Chapter 121

Chapter 121: Xu Changsheng’s Shock

He walked downstairs, where wives and concubines were having a meal with the children.

"Husband, you drank so much last night and still tired Lin Xi out," Lin Yi Yi said with a smile in her eyes.

"You’re the talkative one," Zhou Luo glanced at her.

His remark drew laughter from the women.

After lunch, Zhou Luo sought out Xu Changsheng. His purpose was naturally to set up some defensive formations within Zhou Garden to prevent intrusion.

This time, he did not do it himself. Instead, he let Xu Changsheng handle the arrangements.

During the setup, Zhou Luo naturally offered explanations and instruction.

Holding mastery over all first-level formation knowledge, teaching a novice formation master was as easy as breathing.

Just a few words brought Xu Changsheng a sudden realization, solving many of his previously hazy points.

This left Xu Changsheng deeply shocked.

After all, his own master, a high-tier formation master, hadn’t instructed him with such clarity. Many of the small techniques were things Xu Changsheng had never encountered before.

This made Xu Changsheng increasingly curious and unable to fathom Zhou Luo’s formation ability.

But he wisely refrained from asking.

Over the next few days, Zhou Luo spent his days instructing Xu Changsheng and looking after the children, while his nights were spent sleeping with Lin Xi.

Time flew by. With the help of Lin Jin Xuan and Lin Jin Han, Lin Xi quickly adapted to managing Zhou Garden’s daily affairs and gradually began to truly take on the role of the family head’s wife.

Concurrently, Xu Changsheng made rapid progress under Zhou Luo’s tutelage, even showing signs of a breakthrough.

Additionally, the training room equipped with the Gathering Spirit Array was successfully completed.

Once matters were largely arranged, Zhou Luo performed another round of body tempering. He estimated that after two more such sessions, he could advance to the Second Level.

Afterwards, he headed to the spiritual vein to commence Closed-Door Training.

…

Six months later, Zhou Luo emerged from the spiritual vein’s core zone.

Leveraging the Spirit Gathering Technique, the Fire Spirit Ring, and the Gathering Spirit Potion, he had successfully broken through, reaching the later stage of the fourth layer of Qi Refinement.

However, this period of Closed-Door Training had exhausted all the Gathering Spirit Potions he had "saved" from the Immortal Sect.

Had there been more potions, he felt certain he could have progressed even further!

Knowing what was beneficial now, Zhou Luo’s purpose in ending seclusion was specifically to search for materials to make more Gathering Spirit Potions.

Only with this pill could he accelerate his training speed, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

After all, possibilities like obtaining Dragon Blood Grass or acquiring a dual cultivation technique all carried the risk of someone else getting there first.

He absolutely needed to break through to the fifth layer of Qi Refinement as soon as possible!

Only upon reaching a breakthrough could he finally use the skills from the Five Elements Sword Technique, activate the Golden Bell, and possess the means to defend himself against enemies whenever he ventured out.

Zhou Garden.

The moment Zhou Luo returned, Xu Changsheng hurried anxiously to meet him.

"Brother Zhou, I broke through!"

Seeing the other at first sight, Xu Changsheng said with enormous excitement.

"Congratulations." Zhou Luo revealed a gentle smile.

Only after the other broke through could he hide himself better.

"This is all thanks to your guidance." Xu Changsheng expressed with immense gratitude.

Six months ago, it was precisely Zhou Luo’s instruction that allowed Xu Changsheng to touch the threshold of becoming a middle-tier formation master.

If not for him, he wouldn’t have broken through so quickly.

"You still need to keep working hard." Zhou Luo encouraged.

Xu Changsheng nodded heavily and said with a smile, "Brother Zhou, I’ve arranged some defense formations at Zhou Garden again, come and take a look."

These formations were learned after he entered the middle first-level.

For now, he naturally wanted to display his strength before Zhou Luo to express his own value.

After all, that person willingly spent a fortune purchasing tools for him and put great effort into teaching him.

