Chapter 325

Chapter 325: Teaching the Son

Inside the alchemy room, Zhou Chang Lun was already drenched in sweat.

Although he had already reached the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, his control over Dan fire was still at a rudimentary stage, so he could only use brute force to melt the herbs.

The backlash of such a direct and domineering method was that his spiritual energy was consumed too quickly, leaving him somewhat unable to sustain further efforts.

But if this pile of herbs wasn’t fully melted down, he would have to keep trying.

Next to him, Zhou Changqing saw this scene, his small face frowning as he sighed, and he climbed back onto the chair.

Standing on the chair, he took a deep breath, and a green radiance suddenly emerged from his body.

Outside the door, Zhou Luo saw this and was deeply astonished.

This boy’s talent was so great, he could actually release spiritual light?

Generally, before Qi Refinement level three, control over spiritual energy was very crude and basically couldn’t be applied in combat.

And after reaching the fourth layer, where spiritual energy could be emitted outwards, one could condense protective spiritual light.

At this stage, the spiritual light was still very fragile, only able to block some wind and rain; not until the fifth layer could one become a true cultivator for battle and learn Battle Techniques.

Zhou Changqing had only just started cultivating and was still at Qi Refinement Level One.

But he could release spiritual light, and his utilization of spiritual energy was so adept.

It seemed he really didn’t know this son with Second Grade Spiritual Roots well enough.

Inside the room, Little Changqing raised his small fair-skinned hand and placed it on the furnace, closed his eyes, and the green light from his body grew more intense.

Simultaneously, strands of spiritual energy flowed from his palm into the furnace.

Whoosh—

The flames flared up intensely again, and the temperature suddenly rose.

"Brother, thank you," Zhou Chang Lun exclaimed in pleasant surprise.

Because of Zhou Changqing’s assistance, he was clearly less strained, and he breathed a long sigh of relief in his heart.

After a quarter of an hour, all the herbs were melted into medicinal liquid.

At that moment, Zhou Luo suddenly pushed the door open and entered.

"Ah!"

Zhou Changqing was startled, and he accidentally fell off the chair.

The next second, a gentle force enveloped him.

Zhou Chang Lun froze in place, his cheeks flushing red, somewhat restless and uneasy.

Zhou Luo came over: "So you, Zhou Changqing, have learned to lie now, have you?"

He looked at the other, his expression stern and his tone severe.

Little Changqing stood himself upright properly, head lowered, utterly unable to utter a word.

Zhou Luo looked toward Zhou Chang Lun: "You knew about this too?"

Zhou Chang Lun pressed his lips together, full of remorse, and said: "Father, I’m sorry."

Zhou Luo took a chair and sat down, looking at the two brothers with a stern tone. "You should indeed apologize. As an elder brother, you should set an example, not help him hide things from me."

These brothers possessed not low talents, and once they entered the Immortal Sect in the future with no one to care for them, it was unknown what they might become.

Thus, he must seize this time to nurture them properly, lest they cause major trouble down the road.

His voice was somewhat icy, coupled with the aura of the Foundation Establishment realm, it swept towards Zhou Chang Lun like a fierce gust of wind, making his entire body sway uncontrollably.

During their earlier interactions, he had always found his father kind and amiable, so he had acted with more willfulness than before.

But when Zhou Luo truly grew angry, he realized Father was merely easygoing ordinarily; when he truly made a mistake, he was no different from others.

Thinking this, panic filled his heart. He feared Father’s anger might drive him away.

Thud!

The next second, he suddenly knelt on the ground.

"Father, I was wrong."

This scene made Zhou Luo’s brow arch slightly. Beside him, after a stunned moment, Zhou Changqing quickly knelt down too.

"Father, it’s all my fault. I made Big Brother lie to you."

The child’s voice was tearful, his face full of anxiety.

Zhou Luo watched the brothers quietly, feeling privately pleased that they were willing to share the blame.

"Hmm. On the path of cultivation, you must walk the righteous path. Cheating those above and hiding things from them, always seeking shortcuts – that will only lead you astray…"

Though pleased, the necessary admonishment had to be given.

He had a total of forty-nine children now. He couldn’t personally guide each one. He couldn’t foresee what each would eventually become.

He only hoped the children he favored would possess pure and good natures, and not tread the paths of evil cultivators or bandits.

The two brothers knelt there, heads bowed, not daring to argue.

Zhou Luo lectured them for a full quarter of an hour before stopping.

"Now, do you understand your mistake?"

"Yes," the brothers chorused.

"Good. Chang Lun, you go back first. Chang Qing, stay," Zhou Luo commanded.

Zhou Chang Lun glanced at his little brother, then looked up. "Father, Little Brother is still young. He’s just being playful."

He feared Father might punish him.

"Do not worry," Zhou Luo waved a hand dismissively.

Zhou Chang Lun rose then, casting a deep look at his brother before leaving the alchemy room.

As for little Zhou Changqing, his small hands clutched tightly at the hem of his robe, terrified.

"You know alchemy?" Zhou Luo had observed the little one earlier, clearly showing talent in alchemy.

Zhou Changqing didn’t dare lie now and answered truthfully, "I’m sorry, Father. I deceived you."

"Deceiving me matters little. But I want you to understand this: cultivation requires diligence and unwavering dedication. If you only think of how to avoid work, you are deceiving yourself," Zhou Luo said earnestly.

This son was currently his only child possessing Second Grade Spiritual Roots and had received many benefits gifted by him. His future achievements were bound to be remarkable.

All the more reason for Zhou Luo to hope he would walk the righteous path.

Of course, he understood the child was still young, so he avoided excessive scolding.

Zhou Changqing nodded emphatically.

"Rise. Starting tomorrow, you and your brother will both learn alchemy with me," Zhou Luo dismissed him.

After the brothers left, he sat in his chair, pondering his educational plans for their future.

Playfulness is the nature of youth; this is unavoidable.

Especially in this vast mansion, with only these two youngsters confined inside all day unable to go out – they were bound to feel oppressed.

It seemed he should implement a two-days-off system, just like in his previous life.

Zhou Luo felt they couldn’t be pushed too hard.

In the following days, Zhou Luo took both brothers to practice alchemy, instructing them personally.

Guided by him, a second level Pill Master, the brothers faced no obstacles in their practice.

Zhou Changqing, in particular, stood out.

Despite being just over five years old, this little one was clever and had a photographic memory. He could understand almost anything Zhou Luo explained after hearing it just once.

In this regard, the elder brother Zhou Chang Lun was slightly less capable.

Compared to outside Pill Masters, however, both boys’ performances were quite exceptional.

One day, as Zhou Luo was instructing the brothers, a servant came into the inner courtyard.

"Sir, Pill Master Sun requests an audience."

Zhou Luo’s eyes flickered.

He had previously considered seeking Pill Master Sun to discuss that vacant land. He hadn’t expected Pill Master Sun to come calling first.

Since he was here, that was perhaps convenient.

He spoke, "Alright. Take him to the main hall first. Inform him I am currently refining pills and will join him shortly."

"Understood, Sir."

The servant withdrew respectfully.