11: Family attitude

The market price for a Bigu Pill was not high, especially since this was a flawed one, yet Lin Zhishou was willing to buy it at the price of a High Grade pill.

This clearly showed his approval of Zhou Luo's earlier words.

This was exactly the goal Zhou Luo wanted to achieve.

The transaction was soon completed, and Lin Zhishou said earnestly, "Practice more after you return, and strive to take another step forward."

"Uncle Shou, rest assured, I will certainly not fail the Family's expectations," Zhou Luo guaranteed, patting his chest.

"Go then," Lin Zhishou said with a wave of his hand.

Zhou Luo nodded and departed.

After he left, the previously dumbfounded Lin Nian said in a shocked voice, "That's strange. Grandpa Shou, how on earth did this guy do it?"

Lin Zhishou narrowed his eyes, his expression somewhat grave as he said, "Little Nian, there is always someone better out there."

This Lin Nian was one of his many descendants; because he possessed a talent for Alchemy, Lin Zhishou had kept him by his side to learn.

Nearly ten years had passed now, yet he could still only refine some Entry-Level Medicinal Pills.

Compared to Zhou Luo, the difference was like night and day.

But Lin Nian was somewhat indignant: "But he's just a Matrilocal Son-in-law, and he only has a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root."

In his eyes, a guy with no status like Zhou Luo was essentially no different from a servant.

Lin Zhishou saw further; he said meaningfully, "What's wrong with being a Matrilocal Son-in-law? If one can bring benefits to the Family, even a servant would receive the Family's vigorous cultivation."

"Grandpa Shou, are you saying the Family intends to Cultivate him?" Lin Nian looked at the old man before him in disbelief.

"That is not for me to decide," Lin Zhishou said leisurely.

Despite saying so, he still planned to make a trip to the Main Family personally.

...

The Lin Family's buildings were scattered like stars, and the Core Area was where the Main Family resided; ordinary people were not allowed to enter without permission.

However, because of Lin Zhishou's different status and position, naturally no one dared to stop him.

He walked quickly to a courtyard on the eastern side of the Core Area.

The courtyard was not large, square-shaped, and surrounded by a faint spiritual glow, with several Cultivators dressed in guard uniforms standing watch nearby.

This was precisely the residence of the Lin Family Head, Lin Tianxiong.

Seeing it was Lin Zhishou, the guards did not block him, allowing him to enter.

"Zhishou, what wind blew you here?"

An old man sat on a stone bench in the courtyard. He was tall with a majestic bearing; his face was etched with the vicissitudes of time, yet his eyes revealed wisdom and depth.

Though his robes were simple, they could not hide his solemnity and nobility.

He was the current Head of the Lin Family, Lin Tianxiong.

Beside him stood a tall woman with a pretty face, standing respectfully.

If Zhou Luo were here, he would surely recognize her at a glance.

She was that Third Young Miss from that day, Lin Xin.

Lin Zhishou bowed to the other party and placed that Bigu Pill directly onto the stone table in front of him.

Lin Tianxiong, holding a white jade cup, glanced at it indifferently and asked in confusion, "Could it be that the Family has produced another disciple with talent for Alchemy?"

Lin Zhishou said respectfully, "The Family Head's guess is correct, but the person is not a Family disciple, but a Matrilocal Son-in-law?"

"Oh?"

Lin Tianxiong voiced his surprise, set down his cup, and picked up the Bigu Pill to examine it closely. "A Matrilocal Son-in-law has this talent?"

Soon, Lin Zhishou informed him of the entire sequence of events.

After listening, a look of surprise appeared on Lin Tianxiong's aged face. "I didn't expect a mere Matrilocal Son-in-law to be self-taught."

"Yes, Family Head. In my view, he has great value for cultivation," Lin Zhishou said seriously.

As an Alchemist himself, he was very clear about the talent Zhou Luo had displayed.

But before Family Head Lin Tianxiong could speak, Lin Xin, who was at the side, frowned and said, "Grandpa Shou, it's just a Bigu Pill. It shouldn't be worth the Family investing resources into a Matrilocal Son-in-law."

