Chapter 51

Though Yulou said nothing, Gao Jian’s attitude changed drastically.

One could only say that Gao’s ability to prey on Qingxi Fang for years without getting caught showed sharp instincts.

Previously, the Wang clan’s standing meant little to him—there were countless vassals of Hongdengzhao.

But now things had changed: the Wang clan had always closely aligned with True Person Xuanduan, and behind the scenes, they actually belonged to the Mang Xiang Patriarch’s lineage within Hongdengzhao.

The Mang Xiang Patriarch had already begun preparing to certify his Golden Core!

Gao Jian of course didn’t know whether the Patriarch would successfully break through, but what if he did...

Then the Wang clan’s status would rise like tide lifting a boat—suddenly soaring by a full level, even several levels higher.

With the protection of the Garrison Cultivator, Gao Jian could still pretend to be powerful within Qingxi Fang.

But in the power struggles within Hongdengzhao, he was nothing—not even worth a fart.

His taking concubines and collecting wedding gifts was essentially an annual, “legal” process of collecting spirit stones for the Garrison Cultivator.

It was similar to “ice gifts” and “charcoal gifts,” with no strict rules or limits.

Considering the Baibao Pavilion had been established this year, his concubine acquisition for the year was already complete.

Under this ambiguous custom, whether the Baibao Pavilion paid or not became an open question.

Today, when he entered the Baibao Pavilion and saw Yulou in the main hall, he immediately put on airs, hoping to squeeze out extra spirit stones that wouldn’t go to the Garrison Cultivator.

Just bullying children, that’s all.

But once he realized the Wang clan might rise like tide lifting a boat, he no longer wanted to risk it.

That’s why Gao Jian so readily abandoned his demands at once.

Just to give the Wang clan face—no, the Wang clan didn’t have that much face.

I’m giving face to the Mang Xiang Patriarch today, tolerating the Baibao Pavilion!

Mang Xiang: Little Gao, you’re full of spirit. Try standing right in front of me and saying that.

“Oh, Brother Gao Jian, long time no see~”

Wang Rongsheng smiled and greeted Gao Jian.

“Ha, no need for pleasantries—I’ve got nothing else, so I’ll be off. Your Baibao Pavilion looks good, yeah, very good.”

After casually sizing up Wang Rongsheng, Gao Jian prepared to leave.

Just a lowly Qi Refining beginner, a waste of a clan cultivator—not worth associating with.

“Ah, Brother Gao Jian, I heard from Yuan that you just took a new concubine a few days ago. Here, this is the Baibao Pavilion’s wedding gift.”

Wang Rongsheng called out to stop Gao Jian, pulled out a packet of spirit stones wrapped in paper, and handed it to the bastard.

He spoke politely and gave ample face—as the overall manager of the Wang clan in Qingxi Fang, Rongsheng had to maintain good relations with the Peacekeeping Squad.

Naturally, Gao Jian wouldn’t refuse spirit stones offered voluntarily.

“This—Brother Wang, you’re too kind, too kind—I feel ashamed to accept.”

As he spoke, Gao Jian snatched the spirit stones from Wang Rongsheng’s hand and shoved them straight into his storage pouch.

“Just this once—next time, don’t do it again!” said the Captain of the Qingxi Fang Peacekeeping Squad.

After saying that, he belatedly asked:

“By the way, Brother Wang, I still don’t know your name.”

This bastard’s true nature was clear—he looked down on Wang Rongsheng, a Qi Refining beginner, so he had no intention of learning his name, hence asking now for the first time.

Gao Jian could be polite to Wang Rongyuan, Wang Rongwen, and Wang Yulou, because the first two had higher cultivation, and Yulou had great potential.

Wang Rongsheng was old and weak—he didn’t even register in his eyes.

“Wang Rongsheng of the Wang clan. If anything comes up with any of our shops in Qingxi Fang, just come straight to me.”

Hearing this, Gao Jian took another careful look at Wang Rongsheng—this time he noticed something.

Wang Rongsheng was handsome, but clearly old, with low cultivation—he must be a Wang clan elder sent to Qingxi Fang to retire.

“Alright then, may our paths be long and high.”

“Hahaha, Brother Gao, you’re truly witty.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Gao Jian, satisfied, finally left with his men—the Baibao Pavilion could resume business.

After Gao Jian was far away, Wang Rongsheng dropped his smile, shook his head, and spoke earnestly to the two youths:

“When others look down on you, don’t feel resentment or anger—their contempt is our opportunity.

Remember, our Concealing Breath technique is a powerful secret art—ordinary cultivators can’t even pay spirit stones to learn it!”

Seeing that Yulou and Yuan understood, he turned specifically to Yulou.

“How was today’s business?”

Thanks to this week's promotion, more cultivators now know about the Baibao Pavilion. The 90% discount trio promotion was a success, but the timed auction isn't performing well.

I think the auction duration might be too long—customers won’t bid early, hoping instead to wait until the last moment for a bargain.”

Wang Rongsheng looked toward the auction platform on the right side of the hall, where three items sat on five stands.

Two were from the Wang clan, one from a customer—all had shockingly low bids.

“If one of these two strategies works, Yulou, your business talent is already excellent—don’t worry. If it fails, we’ll take it slow.”

“I’ll continue my cultivation. Remember to teach your insights to the staff—your main task for the next few years is still refining the Dao; don’t spend all your time at the Baibao Pavilion.”

Yulou bowed and replied yes. Rongsheng was right, but right now he was thinking that Hongmei needed time to adjust his mental state.

The Wang clan’s retaliation against him was too brutal. Though Hongmei had intended to kill Yulou and Yuan, retaliation was justified—but Wang Xianmao had directly seized Hongmei’s hard-earned Foundation Establishment resources.

This matter... Hongmei needs to heal, needs to heal properly.

After Rongsheng left, Yuan looked at Yulou.

“Brother, shouldn’t we go see Master?”

Yulou fell silent for a long while, then said:

“Wait. Wait until he understands, and comes to us himself.”

Speak of the devil—he appeared at the Baibao Pavilion’s entrance, hesitating and peering in.

“Sister Ningyao!”

Yuan, seeing his goddess, called out happily.

But remembering the awkwardness with Hongmei, he stood helplessly in place.

“Sister, come in—see our Wang clan’s new Baibao Pavilion.

You’ve spent so many years in Huafengju; Master ran it successfully, and you’ve surely absorbed his business wisdom.

Come, take a look, give us your advice.” Yulou remained calm and invited Ningyao inside.

Watching his brother act as if nothing had changed, Yuan felt heavy-hearted.

The immortal world was so cruel, yet his brother adapted effortlessly and handled everything with ease.

I must strive harder—I cannot fall too far behind him!

Only then can I walk farther, farther, alongside my brother.

In truth, Yulou hadn’t truly adapted—he disliked this cruel, cage-like system too.

But to change reality, one must first accept it—at least partially—so one can gradually find a path to change.

The ocean of suffering churns; rowing against the current is the only way.

The desire for immortality, the responsibility of being a Wang clan scion, the pressure of the family’s future transformation—all forced Yulou to adapt quickly to this cruel reality.

To be cowardly and refuse to enter the game is to lose all chance of victory from the start.

Only by stepping fully into the game can one ever hope to win half a move against Heaven.

“I don’t understand business, but why haven’t you two come to Huafengju these past two days?

Father’s acting strange too—as if he forgot he even had two disciples.”