Immortality Starts From Making Money.-Chapter 369: Introducing Game Fixtures.

For the next three days, Mingze City spoke of only one thing.

The Game Replay Crystal.

From bustling streets to secluded courtyards, from teahouses to underground meeting halls, its name spread like wildfire.

Many clans and factions immediately deployed their men, dispatching spies and informants to uncover the identity of the artifact refiner behind it.

Unfortunately, their efforts yielded nothing.

No matter how deep they dug or how much spirit stones they spent, the origin of the Game Replay Crystal remained a mystery.

It was as though the artifact had appeared out of thin air, without a traceable trail or identifiable source.

Still, the discussion surrounding the game of football grew more intense with each passing day.

Even though many forces failed to uncover the identity of the artifact’s creator, that failure did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm.

On the contrary, the mystery only fueled their fascination.

Compared to the initial exposure when the game had been limited to the lower district and small corners of the middle district.

Its influence had now spread throughout the entire city. Nobles, merchants, cultivators, servants, and even wandering cultivators all knew of football.

Some discussed tactics.

Many argued passionately over which team would rise to the top.

Football had become more than just a game. It had become a citywide obsession.

Inside the arena’s conference hall, Mo Jian sat calmly in the main seat, his posture relaxed yet commanding.

Before him were the leaders of various forces and clans, seated according to rank and influence.

The atmosphere was solemn, tinged with anticipation.

Previously, inviting these leaders had been nothing short of a gamble.

At that time, their strength had been far too weak. Against these figures, each of them a Nascent Soul cultivator; they would have stood no chance if things had gone wrong.

But now, everything was different.

All the seniors under Mo Jian’s command had successfully broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Though they were still weak when compared to the city’s true giants, this breakthrough marked a critical turning point.

This was only the beginning.

As long as they bided their time and avoided drawing unnecessary attention, it was only a matter of time before they rose to the top.

Mo Jian’s gaze swept across the faces of the leaders once more before he finally spoke.

"After reviewing each of your teams and assessing your preparations," he said evenly, "we can proceed to the next step."

At his words, several leaders shifted slightly in their seats.

For over two weeks, they had invested enormous resources into this game.

Players had been recruited in large numbers, and even some of their younger disciples had been forced to abandon cultivation temporarily to train in football.

None of them had expected the game to be this demanding.

Talent in cultivation meant nothing here.

Spiritual power offered no advantage.

Victory depended entirely on teamwork, coordination, and strategy.

Each player had to move as part of a whole, acting in harmony with their teammates. At the same time, the coach needed to read the flow of the match carefully, identifying mistakes, and making decisive adjustments when things began to go wrong.

Beyond that, the sheer number of formations made many leaders’ heads ache. Most teams had only mastered a single formation, while others were still struggling to understand the basics of alternative strategies.

Now, all they could do was hope that their hard-earned efforts would be worth it.

Seeing the seriousness etched into their expressions, Mo Jian felt a quiet sense of satisfaction. Every leader present was treating this matter with the gravity it deserved.

"Now," he continued in the same calm, confident tone, "let us discuss the fixtures."

He retrieved a thin stack of pamphlets from his storage pouch and flicked his wrist. The pamphlets flew gracefully through the air, landing neatly before each leader.

They picked them up and began reading.

For a moment, the hall fell into complete silence.

There were twelve teams in total, including the Blood River Team and the Black Spider Team. Neither the Black Spider Gang nor the Blood River Clan showed any noticeable change in expression.

They had already played a match.

They had experienced the pressure of the pitch, the weight of expectation, and the unpredictable flow of the game. Compared to the others, they possessed a slight but undeniable advantage.

The leaders of the three most powerful gangs knitted their brows and exchanged subtle glances.

At the same time, the leaders of the smaller clans were also communicating quietly with their eyes, each calculating their chances.

"Young Master," a calm voice broke the silence.

A middle-aged woman called.

She was the Matriarch of the Chen Clan.

Among the smaller clans, the Chen Clan ranked among the strongest, and her presence naturally commanded respect.

"What is the challenge mode?" she asked evenly.

At her question, the other leaders raised their heads, their attention fully focused on Mo Jian.

"You all must understand," Mo Jian said calmly, "that this is only a temporary feature. These are preparatory matches for the real league."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"All of you here are fortunate. You belong to the first batch. Others will not have this opportunity."

"As for challenge mode," he went on, "it is simple...just as the name suggests. You may challenge another team. However, it can only be done once before the league officially begins. And it is not free."

"So before issuing a challenge," he added, his gaze sharpening slightly, "you must be confident in your team."

Understanding dawned on their faces.

Just like cultivators issuing challenges to duel, this was no different except the battlefield was the pitch.

"Now that you understand," Mo Jian continued, "let us move on."

"After this meeting, the fixtures will be released to the public. You must be prepared."

He glanced around the room, his tone firm.

"Your fans should also be prepared. Fan support is crucial to this game. Do not underestimate it."

He then turned his gaze toward the Black Spider Gang leader.

"I hope to see something different in your next match."

The first game listed on the fixtures was between the Chen Team and the Black Spider Team.

"Young Master, you may rest assured," the Black Spider Gang leader replied confidently. "I will not repeat the mistakes of the previous match."

As he spoke, he cast a sharp, challenging glance at the Chen Clan Patriarch.

The Chen Matriarch’s expression remained unchanged, calm and composed but inwardly, fury churned violently.

Other leaders watched the exchange with thin smiles, already eager for their own matches. Even without stepping onto the pitch, the competitive tension was palpable.

A powerful sense of rivalry filled the hall.

Soon after, the leaders departed to make their preparations. Among them, the Chen Clan was under particular pressure. Even though it was merely a game, losing in front of tens of thousands of spectators was something she could not bear.

Watching their departing figures, the corner of Mo Jian’s lips curved upward slightly.

From the shadows behind him, Senior Broken Blade stepped forward.

Now that he had become a full-fledged Nascent Soul cultivator, he appeared younger, his presence sharper. He was like a blade sheathed in silk, quiet, restrained, yet hiding terrifying sharpness beneath the surface.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan," Senior Broken Blade said.

"Yes," Mo Jian replied with a nod. "But we cannot relax."

"This," he added softly, "is only the beginning."