CHAPTER 608: CHAPTER 593: RETURN TO THE CLAN [SUPPLEMENTARY UPDATE]

Lending five million low-grade spirit stones and earning a favor from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, Zhouyang feels that this investment is very worthwhile.

The spirit stones in his hand are of no use for the time being, and the Zhou Family’s large spirit stone mine is being continuously mined. If he really needs a large amount of spirit stones for something, he can just return to the clan.

Moreover, Master Bai Lu promised to repay the loan within three hundred years, and Zhouyang believes that the dignified Nascent Soul stage cultivator, having made a public promise, will definitely not default on it.

Even when considering that three hundred years later, he might have already refined his pill and formed his infant, and should Master Bai Lu dare to default, he would have the ability to personally visit and demand repayment.

So when lending this large sum, he is not the least bit worried, unlike most lenders who worry about the borrower not repaying.

Therefore, after the auction ended, he calmly waited for the auction house cultivators to deliver the items he purchased, such as the "Fire Phoenix Profound Pill", "Geng Metal", "Fetus Nurturing Pill", and exchanged the spirit stones for them.

As expected, regarding his lack of one upper-grade spirit stone, the auction house did not overly insist, merely asking him to deduct fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones, covering the missing upper-grade spirit stone from the auction house’s fee income.

This method of clearing made it so that no one, except the auction house cultivator he dealt with, knew he purchased the "Fetus Nurturing Pill".

Furthermore, he deliberately used a disguise mask during the exchange to alter his appearance, ensuring no one recognized his true identity.

Upon completing the transaction, he directly used the VIP channel to leave the auction house via a teleportation array.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou’s achievements have been heard by this old man over the past few years. Young as you are, accomplishing such great deeds, your future is limitless!"

In one pavilion, Zhouyang and Master Bai Lu, the lender and borrower, faced each other, sipping tea and conversing.

After lending the spirit stones that day, Master Bai Lu immediately took the five million spirit stone loan prepared by the auction house cultivators, only now having the time to invite him and express gratitude.

On hearing the other’s praise, Zhouyang, without assuming the identity of the creditor, respectfully replied, "I dare not accept such praise from Elder. Compared to accomplished masters like the Elder, I am merely a child learning to walk".

Master Bai Lu smiled faintly and responded, "Little friend, you are too modest. Certainly, there is a huge gap between the Golden Core stage and Nascent Soul stage, but it isn’t as large as you suggest. Moreover, even if I don’t trust my own judgment, I would never doubt Elder Xuanji’s insight!"

Having borrowed Zhouyang’s spirit stones and promised him a favor, he naturally must thoroughly investigate Zhouyang’s identity and background afterwards.

The information gathered in the few days since has already surprised him greatly.

Being a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, he naturally understands how formidable a "Half-Step True Immortal" like Elder Xuanji, who had reached the Ninth Layer Nascent Soul stage, was. A mere Golden Core stage cultivator like Zhouyang was highly valued by this deceased Ninth Layer Nascent Soul stage cultivator, signifying evident potential.

Especially since Zhouyang directly lent him five million low-grade spirit stones, further showcasing considerable wealth.

Such a young Golden Core stage cultivator with both background and wealth will likely follow a more smooth path compared to most Golden Core stage cultivators.

Master Bai Lu even suspects that the buyer of the "Fetus Nurturing Pill" was Zhouyang, though lacking proof.

However, all he needs is certainty that Zhouyang isn’t an unscrupulous malefactor, which reassures him.

Master Bai Lu casually waved his sleeve, producing a green jade token, and tossed it to Zhouyang, saying, "I honor my word. If you encounter insurmountable issues in the future, you can come to Lu Ming Valley and find me with this token. As long as it is not a request for me to duel to the death with my peers, I promise not to refuse!"

Zhouyang came to meet him precisely for this promise.

Immediately, he diligently accepted the jade token, firmly held it, and solemnly assured, "Elder, rest assured, I will not easily use this token unless necessary, nor put you in danger because of me."