Zhou Luo did not refuse, and followed him with his hands behind his back to the east corner of the wall.

There, a patch of peach blossoms was planted.

Xu Changsheng’s formation was hidden among the peach blossoms.

"Brother Zhou, please look."

Xu Changsheng confidently smiled and probed out with his mental strength.

In an instant, the peach trees swayed, petals drifted with the wind, and fell to the ground.

The originally clear scene seemed to be covered by a layer of mist at that moment, becoming somewhat blurry.

"This Peach Blossom Mist Shadow Formation took me two months to learn." Xu Changsheng said proudly.

This was an illusion formation; if anyone intruded, they would have their mental strength obscured by the falling peach blossoms and become trapped in a hazy illusion.

"Good." Zhou Luo nodded, and looked toward the south of the peach blossom forest, puzzled, "Why didn’t your formation cover the entire peach grove?"

At these words, Xu Changsheng’s expression turned awkward, and he smiled wryly, "As expected of Brother Zhou, you saw it at a glance."

Because he had just entered the middle tier and his mental strength wasn’t powerful enough, he couldn’t deploy this formation perfectly, so there were some flaws.

This flaw was very small and generally hard to spot.

But the other could still see it immediately, which genuinely surprised Xu Changsheng.

"If your mental strength is lacking, you can actually reduce a few steps when drawing the formation diagram…" Zhou Luo slowly said, elaborating his idea.

Upon hearing this, Xu Changsheng involuntarily straightened his body and listened seriously to the other’s teaching.

When Zhou Luo spoke his technique.

Xu Changsheng was filled with deep respect, his whole face revealing an expression of shock.

It could be done like this?

From the other’s words, he learned that there was actually a way to reduce drawing steps, and for a moment, he was amazed.

After the explanation, Xu Changsheng greatly benefited and was deeply shocked.

"Brother Xu?"

Zhou Luo called out, seeing Xu Changsheng lost in thought.

Xu Changsheng snapped back to reality. He looked at the other with a bitter expression, his voice hoarse as he said, "Brother Zhou, my understanding of formations is far inferior to yours."

"I just got lucky," Zhou Luo replied with a smile and shook his head.

"Brother Zhou, don’t humble yourself like that. I feel your grasp of formations surpasses even my master’s," Xu Changsheng said, looking like he was about to cry.

What did this have to do with luck?

Wasn’t it purely about innate talent?

The more modest you are, the worse I feel!

Zhou Luo felt equally helpless.

Because it truly did come down to luck.

His prowess stemmed solely from luck—drawing the skill of formations had nothing to do with any effort on his part.

Well…

Perhaps some effort was involved.

After all, the opportunity to draw prizes was earned through his own relentless hard work.

Ignoring Chen Changsheng, Zhou Luo made his way toward the main building.

In the great hall, Bai Zhi Yan was chatting with a group of her sister wives.

As the youngest among the eight women, she was usually doted on by all.

And especially now—she had been pregnant for six months.

"Husband…"

Seeing Zhou Luo arrive, his wives and concubines immediately rose to greet him.

After exchanging pleasantries with them, Zhou Luo went to see Lin Fei Ying.

Like Bai Zhi Yan, she too had been carrying a child for six months and was now resting in bed with her eyes closed.

Having confirmed that all was well with those close to him these past six months, he prepared to go out and purchase ingredients for the Gathering Spirit Potion.

Meow—

Just as he was about to leave, Little White suddenly darted out and leaped toward him.

Zhou Luo reached out and caught the kitten, pulling it into his embrace.

With daily consumption of potion, Little White was growing rapidly.

Though they hadn’t seen each other for half a year, it had grown noticeably larger and its strength had increased, though it was still in its juvenile stage.

The little one lifted its head, huge round eyes fixed on him, and gave his arm a gentle nudge.

"You want to come out too?" Zhou Luo questioned, puzzled.

Meow—

Upon confirmation, Zhou Luo carried it outside.