Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Life and Death Separations

Zhou Luo took the token. It was rectangular in shape with smooth edges and cool to the touch.

On its front, complex runic patterns were carved. Every line seemed as intricate as blood vessels, coursing with a mysterious force.

The back, however, was carved with the two large characters "Wan Gu". The script appeared dull, devoid of any power fluctuations.

He attempted to channel spiritual energy into it. The next moment, the token emitted a light silver glow, akin to fragments of stars.

Yao Wu stared at him, unknown as to what exactly her master had discussed with him.

"Gu Master Zhu, my thanks."

Zhou Luo needed no verification of the token’s authenticity; the aura alone emanating from it proved it extraordinary.

"This is what you rightfully deserve. I will instruct Yao Wu to give you some additional items later."

Zhu Quancheng’s voice had become extremely faint, but as cultivators, they could naturally still hear him clearly.

Zhou Luo stored the token away and took his leave.

Stepping out of the courtyard, he discovered Wang Lang was actually waiting right at the entrance.

This guy blinked and asked, "Was Old Man Zhu entrusting his disciple on his deathbed?"

"You’re clever," Zhou Luo did not deny it.

Wang Lang shook his head with a laugh. "It’s only natural. But word is that Old Zhu was a top-grade Gu master. You must have gotten a lot of good stuff, right?"

Hearing this, Zhou Luo’s gaze darkened, and he stared at Wang Lang with a serious expression. "Don’t speak rashly."

If this kind of thing got out, it would surely invite covetous eyes.

Especially the Hehuan Sect.

He still didn’t know why the Hehuan Sect had targeted the master and disciple pair. It was said they had even stolen a special Gu insect.

If they learned that Zhu Quancheng had entrusted Yao Wu to Zhou Luo, even if Zhou Luo received nothing else, he would likely incur their grudge regardless.

He had clashed with the Hehuan Sect before. He knew this group of evil cultivators possessed considerable backing and many powerful individuals; it was best not to deal with them if possible.

His genuine intention was merely to maintain a normal association with Yao Wu.

Apart from that token, he could even choose to forgo any other items.

Wang Lang instantly realized he had overstepped. He ducked his head slightly and muttered under his breath, "I kinda hoped you’d get some good stuff so you might charge fewer spiritual stones when I trade for that bell someday."

"You wish. If you don’t work hard to become a top-grade spiritual symbol master, you won’t have anything to trade with anyway," Zhou Luo retorted bluntly.

Currently, Wang Lang was only a high-grade spiritual symbol master. Because mastering this craft was relatively easier compared to the other three major disciplines, the number of practitioners in the entire Immortal City was quite significant.

Given his current earning ability, without some fortuitous opportunity, it might take a very long time indeed for him to accumulate the resources needed to trade for a top-grade magical artifact.

Wang Lang fell silent.

His talent in rune-making wasn’t low. He had studied at Immortal Sects multiple times and had reached the high-grade level before he was forty.

Unfortunately, advancing to the top-grade spiritual symbol master level wasn’t so simple. Now nearing seventy, he still hadn’t found the path.

Zhou Luo headed towards his own home. Before leaving, he once again sent a mental voice message to remind the other man: "Not half a word about today’s matter, got it?"

"Brother Zhou, I know," Wang Lang responded with an earnest face.

Back in the courtyard, Zhou Luo informed Lin Xi about Yao Wu’s situation.

Now, with the aid of The Fusion of Dragon and Phoenix Technique, the relationship between the two had grown increasingly intimate, and their souls had become more harmonious.

This was one of the benefits brought by this technique.

It subtly deepened the closeness between the practicing partners.

After listening, Lin Xi sighed, "Unpredictable are worldly matters. Since you, my husband, do not intend to get deeply involved, simply accepting the token was indeed the right decision."

Zhou Luo nodded in agreement, "That is what I thought too. Besides, those from the Hehuan Sect were probably still watching secretly."

Without understanding the Hehuan Sect’s intentions, he wasn’t about to casually take Yao Wu in; at most, he might offer minor help in daily life.

Thump thump—

Just then, a crisp knocking sound echoed through the air.

