After hearing his words, Zhou Mingde promptly replied: "Daoyi was invited to attend a celebration at a sect in Heng Country and plans to visit the mundane clansmen as well. He should be back in a few days."
"Is that so? Does the ancestor know where Yuzhen and Xinyuan have gone? My connection with Deer Monarch feels weak. I fear theyâve traveled far!"
Zhou Chun nodded and asked about the whereabouts of his wife and child.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingde quickly replied: "Three years ago, after Yingâer perfected the secret technique, she entered your abode, Zhengchun, to seclude herself for Nascent Soul Formation. Yuzhen and Deer Monarch took Xinyuan, who had just broken through to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and left Yu Country to explore the Tianling Region."
"Oh, so theyâve gone to the Tianling Region? No wonder my connection with Deer Monarch feels so faint!"
Zhou Chun nodded in realization and then let go of the concern.
Deer Monarchâs current strength is far beyond what it used to be.
With two Fifth Rank [Heavenly Wood Path Soldiers], even when facing Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivators or Fifth Rank Middle Grade Demon Kings, he is not the least bit intimidated.
Moreover, his escape abilities had already been proven against the Blue Flood Dragon King, Nutaot.
With Su Yuzhen and her son under his protection, thereâs no need to worry about their safety.
He nodded again and said: "Since Yingâer is now in secluded cultivation for Nascent Soul Formation, I wonât be cultivating here on Kunwu Peak. Instead, Iâll move to Taoist Friend Luoâs Mystical Pill Peak!"
Being at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, he has substantial demand for natureâs spiritual energy during cultivation.
If he were to train on Kunwu Peak, it would likely disturb the secluded Zhou Zhiying.
Thus, before his return, even Fushan Monarch, who used to train within the belly of Kunwu Peak, had relocated to Luo Qingniâs Mystical Pill Peak.
Among the three Spirit Peaks of the Zhou Family Mountain Gate, Kunwu Peak is the undisputed main peak. However, the spiritual energy concentration of Mystical Pill Peak and Changgeng Peak, where Tai Geng Divine Venerableâs incarnation resides, is not much different.
In Zhou Familyâs planning, Mystical Pill Peak serves as the Medicine Garden. Aside from Qingniâs abode, there are only a few other residences, with most of the mountainâs spiritual energy designated to nurture the abundant spiritual medicine planted on it.
Since the spiritual medicine was just recently planted and currently demands little spiritual energy, Zhou Chunâs cultivation here wonât affect anything.
Once a variety of thousand-year spiritual medicine and treasure medicine cover the mountain, the demand for spiritual energy will grow significantly, and having two Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators on the mountain would compete for the spiritual energy, negatively impacting the growth and survival of the spiritual medicine.
When Zhou Chun arrived at Mystical Pill Peak, he intended to meet Luo Qingni, but unfortunately, Luo Qingni had already gone into secluded cultivation.
Thus, he could only select a residence on the mountain for a temporary stay and delegated Fushan Monarch to search for the Nine Blades Barbarian Saint.
Ideally, Deer Monarch would have been the best candidate for the task.
But as Deer Monarch has ventured to the Tianling Region to protect Su Yuzhen and her son, Fushan Monarch has to take over the task.
Zhou Chun instructed him to leisurely explore the territories of the three alien races to see if any discoveries could be made.
Several days later, Zhou Daoyi returned from Heng Country.
Upon learning Zhou Chun had successfully broken through the realm and returned, he joyfully congratulated Zhou Chun.
While the two discussed the changes in the family over the past decade, he said with a smile: "Your earlier suggestion, Zhengchun, has been implemented successfully. Now, just at the Kunwu Marketplace, we have hundreds of cultivators coming and going each month. Jinyue Sect and Qingyun Sect even want to emulate us and set up a marketplace on their territories!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun immediately laughed: "Thatâs great! They want to build marketplaces; we will fully support Zhou Family to help them liven things up."
