Chapter 178: Who is more domineering?
Tension hung in the air above Baiyun city like a cloud that was about to be ripped apart. Ordinary people from ordinary clans were careful enough not to get on the bad side of the powerful clans' young masters and misses.
The hustling and bustling of the city reduced to a great extent, and pedestrians on the street were fewer. Strong men entered the city from all sides.
Men covered in hoods were found frequently in various parts of both the inner city and outer city.
Fear gripped the hearts of everyone.
Since the Cao clan returned from the Southern sea, things had not been calm in the city. And people couldn't help but wonder.
Was the Cao clan the incarnation of chaos?
The nature of fear reveals fundamental truths about human existence.
Could humans choose the path of enlightenment or rather acknowledge their most primal instincts?
The stone that caused the ripple on the usually calm lake continued its business as usual.
The Celestial Heavenly Store was so casual, not a single guard was seen around their stores. It was as if they were oblivious to the chaos that was about to unfold in the city.
Their staff smiled brightly and welcomed visitors without tension on their faces. Inside the store felt like another world entirely.
People were scared the store would close down under the rapidly thick tension in the air. Contrary to their thoughts, they continued.
Three days whizzed by with nothing happening. However, everyone knew this was the calm before the storm.
Within the taut strands of tension, life finds its rhythm;
It was the silent force that shapes the symphony of existence, where the harmonies of growth and the discords of challenge entwine to compose the unique melody of the human journey.
From this tension, perhaps, a new journey was about to begin.
At the peak of the tension, a group of powerful elders from the Crimson Jade Pavilion marched out of their pavilion and strode toward the Celestial Heavenly Store.
Watching the group of elders of the Crimson Jade Pavilion, everyone on their path paved the way with gossip flying. Rumors began to spread throughout the city.
Everyone kept an eye on the imposing Crimson Jade Pavilion elders. Curiosity filled the air. Was it going to finally happen?
The elders arrived in front of the Celestial Heavenly store and sauntered in arrogantly. Tension thickened in the air; everyone held their breath.
Inside the store, all the customers made way for the elders. Each of the elders was in the Foundation Building realm at the least.
All the attendants behind the counter raised their heads, noticing the sudden shift in the atmosphere inside the lobby.
Looking at the group of elders marching toward them with an arrogant gait, they looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
'Who are these clowns?' They chuckled in their minds.
If those prideful elders knew what was going on in their minds, perhaps they won't hesitate to tear the facade on their faces and start fighting all at once.
"We need to meet your manager?" One of the elders asked arrogantly.
"Esteemed guest, please buy whatever you need from here." A lady among the group of attendants responded calmly.
"Who are you to tell us what to do? Shut up and call your manager!" Another elder shouted.
At once, the lobby descended into a pin-drop silence as all the customers held their breath. They looked at the arrogant behavior of the elders before turning their heads to the quiet attendant.
How would they react? That was the thought in everyone's mind.
The still tension hung in the air by a thin thread that could be broken by any slight touch. No one knew what would happen next. But as it stands, everything depends on the decision of the Celestial Heavenly Store attendant.
Would the tiny thread holding the tension be broken, or would they rather choose peace and handle this harmoniously?
Who were the barren landers?
The tribe that had been oppressed for centuries, ostracized, leaving them for dead. But now, they were back with a powerful figure standing behind them. Apart from that, their pagoda bloodline made them look down on everyone.
Crimson Jade Pavilion elders!
Who are they?
They didn't worth a fart in their eyes.
Creak!
Three people at each other from the tens of attendants and moved their chairs back. They walked slowly without uttering a word and left the counter and appeared in front of the elders.
"You were saying?" The young man among the three asked once again.
His voice, without any shreds of panic or anger. It was as if he was asking a harmless question.
However, to those listening, it was a simple provocation.
Veins protruded on the faces of the elders. Their expressions turned unsightly. This was the first time they were looked down upon by a mere Qi Refinement warrior.
The leading elders took a deep breath and said slowly. "In respect to your store, we will overlook your provocation."
"Or what?" He interrupted him.
Huh!
Everyone inside the lobby sucked in a cold breath. They realized the calm and smiling attendant was not simple at all.
The elders came in proudly with haughty expressions but met with an indomitable attendant. They were proud but they met their match.
They've reached an impasse.
Before the elders could erupt with the raging fury in their minds, they were beaten to it once again.
"First, you don't come into our store and act as if it is your background. Who are you to command us?"
"Second, you don't yell at us. That brings the primal instinct in us."
"When the primal instinct in us comes, blood flows." The young man said calmly and took a step closer to the leading elders.
Now, there was barely any space between him and the elders. The old man's eyes had barely turned scarlet red. An invisible smoke came out from his bald head.
This was the first time he was so looked down upon since he became an elder of the Crimson Jade Pavilion. Everything they did was under careful planning.
First, to push their opponent to a passive situation. Second, to show their strength and intimidate them.
Lastly, they would lower everything when they cower in fear and easily negotiate for a better deal or even acquire the secret of making the Spirit Comms.
Contrary to what they expected, they only reached their first plan when everything went out of order. An ordinary attendant dared to look down on them.
Now, they can't back out. They must show this weak ant why they were the leading pavilion for years.
With that thought, an oppressive pressure erupted from the leading elders. In his mind, his cultivation pressure was enough to deal with the ants standing in front of him.
All customers watching how things would unfold fell to their knees as a powerful pressure descended on their bodies. Their breathing became erratic, beads of sweat gathered on their foreheads.
It was as if a powerful hand was squeezing the air out of their lungs.
But this pressure, the three attendants remained calm with a look of disdain.
"Is that all?" he asked casually.
What!
Everyone inside the lobby gasped in shock. How could the pressure from a Foundation Building realm not affect them?
They won't have to be stunned too much when the next scene that happened shattered their worldview.
"Now, our turn."