Chapter 487

Chapter 487: The Final Main Ingredient for Forming the Golden Core

Zhou Changtian’s terrifying aptitude meant he did not join the Qinyuan Sect. Instead, he followed Yao Wu into the Wan Gu Sect, becoming her first direct disciple.

Although the Wan Gu Sect and the Ice Snow Sect were currently testing and confronting each other, the entire sect remained relatively stable.

Over these past five years, Yao Wu, with the sect’s support and her powerful talent in Gu techniques, had seen her strength advance by leaps and bounds.

In just a few short years, she had already reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment.

By now, she had completely gained control of Lieyang Mountain, and the sect’s monthly provisions for her had reverted to their previous level.

This meant she alone received resources meant for an entire mountain.

Naturally, this sparked covetousness among others in the sect.

After all, other peaks faced situations of many monks but little porridge; everyone struggled desperately for their share of resources.

Yet here was one person monopolizing an entire cake; discontent was inevitable.

Some elders had even begun petitioning the sect, demanding limitations on the allocation of resources to Lieyang Mountain before it was fully operational.

Due to this issue, Yao Wu found herself compelled to consider taking on disciples.

Instantly, those secretly eyeing Lieyang Mountain became incredibly enthusiastic, eager to get themselves or their associates onto the mountain.

Presently, the cake was immense and the claimants few; anyone entering Lieyang Mountain was sure to enjoy plentiful benefits.

This led to a flood of cultivators of wildly varying quality, with some elders even proactively offering their own disciples to Yao Wu.

Upon learning of this, Zhou Luo chose to send Zhou Changtian there.

All these years, under his tutelage, Zhou Changtian had perfectly inherited his father’s strengths: extreme caution, sharp intelligence, and strong strategic vision.

Sending him could truly help Yao Wu.

Now, Zhou Changtian was Yao Wu’s first direct disciple and the Senior Brother of Lieyang Mountain.

Under his careful screening and assistance, Yao Wu ended up taking in over a dozen disciples.

Inevitably, this included individuals sent by other elders, their purpose clearly being to grab a share of the cake.

Zhou Luo was not worried about this.

With Zhou Changtian in place, he believed everything should be manageable.

Beyond the Wan Gu Sect, the Qinyuan Sect, recovering from the great battle five years prior and bolstered by a large intake of new disciples, had also gradually regained its footing.

However, a consequence of Zhou Chang Le having rejected his master’s proposal back then was that the Heavenly Alliance now faced considerable targeting.

Its members were being continuously divided, and its influence had diminished drastically compared to before.

This outcome was something Zhou Luo had predicted.

A measured show of weakness might be preferable, avoiding the sect outright banning the organization.

Although the Heavenly Alliance was far weaker than before, once Zhou Chang Le or Zhou Changqing attained the status of Golden Core master, the situation could change dramatically again.

For now, their task was to steadily build the Heavenly Alliance’s foundation, ensuring it could operate stably.

Moreover, as Zhou Luo’s own children and numerous clan descendants continually entered the Qinyuan Sect, the Heavenly Alliance’s core structure was already in place; it was merely a matter of time for it to fully crystallize.

Apart from these matters, the last known whereabouts leak for the fugitive Long Yunshuang placed her within the Snow Region.

The Snow Region lay at the border between the Jinyun Continent and Zhongzhou. Once she crossed the Snow Region, she could enter Zhongzhou directly and reach the Tongtian Imperial City, home of the Huoyun Royal Family.

By that time, Long Yu’s position as prince would likely be lost.

Therefore, Long Yu acted with exceptional firmness on this matter. He spared no effort, deploying large numbers of troops to search the Snow Region and even attempting to seal the border directly.

Yet the Ice Snow Sect, currently riding a wave of strength, would never permit another power to so brazenly enter their own region.

Thus, both sides became entangled in endless arguments, and to this day, no resolution had been reached.

This, in a way, actually eased the tensions between the Ice Snow Sect and the Wan Gu Sect.

"Daddy, is Aunt Yu Wei really not coming back?"

On the stone stool in the backyard, little Shiyu asked in a milky voice.

After five years of being together, although she didn’t know Wang Yu Wei was her birth mother, the innate closeness she felt made her adore the woman deeply. She often sought Aunt Yu Wei out to play.

Now, hearing that she had left, the little one couldn’t help but be sad.

Zhou Luo smiled lightly. "Aunt Yu Wei may not return, but when you grow up, you can go find her."

"Really?" Shiyu’s little face lit up with surprise.

Zhou Luo nodded. "So you must cultivate diligently. Later, when you join her sect, you’ll be able to find her."

"But that’s so far away. What if Aunt Yu Wei forgets me?" Shiyu pouted, her voice full of helplessness.

Although the little one was only five years old, due to her spiritual roots, she was far more mature than her peers. Her way of speaking and acting easily surpassed others.

"How could she? Aren’t you wearing the jade pendant she gave you?" Zhou Luo chuckled softly.

Around Zhou Shiyu’s neck hung a phoenix-shaped jade pendant, shimmering with a faint, light glow.

This was a top-tier Foundation Establishment magical artifact, also the sole treasure Wang Yu Wei, as a mother, had left for her child.

"That’s true," Shiyu nodded, then covered the pendant with her small hand. "I will definitely protect it well."

Just as he was speaking with his daughter, Wang Lang hurried in, his footsteps swift with purpose.

Having followed Zhou Luo for so long, although he hadn’t yet completed his Foundation Establishment, he had long since reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement; breaking through wasn’t far off.

"Master Manager, great news! There’s word on the Heart of the Celestial Wood!" Wang Lang exclaimed joyfully upon seeing Zhou Luo holding the child in the backyard.

Back then, after he had slain Zhu Zhi Feng, he had obtained a large pile of materials for forming the Golden Core.

Yet, five years had passed, and those materials were still missing one primary component: this very Heart of the Celestial Wood.

It was said celestial wood grew upon the Penglai Immortal Isle, steeped in immortal qi. Even when cut down, it wouldn’t rot for ten thousand years. If ground into medicinal powder and consumed, it could greatly extend one’s lifespan.

The Heart of the Celestial Wood, however, was even rarer; only one would emerge from roughly every hundred celestial trees.

Thus, for five years, Zhou Luo had found no trace of it.

Now, finally, there was a lead.

"Where?" Zhou Luo asked immediately.

"It will be at this year’s auction in Jinyun Immortal City," Wang Lang replied.

Large-scale auctions in Jinyun Immortal City were typically only held every five years.

He had never expected this particular auction would feature the Heart of the Celestial Wood.

Zhou Luo felt a thrill in his heart immediately.

If he could obtain this Heart of the Celestial Wood, then he’d only need time to stabilize his cultivation level to form the Golden Core.

But the last time he went to Jinyun Immortal City, he encountered numerous dangers, which later spiraled into a multitude of problems.

If he went again this time, he might very well attract the greed of others once more.

Yet, his breakthrough was imminent. If he missed this Heart of the Celestial Wood, trying to obtain it again might take who knew how long.

With this thought, Zhou Luo ultimately decided to head to the Jinyun Auction House.