77: Family meeting

On the flying boat, an Alchemist suddenly remembered something, looked at his companion, and said, "It seems we didn't bring back the antidote pills we refined."

Previously, they had refined over a hundred antidote pills, used over twenty, and over ninety remained in Zhou Luo's hands.

The other two Alchemists also looked at each other.

Good heavens, over ninety antidote pills all went to the other party.

If these were sold, they could fetch at least a hundred Spirit Stones.

"Never mind, never mind," said an Alchemist. "With his potential, becoming a Second-Order Alchemist is possible. Let's just consider it building a good connection."

Previously, they had only heard about Zhou Luo's talent and were somewhat dismissive, but after seeing him this time, they were truly convinced.

In front, Ninth Elder Lin Xuanfeng, standing with his hands behind his back, heard these words, and his cold eyes flickered slightly.

It seems this little son-in-law is even more interesting than he had imagined.

If everything was planned by him, then his intelligence and capability are quite good. If he were to be won over, perhaps he could be properly nurtured.

Thinking of this, he lowered his head to look at the mountains, rivers, and vegetation below, slightly closed his eyes, and no longer paid attention to Zhou Luo's matter.

Because next, there are more important matters waiting for him.

...

Within the Lin Family's Core Area, there is a solemn and mysterious building. It has only one floor, but its entire body is enveloped in bright spiritual light. On the walls paved with green bricks, various complex patterns are imprinted, and faint spiritual energy flows within, emitting an inexplicable might.

Above the building's main entrance, there is a plaque forged from red wood, inscribed with the three large characters "Deliberation Hall".

It is said that these three characters were written by that Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor, containing supreme power, and ordinary Qi Training cultivators dare not look directly at them.

On the four walls inside the hall, portraits of past Family Heads are hung. The one in the very center is naturally the Lin Family's Old Ancestor; he has a benevolent expression and his expression carries a smile. Even if it's just an ordinary portrait, no one dares to look directly at it.

In front of the portraits, there is a huge oval deliberation table carved from thousand-year-old profound jade stone, inscribed with obscure and difficult-to-understand runes, which can isolate everything, ensuring privacy at the round table.

On both sides of the deliberation table, there are a total of ten seats. The first three seats on both the left and right sides are placed with gilded treasure chairs, while the seats for the two people below that are relatively ordinary red sandalwood chairs.

And directly in front is the throne representing the Family Head. It is forged from spiritual wood, its surface carved with cloud patterns and red Maple Leaf symbolizing the Lin Family, exquisite and magnificent.

On the back of the chair are even inlaid with several Spirit Stones (mid grade), sparkling with dazzling light.

At this moment, six people are already seated in front of the entire deliberation table.

According to tradition, the left side is superior, and the right side is inferior.

Therefore, Great Elder is seated in the first position on the left, opposite him is the Second Elder wearing a green robe, and the positions of the other Elders are arranged downwards in sequence.

Sixth Elder Lin Zhishou, who is still attending the Spirit Pill Gathering, and Fourth Elder Lin Tianfang, who is at the Spirit Mine, have not come.

So, only seven Elders of the Zhou Family are present.

Currently, they are gathered here, naturally to discuss the matter that just came from the Spirit Mine.

Great Elder, sitting in the first position on the left, leaned back in his chair, still looking benevolent and kind-hearted, without the slightest emotional fluctuation due to the loss of a Disciple.

Before long, Family Head Lin Tianxiong, dressed in brocade and splendid robes, walked out from the side. His face, imposing without anger, was full of confidence and power, making people dare not approach easily.

Behind him, Ninth Elder Lin Xuanfeng silently came to his seat and sat down.

This caused the pot-bellied Middle-aged man opposite him to take a deep look.

Lin Tianxiong scanned the eight people present, and his majestic voice slowly sounded, "Since everyone is here, let Ninth Elder recount what happened."

Except for Great Elder, everyone else directed their gaze towards Lin Tianfang.

Lin Tianfang's expression was calm as he slowly recounted the events at the Spirit Mine.

The expressions of everyone who learned the specific situation varied; some were surprised, some remained calm, while others couldn't help but look at Great Elder.

As the person in charge of Array Formation, every Array Master in the Zhou Family belongs to Great Elder. Now that the other party died on a Spirit Veins controlled by the Main Family, it seems likely to cause a bloody storm.

"Are you sure this matter was done by that Zhou Luo?" the Middle-aged man next to Lin Xuanfeng asked in a deep voice.

His name is Lin Guangping, he is the Zhou Family's Seventh Elder, and also the Hall Master of Zhi'an Hall.

Compared to Lin Xuanfeng's Law Enforcement Hall, Zhi'an Hall mainly manages the Zhou Family's external affairs, maintaining the peace of Maple Leaf City and guarding against invasions by others. In terms of authority, it is slightly higher than Lin Xuanfeng's.

Although Lin Xuanfeng recounted what happened in detail, the people of Great Elder's faction could not guarantee its authenticity.

Who knows if he was trying to suppress them and deliberately framed Zhou Luo for everything?

After all, with Zhou Luo's ability, killing a First-Order Upper Grade Array Formation Master is too difficult.

Facing the inquiry, Lin Xuanfeng took out a booklet from his bosom and said, "This contains Zhou Luo's statement."

After speaking, he threw the booklet onto the table. The booklet opened, and accompanied by a flash of spiritual light, Zhou Luo's figure appeared within it.

Within the spiritual light, Zhou Luo, with a face full of grief, recounted the events and repeatedly emphasized that everything was an accident and that he didn't want this to happen.

Listening to Zhou Luo's narration, the expressions of the Elders of Great Elder's faction slightly darkened.

If it was truly done by Zhou Luo, then they truly didn't know what to do and could only cast their peripheral gaze towards Great Elder in front.

Great Elder's demeanor was calm and composed; he didn't even look at the booklet.

"Hmph," said a grey-robed old man. "Killing an important figure of the Zhou Family, why not directly bring him back to be punished?"

The one speaking was a grey-robed old man. He was sitting to the left of Lin Guangping, his grey beard trembling slightly, his voice full of energy and anger.

He is the person in charge of Weapon Forging in the Zhou Family, Fifth Elder Lin Yan, who belongs to the Main Family faction and is famously hot-tempered.

"Saving someone?" Lin Yan said sternly. "This is a First-Order Upper Grade Array Formation Master! How much resources and effort did the Zhou Family spend to cultivate him? Now he died so inexplicably! Shouldn't that son-in-law be punished?"

Eighth Elder no longer spoke. Instead, Third Elder slowly opened his mouth and said, "Punishment is certain, but since he saved others, his merit outweighs his fault."

"That's right," said Family Head Lin Tianxiong, sitting directly in front, his voice steady and powerful. "The reason everyone is gathered here today is to discuss how to deal with Zhou Luo's matter."

After speaking, he looked at Lin Xuanfeng again and said, "You are the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, what do you think should be done?"

Lin Xuanfeng replied, "According to the Zhou Family rules, Zhou Luo should atone with death, but there were extenuating circumstances, coupled with the fact that he saved others. I believe this matter can be dealt with leniently, which is why I didn't bring him back."

As soon as these words came out, several Elders showed surprise on their faces.

Whether it was the Family Head's faction or Great Elder's faction, they all felt it was somewhat unbelievable.

Because everyone knew that Zhou Luo married Great Elder's granddaughter and should belong to Great Elder's faction, while Lin Xuanfeng belongs to the Main Family faction, why would he speak up for Zhou Luo?