Chapter 423

Chapter 423: The Sixtieth Offspring

The cooperation with the Wan Gu Sect was smoother than imagined, largely thanks to the potential Yao Wu had displayed.

Of course, had it not been for Zhou Luo, Yao Wu would not have passed Lieyang Mountain’s test so smoothly.

This collaboration also signified a further strengthening of Zhou Luo’s enterprises.

Previously, his sales relied mainly on potions and talismans. Now, with the addition of Gu insects, the profits would increase significantly.

The two discussed matters regarding the cooperation for a full three hours and more. During this time, Hong Han even warmly invited him to share lunch with him.

At their level, food was something neither necessary nor vital, but the more powerful the cultivator, the more importance they placed on this so-called sense of ritual.

For only in this way could they feel the breath of the mundane world, ensuring their path of cultivation did not become devoid and incomplete.

After all, cultivators were human, and as humans, they were inevitably influenced by such things.

Their discussion primarily established the general tone and major direction for this cooperation. The specific details would naturally be handled later by designated personnel from the Lin Family.

Zhou Luo planned to assign this matter to Xu Changsheng.

Ever since Lin Xi entered Closed-Door Training, Xu Changsheng had remained in Maple Leaf City, assisting Lin Jin Xuan and resolving difficulties for her.

Now it was time for him to do some work on Zhou Luo’s behalf.

"Pill Master Zhou, please accept this small gift as a token of my respect," Hong Han said before parting, presenting an exquisite small wooden box. Inside lay a Second Level mid-grade Gu insect, specifically designed to speed up one’s training speed.

Offering a Second Level Gu insect also demonstrated Hong Han’s regard for him.

"Many thanks then. I look forward to our cooperation," Zhou Luo smiled, accepting it.

Now that an agreement had been reached with the Wan Gu Sect, he could confidently refine Gu insects and place them for sale in his own shops.

Later, using the Wan Gu Sect as a reason, he could also squeeze out some extra profit.

Zhou Fu.

Zhou Luo had just returned when he saw Ye Qian waiting for him.

This woman had entered Closed-Door Training immediately upon her return yesterday. Zhou Luo had originally thought she would avoid him for a while, but unexpectedly, she had emerged so soon.

"I wouldn’t have guessed you have so many wives, concubines, and children," Ye Qian said, her voice cool and detached.

During the day, through the people in the residence, she had come to know yet another side of Zhou Luo.

Faced with this, Zhou Luo chuckled lightly. "These matters are always based on mutual consent. Besides, I’ve never forced any of them."

In taking wives and concubines, Zhou Luo walked the straight and narrow; his conduct was impeccable.

Even if Ye Qian were to ask any of his wives or concubines right now, they would certainly never speak ill of him.

Seeing his righteous demeanor, Ye Qian didn’t press the issue further.

"So, the one currently undergoing Foundation Establishment is also your wife?" she changed the subject, asking.

Zhou Luo’s visit to the secret chamber during the day had not escaped her notice. Puzzled, she chose to inquire.

Zhou Luo did not conceal it and informed her of Lin Xi’s identity.

Learning that she was the head of the Lin Family, Ye Qian’s beautiful eyes flickered.

Below the Biquan True Sect, there were also long-life families, but these all lacked competitiveness and could only exist as sect subsidiaries.

Yet the Lin Family mentioned by Zhou Luo seemed somewhat different.

Naturally, Lin Xi, the family head, was the first to stand out.

She had not only become the head at such a young age but also achieved Foundation Establishment so quickly; her talent for cultivation was on par with the sect’s disciples.

Beyond her, there was Zhou Luo himself at the mid-level Foundation Establishment stage, not to mention Yao Wu, who had already joined the Wan Gu Sect, and all those children who had become disciples of the Qinyuan Sect.

After witnessing all this firsthand, Ye Qian realized the family’s foundation was indeed remarkable.

"This is what I obtained today; it’s beneficial for your cultivation. I give it to you." Zhou Luo took out the Second Level Gu insect that Hong Han had given him.

While something that increased cultivation speed would benefit him, the improvement wasn’t particularly significant.

Facing his long lifespan, such things were rather non-essential.

Might as well show a kind gesture by giving the gift away to deepen their connection.

It would also conveniently let her glimpse the extent of his resources and capabilities.

Winning Ye Qian over was surely a long-term task; he wasn’t in a hurry.

Upon seeing the exquisite wooden box, Ye Qian naturally knew what lay inside.

What surprised her was that he was actually gifting it to her.

"You’re willing?" Ye Qian uttered, puzzled.

Though their relationship was ambiguous, it was still unexpected for him to be so generous as to give her a Second Level Gu insect.

Zhou Luo replied with an easy smile, "Friend Ye, having suffered such hardship because of me, this is only fitting."

Since he intended to use kindness as a tactic, the act had to be played through to the end.

As long as he showed her how much he valued her, constant nurturing would surely touch her heart over time.

Ye Qian pressed her lips together and remained silent.

She had come out this time partly to seek answers and partly to understand whether he had brought her here merely because he desired her beauty.

Unexpectedly, before she could press on with her questions, he had silenced her by gifting her a Gu insect.

"Take it, Friend Ye. Time is long; who knows, I might require your assistance in the future." Zhou Luo placed the box directly into her hands.

Without waiting for a response, he continued, "By the way, care to join me for dinner?"

Ye Qian gave him a deep, unfathomable look. Though inclined to refuse, her gaze fell upon the wooden box, and in the end, she nodded silently.

Dinner was a somewhat quiet affair.

After Yao Wu and Zhou Shixin left, only the two of them remained. Combined with Ye Qian’s natural reticence, the atmosphere became noticeably awkward.

Having finished dinner, Ye Qian resumed her Closed-Door Training.

Zhou Luo returned to his study, starting a letter to Lin Jin Xuan to discuss matters concerning the Wan Gu Sect.

In the ensuing days, Zhou Luo mostly remained at Zhou Fu. After that night, Ye Qian all but disappeared.

One morning, a notification sound suddenly echoed in Zhou Luo’s ears.

[Congratulations, Host! Your sixtieth child has been born. Reward: 70-year lifespan bonus!]

[As this child possesses a Fourth Grade spiritual root, Host gains 25 talent points!]

[Current Aptitude: Seventh Grade spiritual roots (135/5000)]

Evidently, Yao Wu, far away at the Wan Gu Sect, had given birth to a child.

What surprised Zhou Luo was that the child possessed a Fourth Grade spiritual root.

With such roots, if cultivated and raised within the Wan Gu Sect, the child would undoubtedly have a boundless future.

Zhou Luo no longer had to worry about the Wan Gu Sect looking down on the child’s spiritual roots and prohibiting the child from remaining.

As for the name, Zhou Luo had prepared both male and female options long ago; he just didn’t know the child’s gender yet.

Not long after Yao Wu gave birth, another of Zhou Luo’s concubines also successfully delivered a child.

This was his sixty-first child. This child only had Sixth Grade spiritual roots, not particularly high, but still classified as a mid-grade spiritual root.

With the birth of this child, his talent points reached 150, though it was still a long way off from the required 5000 for the next breakthrough.

Zhou Luo wasn’t anxious. Time was on his side. Despite the absence of his dual cultivation partner, he did not neglect his daily cultivation.

And so, the days passed one after another…