171: Candidates

"Big Brother, Uncle Xuan just informed me that Xiao Yuan should be fine for now."

Just as Zhou Licheng was examining the invitation from Xuanqing Sect, Zhou Liyue walked in from outside.

The Non-Gu-surname Cultivator of the Zhou Family waiting by the side quickly bowed in greeting upon seeing Zhou Liyue.

Zhou Liyue was in quite a good mood. She smiled and nodded at the Non-Gu-surname Cultivator of the Zhou Family, signaling him that he could leave first.

"Oh? Did Uncle Xuan really say that?"

Zhou Licheng quickly stood up, placed the invitation in his hand aside, and asked with an anxious tone.

Zhou Xiuyuan was not only his grandson but also a Genius Disciple of the Zhou Family. As the Family Head, Zhou Licheng had been feeling quite distressed during this period.

Not to mention Zhou Xiuyuan's parents, Zhou Leyi and his Dao Companion.

"How could it be false?"

Zhou Liyue nodded, walked to the other side, and sat down.

"Good, good, good!"

"It's good that he's fine, it's good that he's fine..."

Zhou Licheng got up and paced back and forth, muttering to himself. After a moment, his expression recovered, and he returned to his original seat, sitting down again.

"Third Sister, take a look."

Zhou Licheng kept the good news in his heart, planning to inform Zhou Leyi and his Dao Companion later. He then handed over the invitation he had just placed on the table.

Zhou Liyue poured herself a cup of tea, slowly took a sip, then took the invitation from Zhou Licheng's hand, opened it, and began to read.

"One year later?"

Zhou Liyue took in the contents of the invitation, and upon seeing the final date, she sounded a bit puzzled.

Judging by the date of the Golden Core Stage celebration held by the Grand Elder of Heavenly Star Sect, who was now the Grand Elder of Heavenly Star Sect.

This date was indeed a bit late.

"That's right. Xuanqing Sect has become famous in recent years relying on the prestige of the Immortal Master, but the strength within the sect has a serious generational gap. Although True Person Qingmu also made a Breakthrough two years ago, entering the Mid Golden Core Stage."

"But he's still a single tree that can't form a forest. Fortunately, Sect Master Gu has now broken through to the Golden Core Stage. The timing being a bit late should be to build momentum."

Zhou Liyue pondered in her heart, nodded, and agreed with this statement.

Suddenly, she thought of the current situation of the Zhou Family, which didn't seem to be much better, relying solely on Mo Xuan.

So, she couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Big Brother wants me to make a trip?"

Zhou Liyue composed herself, handed the invitation back, and asked with a soft smile.

Zhou Licheng hesitated.

For the Golden Core Stage grand ceremony of Xuanqing Sect, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator must naturally be sent.

However, after the destruction of Crescent Moon Sect, Zhou Leren, who had the highest Cultivation, had been solely focused on improving his Cultivation, apart from secretly gathering information.

As the saying goes, 'when the rabbit dies, the fox grieves,' and Jing Ya's sorrow was so heartbreaking to him. He didn't want the Zhou Family to be like Crescent Moon Sect, suddenly wiped away without a trace.

Therefore, he had been in seclusion for the past two years.

As for Zhou Licheng himself, he needed to manage various affairs of the Zhou Family and the two towns of Qingyuan (Town) and Hanyan, so he truly might not be able to leave.

Thus, in the end, he could only trouble Zhou Liyue to go again.

As for Xia Chuxue, Jing Ya, Elder Beihai, and Huan Bi, they were all clearly not particularly suitable.

Zhou Licheng calculated in his mind, just about to speak.

Suddenly, a Spiritual Qi fluctuation emanated from the secret chamber of the Zhou Family.

Zhou Licheng paused, and his Divine Sense spread out.

A moment later, he smiled at Zhou Liyue:

"It seems this time we won't need to trouble Third Sister."

Zhou Liyue had also already understood this Spiritual Qi fluctuation.

"Since Le Yi has successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, let him go. It's a good opportunity to get acquainted with fellow Dao Companions."

Zhou Liyue already understood Zhou Licheng's thoughts and also nodded in agreement.

It was precisely the Spiritual Qi fluctuation from the Breakthrough of Zhou Leyi, who was fifty-seven years old, to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Another Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator was added to the Zhou Family.

Additionally, Zhou Leshu, forty-six years old, had also broken through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining two years ago and was now preparing for Foundation Establishment.

The two of them discussed and finalized the candidate.

Although Zhou Leyi had broken through to Foundation Establishment, he did not immediately come out of seclusion.

Zhou Liyue drank tea with Zhou Licheng for a while, then no longer disturbed Zhou Licheng as he handled his affairs.

After saying goodbye to Zhou Licheng, she left the main hall.

Zhou Liyue did not rush back to her place of seclusion but walked slowly through the Zhou Family compound.

Along the way, Zhou Family Disciples and Non-Gu-surname Cultivator of the Zhou Family, upon seeing Zhou Liyue, respectfully saluted.

