Chapter 392

Chapter 392: Questioning

"Young friend Zhou, please sit."

Master Xuanlong’s voice was always as calm as water, showing not a trace of fluctuation.

Zhou Luo sat upright properly on a large chair to the side, always maintaining a humble and respectful appearance.

He did not look at the other party.

Facing such a huge gap in status, looking directly at the other party was very impolite behavior.

Just after he sat down, Master Xuanlong’s voice also slowly sounded.

"How is your relationship with friend Zi Yun?"

Master Zi Yun was precisely Zhou Chang Le’s master; except for Zhou Changqing, who had been taken away by Shangguan Qianxue’s master, several of Zhou Luo’s children were under his tutelage.

Hence, the other party held such a question.

Zhou Luo’s heart shuddered, and he said seriously: "Back then, I only came into contact after luckily completing a task for Master Zi Yun."

In that time, Zhou Chang Le, under Zhou Luo’s meticulous cultivation, had already stood out prominently at the age of fifteen, displaying sharp emerging talents.

Originally, following the plan of the long-life families, he would have two paths: one was to remain in the family and become the family’s pillar, the other was to enter the Immortal Sect for study.

But at that moment, Zhou Luo learned that the long-life families basically never chose to have their children join the Immortal Sect.

Because those so-called geniuses who entered the Immortal Sect would end up being assigned as outer disciples, not valued, and with no status or position to speak of.

Compared to that, it was better to let them serve the family with their effort.

Zhou Luo did not want his own son to waste his life squandering his talents.

Therefore, he chose to take the initiative proactively.

And the target of that initiative was Master Zi Yun.

Information about Master Zi Yun was something he had later gained during his study in the Immortal Sect.

At that time, he obtained a piece of intelligence from the library, and that source of intelligence happened to relate to Master Zi Yun.

Occasionally, taking advantage of the situation, he made a trip out, and after completing that task, through a series of clever arrangements, he let the other party know about his children’s cultivation talents.

To tell the truth, he had never met that Master Zi Yun; later, he only had a few interactions with the other party through his own children; to speak of deep affection, that was definitely not the case.

After hearing these words, Master Xuanlong formed a rough understanding in his mind.

He and Master Zi Yun did not belong to the same faction; their interactions were not many.

And when he learned that Zhou Luo’s children were all under the other party’s tutelage, he then wanted to clarify the relationship between the two men.

Since the two men’s relationship was not deep, he smoothly said next: "I heard you once received a celestial opportunity bestowed by a certain senior expert; from what origin is the counterpart?"

This matter spread like wildfire in Qinyuan City; as the controller of the Immortal City, he naturally learned of this affair.

A person who could casually alter the Fate of a cultivator with a Ninth Grade spiritual root; addressing such a fellow as a senior was indeed no problem.

Facing this question, Zhou Luo’s gaze flickered slightly, unknown as to what the other party intended.

However, he still answered very cleverly: "Master, I do not know."

This kind of thing was originally nonexistent; if the outside world had not suddenly spread it, he would not even have known he could explain the fact of achieving Foundation Establishment in that manner.

So-called saying more means more mistakes. Rather than describing the details well, it was better to be vague, making others unable to see through.

Facing his answer, Master Xuanlong didn’t say much.

Over the years, he had been paying attention to him and understanding his situation.

In his knowledge, that senior expert seemed to have never appeared again, and there was no information about him.

From the previous ruins trip, he had learned some circumstances from the sect disciples.

Now, after he said these words, he could roughly confirm that senior ancestor probably wouldn’t pay attention to him anymore.

So he slowly opened his mouth and said, "The Lin Family has been doing quite well under your management these years."

In recent years, Zhou Luo had combined the Lin Family business with Tian Xia Pavilion, and with the support of the three great cities, Qingtian, Fengye, and Jiang City, the profits paid to the sect annually were extremely large.

This was why Qinyuan Sect had never acted against him.

Facing this praise, Zhou Luo knew things wouldn’t be so simple. He immediately said modestly, "Thanks to the master’s great favor, I am merely doing my duty for the Immortal Sect."

Master Xuanlong looked at him calmly. His index finger slightly moved, and the teacup by the table floated to his front. Casually picking it up, he took a gentle sip: "Since that’s the case, my disciple should have mentioned the cooperation to you?"

As soon as these words were uttered, Zhou Luo’s heart sank.

Indeed, Fang Li had actively approached him, not just because he coveted the cooperation between him and Tian Xia Restaurant, but also because behind him, there was a Golden Core master backing him.

For a moment, a trace of unease rose in his heart.

If it were Fang Li, he could still maneuver flexibly. After all, though Fang Li managed the logistics of Immortal City, he was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

But if a big figure like Master Xuanlong spoke out, how could he resist?

However, listening to his words, it seemed he wasn’t trying to seize his industry.

So Zhou Luo summoned his courage and tentatively said, "Master, cooperating with the Immortal Sect is a great fortune for me. I just don’t know how to cooperate?"

"Didn’t Li’er tell you?" Master Xuanlong asked.

His perspective differed from Fang Li’s; he disdained forcing the other party using status and strength, so he called it cooperation.

Mainly, for someone at his level, being too aggressive could lead to criticism.

But with Tian Xia Pavilion being so profitable, as the head of Immortal City, how could he just watch the cake grow larger without being tempted?

Cultivation emphasized wealth, partners, techniques, and land.

With wealth being the top priority, even higher-realm cultivators couldn’t avoid becoming worldly.

If it hadn’t been for Zhou Luo’s special status, Master Xuanlong might have even wanted to take over his share directly.

"Master, Friend Fang was discussing something with Manager Long at the time, so he didn’t elaborate," Zhou Luo answered truthfully.

If it were only cooperation and not kicking him out, he might be able to accept it.

He was well aware that, with Tian Xia Pavilion’s business now so extensive, if Qinyuan Sect wanted to get involved, he really couldn’t stop it.

When his strength and influence weren’t sufficient, he had to sacrifice some profits in exchange for stability.

"I’ll have Li’er discuss it with you," Master Xuanlong said indifferently, and then added, "I heard you went to the ruins in Longfeng Mountain Range? And you entered together with that Qi Chuan?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhou Luo understood that Qinyuan Sect had finally found its way to him.

It was also estimated that they had already inquired with Long Yunshuang to learn about their cooperative relationship.

Zhou Luo kept a calm expression and responded, "Master, we truly did cooperate to enter the ruins together at that time. But after we separated due to events, I lost track of where he went. Dao Friend Qianxue should be able to vouch for me on this."