Chapter 83: Zhou Family Loses Exotic Beast

Zhou Family.

When Lin Chang’an and Zhou Bingyun arrived at the Zhou family territory, they saw that many cultivators were severely injured.

"What happened here? Uncle Tieshan, are you alright?"

Seeing this chaotic scene, Zhou Bingyun immediately showed a worried expression.

Zhou Tieshan, added as a Foundation Establishment cultivator after the fall of the Zhou family’s Wind Spirit Root prodigy, was younger than Lin Chang’an.

At this moment, Zhou Tieshan was clutching his injured arm, looking utterly disheveled.

"This time at the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, we encountered a Tribulation Cultivator, who claimed to be Ghost Three Blades. He snatched away the Spirit Beast we had painstakingly captured within the mountain range."

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an’s gaze fell on Erniu, who had just taken Healing Medicine. He was surrounded by family, and Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and Wei Buyi had all arrived.

"Erniu, are you alright?"

Lin Chang’an stepped forward and looked at the pale-faced Li Erniu, showing concern.

Having consumed Healing Elixir, Li Erniu’s face still showed a lingering fear from surviving a catastrophe. Upon seeing Lin Chang’an, he gratefully and nervously said:

"It’s truly thanks to you, Brother Lin. If you hadn’t advised me earlier, I would have taken the Tier-Breaking Pill to break through before undertaking this family task, and I might have never returned..."

Listening to Li Erniu’s explanation, Lin Chang’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief; as long as Erniu was fine.

It turned out that the Zhou family had completed a transaction with him involving the Foundation Establishment Pill, and Erniu had made a significant contribution to the family.

Furthermore, after returning, Erniu’s successful break through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer by taking the Tier-Breaking Pill, being trusted by the family, led to his participation in this secret mission.

"As long as you’re fine, Erniu, you really scared everyone. When you first arrived, there was not a hint of color on your face."

Lu Qingqing spoke with a lingering fear, while Erniu’s wife and children wiped away tears. The eldest son, Zhou Yifan, already twenty years old, supported his father.

Lin Chang’an stepped forward to check on Erniu’s injuries, but couldn’t help being secretly alarmed—Erniu indeed narrowly escaped with his life this time.

However, just then, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Something’s not right!

The Mana aura lingering around Erniu’s wound felt incredibly familiar to him.

"This familiar Mana aura can’t be wrong! It’s Huang Shaohai."

Lin Chang’an secretly frowned, subtly checked again, and confirmed his senses were accurate.

Ever since cultivating the Evergreen Skill, his perception had grown stronger. Five months ago, during close contact at Gathering Immortals Tower with Huang Shaohai, he had distinctly perceived this peculiar Mana aura.

"This feeling, Huang Shaohai must have cultivated a powerful Wood Attribute Technique."

While Lin Chang’an was inspecting the wounds, Li Erniu weakly said:

"Brother Lin, I’m okay."

"Hmph, you almost lost your life, yet you say you’re fine." Wei Buyi coldly snorted, the two indulging in banter even at this moment.

...

"Mr. Lin."

At this moment, Patriarch Zhou Renmao appeared, still with a trace of anger on his face, to greet Lin Chang’an, a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Patriarch Zhou."

The two were quite familiar, having met half a year ago within the cave residence and accomplished a mutually satisfactory transaction.

This time, the Zhou family suffered significant losses, notably rendering months of effort in vain.

"Patriarch Zhou, what exactly happened this time? I recently heard Ghost Three Blades was still on the frontline."

Lin Chang’an frowned, the world outside was too chaotic.

This Ghost Three Blades is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, not a Golden Core cultivator.

Wandering thousands of miles swiftly, acting as if mighty.

Facing a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator, Patriarch Zhou hesitated, ultimately resentfully recounting this incident and the losses.

"To be frank, my Zhou family discovered a rare exotic beast, the Fengming Bird fledgling, within the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. To capture it, we deployed a Foundation Establishment cultivator and dozens of confidants, planning for half a year, and the result..."

