Chapter 335

Chapter 335: Chat

Lin Lan’s death was but a minor ripple in the vast ocean of Zhou Luo’s long life.

The day after returning to the Lin Family, Zhou Luo left the family head’s mansion and visited the nearby courtyards to see his wives, concubines, and children.

The first courtyard belonged to his first wife, Lin Qing Han.

Upon learning of the former maid’s death, she looked somewhat downcast, her mood low.

Lin Qing Han possessed Seventh Grade spiritual roots, yet decades of cultivation had only brought her to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. The once exquisitely youthful face now carried a touch of charm, unmarked by wrinkles.

Over the years, Lin Qing Han had borne him six children, including the eldest son, Zhou Chang An.

Frequent childbirth had damaged her foundation, significantly reducing fertility; forced pregnancy would likely harm her health.

Thus, Zhou Luo refrained of further burdening her and let her rest.

Today, these children were all grown, some already married with children of their own.

Zhou Luo could barely manage caring for his own wives, concubines, sons, and daughters—let alone grandchildren.

Such duties would now become the responsibility of his descendants.

After all, as the family expanded, his role was merely to safeguard it; when a gifted offspring emerged, he would lend his aid.

Leaving the first courtyard, he came to the second.

This was Lin Jin Xuan’s residence. Blessed with Sixth Grade spiritual roots—a mid-grade spiritual root—she cultivated faster than Lin Qing Han and had reached the initial stage of Qi Refinement seventh level.

She too had given Zhou Luo many children and was now also in need of recuperation.

Among them, Zhou Chang Lun was soon destined for an Immortal Sect, becoming the most promising one.

The third courtyard housed Bai Zhi Yan.

This noble daughter of the Bai family—one of the long-life families—had remained at the Zhou Garden ever since his fortuitous rescue years prior.

The once emotionally fragile maiden had matured into a poised and graceful woman, exuding the distinctive allure of a young matron.

She also held Sixth Grade spiritual roots, currently at the same cultivation level as Lin Jin Xuan.

Her firstborn, named Zhou Chang Huan, had long ago received a trace of Zhou Luo’s Qi of Innate Origins and possessed Sixth Grade spiritual roots.

Now over thirty, Zhou Chang Huan showed little talent in cultivation but was deeply passionate about the Spiritual Planting Technique.

He currently oversaw the family’s spiritual field affairs.

Given time, he would likely claim a senior position within the clan.

After Bai Zhi Yan, came Lin Fei Ying and her two sisters.

The eldest, Lin Fei Ying, was an exceptionally skilled cook and once served as the Zhou Garden’s "head chef."

The second sister, Lin Zi Er, appeared innocent and thoughtful.

The Third Sister, Lin Yi Yi, proved spirited and openly bold.

Cultivation-wise, all three ranked lower than the previous women, faint wrinkles already showing on their faces.

As some of the earliest followers of Zhou Luo, they mourned Lin Lan’s death deeply, even foreseeing their own inevitable fate.

What shocked them was Zhou Luo’s personal visit to comfort them.

This act inspired immense gratitude, scattering much of their sorrow.

Following these six came Li Ying—the noble daughter gifted by the Li Family.

Though Zhou Luo had spent time with each woman after her, no deep bonds ever formed between them.

This was also related to Zhou Luo’s increasingly distant relationship with Yao Wu through dual cultivation.

Apart from her,

He had visited each of these women in turn, while also checking on his descendants.

He earnestly instructed these offspring, not demanding they become exceptionally accomplished or powerful in the future, but only asking they conduct themselves properly and avoid bringing disaster upon the family.

By the time he visited his last concubine, half a month had passed.

Even Zhou Luo couldn’t help but marvel at just how many wives and concubines he truly had. Counting roughly, they numbered a full eighteen.

Thankfully he understood Yang-preserving and essence-securing methods, or else he truly couldn’t have withstood it.

Even so, he still felt his body wasn’t nearly as strong as before.

It had to be remembered, he had just advanced to Foundation Establishment. According to logic, his vital energies should have been abundant.

It seemed his physical body simply wasn’t powerful enough.

Although he cultivated the Bear Body Refinement Technique, it was ultimately a body refinement technique for the Qi Refinement realm. Upon reaching Foundation Establishment, there were actually no strict requirements between choosing body refinement or Qi Refinement; some Foundation Establishment cultivators even pursued both.

Zhou Luo already had the Bear Body Refinement Technique as a foundation. He originally intended to continue forging his physique to achieve mastery in both body and Qi.

Yet he had never found a suitable Foundation Establishment Technique.

It seemed he could only hope the system drew one next time.

Three months later,

Zhou Chang Le finally returned home from the Immortal Sect.

The moment he arrived, he headed straight for the side hall of the main building.

Seeing his father instructing his younger brothers and sisters, he stepped forward swiftly and bowed formally. "Father, I have returned."

Seeing his son, Zhou Luo nodded in satisfaction, then questioned, "Where is Shiling?"

Hearing this, Zhou Chang Le explained, "My sister is in Closed-Door Training, so I did not call for her."

"Is she attempting Foundation Establishment?" Zhou Luo inquired with concern.

Zhou Chang Le’s expression flickered with embarrassment; he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Noticing this, Zhou Luo immediately sensed the siblings had encountered some problem at the Qinyuan Sect.

However, he did not ask in front of Zhou Chang Lun. Instead, he summoned Zhou Chang Le to his study.

After they were seated, he gazed steadily at the standing Zhou Chang Le and said calmly, "Did you and your sister encounter some difficulty at the Qinyuan Sect?"

Zhou Luo had always kept close watch over these promising children and understood their nature well.

Therefore, he instantly perceived Zhou Chang Le’s unease.

Facing his father’s question, Zhou Chang Le did not want to worry him about their troubles. After some thought, he replied, "Father, it’s just some minor trouble. Younger sister can manage it."

Hearing this, Zhou Luo’s eyes darkened, his voice carrying an icy edge. "Chang Le, I always thought you wise. Surely you understand the meaning of family?"

One principle he had always taught his children was: no matter the situation, never hide things from family.

For the more you conceal, the less your family can help you. Endangering yourself ultimately harms your clan too.

Zhou Luo would prefer his children confess even to murder or becoming bandits outright before him, rather than soothe problems with well-intentioned lies, avoiding confrontation together.

Family meant facing adversity united – their glories and losses were shared.

Only nurturing this belief could ensure the clan’s enduring prosperity.

Hearing his father’s ice-cold tone, Zhou Chang Le shuddered. Countless lessons from his father flashed through his mind.

He instantly saw his error.

He hurriedly apologized, "I apologize, Father. I overstepped. Please punish me."

"There’s no need for punishment. Just remember always: never hide things from family. Problems should be faced by the whole family together," Zhou Luo intoned gravely.

Zhou Chang Le nodded firmly. Gazing at his father’s unchanging expression, he began recounting everything that had happened to his sister at the Immortal Sect in exact detail…