The market value of a Fasting Pill was not high, especially a flawed one, yet Lin Zhishou was willing to pay the price of a High Grade Pill.
This clearly showed his approval of Zhou Luo’s earlier words.
This was precisely the outcome Zhou Luo had aimed for.
The exchange was swiftly concluded. Lin Zhishou said earnestly, “Practice diligently when you return. Strive to take another step forward.”
“Rest assured, Uncle Shou. I will definitely not disappoint the family’s expectations,” Zhou Luo patted his chest and promised.
“Go on,” Lin Zhishou waved his hand.
Zhou Luo nodded and took his leave.
After he left, Lin Nian, who had been standing there dumbstruck, finally voiced his shock, “How strange. Grandpa Shou, how on earth did this guy do it?”
Lin Zhishou narrowed his eyes, his expression somewhat grave. “Little Nian, there is always someone better out there. There are heavens beyond the heavens.”
Lin Nian was one of his many descendants. Because he possessed talent as an Alchemist, he had been kept by Lin Zhishou’s side to learn.
Nearly ten years had passed, yet he could still only refine some Novice-level Pills.
Compared to Zhou Luo, the difference was like heaven and earth.
But Lin Nian was indignant. “He is just a live-in Matrilocal Husband, and he only has a ninth-grade spiritual root.”
In his eyes, someone like Zhou Luo without any status was practically no different from a servant.
Lin Zhishou saw much further. He said meaningfully, “What does it matter if he is a Matrilocal Husband? If he can bring benefits to the family, even a servant will be vigorously nurtured by us.”
“Grandpa Shou, are you saying the family plans to nurture him?” Lin Nian stared at the old man in disbelief.
“That is not for me to decide,” Lin Zhishou said slowly.
Even so, he fully intended to make a personal trip to the Main Branch.
…
The Lin family estate was vast and densely packed with buildings. The core grounds were where the Main Branch resided. Ordinary people were forbidden from entering without permission.
But given Lin Zhishou’s unique status, naturally no one dared to block his path.
He quickly made his way to a courtyard in the eastern quarter of the core grounds.
The courtyard was modestly sized and perfectly square, shimmering with a faint spiritual light. Cultivators in guard attire stood watch nearby.
This was the residence of the Lin Family Head, Lin Tianxiong.
Seeing it was Lin Zhishou, the guards did not intervene, allowing him to pass freely.
“Zhishou, what wind blows you here?”
An old man sat on a stone stool in the courtyard. He was tall and imposing, radiating a majestic aura. His face bore the weathered marks of time, yet his eyes shone with profound wisdom.
Though his robes were simple, they could not conceal his solemn dignity.
This was the current head of the Lin family, Lin Tianxiong.
If Zhou Luo were here, he would have recognized her at a single glance.
She was the Third Young Miss from that day, Lin Xin.
Lin Zhishou bowed to the Family Head and placed the Fasting Pill directly onto the stone table.
Holding a white jade cup, Lin Tianxiong cast a mild glance at it. “Could it be that our family has produced another descendant with Alchemist talent?”
“Your guess is correct, Family Head,” Lin Zhishou replied respectfully. “However, he is not a descendant of the family, but a Matrilocal Husband.”
“Oh?”
Lin Tianxiong murmured in surprise. He set down his cup and picked up the Fasting Pill, inspecting it closely. “A Matrilocal Husband has this talent?”
Lin Zhishou quickly recounted the entire course of events.
After listening, a trace of surprise touched Lin Tianxiong’s aged face. “To think a mere Matrilocal Husband could teach himself and achieve such results.”
“Yes, Family Head. In my opinion, he is highly worth nurturing,” Lin Zhishou said seriously.
As an Alchemist himself, he clearly understood the weight of the talent Zhou Luo had just displayed.
But before Family Head Lin Tianxiong could speak, Lin Xin frowned. “Grandpa Shou, it is only a Fasting Pill. It shouldn’t be worth the family expending resources on a Matrilocal Husband.”
