75: Zhou Leren

At Feiyue Peak Summit, Mo Xuan and Zhou Kaiding reviewed their recent operation once more. After confirming there were no oversights, Zhou Kaiding bid farewell to Mo Xuan and returned home.

Lin Muwan had been worried. Although she had thoroughly investigated Immortal Changchun's situation and had Mo Xuan's assistance,

unexpected events often occurred in this world. Fortunately, Zhou Kaiding and Mo Xuan returned unharmed, and only then did Lin Muwan's anxious heart settle.

"Immortal Changchun was killed by my own hand, and the Chen Family has been annihilated. Additionally, the Kong and Hua Families have paid their respective prices," Zhou Kaiding said softly, holding Lin Muwan that night.

Lin Muwan nodded slightly, leaning on Zhou Kaiding's shoulder, her expression tinged with sadness.

Although her parents' great revenge was avenged, the death of her enemies could not bring the deceased back to Rebirth.

Fortunately, she still had her husband and child; as long as they were safe in the future, she would ask for nothing more.

The next day, at the Zhou Family's treasure vault.

Zhou Kaiding took out all the Storage Pouches containing the spoils from killing Immortal Changchun and the Chen Family, as well as the compensation from the Kong and Hua Families, and handed them to Lin Muwan.

There were many Spirit Stone, precious materials, Medicinal Pill, Magical Artifact, Talisman, and various other items among them, all for Lin Muwan to inventory.

The Zhou Family's treasure vault had already been expanded several times, and it was probably no worse than the Liu Family's.

After all, the Zhou Family had few members and could withstand consumption.

However, most of these items were for Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator, with only the second-rank spiritual artifact sword used by Immortal Changchun being suitable for him.

This would save a significant amount of resources, as the value of a second-rank spiritual artifact was incomparable to a first-rank Magical Artifact.

Qi Refining Cultivator used first-rank Magical Artifact, Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator used second-rank spiritual artifact, and as for Golden Core Stage True Person, it was rumored they used third-rank Lifebound Treasure.

Presumably, the Golden Core chapter of the Puhua Yuanlun Scripture must contain the method for refining a Lifebound Treasure.

Zhou Kaiding secretly anticipated that his main goal in the future would be to investigate the address recorded on that map and obtain the Golden Core Inheritance.

After handing over the spoils to Lin Muwan, Zhou Kaiding went to the secret chamber on the Feiyue Peak Summit to refine the second-rank spiritual artifact.

Over a month later.

Zhou Kaiding rose, pushed open the secret chamber, his expression joyous.

It took him several days to erase the imprint left by Immortal Changchun, and then over a month to completely refine this treasure.

Although it was merely a Low Grade second-rank spiritual artifact, for Zhou Kaiding at this time, it was sufficient.

This treasure was named the cheng fa sword, which carried magical power and transformed into Sword Qi, possessing considerable might.

With a thought from Zhou Kaiding, a three-foot-three-inch long verdant sword appeared in his hand. He gripped it with his right hand, twirled it slightly, finding it quite handy.

Infusing it with magical power, he lightly swung it, and an invisible Sword Qi emerged, shattering a large rock in the distance.

Zhou Kaiding's expression was satisfied. Afterward, he put away the long sword in his hand.

As for the original Broken Blade Sword, he had long since erased his own imprint from it and placed it in the treasure vault.

Having already made a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Stage, Zhou Kaiding decided to pass down the position of Patriarch and no longer serve.

He invited several families close to the Zhou Family, including the Yang Family and three other families like the Han Family. Under the witness of several Patriarch, Zhou Kaiding officially passed on the position of Patriarch to Zhou Licheng.

From then on, Zhou Kaiding was no longer Patriarch Zhou, but Old Ancestor Zhou.

"We greet Old Ancestor Zhou, Patriarch Zhou."

In the Zhou Family's banquet hall, all the Patriarch rose and saluted Zhou Kaiding and Zhou Licheng.

The host and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

After the banquet, Zhou Kaiding and Yang Huaiyuan sat opposite each other, a pot of spiritual tea bubbling, its fragrance filling the air.

"Brother Yang, your tea artistry has improved."

Yang Huaiyuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said to Zhou Kaiding with a slight sigh.

"As expected of a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator's magical power, the tea brewed with it is three times more fragrant."

After speaking, Yang Huaiyuan added another sentence.

Zhou Kaiding had actually thought his own skill had improved, but he didn't expect to be teased by Yang Huaiyuan.