Patriarch Zhou expressed through voice transmission how this occurred, causing Lin Chang’an to secretly frown.

While he didn’t understand the specifics about the Fire Essence Fengming Bird, he knew about rare exotic beasts—such beasts hold immense value, warranting the Zhou family’s concern.

The Zhou family’s secret operation, Huang Shaohai astonishingly knew about it.

"Mr. Lin, now the situation is turbulent, too many Ghosts Three Blades." Patriarch Zhou spoke helplessly.

Robbing and killing aren’t exclusively the profession of Tribulation Cultivators.

Often greed arises, temporarily pretending to be a Tribulation Cultivator to make a transaction; in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, this is common.

Yet many cultivators, due to sudden wealth, gradually succumb and become professional Tribulation Cultivators.

Lin Chang’an and Patriarch Zhou exchanged pleasantries. After confirming Erniu was alright, he departed.

Meanwhile, he remembered Huang Shaohai’s information in his heart.

"Five months ago, Huang Shaohai needed the Beast Spirit Pill, meaning previously he possessed at least a Tier One late-stage Spirit Beast. Perhaps now it has already broken through to Tier Two.

Now there’s another Fengming Bird, truly troubling. Later opportunity permitting, it’s worth understanding what this Fire Essence Fengming Bird truly is."

Lin Chang’an contemplated secretly; his caution wasn’t undue, instead preferring confronting problematic individuals.

Regrettably, this sect’s second-generation powerhouses have substantial backing, requiring further preparation on his part.

’However, Huang Shaohai’s arrogance likely isn’t solely personal arrogance!’

Pondering this, Lin Chang’an glanced at the Zhou family inconspicuously, remembering how they had moved to Celestial Profound City and aligned closely with Master Lu’s forces.

Adding the intel Huang Shaohai divulged—Master Lu’s limited lifespan and injuries—no one wishes yet another Core Formation cultivator in Celestial Profound City.

Thus, Huang Family’s audacity likely involves backing by formidable forces in conflict.

Upon reaching this conclusion, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but furrow his brows in concern—trouble teeming, since the Yue Kingdom’s Three Major Sects started battling, life hasn’t been tranquil.

...

Zhou Family.

"Patriarch!"

Zhou Tieshan, the injured Foundation Establishment cultivator, hoarsely expressed his indignation: "How can I accept this? Li Huo Palace’s Huang Family is too overbearing!"

"Watch your words!"

Patriarch Zhou fell silent, ultimately sighing deeply.

"Patriarch, how can you expect me to tolerate this? That exotic beast was too rare!"

It turned out the one impersonating Ghost Three Blades as a Tribulation Cultivator was recognized by Zhou Tieshan, identified as Li Huo Palace’s Huang Yuntian and Huang Shaohai, father and son.

He was furious, yet aware of Huang Family’s untouchable status, forcing him to swallow his grievance, externally attributing it to Tribulation Cultivator Ghost Three Blades.

Even when Lin Chang’an inquired, he refrained from revealing a single detail.

"Huang Family acts tyrannically; my Zhou family is weaker."

Patriarch Zhou’s silence revealed the Immortal Cultivation Realm’s harsh reality.

Knowing enemies is futile; confronting such beings isn’t feasible.

After venting, Zhou Tieshan grasped the severity, resignedly stating:

"Huang Family desires whatever catches their eye, but even we couldn’t guarantee proper care for that exotic beast. Let’s see how they’ll end up ruining it!"

"Recover well."

Patriarch Zhou’s silent voice echoed, internally contemplating.

In recent years, Li Huo Palace’s Huang Family’s ancestors boasted formidable cultivation, virtually transforming the sect into Huang family’s realm, naturally causing hardship for minor clans.

News of Master Lu’s injuries and impending arrangements for his disciple’s Core Formation journey spread.

The Yue Kingdom’s situation hasn’t stabilized; rather, it’s becoming increasingly turbulent.

This choice, unknown whether right or wrong.