The entire Flowing Cloud Pavilion was silent as a grave.
That fellow whom Zhang Yun had called “Senior Brother Lin” felt as if a fish bone was stuck in his throat, unable to utter a single word.
He could only widen his eyes, staring in disbelief at the pile of spirit stones at Ling Huan’s feet, almost stacked up to his waist.
Five hundred spirit stones!
Forget about him, a low-ranking attendant at the Qi Refining stage—even the treasury of Flowing Cloud Pavilion didn’t have this many spirit stones!
Suddenly, a burning sensation flared on his cheeks, and regret flooded his heart!
But at the same time!
There was fear!
To be able to take out such a huge sum, and leave it with a child without worry… just what kind of terrifying cultivation clan stood behind him?
What kind of protector could this child possibly have?
Could it be… the legendary… Foundation Establishment?
Or even… Golden Core?!
At that thought, his knees buckled, and all the strength drained from his body—he couldn’t even stand straight!
Zhang Yun was also covering her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers.
Five hundred spirit stones!
All the spirit stones she’d handled over the years working at Flowing Cloud Pavilion didn’t add up to this much!
Since when did Green Wood City have such a powerful, influential family?
Could he be the young master of a cultivation clan come to play in the mortal world?
[Mission Complete!]
[Evaluation: Perfect!]
[Review: Host displayed great wealth in public and insulted others, causing them unprecedented humiliation and helplessness! This perfectly displays the arrogance of a villain!]
[Reward: 50 spirit stones!]
The system notification sounded in Ling Huan’s mind.
But what puzzled Ling Huan was—why was humiliating others only worth this many spirit stones, while bullying Yin Luoling earned so much more?
Was the system… specifically designed to bully cute, helpless little lolis?
What a beast!
He cursed the system silently and turned his attention back to the scene before him.
His gaze fell on Zhang Yun, and the arrogant and overbearing expression on his face faded considerably, his tone calming down.
“Big sister, can we test the spiritual root now?”
Before Zhang Yun could answer, the manager who had been pretending to read behind the counter, dressed in a deep purple brocade robe, strode over with a beaming smile.
“Of course we can!”
The old man’s voice was hearty as he quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands respectfully toward Ling Huan, lowering his stance considerably.
“This old man’s surname is Chen, given name Yi.”
I am the manager of Green Wood City’s Flowing Cloud Pavilion.
“My subordinate didn’t understand the rules and offended our esteemed guest. Allow me to apologize on his behalf first!”
With that, he bowed deeply, full of apology.
Then he slowly straightened up, turning his head, and in a flash, his expression changed completely.
“You worthless wretch!” he bellowed. “Kneel and apologize to the young master immediately! Forfeit three years’ salary! Retraining!”
The one surnamed Lin instantly turned deathly pale, his teeth chattering.
Retraining!?
The training at Flowing Cloud Pavilion was so harsh and the elimination rate so high.
If he hadn’t used a few tricks and some luck back then, he wouldn’t have made it through.
Going back now—wasn’t that asking for his life?!
But if he didn’t kneel, could he afford to offend the family behind this little brat?
He was still hesitating when Chen Yi struck out with a palm across the air!
“Bang!”
A thunderous crash exploded behind the man!
His knees smashed hard into the floor with a sickening, bone-cracking thud!
Countless cracks spread across the ground.
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Speak!”
Chen Yi barked.
“F-Forgive me, young master… it—it was my dog eyes failing to see… I beg your forgiveness, young master, I’ll kowtow to apologize…”
With that, he slammed his head down several times, each impact dull and heavy.
“Someone, take him to receive his whipping!”
With a wave of Manager Chen’s hand, several attendants rushed over, dragging the kneeling man toward the back of the shop.
Soon after, the sharp sounds of whips cutting through the air and agonized screams echoed forth.
Everything appeared perfect, but Ling Huan knew well—if he hadn’t displayed his wealth, even if he had gotten into a fight with that dog-eyed fool, no one would have bothered to look his way.
However, Ling Huan also knew when to let things go.
That palm from thin air just now had made him, a mere first-layer Qi Refiner, feel a tremendous threat.
