The Zhou Household's Foresight, a Pact Between Two Households, and the First Glimpse of the Path to Foundation Establishment

"They really are fortifying their position at every step." Zhou Shaoyuan sighed deeply. "Ancestor, if you truly agree, won't the Xu Household become a prospective Foundation Establishment Clan, free to do as they please in Moon Lake Commandery?"

Zhou Qingfang pondered for a long while, then suddenly laughed. "Hahaha! So that's it! That's what they're after. The Xu Household truly has extraordinary ambition."

Zhou Shaoyuan and Zhou Sen both looked over in surprise.

"Ancestor, have you seen through the Xu Household's true purpose behind this deal?"

A sharp light flashed in Zhou Qingfang's eyes as he looked at Zhou Shaoyuan. "You're right. With my protection, the Xu Household will effectively be half a Foundation Establishment Clan in Moon Lake Commandery, with nothing left to fear at their backs.

"So their true aim was never to compete with the clans here in Moon Lake Commandery. Their sights are set on the surrounding commanderies, or even all of Great Wei."

Zhou Shaoyuan sucked in a cold breath. "That..."

"With Xu Chuan's mastery of the pill Dao, supplying the Xu Household is more than manageable. He certainly has the capacity to set his sights on other commandery seats." Zhou Sen pondered aloud. "And if they avoid competing with the other clans while enjoying our protection, no one will trouble them, at least openly.

"Moon Lake Commandery is the Xu Household's home base, after all. With so few resources to go around, competition would inevitably lead to mutual warfare.

"Fellow Daoist Xu's move clearly suggests that he intends to step off Moon Lake Commandery's chessboard and stand beside our Zhou Household as a player."

The Zhou Household was already a Foundation Establishment Clan. If they limited their sights to Moon Lake Commandery, the resources they could obtain would remain limited.

Thus, they had long