Chapter 291

Chapter 291: Deterrence

Wang Lang was overjoyed at Zhou Luo’s appearance. He looked him over cheerfully, noticing that Zhou Luo seemed somewhat different compared to three years ago, though exactly how was unknown to him.

"Brother Zhou, come quickly and sit inside," Wang Lang said, leading him inward.

Zhou Luo took the chance to sweep a glance around the interior of the Yao Yuan Pavilion.

Three years had passed, and the place was significantly more opulent. Golden patterns were plastered even onto the walls, and several gemstones were embedded there, dazzlingly bright.

It seemed Wang Lang had not failed his trust over these three years, elevating the entire Yao Yuan Pavilion to a more exclusive level.

As they walked deeper into the inner structure.

Zhou Luo suddenly noticed a new area set apart beside the others. It was a separate room partitioned by jade, its exterior lavishly decorated, which clashed with the surrounding antique architecture.

"What is this room for?" Zhou Luo asked, frowning.

He preferred simple, unadorned styles, which was why he had personally designed the buildings in the inner courtyard, closed to the public.

Had Wang Lang built this extra room on his own?

"Cough, cough, Brother Zhou, this is Pill Master Zheng’s," Wang Lang said with an awkward expression.

A flicker passed through Zhou Luo’s eyes. "A Pill Master needs such an extravagant space?"

No sooner had these words fallen than a voice tinged with arrogance came from behind him.

"What do you mean by that? Am I, a top-level first-level Pill Master, not entitled to my own quarters?"

An old man with a haughty expression approached. He wore white pill-refining robes, and his voice carried dissatisfaction.

Zhou Luo remained with his back to him, a slight frown creasing his brow.

Wang Lang’s face paled. He said sternly, "Pill Master Zheng, this is the Yao Yuan Pavilion’s Master Manager."

Hearing it was the Master Manager, Pill Master Zheng moderated his tone slightly, clasping his hands in a salute. "So it’s Master Manager Zhou. A thousand pardons."

Though saying ‘a thousand pardons,’ his expression clearly showed he held no regard for Zhou Luo.

He’d heard that this Yao Yuan Pavilion Master Manager was merely a top-level Pill Master, whereas he, Pill Master Zheng, was a top-level first-level Pill Master, even verging on Second Level.

Precisely because of this, his status within the Yao Yuan Pavilion far surpassed all others. On ordinary days, his arrogance knew no bounds, and he held even Wang Lang in contempt.

This luxurious room built of white jade had been constructed precisely at his demand.

Zhou Luo didn’t even glance at Pill Master Zheng, fixing his gaze only on Wang Lang instead. "A shop manager getting pushed around by a hired functionary?"

Wang Lang pressed his lips together, expression full of both chagrin and apology.

Pill Master Zheng overheard these words and immediately flared up again. He protested indignantly:

"Master Manager Zhou, just what is your meaning? Had it not been for me, could your Yao Yuan Pavilion offer such fine potions? Could it have such thriving business?"

"Have you any idea how much profit I’ve generated for the Yao Yuan Pavilion these three years? You, the hands-off proprietor!"

He spoke with increasing agitation, his disregard for Zhou Luo now explicit.

In his view, Zhou Luo, merely a top-level Pill Master, though skilled at refining decent potions, was ultimately just an upper-grade talent. Compared to his own standing, it was worlds apart.

Were Zhou Luo not the Yao Yuan Pavilion’s Master Manager, he would have long since erupted.

"Get out!"

Just as he had finished speaking, Zhou Luo lightly uttered a word.

As that word fell, a terrifying pressure descended around him. That pressure was as dreadful as mountains, and suddenly, it forced the arrogant Pill Master Zheng to kneel to the ground with a thud.

He opened his eyes wide, his face filled with dread, and a tidal wave of shock surged in his heart.

The immense pressure made him feel as though ten thousand mountains were crushing him, and his bones crackled with cracking sounds.

Finally, unable to endure it, with a slap, he was completely pressed to the ground, immobilized.

Wang Lang also stared dumbfounded at the scene, as if struck by lightning.

