
The transactions themselves held value. Once customers made multiple purchases at Hundred Treasures Pavilion, they would be more inclined to choose the shop for their future needs.
"Attracting customers with low-profit goods, drawing them in, and then guiding them to spend more... Yulou, you truly are capable of taking on the role of shopkeeper."
Wang Xianmao patted Yulou on the shoulder in satisfaction. When it came to Yulou, he was pleased with every single aspect.
Aside from being overly modest, Yulou practically had no other flaws.
"You agree to my opening promotion plan?"
Yulou asked, pleasantly surprised.
He had never done business in his previous life, so he had felt a bit uncertain about the ideas he proposed.
The Wang Clan was currently at a critical turning point. Over the next few decades, multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators would emerge. Opening Hundred Treasures Pavilion at this specific point in time was a crucial decision.
The Patriarch's trust not only brought Yulou joy but also placed a heavy burden of pressure on him.
If he messed this up, when would he ever get a similar opportunity again in the future?
Now, hearing the Patriarch's tone, it seemed his ideas were approved, causing the immense pressure in Yulou's heart to dissipate considerably.
"Of course. Go ahead and do it. With you and Rongsheng around, I am very at ease. Of course, Nianqiu should also keep an eye on things. After all, you have stayed in Clear Stream Market for so many years and are more familiar with it. If you have any opinions, you should raise them."
Hearing the Patriarch call his name, Tang Nianqiu hurriedly bowed and agreed.
——
On another evening, a few independent cultivators sat in the lobby of Fuyuan Residence.
They were chatting about everything under the sun while enjoying mundane donkey meat and aged wine.
"If you ask me, you might as well go to the Wang Clan's Hundred Treasures Pavilion. The items at Hundred Talisman Hall are good, but occasionally there are bad ones. Hundred Treasures Pavilion is a new shop. They won't try to trick you with talismans or sell you defective ones."
"But Hundred Talisman Hall has a complete variety of talismans. They have the Che clan backing them, and they've been open for decades. Their reputation is decent, isn't it?"
"Decent, my ass! Last time I bought Rock Armor Talismans at Hundred Talisman Hall, two out of three were duds. They look shiny on the outside but are just polished turds. You'll know once you try to use them."
"Why didn't you go make a fuss? Two out of three being broken—isn't that costing people their lives?"
"Sigh, I bought them at a sixty percent discount. I took a gamble and accepted my loss."
"Brother, you're a madman. To gamble on Rock Armor Talismans is gambling with your life."
"Hundred Treasures Pavilion has a promotion right now. If three people buy together, all Qi Induction realm talismans get a ten percent discount."
"Do they have Thousand Li Talismans?"
"Of course. The Wang Clan raises donkeys, after all. Their Donkey-Hide Thousand Li Talismans are very distinctive. I just bought two yesterday!"
"Say no more, I'm going to buy a few Donkey-Hide Thousand Li Talismans. A ten percent discount on Thousand Li Talismans isn't something you see every day."
As one of the essential talismans for low-level cultivators, the Thousand Li Talisman was like a power bank for a mobile phone.
You might not use it often, but you couldn't afford not to have one.
Traveling, escaping, and pursuing enemies—all of it relied on the help of the Thousand Li Talisman.
Inside Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which didn't look antique at all but rather brand-new, the layout was incredibly ingenious.
To the left of the entrance was a bronze shelf, upon which Ever-Bright Lamps were lit. On the wooden table in front of the shelf sat an incense burner, burning Five-Flavor Purple Ginseng Spirit Incense that nourished the divine sense.
On the shelf sat over twenty Longevity Plaques. At the very top was Patriarch Mangxiang, and beside him was Wang Yinghua, the child of the Wang Clan's founding ancestor, Xuanjing.
Below them were the plaques of True Person Xuanzhuan and True Person Danri. Beside True Person Xuanzhuan's Longevity Plaque sat the plaque of Wang Jingyi, along with two other Wang Clan seniors.
The remaining Wang Clan ancestors who had not studied under the tutelage of Purple Palace cultivators were placed on the bottom row.
This was Yulou's innovation. Since worshiping the God of Wealth or Lord Guan wasn't popular in this world, Yulou had decided to worship Patriarch Mangxiang.
Oh, Patriarch, the Wang Clan has offered so much tribute for your Golden Core breakthrough that we've practically been bled dry.
Borrowing your name for a bit isn't too much to ask, right?
Yu'an stood in front of the Longevity Plaques, solemnly introducing the background of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom to the customers entering Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
"Fellow Daoist, you can buy with confidence. The Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom is under the tutelage of Patriarch Mangxiang. All of our shop's goods are genuine; we absolutely do not use underhanded tricks!"
Under the tutelage of Purple Palace, the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom—this was essentially borrowing the authority of Red Lantern Illumination Sect and the Purple Palace realm to empower Hundred Treasures Pavilion!
The word "empowerment" sounded abstract, but when used well, its effects were boundless.
Yulou's strategy was so effective that a cultivator-version of an urban legend eventually spread across hundreds of miles around Clear Stream Market.
'When you enter Hundred Treasures Pavilion, whatever you do, do not look to the left!'
