Chapter 825: Pavilion Master Meeting

The next day, at the vast central disc of the Four Spirits Origin Tower.

Zhou Yuan, accompanied by Ye Bingling and Yi Qiushui, descended from the sky, landing in the bustling center of the disc. Led by Yi Qiushui, they then headed towards a towering and magnificent restaurant.

Among the bustling crowds, many were members of the Wind Pavilion, and all respectfully bowed upon seeing Zhou Yuan. Members of the other three pavilions also looked on with various expressions; after all, Zhou Yuan was now a well-known figure with considerable prestige among the Four Pavilions.

Under the watchful eyes of passersby, the three arrived at the towering restaurant. It was empty today, and many members of the Fire Pavilion were maintaining order outside its entrance.

"The Fire Pavilion has booked this entire place for today," Yi Qiushui whispered.

"How extravagant," Ye Bingling remarked, raising her delicate eyebrows slightly. Booking a place like this for a day would likely cost thousands of Origin Treasure Coins; in the past, she would have probably spent her entire fortune in a single day.

"They're practically asserting themselves as the masters," Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile. The Fire Pavilion's display of power was undoubtedly sending a clear signal of their superiority over the other three pavilions.

However, given the Fire Pavilion's prestige in recent years and their possession of the Trace Capturing Pattern, they indeed had the qualifications for such an attitude.

"Heh, Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan is quite perceptive," a laughing voice suddenly came from behind Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan turned around to see a slender man with a refined face smiling at him. Behind the man were a beautiful young woman and a burly man built like an iron tower.

"Ah, Pavilion Master Mu Liu," Zhou Yuan said with a smile, recognizing the newcomer.

The two exchanged smiles. Although it was their first official meeting, both could sense a faint goodwill emanating from the other. This was not surprising; after all, the Wood Pavilion didn't get along well with the Fire Pavilion and the Mountain Pavilion, and with a Wind Pavilion Master finally emerging, it would naturally alleviate some pressure.

"Today's Pavilion Master meeting might not be very friendly towards Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan," Mu Liu subtly warned.

Zhou Yuan nodded calmly and said, "The Wind Pavilion doesn't want anything extra, but what belongs to us, we must take back."

"Then I hope Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan succeeds," Mu Liu said, his gaze sharpening slightly. He then nodded gently and, with a smile, introduced Mu Qingyan and Jiang Man, who were behind him.

Zhou Yuan also nodded and smiled, getting acquainted. Afterward, both parties gathered and entered the restaurant. Led by a Fire Pavilion member, they arrived at the top floor hall, where Lu Xiao and Han Yuan were already present.

Beside Lu Xiao was Zhu Lian, the second-in-command of the Fire Pavilion. The moment Zhou Yuan appeared, Zhu Lian's gaze fixed on him, filled with scrutiny.

Next to Zhu Lian was a pale-faced man, appearing unusually effeminate. His eyes were narrow and long, and his gaze held a serpentine chill. The Genesis Qi fluctuations emanating from him were far more powerful than Zhu Lian's.

He never once looked up at Zhou Yuan and the others, simply keeping his head down, idly playing with a silver iron ball in his palm.

Zhou Yuan glanced at the man. That should be Fang Ao, the Fire Pavilion's third-in-command.

Although Fang Ao was the Fire Pavilion's third-in-command, his true strength far surpassed Zhu Lian's. Zhu Lian's secure position as second-in-command was primarily due to the Trace Capturing Pattern.

Fang Ao was rumored to be fierce and ruthless in his methods, holding a high reputation among the Four Pavilions. Even Wang Chen, whom Zhou Yuan had previously met, was submissive in front of Fang Ao and dared not act presumptuously.

Lu Xiao, seated at the head, showed a faint smile on his face when he saw Zhou Yuan and Mu Liu arrive, saying, "I've been waiting for the two of you."

Zhou Yuan and Mu Liu each led their people to their seats.