"Yes, thatâs what I think as well. For Yu Country to truly develop, marketplaces and scattered outposts are essential."
Zhou Daoyi nodded repeatedly, agreeing wholeheartedly with Zhou Chunâs view.
Then, with a hint of nostalgia, he sighed: "Sadly, the previous war severely damaged the cultivation world around neighboring countries, causing too many casualties among low and middle rank cultivators. Many countries are now recovering, and as the competition within their countries isnât very fierce, many low and middle rank cultivators donât want to venture to Yu Country for the adventure!"
"Step by step, first we clean the house thoroughly, then naturally, we wonât lack perceptive and daring individuals to come and settle in!"
Zhou Chun calmly replied, unaffected by the situation.
Currently, the Zhou Family doesnât lack resources, and its momentum is rising steadily, with no need to hastily achieve any remarkable results.
In Zhou Chunâs view, meeting 70% of Jingguo Countryâs population within a millennium in Yu Country would be sufficient.
Therefore, heâs not in a hurry.
Of course, itâs understandable for Zhou Daoyi, whose lifespan is limited, to feel some regret and impatience.
"Ah, Qingqing doesnât seem to mind the Thunder Flood Dragon and has mated with it a few times. We just donât know how long it will take to lay the Flood Dragon Egg."
"Moreover, Yingâerâs Heavenly Wind Thunder Hawk has also mated several times with a [Golden Crowned Black Roc], but there are no results yet."
Suddenly recalling some crucial matters, Zhou Daoyi quickly shared two rather gratifying news with Zhou Chun.
Zhou Chun nodded slightly upon hearing this: "Thatâs indeed good news; hopefully, they will have positive outcomes."
"While those outcomes remain uncertain for now, the [Fire Divine Jackal] has successfully mated with a Third Rank Wolf Demon [Crimson-Eye Flame Wolf] cultivated by a junior, producing a mixed-breed jackal wolf. Judging by its bloodline, itâs undoubtedly a high-level demon beast!"
Zhou Daoyi smiled faintly, sharing another related matter.
Listening to this, Zhou Chun couldnât help but laugh: "To have results so soon, the [Fire Divine Jackal] is indeed âold yet strongâ!"
They then laughed together.
After discussing some family-related matters, Zhou Daoyi left Mystical Pill Peak, and Zhou Chun settled down for a new round of cultivation.
Although he lost the opportunity to train inside the Myriad Fathom Sword Cavern, it doesnât mean his cultivation cannot continue to advance.
After all, he still possesses four Demon King Grand Pills and five [Primordial Mystery Pills].
However, he didnât rush to consume those elixirs and first took out the Fifth Rank High-Grade Spirit Fruit [Jiuhua Immortal Plum] granted by Tai Geng Divine Venerable as a reward.
The fruit is produced from a Spiritual Root within Changchun Venerableâs abode, maturing only once per millennium, with no more than two handfuls each time, and its precious nature needs no further explanation!
A Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator consuming one [Jiuhua Immortal Plum] can save a hundred years of meditation cultivation effort.
Zhou Chun previously refrained from consuming it, fearing to waste its medicinal potency.
Now, having broken through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, itâs the best time to consume and refine it.
Taking out the sealed jade box, he opened it, and the fist-sized, golden-yellow Spirit Fruit flew spontaneously into his mouth.
With one bite, the fruit transformed into a fragrant, sweet spirit liquid flowing into his abdomen.
Instantly, a celestial-like fulfillment pervaded Zhou Chunâs being, making him feel almost immortal, indescribably comfortable.
The "Immortal" character in [Jiuhua Immortal Plum] is certainly not randomly chosen.
After savoring that feeling for a while, Zhou Chun began to meditate, refining the pure spiritual power contained within the liquid.
During his meditation, spiritual energy from the surroundings also poured towards him.
This significant movement caught the attention of Luo Qingni in secluded cultivation deep in the cave, prompting her to slightly open her beautiful eyes. She smiled softly and continued her focused training.