233: Chapter 233 Cultivating Connections!

The news of Shi Yin achieving Core Formation spread rapidly, leaving countless people in awe.

Various parties had originally been watching from the sidelines, wanting to win over this Golden Core Yao Race general, but the other party stated directly: "I am willing to fight for the Shangqing Sect for another thousand years, and I will also protect my original master, the Zhou Clan."

When these words got out, there was much discussion.

Some praised Shi Yin for being loyal and righteous, others felt there was something fishy, and still others remained indifferent, watching silently from the sidelines.

But regardless, a Golden Core Great Yao had publicly pledged loyalty, so this Face had been given, and the several Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Shangqing Sect were happy to do a favor.

Three days later, the Sect officially issued a document.

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

And the Zhou Clan was thus able to retain its original Spiritual Veins, properties, and Immortal Caves, without being reduced or carved up...

Once the news broke, those aristocratic families and clans that had been restless and attempting to carve up the Zhou Family's properties all ceased their activities.

A newly promoted Golden Core Great Yao, even if only newly entered into the Golden Core stage, was not an existence that Foundation Establishment Cultivator could provoke.

Zhou Yan knelt in the ancestral hall, kowtowing to the spirit tablets of Master Luanshan and Zhou Tianle; beneath his joy lay a layer of chilling dread that could not be melted away.

Tianle failed his Core Formation, the master-servant contract was severed, and the Spirit Beast did not die but instead achieved Core Formation.

When these three things were strung together, no matter how one thought about it, it reeked of something bizarre.

But Zhou Yan dared not speak it, and he dared not even think too deeply about it.

The logic was there; if he were to leak this speculation, regardless of whether it was true or false, the Zhou Family would first be labeled as "ungrateful."

Shi Yin had just blocked a disaster for the Zhou Family, and you turn around and want to suspect him?

If that got out, the Zhou Family would be completely finished.

What was even more fatal was that if the speculation was false, it would be cutting off one's own path before the Shangqing Sect. Shi Yin had already been bestowed the title of "Sect-Protecting Spirit Beast"; reporting him would be slapping the Sect in the Face.

And if the speculation was true...

Then it could not be said even more.

Because it would be useless to say it; Tianle had already fallen, and the person could not be brought back to life.

Shi Yin is a Golden Core, willing to protect your Zhou Family; as a mere Foundation Establishment, do you think you can resist? What would you use to fight?

Go to the Shangqing Sect to complain?

That is even more absurd; perhaps other factions in the Shangqing Sect would be eager for the Zhou Family and Shi Yin to drift apart...

Just right, to take advantage of this opportunity to poach!

Therefore, Zhou Yan understood very clearly: no matter what Shi Yin did in the secret chamber that day, he, Zhou Yan, could only accept it.

He had to accept it even while holding his nose, and he even had to accept it with a smile!

In the ancestral hall, Zhou Yan sat motionlessly before the spirit tablets of his ancestors for a long time. Until dawn was about to break, he stood up, brushed the dust from his knees, and walked out the door with an indifferent expression.

Whether for himself or for the entire Family.

He could not dig his own grave at this moment and cut off the lifeline of the Zhou Family members; one mistake, and he would be the sinner of the entire Family!

"From this day forward, Old Ancestor Shi Yin's daily needs and Spirit Stone supply shall all be handled according to the specifications of a Golden Core Elder."

"Open a separate room in the Family treasury for the Old Ancestor, and prioritize supplying him with all kinds of ice-attribute spiritual items from the treasury for his cultivation; do not be negligent."

The clan Elders looked at each other, wanting to say something, but ultimately did not speak.

Zhou Yan added another sentence: "From now on, we of the Zhou Clan shall regard Shi Yin as our Old Ancestor, and for a long time to come, we will need to rely on Shi Yin to act."

"Only if he acknowledges the old ties can we live good lives intact; if he does not acknowledge us, we will have completely lost our foothold."

"A Golden Core is a Golden Core; even if he was once just a Spirit Beast raised by our Clan, he is still a Golden Core existence..."

"From now on, do not adopt a high-and-mighty attitude. Know who is whose master, and do not be arrogant."

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

When Master Luanshan was still around, their Zhou Clan was so glorious, but now, people are gone and the tea is cold.

Master Luanshan is gone, and Tianle is gone too.

Shi Yin, conversely, has become a Golden Core Great Yao; the balance of power has reversed accordingly.

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

Afterwards, Zhou Yan sent a letter to White Cloud Temple.

The wording was extremely polite, even bordering on humble.

The letter first recounted the passing of Master Luanshan and Zhou Tianle's failure in Core Formation, then praised Shi Yin's loyalty with great emphasis, and finally, in a roundabout way, mentioned...

Old Ancestor Shi Yin, like your temple's Ancestor Shi, belongs to the Bear Yao lineage, and was even a kinsman under Old Ancestor Shi Jian in the past; I hope that in the future, our two families can interact more and exchange what we have.

When Daoist Yun Du finished reading the letter, his expression was quite complex.

He did not expect that the Foundation Establishment Bear Yao that Shi Jian sent away a hundred years ago would actually achieve Core Formation a hundred years later; truly, times have changed!

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

"The people from the Zhou Family have come knocking."

After reading it, Lu Xun raised his eyebrows, his expression strange as he said: "Temple Master, could it be that they are coming for the Old Ancestor?"

"It is more than just coming for Fellow Daoist Shi."

Daoist Yun Du stood up, pacing back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back: "Although the Zhou Clan cannot be called a great clan within the Shangqing Sect, they are still a Golden Core Family."

"Now that Master Luanshan is gone and Zhou Tianle is gone, Shi Yin, a Great Yao, has become their only reliance."

"And Shi Yin's roots are in my White Cloud Temple."

"If not for the arrangements made by Ancestor Shi back then, could this Bear Yao, Shi Yin, have been sent into the Shangqing Sect? Could he have today's good fortune?"

Lu Xun nodded, but did not reply.

This layer of relationship is not easy to speak of openly.

But everyone knows clearly that Shi Yin is not an ordinary Spirit Beast; behind him stands Shi Jian, and the entire Yao Race power of White Cloud Temple.

If the Zhou Family wants to hug a big thigh, they must first bend their waists and lower their posture to the minimum.

"You write the reply to the letter."

Daoist Yun Du waved his hand: "Handle the wording yourself; don't be too enthusiastic, and don't be too cold. Put on the airs that should be put on, and leave the openings that should be left."

"Yes."

"Also."

Daoist Yun Du did not turn his head: "Prepare a generous gift in the name of congratulating Shi Yin on his Core Formation and send it to the Shangqing Sect. Let Zhao Yanshan look over the gift list; Yanshan is more shrewd in these matters than you."

"Eh, understood."

Lu Xun acknowledged and retreated, turning to leave.