Chapter 320

Chapter 320: Core District of the Immortal City

Qinyuan City, Core District.

After submitting his identity token and passing the verification, Zhou Luo headed towards his mansion.

Cultivators occasionally passed by on the road, their surprise evident upon seeing such a large family group.

"Who is that man? He actually brings his entire family into the core district?" someone transmitted via voice.

"I don’t know him, but he must have significant backing to be this lavish," remarked another with a serious expression.

They observed the handsome man leading the group, their hearts filled with astonishment.

The core district was situated atop a spiritual vein where spiritual energy was abundant. Consequently, anyone entering with spiritual roots had to pay substantial spiritual stones.

Because a spiritual vein’s energy reserves were finite.

Each additional person absorbing energy depleted the supply.

Though the underground spiritual vein’s energy was plentiful enough to accommodate a few more individuals without issue,

this was, after all, a publicly accessible area. If any resident cultivator could freely bring in family or companions, wouldn’t the core district quickly become overcrowded?

Given that this person brought so many people—each possessing spiritual roots—the required spiritual stone payment must be staggering.

Across the entire Qinyuan Domain, only major factions or influential families could afford such extravagance.

But this was the core district of the Immortal City; the cost of residency here far exceeded the outer areas.

Zhou Luo, however, cared little about this expense.

Both the assets acquired from the Lu Family and the annual profit shares promised by the Xue Family had brought him immense wealth, to say nothing of the income generated by Yao Yuan Pavilion.

Indeed, in Qinyuan Domain, only the Immortal Sect rivaled the Lin Family in riches.

As the mastermind behind it all, Zhou Luo spending spiritual stones to settle his family in the core district was effortless.

As he walked with his kin, they drew continuous sidelong glances.

Everyone speculated about his origins.

When his family finally stopped before a newly renovated, large mansion, the observers hidden in the shadows froze in surprise.

Not long ago, rumors had spread in the core district that Zhou Luo of the Lin Family would reside here, prompting the construction of this house specifically for him.

This news ignited intense curiosity among the cultivators living in the district.

They’d all heard tales of Zhou Luo: how he’d slain two Foundation Establishment cultivators, his status as a second level Pill Master, and his ability to refine Foundation Establishment Dan.

His skill in refining Foundation Establishment Dan was the most crucial aspect.

Only three types of people resided in the core district:

Foundation Establishment cultivators, cultivators currently undergoing Foundation Establishment, and those preparing for Foundation Establishment.

The first two categories were unremarkable; the last was the critical group.

Their desperation for Foundation Establishment Dan matched—if not exceeded—that of outsiders.

Thus, upon discovering Zhou Luo’s ability to refine these pills, they’d awaited his arrival with eager anticipation.

Now that he had finally arrived, their attention was fixed firmly upon him.

Zhou Luo stood before the mansion with its antique grace. Above the entrance hung a plaque, the characters "Zhou Fu" boldly written upon it with a spiritual brush, exuding power and majesty.

Most of the core area consisted of cave residences reserved for cultivators preparing for or undergoing Foundation Establishment Breakthroughs. Grand mansions like this one were limited to just over a dozen, exclusively assigned to cultivators of extraordinary status.

Figures like the previous Pill Master Sun or some Foundation Establishment cultivators qualified.

Given Zhou Luo’s dual qualifications, he was naturally granted permission to reside here.

Creak—

Pushing the door open revealed a path paved with blue bricks. Lush flowers bloomed alongside, and ornamental rockeries stood tall. On either side, rows of plain rooms were connected by long corridors, creating a simple and comfortable layout.

This was the front yard. Zhou Luo planned to house the servants here.

After all, with such a large household, servants were necessary for daily upkeep.

Ordinary people residing in the core area were exempt from spiritual stone fees anyway.

Walking further inside, a towering pavilion five stories high came into view. Constructed from special wood and stone bricks, its surface was adorned with exquisite patterns, giving off an awe-inspiring aura.

This was the main building. Adjacent to it stood a single-story structure crafted from redwood. Spiritual light shimmered around its edges, and array patterns were imprinted upon it across its vast expanse. This was the alchemy room specially prepared for Zhou Luo.

Beyond these, the surrounding buildings were comprehensive in function and contained everything one could need.

Zhou Luo was thoroughly satisfied with the mansion. He instructed Yao Wu to take the two children to select rooms within the main building. Meanwhile, he led the other concubines to the rooms beside it.

Sweeping his gaze over his concubines, whose skin resembled congealed fat and faces bloomed like spring peaches, he spoke gently, "From now on, you will live here. Avoid going out as much as possible to prevent encountering any trouble."

"In a while, I will send over a group of servants. Once they arrive, tell them directly whatever you require."

"I made things clear before we came, but I’ll say it again now: if you do not wish to stay here, inform me at any time. I will arrange for you to be sent back."

His voice was rich and smooth, calm as still water, giving the women fair warning.

The core area was unlike the outside world. It was common to encounter Second Level skill manipulators or Foundation Establishment cultivators anywhere here, demanding extreme caution.

Hearing these words, the women all nodded in agreement.

Although living here meant they couldn’t venture out, each one felt deeply grateful inside.

Training within the core area was far superior to cultivation outside, especially given the overwhelming concentration of spiritual energy here.

They had merely been tools for family alliances, or even purchased concubines, initially expecting only a quietly stable existence.

But now, presented with such an exceptional place to cultivate, free from external worries, their satisfaction was immense.

Daring to entertain any other thoughts was simply out of the question.

After this brief address, he dismissed the women to prepare and settle in.

Outside.

News of Zhou Luo’s move to the core area spread across Qinyuan City like a whirlwind.

Cultivators who had long awaited this moment swiftly gathered outside the core area, clamoring for an audience.

Unfortunately, core area regulations strictly prohibited entry unless explicitly invited by a resident. Unauthorized personnel attempting entry had to purchase a residence within the zone.

These accommodations demanded a significant sum of spiritual stones, renewable only yearly.

This requirement deterred many hopeful visitors, though some cultivators gritted their teeth and purchased property just to gain entry.

As for the residents already within the core area, they too contemplated paying a visit. However, reasoning that Zhou Luo must be busy settling into the mansion immediately after moving in, they tactfully held back. They judged it best not to approach him directly just yet.

On the third day of Zhou Luo’s occupancy, Wang Lang arrived at the grand mansion leading a group of efficient and capable servants.

Surveying the imposing, majestic mansion and breathing in the potent surrounding spiritual energy, Wang Lang couldn’t help remarking, "The core area and the inner city truly are worlds apart."

Entering the mansion, he found Zhou Luo seated at the head position within the main hall of the central pavilion.

Wang Lang bowed deeply, a respectful demeanor on his face. "Master Manager, everyone has been brought as instructed."

"Hmm. How goes business at the Yao Yuan Pavilion lately?" Zhou Luo inquired.

"Thanks entirely to you, Master Manager, the shop is flourishing. It’s completely packed every single day," Wang Lang reported truthfully.

Zhou Luo’s soaring fame had made Yao Yuan Pavilion the most sought-after spot in the Immortal City, bar none. Countless cultivators visited under the pretense of buying goods, hoping to get lucky and accidentally encounter the Master Manager himself.

Since they were there already, they invariably ended up buying at least a few items.

Consequently, business at Yao Yuan Pavilion was even busier than it had been at the grand opening.

Zhou Luo nodded in satisfaction and asked for more details.

Wang Lang proceeded to outline everything clearly. When the topic shifted to expanding the business ventures, his expression turned serious. "Master Manager, regarding this matter, I was precisely planning to report to you…"