"With your assurance, I am relieved,"

Master Bai Lu nodded slightly, greatly satisfied with this guarantee.

Then he waved his hand, stating, "Alright, I must return to the sect urgently to refine a newly acquired magical artifact, so I will not accompany you further, Fellow Daoist Zhou. As for the five million low-grade spirit stones I owe you, I will arrange for someone to deliver them to you in batches, ensuring not a single spirit stone is missing."

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang sensibly stood and bowed, saying, "In that case, I won’t disturb Elder any further. I take my leave."

Afterward, he took his leave and returned to the temporary cave mansion at the Immortal Inn.

Remaining in the Immortal Inn cave mansion for three to four months, he waited until the cultivators who came for the grand auction had long departed, then left the Jade Capital City and returned to Chongxuan Mountain.

After returning to Chongxuan Mountain, Zhouyang first handed the purchased spirit elixir and other items to his Dao Companion Xiao Ying. Then he assessed the recently recruited registered disciples before preparing to return to the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm.

The last time Zhou Guangxiang schemed against him using Zhou Shengyu, Zhouyang hadn’t forgotten. This time going back was to deal with that matter.

Moreover, he had promised Zhou Ronghua and others to bring them back to the clan, letting them return in glory, so that all Zhou Family Cultivators would know about their contributions and sacrifices in the Chongxuan Mountain battle.

Of course, most importantly, he had to send back the Jade Liquid Golden Pill and Purple Heart Jade Marrow exchanged with merit points to stabilize the hearts of all Zhou Family Cultivators.

This trip home was just for business, not requiring a long stay, so Zhouyang didn’t bring his Dao Companion Xiao Ying back with him.

Moreover, for safety’s sake, he specially sent messages to Master Cyan Yang and Liu Yunxiang of the Suyun Sect, requesting they come immediately to aid at the first sign of distress from Chongxuan Mountain.

Finally, to facilitate Xiao Ying’s escape from Chongxuan Mountain in dangerous situations, he left behind two Tier Five Spirit Birds, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle and Seven-Colored Peacock, for utmost preparation.

Once everything was in order, Zhouyang bid farewell to his Dao Companion Xiao Ying and departed Chongxuan Mountain with Zhou Ronghua, Zhou Rongxiang, and Zhou Shenghe, returning to the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm.

Without the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle for flight, Zhouyang used his Tier Five Lower-Grade Flying Spiritual Artifact, the Thunderbolt Golden Light Divine Shuttle, to travel. At full speed, it was not slower than the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle.

Only, this artifact could not conceal his tracks, so he could only use it before entering the Broken Cloud Mountain Range.

Upon reaching the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, Zhouyang had to put away this artifact and switch to using a Tier Four flying boat spiritual artifact.

This Tier Four flying boat spiritual artifact also offered some invisibility effects, though not as strong as the "Illusory Cloud Ship" he left for the clan, but still better than flying by cloud.

Zhouyang had traveled this route many times, saying he could fly home with his eyes closed was an exaggeration, but almost no mishaps were expected.

Especially given his greatly enhanced power, even if something came up, he could easily resolve and handle it.

The journey was uneventful, and a month later, Zhouyang arrived back at the Zhou Family headquarters on the Rhino Horn Continent Oasis.

The Zhou Family Cultivators, joyful upon news of the long absent family ancestor’s return, hurried to the Rhino Horn Continent Oasis to pay homage to this family elder.

Who in the Zhou Family didn’t know that this family elder was always generous? Anything he casually bestowed could reduce one’s efforts by tens of years.

This was precisely to Zhouyang’s liking, so he even sent the couple Zhou Guangxiang and Li Mubai, upon hearing the news, to pilot two large Void Traveling Tower Ships to bring back as many Zhou Clan Members as possible from the various oasis spirit mountains to the Rhino Horn Continent Oasis.

