Morning hours.
After finishing a round of physical training exercises, Zhou Fuqiu briefly washed up and then headed towards the Zhou Family conference hall.
It was the most central place, second only to the ancestral Coral Hall where the ancestors went for Closed-Door Cultivation, so it took a long ti to walk there.
Zhou Fuqiu was not in a hurry and walked at a steady pace, following the mories of the past.
Along the way, he encountered many Zhou Family mbers, and from ti to ti, people cast curious glances at him.
It was clear that yesterday’s events in the training ground and at night had already spread.
Zhou Fuqiu kept a calm expression, pretending not to see any of the looks, and greeted familiar elders with respect.
After about half an hour, that solemn and magnificent conference hall was already in front of him.
Zhou Fuqiu approached but was stopped before he could enter.
He looked up at the slightly aged man and hesitantly said, "Uncle, it’s Second Grandpa who called here."
The one who stopped him was Zhou Junxiao’s eldest son, who was of the sa generation as Zhou Fuqiu’s father, and because of his age, Zhou Fuqiu called him Uncle.
But if soone were to put Uncle and Second Grandpa together, it might be easy to mistake their relationship with each other.
Such is the way of Immortal Cultivators; those in the low realm often have grey hair, while those with higher Cultivation Levels have techniques to maintain their appearance, and look young.
Zhou Fuqiu heard that this was related to the age at which an Immortal Cultivator establishes their Foundation; the earlier the Foundation Establishnt, the easier it is to maintain one’s appearance.
Though they also age with ti and the decline of Qi-Blood, it is still much better than others.
Uncle gestured a standard sign to keep quiet, and softly said, "They’re in the midst of a discussion inside, so just wait a while."
Zhou Fuqiu nodded and waited quietly outside.
But the chatting voices from inside the hall ca through clearly.
"Family Head, Zhou Yu Hao was beaten by Zhou Fuqiu, are we just going to let it go without any punishnt?"
"It’s a spat between children; what punishnt do you want? Didn’t you ever get beaten as a kid, or have you never hit a peer?"
"But he was too heavy-handed! My son Yu Hao’s half a face was beaten up, three teeth knocked out, and most loosened, is this really just a ga between kids? At the end of the day, they are of the sa clan, supposed to support each other in the future, we cannot condone this!"
"They were born in the sa year, trained on the sa day, and as far as I know, Yu Hao even had a group of friends helping him. If the result was as such, it ans he was outmatched. If you harbor any resentnt energy, you can have your Yu Hao train well and fight back in the future. Our Zhou Family does not encourage internal strife, but competition is not prohibited."
"Family Head..."
"Enough, your father hasn’t spoken a word, so why are you making a fuss here? Xiao Cheng, what’s your take?"
"Just go by Second Brother’s arrangent."
"Hmm, let’s leave it at that. But indeed, we should have Qi Refinent Cultivators keep an eye on the training ground. The ones teaching Cultivation Techniques are Mortal Innate Martial Artists, they wouldn’t dare interfere in family disputes. To prevent any excessive situations in the future, I’ll have Qi Refinent Cultivators keep watch nearby."
Zhou Fuqiu understood imdiately upon hearing the discussion that it was because of what had happened the day before.
And the people discussing, besides Second Grandpa, likely included Thirteenth Grandpa, who is also a Golden Core Ascendant Master, and his son.
The hall fell silent.
Zhou Fuqiu looked up at Uncle, only to see him gently shaking his head with a smile.
Is there more to discuss?
The next mont, voices started again in the hall.
"Family Head, regarding yesterday’s incident, I heard Yu Qi’s detailed account after he ca ho. The affair was initiated by Zhou Yu Hao, but Fuqiu’s excessive action and heavy hand are irrefutable. In the past, Fuqiu had a gentle and refined personality, he wasn’t capable of such actions. In my opinion, the change in his deanor is likely because of the unfortunate demise of Bai Han’s parents six months ago, stimulating him, and that without guidance, he has beco this way."
Outside the hall, Zhou Fuqiu subconsciously pursed his lips.
He recognized whose voice it was.
Seventh Uncle — Zhou Haiye!
Second Grandpa’s voice sounded again.
"Xiao Qi, what do you want to say?"
"Having Qi Refinent Cultivators as guardians is ultimately treating the symptoms, not the root cause. I have an idea, Family Head, see if it works."
"Go on."
"Our family and Bai Han’s family have always had a good relationship, and our kids frequently interact. How about I adopt Fuqiu and his siblings, guide him in right and wrong regularly, which would also prevent him from causing greater trouble in the future."
In the conference hall, there was a mont of silence.
After a short while, Second Grandpa said in a deep voice, "That’s not necessary."
Zhou Haiye seed sowhat surprised that what he thought was a surefire proposal was rejected.
He couldn’t help but ask, "Fuqiu and his siblings are so young, they can’t manage without care."
"Who says they are unattended? Bai Han and his wife died while carrying out a mission for the clan, so our Zhou Family must take care of the orphans! I have already decided to adopt Fuqiu... and his sister. These matters are not for you to worry about."
The Family Head’s lineage personally adopting Zhou Fuqiu and his siblings?
At this news, Zhou Haiye was dumbfounded.
Even the previously aggrieved father of Zhou Yu Hao also imdiately understood why the Family Head was intent on protecting that boy.
"Finally, I want to ntion one thing. Keep an eye on your own kids, especially their mouths! If they grow up capable of cultivation, they’ll eventually traverse the Immortal Cultivation World, and strength is not the only thing; many tis, trouble cos from their mouths. Do I even need to teach this?"
"Enough, eting adjourned!"
There were a few more voices from inside the hall, followed by sounds of chairs being moved.
The group walked out from the conference hall, but stopped at the entrance.
A young man with a delicate, Yin-feminine face stood there, his expression calm as he looked at them.
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