Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Return to Yao Chi Pavilion

Life and death separations were an inescapable truth of the world.

Though the System might grant Zhou Luo a vastly extended life, what about his wives, concubines, and children?

When the time came to bid farewell to each of them with his own hands, what would he feel?

He had never pondered this before, but today he realized it was something he must confront.

Just then, a mysterious power surged within him.

That force felt like a pair of gentle hands, softly soothing his heart and offering solace to his rippling, unsettled mind.

In this moment, he sensed an unprecedented clarity and tranquility.

The Water Spirit Heart Method was helping him calm his spirit and dispel inner turmoil.

Zhou Luo took a deep breath, regaining his composure. With a mind as still as water, he approached Yao Wu and handed her a silk handkerchief.

Holding the handkerchief, Yao Wu leaned against his arm, her eyes red and swollen, sobbing uncontrollably.

Much later, Yao Wu personally collected her master’s ashes into a specially crafted urn and placed it in the main hall.

This courtyard had been fully purchased by Zhu Quancheng. From now on, it might become Yao Wu’s lifelong sanctuary.

Five days later.

Yao Wu paid a visit. Lin Xi welcomed her.

"Yao Wu, have a seat."

Lin Xi gestured generously, informing her that Zhou Luo was out.

Yao Wu intended to return later, but Lin Xi insisted she stay, brewing her a cup of Heart-Calm Tea.

Seated gracefully in the host’s chair, Lin Xi smiled warmly. "Yao Wu, Zhou Luo has told me about your situation. From now on, treat this place as home. Come to us anytime you need anything."

Since becoming the family head of Zhou Garden, she had cultivated an air of gentle authority, much like an older sister next door.

Yao Wu pressed her lips together, gratitude stirring in her heart.

She’d feared Zhou Luo’s wife might resent her presence.

But clearly, that wasn’t the case.

"Sister Lin Xi, thank you for your kindness," Yao Wu said sincerely.

"Not at all. You’re always welcome to play with Little White. After all, I’m not much closer to her than you are," Lin Xi chuckled softly.

"Alright." Yao Wu nodded.

Facing this younger sister who had just lost her mentor and now lived alone, Lin Xi perfectly displayed the warmth expected of an elder sister.

Gradually, Yao Wu shed her unease, engaging in lively conversation.

Near noon, Zhou Luo returned.

He’d attended a small auction that morning due to the appearance of a specific auxiliary herb he required.

He noted that Foundation Establishment materials—whether main ingredients or auxiliary herbs—were extremely popular.

Openly purchasing such resources would prove quite challenging.

The auxiliary herbs alone atracted unknown how many people, with Foundation Establishment cultivators even joining the fray at one point.

If it weren’t for being in the Immortal City, fighting would have certainly broken out.

Ultimately, that Foundation Establishment strong person won the auction; he was said to have attended specifically for his disciple’s sake.

There was nothing anyone could do about that.

Although Zhou Luo felt some regret, he didn’t dwell on it excessively.

His lifespan was sufficiently long; he could afford to wait.

"Brother Zhou, Master specifically instructed me to give this to you."

Seeing Zhou Luo return, Yao Wu stood up and produced a delicate black iron box.

"I’ve already received the token from Gu Master Zhu, so other items are unnecessary. After all, I haven’t contributed much," Zhou Luo quickly declined.

Yao Wu, however, firmly insisted: "Master said you are a good person, worthy of receiving this top-grade Gu insect."

A top-grade Gu insect?

Zhou Luo’s heart stiffened, feeling an undeniable stir.

This was a top-grade Gu insect, and already refined at that—just like the toad Gu before, he only needed to infuse it with power to use it.

"But your master left this for you," Zhou Luo said.

"It doesn’t matter. Master prepared other means for my protection," Yao Wu stated earnestly.

Zhu Quancheng had instructed: if Zhou Luo was willing to provide her sanctuary, she could give him some items from her storage bag.

If he only offered basic assistance, then giving him this top-grade Gu insect would suffice.

Zhou Luo gazed deeply at the exquisite iron box.

He understood clearly that accepting it meant he absolutely couldn’t stand idly by if she faced genuine danger in the future.

This involved matters of karma, the very thing cultivators dreaded most.

Yet this was still a top-grade Gu insect, and on top of that, he’d already accepted that token.

Ultimately, he took the iron box and handed her a communication talisman: "If you encounter danger, crush it. I will come to your aid."

Truthfully, as long as Yao Wu stayed within the Immortal City, she was unlikely to face peril.

If she insisted on leaving, the communication talisman would become useless, and he certainly couldn’t have saved her.

It was merely a safeguard.

Yao Wu accepted it and took her leave from both of them.

Watching her depart, Lin Xi walked to Zhou Luo’s side and spoke in a low voice: "She’s actually quite suitable; becoming sisters wouldn’t be bad at all."

These words were hinting that Zhou Luo should make her his own.

Zhou Luo naturally understood, especially considering she was third-grade.

But lingering wariness about the Hehuan Sect made him put the matter aside for now.

…

Three months later, Lin Xi’s belly grew increasingly large, preventing her from doing many things, so household affairs were entrusted to Li Ying.

Actually, with only three people, there wasn’t much work, and one person could manage it alone.

But once Lin Xi gave birth, things would get busy.

Zhou Luo still remembered the bustling scene when they had first moved into Zhou Garden.

So he discussed with the two women whether to purchase a few maids.

Regarding this, Lin Xi expressed agreement. She even thought that if Li Ying were to get pregnant as well, there could be another person to serve Zhou Luo.

In these times, “buying a maid” was essentially finding a Concubine.

Since the two women had no objections, Zhou Luo set off alone toward the Yao Chi Pavilion in the city.

Ever since he’d learned about Yao Chi Pavilion earlier, he had intended to purchase women with medium-grade or even high-grade spiritual roots from there.

After all, Yao Chi Pavilion was reputed to offer any woman for sale, so long as one had the money—including cat-girls, snake-wives, and others.

Moreover, marrying wives and taking concubines to bear children couldn’t cease.

If he could find several women with high spiritual roots, the chances of producing exceptional offspring would greatly increase.

Moreover, if they were purchased, he wouldn’t need to expend effort cultivating feelings with them.

That would vastly save him time.

Shortly after, he arrived before Yao Chi Pavilion.

The pavilion, built of white jade, was imposing. Inside, it was spacious and decorated extremely elegantly. Small alcoves were set up, each occupied by seven or eight young women dressed in red dresses.

As Zhou Luo entered the main hall, he happened upon a red-dressed woman explaining things to a cultivator.

"Good sir, what may I help you understand today? Are you considering marrying wives and taking concubines? Or purchasing maids?"

The moment he appeared, a red-skirted woman walked gracefully over, a smile on her face, her voice soft.

"Could it be both things?" Zhou Luo asked directly.

He wasn’t merely looking for maids.

The woman paused, then gave a light laugh. "What the sir means is concubines, yes? We have those."

"Good. I want them to have spiritual roots. High-grade spiritual roots are best," Zhou Luo stated his requirements.

The red-skirted woman paused briefly, her gaze toward him growing noticeably warmer.

She thought to herself that this gentleman didn’t even ask the price; he presented his demands directly. Clearly, he was a big client.

This made her smile even more eager. Hurriedly, she guided Zhou Luo toward the second floor. "Right this way, sir."