Back when the Six Paths Alliance cultivators attacked Chongxuan Mountain and Chang Country, they brought several large void traveling tower ships. Zhouyang killed those Golden Core Stage Cultivators and obtained three ships; besides leaving one for his Dao Companion Xiao Ying as a backup, he brought the other two back this time to give to the clan for use.

Before other clan members arrived at the Rhino Horn Continent Oasis, rewarding Zhou Ronghua, Zhou Rongguang, and Zhou Shenghe could wait.

Zhouyang directly called Zhou Guangxiang into the cave mansion on Lingxi Peak for a talk.

"Do you know why I returned this time?"

Inside the cave mansion, Zhouyang looked at the nephew before him, whose hair now had a slight touch of gray. Although he intended to sharply question his counterpart, he suddenly changed his tone.

He seemed to realize then, that Zhou Guangxiang was no longer young. Comparing to the Purple Mansion Stage Cultivator’s lifespan limit of 480 years, Zhou Guangxiang at over 360 years old could be considered middle-aged beginning to step into old age.

"Nephew knows."

Zhou Guangxiang looked up once at Zhouyang, then lowered his head and softly replied.

"I had hoped I was wrong, but upon learning you had given the portion of Purple Heart Jade Marrow I gifted to Tongxuan, I was truly disappointed in you!"

Zhouyang’s face couldn’t hide a look of disappointment, letting out a sigh, his eyes full of anguish.

Of course, Zhou Guangxiang handed over the Purple Heart Jade Marrow I gave him to his son Zhou Tongxuan, naturally hoping his son would advance to the Purple Mansion Stage and legitimately take the clan leader position from him.

But unfortunately, his son didn’t have the luck of him or his sister Zhou Guangxiang; even with the help of Purple Heart Jade Marrow, he ultimately failed.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Guangxiang’s body trembled slightly, then "thud," he knelt down, facing Zhouyang with a deep kowtow, saying solemnly, "A thousand mistakes, all the fault of this nephew alone. Whatever punishment Ninth Uncle imposes, this nephew will willingly accept."

"Reward and punishment must be clear; that’s the basic principle of governing a nation and family. Even if you are the Zhou Family Patriarch, even if you’re my most trusted favorite nephew, I cannot afford favoritism and injustice!"

"You gave the Purple Heart Jade Marrow to your son, Zhou Tongxuan, for consumption. This isn’t much of a mistake, as you exchanged it using your clan contribution points."

"However, in order for your son to inherit the position of Clan Leader, you unjustly expelled the clan’s talented disciples for personal gain, a crime for which the evidence is undeniable!"

"According to clan rules, those guilty of using power for personal gain could face penalties ranging from withheld salary to demotion. If their actions result in significant harm to the clan, their cultivation might be abolished, and they could be expelled from the clan!"

Zhouyang looked deeply at his nephew, who was kneeling on the ground, and his every word was like a heavy hammer pounding on Zhou Guangxiang’s heart, causing his body to tremble continuously, not daring to meet his gaze.

This clearly showed he was indeed remorseful, indeed fearful.

Seeing this, however, Zhouyang continued with an unchanged expression, "Initially, your abuse of power did not cause severe repercussions, considering your past contributions to the clan, you could have been merely penalized with a salary deduction and retained position."

"But as Clan Leader, you should set an example for all clan cultivators, yet now you lead in breaking rules. If such leniency was given, how would it satisfy the masses?"

"Therefore, as the Supreme Elder of the clan, I am stripping you of the Clan Leader position and exiling you to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm for a hundred years!"

"Zhou Guangxiang, do you accept this judgment?"

As Zhouyang finished speaking, his voice suddenly rose, akin to the sound of a grand bell, reverberating thunderously in Zhou Guangxiang’s ears.

Zhou Guangxiang’s body trembled, and he finally raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and said in a trembling voice, "Nephew accepts the judgment, I am ashamed of the clan, and ashamed of you, Ninth Uncle. I accept your punishment willingly!"

"Why are you crying? A real man takes responsibility for his actions, shedding blood, not tears. Since you knowingly committed the mistake, you should be prepared to bear the consequences!"

