Chapter 322

Chapter 322: Brothers

Within the inner courtyard of Zhou Fu, the main hall.

Zhou Luo sat upright in the master’s seat, below him was a group of respectful and humble cultivators.

They were all cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. Facing him, a practitioner at the Foundation Establishment level, they dared not be the slightest bit insolent. They bowed deeply, meticulous in their etiquette.

"Refining Foundation Establishment Dan is not that simple. I can only refine one batch every six months. So, which of you shall go first?" Zhou Luo asked.

In truth, his ability did not require such long intervals.

But besides alchemy, he always had other matters to attend to. Moreover, phrasing it this way would make it more believable to everyone.

Hearing these words, the dozen or so people below immediately became restless.

Their coming here for alchemy this time was, in essence, a gamble.

After all, the other party had only refined the potion twice. Though the success rate was a hundred percent and the potion quality was good,

no one could guarantee if that was just good luck.

So, at a time like this, having someone go first to test the waters was undoubtedly the best option.

"Pill Master Zhou, let us go first. We are here to crowdsource for alchemy," one man spoke up.

Since they chose to come, they were already prepared for potential failure in crafting the potion.

After all, because it was crowdsourced alchemy, even if it ultimately failed, the loss shared by each person wouldn’t be immense.

As soon as he spoke, the others were only too willing to let them go first.

Zhou Luo fixed his gaze on the middle-aged man and nodded slightly. "Very well. Bring out the materials, and I will assign tasks for you."

This was identical to when he observed Pill Master Sun refining, back in the day.

These five people were divided into three groups. The task assignment would also be based on the materials each group provided.

Once the allocation rules were confirmed, Zhou Luo took the materials and headed towards the alchemy room.

The others followed him tacitly. They walked with cautious steps, not daring to disturb him.

Upon entering the room, they discovered a youthful teenager seemingly fussing with something in front of the furnace.

"Chang Lun, Father is going to refine potions today. Take the day off," Zhou Luo said gently.

Thirteen-year-old Zhou Chang Lun lifted his head to look at the large group of people. Without showing any timidity, he happily nodded. "Alright, Father."

"Remember to finish your lessons," Zhou Luo added.

After moving to the core district, he used his teaching experience from his past life and set lessons for Zhou Chang Lun every day.

"I know, Father," Zhou Chang Lun’s tone held a trace of resignation.

Well, no matter where you were, a youth faced with complex lessons could, due to his youthful spirit, always feel a bit annoyed.

Especially since getting to know Zhou Luo, Zhou Chang Lun found this father of his wasn’t as strict as he had imagined, but rather kind and approachable.

This had taken him from initial fear to amicable daily interaction, and sometimes even joking with his father.

The other cultivators watched the youth depart, astonishment flooding their hearts.

For in their perception, this young boy possessed Third Grade spiritual roots! And from the scene moments ago, it seemed he might also carry a talent in alchemy.

For a moment, their gazes shifted toward Zhou Luo, tinged with renewed strangeness.

Could this be a person of great fortune?

A possessed of Ninth Grade spiritual roots had not only fathered a child with Third Grade spiritual roots but one gifted with talent in alchemy—truly extraordinary luck.

"You may observe from there, but do not disturb," Zhou Luo declared, pointing toward a designated area.

The alchemy room was spacious, and that section had been shielded by an isolation formation.

Everyone stood obediently within it, holding their breath and focusing intently, avoiding any potential interference.

Zhou Luo moved to the furnace for alchemy, withdrew materials, and began his preparations to forge pills.

…

"Brother… brother."

The tender voice reached Zhou Chang Lun’s ears the moment he stepped out of the alchemy room.

Little Changqing came toddling towards him, his round face beaming with joy. A small cyan-blue bird circled overhead while a maidservant trailed behind.

Zhou Changqing was seven years younger than Zhou Chang Lun, merely five years of age now.

At the sight of his little brother, Zhou Chang Lun’s lingering gloom vanished. Smiling, he spread his arms wide and swept the boy into an embrace.

Though only thirteen, the youth had long since entered Qi Refinement. Thanks to his spiritual roots and physique, he had even advanced to the fourth layer of Qi Refinement.

"Brother, have you finished forging pills?" Zhou Changqing gazed up expectantly, his dark eyes wide.

Zhou Chang Lun gently pinched the child’s plump cheek: "I haven’t completed my lessons yet."

Hearing this, Zhou Changqing pouted, disappointment filling his small face.

"When will it be then?"

"In about an hour," Zhou Chang Lun answered.

"So long," Little Changqing murmured, clearly displeased.

He pursed his lips, deep in thought like a little adult, then suddenly leaned close to whisper: "Brother… maybe I can help you."

Zhou Chang Lun froze: "What?"

Zhou Changqing glanced at the maidservant behind him. Mischief sparked in his dark eyes as he lowered his voice:

"I’ll help you finish your lessons. Then you can play with me."

The tender voice left Zhou Chang Lun stunned. He stared disbelievingly at his five-year-old brother, his own voice rising uncontrollably.

"You know those lessons?"

Zhou Changqing frantically shushed him.

After checking their surroundings, he whispered by his brother’s ear:

"Don’t let Father know, or I’ll end up having lessons too."

Zhou Chang Lun’s eyes widened in shock, briefly rendered speechless.

"Come with me," he finally said, releasing his brother to grasp the small hand and lead the way to the study.

Moments later, the two entered the study.

The desk lay strewn with jade slips, each inscribed with various Alchemy Techniques.

Zhou Luo had painstakingly compiled these for his son, their contents far richer than common texts, including numerous long-lost arts.

Should these jade slips spread beyond these walls, bloody turmoil would erupt as countless Pill Masters vied for them.

Zhou Chang Lun spread out one slip, then turned to where Little Changqing sat obediently on the large chair.

Only the two of them occupied the study now. The attendant watching Zhou Changqing remained stationed outside.

"You’ve memorized all this?" inquired Zhou Chang Lun.

Zhou Changqing tilted his head up, eyes shifting thoughtfully before he nodded.

"You’ve actually read them?" Zhou Chang Lun couldn’t quite believe it.

"Didn’t I watch with you last time? And Father taught me some," answered Zhou Changqing, his wide eyes fixed on his brother. Tiny hands clutched his robe’s hem, a hint of nervousness showing.

Zhou Chang Lun recalled — they had indeed pored over similar slips together when they first moved into this new residence.

Father had entrusted him with these jade slips for study. Out of boredom, the little one had sprawled beside him, peering curiously.

Studying the boy with skeptical eyes, Zhou Chang Lun decided: "Let your brother test you."

Immediately, he began questioning techniques of pill forging.

Though only five years old, the child answered every query with astonishing fluency and perfect accuracy.

The more he asked, the more deeply Zhou Chang Le’s unease grew.

He never imagined this little brother possessed such an uncanny ability to memorize.

Suddenly, a realization struck him: "That day Father made us both concoct pills… were you pretending?"

At these words, Zhou Changqing’s little face instantly flustered and he quickly denied: "No."

Zhou Chang Le remained unconvinced, his gaze sharp:

"Tell your brother the truth."