Chapter 184: Chapter 169: The Zhou Family’s Gift and Li Xuerou’s Thoughts

While Lu Zhao was in secluded cultivation within his new cavern estate in the Bixia Sect, focused on switching to the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill, news of his successful Foundation Establishment was like a stone tossed into a calm lake, sending ripples across a distant, familiar land.

Changfeng County. The Zhou Family. Qiyun Mountain’s meeting hall.

The hall’s purple sandalwood beams and pillars created a solemn atmosphere, with the scent of sandalwood wafting through the air. Zhou Family Elder Zhou Xianmo walked in with a steady gait, holding a pale cyan Communication Jade Scroll. He bowed respectfully to the figure seated at the head of the hall—the Zhou Family’s Grand Elder, Zhou Chengyue, whose aura was as deep and vast as the sea.

"Elder Ancestor, Xianlu has sent a message back from the Bixia Sect." Zhou Xianmo’s voice was clear and steady as he presented the Jade Scroll with both hands.

Zhou Chengyue slowly opened his half-closed eyes, his gaze as still as the water in an ancient well. He accepted the Jade Scroll, his Divine Sense sinking into it. A moment later, he set it down and looked at Zhou Xianmo. "Give me the details. The whole story."

Zhou Xianmo bowed slightly and gave a clear, organized report. "To the Elder Ancestor, the person mentioned in the message is named Lu Zhao. About thirty years ago, he joined our Zhou Family as a Wanderer at the second layer of Qi Cultivation and became a Lowest-Rank Guest Minister. He initially served in the Cold Iron Mine Cave and was quite low-key at the time. However, he later revealed a remarkable talent for Puppetry. The Tier One Lower-Grade puppets he crafted, such as the Cyan-striped Mouse Puppet, Ironwood Guard, and Flowing Cloud Sparrow, were sold on consignment at our Nine Abyss Pavilion. The Flowing Cloud Sparrow, in particular, played a significant role in our campaign against the Zhao Family back then."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "About twenty-four years ago, Lu Zhao advanced to become a Tier One Middle-Grade Puppet Master, crafting even more refined puppets, such as the Ice Wind Wolf Puppet."

"Around that time, a clansman from a branch family, Zhou Hua, sent his son, Zhou Bin, to study the fundamentals of Puppetry under Lu Zhao. Although Lu Zhao had a reserved personality, he was methodical in his affairs. He was quite diligent in teaching Zhou Bin, effectively passing on a portion of his knowledge of Puppetry. Zhou Bin is now a Tier One Lower-Grade Puppet Master, serving under the family’s Hundred Arts Pavilion."

"About eighteen years ago, after his cultivation reached the late stage of Qi Cultivation, Lu Zhao ’voluntarily’ resigned from his position as an Honored Guest Elder." There was a distinct awkwardness in Zhou Xianmo’s tone. A man of Zhou Chengyue’s perception understood at once that there was more to the story. Still, he knew Zhou Xianmo well; he wouldn’t intentionally conceal anything of true importance. ’It must have just been a minor incident,’ Zhou Chengyue surmised.

Zhou Xianmo continued, "In light of his many years of service, and since his Puppetry skills had been of some benefit to the family, we ’did not stand in his way.’"

At this point, Zhou Xianmo’s tone shifted as he got to the heart of the matter. "According to Xianlu’s message, after leaving the Zhou Family, Lu Zhao appears to have wandered for some time before eventually reaching the Bixia Marketplace."

"During the Ascension Ceremony ten years ago, he made a name for himself and gained entry into the Bixia Sect, becoming an Outer Sect Steward. Afterward, it seems he was blessed with some good fortune and fateful opportunities, for he managed to achieve Foundation Establishment in one fell swoop. He is now an Inner Sect Steward in the Bixia Sect."

"As for the matter Lu Zhao entrusted to us," Zhou Xianmo said, "it stems from a long-deceased clansman of a branch family, Zhou Kang. When Zhou Kang was alive, he looked after Lu Zhao, who had just become a Puppet Master, and offered him a helping hand when he was in trouble."

"Before Zhou Kang died, he ’apparently entrusted a request to Lu Zhao.’ The gist of it was that if Lu Zhao’s cultivation path ever flourished and he achieved great success, he hoped Lu Zhao would remember their past bond and, when he was able, look after and protect his only remaining blood relative in the family: his grandson, Zhou Mo."

"As for this Zhou Mo, his cultivation is stalled at the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation, and he is still serving in the Cloud Pattern Cavalry Reserve Camp on the outskirts of Qiyun Mountain. His innate aptitude is considered passable, but based on his usual performance, he is entirely unremarkable, with no notable qualities whatsoever."

Zhou Chengyue listened silently to Zhou Xianmo’s report, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the purple sandalwood armrest, making a low, rhythmic TAP... TAP...

After a long while, he spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible sigh. "From the sound of it, this man is a person of integrity and loyalty. Although our Zhou Family showed him no profound kindness, we never mistreated him during his time as a guest. Furthermore, we provided him with shelter and resources when he was still in his humble beginnings. Add to that the fact that Zhou Hua’s son was his student of Puppetry, and his old bond with Zhou Kang... it can be said we’ve established a measure of goodwill."

Zhou Xianmo nodded in agreement. "Your insight is profound, Elder Ancestor. The Zhou Family did indeed treat Lu Zhao well. Even regarding his Puppetry—though some in the family coveted Lu Zhao’s Puppet Inheritance, no one ever acted on it, out of concern for the family’s reputation."

"The family also provided resources to support his student, Zhou Bin, in his study of Puppetry. And when Lu Zhao departed, he did leave behind a portion of his teachings for Zhou Bin, which shows their relationship was on good terms."

Hearing this, Zhou Chengyue mulled it over for a moment before making a decision. "Hmm. Send a message to Xianlu. Have him contact this Steward Lu Zhao privately, on the family’s behalf, to express our congratulations."

"Make the Zhou Family’s goodwill clear to him. If there is anything he needs from us in the Bixia Sect, we can offer assistance as we see fit, so long as it doesn’t violate the family’s core interests. Regarding Zhou Mo, have Xianlu inform Lu Zhao that the family will ’properly’ arrange for him, so he need not be distracted. But be sure that this gesture of goodwill is conveyed to Lu Zhao."

"Yes, Elder Ancestor." Zhou Xianmo bowed in acknowledgment and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment." Zhou Chengyue stopped him, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Take the bottle of ’Ageless True Water’ from the warehouse and have Xianlu deliver it as a congratulatory gift from the Zhou Family for his successful Foundation Establishment."

Zhou Xianmo was taken aback, a flicker of hesitation on his face. "Elder Ancestor, Ageless True Water is a Tier Two Lower-Grade Spiritual Object. It contains pure, ice-cold Spiritual Power and is immensely beneficial to Foundation Establishment Cultivators with Water or Ice attributes for stabilizing their cultivation, refining their magical power, and even crafting certain special magical artifacts. It is incredibly valuable."

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