Zhouyang shouted angrily, flicked his sleeves, and left the cave residence directly.

He fully understood why Zhou Guangxiang cried and wept.

Since the establishment of the Zhou Clan, there had never been a Clan Leader removed from position due to wrongdoing.

Previously, every generation of Zhou Clan Leaders either transitioned leadership upon reaching their lifespan’s end or, like Zhou Minghan and Zhouyang, passed leadership to outstanding younger members while still alive.

Zhou Guangxiang, having served as the longest reigning clan leader, was supposed to become a model for future leaders of the Zhou Clan, respected and revered by all later generations.

Yet, due to this incident, he became the first clan leader to be dismissed while in office, leaving an indelible stain on his life.

His fate now serves as a living example, warning those who might succeed him that becoming the Clan Leader does not mean ruling with impunity.

Becoming a warning example instead of a role model for future generations, such disparity is understandable.

It’s only natural that Zhou Guangxiang regrets and weeps for this reason.

And Zhouyang, in order to teach his nephew a heavier lesson, didn’t reveal his decision to let his son Zhou Tongxuan succeed as Clan Leader at this moment.

Naturally, until this order was officially declared, Zhou Guangxiang was still the Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan.

In the following days, as Zhou Clan cultivators from all over hurried to Rhino Horn Continent to meet Zhouyang, the Zhou Clan ancestor, Zhouyang himself left Rhino Horn Continent for the Yellow Sand Sect’s mountain gate.

This trip to Yellow Sand Sect, Zhouyang aimed to settle an old cause and effect.

"This is a Jade Liquid Golden Pill. To obtain it, I, Zhouyang, beheaded three Golden Core Stage cultivators in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm!"

"Today, before Elder Cao, I, Zhouyang, fulfill my promise to hand this over to your Yellow Sand Sect, hoping you’ll make good use of it."

Within the Yellow Sand Sect’s mountain gate, amidst the cemetery of past sect elders, accompanied by Xu Jinyao, the current leader of Yellow Sand Sect, Zhouyang paid respects at Cao Wenjin’s grave. He then produced a Jade Liquid Golden Pill at the grave, handed it to Xu Jinyao, thus fulfilling his promise to Cao Wenjin years ago.

Back when he was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Cao Wenjin placed a heavy investment in him, supporting him and the Zhou Clan’s growth and expansion.

Today, returning favors several times over, he reciprocated Cao Wenjin’s initial investment and kindness.

Henceforth, the bond between him and Yellow Sand Sect was completely severed.

For the next century or two, he would still honor the initial promise to protect the Yellow Sand Sect for five hundred years but would no longer assist them in any matters beyond this commitment.

"Elder Zhou’s great kindness, the younger generation and all of Yellow Sand Sect are moved to tears with gratitude. Ancestor Master Cao, if he is watching from the heavens, will surely be thankful to you as well!"

In front of the tombstone, Xu Jinyao tightly gripped the jade bottle in his hand, bowed deeply to Zhouyang, and could not conceal the excitement and agitation on his face as he expressed his gratitude.

He initially thought that during his tenure, he might never get this treasure.

Because he often asked himself, if it were him, for the sake of the sect, he would never hand over a treasure capable of producing a Golden Core Stage cultivator to a potential rival before the five hundred years agreement expired.

The agreement that Cao Wenjin made with Zhouyang only required him to procure a "Jade Liquid Golden Pill" for Yellow Sand Sect when he had the ability, but it didn’t set a time limit.

If Zhouyang were a bit more ruthless, he could have waited to hand over this item to Yellow Sand Sect just before the perfection of the five hundred years term.

By that time, even if someone in Yellow Sand Sect succeeded in forming their core due to this item, they could no longer pose any threat to Zhouyang, who would no longer be bound by the contract.

Moreover, if Zhouyang were even more malicious, he could have given them the "Jade Liquid Golden Pill" right before, and then once the five hundred years term expired, immediately destroyed Yellow Sand Sect to retrieve the treasure.

