Chapter 230

Chapter 230: Ascension

One year ago, due to the scheming of family head Lin Tian Xiong, Lin Zhi Shou’s condition worsened sharply, and later, with the support of various potions and herbs, he barely managed to keep his life.

But now, the time had truly come when he was about to run out of life.

When Zhou Luo arrived at Shouchun Garden, this place no longer lived up to its name and had become somewhat gloomy; the servants moved lightly, not daring to make any noise.

Walking into the inner courtyard of the main building, Zhou Luo first saw the pale and emaciated Lin Guangzhi and a group of men and women dressed simply.

These were the descendants of Lin Zhi Shou’s lineage, who had initially been dispatched outside because they lacked spiritual roots.

Now that this Sixth Elder was dying, the family surprisingly allowed them to come for the visit.

As soon as Zhou Luo appeared, all eyes turned towards him in unison.

Although they had already left Lin Zhi Shou’s side, they had always relied on his status to make a living, and their life had been relatively comfortable and stable.

Now, with their biggest support about to collapse, they were inevitably somewhat sorrowful.

At such times, it seemed as if Zhou Luo had become their new support.

Lin Guangzhi stepped forward, his expression sorrowful, his voice hoarse, saying, "Father has been murmuring about you."

Zhou Luo’s heart sank, he clasped his hands in salute, and walked directly into the inner room.

As soon as he entered the room, he smelled the fragrant aroma of potion.

Presumably, to save this dying old man, his lineage had put in considerable effort.

In the room, only a few elders sat in armchairs, their expressions solemn and silent.

Only upon Zhou Luo’s arrival did they slightly open their eyes.

Zhou Luo gave a deep look at family head Lin Tian Xiong, then approached the bed.

On the bed, Lin Zhi Shou’s full head of white hair was neatly combed, his eyes deeply sunken, and even the bridge of his nose was somewhat flattened.

His face was as pale as gold paper, without any trace of color, his eyes tightly shut, and only a faint sound of breathing could be heard.

A year ago, this old man could still converse with others, but now he couldn’t even open his eyes.

"Master, this disciple is late." Zhou Luo saluted respectfully.

Over the past year, he had often visited Lin Zhi Shou, but seeing that the other was about to die, his mood felt heavy.

Hearing the sound, Lin Zhi Shou’s lips moved slightly, but he couldn’t utter any words.

"Sixth Elder probably can’t hold on much longer." Lin Tian Xiong, behind him, shook his head slightly, a trace of sadness on his face.

The other elders remained silent.

Zhou Luo did not speak; he simply knelt silently by the bed, holding in both hands that withered old hand full of wrinkles.

Ten years ago, he had just entered the Lin Family, and later, for poison making, he got to know the other.

Over these ten years, ever since the other discovered his talent in alchemy, he treated him like his own child, with sincerity.

Zhou Luo observed all this closely, and so he deeply respected the other in his heart.

It could be said that Lin Zhi Shou was the only outsider in the entire Lin Family who truly cared for him.

Now that the other was about to pass away, it inevitably brought sorrow.

Suddenly, Lin Zhi Shou’s breathing grew rapid and harsh, the rasping sound piercingly loud in the silent room.

Everyone turned their gaze towards the bed.

They saw Lin Zhi Shou’s eyelids struggle to move, then abruptly open wide. His skeletal hand clamped down fiercely on Zhou Luo, while a strange flush spread across his sallow, withered face.

Zhou Luo’s heart tightened.

This was the final rally before death.

Lin Zhi Shou’s eyes stared vacantly, seeing nothing. He raised his left hand, clawing desperately at the air, and cried out in anguish.

"Father! Your son has not failed the Lin Family!"

The raw, hoarse shout struck at the hearts of everyone present; sorrow etched itself on all their faces.

Then, after a sharp, wheezing gasp, Lin Zhi Shou trembled once, closed his eyes, and breathed no more.

Zhou Luo bit his lip hard, a glimmer of light flickering in his eyes.

