A stage, about half a meter high, was set up at the entrance of the Hardware Store.
The background was a huge LED screen, which was cycling through Lu You's viral promotional video that had amassed millions of likes.
In the center of the stage, only a simple counter was placed—that was Lu You's throne.
The rules for the Challenge Competition were posted everywhere in eye-catching fonts: All challengers must register online in advance, draw lots on-site with their ID cards, and challenge according to their drawn sequence number.
Each person only had one chance to challenge per day. The opportunity was precious, so please use it wisely.
From traffic control to security patrols, from logistical support to emergency plans.
Everything was guaranteed to be foolproof.
"Lu You, the Challenge Competition officially starts tomorrow. How about it? Are you nervous?" Director Wang, the middle-aged man who was the head of the Yangcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau, patted Lu You's shoulder and asked with a smile.
He had been incredibly busy these past few days, but the excitement and anticipation on his face could not be hidden.
Lu You chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over the area he had single-handedly stirred up, his eyes filled with calm and composure.
"Nervous? The anti-fans online have almost flayed me alive with their insults, and I don't care about that." He shrugged, his tone relaxed.
"Director Wang, don't worry. For a small scene like this, I have confidence!"
Confidence? Of course, he had confidence!
It wasn't blind self-confidence, but absolute trust in the System's formidable abilities.
To him, those challengers were all business points and small fortunes!
He had to put forth his utmost effort!
Moreover, the Yangcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau showed great sincerity this time.
All platform signing fees and gift earnings from the entire live broadcast, after deducting the platform's share, would belong entirely to Lu You!
It must be said that City was very clever in leveraging this buzz.
In just a few days, the economic data of City, this previously obscure town, soared like a rocket.
Major hotels were fully booked, and even guesthouses in the surrounding counties were hard to reserve.
The number of visitors to scenic spots increased tenfold, along with the local specialty products that weren't well-known.
Such as "Yangcheng Da Tou Cai" and "Zhaojiagou Millet."
They became highly sought-after souvenirs for tourists, and sales repeatedly hit new highs.
The entire City was injected with unprecedented vitality because of this small Hardware Store.
Those who came sniffing out the opportunity were not just sincere challengers.
There were also a large number of keen-scented minor Internet Celebrities.
They dragged suitcases and held selfie sticks.
Like a school of sharks smelling blood, they flooded into the City, hoping to get a piece of this traffic feast.
The tourists who came because of the reputation were very excited.
In their plan, this trip was perfect: sightseeing in City during the day, eating local snacks at night.
Then, taking time to challenge the "Almighty Boss"—winning meant earning a huge 10,000 yuan, and losing wasn't a loss either.
It was just considered shopping, and the experience was maximized.
Where else could they find such a good deal—being able to travel and profit at the same time?
The Tech Enthusiasts and rich guys were also very excited.
They weren't short on money; they were just here purely for fun.
They meticulously prepared all sorts of weird, rare, and seemingly low-value but extremely scarce Ultimate Weapons.
All just to personally see the legendary "Everything You Need" Boss shake his head helplessly in front of them.
That feeling of conquest was far more appealing to them than 10,000 yuan.
Of course, if they could also buy the treasured item they had been desperately searching for, that would be an unexpected bonus.
Among the crowd were also staff members from large companies, like Li Wei.
They were sent by their companies, bringing an attitude of thirty percent doubt and seventy percent curiosity, to personally test the reality of this Hardware Store.
If it truly lived up to its name, the hidden commercial value behind it would be incalculable.
In the future, cooperating with this mysterious Hardware Store.
Might become a brilliant and decisive move in their company's strategic layout.
Lu You stretched, the evening breeze blowing across his face, bringing a slight coolness that made his mind exceptionally clear.
He sent off the staff and returned to the Hardware Store alone.
Inside the store, several brand-new live streaming devices were quietly placed in the corner.
Panoramic action cameras and high-fidelity pickup microphones—all high-end goods purchased from the System Shop.
He had spared no expense for tomorrow's live broadcast quality!
Returning to the simply furnished bedroom in the back, Lu You plopped down onto his creaking Camp Bed.
"Once I save up some more business points, I absolutely must completely renovate this room!!"
Instead of rushing to rest, he had a thought and instantly slipped into the Back Inventory.
Passing through the dazzling shelves that could drive any engineer or collector mad.
He arrived at the newly opened "Gourmet Area."
Everything was available here, from high-end restaurant dishes to legendary street snacks.
However, he didn't dare gorge himself on those expensive, top-tier delicacies.
A single bite could cost him the business points he had earned over half a day.
"Putting out so much food, that old System guy is deliberately trying to tempt me!"
"Hmph! I won't fall for your trick!"
He calculated carefully and selected a few home-cooked dishes that consumed very few business points but tasted far better than ordinary food, along with a bottle of iced Happy Water.
He then began his own pre-match buffet.
Since the concept of business points came into existence.
Lu You suddenly felt that the constantly growing string of numbers in his bank account wasn't so appealing anymore.
Things money could buy were now within easy reach for him.
And things money couldn't buy, the System could easily produce for him.
He didn't have to run around or beg anyone.
He only needed to stay in his small store, and the world was within his grasp.
This feeling was truly intoxicating.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Lu You let out a satisfied burp.
He returned to the rest area and heavily tossed himself onto the small, broken Camp Bed.
With his hands clasped behind his head, he stared at the somewhat monotonous white ceiling above, his mind racing with thoughts.
Tomorrow would be a day for the history books.
Whether for himself or for City.
As he thought, a wave of drowsiness washed over him, and he fell into a deep sleep.
The night passed without incident... The next day, the first ray of morning light pierced the sky.
Lu You had already opened his eyes.
His biological clock was more accurate than an alarm clock.
Without lingering in bed, he quickly got up and washed.
He then began the final inspection of all the equipment in the store and on the stage.
Live broadcast lines, network signals, audio quality... he personally checked every detail to ensure everything was foolproof.
At the same time, the entire Challenge Competition venue began operating at high speed.
Before dawn, all the comrades responsible for traffic control were already in position.
They set up roadblocks at various intersections and guided vehicles to detour, ensuring the absolute smooth flow and safety of the Challenge District.
The staff from the Yangcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau also arrived at the scene early.
Several financial personnel, escorted by security, moved boxes of cash into the transparent "Compensation Area."
They began counting the money nervously yet orderly. The rustling sound of counting cash was like the most stirring war drum before the great battle.
Of course, all these preparations were for one person.
The true core, the sole, and the most important protagonist of this Challenge Competition—Lu You.
According to the rules, Lu You alone would face all challengers from all corners of the world on that highly anticipated stage throughout the entire Challenge Competition.