Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Changes in the Lin Family

Outside the Immortal Sect, the Lin Family’s giant flying boat slowly emerged. Lin Zhi Shou led the clan members aboard.

The flying boat started its journey, heading towards the Lin Family residence.

Zhou Luo sat beside Lin Zhi Shou and began recounting the events that had happened in the Immortal Sect.

Upon hearing that Zhou Luo had defeated Lu An in the first month’s assessment and taken two magical artifacts from him, Lin Zhi Shou grinned from ear to ear.

"The Lu Family has been so arrogant for so long; in the future, they will no longer hold their heads high in front of our Lin Family when it comes to alchemy."

Everyone else also broke into smiles.

Previously, the Lu Family had constantly disparaged the Lin Family in matters of alchemy.

This time, Zhou Luo had vented their pent-up resentment for them.

They were immensely pleased, and simultaneously held a new view of Zhou Luo, their son-in-law.

Because they understood that after today, his status within the family would likely skyrocket. There was an extremely high probability he would become the new Sixth Elder after the current one returned to the Heavenly Path.

Next, Zhou Luo recounted winning first place every month and entering the fourth level.

Of course, he did not disclose the specific details of the fourth level to everyone.

It was said the spiritual energy there was even more abundant and immensely beneficial for alchemy.

It was precisely because of this that he had managed to smoothly advance to the top-level first-level.

Everyone exchanged incredulous looks.

First place for twelve consecutive months.

Such an outstanding performance made them feel deeply inadequate and filled them with admiration for Zhou Luo.

His talent was rather terrifying.

"Excellent. The future of the Lin Family in alchemy will be upheld by you," Lin Zhi Shou said with a broad smile.

Hiss—

Everyone was astonished; even Lin Xin’s beautiful eyes flickered with surprise.

Was this him being directly chosen?

They looked at each other.

It seemed the next Sixth Elder was definitely Zhou Luo.

Feeling their intense gazes, Zhou Luo quickly said, "Master, you overpraise me."

Lin Zhi Shou smiled and said nothing more.

……

Time flowed by, and those aboard the flying boat could already see the outline of Maple Leaf City.

At that moment, a streak of red light swept across the distance. A cultivator wearing Lin Family attire stood on a flying shuttle, arriving swiftly before them.

"By family decree, all must enter Maple Leaf City on foot and undergo inspection."

The man’s words immediately provoked an uproar.

Everyone rose to their feet with confused faces.

"Even me?"

Lin Zhi Shou stepped out from the crowd, his expression cold.

Upon seeing him, the man immediately bowed with an embarrassed expression. "My apologies, Sixth Elder. This is the family’s decree. Every single person must comply."

These words caused murmurs among the people on the flying boat.

"What’s going on? Why can’t we enter the city directly?"

"Inspection? Could they fear infiltrators sneaking into the city?"

"Is the Lu Family launching an attack?"

…

Word from one, word from another, traces of panic showed on their faces.

Lin Zhi Shou remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Understood."

"Please forgive me, Sixth Elder!"

The man cupped his hands in salute and departed.

Gazing at the enormous city, Lin Zhi Shou frowned slightly and steered the flying boat toward the massive city gate.

Soon, the flying boat touched down.

A group of cultivators dressed in Lin Family attire immediately approached.

"Disembark," Lin Zhi Shou stated calmly.

The group obediently descended to the ground and, guided by the guards, underwent the inspection.

Zhou Luo followed the crowd toward the city gate, his expression serious.

He wondered if this might be because the main family still distrusted him, deliberately setting this up.

Fortunately, during the inspection,

he encountered neither obstruction nor special treatment, smoothly entering the city with the group.

The main family didn’t stop him?

Weren’t they worried he might reveal the secret of the spiritual mine to the Great Elder’s faction?

Maple Leaf City’s streets remained bustling and vibrant, crowded and lively.

Yet, what surprised Zhou Luo was that

significantly more patrolling guards filled the streets.

When he had left earlier, he hadn’t seen this many guards.

It seemed something major truly was happening.

Shortly after, the group arrived before the family gate.

As expected, twice as many guards stood watch at the gate than usual.

Lin Zhi Shou led them inside, where they faced inspection once more.

"What on earth happened?"

Lin Zhi Shou looked at the cultivator he was interrogating and asked in a deep voice.

"Apologies, Sixth Elder, we do not know either; it’s all on orders from the family," the cultivator reported truthfully.

A serious expression appeared on Lin Zhi Shou’s aged face.

After bringing the cultivators back, he instructed Zhou Luo, "You go back first; I’m going to the main family."

"Alright," Zhou Luo agreed.

Subsequently, he transformed into a streak of light and vanished on the spot.

As for Lin Xin, she took a deep look at Zhou Luo, as if realizing something, and also hurriedly departed.

Zhou Luo felt a strong sense of impending trouble, like a storm was about to break.

After bidding farewell to the family members who sought to befriend him, he hastened his steps, heading towards Zhou Garden.

Inside the family grounds, there were many patrolling guards as well.

Moreover, the usually idle servants were walking hurriedly, their expressions worried.

Zhou Luo felt a stern and threatening atmosphere enveloping the entire family.

Before long, he appeared in front of that familiar Zhou Garden.

The servant guarding the gate saw him and was startled at first, then immediately bowed and saluted.

"Master!"

"Did anything major happen at home?" he asked with a serious expression.

"Reporting back, Master, nothing, Zhou Garden is all fine," the servant responded.

Hearing these words, the unease in Zhou Luo’s heart lessened significantly.

He let out a long sigh of relief, then strode into Zhou Garden.

"I’m back."

As soon as he entered the manor, he shouted in a loud, resonant voice.

The next second, several figures rushed out from the main building.

Lin Jin Xuan and the other wives and concubines appeared before him wearing expressions of pleasant surprise.

"Husband…"

The women’s eyes reddened, their emotions overflowing.

Especially Bai Zhi Yan, who was holding little Shi Wen; tears welled up in her beautiful eyes, as if she might burst into tears any moment.

"It’s been a year; you’ve all become more beautiful,"

Zhou Luo said with a smile, embracing each of the women in turn, making their hearts flutter even more.

"Daddy… Daddy…"

At that moment, little Chang An led a group of younger brothers and sisters running over from behind.

A year had gone by, so little Chang An was now over two years old, and the other children had also grown noticeably.

Zhou Luo, smiling, crouched down and gathered them all into his arms.

Luckily, there weren’t too many children yet.

If it were later, he couldn’t do this any longer.

"Daddy, you’re finally back,"

little Chang An pushed his small head out from among the younger siblings and said in a childish voice.

Zhou Luo extended his head to nuzzle him with his nose: "Did you miss me?"

"Yes, I missed you a lot, Daddy," little Chang An said earnestly, his little face serious.

"And me, and me,"

the other little ones exclaimed, jostling each other to speak.

"Alright, alright,"

Zhou Luo laughed heartily, savoring the joy of fatherhood.

After playing happily with the children for a good while, Zhou Luo redirected his gaze to his wives and concubines.

Having spent a year as married women, they had shed some youthful naivety and acquired more mature and alluring charm.

Zhou Luo led them to the main hall, planning to talk about what had occurred during his time away from home.