Chapter 261

Chapter 261: News of the Main Ingredient

Du Linghui’s appearance stirred some unknown emotions in Yao Wu’s heart.

In her mind, she occasionally recalled the other’s appearance and unconsciously compared it with her own.

In the end, she reached a conclusion.

Could Brother Zhou Luo prefer those with larger ones there?

But sisters like Lin Xi seemed all quite normal.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Luo asked, noticing the girl’s dazed look.

"Oh… nothing, I just… was thinking Brother Zhou Luo must have talent in Gu techniques."

Yao Wu quickly snapped back to reality and hastily said.

Zhou Luo nodded slightly.

He likely had some talent in Gu techniques; otherwise, he wouldn’t have found a way through self-study so easily.

As for being a Pill Master, he strongly suspected he lacked talent; otherwise, after so long, he wouldn’t still be completely ignorant of Second Level alchemy skill.

The two discussed for a long time more. With Yao Wu, a middle-rank Gu Master, providing answers, many of Zhou Luo’s questions suddenly became clear.

Indeed, the motivation for learning lay in making gains.

If there was no progress at all, he would definitely lose interest in continuing.

By evening, Lin Xi kindly invited Yao Wu to stay for dinner together.

During dinner, Du Linghui, as a concubine, also appeared at the table.

Compared to the other three women who were calm and relaxed, she appeared more reserved, even only picking dishes in front of her.

She knew well that her status as a concubine was very low; although the others had treated her well during the day, she still didn’t dare to be too bold.

Throughout this, Lin Xi also inquired about some of Du Linghui’s situation.

In her telling, everyone learned why she had ended up in a place like Yao Chi Pavilion.

Moreover, the most critical point was that this was actually related to the Lin Family.

This unavoidably stirred a trace of guilt in Lin Xi’s heart, and her gaze towards Du Linghui grew gentler.

As for Yao Wu, she thought of herself and realized that compared to Du Linghui, she was lucky.

Because her master had at least left her a mansion and many spiritual stones, so she didn’t need to worry about living expenses for a while.

But what about in the long run?

If she used up her resources without adding to them, would she end up in such a state too?

Yao Wu deeply glanced at Zhou Luo.

Surely Brother Zhou Luo wouldn’t allow that to happen.

But he wouldn’t care for her forever; what he had done so far was already more than enough.

This made her feelings somewhat downcast.

As the only man present, Zhou Luo appeared perfectly calm about Du Linghui’s situation.

This world is exactly like this—survival of the fittest. Without strength, nothing is under one’s own control.

When the Wei Family sought help earlier, if he hadn’t chosen to intervene, the Wei women might have fallen to this same fate as well.

Ultimately, it always came down to the issue of strength.

Zhou Luo’s heart remained calm as still water. His desire for strength grew fiercer, and he felt increasingly grateful that he still had the immense Lin Family to rely upon.

By leveraging the Lin Family, he at least wouldn’t have to worry about such problems arising within the Qinyuan Domain.

The key now was to ascend to the Foundation Establishment stage first.

Only then might he stand a chance of gaining control over the Lin Family.

At the dinner table, everyone’s thoughts wandered their own paths.

It lasted until the end of the meal. Du Linghui actively cleared away the dishes while Yao Wu departed.

"Linghui is a pitiable soul too," Lin Xi remarked as she sat beside Zhou Luo on his left, her voice tinged with feeling.

"And that’s why strength reigns supreme," Zhou Luo stated gravely.

Hearing these words, Li Ying silently lowered her head.

Nightfall arrived.

Zhou Luo settled in his room for seated meditation and breath regulation, while also pondering the issues he had discussed with Yao Wu during the day.

Knock knock —

The sound of rapping came at his door.

"Enter," Zhou Luo said indifferently.

Moments later, Du Linghui entered the room, keeping her head lowered. She wore a gauzy white skirt.

"Master," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly, "Mistress instructed me to attend to your bath."

She was fully aware of what this entailed.

Despite having mentally prepared herself, when the moment actually arrived, fear still clawed at her.

Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow.

He did indeed enjoy soaking in the bath. Looking back, this habit stemmed from his practice of body refinement.

Though, as a cultivator, his body bore no actual impurities, bathing was a pleasure—it washed away the fatigue and soothed the mind.

He wasn’t the type solely obsessed with relentless cultivation through ascetic hardship. In the face of his long lifespan, he had ample time for other pursuits.

Such as studying Gu techniques… or bathing…

Normally, he handled this himself. However, since she was one of his concubines, it truly should be her duty to tend to such tasks.

Zhou Luo had no intention of treating her with extra kindness or special regard simply because of her tragic past.

After all, he had spent dozens of medium-quality spiritual stones to acquire her.

"Very well," Zhou Luo nodded. "Go ahead first."

Du Linghui departed silently.

A short while later, Zhou Luo made his way to a room on the second floor where Du Linghui had already prepared the hot water.

The steam permeated the room, creating an atmosphere like a fairyland on earth.

She waited obediently nearby, her cheeks flushed a rosy hue. Only when Zhou Luo appeared did she step forward to help him remove his clothes.

As Zhou Luo revealed his robust, healthy skin, Du Linghui pursed her lips, her eyes wandering between his well-defined muscles and his handsome face.

Perhaps becoming his woman wouldn’t be a bad thing after all.

Calming her emotions, she began to untie her own skirt.

Splash—

Amidst the sound of water, she and Zhou Luo entered the large bathtub together. Her two snow-white hands, smooth as mutton fat, gently scrubbed his body.

Her gaze drifted aimlessly, her eyes dazed, her face flushed crimson.

"Master…" she called out shyly.

Zhou Luo looked at her, his eyes settling on her chest, a faint glimmer shining in his pupils.

Hmm… larger than I expected…

He then leaned down over her.

Instantly, water splashed loudly within the bathtub, shaking violently. In the misty steam, two figures intertwined into one…

…

The next morning, Zhou Luo emerged from the room, feeling refreshed and vigorous.

As for Du Linghui, exhausted from the night’s activities, she likely wouldn’t rise until noon.

Just after stepping out, a maid he’d purchased yesterday approached warmly and bowed. "Master, breakfast is ready."

Going downstairs, Lin Xi rested her hands on her large belly, smiling at him. "Where is Sister Linghui?"

"She’s still asleep," Zhou Luo replied, sitting at the large table and beginning his breakfast.

That morning, Wang Lang paid a visit.

Seeing that Zhou Luo had actually gone to Yao Chi Pavilion and bought maids and concubines, he was instantly filled with envy.

"Pill Masters are still richer than us spiritual symbol masters," Wang Lang sighed.

As a spiritual symbol master, supporting just three women at home already stretched his finances thin—why else would he take on black market jobs?

"Is there news about the Foundation Establishment materials?" Zhou Luo asked.

This guy had been busy with rune-making lately and hadn’t visited. His arrival today surely meant business.

Wang Lang blinked. "Brother Zhou is always one step ahead. There’s news about the Jade Spirit Mushroom."