Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Arrangements

The funeral of the Great Elder was held with great fanfare. It seemed as if the main family couldn’t wait to announce to others that one of their elders had died.

However, this had little impact on the war between the Lin Family and the Lu Family. After all, the Great Elder had been in Closed-Door Training for so many years and hadn’t made any contributions.

As soon as the funeral ended, Zhou Luo led his children back to Zhou Garden.

In the main hall of Zhou Garden, Zhou Chang Le looked at his father sitting upright in the main seat. After hesitating for a moment, he still said, "Father, are you really not going to help Second Elder and the others?"

Hearing this, Zhou Luo narrowed his eyes, and his voice turned slightly grave.

"Did they come to you?"

Zhou Chang Le bowed his body and said respectfully, "Please don’t be angry, Father. I just feel that what Second Elder said is right."

He lowered his head, but a glimmer of light flickered in his eyes.

As an Immortal Sect disciple, he naturally wanted his father to take charge of the Lin Family. What’s more, his father had the ability for it, and in his eyes, the main family was simply unworthy.

Zhou Luo stared at him and said indifferently, "I have my own plans."

But Zhou Chang Le still didn’t give up. He said discontentedly, "Father, the main family is now dragging the Lin Family into an unfathomable abyss. If you don’t intervene, the whole Lin Family will be ruined."

This rhetoric was spoken by Second Elder Lin Guang Xuan.

According to him, this was the result the Great Elder had foretold using his life before his death.

Zhou Chang Le had grown up under Zhou Luo’s instruction. He deeply knew his father’s strength; both that breathing and exhaling technique and the later gifted Battle Techniques had brought him great benefits.

Additionally, he had learned about how the main family schemed against his father’s master, knowing that his father was dissatisfied with the main family.

This was why, when facing the main family’s enthusiastic welcome, he acted so coldly.

Therefore, he wanted his father to seize the power of the Lin Family and lead it to prosper.

Zhou Luo remained silent, seeming uninterested in it.

He naturally knew about the Great Elder’s life-divination. Even he couldn’t help admiring that Great Elder’s understanding of him.

But the time for planning was far from ripe because the Foundation Establishment ancestor of the Lin Family had yet to appear.

As long as he was present, even if Zhou Luo wanted to overthrow the main family, it would be futile.

He didn’t believe that Foundation Establishment ancestor would truly allow an outsider like him to take charge of the Lin Family.

Moreover, at this moment, he had more important things to do.

Having reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement, in a few more years he could break through to Foundation Establishment. So his departure from Closed-Door Training was partly due to his children’s return and the Great Elder’s affairs, and partly to search for materials for Foundation Establishment Dan.

Zhou Luo did not speak, making Zhou Chang Le somewhat anxious. He turned his head and winked at his sister.

Zhou Shiling’s pleasant voice then sounded out.

"Father, I think what elder brother said is right. Over the past ten-plus years, just for fighting the Lu Family, the main family has lost an unknown number of people."

She too was dissatisfied with the main family.

The main reason was still feeling injustice over her father’s circumstances.

She knew that after becoming Sixth Elder, her father had always been ignored by the main family. If not for him and her brother being noticed by the Immortal Sect, her father’s position as Sixth Elder would have been completely unimportant and utterly disregarded by the main family.

In her eyes, her father was such a formidable person, and her mother was a descendant of the main family’s branch. He deserved much more respect.

Instead of summoning or dismissing people at will.

Naturally, Zhou Shiling didn’t know all this was Zhou Luo’s voluntary choice.

Along the way, she had discussed with her elder brother that once home, they must persuade their father to cease living in seclusion and neglecting worldly affairs.

Zhou Luo gazed deeply at his two children, realizing they had truly grown up—though they still failed to grasp the sense of priority.

"We’ll discuss this later. What of the Foundation Establishment Dan and materials?" he inquired gently.

Now that his children had qualified for the inner sect, their status within the Immortal Sect had soared. Purchasing directly from the sect would simplify matters.

Hearing these words, Zhou Chang Le looked up with hesitation. "Father, my master stated the sect’s Foundation Establishment Dan and materials are for internal use only. Providing them to outsiders is forbidden."

"If you wish to purchase them, joining the Immortal Sect is the only way."

The Qinyuan Sect certainly lacked no Foundation Establishment Dan, yet such critical resources—like the Lifespan Pill—were strictly regulated.

Father, if we manage to obtain Foundation Establishment Dans later, we could secretly give you one," Zhou Shiling’s gentle voice interjected again.

Zhou Luo shook his head. "That won’t be necessary."

Though he yearned for the Foundation Establishment Dan, relying on his children was unacceptable to him.

Moreover, if the Immortal Sect discovered such an act and provoked the displeasure of that Golden Core master, grave consequences would follow.

It seemed he would have to seek Foundation Establishment materials on his own.

"Father, if you took control of the Lin Family, acquiring Foundation Establishment materials might become easier," Zhou Chang Le suggested fervently.

Zhou Luo hadn’t expected such ambition from the boy.

He regarded him solemnly. "Chang Le, do you know what matters most to me?"

Zhou Chang Le rubbed his head, uncertain. "Strength?"

Zhou Luo nodded. "Correct. Strength is paramount. Positions like head of the Lin Family or any other leadership role are ultimately hollow."

"When your strength suffices, such things will come to you effortlessly."

"I understand your thoughts, but I urge you not to neglect the fundamentals and forget why we pursue cultivation."

Zhou Chang Le’s heart quivered, and he bowed his head. "Father, I am enlightened."

Zhou Luo spoke calmly. "You are young—such notions are natural. But focus on diligent practice and strengthening yourself; that is the true path."

His vision had long since transcended the confines of the small Lin Family.

With longevity now his, his gaze rested upon far greater heights.

Thus, he wished his children not to squander their talents but devote themselves wholly to cultivation.

Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling both nodded gravely.

"I’ll be departing for a time soon. Since you’ve returned, Zhou Garden will be entrusted to your care," Zhou Luo stated slowly.

Knowing their father intended to seek Foundation Establishment materials, Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling spoke as one: "Rest assured, Father. We will protect Zhou Garden."

Zhou Luo’s expression darkened. "More than just Zhou Garden."

Both tensed instantly.

They understood then—he spoke of those allied with the Great Elder.

So, Father hadn’t truly lost interest in leading the Lin Family after all.

Recalling their father’s earlier admonishment, Zhou Chang Le suddenly grasped a deeper insight.

After brief instructions, Zhou Luo dismissed them to accompany Lin Xi.

Not long after their departure, Xu Changsheng entered. "Master, the family head summons you."

Now, under Zhou Luo’s tutelage, Xu Changsheng had advanced to a high-tier formation master, his status greatly elevated.

The family had even offered him a new courtyard, but Xu Changsheng declined.

In his view, without Zhou Luo, he could never have achieved this. Grateful, he chose to remain with his household.

Zhou Luo grew contemplative.

Why would Lin Tian Xiong seek him at such a critical moment?

He resolved to find out.

"Understood."