Green Lotus Peak.
After returning to the family, Zhou Zhiying quietly settled into Zhou Chunâs abode.
Zhou Chun, having been alerted by her, began to pay close attention with Zhou Mingde to Xu Fu and his wifeâs Core Formation process, ready to intervene and break the forbidden technique to save them at any sign of unexpected circumstances.
The secluded chambers for the Zhou Family cultivators undergoing Core Formation were fully equipped with individual protective forbidden techniques, ensuring even an attack on the Mountain Protection Array wouldnât affect them.
This set of forbidden techniques was only forcibly accessible by Zhou Mingde and Zhou Chun within the Zhou Family.
Thus, on the third day after Zhou Zhiying returned to Green Lotus Peak, a sudden abnormal fluctuation of spiritual power emerged in Zhou Yuanyuanâs secluded chamber, yet the Nascent Soul Heavenly Phenomenon was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing this scenario, Zhou Chun consulted with Zhou Zhiying and promptly decided to forcibly break the protective forbidden technique, opening the chamber doors from the outside.
As the doors opened, they saw Zhou Yuanyuan lying on the ground, coughing up blood, her breath faint and her consciousness nearly fading.
"Mother!!"
After all, she was her biological mother, her closest blood relative. Zhou Zhiying, despite not having an exceedingly deep bond with her mother before, couldnât help but rush forward with tears in her eyes seeing her in peril.
It seemed that this heartfelt cry awakened a deep-seated resolve within Zhou Yuanyuan, whose fading consciousness showed signs of revival as her eyelids slightly flickered.
Noticing this, Zhou Chun quickly released Mu Sang to assist in treating Zhou Yuanyuan.
Given Zhou Yuanyuanâs current state, saving her was indeed impossible.
However, granting her a brief return to consciousness was still feasible.
Under Mu Sangâs treatment, a portion of her rapidly lost life energy was immediately checked, and her consciousness soon returned to clarity.
Upon opening her eyes, she saw her daughter who was holding her tightly, already reduced to tears.
Seeing the daughter she had been most proud of in her life dispelled much of the despair from the Core Formation failure, leading her to gently stroke her daughterâs face and softly say, "Yingâer, youâve returned. To have you by my side as I pass is already a solace to me!"
"Itâs my failure as a daughter. If I had known you were going to attempt Core Formation, I would have returned sooner!"
Zhou Zhiying cried in self-reproach, her eyes full of regret.
"Silly child, itâs not your fault. The blame lies in my lack of skill and opportunity, ultimately falling short of the Clan Leaderâs trust and expectations!"
Zhou Yuanyuan spoke while casting an apologetic glance at Zhou Chun who stood aside.
Seeing this, Zhou Chun lightly sighed, "Ah! Xiao Yuan, thereâs no need for such thoughts. Things have come to this point; you two should have a good talk. I wonât disturb you anymore!"
He then shook his head slightly and turned to leave the chamber.
Thus, waiting outside for about an hour, with Zhou Zhiyingâs heart-wrenching cry heard from inside, Zhou Chun and the arriving Zhou Mingde exchanged a glance and couldnât help but shake their heads repeatedly.
Zhou Yuanyuanâs failure meant she paid with her life and the Zhou Family lost a potential Core Formation seed and a Purple Mansion Phase elder.
To the family, this was undoubtedly a considerable loss.
Regrettably, due to Xu Fu still being in seclusion for Core Formation, it was inappropriate to disturb him concerning this matter. He couldnât even witness his partner for the last time.
However, at Zhou Zhiyingâs earnest request, both Zhou Chun and Zhou Mingde agreed to her plea, temporarily refraining from conducting a funeral for Zhou Yuanyuan, choosing instead to preserve her body in ice, waiting for Xu Fu to emerge from seclusion to host the funeral.
If Xu Fu successfully formed his Core!
And so, they waited for more than three years.
Three years later, on a certain day, a sudden tidal surge of spiritual energy appeared at Zhou Xinyanâs place of seclusion, swiftly heralding the Nascent Soul Heavenly Phenomenon.
This scene immediately brought great joy and excitement to many Zhou Family cultivators.
Adding a Golden Core Stage cultivator to the family was indeed a worthy cause for celebration, especially since Zhou Xinyan, regarded as the elder managing the familyâs affairs, had garnered widespread respect.
"Not bad, not bad, Xinyan is indeed promising, and he has certainly set a good precedent!"
Zhou Chun, observing the dark clouds gathering in the sky, felt a sense of relief and couldnât help but nod and smile.
Though Zhou Yuanlian had previously successfully formed her Core, her somewhat sensitive status meant she could only be an invisible presence in the family, incapable of taking a leading role openly.
Yet, Zhou Xinyan was different.
Being the first Zhou Family offspring with Superior Spiritual Root Aptitude born after the family had entrenched its foundation at Jiufeng Ridge, he was truly a pure-blood Zhou Family child, widely favored within the family.
Moreover, over the past century, he had adeptly managed family affairs in place of Zhou Chun, organizing everything in an orderly manner, showcasing commendable management skills.
In doing so, his successful Core Formation could serve as the best example for the Zhou Family, potentially serving as the face of the family.
"Just at the right moment, Iâll be preoccupied with transforming elixir and forming infant and wholly unable to attend to family affairs. Once Xinyan emerges from seclusion, Iâll talk to him about the clan leader handover."
Zhou Chun pondered silently, having new ideas and plans.
Soon after, as the Nascent Soul Heavenly Phenomenon faded, the news of Zhou Xinyanâs successful Core Formation swiftly spread.