295: Post-War Rewards

The rumors about Zhou Luo became increasingly real.

After all, things that are impossible in the eyes of Qi Training cultivators might just be effortlessly done in the eyes of those great Lords.

This reason also perfectly explained why he, with a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root, could succeed in Foundation Establishment so quickly.

Regardless of whether this is the reason, Zhou Luo's successful Foundation Establishment is a certainty.

The most exaggerated thing is that after this guy successfully completed Foundation Establishment, he killed the Lu Family Head right before everyone's eyes.

He had just been promoted to the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet he was easily killed just like that.

The key is that the Lu Family was helpless about this.

They even began to withdraw their forces, returning the Spirit Mines they had previously seized to the Lin Family.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Lin Family now had two Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators, while the Lu Family had lost one Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, and the situation within the Wang Family had also gradually stabilized.

The offense and defense had shifted; the Lu Family had now become the side that retreated, and even the Zhang Family had hidden themselves away.

However, for three consecutive days, the Lin Family showed no movement.

Zhou Garden.

Zhou Luo chose to bury Zhou Changan next to the planting area in the backyard.

This was the place where he was born and raised, his homeland; it was only right that he be buried here after death.

Another five days passed before the solemn atmosphere in Zhou Garden lightened somewhat, and the garden was filled with the laughter of children playing.

Meanwhile, the entire Lin Family was enveloped in a strange atmosphere.

Everyone avoided mentioning the previous victory, and no one brought up Zhou Luo's Foundation Establishment, as if the events in front of Maple Leaf City a few days ago had never happened.

In the Core Area Dragon Palace Great Hall, the Lin Family Old Ancestor sat on the throne above, his aged face showing no trace of emotion.

The Family Head Lin Tianxiong and Elder Lin Xuanfeng knelt on the ground, their postures respectful.

"What do you think should be the reward for that Zhou Luo?" the Lin Family Old Ancestor asked indifferently, looking at the two.

The reason why the Family had not mentioned this matter during this time was that he, the Old Ancestor, had not yet spoken.

The main reason he hadn't spoken was that he couldn't see through Zhou Luo and didn't know what he wanted.

Since Zhou Luo hadn't spoken, he, the Lin Family Old Ancestor, didn't have a clear understanding of the Family's situation, so he called the two of them.

Lin Tianxiong, as the Family Head, replied, "Old Ancestor, how about we give him some cultivation resources?"

Zhou Luo had performed such a great service this time and successfully completed Foundation Establishment; no reward would be excessive.

But he was already an Elder; if he were given more power, he would become the Family Head.

Naturally, this was unacceptable to Lin Tianxiong; he hoped to stabilize the other party with resources.

The Lin Xuanfeng next to him did not think so; he had been paying attention to the other party since the incident at the Spirit Mine, knowing that the other party would not be so easily satisfied.

After Lin Tianxiong finished speaking, Lin Xuanfeng immediately added, "Old Ancestor, I think we can allocate another Spirit Mine to him."

Strategic resources like Spirit Mines all belong to the Family.

Because the value they generate every year is inestimable.

Currently, the Lin Family has a total of four Spirit Mines; if one were allocated, the Family's annual income would be greatly reduced.

This somewhat surprised Lin Tianxiong next to him.

With this Spirit Mine, the other party's power development would likely be even faster, and he would very likely grow into the next Great Elder.

This was not what he wanted to see.

But he also knew that the general trend was unstoppable.

The Lin Family Old Ancestor, seated high on the throne, watched quietly, making no response.

"Tell me about the things he has done these years."

After a long while, he spoke slowly.

Lin Tianxiong and Lin Xuanfeng exchanged glances, and finally, Lin Xuanfeng began to recount.

Starting from the beginning when the other party self-studied and displayed talent in Pill Refining, to being taken as a Disciple by Lin Zhishou, all the way to going to the Spirit Mine later and bringing glory to the Lin Family in the Immortal Sect, and so on.

Initially, the Lin Family Old Ancestor didn't say much, as he had basically heard about these things.

But when he heard that the other party had now gathered the people from the former Great Elder's faction within the Family, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

"I didn't expect this child to have achieved something within the Lin Family," the Lin Family Old Ancestor sighed with emotion.

Regarding the factional struggle between the Main Family and the Great Elder, he had never thought of interfering; in his view, as long as the situation didn't get out of control, competition could make the Family stronger.

Later, when the Great Elder failed in Foundation Establishment, he thought the factional struggle would end there.

Now it seems that the struggle is far from over, especially since the other party is already a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Lin Tianxiong lowered his head, his expression complex, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Alright, you don't need to worry about this matter."

Finally, the Lin Family Old Ancestor said calmly, telling the two to leave.

After they left, he sat on the throne lost in thought.

...

On this day, just as Zhou Luo came out of Lin Qinghan's room, he was informed that the Second Elder Lin Guangxuan had come to request an audience.

Zhou Luo came to the main hall, where the other party was already waiting.

Seeing the other party arrive, he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Senior Zhou."

There was no other way; he was only in the Qi Training Realm, and facing a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, he had to respectfully address him as Senior, otherwise, it would be disrespectful.

"You're here for Family matters?" Zhou Luo asked indifferently.

Lin Guangxuan smiled sheepishly and respectfully said, "Senior Zhou, now that you have successfully completed Foundation Establishment, you should rightfully replace the position of the Main Family."

Zhou Luo's eyes flickered slightly: "You all think so?"

Lin Guangxuan looked up, his expression serious, and said earnestly, "That's right."

The Great Elder's dying wish was for them to assist the other party; now that the other party had successfully completed Foundation Establishment and possessed the strength to replace him as Family Head, he should rightfully become the new Family Head.

Moreover, this time, the other party's action resolved the crisis of the Lin Family's destruction, further solidifying their belief in the Great Elder's previous prediction.

As for his status as an outsider, they didn't care.

"I understand. Go now, and quickly reclaim those seized Spirit Mines," Zhou Luo said indifferently.

Lin Guangxuan was delighted and quickly withdrew.

The other party's words clearly indicated a desire to use this opportunity to let their people control these temporarily ownerless Spirit Mines and begin expanding their influence.

After Lin Guangxuan left, Zhou Chang Le was called to the main hall.

"Father."

Zhou Chang Le bowed in greeting.

"Do you know why the Azure Origin Sect remained indifferent to this war?" Zhou Luo inquired.

According to the Azure Origin Sect's past rules, while Longevity Families could engage in disputes and battles, in order to stably earn profits from these Longevity Families, they would not let these conflicts escalate too fiercely.

But this time, the Lin Family was on the verge of destruction, yet the Azure Origin Sect still hadn't intervened. There must be a reason.

He had to figure out this reason, at least the Azure Origin Sect's attitude, before considering whether to annex the Lu Family.

Zhou Chang Le was silent for a moment, then said somewhat awkwardly, "Revered Master didn't reveal anything when he asked us to return."

"Later, when I messaged him, he didn't say anything either."

"Then go back to the Azure Origin Sect and sound them out. See if they will react if I make a move on the Lu Family," Zhou Luo instructed.

Hearing this, Zhou Chang Le's body trembled, and then he nodded heavily: "Don't worry, Father, I will definitely clarify this matter."

"Okay, go ahead," Zhou Luo waved his hand.

After Zhou Chang Le left, he walked out of the main hall and looked up at the azure sky.

Taking charge of the Lin Family was something he had always wanted to do.

But this matter was far from over.