Bang—

The next instant, a fierce wind swept up from behind, and Pill Master Zheng was flung through the air, shooting out like a cannonball. He landed precisely on the street outside Yao Yuan Pavilion, drawing many bystanders to pause.

"Huh? Isn’t that Pill Master Zheng? He’s been thrown out?"

"Haha, he got what he deserved today."

"Interesting, interesting. Did he offend some big shot?"

…

For a moment, the cultivators on the street burst into mocking voices.

Evidently, everyone disliked this Pill Master Zheng.

Now seeing him in such a pathetic state, they all seized the chance to heap scorn.

Meanwhile, Pill Master Zheng lay sprawled on the ground, spitting blood, his face drenched in terror.

Foundation Establishment!

He was utterly shaken inside; any thoughts of arguing vanished. He hastily scrambled up, disgraced, and escaped from there.

In Immortal City, there were at least a dozen Foundation Establishment strong persons.

Even his own master was one.

Yet, before Qi Refinement cultivators, a Foundation Establishment strong person was like the heavens—regardless of age or social standing, such a person must be addressed as senior.

Moreover, his master wouldn’t offend such a young Foundation Establishment expert over one of his disciples. If the other party truly blamed him, not even ten lives would suffice.

Recalling his own earlier words to that person, Pill Master Zheng wished he could die.

Right then, he desperately wished for four legs to flee this place faster.

Inside Yao Yuan Pavilion, Wang Lang gaped at the other party, his voice trembling slightly.

"Zhou… senior… have you succeeded in Foundation Establishment?"

Originally, he’d intended to keep calling him Brother Zhou, but remembering he had reached Foundation Establishment, he hurriedly changed his form of address.

Zhou Luo gave a slight nod, saying coldly: "Who on earth have you recruited here?"

He hadn’t expected Wang Lang to bring such an arrogant, insolent fellow to the shop.

Someone like that would only ruin Yao Yuan Pavilion’s reputation.

Wang Lang spoke full of regret: "Senior Zhou, the potions he refines are quite good quality, and his master is Pill Master Sun."

That Pill Master Sun was Geng Feng’s master, that second level Pill Master.

This was also partly why his personality was so standoffish.

Zhou Luo’s gaze hardened as he walked calmly into the main hall: "Just a disciple of a second level Pill Master? Why pay him such mind? Tear that room down tomorrow."

"Then tally the cost of building it, and make that fellow surnamed Zheng cover it all."

When he had just entered Immortal City, he might have feared Pill Master Sun somewhat.

But now, he himself was at Foundation Establishment, and a top-level Pill Master at that—both in strength and pill-refining skill, he overwhelmed the other party.

If it came to conflict, the other would only be bowing with apologies.

Since when could a mere disciple lord it over him?

Wang Lang knew Zhou Luo was annoyed and quickly promised: "Senior Zhou, please don’t worry. I will set it right."

Previously, he’d groveled to Pill Master Zheng only because he genuinely relied on his potions, and Yao Yuan Pavilion seemed powerful but was actually fragile.

All year, rumors had spread that the families of the two Immortal Sect disciples supporting Yao Yuan Pavilion faced ruin and likely wouldn’t join the inner sect.

That made him feel insecure, so he pacified the other to keep the shop running.

As for those demands, he’d bent over backward to oblige.

"Hmm, between us, no need to call me senior. Just go back to addressing me as a brother," Zhou Luo spoke lightly.

Wang Lang felt immensely flattered and said earnestly: "How is that possible? You’ve reached Foundation Establishment. I should call you senior."

Zhou Luo arched an eyebrow.

This guy was usually wild and undisciplined, but in such matters, he was surprisingly meticulous.

"Forget it. Just call me proprietor—it suits better, and ‘senior’ feels too stiff," Zhou Luo didn’t insist.

Wang Lang stiffened inwardly and nodded: "Yes, proprietor."

He tactfully skipped asking how Zhou Luo had achieved Foundation Establishment in three years, focusing instead on how Yao Yuan Pavilion would never again be mocked for its weak support, and how he could now prosper alongside Zhou Luo.

Indeed, Wang Lang pondered:

This Yao Yuan Pavilion—could it be his immortal opportunity?

At that, he couldn’t suppress his surging excitement.