In her eyes, refining a Fasting Pill was nothing extraordinary; she could casually refine one herself.
“Third Young Miss, this Zhou Luo is…” Lin Zhishou tried to explain.
But Lin Xin cut him off entirely. “Grandpa Shou, you know the family’s situation these past few years. Expending resources to nurture a Novice Alchemist simply isn’t worth the cost.”
She then pointedly added, “Especially when he is only a Matrilocal Husband.”
Lin Zhishou tactfully held his tongue.
Lin Tianxiong nodded slightly. “Xin’er is right. This boy must be observed for a while longer. At the very least, we must ascertain his loyalty to the family.”
“I understand.” Lin Zhishou bowed and took his leave.
Stepping out of the courtyard, Lin Zhishou gazed up at the azure sky.
He knew the Family Head’s decision was entirely reasonable.
But recalling Zhou Luo’s performance-especially his willingness to contribute the Fasting Pill to the family-made him feel this young man was truly worth nurturing.
“Forget it. I will go see his true level in Alchemy for myself.”
Conflicted as he was, Lin Zhishou finally made up his mind.
…
Meanwhile, Zhou Luo had returned to his courtyard and immediately buried himself in the alchemy room.
Before long, Lin Zhishou arrived at the courtyard gates, his hands clasped behind his back.
His appearance immediately caught the attention of Lin Feiying and the others.
Startled, they hurried out to welcome this prominent figure.
As a bona fide Alchemist, Lin Zhishou held a status in the family far above ordinary members. Naturally, the wives treated him with the utmost reverence.
“I am only here today to see Zhou Luo. Where is he?” Lin Zhishou asked.
“Grandpa Shou, he is currently cultivating in the alchemy room. I will go call him over,” Lin Qinghan replied politely.
At the mention of the alchemy room, Lin Zhishou waved his hand dismissively. “There is no need. I will go take a look.”
With that, he left the hall. Guided by the wives, he headed straight for the alchemy room.
Pushing the door open, his eyes fell upon Zhou Luo, who was deeply engrossed in studying the pill furnace.
Zhou Luo noticed him and his face lit up with joy. “Uncle Shou, what brings you here?”
It seemed the family valued him even more highly than he had anticipated.
“I came to see how you usually go about your alchemy.” Lin Zhishou swept his gaze across the room and approached the furnace.
The four wives stood obediently by the door, not daring to intrude.
“Uncle Shou, I am just blindly feeling my way around,” Zhou Luo said, feigning a bit of embarrassment.
Lin Zhishou lifted his chin, gesturing for him to continue refining.
Zhou Luo said no more. He picked up the medicinal herbs beside him and began to refine a Fasting Pill.
However, to conceal his true depths, he deliberately made his techniques appear somewhat clumsy and unpracticed.
This was a massive test of his acting skills.
Fortunately, anticipating something like this, Zhou Luo had been practicing for this exact scenario for a while now.
As a result, he revealed no flaws in his performance.
Soon, the first attempt concluded.
Unsurprisingly, he failed.
Lin Zhishou said nothing of it, merely instructing him to continue.
Zhou Luo started his second round of refinement.
Then…
He failed again.
Lin Zhishou’s expression remained perfectly calm, as if he had fully anticipated this result.
Sensing the timing was right, Zhou Luo finally succeeded in producing a Fasting Pill on his third attempt.
Feigning pleasant surprise, he picked up the Pill and handed it over.
Lin Zhishou inspected it and gave a slight nod. “Not bad. You have improved.”
The color and quality of this Fasting Pill were noticeably better than the previous one.
To show such progress in such a short amount of time cemented Lin Zhishou’s belief that his judgment was correct.
“It is all thanks to the family’s help,” Zhou Luo said modestly.
Lin Zhishou stared at Zhou Luo’s sincere face, feeling genuinely moved. He offered a rare, encouraging smile. “It is good that you hold such thoughts.”
After a pause, he suddenly asked, “Do you have any interest in becoming my apprentice?”