C47 The Star Sect Entered the City

"Zhou Huhe and Zhou Junhui, simply follow the prescribed steps in your cultivation. The low-grade Profound Spirit bone root and low-grade Profound Rank mental cultivation method are well-suited for you both. With thirty to forty years of diligent practice, you stand a good fifty to sixty percent chance of reaching the Soul Separation Stage, and achieving the Innate Stage should pose no issue whatsoever."

In the grand hall of the Zhou family, Zhou Jibo initially addressed the parents of Zhou Huhe and Zhou Junhui.

These two branches of the family tree might not see their progeny recorded in the Zhou family annals. This time, Zhou Jibo had been cultivating all the Zhou family Warriors based on their talents, and these two were serendipitous discoveries.

For them, reaching the Innate Stage was already the mark of a formidable master, and they were deeply appreciative of Zhou Jibo's guidance.

Once their families had departed, Zhou Jibo turned his attention to the Third Elder, where Zhou Zhenbo's smile was radiant, his warmth toward Zhou Jibo palpable.

Within the Zhou clan, aside from Zhou Jibo himself, Zhou Tong possessed the most exceptional bone root, the sole medium-grade Profound Spirit among his contemporaries. If Zhou Qian were still alive, if the family were still embroiled in internal strife, Zhou Tong's practice of the family's mental cultivation method would have squandered his innate gift.

But now, Zhou Jibo had generously bestowed upon Zhou Tong both the Frost Mental Cultivation Method and the Mountain Suppressing Palm technique at no cost. The former was a top-grade Profound Rank martial skill, while the latter was a low-grade Profound Rank martial skill.

Such generosity was a significant boon, solidifying his status as the recognized patriarch of the Zhou family.

Dwelling on the past served no purpose. The Zhou family's previous impoverishment and the hardships faced by the younger members were direct results of Zhou Qian's actions and the resulting familial discord.

"Zhou Tong, in particular, should partake of only the finest Element Gathering Powder, free from impurities," Zhou Jibo advised. "The common variety could impede the full potential of his bone root. Yet without sufficient vitality, his medium-grade Profound Spirit bone root won't be able to harness the power of a top-grade Profound Rank mental cultivation method."

"Premium quality Element Gathering Powder?"

Zhou Zhenbo was taken aback by the request. Premium quality Element Gathering Powder cost several times more than the ordinary variety. Did he truly need to make such a purchase?

Ultimately, he clenched his jaw and resolved to buy it, even if it meant selling off his assets. Zhou Jibo had mentioned that Zhou Tong was likely to become a master of the Soul Separation Stage in the future.

Indeed, nurturing a Soul Separation Stage expert was well worth the investment!

"I will teach you the Dawn Mental Cultivation Method, Frost Mental Cultivation Method, Mountain Splitting Palm, and Mountain Suppressing Palm. Everyone is welcome to practice them. Should the Zhou family lack the funds to support the younger generation's training, you may consider selling these mental cultivation methods, martial skills, and palm techniques to the Myriad Treasure Auction House in exchange for cultivation resources."

Before Zhou Jibo could finish, Zhou Kaile, Zhou Chulang, Zhou Zhenbo, and the others immediately objected, "No, these are the Zhou family's most precious assets. We cannot sell our mental cultivation methods and martial skills for mere cultivation resources, no matter what!"

I have, in fact, already sold a mental cultivation method once before.

Zhou Jibo now understood why mental cultivation methods and martial skills were so costly. Warriors typically kept their secret manuals hidden, rarely selling them, which explained their high prices.

Having given the Zhou family guidance on martial cultivation, Zhou Jibo returned to his courtyard to practice.

But before he could begin, two groups of people successively made their way to his courtyard.

The first group consisted of Wang Xuelan and Zhou Youqing, with Zhou Youqing's face streaked with tears, clearly struggling to come to terms with her lack of even a basic yellow bone root.

Wang Xuelan had tried to console her, to little avail.

Zhou Jibo offered her some words of comfort. Despite his exceptional medical expertise, he couldn't arbitrarily alter someone's cultivation aptitude. Furthermore, for someone without a bone root, it wasn't just a new bone root that was needed, but also extremely rare spiritual medicines or pills to ensure proper integration. The process was fraught with complications, and certainly not something to be taken lightly.

Moreover, Zhou Youqing may not be able to cultivate martial arts, but she can still marry well. There are millions of ordinary people in the world, and she's simply one of them.

After offering Zhou Youqing a few words of comfort, Zheng Fanshuang briskly walked in with a servant dressed in livery.

"Jibo, there's urgent news!"

Zhou Jibo, taken aback, scrutinized the bowed servant and inquired, "Zheng Linghan, what brings you here?"

Zheng Linghan, whom Zhou Jibo had appointed as the leader of the Zheng family, looked up, his face etched with distress.

"Young Master Zhou, this is a matter of grave concern!"

"A major disaster looms!"

Zhou Jibo instructed Zhou Youqing to retire to her quarters and sent Wang Xuelan to summon Wang Sibo. He then addressed Zheng Linghan, "What's got you so alarmed? Is an emissary from the Shrine of Astral Radiance on their way?"

Zheng Linghan nodded, then hesitated with a shake of his head.

"They're not emissaries from the Shrine of Astral Radiance, but they're even more fearsome!" Zheng Linghan explained, "They belong to one of the subordinate sects of the Shrine of Astral Radiance, originally known as Grouchy Doom. To demonstrate their unwavering loyalty, they've renamed themselves the Star Sect."

"The Second Palace Holy Son, after departing Icefair City, passed by the Star Sect and had them come to bolster the Zheng family's reputation. Subsequently, the Shrine of Astral Radiance intends to make the Zheng family a vassal. Now, the leader of the Star Sect, along with seven Innate Stage elders, have arrived in Icefair City!"

Zhou Jibo, puzzled, pressed, "They're already in Icefair City? And the Zhou family has received no word of this?"

"Young Master Zhou, I only just learned of this myself! Last night, Zheng Congyang and some of the Zheng family members instigated a coup. They tried to assassinate me, so I fled to bring you the news!" Zheng Linghan hurriedly explained.

Zhou Jibo was even more astonished. "They plotted to kill you, and yet you're still alive?"

Zheng Linghan spoke with a sense of resignation, "Young Master Zhou, after you appointed me as the Patriarch, I've been living in fear that the Zheng family might kill me in my sleep! I was prepared for such a possibility, yet I never anticipated the return of Zheng Congyang and Zheng Xunqin."

"They've even brought with them experts from the Star Sect. The Zhou family hasn't received any news, likely because Lang Shen has allied with them."

Zhou Jibo's expression turned icy upon hearing this. "They've allied? Perfect. I'll take care of them all at once."

"Zheng Xunqin is here too, which is convenient. I'm eager to give her a taste of what it's like to have her bone root taken."

Zheng Linghan's face went blank with shock. "Young Master Zhou, shouldn't we be rallying the Zhou family to flee? Zheng Fanshuang and I are marked for death by the Zheng family. I have nowhere else to turn but to you for protection. We need to get out of here fast!"

"There's no need to flee. As long as I'm here, you remain the Patriarch of the Zheng family," Zhou Jibo declared firmly.

"Zheng Xunqin and her group seek vengeance against me, oblivious to the fact that I, too, am thirsting for revenge against her!"