Chapter 297

Chapter 297: Funeral

It was a top-quality symbol. Normally, it shouldn’t harm a Foundation Establishment strong person. But in this situation, it could repel the opponent. That bought time for counterattack or escape.

Zhou Luo did not show weakness either. At the moment before the talisman’s power erupted, he wildly swung his sword. He unleashed boundless sword light.

Boom—

The talisman’s power erupted. Boundless force rushed out. Zhou Luo blocked horizontally with his sword. He stepped back several paces. He distanced himself from the opponent.

"Ah…"

At the same time, Lu Haotian was injured by the sword aura. He let out a bitter scream. He fell from high in the sky.

It could be seen that his entire right arm was mangled and bloody. Drops of blood dripped off. Ghastly white bones were exposed. The scene was truly shocking.

That sword aura had cut off all the flesh from his right arm.

Lu Haotian had originally hoped to escape using this talisman. Now he felt utter despair inside. Enduring intense pain, he fled toward the distance.

Zhou Luo’s gaze turned icy cold. He thrust another sword strike.

That huge sword strike landed heavily. It smashed onto Lu Haotian’s body.

The opponent was flung back with a heavy thud. His bones cracked. His whole body was mangled and bloody. The injuries were severe. There was no way to escape now.

This scene made the cultivators who saw it all fall silent. Great waves of shock arose in their hearts. Some cultivators even collapsed on the ground. They were distraught and panicked.

They had never expected a Foundation Establishment expert to face such a brutal killing.

After all, earlier when he fought that Lin Family Foundation Establishment strong person, it hadn’t been so savage.

While these people were still stunned, Zhou Luo landed on the ground. In full view of everyone, he raised his sword.

"No!"

Lu Haotian’s eyes showed despair. He shrieked in terror.

But Zhou Luo gave him no chance to beg for mercy. He swung his sword down. He completely snuffed out the other’s life force.

He wanted revenge. He also wanted to assert his dominance.

Since his strength was already exposed, let them see the consequences of provoking him.

He guessed that after this, news of him killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator would quickly spread through the entire Qinyuan Domain.

Then, those hidden enemies would think twice. If they tried to strike at him or his people, they would need to measure their own ability.

"Family head!"

The Lu Family strong person saw Lu Haotian die right in front of him. He wailed loudly. Utter despair filled him.

They had no idea the opponent could be so ferocious.

Xu Changsheng and the others arrived from afar. They saw this scene. Their faces lit with joy.

No longer restrained by Foundation Establishment cultivators, Zhou Chang Le and his group charged out directly. They cut down all who blocked their path. They were determined to sacrifice these enemies to their elder brother.

In the city, Lin Family cultivators recognized Zhou Chang Le and his group. After a brief moment of shock, they shut down the formation barrier immediately. They attacked out from within the city.

Originally at a disadvantage, the Lin Family cultivators were now unstoppable. They slaughtered the enemy, leaving no survivors. The enemy fled in panic.

The Zhang Family leader reacted quickly. He led a group of Zhang Family members to escape early to the other side.

After dealing with Lu Haotian, Zhou Luo took a deep breath, watched the fleeing person, moved his feet, and chased after him.

At that moment, comparable to a mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, he transformed directly into a death god, incessantly reaping the lives of those cultivators.

…

Half an hour later, Zhou Luo returned from afar.

Outside Maple Leaf City, all enemies had been annihilated, and Xu Changsheng along with others were clearing the battlefield.

Seeing Zhou Luo return, the Lin Family Ancestor immediately greeted him with a smiling face.

"Friend Zhou."

In the cultivation world, Qi Refinement cultivators would respectfully call any Foundation Establishment strong person or above "senior," regardless of age.

Between Foundation Establishment cultivators, they addressed each other as "friend."

Witnessing Zhou Luo’s lingering killing intent, he felt a chill in his heart.

Zhou Luo cupped his hands in salute. "Friend Lin."

"Truly, heroes emerge among the young. Friend Zhou, you are indeed great good fortune for our Lin Family," said the Lin Family Ancestor warmly.

The power Zhou Luo had displayed was utterly terrifying.

One needed to know that even he lacked confidence in killing a Foundation Establishment strong person, yet Zhou Luo had achieved it.

This forced the Lin Family Ancestor to view him with utmost importance.

Zhou Luo replied expressionlessly, "It was only right, since this is my family too."

He emphasized the words "my family" slightly when speaking them.

A flash of understanding crossed the Lin Family Ancestor’s eyes before he let out an awkward chuckle.

Zhou Luo’s return was not a major event, but his ascension to Foundation Establishment caused a huge stir throughout the entire Lin Family.

No one had expected that the Sixth Elder, long criticized as a cowardly tortoise, would become the family’s first elder to successfully build his Foundation.

Particularly Lin Tian Xiong and Lin Xuanfeng exchanged glances, unsure how to face him.

Yet within the Lin Family, perhaps Lin Guang Xuan and his group were the happiest.

Initially, when the Great Elder instructed them to rely on Zhou Luo, they had been confused. Now, seeing his Foundation Establishment success, they grasped the depth of the Great Elder’s foresight.

Returning from a great victory, Zhou Luo met no one. Instead, he carried Zhou Chang An’s corpse back to Zhou Garden.

Upon learning her biological son had fallen in battle, his mother Lin Qing Han blacked out and collapsed, remaining unconscious for a long time before waking.

Zhou Luo’s other wives and concubines also looked desolate, their expressions sorrowful.

They had watched Zhou Chang An grow up, sharing deep bonds of affection with everyone. Now separated by death, the grief was unbearable.

That same day, Zhou Garden hung full of white flowers.

This deterred those who had originally come to offer congratulations, afraid of offending this Foundation Establishment strong person.

The whole Lin Family consequently maintained solemn silence.

Despite their recent victory, no one dared celebrate, quietly staying at home to await the end of the funeral at Zhou Garden.

In the morning light, white lanterns swayed gently in the breeze before Zhou Garden’s entrance, as if silently voicing grief.

Inside the main hall, incense smoke curled upward, and the atmosphere brimmed with dignity.

The flickering candlelight before the memorial tablet seemed to bid farewell to the departed soul.

Family members gathered nearby, murmuring softly about past memories, their eyes revealing boundless sorrow and reluctance.

With reddened eyes from crying, Lin Qing Han was supported by Lin Xi to sit in a chair while Zhou Luo sat silently opposite.

Before long, people approached from outside.

Leading them was Lin Family head Lin Tian Xiong, solemn in expression and plain-colored robes. He silently entered the mourning hall and led a group of main family members in paying respects.

"Sixth Elder, please moderate your sorrow and accept my condolences," he comforted gently upon reaching Zhou Luo.

Zhou Luo’s gaze flickered as he looked up at the other’s aged face, appearing utterly indifferent.

Afterward, people continuously paid visits to offer condolences.

The funeral lasted a full three days and nights. Meanwhile, news of Zhou Luo’s Foundation Establishment success instantly spread outside, causing a huge stir among the long-life families.

Over recent years, everyone speculated the Lin Family might see someone succeed in Foundation Establishment.

Yet no one anticipated it would be Zhou Luo.

In their perception, apart from his talent in alchemy, none of his other abilities stood out.

Especially since he possessed Ninth Grade spiritual roots.

Could such spiritual roots truly break through to Foundation Establishment within mere decades?

How could it be possible?

Thus, rumors spread claiming he must have encountered a mystical opportunity outside by chance.

After all, he had long resided in the Immortal City; perhaps he entwined destiny with some Golden Core master or even a Nascent Soul cultivator and received bestowed good fortune.