39: Waves

While rumors were swirling outside, Zhou Kaiding had already returned to Jade Moon Peak.

After a long period of affection with Lin Muwan, the two finally shared what had happened in their respective families and during their journeys.

Although he knew that with Mo Xuan present, nothing would happen to the Family, upon learning that someone had actually broken into the Zhou Family while he was away, Zhou Kaiding still couldn't help but feel extremely afraid.

If something had happened to the Family, Zhou Kaiding would probably never forgive himself.

His gratitude towards Mo Xuan deepened, and he became even more grateful for his decision to invite Mo Xuan to Jade Moon Peak.

His display of strength this time should be able to deter some ill-intentioned individuals.

It was precisely because of this thought that after killing those few people from the Zhengqi Alliance, Zhou Kaiding ostentatiously went to the Zhengqi Alliance again, destroyed it, and publicized his own strength.

After all, in the eyes of the outside world, the Zhou Family's financial resources were already quite substantial due to their qingling rice business.

If they didn't have corresponding strength and exposed their wealth, it would naturally attract covetous eyes.

The two discussed for a long time, and he also mentioned the Formation Legacy and Yang Huaiyuan's visit.

However, when mentioning Zhou Licheng, Lin Muwan's expression was a bit strange.

The Zhou Family gained another Legacy, which made Zhou Kaiding overjoyed.

However, he himself did not intend to Cultivate this Formation Legacy, after all, Cultivating Formations would definitely take a lot of time, and he might not even have the talent for it.

Moreover, the Family still had qingling rice and a star origin fruit tree to manage and care for; he couldn't possibly put all of that burden on Lin Muwan.

The next day, Zhou Kaiding went out, found many foods, and returned, then went to Feiyue Peak Summit.

He solemnly thanked Mo Xuan and recounted what had happened during his trip.

Mo Xuan had no objection to this; it was good this way.

Although Mo Xuan was not afraid of petty individuals, it was good to have fewer troubles.

One month later.

Zhou Kaiding took Zhou Licheng to Qizhi Peak to visit.

Zhou Licheng's expression was a bit unusual; during this period, Yang Linxi's image would always unconsciously appear in his mind.

However, when it came to visiting the Yang Family today, he felt a bit shy and uneasy.

Alas.

Zhou Licheng sighed in his heart, wondering if he had developed some kind of ailment.

Zhou Kaiding's thoughts were not as complicated as Zhou Licheng's.

The last time Brother Yang came looking for him, he happened to be out, so now that he had returned home, it was only right to pay a visit.

At the same time, it was also to thank Yang Huaiyuan for his reminder.

Qizhi Peak.

Looking at Zhou Licheng, who seemed a bit shy, Yang Linxi burst out laughing.

She found Zhou Licheng's appearance very amusing, as she had never seen him act shy and reserved before.

Yang Huaiyuan glared at her, and she then stopped laughing, returning to her usual dignified demeanor.

Zhou Licheng felt a bit awkward; after Lin Muwan pointed out the matter of a Dao Companion that day, he felt somewhat unsure how to face Yang Linxi.

This time, he originally wanted to use an excuse to avoid coming to the Yang Family, but alas, he was still caught by Zhou Kaiding.

"Congratulations, Brother Zhou, on your Breakthrough to the Late Qi Refining Stage; Foundation Establishment is within reach."

Yang Huaiyuan said to Zhou Kaiding after having Yang Linxi take Zhou Licheng to tour Qizhi Peak, his tone tinged with envy.

When they first met, their cultivation was similar, but now he had already broken through to the Late Qi Refining Stage before him.

"It was just luck."

Zhou Kaiding waved his hand; this Breakthrough was indeed very lucky, as he almost failed.

Yang Huaiyuan only thought Zhou Kaiding was being humble, so he smiled freely and didn't dwell on it.

"This Breakthrough is timely; now, Qingyuan Town is about to face new turbulences."

Yang Huaiyuan sighed.

"What do you mean?" Zhou Kaiding asked with a serious expression.

