Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Departure

The day of departure drew nearer each day. Apart from refining potions daily, Zhou Luo spent most of his time cultivating.

He had to admit, cultivating atop a spiritual vein was truly different.

By now, he had advanced to the mid-stage boundary of Qi Refinement level three. Though his strength remained unremarkable, his progress was remarkably swift, largely thanks to the Spirit Gathering Technique.

Thinking of this, Zhou Luo felt an intense longing for the system’s lottery function.

Sadly, in the nearly over twenty days he’d been here, only Lin Xi, the Fifth Miss, had visited once. Beyond that, he hadn’t seen another woman.

This inevitably made him miss his wives and children back at Zhou Garden.

During this period, the main family seemed convinced he was unaware of the spiritual mine’s secret, halting further probing.

This allowed Zhou Luo to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

What he didn’t know was that the main family’s targeting had never really ceased.

Lin Family estate, residence of the Great Elder.

The benign-looking Great Elder sat upright at the front of the hall. Seated to his left bottom was the Seventh Elder, Lin Guangping.

“Great Elder, do you truly believe Zhou Luo remains ignorant of the secret hidden within the spiritual mine?” Lin Guangping inquired.

All information about the spiritual mine’s second layer had been sealed by the main family. Obtaining it was as difficult as ascending to heaven—the reason why the Great Elder’s faction remained shut out from the true secret.

Lin Xianlong’s death now provided a chance to insert agents into the second layer.

Though the main family would surely prevent contact with the other formation master, Zhou Luo might serve as a breakthrough.

Thus, the Great Elder spent immense resources to acquire a mid-grade magical artifact capable of communication.

This artifact was portable, easily concealed, and could bypass any formation barrier.

Its design, however, was simple: its counterpart could only emit two distinct colors of light.

According to the Great Elder’s plan, if Zhou Luo discovered the secret, Lin Guang and his men would trigger the golden light; if unknown, the red light would illuminate.

Just yesterday, the artifact’s red light glowed—meaning Zhou Luo had uncovered nothing.

Hence, Lin Guangping’s inquiry carried undertones of doubt.

For the main family’s attitude toward Zhou Luo was far too ambiguous.

First, they agreed to lessen his punishment. Then, they rewarded all his wives and concubines.

Officially, this was labeled “distinguishing rewards from penalties,” acknowledging his role in saving others who’d been poisoned.

But any observant person could see the main family was signaling goodwill.

Most crucially, yesterday Elder Jiu, Lin Xuanfeng, proposed that since the spiritual mine was closer to the Qinyuan Sect, Zhou Luo could be sent directly there when finished.

This blatantly aimed to prevent contact between him and anyone else.

Hence the restlessness among the Great Elder’s faction.

Hearing these words, the Great Elder still sat expressionlessly. He responded calmly, “The magical artifact cannot lie. Besides, if he knew, the main family wouldn’t release him.”

“Perhaps he has already defected to them,” Lin Guangping said grimly.

The Great Elder’s eyes sharpened with shrewdness. He remarked meaningfully, “We shall know for sure when he returns.”

"That would probably take another year or so…" Lin Guangping said.

This study trip to the Qinyuan Sect would last at least a year.

Moreover, the main family certainly wouldn’t allow Zhou Luo to return home.

If they detected that Zhou Luo had learned the secret, the Great Elder’s faction would definitely have to meet him on his way to the sect, no matter what.

Even at a great cost!

But now, since they hadn’t detected it, there was nothing more to say.

The Great Elder shook his head and smiled faintly: "Just a year; could they really stir up any trouble?"

Time passed in the blink of an eye. Zhou Luo left his room and walked out the main gate.

He looked up at the sparkling rock top and took a deep breath with arms spread.

According to the date, it was time for him to leave in the next couple of days.

During this period, the main family seemed to have completely ignored him, but it was unknown if they would prevent his departure now.

Thinking of this, Zhou Luo felt somewhat uneasy.

This unease lasted until Lin Kai appeared.

His face remained expressionless, his cold gaze falling on him, multiplying the pressure.

"Zhou Luo, you can pack your things and leave," he said expressionlessly.

Zhou Luo was stunned at first, then inwardly overjoyed.

