Chapter 333

Chapter 333: Going Home

The clothing and appearances of the two sons were so starkly different, but this wasn’t the result of Zhou Luo showing favoritism.

It was mainly because over the years, Zhou Chang Lun’s character had increasingly become steady and taciturn, and he had grown even less concerned about his attire.

Though Yao Wu had bought him splendid new clothes many times, he always hid them away in the wardrobe, never once wearing them out.

Gradually, Yao Wu learned to be savvy, and after that, she only procured simple, plain outfits.

As a result, Zhou Chang Lun would end up wearing them every single time.

As for little Zhou Changqing, however, he believed that cultivation didn’t necessarily require harsh ascetic practice; it should be whatever felt comfortable.

So he lived carefreely day in and day out, whether in cultivation or alchemy, always maintaining a peaceful and optimistic state.

Moreover, Yao Wu was especially fond of this little one, and she provided him with all sorts of fine goods.

But despite all that, Zhou Changqing possessed Second Grade Spiritual Roots and numerous mystical opportunities, so his cultivation speed wasn’t one bit slower than Zhou Chang Lun’s.

Now, barely over ten years old, he had already reached the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, and he had even begun learning the basics of alchemy.

“Daddy, I was wrong; I shouldn’t have eavesdropped.” Zhou Changqing said with his head bowed, sounding pitiful.

He and Zhou Chang Lun had relied on each other for companionship for over four years, so it could be said that the other was both his elder brother and his only playmate.

That was why, upon learning his brother was leaving, he couldn’t quell his curiosity; he wanted to know what Father and his brother were discussing.

He had even deliberately employed a technique for concealing Qi specifically to try and listen in.

To his surprise, he was still caught out.

“Do you feel reluctant to see your brother go?” Zhou Luo asked.

Zhou Changqing nodded heavily: “If Chang Lun brother leaves, I’ll be so bored.”

In front of his father, he spoke his true feelings outright.

Because over the years, Zhou Luo’s greatest teaching to him was that no matter what happened, he should never lie to his father.

Don’t be fooled by how playful and indolent Zhou Changqing was—he remembered that rule extremely vividly.

The little one not lying satisfied Zhou Luo greatly, and he chuckled, “Rest easy—you’ll be going there too someday soon.”

“To the Immortal Sect?” Zhou Changqing’s eyes brightened.

He had long been intensely looking forward to the Immortal Sect, especially since he’d heard there were heaps of fun things to discover, filling him with a strong urge to see for himself.

“Yes, once you’re there, it won’t be as free as home; you can’t charge about recklessly—you must reign your temper in a bit.” Zhou Luo instructed.

He had always held this son in high esteem; after all, the vast Zhou family couldn’t lean on him alone as the sole powerhouse—the young ones needed to help shoulder the duties.

Only when everyone was strong would the entire family be strong.

“Understood, Father.” Zhou Changqing nodded obediently.

One month later.

Zhou Luo took his wives, concubines, and children and left Zhou Fu, boarding a flying boat bound for the Lin Family dwelling.

Such a large company did catch the notice of many cultivators in the Immortal City, but upon recognizing it was Zhou Luo, no one dared approach or disturb them.

After his departure, the gathering only left behind a sigh.

"So Pill Master Zhou truly does marry wives, take concubines, and father children."

By now, Zhou Luo’s this hobby had spread throughout the entire Immortal City.

However, nobody cared about this habit.

After all, which important figure didn’t have a small quirk?

For instance, that Pill Master Sun enjoyed taking on disciples, and under his tutelage, there were at least several dozen disciples.

These disciples, under his leadership, had established the Potion Alliance, becoming a formidable force in the Immortal City that couldn’t be ignored.

The speed of the flying boat was linked to its controller.

When piloted by Zhou Luo, its velocity was alarmingly swift.

They could already see the massive city of Maple Leaf City in nearly just two hours.

Now, Maple Leaf City had expanded another fold due to the growth of the Lin Family, and its city walls were proudly repaired to be grand and majestic.

Zhou Luo directly steered the flying boat toward Maple Leaf City.

Because of his family token, he passed unimpeded through the defensive grand formation and raced straight to the Lin Family mansion.

As the flying boat soared over the Lin Family, many people looked upward.

"Who is that? How dare they fly over the family?" someone questioned in astonishment.

He was a recent son-in-law who had joined the Lin Family and had been cautioned by the family’s manager that, under any circumstances, anyone flying above the family grounds would be deemed provocative and attacked.

Yet unexpectedly, today someone bravely handled a flying boat above the family.

Wasn’t he worried about suffering the family’s harsh punishment?

"Hush, do you have a death wish? Only that legendary Pill Master Zhou could be so openly audacious," said a companion, his face fearful, his voice shaking with terror that he might disturb those on the flying boat.

Hearing these words, that man stiffened, hurriedly bowed his head, and dared not glance again.

At the family head’s mansion, Lin Xi was teaching the children.

Over the past few years, she had steadily acquired the bearing of a family head, acting in a dignified and graceful manner and exuding an air of authority, while guiding the children meticulously and seriously so that no little one dared to defy her.

"Auntie!"

As soon as the large group appeared, Zhou Changqing called out in his tender voice.

Though Lin Xi was the Lin Family head, Zhou Luo felt they were all close family and saw no need for such formality in private; they should address each other as usual.

Lin Xi gazed at the little fellow, her typically aloof face breaking into a smile, and she said with a laugh in her eyes, "How you’ve shot up! Come quickly, let Auntie see."

Zhou Changqing gleefully scampered over and was promptly swept into an embrace.

"Auntie, you look even prettier again," he declared earnestly, peering at her with awed simplicity in his tiny face.

Lin Xi chuckled softly, flicked his nose, and said, "What sweet talk from the little one. Auntie will take you for treats later."

Just then, Zhou Luo and the others approached.

"You’ve toiled hard," said Lin Xi, holding Zhou Changqing, while her beautiful eyes brimmed with affection as she beheld Zhou Luo.

Swiftly, she glanced at the youth beside Zhou Luo, laughed lightly, and remarked, "This must be Chang Lun, right? You’ve shot up so tall. Your mother natters about you daily; at last you’re back."

Hearing these words, Zhou Chang Lun sniffled, bowed solemnly, and greeted, "It’s good to see you, Auntie."

"Fine lad, go see your mother—she misses you terribly," said Zhou Luo, gazing at him with profound tenderness.

Zhou Chang Lun lifted his eyes to Zhou Luo.

Zhou Luo nodded, and only then did he hasten away.

"Sister Lin Xi, you’ve truly begun to embody a family head’s manner," declared Yao Wu, cradling the little child, with a radiant smile.

"Sister Yao Wu, you just like to jest; you all must be weary—come inside and rest quickly," Lin Xi responded amiably.

Lin Xi spoke in a mild voice; confronting these kin, she displayed none of a family head’s severity, instead carrying herself with a dignified and graceful poise, warm and approachable.

After they sat down in the main hall, Zhou Luo turned to Lin Xin and inquired, "There shouldn’t be any troubles at home, right?"

"Nothing much, only…" Lin Xi broke off, her expression suddenly growing somber.

Zhou Luo looked perplexed, wondering if the family had struck some thorny obstacle.

He leveled his gaze at his main wife, his tone grave, and asked, "What went wrong?"