Taking Over the Shop

After saying goodbye to his elder cousins Zhou Ping and Zhou Yu, Zhou Yang went to the second floor to pay his respects to his twelfth aunt, Qian Hongyu, before heading up to the third floor to visit his seventh uncle, Zhou Xuanlin, who managed the Jade Spring Tower.

Zhou Xuanlin, who had only reached Qi Refining Layer Nine at nearly ninety years old, looked quite aged. When Zhou Yang met him, he was leisurely sitting on the third floor, sipping tea and listening to music, much like a wealthy old man in the mortal world.

The music wasn't performed by singers or actors but emanated from a First-Rank Artifact called a Sound-Preserving Bead.

"Eh, Little Nine, why are you here in the market town instead of cultivating in the family?"

Zhou Xuanlin, who hadn't paid much attention to the footsteps coming upstairs, his expression changed slightly when he saw it was Zhou Yang. He put down his teacup with a hint of surprise and stood up from his seat.

He had participated in the battle to attack Haoyang Cave and naturally knew that Zhou Yang had been in secluded cultivation there all these years. Seeing Zhou Yang appear here unexpectedly, he couldn't help but have various speculations.

"Nephew Zhou Yang pays his respects to Seventh Uncle."

Zhou Yang first performed a junior's respectful bow, then smiled gently and said, "To let Seventh Uncle know, my father has successfully achieved Foundation Establishment. The family is currently preparing to hold a Foundation Establishment Celebration, so the Old Clan Leader has sent me to the market town to hold the fort at the Jade Spring Tower in your stead, allowing Seventh Uncle, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, and the other clan members to return to the family and participate in this celebration."

"What? Your father achieved Foundation Establishment!"

Zhou Xuanlin's entire body trembled, stunned by the news Zhou Yang brought.

He knew that Zhou Xuanhao had returned to the family to prepare for Foundation Establishment, but he hadn't been optimistic about Zhou Xuanhao's chances of success. When he saw Zhou Yang earlier, he had guessed that perhaps Zhou Xuanhao had failed at Foundation Establishment and died, and the family had sent Zhou Yang to inform him to return for the funeral!

"I never expected it, I never expected Big Brother to actually succeed!"

He muttered to himself in disbelief, his expression incredibly complex.

Before this, almost all the cultivators in the Zhou family believed that Zhou Yang would be the next Foundation Establishment Cultivator. No one had expected that Zhou Xuanhao, who was nearly a hundred years old and whose chances of Foundation Establishment were almost nil, would suddenly rise to success and achieve Foundation Establishment before his own son.

To succeed with only a few percent chance of Foundation Establishment, this luck was too much!

"Could it be that [Earth Origin Spirit Milk] not only restores vitality to Qi Refining Stage cultivators but also enhances the success rate of Foundation Establishment?"

Zhou Xuanlin didn't really believe in luck. He had only reached Qi Refining Layer Nine at nearly ninety years old through the power of pills, and his cultivation was entirely the result of his own painstaking efforts day after day, year after year.

Rather than attributing Zhou Xuanhao's successful Foundation Establishment to luck, he was more willing to believe that the Tier 3 spiritual item [Earth Origin Spirit Milk] had unexpectedly effective bonus effects on Foundation Establishment.

If that were the case, he was only in his nineties this year, could he also apply to the family to consume the remaining [Earth Origin Spirit Milk] to attempt Foundation Establishment?

However, as soon as he had this thought, he immediately denied it with a bitter smile.

Even if [Earth Origin Spirit Milk] truly had bonus effects on Foundation Establishment, so what?

Zhou Xuanhao dared to take the risk because he himself had Mid-grade Spiritual Root aptitude and had a genius son, so he had no regrets even if he failed.

But what about him, Zhou Xuanlin?

With his Low-grade Spiritual Root aptitude, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, his success rate for Foundation Establishment was only thirty percent. What did he have to risk?

If Zhou Xuanhao failed, he wouldn't have to worry about the future livelihood of his wife and children. If he failed, what would happen to his sons and grandsons who had no spiritual root aptitude?

"It's all fate!"

Zhou Xuanlin sighed with bitterness in his heart.

There were mortals in the secular world who rose from the status of beggars to wear the imperial robe, and in the cultivation world, there were also those with Low-grade Spiritual Root aptitude who eventually became Great Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators.

