Chapter 400

Chapter 400: Leaving Immortal City

Master Ling An relented, and both Zhou Luo and Yao Wu let out a sigh of relief inside.

What they feared most was this Golden Core master disagreeing, allowing only Yao Wu into Wan Gu Sect.

At that time, every plan they had made would collapse completely.

"Master, please wait. I’ll summon the child immediately."

Zhou Luo strode out quickly, while Yao Wu remained to converse with the two senior members of Wan Gu Sect.

This was also to let them further confirm her relationship with Zhu Wushi.

Half an hour later, Zhou Luo returned with Zhou Shixin in tow.

Along the way, he had specifically instructed her not to hold back her talents, advising her to showcase all she had mastered.

True to expectations, Zhou Shixin then displayed her remarkable aptitude for Gu techniques thoroughly and impressively, eliciting repeated exclamations of admiration from Master Ling An.

"This child’s talent is truly exceptional. How about she becomes my disciple?" He said, looking toward Yao Wu.

After witnessing Zhou Shixin’s talent, Master Ling An was moved by the idea of taking her as a disciple.

His lineage already boasted many disciples, with several possessing extraordinary gifts. Yet seeing someone so young, taught solely by a mid-tier Gu Master, display such prowess genuinely astounded him.

Much like clans, every lineage within a sect continually sought to expand its influence to gain greater advantage—recruiting gifted disciples remained the most effective path.

Therefore, Zhou Shixin’s talent instantly ignited his desire to recruit her.

Hearing these words, Zhou Luo and Yao Wu exchanged a glance, both seeing pleasant surprise reflected in the other’s eyes.

Individuals like themselves, enjoying lineage benefits without any foundational backing, would likely endure considerable hardship within Wan Gu Sect without reliable support.

Now, Master Ling An proposing to take Zhou Shixin as a disciple might stem partly from true appreciation for talent, but also possibly aiming to strategically secure the resources tied to Yao Wu’s master-teacher’s lineage through her.

For the moment, however, they had no alternative choice.

Beside them, Hong Han heard this suggestion. He lowered his head, his expression shifting as if startled, but in such a setting, he remained silent.

After a brief discussion, they settled on departing one month later.

Leaving the premises, Zhou Luo glanced back at the pavilion behind them and murmured to Yao Wu, "For now, use this time to prepare yourself thoroughly. A difficult struggle likely awaits us after reaching Wan Gu Sect."

Yao Wu lowered her beautiful eyes and tightened her grip on his hand. "I fear nothing as long as my husband is by my side."

Witnessing this behind them, Zhou Shixin curled her lips slightly.

So it was true. Her parents shared a true love; she was merely the unexpected consequence.

The month passed swiftly without undue length. During this period, Zhou Luo penned a letter addressed to Lin Xi, outlining arrangements to be made following his impending departure.

Under Lin Xi’s management in recent years, the Lin Family flourished continuously.

Scions of the family had produced several talented cultivators, especially those born from unions with capable members of the Lu Family or externally recruited sons-in-law—each revealing notable aptitude.

Simultaneously, the Lin Family maintained discreet dealings with the Bai family, progressing smoothly.

As a gesture of good faith, Zhou Luo dispatched a group of gifted junior members to reside secretly within the Bai family.

The Bai family reciprocated by sending numerous women of both notable beauty and strength to the Lin Family.

In the world of cultivation, marital alliances remained one vital path for family development and prosperity.

The Lin Family controlling three cities had now become the mightiest among the long-life families in the Qinyuan Domain.

The profits they provided to the Immortal Sect annually also reached a staggering number.

Of course, this achievement owes much to Zhou Luo’s assistance, particularly his businesses in the Immortal City, which generated substantial profits for the Lin Family.

It is believed that within a century, the Lin Family’s influence would become unprecedentedly powerful.

By then, even three cities would likely prove insufficient for Zhou Luo.

That would be said later; currently, the entire Lin Family operated in stable times with little change.

Zhou Luo’s letter aimed simply to set Lin Xi at ease.

Besides writing to Lin Xi, he also penned a letter to Wang Lang.

During this period, he had begun targeting Fang Li’s people and progressed with astonishing speed.

Essentially launching a thunderous strike, he successfully dismantled many spies the adversary had planted.

Now, the influence of both sides had rebalanced at equilibrium.

Its reasons remained unknown—whether due to Long Yunshuang or perhaps Yao Wu’s affairs—yet Fang Li chose silence surprisingly.

In Zhou Luo’s assessment, the latter likelihood was greater.

After all, that information spread with his deliberate intent.

Particularly the news of Yao Wu joining the Wan Gu Sect to oversee an entire lineage.

Such matters must not hide in secret; momentum must be built for the sake of future progress.

His primary motivation for writing now was to assure Wang Lang there was no need to fear retaliatory attacks.

For during his absence from the Immortal City, hostile moves would undoubtedly continue.

Having performed Long Yunshuang a significant favor, he reckoned she would not turn away if Wang Lang sought her aid later.

After completing these tasks, envoys from the Assassin Tower arrived, delivering a letter sealed in restrictive talismanic runes.

This letter bore layers of profound secrecy; any attempt to force it open—unless by a Golden Core master—would immediately destroy its contents alongside the envelope.

Another item handed to him was a set of jade slips.

These slips listed the very individuals who funded the assassins targeting his life.

Zhou Luo would never permit these shadow-dwellers laying hidden traps to live comfortably.

Therefore, he struck yet another deal with Tian Xia Restaurant to locate each one.

But the next steps? He intended to appoint Lin Xi this mission.

Given all targets were Qi Refinement cultivators, the Lin Family’s ability alone sufficed to silence them without visible trace.

With all matters nearly settled…

The day of departure finally arrived.

Zhou Luo journeyed toward the appointed location with his wife and daughter.

"Master."

Zhou Shixin bowed respectfully to Master Ling An.

Over this month, Master Ling An had genuinely regarded Zhou Shixin as his disciple, offering daily guidance.

Under the tutelage of this Golden Core master, Zhou Shixin made shockingly rapid progress in Gu techniques.

Having merely trained for a month, she now stood successfully initiated as a low-grade Gu Master.

Naturally, this owed partly to her patient foundations laid across prior years—now was the crucial moment, and breakthrough came.

"Let us depart."

Master Ling An nodded faintly.

Flight remained forbidden inside Qinyuan City and so they walked outside the city gates.

The Master raised a hand casually, calling forth a flying vessel shimmering beneath sunlight.

Engraved upon the shuttle glowed the Wan Gu Sect’s distinctive emblem, its craftsmanship surpassing even the Lin Family’s shuttles.

Intricate Second Level formations etched onto its surface pulsed with power.

Master Ling An flashed aboard the shuttle, and the three followed closely behind.

Whoosh—

The vessel sliced skyward with explosive speed, racing toward the horizon.