296: Planning

Second Elder Lin Guangxuan's stance confirmed Zhou Luo's suspicions about the group's intentions.

But this was only the beginning; he returned to his study and began writing a letter.

A moment later, he put the letter away and called for Xu Changsheng.

"Send this letter to Jiang City," he said calmly.

Regardless of the outcome, he was determined to get Jiang City.

Previously, when the Lin Family and Lu Family were locked in bitter combat, Jiang City remained unaffected, thanks to Bai.

Now, his second son, Zhou Changping, and Lin Jinxuan, who went later, had completely taken control of most of Jiang City's businesses.

Logically, Lin Xin, as the person in charge of Jiang City, should not have sat idly by.

But back when she was at the Wang Family, she had promised to help Zhou Luo with three things.

Now, this first matter was naturally to be used in gaining control of Jiang City.

However, this Lin Family Third Miss had been in seclusion for Cultivation and Pill Refining, and probably didn't give much thought to Zhou Luo actually taking Jiang City for himself.

She had thought he was only seeking some benefits.

Half a year ago, Lin Jinxuan sent a message back to the Zhou Family.

The general meaning was that Jiang City's businesses were mostly under control.

So the next step was the city guards and other combat forces.

As long as this portion of power was grasped, the entire Jiang City would essentially belong to him.

This could also be considered a fallback plan he had prepared.

Relying on Jiang City, coupled with his Foundation Establishment Realm identity, even if he couldn't control the Lin Family in the future, he could occupy a territory and develop slowly.

In this day and age, cities with protective formations were the most important.

Like the Family Head of that small Zhou Family who came seeking aid a few years ago, if they had a city as a safeguard, how could they have fallen to such a state?

Another example is the previous Lin Family; it was by relying on the large city of Maple Leaf City that they managed to hold out for a long time under the joint attack of the Zhang and Lu Families.

Even if Zhou Luo hadn't intervened, it would likely have taken the opponents three to five years to capture this city.

This is the important role of a city.

In the Qingyuan Domain, most cities are governed by the Azure Origin Sect, and then the Five Great Evergreen Families each govern two cities.

Other small Zhou Family forces basically have no opportunity to expand.

This is also why these five Zhou Families are called Longevity Families.

As long as they have cities, their Zhou Families can prosper without decline.

The more cities, the deeper the Zhou Family's accumulated foundation.

Anyway, the Azure Origin Sect only gave out ten cities; if you want them, you must compete.

The Dao of Cultivation is inherently a Dao of contention; if you don't contend, you get nothing.

Now that Zhou Luo had the opportunity to control a city, he would absolutely not let the chance slip away.

This message was also to inform his wife and children that they could act more boldly.

Anyway, with Bai there, he had no need to worry about their safety.

"Master, messages have also arrived from the Wang Family and Li Family," Xu Changsheng said after receiving the letters.

He had just learned this and was about to report it.

Zhou Luo raised his eyebrows, took the two letters, and told him to leave first.

Sitting at his desk, he first opened the Wang Family's letter.

The content first expressed condolences for the loss of his son, then congratulated him on successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, and sincerely invited him to visit the Wang Family, saying it was to thank him for saving Wang Yuwei back then.

This was actually an excuse; the Wang Family might simply want to befriend him.

Immediately, he took out the Li Family's letter; the content was roughly the same, but the Li Family mentioned that the Zhou Family had produced another Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.

This happened in the second year of his seclusion for Foundation Establishment.

After reading the two letters, Zhou Luo did not choose to reply immediately.

He sat at his desk, thinking quietly.

As the two major Longevity Families that suffered basically no losses in this great war.

Among them, the Wang Family was an ally of the Lin Family, and the two Zhou Families had a close relationship; if not for internal strife, the Lin Family wouldn't have collapsed so quickly.

The Li Family, on the other hand, was a neutral party, only seeking profit and focusing solely on Zhou Family interests. Although they didn't side with either party, if the benefits were large enough, they might lean towards the other side.

If they wanted to completely annihilate the Lu Family, these two Zhou Families would be the best helpers.

Currently, the Lin Family is gradually reclaiming the Spirit Mines they lost. Whether they will launch a counterattack against the retreating Lu Family is still unknown.

He definitely supported a counterattack, so he had to plan ahead.

However, before that, he needed to confirm one thing.

"Master, the Old Ancestor requests your presence."

Just then, outside the study, a servant stood respectfully at the door and announced.

Zhou Luo looked up, his eyes flashing.

Perfect, he also wanted to ask the Old Ancestor for his thoughts.

"Alright."

He got up, walked out of the study, and turned into a stream of light disappearing into Zhou Garden.

Flying in the air above the Lin Family mansion was not allowed; it would be considered a provocation to the Zhou Family and would be punished by Zhou Family law.

But for Zhou Luo, a Foundation Establishment Expert, all rules were just empty talk.

After those Lin Family members felt the pressure of the Foundation Establishment Realm, let alone complaining, they didn't even dare to feel dissatisfied.

A moment later, he arrived in front of a Dragon Palace Great Hall in the Core Area.

The Lin Family Old Ancestor was already seated on the throne above, smiling: "Zhou Fellow Daoist came quite quickly."

Zhou Luo cupped his hands and said, "It just so happens I also have some things I want to discuss with Lin Fellow Daoist."

"Oh? What is it?" The Lin Family Old Ancestor said in surprise.

"What does the Zhou Family plan to reward me with this time?" Zhou Luo looked at the other party with burning eyes, his expression calm.

Looking at his appearance, the Lin Family Old Ancestor's eyes darkened slightly.

These words didn't sound like someone asking for rewards, but rather demanding something.

So he followed up by asking, "What does Zhou Fellow Daoist want?"

Zhou Luo didn't answer, instead, he sat down on a golden nanmu chair beside him and spoke slowly.

"This war with the Lu Family dragged the entire Lin Family into a desperate situation. If I hadn't broken through in time, the Lin Family would probably no longer exist."

"Clearly, Lin Tianxiong made a serious error in judgment regarding the situation. He is undeniably responsible for this war."

He skillfully avoided answering and instead shifted the topic to another matter.

All along, the Lin Family disciples had been complaining about the Family Head's decisions, especially after the Lin Family fell into crisis.

In fact, it was precisely because of Lin Tianxiong's reckless actions that the Zhou Family fell into a quagmire, unable to extricate itself, and ultimately the Zhou Family was nearly destroyed.

However, after the crisis was resolved, everyone remained silent about this matter.

It was clear they didn't dare to blame the Family Head.

But Zhou Luo dared, and his tone was very direct, not giving the other party any Face at all.

The Lin Family Old Ancestor's Face twitched.

The other party immediately attacked the Family Head upon arrival; his intention was a bit obvious.

"Zhou Fellow Daoist is right, Tianxiong should indeed be punished. I have decided to fine him ten years of his salary and confine him to his home for three years," said the Lin Family Old Ancestor.

Lin Tianxiong was from his lineage; he couldn't directly execute the person, especially since the other party was a Qi Training ninth-layer expert with prospects of reaching Foundation Establishment.

So this decision was the best.

But Zhou Luo was not satisfied; he stared at the other party, his gaze sharp as a torch.

"Lin Fellow Daoist, this kind of punishment might cause dissatisfaction among certain people."