Cultivating Connections!

The news of Shi Yin's Core Formation spread rapidly, astonishing countless people.

Originally, all parties were still observing and trying to win over this Golden Core Demon General, but he bluntly stated. "I am willing to fight for Supreme Purity for thousands of years and protect the original Zhou Clan clan."

This news caused quite a stir.

Some praised Shi Yin for his loyalty and righteousness, some felt there was something fishy about it, and others remained indifferent, watching silently as it was none of their business.

Regardless, the fact that a Golden Core demon publicly pledged its allegiance was a face-saving gesture, and the Nascent Soul True Lord of the Supreme Purity Sect were happy to do him a favor.

Three days later, the sect officially issued the document.

Shi Yin was granted the title of "Sect Guardian Spirit Beast" and enjoyed the treatment of Golden Core Elder.

As a result, the Zhou Clan clan was able to retain its original Spirit Vein, properties, and cave abode, without them being reduced or divided up...

Upon hearing the news, all the Aristocratic Clan families and clans that had been eager to seize the Zhou Household's assets fell silent.

A newly Golden Core demon, even if it's only at the initial stage of the Golden Core, is not something Foundation Establishment cultivator can afford to provoke.

Zhou Yan knelt in the ancestral hall, kowtowing to the memorial tablets of True Person Luan Shan and Zhou Tianle. Beneath his joy lay an unyielding chill.

Tianle failed to Core Formation, the Master-Servant Contract broke, and the spirit beast, instead of dying, Core Formation.

These three things, when put together, have a strange and unsettling quality no matter how you look at them.

But Zhou Yan dared not say it, nor even think about it too deeply.

The logic is clear: if he were to reveal this speculation, regardless of its truthfulness, the Zhou Household would be labeled as "ungrateful."

Shi Yin just saved the Zhou Household from a calamity, and you're already starting to suspect him?

If word gets out, the Zhou Household will be completely ruined.

Even worse, if the guess is false, then you are cutting yourself off from the Supreme Purity Sect. Shi Yin has already been given the title of "Sect Guardian Spirit Beast". If you report it, you are slapping the sect in the face.

And if the speculation is true...

Then it's even more unspeakable.

Because it's no use saying anything now; Tianle has already passed away, and people can't be brought back to life.

Shi Yin is Golden Core and is willing to protect your Zhou Household. You, a mere Foundation Establishment, do you really think you can resist? What do you have to fight with?

Go to the Supreme Purity Sect a complaint?

That's utter nonsense. It's possible that other factions within the Supreme Purity Sect would be more than happy for the Zhou Household to become estranged from Shi Yin...

Perfect opportunity! Let's poach them!

Therefore, Zhou Yan understood very well that whatever Shi Yin did in the secret room that day, he, Zhou Yan, could only accept it.

Even if you have to hold your nose, you have to accept it, and you even have to accept it with a smile!

Inside the ancestral hall, Zhou Yan sat silently before the memorial tablets of his ancestors for a long time. It wasn't until dawn that he stood up, brushed the dust off his knees, and calmly walked out the door.

Whether for oneself or for the sake of the entire Lineage.

He couldn't afford to dig his own grave at this time and cut off the Zhou Household family's chances of survival. If he wasn't careful, he would become the sinner of the entire Lineage!

"From now on, the food, lodging, and Spirit Stone supply for Ancestor Shi Yin shall all be provided according to the standards for Golden Core Elder."

"A separate warehouse will be set up for our ancestor in the clan's storeroom. All kinds of ice-attribute spiritual items in the treasury will be given priority for his cultivation. Do not neglect him."

The elders looked at each other, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Zhou Yan added, "From now on, our Zhou Clan will regard Shi Yin as our ancestor, and for a long time to come, we will need to rely on Shi Yin to carry out our plans."

"If he acknowledges our past relationship, we can live a good life without any problems; if he doesn't, we will completely lose our foothold."

"Golden Core is Golden Core. Even if it was once just a domesticated spirit beast of our clan, it was still Golden Core..."

"From now on, never act superior. Be mindful of who's in charge and don't look down on everyone."

These words were harsh, yet no one dared to refute them.

Back when True Person Luan Shan was alive, the Zhou Clan was incredibly powerful and influential. But now, they've all faded into obscurity.

True Person Luan Shan is gone, and so is Tianle.

Shi Yin, on the contrary, became Golden Core Great Demon, and the balance of power between offense and defense was reversed.

After Shi Yin Core Formation, the Zhou Household gradually returned to peace.

After Zhou Yan, he sent a letter to White Cloud Temple.

The wording was extremely polite, even bordering on humble.

The letter first recounted the passing of True Person Luan Shan and Zhou Tianle's failure to Core Formation, then lavishly praised Shi Yin's loyalty and righteousness, and finally mentioned it indirectly...

Ancestor Shi Yin and Ancestor Shi your temple belong to the same lineage of bear demons, and were even relatives of Ancestor Shi Jian in the past. It is hoped that the two families can have more exchanges and share resources in the future.

After Yun Du finished reading the letter, his expression was incredibly complicated.

Unexpectedly, the Foundation Establishment Bear Demon that Shi Jian sent away a hundred years ago has also formed Golden Core a hundred years later. Time really has changed!

Afterwards, Yun Du summoned Lu Xun and handed him the letter.

The Zhou Household family has come knocking.

After reading it, Lu Xun raised an eyebrow and said with a strange expression, "Master, could it be that they're here for the Ancestor?"

"It's not just Fellow Daoist Chong Shi who came."

Yun Du stood up, walked around the hall twice with his hands behind his back, and said, "The Zhou family, while not a major clan in the Shangqing Sect, is still a Golden Core family in its own right."

"Now that True Person Luan Shan is gone, and Zhou Tianle is gone too, Shi Yin, a powerful demon, has become their only reliance."

"And the roots of Shi Yin lie in my White Cloud Temple."

"If it weren't for Ancestor Shi's arrangements back then, would Shi Yin, this bear demon, have been sent to the Supreme Purity Sect? Would he have had the good fortune he has today?"

Lu Xun nodded but didn't reply.

This relationship is not something that can be clearly explained on the surface.

But everyone knows that Shi Yin is no ordinary spirit beast; behind it stands Shi Jian, and the entire Demon Race power of White Cloud Temple.

If the Zhou Household wants to curry favor with a powerful figure, they must first humble themselves and lower their stance to the lowest possible level.

I trust you to come back.

Yun Du waved his hand. "You can decide on your own wording. Don't be too enthusiastic, but don't be too cold either. Maintain the proper decorum when necessary, and leave room for maneuver where appropriate."

"Yes."

"Besides."

Yun Du even turn his head. "Prepare a generous gift, under the guise of Core Formation Shi Yin on his Supreme Purity Sect. Have Zhao Yanshan take a look at the gift list; Yanshan is more astute than you in these matters."

"Okay, I got it."

Lu Xun acknowledged and withdrew, then turned and left.