Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Family Feast

Since his children who were Immortal Sect disciples had returned, Zhou Garden naturally had to host a grand feast.

However, at Zhou Luo’s request, this feast was ultimately defined as a family feast, with no one else but his wives and children present.

Yet even so, there were still many people.

Since he last took Li Ying as a concubine, Zhou Luo had not added any more concubines. But not adding concubines did not mean he stopped having children.

Now, his descendants had reached thirty-six in number.

Among them, there were eleven descendants without spiritual roots. Most of them had gone to the secular world, and some had even started families, established careers, and had children of their own.

It was likely that these people would never return to Zhou Garden in their lifetime.

Apart from these, at least twenty-five children remained, along with eight wives and concubines, and Lin Xin who was his wife in name only.

This was not even counting the children of the third generation.

Now, the eldest son Zhou Chang An was twenty-five years old and had already married and had children.

Looking at it this way, there was quite a crowd in Zhou Garden.

The people at the large, full table stood in front of their respective stools, waiting for Zhou Luo to appear.

When he appeared, the descendants bowed one after another, and the wives and concubines all smiled.

Only after Zhou Luo sat down did the others follow and sit.

Lin Xi sat to Zhou Luo’s left. Since she had given birth to two Immortal Sect disciples, she was now not only the mistress of Zhou Garden, but also the family had recently been considering whether to promote her to elder.

This way, if the family faced hardship in the future, with Lin Xi and Zhou Luo being the parents, they could probably ask their children to step in and help.

Zhou Shiling sat with her mother, while Zhou Chang Le followed his father.

The others all watched them, except for a few young ones who were staring with big, curious eyes, not understanding what was going on.

"Eat up, there aren’t that many formalities at home," Zhou Luo said gently.

He had always disliked dividing people into different classes, so in Zhou Garden, he told his other wives and children not to look down on themselves; everyone was equal.

The family feast went on very lively. Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling, the siblings, took turns telling stories about what had happened in the Immortal Sect, causing everyone else to feel surprised and curious.

Zhou Luo remained calm throughout. He only praised them a few words when these children occasionally mentioned their efforts.

Speaking of which, over the past fifteen years, he had drawn prizes ten times in total.

Out of these, although he had drawn two Cultivation Skills, one was related to mineral exploration and the other to wine-making. Unexpectedly, none was related to the four major skills.

Originally, he thought he might draw the skill of a second level Pill Master.

That way, he might not have to worry about the refinement of Foundation Establishment Dan. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as he hoped.

Apart from these two skills, he also obtained the body refinement materials needed to practice the Bear Body Refinement Technique up to the fifth level.

Now, his physique in the Qi Refinement realm was basically undefeatable.

Besides these, he drew a Second Level low grade potion, the Explosive Spirit Potion.

Back then, by relying on this Explosive Spirit Potion, he killed the people the Lu Family had sent to ambush him.

More than twenty years later, unexpectedly, he drew that same potion again.

Aside from the potion, he also drew two techniques.

Among them, one water-based technique was given to her after Zhou Shiling left for the Immortal Sect.

Because she too possessed the special physique of the Water Spirit Body.

The achievements of these two children did not disappoint Zhou Luo’s expectations.

According to their account, they had already earned qualifications to enter the Inner Sect.

The Inner and Outer Sects of the Qinyuan Sect differed greatly; the treatment in the former far surpassed the latter.

Now, as long as they advanced their cultivation to the ninth level of Qi Refinement, they could step into the Inner Sect.

Furthermore, Zhou Luo also drew two portions of Qi of Innate Origins and gave them to descendants with potential.

For the final two draws, he successfully obtained another special physique: the Five Elements Spiritual Body.

Unsurprisingly, he gave this spiritual body to the youngest son of Lin Jin Xuan, Zhou Chang Lun.

This little fellow had exceptionally good luck, also possessing Third Grade spiritual roots, which is why Zhou Luo bestowed the Five Elements Spiritual Body and the Qi of Innate Origins upon him.

