Chapter 237

Chapter 237: Transaction

In the core area of the Lin Family, Zhou Luo walked on the somewhat deserted main road, almost rarely encountering main family members.

Now the war between the Lin Family and the Lu Family was escalating fiercely, and the family members had basically all gone to the front line for battle, leaving the entire family interior essentially only with the old, weak, women, and children.

Perhaps only Zhou Luo, the Sixth Elder, seemed a bit out of place.

But he wasn’t idle either; after all, he was a Pill Master, only needing to provide the family-prescribed potions each month, while fighting and killing enemies was not his affair.

He arrived at the family head’s villa.

In the great hall, Lin Tian Xiong, seated properly on the throne, saw Zhou Luo arrive and was instantly beaming with joy, standing up and saying.

"Sixth Elder, you’ve come."

Zhou Luo slightly bowed and said, "Pay respects to the family head."

"Don’t be polite, come, please take a seat," Lin Tian Xiong greeted.

Zhou Luo walked over and sat down on the large chair of golden-threaded nanmu beside, and a servant immediately respectfully brought spiritual tea.

The tea fragrance drifted out, refreshing and invigorating.

This was superior spiritual tea.

"Family head, unknown matter seeks me to do?" Zhou Luo inquired.

Lin Tian Xiong didn’t answer directly, instead laughing warmly and saying, "Sixth Elder, your children have truly brought glory for our Lin Family."

Zhou Luo smiled faintly and said, "It was merely their fortune, besides, they are now Immortal Sect disciples."

These words made Lin Tian Xiong’s smile stiffen.

He understood that the other side meant to say that they now had only blood ties with the Lin Family, and their greater identity was as Immortal Sect disciples.

Wanting them to help the Lin Family still had to see the Immortal Sect’s intention.

"Haha, indeed," Lin Tian Xiong laughed awkwardly.

Then he leaned his body slightly, somewhat troubled, and said, "Sixth Elder, you know that the Lin Family’s war situation hasn’t been good lately."

This protracted war had persisted for over twenty years, with many ceasefires occurring during that period.

Originally the Lin Family had already gained the upper hand.

But unexpectedly, the Lu Family sought the Zhang Family’s help for some unknown reason.

Although the Zhang Family didn’t openly assist them, they secretly provided Spirit Beasts to the Lu Family, causing the war’s balance to tilt back toward the Lu Family.

Therefore, Lin Tian Xiong was forced to seek out Zhou Luo to ask for help.

Zhou Luo feigned surprise and said, "Is the war situation so intense?"

Then with a helpless expression, he said, "Family head, but I’m just a Pill Master, and I’m not skilled at fighting on the battlefield and killing enemies."

Lin Tian Xiong’s lip twitched; he took a deep breath and said, "Sixth Elder, actually, it’s not about you taking action—I just want you to persuade the Second Elder and the others."

Although Lin Guang Xuan and his group participated in the war as family members.

But because they were not war advocates and had previously had factional disputes with the main family, on the battlefield, they were completely unreliable, often absent and not putting in effort.

The key point was that Lin Tian Xiong couldn’t control those guys, so he had to turn to Zhou Luo.

Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow, pretending to be startled. "Family head, your words are perplexing. How could I possibly restrain the Second Elder or the others?"

Lin Tian Xiong naturally disbelieved this.

He went straight to the point. "Sixth Elder, just state what you want. Anything within my power to grant you, I will."

Zhou Luo hadn’t expected the old fellow to be so direct.

He smiled faintly. "Family Head, fighting for the Lin Family is our duty. How could I profiteer in these times?"

"However, I have heard Elder Si’s situation is rather critical. Assistance seems warranted indeed."

These words caused Lin Tian Xiong’s expression to shift.

He understood all too clearly why the other brought up Elder Si at this critical juncture.

Elder Si, Lin Tianfang, was stationed guarding that new spiritual mine – the one above a small spiritual vein.

Zhou Luo bringing this up made his purpose glaringly obvious:

He wanted to seize control of that new mine.

