Chapter 1172: 504: Zhou Family's First 3rd Rank High-Grade Demon Beast [Please Subscribe]_2

Chapter 1172: Chapter 504: Zhou Family’s First 3rd Rank High-Grade Demon Beast [Please Subscribe]_2

Zhou Chun waved his hand lightly, his face carrying a faint smile as he spoke.

Upon hearing his words, Xu Fu hurriedly replied with respectful deference, “I wouldn’t dare! Clan Leader, you are of Golden Core status; it should be me coming to pay respects to you, how could I trouble you to personally visit!”

“Come, come, sit down first. Today, let’s have a proper chat.”

Zhou Chun’s tone shifted slightly as he suddenly beckoned Xu Fu, causing a chair to fly over to his side.

However, Xu Fu dared not sit down and instead spoke softly, “I wouldn’t dare, Clan Leader, standing is sufficient for me!”

“I told you to sit, so sit. Do you fear that I might eat you or something?”

Zhou Chun cast him an unpleased glance as he spoke.

Faced with this, Xu Fu dared not refuse any further and hurriedly responded, “I obey, thank you, Clan Leader, for granting me a seat.”

Only then did he cautiously sit down, barely resting on the edge of the chair.

Zhou Chun looked at Xu Fu, who was sitting slightly hunched over, and soon began to speak, “Xu Fu, you’ve been with the Zhou Family for over a century, haven’t you?”

Upon hearing the inquiry, Xu Fu promptly replied with reverence, “Clan Leader, that’s correct; I’ve been with the Zhou Family for roughly 170 years!”

“Indeed, 170 years—it’s not a short time. You could be considered one of the Zhou Family’s elders now. I still remember when you were just a teenager!”

Zhou Chun nodded slightly, reminiscing about the past with some emotion.

Being naturally clever, Xu Fu quickly picked up on Zhou Chun’s sentiments and followed the cue to express his gratitude, saying, “Clan Leader, your words couldn’t be more accurate. Back then, I was merely a teenager, and my body was deeply afflicted by ‘Evil Qi.’ If not for your timely intervention, Clan Leader, I wouldn’t have successfully opened my Purple Mansion, let alone passed the Foundation Establishment stage. I’d likely have long since become a pile of bones in some remote grave!”

Once he finished, Xu Fu gazed at Zhou Chun with deep gratitude, adding, “The life-saving kindness and transformative grace of the Clan Leader are blessings I will forever hold in my heart and dare not forget!”

Hearing such loyal declarations, Zhou Chun’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes twitching in subtle discomfort.

Such overt expressions of devotion—Zhou Chun couldn’t quite count how many times he’d heard them over the years.

But today was the first time someone phrased it so directly to him, and it brought an unusual sense of awkwardness.

Especially since today, Zhou Chun had summoned Xu Fu with ulterior motives that weren’t entirely benevolent.

Still, as a Golden Core Stage cultivator, those minor moments of discomfort and the faint pangs of conscience were swiftly overridden by the weight of greater responsibilities.

Whether for his personal safety or for the security of the entire Zhou Family clan members, some matters simply had to be carried out.

Gambling on one person’s conscience with his own life and the lives of his entire clan—that would be an utterly irresponsible decision!

His expression soon turned calm as he looked at Xu Fu and spoke, “Back then, when I saved you, it wasn’t simply out of pity for your exceptional innate talents and cultivation potential being wasted—I hoped that, once you had grown strong, you could contribute to the Zhou Family’s cause.”

“Now looking back, that moment of kindness really seemed to have been the right choice; you’ve fulfilled my expectations from back then, standing out among your peers and achieving what you have today.”

After hearing this, Xu Fu found himself at a loss for words.

After a long silence, he eventually replied respectfully, “Everything I have today is due to the cultivation and nurture of the Clan Leader and the Zhou Family. For the kindness shown to me, I could die a hundred deaths and still not repay it sufficiently!”

Zhou Chun, however, didn’t respond directly to his words but instead shifted the topic to say, “If my memory serves correctly, Xu Fu, you’ve been cultivating the ‘Wind Art,’ haven’t you? This cultivation technique is moderate and balanced. While its progress in mana refinement may not match techniques like the ‘Essence Condensation Technique,’ the mana it cultivates is solid and durable. Moreover, as a simplified derivative of the top-tier technique ‘Wind True Scripture,’ once you successfully form your core with this method, you’ll have the opportunity to transition to mastering the ‘Wind True Scripture,’ a superior cultivation technique.”

Pausing at this point, Zhou Chun’s gaze grew deep as he looked at Xu Fu and asked, “Now that you’ve successfully opened your Purple Mansion, have you considered attempting Core Formation in the future?”

This question was sharp indeed.

Upon hearing it, Xu Fu froze for a moment.

His gaze briefly flickered with confusion as he glanced at Zhou Chun before hurriedly lowering his eyes, answering cautiously, “I dare not think so far ahead. To merely succeed in opening my Purple Mansion is already satisfaction enough for me. Core Formation remains an uncertain and distant dream, and I wouldn’t dare to set my sights so high!”

Hearing this, Zhou Chun shook his head and replied, “You don’t need to be so constrained. For those of us on the cultivation path, who doesn’t dream of successfully forming their core, or even of reaching Nascent Soul Formation?”

He chuckled faintly as he continued, “After Foundation Establishment, one wishes to open the Purple Mansion; after opening the Purple Mansion, one seeks Core Formation; after Core Formation, one aspires to Nascent Soul Formation—this is only human nature, and there’s nothing shameful about it.”

Xu Fu’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing these words, but after a brief internal struggle, he ultimately maintained his silence.

Seeing his silence, Zhou Chun didn’t prolong the suspense, directly stating, “You are well aware of the Zhou Family’s current situation. After several centuries of decline, we’ve finally managed a revival under my leadership. Neither I nor the other elders and clan members of the Zhou Family will tolerate anything that jeopardizes this hard-won prosperity!”

“The interests of the Wasteland Territory are especially critical to sustaining the Zhou Family’s current flourishing state; not even the slightest threat to them will be allowed!”

Zhou Chun’s tone deepened as he fixed his gaze firmly on Xu Fu, saying, “Do you understand what I mean?”