Could he really leave at last?

He looked at Lin Kai with surprise, and the other said in a low voice, "Hurry up and get ready."

Zhou Luo turned and walked into the room, starting to pack the things he had brought.

He hadn’t expected the main family to let him off so easily this time.

At the thought of seeing his wife and child, Zhou Luo’s heart surged, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Little White, we’re finally going back," he said, picking up the Snow Mountain Spirit Cat and placing it into the pet bag.

Once everything was packed, he walked out of the house.

Lin Kai was still waiting there; after a glance, he turned and walked toward the outside.

Zhou Luo followed immediately.

He felt no attachment to this place, and leaving now filled him with even greater joy.

They arrived outside the spiritual mine, and Lin Kai remained silent the whole way.

Now, just as they were about to head down the mountain, he suddenly said, "You’d better make the right choice."

Zhou Luo knew what he meant and didn’t respond.

They arrived at the pavilion down the mountain, and originally Zhou Luo assumed Lin Fu, the steward, would come to fetch him.

But when he saw who had come, he couldn’t help being shocked.

"Master."

He called out, then quickly stepped forward and solemnly bowed to him.

Lin Zhi Shou, dressed in a white alchemy robe, saw him, and a gratified smile appeared on his aged face.

"Have you been well here?" Lin Zhi Shou asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Master. Your disciple is perfectly fine." Zhou Luo lowered his head, feeling a wave of relief.

If Master had come to fetch him, the main family definitely wouldn’t have obstructed him.

"Hmm, I heard you saved about a hundred people from the family, good, good," Lin Zhi Shou said with great satisfaction.

"It was all thanks to your teaching, Master," Zhou Luo said humbly.

"If you have all your belongings packed, come along with your master," Lin Zhi Shou stated.

Only then did Zhou Luo raise his head, wearing a heartfelt smile.

Then, he followed Lin Zhi Shou to the great hall.

At that moment, he noticed several young men and women sitting there.

Among them, the most eye-catching was naturally Third Young Lady Lin Xin.

Today, her outfit and adornments were very simple; she wore an elegantly pale white dress, and her black hair was tied up with a white silk ribbon, with no other accessories.

Even so, it couldn’t hide her ethereal grace and that admirable figure.

She stood there, looking at Zhou Luo, her usually arrogant expression now noticeably more peaceful.

It seemed that at this year’s Spiritual Pill Conference, she too had earned an opportunity to study at the Immortal Sect.

Besides Lin Xin, those young men and women must have been family youths selected for other skills.

This left Zhou Luo a bit puzzled.

Could it be that he didn’t need to return to his family?

Not having time to think further, he found himself before Lin Xin, so he bowed to her. "Third Young Lady."

Even though she was his Junior Sister, he still needed to show proper respect.

"Hmm," Lin Xin responded.

"Let’s go," Lin Zhi Shou led the way out, and the other young men and women hastily followed.

As he walked out of the pavilion and saw a huge flying boat accompanied by over a dozen formidable family guards,

Zhou Luo suddenly realized.

He might be going directly to study at the Immortal Sect.

Studying at the Immortal Sect would take at least a year.

Clearly, the main family still didn’t trust him, not wanting him to return home and contact the Great Elder.

Zhou Luo felt quite helpless.

Originally, he had still hoped to enjoy the warmth of family.

Sadly, nothing could go as planned.

While pondering this, the others gradually boarded that enormous flying boat.

In previous years, study trips to the Immortal Sect had always been led by Lin Zhi Shou.

Since he had deep ties with an elder of the Qinyuan Sect, appointing him to lead was also in hopes that the other side might offer some care.

But because of the decline of the Family’s Alchemy Division, each time Lin Zhi Shou led, there were no youths skilled in alchemy, making it unavoidably awkward.

Today, it finally spared him that frustration, and his face brightened with more smiles.

Once everyone boarded the flying boat, urged by a certain middle-aged man, it slowly rose and flew towards the distant.

Zhou Luo couldn’t help but look back at the scenery behind him.

Although he had only stayed at this spiritual mine for a month, every experience had been perilous, nearly costing him his life there.

Now, finally leaving, he felt a sudden lightness of heart.