Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Marrying the Fifth Miss?

Due to the emergence of the Hehuan Sect, the guards in the core area had noticeably increased compared to usual days.

Cultivators with serious expressions and upright postures stood emanating powerful auras, watching every passerby like lurking beasts.

Yet when their gazes fell upon Zhou Luo, the sharpness lessened, replaced by a trace of respect.

Evidently, news of him becoming a top-level first-level Pill Master had spread.

As the first top-level Pill Master of such young age in the family’s history, even though Zhou Luo was an outsider, he received no less respect than deserved.

After all, no one wanted to offend a future second level Pill Master.

Exactly.

In many minds, as long as Zhou Luo grew steadily, he would certainly become a second level Pill Master.

Such a position held equal status to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

For the Lin Family, a second level Pill Master was even more important than a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Because a second level Pill Master was directly linked to Foundation Establishment Dan, meaning that with sufficient time, the family could produce an endless stream of Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Therefore, members of the Lin Family maintained ample reverence towards him.

Passing through the formation, Zhou Luo entered the core area.

Walking east along the blue brick path, he soon arrived at a familiar courtyard.

This was where family head Lin Tian Xiong resided.

Recalling his last visit, it was during his contract signing with the family.

Afterwards, Lin Tian Xiong had never summoned him again.

Not even when he later sided with the Great Elder faction did Lin Tian Xiong show any reaction.

Entering the courtyard, he proceeded to the main hall.

Zhou Luo stepped inside, expression calm and posture humble.

Seated on the jewel-inlaid golden throne at the far end of the hall was Lin Tian Xiong, clad in rich robes, a smile on his face.

"Family Head." Zhou Luo bowed respectfully.

"No need for such formality. Please, sit." Lin Tian Xiong spoke warmly.

The formerly aloof elder now set aside his authority, gazing at him like a benign senior.

Zhou Luo moved to the side and sat on the official’s chair.

Servants emerged, placing various spiritual fruits beside him and brewing a cup of spiritual tea.

"Thank you for your kind regard, Family Head." Zhou Luo bowed once more.

Lin Tian Xiong’s smile deepened as he observed him, profoundly satisfied.

Earlier, upon learning Zhou Luo had become a top-level first-level Pill Master, shock had struck him deeply; he nearly rushed to Zhou Garden himself to verify it.

Once he calmed, overwhelming joy followed.

For in Zhou Luo, he saw the heralding sign of the family’s rise.

At that time, his first decision was that he absolutely must make him stay, no matter the cost.

Now seeing the other party lacking arrogance, humble and courteous instead.

This filled him with immense relief.

"Your performance in the Immortal Sect did not dishonor the prestige of our Lin Family; instead, it severely undermined the Lu Family. Very good," Lin Tian Xiong praised aloud.

"This is what I should have done," Zhou Luo replied.

Lin Tian Xiong gave a slight nod. "Your temperament has always been excellent. I’ve always thought highly of you."

Hearing these words, a sneer rose unbidden in Zhou Luo’s heart.

The man did indeed think highly of him.

He was practically hoping to see him die in the spiritual mine.

"Merit must be rewarded. This storage ring is my reward for you."

Lin Tian Xiong raised his hand slightly. A beam of white light streaked across the sky, and a weathered silver-white ring landed beside Zhou Luo.

Zhou Luo’s eyes lit up.

It was actually a storage ring!

Compared to a storage bag, a storage ring was far more convenient to carry and possessed far greater internal space.

Generally, only important figures in the family possessed one.

It seemed the main family was quite generous.

Though the grade of the storage ring was still unknown.

"Thank you, Family Head."

Zhou Luo expressed his thanks, picked it up, and extended a wisp of his mental strength.

Instantly, a vast space appeared before his inner sight.

Within the space, various cultivation resources were stored.

Potions, cultivation manuals, spiritual stones, even rare natural treasures, and more—exceptionally abundant.

Even though he was prepared, Zhou Luo was still startled by the sheer quantity of cultivation resources.

"This is what you deserve," Lin Tian Xiong said with outward calm.

Truthfully, giving away so many rewards at once did make his heart ache.

But to rope in Zhou Luo, this future second level Pill Master.

He could only go all out.

Zhou Luo thanked him again.

Lin Tian Xiong then offered words of encouragement, hoping he would continue to strive hard.

"I heard you’ve met my granddaughter a few times. I wonder what your impressions of her are?"

Lin Tian Xiong suddenly asked.

Zhou Luo felt a chill.

Fifth Miss?

Only Lin Xin and Lin Xi, from the main family’s direct line, had had contact with him.

The former was already engaged to a certain main family child of the Wang Family, so naturally, the other party was referring to the latter.