"A few days ago, Wang Xuan, the Seventh Elder of the Wang Family from Shangming Peak, visited this place."

"He said that he has a grandson, over sixteen years old, who is not yet married, and hearing that our Linxi is of similar age, beautiful, and intelligent, if she is willing, the two Families could form a marriage alliance."

"However, I refused."

Yang Huaiyuan explained, then paused and added:

"If it were just that, it wouldn't be much."

"However, after that day, when I communicated with other fellow Daoists, I found that they had also been visited by the Wang Family or other Families."

"Most of them were fellow Daoists at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining or above."

Zhou Kaiding listened, pondering in his heart, as if deep in thought.

"Thank you for letting me know, Brother Yang."

Coming back to his senses, Zhou Kaiding thanked Yang Huaiyuan.

Yang Huaiyuan casually waved his hand, indicating there was no need for formalities.

"I'm afraid, in a few more days, they will also seek out your Family; you should make plans early."

"The Zhou Family is just a small Family; getting caught in this whirlpool would likely make it difficult to escape; it's better to avoid it if possible."

Yang Huaiyuan nodded upon hearing this; he also thought the same, which was why he directly rejected Wang Xuan's proposal.

However, it was more because of Zhou Licheng.

The two conversed for a long time before Zhou Kaiding found Zhou Licheng, stood up to bid farewell, and left the Yang Family.

Zhou Licheng had a smile on his face, having long lost his shyness from when he arrived.

It seemed the two must have gotten along very well.

Seeing this, Zhou Kaiding didn't say anything, thinking that by the looks of it, he must have realized something.

The two returned to the Zhou Family.

Several months later.

As Yang Huaiyuan expected, someone indeed came to visit.

However, it wasn't the Seventh Elder of the Wang Family, but an Elder from the Wu Family.

Besides the Foundation Establishment Liu Family in Qingyuan Town, there were also the five great Families: Li, Wang, Feng, Wu, and Sun.

Although these five great Families did not have Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators present, they had no shortage of Late Qi Refining Stage Cultivators in their Clan, possessing deep foundations and strong power.

This time, the Wu Family's representative also wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Zhou Family, but they wanted to marry off a daughter from the Wu Family.

Zhou Kaiding refused, citing that he did not interfere with his children's marriages.

Upon hearing this, the Wu Family Elder, though still wanting to say something, saw Zhou Kaiding's resolute expression and did not insist further.

He merely said meaningfully:

"Patriarch Zhou, take care of yourself!"

After speaking, he flicked his sleeves and left.

Zhou Kaiding's expression darkened upon hearing this, but he said nothing.

After refusing the Wu Family's overtures, no one else came to disturb them.

Due to Zhou Kaiding, the Zhou Family's reputation had become much more prominent than before.

The number of Mortals gathered below Jade Moon Peak also grew, and because this place was located below Jade Moon Peak, it gained the name Feiyue Market.

Although Yang Huaiyuan said that Qingyuan Town was on the verge of turmoil, it was still relatively stable for now.

Thus, another year passed.

At this time, Zhou Licheng was already sixteen years old, and although his cultivation was still at the Qi Refining First Layer, he was not far from a Breakthrough.

During this period, Zhou Licheng had actively visited Qizhi Peak several times, and his relationship with Yang Linxi gradually deepened.

With both Families intending to bring them together, and both being of good appearance and temperament, their similar dispositions naturally led them to grow closer.

Zhou Liyue, fourteen years old, had already broken through to the Second Layer of Qi Refining, and her Formation Cultivation had also progressed; she was already able to set up simple dust-repelling Formations.

Mo Xuan's Clan Fortune Points had also returned to eight.

As for Zhou Lihai, he had not yet entered the Qi Refining First Layer.

Zhou Linuo was also six years old; after the spirit test, he did not have Cultivation talent, and Zhou Kaiding and his wife, though helpless, could only accept this fact.

On this day.

Zhou Liyue rushed to find him, handing Zhou Kaiding a letter she held in her hand.