"Basketball?"

Faust was startled. This world had never known anything like basketball.

"It's similar to polo, but they don't ride horses; they play with their hands."

Li Ang gave the assembled crowd a rough introduction to basketball's rules and then continued, "The African workers in the NBA lead very fulfilling lives and are highly enthusiastic. They start work at four in the morning, and in the evening, they compete against other African workers to see who performed better. All the local spectators are obsessed with watching them work. Many elite African workers even have their own devoted fan bases, earning hundreds or even thousands of Gold Coins each year."

"Thousands of Gold Coins!"

Faust was shocked by this figure. "Is that even possible?" he exclaimed.

"Of course, it is," Li Ang said earnestly. "As an emerging sport, the NBA has already amassed a large following in other regions, and countless people want to join the league. Unfortunately, due to the sport's high physical demands, only those African workers who can run the fastest and possess the greatest endurance are suited for it. The entertainment value this sport offers is unprecedented, and the economic benefits it generates can significantly boost the local GDP. Many towns have even formed their own basketball teams to compete against others. If you don't believe me, you can try it yourselves."

At Li Ang's urging, ten volunteers, including Faust, were quickly selected from among the townspeople. They set up a couple of backboards on the main street and held a rudimentary game.

Evidently, basketball, as a "great sport" that was all the rage in Li Ang's world, brought an unprecedented sense of novelty to these rustic townspeople who had never ventured beyond its borders. It far surpassed any previous interest in watching drunkards being beaten or goblins being hanged (both of which, due to Her Majesty the Snow Queen's edict, had completely disappeared as forms of entertainment).

After a low-skill basketball game lasting about forty minutes, the volunteers, though drenched in sweat and exhausted, were flushed with excitement and utterly thrilled. The spectators watching from the sidelines were just as ecstatic.

Even the African residents were eager to give it a try.

Despite the language barrier (few of the African residents who had settled in the town spoke English), through gestures, the local townspeople and the African residents managed to organize two five-member teams and play against each other.

After several games, both sides were completely hooked on the sport—especially the team of African players, whose superior physical fitness gave them an advantage. The bounce of the basketball, the philosophy of transitioning between offense and defense, the quick changes between feints—all of this brought immense satisfaction to the African players. They felt as if they were born for this sport.

They much preferred this kind of activity to idly receiving stipends and becoming listless!

The sight of the players sweating profusely on the court also mesmerized the audience. Some spectators even knelt on one knee to cheer for their favorite players.

While everyone was engrossed in basketball, Li Ang took the opportunity to slip off his long gown, found the mayor, and began to ply him with his "Bewitching Soup"—his captivating pitch.

"The NBA's business model, simply put, is two words: marketing! First, global promotion. No matter what, get the brand name out there. Rent a billboard on the outskirts of the Rune Kingdom Capital and write 'Hamelin Town NBA, the Best NBA!' on it. Then, hold exhibition games in several major cities, aiming to firmly associate the name NBA with Hamelin Town.

"Second, find strong commercial partners—like John's Beer, Thomas's Tiles, and Henry's Furniture. Get all of them to cooperate, paying a hefty sum to have their logos embroidered on each basketball player's jersey.

"Third, create stars. The focus should be on telling the players' life stories.

"'Ten years of clanking iron, yet no one knew his name; one takedown move, and the whole world learned his fame.'

"'The more the setbacks, the clearer the spirit; the clearer the spirit, the more the setbacks.'

"'A truly dedicated player should see Hamelin Town at four o'clock every morning.'

"These stories must be told compellingly, aiming to create distinct personas for all star players. Different players will attract different fan groups, and these fans will argue among themselves, generating buzz for the entire league.

"Fourth, expand into merchandise. Sell items like players' autographs, game-worn jerseys, and even the empty grape soda bottles they've drunk. Additionally, license other brands to build a commercial empire."

Upon hearing Li Ang's grand vision, the bald mayor's face glowed with excitement. He was so thrilled he nearly jumped up and down, his fingers trembling as he gestured, "I'm in on this project!"

"Good! Spoken like a true mayor!" Li Ang offered his praise, then put a friendly arm around the mayor's shoulders.

"What spirit? It's all thanks to your brilliant ideas, Master."

The mayor nodded with a beaming smile as he watched the town residents mingling harmoniously with the African residents. He remarked sentimentally, "If this works out, the town's residents not only won't oppose me, but they'll also be even more grateful because of the future increase in the town's income. When it comes time to run for mayor again... hahaha."

The mayor's smile grew wider, but then he seemed to recall something and hastily added, "Once this business model gets going, you can't leave, Master. You must stay and help. As for compensation, we can definitely work something out."

"Haha, I am a Monk, long accustomed to a carefree existence, like the drifting clouds and wild cranes. It might be difficult for me to stay in one place. However, I find that young man Faust quite promising. I'll give him a few more pointers, and then he can become Hamelin Town's NBA marketing director."

Li Ang chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "As for payment, there's no need. I am a Monk; worldly wealth is but an external object to me..."

Li Ang drew out his words, his eyes narrowed in a smile as he watched the mayor's expression. "However, there is indeed one favor I wish to ask. I assume you're aware, Mayor, that our primary reason for coming to the Rune Kingdom is to seek the True Scriptures from the West."

"True Scriptures?"

The bald mayor's expression turned troubled. "Master, if you're looking for relics from the churches of the Aorantheos Divine System, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. A few years ago, an archaeological team came from the Rune Kingdom Capital specifically for that purpose. They dismantled our town's small church and moved it, exactly as it was, back to the capital, claiming it was to 'preserve and cherish relics.' Even the sacred texts enshrined within the church were taken. Now, the only church in town belongs to Her Majesty the Snow Queen."

"That's no problem at all."

Li Ang waved his hand, speaking amiably, "Her Majesty the Snow Queen saved this land from chaos, bringing order, justice, and kindness to humanity, much like a true Deity. Her church is a Deity's church, and any sacred text recording her words is a Deity's True Scripture. If possible, I would like to take my disciples to the church to worship the statue and read the sacred texts in private. Mayor, could you possibly arrange that for us?"

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