But he was still young, not fully matured yet.

After the family feast ended, everyone dispersed.

Lin Xi pulled Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling back to her room.

After years apart, the mother missed them constantly and naturally had much to say.

Zhou Luo originally intended to continue his Closed-Door Training.

Then, Xu Changsheng stopped him: "Master, the Second Elder is here."

Zhou Luo’s gaze darkened slightly. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Bring him to the side hall."

Xu Changsheng acknowledged the order and departed.

Moments later, Lin Guang Xuan arrived at the side hall, where he found Zhou Luo clad in cyan robes.

Decades had passed. The old man had lost his former imposing aura, becoming instead calm and serene.

"Second Elder, it’s been a long time," Zhou Luo sat composedly in the head seat, his voice placid.

As the family’s Sixth Elder, his status was equal to the other’s; there was no need now to specially offer courtesies as in the past.

"Sixth Elder, you’ve been well," Lin Guang Xuan replied, taking a seat.

"Might I inquire as to the Second Elder’s purpose for seeking me out today?" Zhou Luo took a light sip of his spirit tea.

"I heard news of your remarkable son and precious daughter returning. I came especially to offer congratulations," Lin Guang Xuan said with a hearty laugh.

Hearing this, Zhou Luo gave a light laugh: "Second Elder, there are no outsiders here. Since you sent word that I should emerge from seclusion, say what you truly intended."

Lin Guang Xuan’s smile froze. He then let it fade, his expression turning solemn. "Then I will not mince words. The main family has discovered the Great Elder’s demise."

Just a few days prior, Lin Xuanfeng had confirmed the Great Elder’s death due to failure in Foundation Establishment. As it was a matter of great weight, it had not yet been announced to the entire clan.

Given the current situation, however, the Great Elder’s funeral would likely be held within a few days, and the clansmen informed.

Zhou Luo narrowed his eyes.

He had known about the Great Elder’s cultivation failure and death long ago.

That was a decade past, when Lin Guang Xuan had suddenly come to him, declaring that both he and the Great Elder held him in high esteem.

Throughout the next ten years, they continuously signalled – both overtly and covertly – their willingness to follow his lead; even several other Elders treated him as if he were their own.

This inevitably aroused Zhou Luo’s suspicion.

It was only five years ago that he learned from Lin Guang Xuan’s own mouth the news of the Great Elder’s death.

Only then did he realize the Great Elder had entrusted his entire faction to him before the end.

This came as an extreme surprise to Zhou Luo.

He didn’t know why the old man had chosen to place his trust in him, but since these men had forcibly placed the mantle of leadership on his shoulders,

He had not refused. It might help him pursue greater advantages.

Thus, over the years, though he had never actively sought out Lin Guang Xuan and the others, he maintained subtle connections with them.

Now that the Great Elder’s death was confirmed, the main family’s suspended stone had finally landed. Combined with their military successes against the Lu Family in recent years,

It was likely the main family would soon begin purging the Great Elder’s faction.

At such a time, Lin Guang Xuan naturally felt great urgency. Yet Zhou Luo had persistently lived reclusively, engrossed in Closed-Door Training, never clearly stating his stance.

This compelled Lin Guang Xuan to send a message.

It was also part of the reason for Zhou Luo emerging from seclusion.

"I see," Zhou Luo said with no discernible reaction after hearing this.

Lin Guang Xuan’s expression darkened further. He lowered his voice. "Will we simply allow the main family to purge us?"

Trusting the Great Elder’s judgment, he believed that if Zhou Luo truly harbored ambition, he wouldn’t just await doom.

Zhou Luo remained silent, as if deep in thought.

After a long while, he finally lifted his head with a slight smile. "Rest assured, Second Elder. I have my judgment. If there’s nothing else, you may take your leave."

Lin Guang Xuan froze. This was not the response he expected.

He wished to press Zhou Luo, demanding to know exactly what he was thinking.

But recalling the late Great Elder’s final words, he swallowed the impulse. He could only rise and take his leave.