He glared at Yang Huaiyuan in annoyance.

"If Brother Yang teases me again, I might have to call Linxi over."

Zhou Kaiding used his trump card.

"You... this..."

Yang Huaiyuan was helpless and conceded defeat.

The two looked at each other and smiled. Although there was now a gap in their cultivation, Zhou Kaiding did not want a good friend to drift too far from him.

Seeing that Yang Huaiyuan could still tease him, he was very happy.

Yang Huaiyuan had also now made a Breakthrough to the Late Qi Refining Stage.

With the Zhou Family's assistance, the Yang Family was doing well, and no one foolish enough came to cause trouble.

Qingyuan (Town) now had seven major families.

As for the other small families, many had changed, which was quite lamentable.

While the two leisurely sipped tea, Zhou Licheng outside was terribly busy.

Before, he had only helped a little, and with Lin Muwan in charge, he hadn't felt much.

It wasn't until Zhou Kaiding handed all the Family affairs to him, and Lin Muwan also became a hands-off manager, that Zhou Licheng realized how difficult it was to manage a Family.

There were so many things to consider; indeed, one doesn't know the cost of firewood and rice until one manages a household, Zhou Licheng sighed.

Fortunately, Linxi was still helping. Zhou Licheng looked at the busy figure, feeling moved.

Time flowed on, two months later.

During this period, Zhou Kaiding had been comparing surrounding maps, trying to find the location of the Golden Core Legacy, but had made no progress yet.

Subsequently, Zhou Kaiding went out and invited a second-rank Formation Master.

Now that the Family resources were abundant and he had made a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Stage, the Family's mountain protecting grand array also needed an upgrade.

After carefully inspecting Jade Moon Peak, the original High Grade first-rank Formation was replaced with a Medium Grade second-rank Great Formation.

During the Formation setup, not only was Zhou Kaiding present, but Zhou Liyue also watched from the side.

However, the second-rank Formation Master didn't mind, as one couldn't learn much this way anyway.

After the task was completed, Zhou Kaiding offered a large sum of Spirit Stone and sent the Formation Master away.

As soon as he returned home, he found Zhou Liyue and asked:

"How was it?"

Zhou Liyue shook her head.

Zhou Liyue was now comprehending Late Stage first-rank Formation.

Watching from the side this time was both to learn something and to prevent the person from leaving any hidden tricks.

However, Zhou Liyue's Realm was not high enough to discern anything.

"No matter, it should be fine."

This person had a good reputation, and with him and Mo Xuan overseeing the Family, there was no need to worry too much.

The replaced Formation was not wasted; instead, it was given to Zhou Liyue to replace the Formation in Feiyue City.

During this period, there were occasional reports of Blood Sea Sect evil Cultivator massacring Mortal and Cultivator, but they were quite far from Qingyuan (Town) and temporarily had no impact on the Zhou Family and Feiyue City.

Several months later.

Zhou Leren, the eldest grandson of the Zhou Family's third generation, turned six years old and it was time for his spirit testing.

In the Zhou Family ancestral hall, Zhou Leren was somewhat nervous. Although he was only six years old, he had matured early and was already aware of various information.

Despite being usually fearless, not even afraid of Mo Xuan, and going to Feiyue Peak Summit every few days, he still couldn't escape the fate of nervousness today.

Today, most of the Zhou Family members had gathered here.

After Zhou Licheng paid respects to heaven and earth, he looked at Zhou Kaiding.

Zhou Kaiding nodded and said:

"Begin."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Licheng took out the spirit testing plate and handed it to Zhou Leren.

"Concentrate, calm your Qi."

Zhou Leren held the spirit testing plate, controlling his fluctuating thoughts, and calmed his mind.

Before long, he felt a warm current surge from the spirit testing plate in his hand into his body, circulated once, and then disappeared.

A black mysterious light/aura (boundary) bloomed before his eyes, illuminating the entire ancestral hall.

"One, two, three..."

On the spirit testing plate, the gems lit up one by one.

"Eight gems..."

"High Grade talent, Water affinity..."

Yang Linxi looked at the somewhat nervous Zhou Leren, her eyes filled with joy.

The Zhou Family members exchanged glances, their joy spreading.

"This matter must not be spread."

Zhou Kaiding looked at the crowd and spoke in a deep, serious tone.

The Zhou Family members nodded in agreement.

Zhou Leren's talent was so high; if it were to spread... a prominent tree in the forest is bound to be toppled by the wind.