"I have come today with another request!"

At this moment, Wang Erniu suddenly stood up and cupped his hands in a grand gesture towards Zhou Xun.

"We are brothers; there's no need for formalities. Just speak plainly if you have something to say!"

Zhou Xun was somewhat surprised. With a wave of his hand, a gentle force slowly lifted Wang Erniu.

The journey to Golden Cloud Valley is fraught with uncertainties. I am truly concerned about Xue'e and the children. If anything unforeseen happens, I hope you, big brother, can look after them!"

Wang Erniu looked at Lin Xue'e with a trace of tenderness in his eyes.

"Rest assured on this matter!" Zhou Xun nodded.

"As for Xiuyin and Youhe, the Lin Family should take good care of them. My only worry is for Shun'er, hence my plea for you, big brother, to take him as your disciple!"

Wang Erniu looked earnest as he cupped his hands and bowed again.

Lin Xiuyin and Lin Youhe are both Lin Family members by blood.

However, Wang Shun is different. He inherits the Wang Family legacy. Though he is still young and stays with the Lin Family now, when he comes of age, he will certainly have to move out to establish the Wang Family lineage.

Without Wang Erniu's care, he might find it hard to survive in the Cultivation Realm.

Zhou Xun naturally understood this reasoning.

An ancient saying goes, "A parent's love for their child leads them to plan for the long term." How true it is, Zhou Xun sighed silently, and nodded in agreement.

"Since you have asked personally, big brother agrees!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Erniu was overjoyed and hurriedly pulled his young son Wang Shun.

"Quick, pay your respects to Uncle Zhou—no, you should call him Master!"

Wang Shun immediately went up to Zhou Xun and knocked his head on the ground three times, signifying his intent to become a disciple.

"Disciple Wang Shun, pays respect to Master!"

Zhou Xun nodded, accepting this disciple.

"From today, you are my third disciple. Above you, there is an elder senior brother and a senior sister. You will meet them when fate allows it!"

"Yes, disciple will remember!"

After some idle conversation, Wang Erniu and his family left.

As for Wang Shun, Zhou Xun allowed him a year before joining, so he stayed by Wang Erniu's side for the time being.

After Wang Erniu's departure, Zhou Xun furrowed his brow.

"Is this Sword Cultivation Technique really so powerful, that even someone like Erniu, who was never ambitious, has become so aggressive and bold!"

...

Meanwhile.

The news of Zhou Xun's successful Foundation Establishment had also reached Qingyue Square.

It naturally caused an uproar.

All his old friends were flabbergasted.

It wasn't that they didn't believe Zhou Xun could establish a foundation, but that he did it so quickly.

When Zhou Xun left Qingyue Square, he had just barely broken through to the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining, a mere few years ago.

For an ordinary cultivator, they'd only reach around Eighth-Layer Qi Refining by now; some even stayed at Seventh-Layer Qi Refining.

Yet Zhou Xun had achieved Foundation Establishment directly.

This clearly indicated he must have had significant opportunities in these past years.

...

Song Family's Council Hall.

Song Family Patriarch Song Zhiwen, Song Zhishu, and several clan elders were all gathered here.

"Patriarch, you summoned us. Is there something important?" an elder with white hair inquired.

"Take a look at this letter!"

Song Zhiwen said nothing, handing a letter to the elder for everyone to read.

This letter was from Zhou Xun to the Song Family Patriarch.

It quickly passed into Song Zhishu's hands. He already knew what it contained without reading it.

Zhou Xun wrote him separately.

When he first saw the news of Zhou Xun's progress in establishing a foundation, he thought it was a joke until he realized it was true.

"Zhou Xun? Is that not Zhou Keqing? When he left years ago, he was only at the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining cultivation, and now, he's achieved Foundation Establishment!" A Song Family elder in green robes exclaimed, full of shock.

"Indeed it's Zhou Keqing. He has successfully broken through to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Today's gathering is to discuss how to handle this Zhou Keqing!"

Song Zhiwen's expression was calm, but his heart was deeply conflicted.