Zhou Liyue's expression was gentle and approachable. Although she didn't show her face often, she was deeply respected both inside and outside the Zhou Family.

"Third Grand-Aunt."

A little girl, about three or four years old, with a pigtail tied high, saw Zhou Liyue's figure, broke free from the hand of a young woman who looked to be in her twenties, and ran towards Zhou Liyue.

"Little Mingyi, you've gotten fatter again."

Zhou Liyue picked up the little girl, about three or four years old, spun her around a few times, and teased the little girl.

"Third Paternal Grand-Aunt."

The young woman in her twenties came not far in front of Zhou Liyue and bowed to her.

"No need to be so polite."

Zhou Liyue, while holding Zhou Mingyi, simultaneously released her magical power to lift Qi Wanqiu.

Qi Wanqiu was the wife of Zhou Xiukang, the third son of the xiù generation of the Zhou Family.

Zhou Mingyi was their eldest daughter.

She was also the first female of the ming generation of the Zhou Family.

Zhou Xiuyuan was already twenty-nine years old, and the Disciples of the xiù generation of the Zhou Family had successively come of age. Now, several had already started families and found Dao Companions.

There were also several children in the ming generation of the Zhou Family.

Zhou Liyue walked while holding Zhou Mingyi and talking with Qi Wanqiu.

Zhou Mingyi giggled happily.

After teasing Zhou Mingyi for a while, Zhou Liyue had Qi Wanqiu take Zhou Mingyi away, while she herself returned to Feiyue Peak Summit, entered her secret chamber, and went into secluded Cultivation.

At the bottom of Qingyuan Lake.

Mo Xuan summoned the System panel.

"Clan Fortune Points: 24..."

Zhou Leyi's Breakthrough had just increased Mo Xuan's Clan Fortune Points by nine.

Mo Xuan nodded, dismissed the panel, and slowly moved his body. The aura emanating from his massive snake body at the bottom of the lake ensured there were no water beasts around Mo Xuan.

Mo Xuan was content with his leisure.

He felt his strength, which had subtly increased again, and then summoned the wind and rain pearl.

When Mo Xuan broke through to the Late Golden Core Stage, the wind and rain pearl also advanced to High Grade Third Rank.

This was a gift from the System, a unique accompanying Magic Treasure belonging to Mo Xuan.

Over the years, Mo Xuan had gained considerable understanding of other Golden Core Stage Demon Kings.

Other Golden Core Stage Demon Kings did not possess such an accompanying Magic Treasure as Mo Xuan did.

For a Yao Beast, its Physical Body was the best Magic Treasure.

Mo Xuan swallowed the wind and rain pearl into his belly, stopped his slowly moving body, closed his eyelids, and his body rose and fell, absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Xuanming Realm.

Zhou Xiuyuan and the two others stayed in the village for a period of time.

After becoming familiar with Youxiong Cangshan.

Zhou Xiuyuan found an opportunity to exchange a common Qi Refining Stage cultivation technique for the Totem Method practiced by Youxiong Village.

Youxiong Cangshan was overjoyed.

This Totem Method could be said to be completely useless to humans outside of the barbarian tribes.

Therefore, he agreed very readily.

"Faith, sacrifice, totem spirit, Bloodline..."

Zhou Xiuyuan and the two others each memorized the Totem Method.

They also gained a preliminary understanding of the totem Art.

The so-called totem was a spirit generated by the various barbarian tribes over thousands of years through sacrifice and faith, known as a totem spirit among the barbarians.

Relying on this totem spirit, through Bloodline awakening, one could communicate with the totem spirit.

If communication was successful, and a totem pattern was inscribed within the body, one could become a barbarian apprentice.

Generally speaking, the larger the tribe, the more powerful the totem, and the stronger the totem power obtained, the higher the upper limit.

In critical moments, one could even summon the totem to appear through sacrifice to protect the tribe members.

However, this Totem Method also had many restrictions.

The most important point among them was that The Way of the Totem did not grant eternal life.

"I wonder if the Clan can make use of this?"

Zhou Xiuyuan mused to himself.

But he still carefully put away the Totem Method.

"Brother Zhou, it's time for us to leave."

Shen Xuanzhao spoke.

During this period, all the necessary intelligence had been thoroughly gathered here.

Staying any longer would be meaningless.

After this, whether it was obtaining resources to break through Realms, or finding High Grade treasures to awaken sword spirits, or finding methods of teleportation, none of these could be achieved here.

They still needed to come into contact with the Cultivation world of this Realm.

Moreover, The Way of the Totem of Youxiong Village was not considered profound. If they wanted to make it their own, they would need more references.

Zhou Xiuyuan and Yun Qingsi both nodded in agreement.

The next day.

Under Youxiong Yanzhi's reluctant gaze.

Zhou Xiuyuan and the two others followed the direction they had gathered, left Youxiong Village, and officially embarked on their journey into the Xuanming Realm.