By then, with Yellow Sand Sect wiped out, the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm would be under the control of the Zhou family, and even if the news spread, what would it matter?

Of course, this was due to his own shortsightedness, not understanding Zhouyang’s aspirations, which led to these worries.

Zhouyang was someone who aspired to live freely and pursue immortality, how could he perform such acts of self-sabotage for trivial gains?

With his future Nascent Soul Formation and the need to overcome the "Heart Demon Tribulation", if he intentionally committed such acts that contravened his own heart, the power of the "Heart Demon Tribulation" would surely increase.

With such a great loss for a small gain, how could Zhouyang possibly take such actions?

Not to mention that he didn’t look down on Yellow Sand Sect; in his eyes now, even if the small Yellow Sand Sect returned to its prime with two Golden Cores, he could still destroy it with a turn of his hand.

Xu Jinyao didn’t understand the situation now; when he learns about Zhouyang’s achievements in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, he would realize how laughable his thoughts were.

Without staying long at Yellow Sand Sect, amidst Xu Jinyao’s thousand thanks, Zhouyang quickly returned to his clan.

In the clan, Zhouyang met with all the clan’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had come to see him, but apart from the newly promoted Foundation Establishment Cultivators who were given some rewards according to the rules, he only met with the others briefly.

Decades have passed, and the number of the Zhou family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators had increased significantly. Now, the total number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators had reached thirty-five, not including Zhou Ronghua and others he brought back.

Thanks to the abundant resources provided by the clan, among these thirty-five Foundation Establishment Cultivators, four, including Zhou Tongxuan, were at the Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment Realm, ready to attempt to establish their Purple Mansion.

Although Zhou Tongxuan had failed to establish his Purple Mansion with "Purple Heart Jade Marrow", in Zhouyang’s view, the other three should also be given a chance to try.

It had been a long time since new Purple Mansion Stage cultivators appeared in the Zhou family within the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, which was quite abnormal given the current stature of the Zhou family.

Of course, these matters would have to wait for later; first, Zhouyang would deal with rewarding Zhou Ronghua, Zhou Rongxiang, and Zhou Shenghe.

At this moment, the number of Zhou family cultivators gathered at the Rhino Horn Continent Oasis exceeded one thousand five hundred. Zhouyang had all these people enter the ancestral shrine of the Zhou family, where in the courtyard, Zhou Ronghua and the other two vividly recounted the events of the battle of Chongxuan Mountain to all the clan members.

Their speech, meticulously rehearsed countless times in secret, was indeed exhilarating and inspiring upon delivery.

As they finished speaking and while the other Zhou Clan Members were still digesting the information in their words, Zhouyang had already taken over the discourse, delivering a solemn, high-spirited speech.

"Ronghua, Rongxiang, Shenghe, and those who perished in that battle like Rongguang and Shengping, are all noble sons of the Zhou family. Their heroic sacrifice at the critical moment for the clan, to preserve excellence among the younger generation, reflects a selfless and courageous spirit that every one of you here should learn from and emulate."

"I hope that if any of you face a similar situation one day, you will live up to your surname, the bloodline flowing within you, and the teachings and efforts of all the elders of the clan!"

"If every Zhou family cultivator can act like them, solely devoted to the clan, single-mindedly loyal to the clan, then the Zhou family will surely prosper and thrive for generations!"

"I, Zhou Yuan Yang, as the senior-most elder of the Zhou family, as the clan’s Supreme Elder, will forever take pride in having such brave and outstanding descendants like Ronghua, Rongxiang, and Shenghe in the clan!"

"At the same time, I genuinely hope that among you descendants, some will be able to make such achievements, filling me with pride and glory!"

"If any Zhou family cultivator can achieve such accomplishments, their names shall be inscribed on the family’s ’Heroic Martyr List,’ sharing eternal incense offerings with the heroic ancestors, and the clan will surely not treat harshly any heroic clansmen who have made sacrifices for the clan!"

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