A strange light flickered in Lin Tian Xiong’s eyes. He remained silent.

Zhou Luo felt no urgency, quietly waiting.

Only after the spirit tea was drunk did Lin Tian Xiong speak again, seemingly resolved. "Sixth Elder, I will send Tianfang to reinforce the front line."

Between the family and the spiritual mine, Lin Tian Xiong sacrificed the lesser for the greater, choosing the former.

Only then did Zhou Luo nod with satisfaction. He spoke unhurriedly, "Since Elder Si is leaving, the spiritual mine will need overseeing. I will arrange Chang Le and the others to head there."

Hearing the name Chang Le made Lin Tian Xiong’s heart sink.

He knew Chang Le was an Immortal Sect disciple. Zhou Luo sending him was clearly a forceful move to seize control of the mine.

But matters had progressed this far; he had no power to stop it.

Who could blame him? The Lu family and the Zhang family had him pinned down.

"I shall trouble you for this, Sixth Elder," he said, compelled to express gratitude near the end.

"Everything is for the Lin Family. I shall instruct the Second Elder and others to be more diligent." Zhou Luo smiled as he stood to leave.

Leaving the family head’s neighboring courtyard, Zhou Luo returned to Zhou Garden and summoned Xu Changsheng.

"Young Master," Xu Changsheng stood respectfully.

"I want you to lead Chang Le and the others to the spiritual mine," Zhou Luo stated directly, briefly recounting the earlier events.

Xu Changsheng had visited the mine and later learned of its secret. Hearing this now, he understood Zhou Luo’s intention perfectly.

He promised immediately, "Young Master, rest assured. I will defend the mine properly."

Zhou Luo nodded. "Go and make the arrangements."

After Xu Changsheng left, Zhou Luo summoned several of his children.

Among them were Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling.

He now had thirty-six children, nine of whom possessed combat strength at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement or higher.

Among these nine children, the eldest son, Zhou Chang An, stood at the forefront.

He wore a white robe, his posture upright, features firm. His eyes and brows resembled those of his mother, Lin Qing Han.

Despite possessing only Ninth Grade spiritual roots, under the family’s fine character, his younger siblings respected him absolutely.

Now twenty-five years old, aided by the Qi of Innate Origins and having cultivated the Spirit Gathering Technique since childhood, he had reached the sixth layer of Qi Refinement.

But as he aged, blocked by the limits of his spiritual roots, he would likely remain at Qi Refinement without further fortune.

However, if Zhou Luo could master the materials needed for the Foundation Establishment Dan, even this eldest son might yet achieve Foundation Establishment!

"I called you all here today to arrange a trial for you," Zhou Luo said lightly, informing them about the mission to the spiritual mine.

Though members of the Lu Family attacked near the mine, it wasn’t nearly as intense as the front lines. Xu Changsheng’s skill in constructing high-grade formations, combined with Chang Le and the others, would suffice.

It also provided an opportunity to secure the mine’s control.

Hearing this, reactions varied. Several of the boys looked vigorous and full of fight.

"Chang Le, Shiling, your cultivation is the highest. Look after the others," Zhou Luo instructed.

Among the nine, Zhou Chang Le and Zhou Shiling were the youngest but possessed the greatest combat strength.

"Don’t worry, Father," Zhou Chang Le said confidently, lifting his chin.

Zhou Luo then looked to Zhou Chang An. "You are the eldest brother, the steadiest. War is no game. Mind your younger siblings."

Zhou Chang An nodded heavily. "I know, Father."

"Father, we’re steady too, you know…" Zhou Chang Huan, Bai Zhi Yan’s first child, said smilingly from the group.

The others hearing this burst out laughing.

"You rascal," Zhou Luo’s lips curved. "Since you’re all so steady, spare your mothers the worry."

"Of course! As the saying goes, ‘Brothers united, their strength cuts gold!’"

"You little brat, forgetting your sister, huh?"

"Ai yo! Father! Sister hit me! You have to stand up for me…"

The room descended briefly into a chaotic mess, filled with laughter and cheerful shouts.