"Fifth Miss has a gentle nature; she’s elegant and dignified. Last time when I was punished by the family, it was thanks to her leniency," Zhou Luo said truthfully.

"Since that’s the case, are you willing to marry her as your wife?" Lin Tian Xiong said with a smile.

It had come.

Zhou Luo knew that the other party suddenly shifted the topic to Lin Xi precisely for this matter.

To be honest, he had a good impression of Lin Xi.

Moreover, her spiritual roots should not be low.

Combining this, the children born afterward would also turn out better.

Only, if he agreed, he would inevitably face the question of "who would be the main wife?"

The main wife could only be one.

Currently, if Lin Xi married over, she would certainly become the main wife.

Then what about Lin Jin Xuan?

She had been arranged by the Great Elder, and although she was currently in Closed-Door Training, how would the people under him react?

Of course, those were secondary.

What Zhou Luo worried about most was that Lin Xi and Lin Jin Xuan competing would throw the Zhou Garden into chaos.

For a family, what was most taboo was the wives and concubines vying for favor.

Therefore, when choosing women, what he valued most was their character and their attitude toward his other wives and concubines.

He still thought about founding a Changsheng Zhou family in the future.

If the wives and concubines became chaotic, everything would be wasted.

Lin Tian Xiong on the throne saw that he was silent and did not force him, only saying, "This matter is just my proposal; you don’t have to decide hastily."

"As it happens, Lin Xi is in the backyard; you two can talk first."

It was good to talk.

He would have to see what she thought.

Zhou Luo stood up and saluted, "Thank you for your understanding, family head."

…

In the backyard’s square pavilion, Lin Xi was sitting upright on a stone stool.

Today, she wore a robe of green silk gauze; her snowy skin was partly visible under it; her hair was coiled lightly into a cloud bun, with a white jade hairpin slanted through it, lending her an air of refinement.

Looking at the young man approaching from not far away, her beautiful eyes flickered, and her heart fluttered.

Over a year without meeting, he was still as she remembered: handsomely elegant and composedly calm.

Even though he had become a top-level first-level Pill Master, no hint of pride showed on his face; he seemed like a temperate gentleman.

"Long time no see."

Zhou Luo, clad in a Moon-white Robe, approached the pavilion, a smile on his face.

This Fifth Miss still possessed that orchid-like grace, pure and refined.

Especially those watery eyes, bright and profound.

She smiled faintly and came straight to the point, "I never thought I’d be meeting you for an arranged match."

Meeting an acquaintance, Zhou Luo didn’t feel constrained either. He simply sat down opposite her and said, "I didn’t expect it either."

"So, did you come to ask for my thoughts on this matter?" Lin Xi looked at him, her smile gentle.

"That would be meaningless."

Zhou Luo knew that neither party had much choice in such things.

"Oh? Then what did you want to ask?" A flicker of surprise shone in Lin Xi’s beautiful eyes as she smiled charmingly.

"You know, I don’t want to get involved in any conflict. I just want to live a stable life within the family." Zhou Luo met her bright gaze seriously.

Lin Xi found him rather interesting.

She had originally thought that after her return this time, he would throw his support behind the main family and readily agree to the marriage.

It seemed now that everyone had underestimated him.

Perhaps he truly just wanted a peaceful life?

Lin Xi seemed thoughtful.

Smiling, she asked, "Are you afraid I’ll disturb your peaceful life?"

"I know you’re unable to control the situation," Zhou Luo looked at her deeply, "but I wish for fewer ripples in my own life. That way, I can focus better on pill refining."

Their eyes locked, time seeming to freeze in that moment.

Zhou Luo wore a serious expression; Lin Xi’s smile remained unchanged.

After a long while, Lin Xi finally chuckled softly, "I understand. Let me meet your main wife tomorrow."

"Some things really need to be talked out openly."

Lin Xi’s perceptiveness took Zhou Luo quite by surprise.

This extraordinary beauty with bright eyes and white teeth seemed capable of seeing through all his thoughts.

Precisely pinpointing every critical point.

Indeed, some things deserved to be discussed openly.

If Lin Xi could understand his position, Zhou Luo didn’t mind marrying her.

"Alright, but I can’t guarantee she’ll be willing to see you," Zhou Luo said.

"I trust your judgment." Lin Xi smiled winsomely.

Before Zhou Luo could speak, she propped her chin on her hands where they rested on the stone table and blinked her large, luminous eyes.

"With the serious business concluded, it’s time to talk about yourself."

"Let me properly get to know you."

The corner of Zhou Luo’s mouth lifted, "I’d really like to get to know you as well."