This elderly man had devoted his entire life to the family.

But what had the family given him in return?

Zhou Luo thought of Lin Tian Xiong’s actions and couldn’t help but feel a wave of indignant grief.

However, he quickly composed himself. Expressionless, he stood up, looked solemnly at Lin Zhi Shou’s body, and bowed with grave respect.

…

Ten days later, after Lin Zhi Shou’s funeral had concluded, Zhou Luo was summoned to the Meeting Hall.

It was his first time here. He looked with complex emotions at the oval meeting table carved from millennia-old black mystic jade.

As an outsider, his presence here naturally meant the family intended for him to take the position of Sixth Elder.

He had expected the Elder Council meeting to be a battleground of shifting factions, but to his surprise, the six elders present unanimously agreed that Zhou Luo should become the new Sixth Elder.

Be it the faction of the main family or that of the Great Elder, there were no objections.

This truly astonished Zhou Luo.

Beyond the matter of the Sixth Elder’s replacement, there was also the vacancy left by the deceased Seventh Elder.

Lin Xuanfeng currently held positions in both the Inner and Outer Halls, a situation long criticized.

Although the Great Elder was still in seclusion, the role of Seventh Elder needed to be filled.

Unlike the straightforward appointment for Sixth Elder, selecting the Seventh Elder sparked intense debate.

Even Zhou Luo, freshly made the Sixth Elder, was compelled to get involved.

Ultimately, the position of Seventh Elder was given to a senior, long-standing cultivator from the main family.

The outcome of this debate made it clear that the influence of the main family was growing ever stronger, while the faction of the Great Elder faced increasingly difficult circumstances.

As for the rumors from previous years about the Great Elder attempting Foundation Establishment, the prolonged lack of news meant they were now largely ignored.

The main family’s momentum surged, their actions and style becoming ever more ruthless and unrestrained.

These developments, however, were largely irrelevant to Zhou Luo.

After his promotion to the Elder position, his benefits increased accordingly, and visitors bearing gifts became an endless stream.

Zhou Luo disliked the bustle. He simply delegated the social duties to Xu Changsheng and retreated into seclusion within the main building of his residence.

"Husband, Father has delivered a message saying he’d like to see his grandson," Li Ying said softly in a side room of the main building, holding little Changliang.

Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow slightly and said gently, "Family affairs are quite busy lately. If Father-in-law wishes to come, he is welcome to visit."

The Li Family was clearly trying to strengthen ties taking advantage of his recent promotion to Sixth Elder by requesting to see the grandson at this critical moment.

Zhou Luo disliked such overtures, especially the suggestion of traveling thousands of miles away to Panshi City.

So he declined outright.

Li Ying still seemed to want to say something, but seeing Zhou Luo’s expression, she chose silence.

Apart from the Li Family, other family members also sought to curry favor.

Particularly his first father-in-law, Lin De. Initially, to win Zhou Luo over, Lin De had given him four women.

Now, leveraging that connection, he visited Zhou Garden frequently.

Then there were the Elders and other high-ranking officials; it seemed they wouldn’t be satisfied unless they practically moved into Zhou Garden.

Zhou Luo found this frustrating too; it wasn’t possible to outright refuse their enthusiastic overtures.

Doing so would damage his reputation and complicate future work.

Ultimately, Zhou Luo publicly announced he would enter Closed-Door Training.

Before secluding himself, he called Xu Changsheng aside.

"Going forward, I need you to be diligent in managing Zhou Garden, especially the expansion."

Upon becoming an Elder, the family granted special permission for Zhou Garden to expand further, a mark of the Elder’s status and prestige.

Xu Changsheng had been busy with these preparations lately, though no concrete plan had been formed yet.

"Rest assured, Master, I will ensure everything is handled properly," Xu Changsheng nodded with solemn conviction.

"Yes. I have full confidence in you."

After giving his instructions, Zhou Luo took Lin Xi and headed to the core area of the Cave Paradise to begin his Closed-Door Training.