Unfortunately, such people were ultimately a very small minority. For ninety-nine percent of mortals and cultivators, their destinies were actually determined from the moment they were born.

Mortals born into wealthy families enjoyed endless riches and delicacies throughout their lives, and cultivators with High-grade Spiritual Roots would, barring any accidents, generally succeed in Foundation Establishment.

As for ordinary mortals born into commoner families, ordinary cultivators with only Low-grade Spiritual Root aptitude, if there were no accidents, would remain ordinary commoners and ordinary Qi Refining Stage cultivators their entire lives!

Zhou Xuanlin, having lived for over ninety years, had long seen through these matters. Therefore, after diligently cultivating to Qi Refining Layer Nine, he had basically given up on the fantasy of Foundation Establishment, wanting only to enjoy the life he had previously not dared to enjoy within his remaining twenty to thirty years of lifespan, so as not to have lived in vain.

Now that he had accepted reality and saw Zhou Yang looking at him with a strange expression, he finally remembered that his earlier words in his surprise seemed somewhat inappropriate. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah, I misspoke just now, Little Nine, don't misunderstand. Your father's successful Foundation Establishment, I am genuinely happy for him and for the family gaining another Foundation Establishment Cultivator. I absolutely have no intention of slandering your father; I swear it!"

He was anxious, even resorting to oaths.

This was understandable. With Zhou Xuanhao's successful Foundation Establishment, becoming the second Foundation Establishment Cultivator currently in the family, his status was vastly different from before.

As an Elder of the family and Zhou Xuanhao's cousin, if news of his jealousy and slander towards the family's Foundation Establishment Cultivator were to spread, the Old Clan Leader Zhou Minghan would likely be so angry that he would strip him of his Elder position directly. Other cultivators of the same generation would probably also sever ties with him, which would be worse than killing him.

Seeing this, Zhou Yang's slight displeasure quickly dissipated. His expression relaxed, and he said with a smile, "Seventh Uncle, please don't get agitated. The Old Clan Leader and my father know your loyalty to the family. Our Zhou family cultivators have always been united, and I naturally believe you wouldn't slander my father. Please relax!"

"Phew! Little Nine, it's good that you understand, it's good that you understand."

Zhou Xuanlin carefully observed Zhou Yang, and seeing that his smile seemed genuine, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, putting his worries to rest.

Afterward, Zhou Yang and Zhou Xuanlin had a long talk that lasted more than half a day. Zhou Xuanlin mainly introduced Zhou Yang to the operational status of the Jade Spring Tower, the Zhou family's connections in the market town, and how to quickly contact the family in case of unexpected events.

Essentially, the manager of the Jade Spring Tower was the Zhou family's representative in the Golden Sand Market, responsible for handling all family affairs in the market town.

Before Zhou Yang, the manager of the Jade Spring Tower had to be at least an Elder of the Zhou family to qualify.

Before Zhou Xuanlin became an Elder of the Zhou family, he had already worked at the Jade Spring Tower for over ten years, but the person in charge here had always been Zhou Xuanhao, an Elder of the Zhou family.

After completing the handover of the Jade Spring Tower with his Seventh Uncle Zhou Xuanlin, Zhou Yang then visited the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

The Drunken Immortal Restaurant was previously managed by his mother, Lin Yuting. After his mother accompanied his father back to the family, the manager position was taken over by his Seventh Uncle Zhou Xuanlin's wife, Luo Meiwei. Additionally, three female cultivators from the Zhou family's "Yuan" generation, Zhou Yuanchun, Zhou Yuanxia, and Zhou Yuanzhen, served as waitresses and chefs.

Among them, Zhou Yuanchun was ranked sixth among her peers. She was the only cultivator with spiritual roots among the three children born to Zhou Yang's godmother, Zhou Xuanyu, and was also his mother Lin Yuting's disciple, inheriting her mother's unique profession as a brewer.

Zhou Yuanxia and Zhou Yuanzhen were ranked seventh and twelfth among their peers, respectively. For generations, their ancestors had been mortals of the Zhou family. Their spiritual root aptitude, like Zhou Yuanchun's, was low-grade. Barring any accidents, their future cultivation paths would likely stop at the Qi Refining Stage.