Lu Xiao clapped his hands, and someone slowly closed the main door. The light in the hall immediately dimmed, and the atmosphere became solemn.

"As you all know, this Four Pavilion meeting is being held because the Newcomer Ceremony is in seven days."

Lu Xiao, with an extraordinary demeanor, smiled as he surveyed the hall and said, "In previous years, because the Wind Pavilion lacked a Pavilion Master, its share of newcomers was temporarily taken by our Fire and Mountain Pavilions. However, since the Wind Pavilion now has a new Pavilion Master, we have decided to first increase its newcomer share from the previous five percent to ten percent."

Zhou Yuan interrupted Lu Xiao, saying, "Pavilion Master Lu Xiao, if I'm not mistaken, the newcomer shares for the Four Pavilions at the Newcomer Ceremony should each be twenty-five percent."

Lu Xiao said indifferently, "Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, don't be so impatient. You are new to this position and still unfamiliar with many things. I'm concerned that the Wind Pavilion absorbing too many newcomers at once might cause chaos. I suggest we proceed step by step. By next year's Newcomer Ceremony, the Wind Pavilion can then return to its twenty-five percent newcomer share."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "The Wind Pavilion appreciates your concern, Pavilion Master Lu Xiao. However, I believe we can handle twenty-five percent."

Lu Xiao frowned slightly and slowly said, "Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan, I have already made a decision on this matter. Just grant me this favor for now."

Zhou Yuan lowered his eyelids slightly and said, "Pavilion Master Lu Xiao, this is likely not a matter of favors. The twenty-five percent rule was established when the Four Pavilions were founded. In past years, the Wind Pavilion had no Pavilion Master, which led to its share being taken by you all, and the Wind Pavilion has no intention of pursuing that. However, for future shares, I believe the original rules must be upheld."

"If Pavilion Master Lu Xiao truly feels there's a dispute, you may report this matter to the five elders and let them decide."

His voice was calm, yet it carried a strong, unyielding resolve. He knew that he could not back down in the slightest today; otherwise, the Fire Pavilion would surely become even more demanding in the future.

The atmosphere in the hall slowly solidified at that moment.

Lu Xiao's expression remained indifferent, but a cold glint appeared in the depths of his eyes.

As the atmosphere solidified, Fang Ao, the Vice Pavilion Master of the Fire Pavilion, finally raised his pair of narrow, shadowed eyes. He stared coldly at Zhou Yuan and said with a sinister tone, "This new Wind Pavilion Master certainly has a big temper."

"However, what gives you the right to bargain with my Fire Pavilion?!"

He snarled, his eyes filled with ferocity. The silver iron ball in his hand suddenly transformed into a silver blur and shot out directly towards Zhou Yuan.

The silver blur carried a powerful and formidable Genesis Qi, causing even the void to subtly tremble.

"How dare you!"

Seeing this, Ye Bingling immediately shouted in anger. She stepped forward, extending her jade-like hand as snow-white Genesis Qi condensed in her palm, forming an icy claw that snatched towards the silver blur.

The two collided, instantly scattering countless ice shards.

Ye Bingling's pretty face subtly changed upon contact. That immense power actually tore through the Genesis Qi in her palm, and the sharp aura emanating from the silver ball pricked numerous blood spots on her palm.

Ye Bingling's delicate body was forced back a step.

The silver orb, taking the opportunity, shot directly towards Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan's face remained unperturbed. Only when the silver ball appeared before his eyes did he suddenly extend his palm. Azure dragon scales appeared on his palm, and beneath the scales, his skin emitted a jade-like glow.

Zhou Yuan snatched the silver ball, then clenched his fingers tightly.

*Crack!*

The silver ball slowly crumbled in his palm.

Silver iron fragments floated in the air before him. Zhou Yuan looked up, his gaze meeting Fang Ao's. His voice, calm yet utterly unsparing, softly echoed.

"This is a Pavilion Master meeting. Does a mere Vice Pavilion Master have the right to speak?"