If you take one look, you have to bow—no matter who comes, no one can resist it!
However, this kind of marketing strategy was extremely useful.
Customers entering Hundred Treasures Pavilion for the first time would all be filled with awe and respect by the Wang Clan's display of Longevity Plaques.
As a veteran vassal clan under the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, this signboard held immense value.
A Longevity Plaque was a memorial tablet used to pray for the blessings and longevity of a benefactor. It was not a spirit tablet for the dead, but rather a plaque erected for the living. Its purpose was to show gratitude for their kindness and pray for their long life and fortune.
"Of course, go ahead and do it. With you and Rongsheng here, I am completely at ease. Naturally, Nianqiu will also keep an eye on things. After all, he has stayed in Clear Stream Market for many years and is much more familiar with the place. If he has any suggestions, he should voice them."
Hearing the Patriarch call his name, Tang Nianqiu hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.
——
It was another evening. Several independent cultivators sat in the lobby of Fuyuan Residence.
They ate mundane donkey meat, drank aged wine, and chatted about everything under the sun.
"If you ask me, you might as well go to the Wang Clan's Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Hundred Talisman Hall's items are good, but occasionally they have duds.
Hundred Treasures Pavilion is a new shop; they won't trick you with talismans or sell you defective ones."
"Hundred Talisman Hall has a complete variety of talismans. They are backed by the Che clan and have been open for decades. Their reputation is decent, right?"
"Decent, my ass! The last time I bought Stone Armor Talismans at Hundred Talisman Hall, two out of three were duds. They looked as shiny on the outside as donkey turds, but you'll know the truth once you try to use them."
"You should go cause a scene. Two out of three were broken? Isn't that risking people's lives?"
"Sigh, I bought them at a sixty percent discount. I gambled and lost, so I just have to accept it."
"Brother, you're a madman. You actually dared to gamble on Stone Armor Talismans? That's gambling with your life."
"Hundred Treasures Pavilion has a promotion. If three people buy any Qi Drawing realm talismans together, they all get a ten percent discount."
"Do they have Thousand-Mile Talismans?"
"Of course! The Wang Clan raises donkeys; their Donkey-Hide Thousand Li Talismans are quite a specialty. I just bought two yesterday!"
"Say no more, I'm going to buy a few Donkey-Hide Thousand Li Talismans right now. You normally can't get a ten percent discount on Thousand-Mile Talismans."
As one of the essential talismans for lower-level cultivators, the Thousand-Mile Talisman was much like a power bank for a mobile phone.
You might not use it often, but you couldn't afford to be without one.
Traveling, fleeing, chasing down enemies—all of these required the help of a Thousand-Mile Talisman.
Inside the brand-new Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which completely lacked any antiquated feel, the layout was incredibly ingenious.
On the left side of the entrance stood a bronze rack lit by ever-burning lamps. On a wooden table in front of the rack sat an incense burner, releasing the smoke of Five-Flavor Purple Ginseng spiritual incense, which nourished the divine sense.
More than twenty Longevity Plaques were displayed on the rack. At the very top was Patriarch Mangxiang. Beside Patriarch Mangxiang was Wang Yinghua, the child of the Wang Clan's founding ancestor, Xuanjing.
Below them were the memorial tablets of True Person Xuanzhuan and True Person Danri. Beside True Person Xuanzhuan's Longevity Plaque sat the memorial tablets of Wang Jingyi and two other senior figures of the Wang Clan.
The remaining ancestors of the Wang Clan who had not been taken under the tutelage of the Purple Palace realm were placed in the bottom row.
This was Yulou's innovation. Since worshiping the God of Wealth or Lord Guan wasn't popular in this world, Yulou decided to worship Patriarch Mangxiang.
'Patriarch, the Wang Clan has paid so much tribute for you to prove your Dao to the Golden Core that we have practically been bled dry.'
'Borrowing your name for a bit isn't too much to ask, right?'
Yu'an stood solemnly in front of the Longevity Plaques, introducing the background of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom to the customers who entered Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
"Fellow Daoist, you can buy with peace of mind. The Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom is under the tutelage of Patriarch Mangxiang. All the goods in our shop are genuine and fairly priced. We absolutely will not resort to trickery!"
Under the tutelage of the Purple Palace, the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom—this was borrowing the authority of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect and the Purple Palace realm to empower Hundred Treasures Pavilion!
The term 'empower' might sound abstract, but when utilized properly, its effects were boundlessly immense.
Yulou's strategy was so effective that a cultivator's version of an urban legend eventually spread across a radius of several hundred miles around Clear Stream Market.
'When you enter Hundred Treasures Pavilion, whatever you do, do not look to the left!'
If you took one look, you had to bow; no matter who came, they couldn't resist it!
However, this marketing strategy proved extremely useful.
Customers entering Hundred Treasures Pavilion for the first time would all feel a sense of profound respect because of the Wang Clan's rack of Longevity Plaques.
As a veteran vassal clan under the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, this display rack held tremendous value.
A Longevity Plaque was a tablet used to pray for the blessings and longevity of a benefactor. It was not a spirit tablet for the deceased, but a plaque erected for a living person. The purpose was to show gratitude for their virtues and pray for their long life and fortune.