Chapter 17
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Chapter 17: Descendant of Spiritual Roots
The main residence of the Lin Family was located in the core area, the most mysterious and solemn place within the entire Lin Family. Apart from the main branch members and a few from the collateral branches, others might never know its appearance in their lifetimes.
In a way, Zhou Luo, as a son-in-law who married into the family, being able to enter the core area was already an extraordinary incident.
Zhou Luo followed the attendant through a long corridor, walking deeper inside. Along the way, he saw countless cultivator-guards, each emanating a powerful ripple of spiritual energy.
Even though he was at the peak of Qi Refinement Level One, he felt significant pressure from these guards.
Clearly, these guards were all at least Qi Refinement level two.
Using Qi Refinement level two cultivators as guards—truly befitting a long-life family.
The end of the corridor glowed with spiritual light—an effect of the protective formation.
As Zhou Luo passed through it, he distinctly sensed a faint, almost imperceptible force sweeping over his entire body.
Then, the sight before him suddenly opened up.
He had finally arrived at the legendary core area.
Rich spiritual energy filled the air; spiritual lights flickered. Structures stood arranged neatly, and a delicate fragrance hung in the air, creating an extremely comfortable sensation.
The buildings in the core area weren’t drastically different from those in the outer sectors; the key distinction was likely the denser spiritual energy here.
Soon, he arrived before a great hall.
Inside the hall, simple decorations exuded an ancient aura. An overwhelming sense of heaviness washed over him, making Zhou Luo feel serious.
Entering the hall, his gaze immediately fell upon the old man seated on the throne above.
Though the old man’s hair was grey, he appeared energetic for his age. His sharp eyes fixed upon Zhou Luo like a hawk’s.
In an instant, Zhou Luo felt pressure as massive as a mountain pressing down on him.
He quickly bowed in greeting. \"Greetings, Family Head.\"
\"Rise.\" The light voice echoed within the hall.
Zhou Luo rose respectfully, not daring to even breathe too loudly.
This was the head of a long-life family; though his cultivation level was unknown, he could surely crush Zhou Luo like an ant with one hand.
All Zhou Luo could do was remain utterly passive—yielding completely to whatever the Family Head said or did.
\"Zhou Luo, it\’s been over a year since you came to the Lin Family, correct?\" Lin Tian Xiong asked unhurriedly.
\"Reporting to Family Head, yes,\" Zhou Luo replied humbly.
\"Then, do you resent the Lin Family?\" Lin Tian Xiong asked abruptly.
The calm voice struck Zhou Luo’s ears like thunder, jolting his entire body.
It was here.
The life-and-death question had arrived.
Zhou Luo’s mind raced. Adopting an even more humble posture, he responded with utmost seriousness, \"Initially, I admit I did hold dissatisfaction. But later, witnessing the family\’s great trust and regard for me, my heart filled only with gratitude. How could I dare harbor any resentment?\"
\"Mmm.\" Lin Tian Xiong murmured thoughtfully, seeming quite satisfied with this answer.
After speaking, he continued, \"Your performance since coming to the Lin Family, I\’ve actually been observing all along. To be frank, I\’ve always thought highly of you.\"
Zhou Luo couldn\’t help but mutter inwardly: You, esteemed elder, actually had time to watch me? Don\’t waste my time with idle talk. Hurry up and offer some tangible rewards.
Though he thought this, he still clasped his hands respectfully and replied humbly, \"I am honoured by the family head\’s attention.\"
\"In view of your performance, I intend for you to formally become a son-in-law of my Lin Family. How do you feel about that?\" Lin Tian Xiong finally stated his true purpose.
Being a son-in-law and being a live-in son-in-law were entirely different.
The former was equivalent to being a member of the Lin Family, with status and standing similar to Lin Family members. The latter was purely a child-producing tool with no human rights whatsoever.
\"Thank you, family head.\" A sincere smile spread across Zhou Luo\’s face.
He had been waiting for this day for a long time.
\"Hmm, here is the new contract.\" Lin Tian Xiong lifted his hand.
In the next moment, a piece of pale yellow parchment shot out from his palm, floating down like a fallen leaf to land in Zhou Luo\’s hands.
The contract clearly stated that Zhou Luo would henceforth become a son-in-law of the Lin Family.
As a son-in-law, he would not be required to father forty children with spiritual roots for the family within ten years. He could freely choose to marry and have children, and moreover, any children born would bear his surname.
