Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme-Chapter 1009 - 617: Advancement

One year later, Sky-reaching Tower.

In the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, people bustled in and out, creating a lively scene.

"Thank you for your patronage!"

"Dear customer, please come again!"

The staff, including the shopkeeper, all hired commercial heroes from various civilizations and timelines, were busy, their talents undiminished by their diverse origins.

"Welcome!"

As two more customers arrived, a staff member immediately greeted them with a smile, "What can I do for the two esteemed guests?"

The newcomers, a man and a woman, were striking—a tall, handsome man and a graceful, beautiful woman, truly a match made by heaven.

Faced with the staff, the man smiled, "What do you have in this store?"

The staff member responded cheerfully, "We have hero troops, weapons, food, medicine, cultural cores, and various types of buildings. Although not exhaustive, our inventory is extensive and sure to meet the needs of our customers."

"Is that so?"

The man smiled lightly, his expression playful, "I heard you have some exclusive items?"

"Indeed!"

The staff nodded and introduced, "Our store sells the magical Youthful Spring, which can preserve youth and even revert one to a younger state, restoring potential lost over the years. We also offer a variety of rare foods, all exquisitely prepared and reasonably priced, honestly provided whether for young or old. What would you like?"

The man, however, shook his head, "What I desire is beyond your authority. Let someone who can make a decision come here instead."

"Eh!?"

The staff’s eyes sharpened, sensing the man’s intentions, but he did not act rashly. Instead, he nodded and said, "If that is so, please wait a moment."

With that, he turned and left, giving the two guests space to look around the store.

The man picked up a menu, flipped it open, and immediately found a myriad of items—hero troops, weapons, cultural cores, and architectural wonders, truly offering everything one could wish for.

The woman, surprised, commented, "Has he really grown this powerful in just two years?"

The man smiled, unflustered, "With an invincible stature, it should be so. Those demons are no match for him. They swarm at the whisper of his approach, leaving territories ripe for the taking. Naturally, he reaped a rich harvest in one year."

The woman, even more curious, asked, "Can he truly be invincible in both offense and defense?"

The man laughed, "If not, how could he have established such a foundation with his background?"

The woman frowned, then asked, "But if he delays his advancement, wouldn’t the Demon Abyss strip him of his new powers, cutting off his future potential?"

"It’s not so simple," the man shook his head, "Delaying advancement might cut off potential, but with such opportunities, such encounters, and an ambition that refuses to bow down, why would he sacrifice his path for such trivial benefits? Besides, the Demon Abyss has strategies to retreat as he advances, maintaining distance to entangle him. Dragging it out for ten or twenty years, he would be forced to advance, never reaching the point of having his foundation undermined."

"I see, that’s a pity."

The woman sighed, "If he could cut off the new forces of the Demon Abyss, it might have aided you in your competition for the top of the Golden Core List."

"Ha!"

The man laughed but said nothing more.

Elsewhere, outside the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, whispers circulated.

"What’s with those two, talking so oddly?"

"What else could it be? That pompous air is a dead giveaway they’re from some Ancient Cultivation Family."

"What era is it to still be sticking to ancient methods, are they out of their minds?"

"Third Order Reputation List is just that, and they’re still talking about the Golden Core List, just posturing!"

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

"Have you heard? Some powerful clans and families have legacies tracing back even before the Sky-reaching Tower was built. They are Ancient Cultivators, not ordinary people."

"What are they doing here at the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion?"

"What else?"

"That owner of Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, the last term’s Dual Crown King, had a fallout with the Heaven-Connecting Academy. Naturally, other powers want to take advantage of the situation, host them, decapitate their leaders, and win them over to their side."

"It might also be core members from the Heaven-Connecting Academy wanting to mend relations."

"Such is the significance of being a First Order Dual Crown. Unrivaled indeed..."

Amidst gossip and speculation, back inside the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion,

"A distinguished guest, I’ve failed to greet you from afar!"

Zhang Yan approached them with a smile, "This way, please!"

The two followed her to a private room without another word.

Once settled, Zhang Yan got right to the point, "May I know whom I am speaking with?"

The man smiled, "My surname is Zhou, from the main campus, you can call me Senior Zhou!"

"Zhou?"

Zhang Yan’s gaze sharpened momentarily before she relaxed and responded with a light laugh, "So, it’s Senior Zhou from the main campus. What brings you here?"

Looking at her, Zhou’s expression was indifferent, "He still refuses to meet and discuss?"

Zhang Yan fell silent for a moment, then nodded, pretending a bitter smile, "He’s been busy with his advancement, really too occupied to spare time, please forgive him, Senior Zhou."

"Is it truly that he’s too occupied, or is it that he’s unwilling to show up?"

Zhou’s gaze was piercing, his question direct.

Zhang Yan merely offered a bitter smile, choosing not to respond.

"So be it!"

Accepting her reaction, Zhou didn’t waste more time and stated his purpose clearly, "I am here on behalf of the main campus to handle this matter decisively. Now, I give him two choices."

"First, return to the academy, and this matter will be considered non-existent. The academy will offer ample compensation, and those from the Ninth Campus student council will be dealt with to his satisfaction."

"Second..."

Zhou’s gaze fell, looking down with disdain, "Become an enemy of the academy!"

"..."

Zhang Yan remained silent, unsure how to respond.

"You best be wise!"

Without another word, Zhou turned and left.

Leaving Zhang Yan alone, her face showing a bitter smile yet helpless.

Things had finally come to this step!

...

Outside the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, the two paced side by side. The woman, curiously, spoke, "Brother, with such great potential in him, even if we cannot bring him back, was there really a need to sever ties completely?"