Chapter 345

Chapter 345: Cooperation

No one expected that the seventh young lady who was kidnapped by an evil cultivator forty years ago would return safely to the family.

When this news spread, it immediately caused widespread discussions among the family members.

Among them, what was discussed the most was what Bai Zhi Yan had experienced during those years.

And this discussion naturally could not avoid the young man who returned with her.

Some had noticed that the elders of the Bai family respectfully welcomed that man to the core area of the main residence, and all along the way, they were extremely humble and cautious, almost as if they themselves were outsiders.

This strange phenomenon naturally made these family members intensely curious.

Unfortunately, once he returned to the family, he entered the family head’s separate residence, and after that, no further news came out.

In the great hall.

Bai Chen, the current family head of the Bai family, wore a Purple Gold robe and sat upright on the elevated throne; his expression was calm as he looked at the two people below, with a faint touch of surprise hidden in his eyes.

On his left side, the straight-backed Zhou Luo sat on a red large chair, his expression serene, showing no trace of emotion.

Surprisingly, Bai Zhi Yan beside him appeared somewhat flustered.

Seeing her father again after more than forty years, that dazed feeling made her unsure of what emotions to use in facing him.

Especially because during the journey, she had learned that he had become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"I didn’t expect that Pill Master Zhou saved Yan’er back then," Bai Chen sighed emotionally.

Just now, he had learned of the other’s identity.

Although the Bai family was located in the Chimagong Sect, because it was not far from the Qinyuan Domain, they had some understanding of the neighboring region.

Especially regarding the name Zhou Luo.

This second level Pill Master who had consecutively killed two Foundation Establishment cultivators was not only famous in the Qinyuan Domain, but his success rate in refining Foundation Establishment Dan was remarkably high.

Previously, before Bai Chen’s breakthrough, he had considered seeking him out for such refinement.

But later, the Bai family, due to an incident, fortunately received a Foundation Establishment Dan bestowed by the Immortal Sect, and thus that matter was dropped.

He hadn’t expected that now they could still interact with each other.

"Family Head Bai, this is the fate between me and the Bai family," Zhou Luo said with deep meaning in his words.

He came to the Bai family primarily to let Bai Zhi Yan see her family, and secondly to explore possible cooperation with them.

Despite the great distance between the two families, his vision could not be confined to a single region.

With his long lifespan, his family would grow increasingly powerful over time.

By then, a small Lin Family would be insufficient to satisfy him, and to strengthen his power, relying solely on the sect was not enough.

He needed to plan ahead methodically.

It wasn’t necessary to force such matters; he could proceed gradually, but at least he needed to plant the seeds in this moment.

Upon hearing these words, Bai Chen’s eyes flashed, and he turned to Bai Zhi Yan beside him and said, "Yan’er, your mother has been waiting for you all this while; why don’t you go down first?"

As the head of the family, he naturally discerned the other’s implied intention.

Since it was time to discuss important matters, they needed to create a proper atmosphere for it.

Bai Zhi Yan silently withdrew.

After she left, Bai Chen deliberated for a moment. "Besides returning my daughter, Pill Master Zhou surely has other matters to discuss?"

Between people of their status, honesty served best.

Constant evasion would only seem insincere.

Especially since he’d already sensed the other’s intent.

Zhou Luo made no attempt to hide it. "I wish to propose a collaboration between the Lin Family and Bai family," he stated gravely, his voice soft yet crystal clear, each word ringing with conviction.

Bai Chen’s expression shifted instantly, a flash of seriousness passing through his eyes.

"Pill Master Zhou, do you realize what you’re saying? The Chimagong Sect and Qinyuan Sect are mortal enemies."

His tone carried unmistakable gravity.

The Bai family owed allegiance to the Chimagong Sect, while the Lin Family served under the Qinyuan Sect.

If word spread of their cooperation, both Immortal Sects would inflict severe punishment, endangering their entire families.

Yet Zhou Luo remained eerily calm, seemingly unworried about exposure.

He knew his counterpart was intelligent.

An intelligent man would inevitably weigh this proposition.

Moreover, this alliance differed entirely from conventional cooperation.

"You might misunderstand, Family Head Bai. By ‘cooperation,’ I meant a marriage alliance."

Economic partnerships would provoke both Immortal Sects’ wrath.

But marriages? Those couldn’t be strictly forbidden. Even if discovered later, as long as it wasn’t large-scale, the Sects could raise no formal objection.

Zhou Luo’s reasoning was simple.

Marriage was merely the first step toward deeper collaboration. Once his strength grew sufficient to defy the Immortal Sects’ influence, formal cooperation could begin.

This would be a lengthy process—patience served him well.

Bai Chen couldn’t hide his surprise at this proposal. Marriage alliances among long-life families were commonplace, yet cross-domain unions remained rare.

"Pill Master Zhou, if the Immortal Sects discover this, the consequences could be dire," Bai Chen cautioned gravely.

Though the Sects had never explicitly banned marriages, their displeasure would be inevitable.

Zhou Luo smiled faintly. "Why must the Immortal Sects learn of it at all? Matters between juniors fall beyond our control, do they not?"

Marriage eroded barriers most effectively. Over time, as familial bonds multiplied through unions, the two families would grow inseparable.

Bai Chen offered no reply, merely furrowing his brow in contemplation.

As Bai family head, he recognized a marriage alliance’s abundant benefits.

The sole concern lay with the Immortal Sects’ reaction.

Just then, Zhou Luo spoke again, his voice measured. "You recall the great war between the Lin Family and Lu Family, I presume?"

"Of course. Did you not shot to fame during that very conflict?" Bai Chen nodded. News of that battle had spread across many regions.

"What does Family Head Bai suppose the Immortal Sect might do if a similar war erupted between long-life families within the Chimagong Sect?" Zhou Luo countered, meeting his gaze squarely.

That war had taught Zhou Luo one truth: So-called long-life families were nothing but dogs to the Immortal Sects. Powerless. Granted occasional scraps, yet forever grateful for table scraps.

He trusted Bai Chen grasped the implication of words.

Silence confirmed it. Bai Chen understood the subservient status of long-life families.

Zhou Luo pressed his advantage. "For the Bai family to prosper, an ally seems… necessary."

He’d learned the Bai family sought expansion within the Chimagong Sect territory for years.

Their considerable strength and deep foundations qualified them as a power—ironically, this very might had triggered isolation by rival families, halting their growth.

Zhou Luo’s words struck true. Bai Chen’s interest stirred.

"And what does Pill Master Zhou imply?" he inquired.

"Naturally, you apprehend my meaning. Through marriages, members of the Lin Family gain legitimate grounds to fight alongside your clan," Zhou Luo declared bluntly.

Admittedly, such influence would accrue gradually over time. Only through slow, invisible integration could the Immortal Sects remain appeased.

Bai Chen spoke no further. Still, silence was also a tacit acknowledgement.