Secondly, he would enjoy the same treatment as members of the Lin Family: his monthly allowance would be raised from the original five spiritual stones to fifteen spiritual stones, and he would also receive one bottle of Vitality Pills.
Additionally, he would be permitted to cultivate within the spiritual vein for five days each month; unused days could be accumulated.
These were his rights.
Furthermore, as a son-in-law of the Lin Family, he had the obligation to refine a certain quantity of potion each month for the Lin Family and to strictly safeguard the Lin Family\’s interests.
If the family had demands, he could not refuse any of their requirements.
This point was actually somewhat domineering.
On second thought, it makes sense, Zhou Luo mused. I am merely an entry-level Pill Master. The Lin Family couldn\’t be expected to make too many concessions.
Being granted those privileges was already generous enough.
As for these obligations, as long as he didn\’t resist the family or try to leave it, they weren\’t really a big issue.
Anyway, I won\’t be leaving this place before I reach Foundation Establishment.
And once I hit Foundation Establishment, this measly little contract won\’t be able to bind me.
After some consideration, he agreed to the contract\’s contents.
Watching Zhou Luo sign his name, a smile finally broke through Lin Tian Xiong\’s stern expression. \"Henceforth, the Lin Family is your home.\"
…
The news that Zhou Luo had transformed from a live-in son-in-law into a proper son-in-law quickly spread throughout the entire community of live-in sons-in-law.
Those who had originally felt envy and jealousy toward Zhou Luo now found themselves utterly deflated.
Because they understood that from now on, there would be a world of difference in status between him and them.
Therefore, some sensible live-in sons-in-law came to his door to offer their congratulations and bring gifts.
Their aim, of course, was to hope that this former \"comrade-in-circumstance\" might be of assistance to them in the future.
To this, Zhou Luo gave no indication.
He had now entered the spiritual vein.
The visiting guests, seeing the three women with large bellies and Lin Qing Han holding a child, could only put down their gifts and leave disgruntled.
Zhou Luo did not stay long cultivating at the spiritual vein this time.
Because half a month later, Lin Yi Yi and her three sisters were all to give birth.
Before that, Lin Lan had finally become pregnant successfully, and Zhou Luo again gained a lottery chance.
For now, he had no mood for the lottery; his eyes were fixed solely on the three sisters.
Coincidentally, unknown whether due to their blood relationship, the three sisters actually all gave birth on the same day.
This left Zhou Luo bustling about incessantly.
There was no helping it, because Lin Qing Han was aloof and disliked noise, so only Lin Lan had ever been the maid in the courtyard.
Since Lin Lan became a concubine too, no additional maids were assigned.
Only now, when Zhou Luo had to personally attend to everything, did he regret it immensely.
Just then, the sound of a baby\’s cry suddenly came from the room for the three women.
【Congratulations, host! The second descendant is born! Receive a ten-year lifespan bonus!】
……
【Congratulations, host! The third descendant is born! Receive a twenty-year lifespan bonus!】
【As the descendant possesses the Ninth Grade, the host gains one talent point!】
【Current qualification: Ninth Grade (2/100)】
……
【Congratulations, host! The fourth descendant is born! Receive a twenty-year lifespan bonus!】
【As the descendant possesses the Ninth Grade, the host gains one talent point!】
【Current qualification: Ninth Grade (3/100)】
……
【Congratulations, host! The fifth descendant is born! Receive a ten-year lifespan bonus!】
……
A series of notification sounds rang out.
Zhou Luo froze in place.
Had he given birth to two more descendants with spiritual roots?
But this was also within reason.
Whether it was Lin Qing Han or the other three sisters, they were all cultivators possessing spiritual roots.
When two cultivators with spiritual roots joined together, bearing descendants with spiritual roots was of high probability.
Beyond that, what surprised Zhou Luo most was that with the birth of the four children, he gained another sixty years of lifespan.
It must be known that only after reaching the fifth layer of Qi Refinement does a cultivator live fifty years longer than an ordinary person.
He only had to bear four children to achieve or even surpass that lifespan.
If this spread out, it would probably drive countless Qi Refinement cultivators to fury, as if vomiting blood.
Zhou Luo also discovered…
An ordinary child could only extend his lifespan by ten years, while a descendant with the Ninth Grade could extend it by twenty years.
Then, for a descendant with the Eighth Grade spiritual root, would it extend thirty, forty, or even more years?
If a descendant with the First Grade spiritual root were born, how much would that be?!
With this thought, Zhou Luo\’s heart surged intensely.
This was the real path to Changsheng.