In her eyes, being able to refine a Bigu Pill was nothing extraordinary, as she could also refine them at will.

"Third Young Miss, this Zhou Luo, he..." Lin Zhishou still wanted to say something.

But Lin Xin interrupted him directly: "Grandpa Shou, you should know the Family's situation these past few years. I feel that wasting resources to Cultivate a newly initiated Alchemist is simply not cost-effective."

At this point, she specifically added, "Furthermore, the other party is a Matrilocal Son-in-law."

Lin Zhishou tactfully said no more.

Lin Tianxiong nodded slightly. "Xin'er is right. This boy still needs to be observed for a while longer; at the very least, we must see his loyalty to the Family."

"I understand," Lin Zhishou nodded and withdrew.

Walking out of the courtyard, Lin Zhishou glanced at the azure sky.

He knew that the Family Head's choice was beyond reproach.

But thinking of Zhou Luo's various performances, especially how the young man was willing to contribute Bigu Pills to the Family earlier, it made him feel all the more that this boy was worth cultivating.

"Fine, I'll go see just how his Alchemy level really is."

Lin Zhishou looked conflicted, but eventually, he made up his mind.

...

On the other side, having returned to the courtyard, Zhou Luo plunged back into the Pill Refining Room.

And soon, Lin Zhishou arrived before this courtyard with his hands behind his back.

His appearance immediately caught the attention of Lin Feiying and the others.

They looked fearful and hurried out to welcome this important figure.

As a genuine Alchemist, Lin Zhishou's status in the Family far exceeded that of ordinary people, naturally making the women extremely respectful.

Even the usually cold Lin Qinghan hurried out to welcome him to the seat of honor in the main hall.

"I'm just here today to see Zhou Luo. Where is he?" Lin Zhishou asked.

"In reply to Grandpa Shou, he is currently Cultivating in the Pill Refining Room. I will go call him over," Lin Qinghan said respectfully.

Hearing the words 'Pill Refining Room', Lin Zhishou waved his hand directly. "No need, I will go take a look."

With that, he walked out of the hall and, led by the women, went straight to the outside of the Pill Refining Room.

Pushing the door open, he saw Zhou Luo at a glance, who was studying in front of the Pill Furnace.

Zhou Luo also saw him, his face lighting up with joy. "Uncle Shou, why have you come?"

It seemed the Family's level of importance placed on him was even higher than he had imagined.

"I've come to see how you usually refine pills." Lin Zhishou scanned the room and walked to the Pill Furnace.

The four women behind him stood obediently at the doorway, not daring to enter.

"Uncle Shou, I'm just fumbling around blindly," Zhou Luo said with an embarrassed look.

Lin Zhishou tilted his chin, signaling him to continue refining.

Zhou Luo said no more, picked up the medicinal herbs nearby, and began refining the Bigu Pill.

However, to hide his true skill, he deliberately made his techniques appear somewhat immature and clumsy.

This was a great test of his acting skills.

Fortunately, during this time, to prepare for such an event, Zhou Luo had already done a great deal of practice.

Thus, no flaws were revealed.

Soon, the first refining session ended.

Unsurprisingly, he failed.

To this, Lin Zhishou said nothing, only telling him to continue.

Zhou Luo began the second round of refining.

And then.

He failed again.

Lin Zhishou's expression remained calm, as if he had long expected this result.

Seeing that it was about enough, on the third attempt, Zhou Luo finally successfully refined a Bigu Pill.

With a face full of surprise, he held the pill and handed it to the other man.

Lin Zhishou observed it and nodded slightly. "Not bad, there is progress."

The color and quality of this Bigu Pill were clearly better than the previous one.

Being able to make such progress in such a short time made Lin Zhishou even more certain that his judgment was not wrong.

"It is all thanks to the Family's help," Zhou Luo said modestly.

Lin Zhishou stared at Zhou Luo's sincere face, his heart touched. He gave a rare smile and encouraged, "It is good that you have such thoughts."

After saying that, he suddenly added, "Do you have any interest in becoming my apprentice?"