389: Questioning

"Little Friend Zhou, have a seat."

Mystic Dragon True Person's voice was always calm as water, without the slightest ripple.

Zhou Luo sat properly on a large chair to the side, maintaining a humble and respectful demeanor throughout.

He did not look at the other person.

In the face of such a vast difference in status, looking directly at the other person was an extremely impolite act.

Just after he sat down, Mystic Dragon True Person's voice also slowly sounded.

"How is your relationship with Purple Cloud Daoist friend?"

Purple Cloud True Person was Zhou Changle's Revered Master. Besides Zhou Changqing, who was taken away by Shangguan Qianxue's Revered Master, several of Zhou Luo's children were under his tutelage.

That was why the other person had such a question.

Zhou Luo's heart tightened, and he said seriously, "Back then, I coincidentally completed a task for Purple Cloud True Person, which is how we first interacted."

Back then, under Zhou Luo's careful nurturing, Zhou Changle had already shown his talent and sharp edge by the age of fifteen.

Originally, according to the Immortal Family's plan, he would have two paths: one was to stay in the Zhou Family and become a pillar of the Zhou Family, and the other was to enter an Immortal Sect to study.

And at that time, Zhou Luo learned that Longevity Families basically would not choose to let Zhou Family Disciples enter Immortal Sects.

Because these so-called geniuses who entered Immortal Sects would ultimately be arranged to become Outer Sect Disciples of the Sect, not valued, and without status or position.

Compared to these, it was better to let them serve the Zhou Family.

Zhou Luo did not want his son to waste his entire life and his talent.

So he chose to take the initiative.

And the target of this initiative was Purple Cloud True Person.

Information about Purple Cloud True Person was obtained by him later when he was studying in an Immortal Sect.

At that time, he obtained a piece of information from that scripture library, and the source of that information happened to be related to Purple Cloud True Person.

Sometimes, he also took the opportunity to go out and, after completing that task, through a series of clever arrangements, let the other person know about the cultivation talents of his pair of children.

Speaking of which, he had never met that Purple Cloud True Person before. Later, he only had a few interactions with the other person through his children. If he were to say there was a deep relationship, it definitely wouldn't count.

After hearing these words, Mystic Dragon True Person also had a general understanding in his heart.

He and Purple Cloud True Person did not belong to the same faction, and they did not have much interaction with each other.

And only after he learned that Zhou Luo's children were all under the other person's tutelage, did he want to ask about the relationship between the two.

Since their relationship was not deep, he took the opportunity to say, "I heard that you once received an Immortal opportunity bestowed by a certain Senior expert. May I know where the other person is from?"

This matter was widely rumored in Qingyuan City. As the controller of the Immortal City, he naturally also learned about this matter.

Being able to casually change the fate of a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root Cultivator, it was no problem for him to call such a person a Senior.

Facing this question, Zhou Luo's eyes flickered slightly, not knowing what the other person meant.

However, he still answered very cleverly, "True Person, I don't know either."

This kind of thing was originally unfounded. If it hadn't suddenly spread externally, he wouldn't even know that he could explain the fact that he was able to Foundation Establishment in this way.

As the saying goes, the more words, the more mistakes. Instead of describing the details well, it's better to be a bit vague and let others not see through it.

And facing his answer, Mystic Dragon True Person did not say much.

These years, he had been paying attention to the other person and understanding their situation.

In his understanding, that Senior expert seemed to have never appeared again, and there was no information about the other person.

And during the previous trip to the Ruins, he also learned some information from the Sect Disciples.

At the moment, after the other person said these words, he could roughly confirm in his heart that that Senior expert should no longer be paying attention to the other person.

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

These years, Zhou Luo had combined the Lin Family's business with Heavenly Pavilion. Coupled with the support of the three large cities, Qingtian, Maple Leaf, and Jiang City, the profits submitted to the Sect each year were extremely huge.

This was also the reason why Azure Origin Sect had not made a move on the other person all this time.

Facing this praise, Zhou Luo knew that things would not be so simple. He immediately said humbly, "Thanks to the True Person's kindness, I am merely fulfilling my duty for the Immortal Sect."

Mystic Dragon True Person calmly looked at him, his index finger moved slightly, and the teacup on the table floated before him. He casually picked it up and took a light sip: "Since that's the case, my Disciple must have told you about the cooperation, right?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhou Luo's heart sank.

As expected, Fang Li actively seeking him out was not just because he was coveting his cooperation with Tianxia Tavern, but because behind him, there was a Golden Core True Person supporting him.

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

If it were Fang Li, he could still maneuver a bit. After all, although the other person was in charge of the Immortal City's logistics, he was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

But if a great figure of Mystic Dragon True Person's level were to speak, how should he resist?

However, listening to the other person's words, it seemed that the other person was not trying to seize his property.

So Zhou Luo bravely, and tentatively said, "True Person, it is my great fortune to be able to cooperate with the Immortal Sect. I just don't know how we should cooperate?"

"Didn't Li'er tell you?" Mystic Dragon True Person asked.

His perspective was different from Fang Li's. He disdained using his status and strength to coerce the other person, which was why he spoke of cooperation.

The main reason was that for a figure of his level, being too aggressive would instead invite criticism.

It was just that Heavenly Pavilion was so profitable. As the person in charge of the Immortal City, how could he just watch this cake get bigger and bigger without being tempted?

Cultivation emphasizes wealth, companions, techniques, and location.

As wealth, which is ranked first, even Cultivators of higher Realms are not immune to falling into the mundane.

If it weren't for Zhou Luo's special status, Mystic Dragon True Person would even want to directly seize his share.

"True Person, Daoist friend Fang was talking about something with Manager Long at the time, so he didn't elaborate," Zhou Luo said truthfully.

If it was just cooperation and not kicking him out, he wasn't unable to accept it.

He was very clear that with Heavenly Pavilion's business being so large now, if Azure Origin Sect wanted to get involved, he really had no way to stop it.

When his strength and influence were not sufficient, he could only give up a portion of the profits in exchange for stability.

"I will have Li'er tell you."

Mystic Dragon True Person said indifferently, and then added, "I heard you went to the Ruins in the Dragon Phoenix Mountain Range? And you went in with that Qi Chuan?"

As soon as these words came out, Zhou Luo understood. It seemed Azure Origin Sect had finally come for him.

And it was likely they had already asked Long Yunshuang, which was why they knew about their cooperative relationship.

Zhou Luo's face was calm as he replied, "True Person, we did indeed cooperate to enter the Ruins together at that time, but after we separated due to circumstances later, I don't know where he went. Daoist friend Qianxue should be able to testify for me regarding this matter."