Chapter 112

Chapter 112: The Great Elder’s Foundation Establishment?

The next morning, the sunlight spilled down.

Zhou Luo walked out from his room and happened to meet Lin Yi Yi.

She, dressed in a beige silk undergarment, leaned against the opposite doorway, revealing large areas of snowy skin and an impressive figure.

With a resentful look, she said: "Husband only remembers Sister Zhi Yan and doesn’t care about us."

"Not true."

Zhou Luo laughed as he walked over and embraced her into his arms.

"After all, it will come slowly."

"Then tonight, Husband must only stay at my place," Lin Yi Yi tilted her head up, her small face expectantly speaking.

"Alright, let’s go have breakfast."

Zhou Luo leaned down and kissed her smooth, fair forehead.

…

After breakfast, people from the Second Elder indeed arrived at Zhou Garden.

"Young Master Zhou, may I ask if you have a moment now?" that plainly dressed elderly man inquired respectfully.

"Let’s go."

Zhou Luo didn’t say anything more and followed that elderly man toward the Second Elder’s manor.

Compared to the main family’s core area, the place where the Second Elder lived was located at the northeast corner of Zhou Garden, and the distance wasn’t far.

So very soon, he saw that spacious manor occupying a large area.

The manor was built with piles of blue bricks and stones, and on it, numerous spiritual symbols were stuck, emitting a light spiritual light.

These were all entry-level warning symbols, often used to prevent others from sneaking in.

This kind of spiritual symbol wasn’t hard to refine, and the materials required were quite simple; no wonder they could so luxuriously plaster them outside.

The Lin Family’s Second Elder, Lin Guang Xuan, was the head of the family’s rune-making path, managing the allocation of all the family’s spiritual symbols, and his power and status were second only to the Great Elder.

After the Great Elder began Closed-Door Training, he became the leader of this faction.

At the same time, he and that deceased Seventh Elder were also biological brothers.

Zhou Luo followed that servant into the manor.

Upon entering the manor, a wide courtyard unfolded before him; on both sides of the stone-brick paved ground, lively flowers and plants swayed.

At the center of the courtyard stood a four-sided ancient well, and near the well were several pots of blooming flowers, spreading a light fragrance.

An old camphor tree stood in the courtyard’s corner, densely leaved and full of branches, faintly shimmering with a spiritual light.

Following along the courtyard inward, a simple yet elegant hall came into view.

The hall’s double doors stood open, and a light wood fragrance drifted into his nostrils.

Zhou Luo arrived at the hall and saw an elderly man seated on that front redwood official’s chair ahead.

The elderly man had an unsmiling, aged face, and upon him, one could sense a heavy authority—especially in those narrowed eyes, sharp and deep, like blades.

Compared to the Great Elder’s peace and calmness, Zhou Luo only felt a heavy sense of oppression from Lin Guang Xuan.

This sense of oppression seemed innate to him; even without deliberately releasing it, it could still affect people.

"Second Elder," Zhou Luo bowed with his hands clasped.

"Mhm, have a seat," Lin Guang Xuan replied casually.

Although Zhou Luo was now a top-level Pill Master and might even become a second level Pill Master in the future,

this old man still seemed somewhat cold.

This wasn’t dissatisfaction towards Zhou Luo.

It was just how his nature was.

"Which side are you really on?"

Right when Zhou Luo was wondering how Lin Guang Xuan would start speaking,

an authoritative voice abruptly sounded, and the extremely straightforward words made Zhou Luo’s body tremble slightly.

He looked up at the other person with a trace of surprise on his face.

"I prefer straight talk and despise hypocrisy the most; just speak directly and truthfully."

Lin Guang Xuan stared at him, his aged face showing no expression.

He was straightforward and couldn’t stand people who acted one way in front and another behind their backs.

Therefore, after seeing the true face of the main family, he unhesitatingly chose to side with the Great Elder.

But in scheming and struggling, he still lacked some experience.

So he could only watch helplessly as Lin Xuanfeng took charge of the Law Enforcement Hall and the main family oppressed their faction.

For Lin Guang Xuan, these were not the most important matters.

Because he firmly believed that when one’s own power was strong enough, all schemes and tricks would become meaningless.

So what he had to do

was to win over all the powerful force in the family.

Clearly, Zhou Luo was the first one.

Feeling that sharp gaze, after thinking it over, Zhou Luo chose to speak honestly: "Second Elder, I’m not on either side."

Lin Guang Xuan’s gaze darkened, and he looked at him deeply: "Fence-sitters will only die more miserably."

"True, but that refers to people without strength who swing back and forth; if one has strength, then they aren’t called fence-sitters," Zhou Luo said calmly and confidently.

These words were very clear.

At that moment, he was completely an independent third party outside the two factions, with the means to negotiate cooperation with either side or continue watching.

If either party wanted to force him, they had to be prepared to sacrifice everything.

Hearing this, Lin Guang Xuan suddenly laughed heartily: "Haha, no wonder the Great Elder values you so highly. Interesting, but…"

He suppressed his smile and said meaningfully: "Do you really not lean toward either side?"

"Second Elder, I’m quite realistic; I only value benefits," Zhou Luo said with a smile.

He did not want to get involved in the struggle, but if one side had a clear advantage, he naturally had to choose a side without hesitation to ensure peaceful days ahead.

For instance, right now, the main family clearly controlled the Lin Family.

That was unacceptable.

A great man could not long endure living lowly beneath others.

Great Elder, I have my own ambitions too.

This Fifth Miss.

I was determined to marry her.

"It’s only natural to be driven by interests," Lin Guang Xuan said dismissively. "But what I have to remind you is that the Great Elder chose closed-door training at this critical moment not to step away from the fight."

His expression was calm, yet his words contained immense implications.

Zhou Luo felt a chill in his heart.

Not to escape?

Could it be?

A terrible guess instantly flashed through his mind.

"A while ago, the Great Elder acquired some Foundation Establishment materials from somewhere…" Lin Guang Xuan did not finish.

But these words stirred up thousand-fold ripples in Zhou Luo’s core.

Foundation Establishment materials?

Did the Great Elder intend to establish his Foundation?

He was utterly shocked inside.

He had never expected matters to unfold in this direction.

If the Great Elder truly succeeded in Foundation Establishment, the Lin Family was likely headed for upheaval.

Gazing at Lin Guang Xuan’s confident and unruffled demeanor, Zhou Luo took a deep breath.

He had drifted through life regretting the lack of a worthy master; if the Great Elder showed him kindness…

This Fifth Miss wasn’t a must to marry.

Just kidding.

If the Great Elder really achieved Foundation Establishment success, what did it matter even if the main family held all the military might?

Besides, it was rumored that the Lin Family’s Foundation Establishment ancestor hadn’t appeared for over a hundred years, with it unknown if he lived or died.

Once everyone knew of the Great Elder’s Foundation Establishment triumph, he would surely pledge allegiance.

The main family’s accumulated advantages would vanish completely.

Lin Guang Xuan’s words forced Zhou Luo to weigh things cautiously.

Of course, his resolve to marry Lin Xin remained unshakable.

After all, the main family currently held power.

As for later, who could predict?

In any case, he represented the Lin Family’s future; likely, neither side would harm him much.

"It seems the Great Elder may achieve a breakthrough; this is truly great fortune for our Lin Family," Zhou Luo offered with perfect sincerity.

"So you must consider this thoroughly."

After speaking, Lin Guang Xuan didn’t say more and directly dismissed him.