Three weeks after the raid, every sect wanted a Sunset Peak ticket.
The returning crusaders told different stories. Guang Ming’s letter praised honest work and clean floors. Ling Yue wrote about cooling systems and safe training. Wu Nian’s letter was shortest: Everyone came home. The food is good.
Merchants saw an opportunity. Sects saw a training ground. Soon the mountain depot was full from dawn to dusk.
Xiaoyao introduced dated passes and standard vouchers to end the barter disputes. The plan allowed 2,400 paid visitors a day, seven days a week: 16,800 paid weekly admissions. Every slot sold.
Then a broker arrived with a clever offer.
“Sell standing room,” he told Austin in the ticket office. “No fixed time. No guaranteed guide. We can fit another eight thousand people into the week. They know there may be delays.”
Xiaoyao looked at the revenue estimate. It was large enough to fund the western rail extension.
Austin shook his head. “The limit comes from guides, emergency exits, and safe floor load. A floor rated for 2,400 people does not hold 3,000 just because the money is good.”
