Immortality Starts From Making Money.

Chapter 386: The Unexpected Response.

To the shock of the people, the stores selling the Moon Orb artifact did not attempt to fight back or even raise their voices in protest.

Instead, one after another, they quietly shut their doors.

The gathered crowds outside each store were left stunned.

"What is happening?" a voice asked in confusion.

"How would I know? Damn it! It was almost my turn," another man cursed, his tone filled with frustration and anger.

"I think it’s related to the gangs. They’re demanding extremely high protection fees from the store owners."

"Really?"

"Yes. I heard they’re asking for more than one thousand high-grade spirit stones."

"What? That’s blatant extortion!"

"This is bad... what are we going to do now? I already promised my wife I’d bring home a Moon Orb."

"Not just you... my daughter will be disappointed if I don’t get one for her."

Groups of people gathered in twos and threes, whispering and complaining about the unscrupulous actions of the three dominant gangs.

However, despite their anger, there was little they could do.

In the face of overwhelming power, the common people were helpless.

While the outer city simmered with frustration and discontent, the situation in the inner city was entirely different.

The stores there remained open.

Members of noble clans and wealthy merchants entered with bright smiles, their movements calm and unhurried.

Unlike the chaotic scenes in the outer districts, everything here seemed orderly.

Inside a towering ten-story building, the atmosphere was refined and elegant.

Many noble ladies and mistresses were particularly captivated by the No-Heat Stove.

"This artifact is simply incredible..."

"I don’t have to worry about fire hazards anymore."

"It’s clean, efficient, and elegant. Truly remarkable."

Soft murmurs of admiration filled the hall.

Amid the crowd, a young and strikingly beautiful woman stepped forward.

"Can I meet the master who created this artifact?" she asked.

She was dressed in an exquisite purple silk robe that accentuated her figure. Her long legs were partially revealed beneath the flowing fabric, and her fiery red hair gave her a bold and commanding presence.

"Isn’t that the young—"

"Shh! Do you want to bring trouble upon your clan?" someone whispered urgently.

Instantly, the surrounding crowd fell silent.

Many recognized her.

She was notorious throughout the city for her temper and her unreasonable behavior, a spoiled princess from one of the most powerful noble clans.

Her presence alone was enough to make people cautious.

A female attendant approached her calmly, wearing a professional smile.

"Young Miss, I’m afraid you cannot meet the master refiner," she said politely.

"Why not?" The young woman frowned deeply. "I need him to explain how this is possible. I’ve already visited the Artifact Refiner Hall, and none of them could explain how this artifact works."

The attendant’s expression remained unchanged.

"Young Miss, this is a trade secret. Only the master refiner has the authority to disclose such information."

"That’s nonsense!" the young woman snapped. "Today, I demand to know how this No-Heat Stove works."

"I’m afraid that will not be possible," the attendant replied calmly. "If there is nothing else you require, I will take my leave."

With that, she turned and walked away.

"Y-you! Come back here!" the princess shouted angrily.

But the attendant did not even glance back. She returned to her position as though nothing had happened.

A stunned silence fell over the hall.

This was the first time anyone had seen the notorious princess treated as if she were just another ordinary customer.

The humiliation burned.

Feeling the weight of countless gazes upon her, the young woman bit her lip in fury.

"Do you want your store destroyed?" she threatened.

"I want this place torn down immediately!"

As her voice echoed through the hall, an old woman suddenly appeared out of thin air beside her.

Her presence was imposing.

"I advise you to apologize to the young miss," the old woman said coldly, her aura surging outward.

A powerful pressure filled the room.

Many gasped and instinctively stepped back.

From her aura, it was clear she was an Intermediate Nascent Soul Stage Four cultivator.

"This is getting interesting..."

"Do you think the attendant will apologize?"

"Of course she will. Who would dare offend someone like that?"

All eyes turned toward the female attendant.

Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, neither she nor the other attendants showed any change in expression.

It was as though they had not just been threatened by a powerful cultivator.

Confusion spread among the onlookers.

At that moment, the female attendant stepped forward once more, her smile as calm and professional as ever.

"Thank you all for your patronage," she said with a slight bow. "We will be closing for today. Please make your way out."

"What?"

"They’re chasing us out?"

"Are they serious?"

The crowd erupted into murmurs of disbelief.

This was the first time many of them had been treated this way, especially in a place that had no known backing.

Some were furious, secretly hoping the princess would follow through with her threat and destroy the store.

"Aunty, what are you waiting for?" the young woman shouted. "Destroy everything!"

However, she failed to notice the drastic change in her guardian’s expression.

The old woman’s face had turned pale.

’What... what is happening?’

’I can’t circulate my spiritual energy...’

’This... I’m losing control...’

’I’m going to suffer a qi deviation...’

A storm of panic surged through her mind.

For the first time in decades, fear gripped her heart.

She struggled to maintain her composure, forcing her expression to remain calm.

"Young Miss... we’re leaving," she said quickly. "Consider this a warning."

"What?" The young woman was stunned.

Before she could react, the old woman grabbed her and vanished instantly.

Silence followed.

"What just happened?"

"Did they... run away?"

Confusion rippled through the crowd.

But among them, the intelligent people come to a realization.

Something was very wrong.

An Intermediate Nascent Soul Stage Four cultivator had retreated without a fight without even launching a single attack.

And worse... she had seemed afraid.

Without hesitation, many people hurried out of the store. They could not wait to report what they had witnessed to their respective clans.

A minute later, the once-bustling hall was empty.

The doors closed quietly.

From the top floor, a graceful figure descended.

It was Senior Huang.

She glanced around the now-empty hall and let out a soft snort.

"Did you capture everything?" she asked.

"Yes, Madam," a female attendant replied with a bright smile. "We recorded everything."

A faint smile appeared on Senior Huang’s lips.

"Good," she said calmly.

Outside, the storm was only just beginning.

The gangs had made their move.

The noble clans had begun to probe.

And now, they would finally reveal a glimpse of their power.

And soon... nothing would remain the same.