When Zhou Xun joined the Song Family, he was at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining; when he left, he was still at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining. Now Zhou Xun had successfully established a foundation, while he remained at the Ninth-Layer!

"Patriarch, when Zhou Keqing was at Late-Stage Qi Refining, his alchemy skill had reached Tier Two Low-Grade level!"

"Now that he has broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, his alchemy technique must have greatly improved. Even if he hasn't reached Tier Two Middle-Grade yet, he's probably not far off!"

"You know, there are only a few Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemists in all of Xui Country,"

"Their status is by no means lower than that of ordinary Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

"Remember, he is not yet forty years old!"

"A Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist under forty—isn't that worthy of our serious consideration!"

"Regarding Zhou Keqing, we should approach with great courtesy, maintain contact, and if possible, form a marital alliance!"

"Niece Yiqing is outstanding in temperament and looks, making her a suitable match!"

"Otherwise, if he advances to Tier Two High-Grade Alchemist, we might regret it when it's too late!" Song Zhishu, in his scholar's attire, spoke convincingly.

The other elders nodded approvingly upon hearing his words.

Seeing the unanimous reaction, Song Zhiwen nodded.

"If that's so, Seventh Brother, you have the task of going to White Cloud Immortal City!"

"If a true partner is not feasible, then even as a concubine!"

Song Zhishu cupped his hands in agreement.

...

On the other side, at Danhai Pavilion.

Zhou Xun's first disciple Zhou Jingsong, his second disciple Shi Wanying and her mother, along with Shopkeeper Huang, Zhou Jimin and his wife, were all gathered in the quiet chamber.

In front of them lay a letter from Zhou Xun.

Several years had passed, and the once little stone-gathering girl Shi Wanying had grown into a graceful young woman, with a heroic aura in her attire.

"You have all read Master's letter. What are your thoughts?" Zhou Jingsong was seated at the main seat, asking.

Zhou Xun had informed them in his letter about his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage and his plans to establish Danhai Pavilion in White Cloud Immortal City.

Thus, he arranged for his two disciples and Shopkeeper Huang to move to White Cloud Immortal City.

However, being mindful of their attachments to Qingyue Square, he did not force them.

The decision to go or not was left to their own will.

If they chose to go, their families could accompany them.

"I, Huang, have lived in Qingyue Square for decades; it's hard to let go. I will not go!"

Shopkeeper Huang was close to seventy when he joined Danhai Pavilion, and now, over ten years later, he was near ninety.

Despite the lifespan of a cultivator, he didn't have many years left and thus preferred not to move.

"Junior Sister, what about you?"

Zhou Jingsong nodded, then turned his attention to Shi Wanying.

"I will follow Senior Brother!"

Shi Wanying replied softly.

She had spent many years with Zhou Jingsong, the two like siblings growing up together, already nurturing feelings for each other. Naturally, they were unwilling to part.

However, they had not yet informed Zhou Xun to gain his consent, which is why they were not yet partners.

"Song'er, what are your thoughts?"

At this moment, Zhou Jimin, now with white hair, spoke up.

"I... I still want to stay in Qingyue Square!" Zhou Jingsong said softly.

"Nonsense!" Zhou Jimin scolded loudly.

"When Master calls, a disciple must serve. Alchemist Zhou has been a mountain of gratitude to you, entrusting you with Danhai Pavilion. Now, how dare you refuse the summons?"

"Moreover, with Alchemist Zhou's capabilities, advancing to Tier Two High-Grade is just a matter of time, and what kind of person is a Tier Two High-Grade Alchemist?"

"Or do you wish to forever remain merely a High-Grade Alchemist?"

"Can't our Zhou Family establish itself into a Cultivation Family?"

Zhou Jimin revealed his greatest ambition as he spoke.

"You must go to White Cloud Immortal City!"

Zhou Jimin declared firmly!

"Yes!" Zhou Jingsong cupped his hands in acknowledgment.

...

After Wang Erniu left, Zhou Xun also stepped out.

His destination was the library in White Cloud Immortal City, intending to see if there was a suitable main cultivation technique.

The current Nourishing Essence Technique was no longer sufficient to support his cultivation in advancing further.

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