Zhou Yang was handsome, came from an extraordinary background, and his cultivation level far surpassed that of his peers. When he appeared at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, the three female cultivators of the Zhou family, Zhou Yuanchun, had their eyes light up.

Women love beauty, and even cultivators are not immune to this.

Zhou Yang was not only handsome but also a Tier 2 High-grade Artifact Forger. He could be described as young and wealthy, making him an ideal Dao companion candidate for female cultivators, and Zhou Yuanchun and the others were naturally among them.

"Heh heh heh, Little Nine, should I keep calling you Ninth Brother, or Brother Yang?"

Zhou Yuanchun, the eldest of the three female cultivators, had a mother who was also Zhou Yang's godmother. With the backing of the Old Clan Leader, Zhou Minghan, her own great-grandfather, she was one of the few cultivators of the Zhou family's "Yuan" generation who didn't particularly care about Zhou Yang's change in status. After the initial surprise, she immediately teased Zhou Yang with a smile.

"Sister Yuanchun, please don't tease me. I still prefer it when you call me Little Nine."

Zhou Yang gave an awkward smile, finding his sixth sister's teasing quite speechless.

He really didn't want to be called "Brother Yang," as it sounded so strange!

After speaking, he smiled at Zhou Yuanxia and Zhou Yuanzhen, who were looking at him eagerly. "Hello, Seventh Sister, and Twelfth Sister. It's been many years, and you've all become even more beautiful. I've long heard Mother say that your suitors in the market town are lined up all the way from Drunken Immortal Restaurant to Jade Spring Tower. I didn't believe it before, but seeing you fairy sisters in person now, I realize Mother wasn't exaggerating at all."

Women adorn themselves for those who appreciate them. Hearing Zhou Yang's words, the three daughters of the Zhou family immediately beamed with joy.

Zhou Yuanzhen, being closest in age to Zhou Yang and the youngest present, also playfully pouted, "Ninth Brother, you're talking nonsense. Great Aunt wouldn't say that. I don't have any suitors. Those people are all coming for Sister Yuanchun and Sister Yuanxia, it has nothing to do with me."

Once they both spoke up, the somewhat shy and reserved Zhou Yuanxia also relaxed and interjected with a tease, "Good for you, Twelfth Sister! Your ability to lie with your eyes open has really improved lately. You say it has nothing to do with you, but what about that man from the Liu family? Why does he visit Drunken Immortal Restaurant several times every month, and each time you accompany him?"

"Hmph, Seventh Sister, you have the nerve to talk about me! Teaching people to drink and chat with guests, making guests feel at home in Drunken Immortal Restaurant – isn't that what you taught me? I was so pure when I first came here, and you're the one who corrupted me!"

Zhou Yuanzhen let out a soft, annoyed hum, feeling a bit annoyed by Zhou Yuanxia's teasing.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Yuanchun on the side chuckled mischievously, looking at the embarrassed Zhou Yang with a smile, and burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Twelfth Sister, you've got it all wrong. As far as I know, the words you're saying, including the water-sleeve ruqun you're wearing now, are all thanks to Ninth Brother's efforts. Even the spirit stones we get as commission are thanks to Ninth Brother's suggestion that made the family break their rules to agree!"

Zhou Yang's face flushed with embarrassment, feeling utterly ashamed. He didn't dare to look at Zhou Yuanxia and Zhou Yuanzhen, who were both surprised and annoyed.

When he heard his mother, Lin Yuting, complain about the restaurant's poor business, he had come up with this unconventional idea after understanding the situation. And Lin Yuting, trusting her beloved son, had let Zhou Yuanchun try it out, which turned out to be very effective.

As a result, all the Zhou family members working at "Drunken Immortal Restaurant" were later replaced with women. Zhou Yuanzhen, young, beautiful, and pure-looking, was transferred here as soon as she turned twenty and quickly became the restaurant's "Top Service Staff."

ps: I don't know if this will be considered filler, but I just feel comfortable writing it this way. Family cultivation shouldn't just be about fighting; the interactions between family members are equally important in my opinion.

People like Zhou Yuanchun might not even qualify as supporting characters in a novel projected to exceed two million characters, but I feel that since I've mentioned their names, they should leave some mark.

Alas, my skill is limited, and writing a book with flesh and blood is too difficult!