Chapter 233

Chapter 233: Immortal Sect Disciples

This day.

Maple Leaf City’s every household was draped in lanterns and banners. The streets overflowed with people, all standing orderly in neat rows along both sides, craning their necks eagerly, gazing toward the city gates.

There, Lin Ze and a group of the Lin Family’s elders stood. Adorned in luxurious brocade garments, broad smiles graced every face.

The city gates themselves were festooned with celebratory streamers of every color, signifying a scene brimming with boisterous enthusiasm and grand ceremony.

Swoosh——

In the distance of the sky, two long rainbows whistled through the air, carving a perfect arc.

Within the gentle morning light, two figures gradually materialized. They stood upon a hue of soft light, exuding waves of powerfully surging energy.

Everyone stared longingly, eyes unblinking, terrified of missing even the slightest important detail.

As the figures drew steadily closer, the crowd gradually made out their appearances.

It was a man and a woman.

The man stood tall and upright, radiating a commanding aura. Hands clasped behind his back, his handsome face bore an expression tinged with pride, his brow somehow bearing a faint resemblance to Zhou Luo.

Beside him stood a woman treading upon a magic sword. Her form was graceful, as ethereal as an immortal fairy. Her flawlessly pale features held a trace of indifference. A pair of beautiful, clear eyes blinked gently, like a celestial immortal descended to the mortal realm, stirring countless hearts among those captivated by her.

The two descended slowly, landing at the city gates.

By the gates, members of the Lin Family had already gathered. They wore splendid robes, faces beaming with pride and joyous smiles.

As the pair drew nearer, Lin Ze stepped forward excitedly, gesturing for family members to form two orderly rows, creating a solemn and wide pathway.

Sunlight bathed the man and woman. Both were attired in long robes of cyan silk, intricate cloud patterns embroidered across the fabric.

Upon their chests, the characters "Qing Yuan" stood out prominently.

They were Immortal Sect disciples.

As the pair walked forward, the clan members raised their voices together in cheers, the sound soaring to the skies.

Children excitedly waved coloured streamers clutched in their hands, while elders’ eyes welled up with glistening tears.

Lin Ze gazed at the two with overwhelming emotion. His aged face blossomed into an immensely happy smile. "My fine grandchildren! You have finally returned!"

This man and woman were none other than Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling, sent long ago to the Qinyuan Sect.

By now, fifteen years had passed since their departure.

They were Lin Xi’s children, making them naturally Lin Ze’s grandchildren.

Yet, in response to their grandfather’s affectionate call, both faces remained somewhat aloof. They gave only faint nods of acknowledgement.

Lin Ze’s expression faltered, momentarily stunned. Then, sensing the aura emanating from the pair, his heart clenched with shock.

Eighth level of Qi Refinement!

He stared incredulously at the grandchildren before him, his eyes filled with profound awe.

He recalled Zhou Chang le was only born about twenty years ago, while Zhou Shiling was merely seventeen and a half.

And yet, both had already reached the eighth level! Moreover, judging by the fluctuations of their energy, they weren’t far from the ninth level at all.

For a moment, Lin Ze felt a turbulent surge of emotions, swiftly followed by wild exultation within his heart.

The Lin Family’s rise was promising.

In his pleasant state of mind, the grandfather did not take his granddaughter’s coldness personally.

From his perspective, the two were highly likely to enter Foundation Establishment in the future, and might even become existences like Golden Core masters.

As a mere Qi Refinement cultivator himself, it was natural that he was not highly regarded by them.

Especially since they were Immortal Sect disciples, with a master who was a Golden Core master to boot.

After Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling nodded briefly, they walked straight forward.

Others exclaimed loudly with titles like "immortals," but the two remained expressionless and utterly calm throughout.

It seemed like nothing could disrupt their emotions.

Strangely, this was seen as entirely reasonable in many people’s eyes.

Because to them, these two were no longer ordinary members of the Lin Family, but Immortal Sect disciples.

The difference in status brought about different reactions.

Moreover, they both had a Golden Core master as their mentor.

Meeting the enthusiastic and respectful gazes, the two arrived at the Lin Family mansion.

At the entrance, the family head Lin Tian Xiong and other elders had been waiting for some time.

They beamed with smiles, and upon seeing the two appear, their eyes shimmered with joy, extremely happy.

Lin Tian Xiong was about to step forward and exchange a few greetings.

But Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling exchanged a glance before abruptly soaring into the air and flying toward the Lin Family interior.

This scene left the Lin Family members dumbstruck.

They showed mild surprise but didn’t find it rude, instead feeling it was exactly as it should be.

Disciples of a Golden Core master naturally had to carry some arrogance.

The Lin Family didn’t demand much gratitude from them, as they now belonged to different worlds; receiving a bit of favor was already excellent.

So, no one mentioned how flying openly over the family grounds broke family rules.

Lin Tian Xiong smiled awkwardly and led everyone back.

Zhou Garden.

Compared to the fanfare and feverish excitement outside.

Here it was much more tranquil, with only the servants bustling about, seemingly making preparations.

Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling streaked through the air like shooting stars and landed in Zhou Garden.

They looked at the main residence and hastened their steps, heading directly for the main hall.

Upon entering the main hall, their gaze instantly fixed on a white-bearded man in green robes seated upright at the chief position.

Thud—

Without a moment’s hesitation, both fell to their knees.

"Father!"

Zhou Luo gazed at his children returned from training and nodded in satisfaction.

Beside him, Lin Xi’s eyes were slightly red, her intense longing plain on her face.

"Mother!"

The two bowed to her once more.

Lin Xi could hold back no longer; tears welled up, and she quickly stood, racing to her children with tears streaming.

"Good children," she reached them and helped them to their feet.

Seeing their mother, Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling shed all cool indifference, replaced by child-like smiles.

"Mother," the three embraced each other.

Zhou Luo watched silently, his expression as calm as water.

He had been cultivating for fifteen years and was now at the ninth level of Qi Refinement; if not for his children’s return, he might not have emerged from seclusion.

Over those fifteen years, he had fathered another ten children.

As his cultivation advanced, it became harder to bear offspring.

Yet the lifespan gained from just these ten children amounted to over a thousand years; even without having more, he could practice immortality cultivation sufficiently.

Perhaps due to that extended lifespan, at nearly fifty, he still looked as untouched as he did at twenty.

For this emergence, he had purposely grown a beard to avoid suspicion.

After Lin Xin spoke with her children for a long while, Xu Changsheng entered from outside.

Respectfully and with a happy expression, he said, "Master, the banquet is almost prepared."

"In that case, it’s time to meet everyone," Zhou Luo stood up first and walked out.

Noting their father’s composure, Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling appeared humble, assisting their mother and following reverently behind him.