Zhou Luo and Lin Xi exchanged a glance, while Li Ying, who was in the courtyard, quickly walked forward and opened the gate.

"Huh… where is Pill Master Zhou?" a surprised voice came from outside.

Zhou Luo stood up and walked towards the entrance; it was Xu Tian, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time.

Today, she wore a gorgeous, colorful gown, still revealing large expanses of snow-white skin, looking utterly captivating.

Her beautiful eyes flickered as she looked at Zhou Luo walking out, then spotted Lin Xi beside him, a sinking feeling settling in her heart.

"Pill Master Zhou, who are these ladies?" Xu Tian asked with a light laugh.

"They are my wives and concubines. Did you need something?" Zhou Luo inquired.

Xu Tian gave a soft smile, "So Pill Master Zhou already has partners. No matter, I’ve just returned from my travels and brought a small gift for Pill Master Zhou."

With that, she took out a wooden box and offered it to him.

Zhou Luo did not accept it. "You shouldn’t have spent anything, Friend Xu. I appreciate the thought, but please take this gift back."

Xu Tian smiled coquettishly, "Is Pill Master Zhou being this distant? Could it be because of your two partners?"

"Not at all. I just dislike accepting gifts from others without reason," Zhou Luo shook his head.

"Very well, since you are so courteous, Friend Zhou, then let it be. However, please do prepare a few more potions for me this time," Xu Tian said, blinking her beautiful eyes, her gaze flowing with a highly seductive charm.

Zhou Luo did not refuse.

After seeing her out, Lin Xi came to his side and said softly, "That woman seems quite fond of you."

Anyone with eyes could see that.

However, Lin Xi wasn’t jealous; she just thought that since the woman possessed considerable strength, it might be advantageous if she were to marry into their household.

"She is anything but simple. You and Li Ying should have as little contact with her as possible," Zhou Luo said seriously.

…

Two days later, Zhu Quancheng breathed his last breath.

Zhou Luo and Wang Lang, along with the surrounding neighbors, went to pay their respects.

Yao Wu, distraught and despondent, kept vigil before the coffin while Wang Lang and his three women handled the arrangements for receiving guests and other matters.

Logically, these duties should have fallen to Zhou Luo.

However, after promising Wang Lang fifty spiritual stones, Wang Lang took over everything.

Before the coffin, Zhou Luo looked at Yao Wu kneeling on a prayer mat and said softly, "The departed cannot return. Please accept our condolences for your loss."

Yao Wu hung her head. The tear stains were the only marks visible on her lovely face. She clutched the hem of her skirt tightly and whispered, "I will avenge my master."

Zhou Luo remained silent.

As an outsider, it truly wasn’t his place to offer advice on such matters. He simply offered a few words urging her to practice diligently and not fail her master’s expectations.

Finally, he indicated that if she encountered difficulties, she could come to his house across the way. Even if he wasn’t there, Lin Xi would be.

It was the first time Yao Wu heard the name of Zhou Luo’s wife. Something stirred in her heart, but in the end, she only nodded silently.

The funeral lasted for three days and nights. Wang Lang orchestrated it with lavish and noisy fanfare. One unknown to the situation might have thought it was his master who had passed away.

In the world of cultivation, unless it involved a powerful family or clan, the common practice for ordinary cultivators was usually to cremate the deceased and preserve the ashes.

As Zhu Quancheng’s body was cremated, Yao Wu cried uncontrollably. Memories of every moment shared with her master flooded her mind, intensifying her overwhelming grief.

When she was still a little girl of just over ten years old, living in the small mountain village that favored sons over daughters, she was never cherished by her parents. Especially after the birth of her younger brother, her family saw her as little more than deadweight.

That was until she encountered Master Zhu. It was he who gave her the affectionate care of an elder and helped her gradually emerge from the pain of her childhood.

She had long regarded him as the only family she ever had.

Now, this sole relative was abruptly gone. She was only a young woman in her twenties; the weight of this loss was unbearable.

Zhou Luo stood to the side, quietly watching it all. A ripple of emotion stirred within his own heart.