It was like standing face-to-face in a cage with a starving tiger—he couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine.
If the manager before him had aimed that palm at him, forget about fighting back, he doubted he could even withstand a single blow.
Knowing when to stop, Ling Huan quickly changed the subject.
“Thank you, Manager Chen, for standing up for me. Since the unpleasantness is over, could you please test my sister’s spiritual root?And I’d like to buy some cultivation manuals—just deduct the cost from these spirit stones on the floor.”
The smile on Manager Chen’s face deepened, nearly overflowing from his cheeks.
He immediately replied, “How about this? Having our guest suffer in our shop goes against the principles of Flowing Cloud Pavilion. So, how about this.Spiritual root testing is free!”
“Anything the young master wishes to purchase in our shop will be at a twenty percent discount. That’s the highest discount I’m authorized to give. If young master finds it insufficient, I can report it up, but you’ll need to wait a few days—”
“No need. Twenty percent off is fine.”
Ling Huan waved his hand, feigning indifference.
“In that case, why not have Zhang Yun continue to serve you? If you need anything, just tell her and she’ll relay it to me, all right?It’s my failure as manager—I’d best stay to the side.”
Truthfully, Ling Huan found this arrangement quite satisfactory.
When it came to shopping, he’d much rather have a pretty girl as his guide than an old man.
The girl before him was sixteen or seventeen.
Though her features still retained some youthful innocence, her figure was already fully mature.
Why talk business with an old man when there’s a pretty girl to look at?
Besides, Zhang Yun’s attitude toward them was sincere and approachable, which made Ling Huan genuinely like the girl.
No matter how you looked at it…
“This is a good idea,” Ling Huan agreed cheerfully.
Manager Chen let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you for your understanding, young master! Zhang Yun!”
He turned immediately to the young woman, his tone now strict but full of hope.
“Serve the young master and his sister well. You now have full authorization—whatever the young master wants, you may take directly from the storeroom, all at a twenty percent discount.Of course, let me warn you: do not neglect the young master, or you’ll end up like Lin Chuan!”
“Yes, Manager!” Zhang Yun hurriedly bowed.
She was incredibly glad she’d always abided by Flowing Cloud Pavilion’s rules.
She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves.
If she handled this well, with no mishaps, she’d definitely earn a nice bonus!
Her record would look great too—promotion would be no problem!
Thinking this, she turned to Ling Huan and Yin Luoling, her face once again adorned with a gentle and respectful smile, her voice even softer, “Young master, young miss, please follow me. Spiritual root testing requires the Spirit Testing Stone, which is set up in a quiet room on the second floor. It’s more peaceful there.”
She stepped aside gracefully to lead the way, her poise elegant and pleasing to the eye, completely unlike that Lin attendant from before.
Ling Huan naturally took the hand of the still-dazed Yin Luoling and followed Zhang Yun toward the carved wooden staircase to the second floor.
Zhang Yun walked lightly, her wide Daoist robe unable to conceal her graceful curves.
Ling Huan couldn’t help but let his gaze linger on her back for a few moments, clicking his tongue in appreciation.
[Ding! Host has developed wicked thoughts!]
[Villain’s trait: coveting beauty!]
[Reward: Three Incense of Tranquility (aids in stabilizing the mind and assists cultivation).]
Ling Huan: “……”
Damn it!
Stupid system!
What do you mean by “wicked thoughts”?!
This is appreciation!
Don’t you understand appreciation?!
You lousy system, all you know how to do is bully people!
How does that saying go?
Dirty eyes see everything as dirty!
Besides, I’m only ten years old right now—how could I have any lecherous ideas?
System, look at my eyes, they’re absolutely pure!
He ranted internally while leading Yin Luoling and following Zhang Yun up the stairs.
Only after their figures vanished did the genial expression fade from Chen Yi’s face.
He sighed and strode quickly toward the back courtyard.
Entering the garden, he saw Lin Chuan sprawled on the ground, his back covered in shocking, bloody welts, moaning in pain.
Upon seeing Chen Yi, he cried out, “Uncle! Your hand… your hand was way too heavy!”