After bidding farewell to clan brothers Zhou Ping and Zhou Yu, Zhouyang went up to the second floor to pay respects to his twelfth aunt, Qian Hongyu, and then visited his seventh uncle, Zhou Xuanlin, who managed the "Jade Spring Tower" on the third floor.
Zhou Xuanlin, nearly ninety years old, had cultivated to the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation. He looked quite aged, and when Zhouyang saw him, he was leisurely sitting on the third floor, enjoying tea and listening to music, much like an old wealthy man from the mortal world.
The music was not sung by a songstress or a performer but was emitted by a Tier One Magical Artifact known as the "Sound Recording Pearl."
"Oh, Xiao Jiu, you're not cultivating in the clan; why have you come to the marketplace?"
Zhou Xuanlin, who hadn't paid much attention upon hearing footsteps approaching, slightly changed his expression upon seeing Zhouyang. He placed the teacup down somewhat surprised and stood up from his seat.
He had also participated in the battle to attack the "Haoyang Cave," so he naturally knew that Zhouyang had been there in seclusion and diligent cultivation for these years. Seeing Zhouyang unexpectedly appear here, various speculations inevitably rose in his mind.
"Nephew Zhouyang greets Seventh Uncle."
Zhouyang respectfully performed a junior's salute, then lightly smiled, saying, "Let Seventh Uncle know that my father has successfully established his Foundation. The clan is now preparing to hold a Foundation Establishment celebration, so the old Clan Leader has asked me, his nephew, to come to the marketplace to take over your duties at Jade Spring Tower, so that you, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, and other clan members can return to the clan to participate in the celebration."
"What? Your father has successfully established his Foundation!"
Zhou Xuanlin shook all over, stunned by the news Zhouyang brought.
He certainly knew about Zhou Xuanhao's preparations for Foundation Establishment upon returning to the clan, but he had absolutely no expectations for Zhou Xuanhao's success in the endeavor. Upon seeing Zhouyang, he even speculated whether Zhou Xuanhao had failed and fallen, and if the clan had sent Zhouyang to inform him to return home for mourning!
"I never would have thought, never would have thought, that Big Brother would indeed succeed!"
He murmured in disbelief, his face showing an indescribable complexity.
Before this, almost all the Zhou Family Cultivators believed that Zhouyang would be the next Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Zhou Family. No one expected that Zhou Xuanhao, nearly a hundred years old and almost hopeless in establishing his Foundation, would unexpectedly leap to foundation establishment success ahead of his own son.
A Foundation Establishment success rate of just a few percent was enough for him to succeed; his luck was exceedingly good!
"Could it be that besides restoring a Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator's physical vitality, the 'Earth Element Spirit Milk' also has the effect of improving Foundation Establishment success rates?"
Zhou Xuanlin, who did not greatly believe in luck, had only reached Ninth Layer Qi Cultivation at nearly ninety years old through the power of elixirs; his entire cultivation was earned through his daily and yearly diligent cultivation.
Rather than attributing Zhou Xuanhao's Foundation Establishment success to luck, he was more willing to believe in the unexpected effects of the Tier Three Spiritual Object, Earth Element Spirit Milk, in boosting Foundation Establishment.
If that were truly the case, he, being only in his early nineties, could perhaps apply to the clan to consume the remaining Earth Element Spirit Milk to attempt Foundation Establishment?
However, the moment this idea surfaced, he immediately dismissed it with a bitter smile.
Even if the Earth Element Spirit Milk did indeed provide a boost to Foundation Establishment success, what of it?
Zhou Xuanhao dared take the risk because he himself possessed a Middle-grade Spirit Root Talent and had a genius son, so even if he lost, he could die content.
But what about him, Zhou Xuanlin?
With a Low-grade Spirit Root Talent, even consuming a "Foundation Establishment Pill" would give him only a thirty percent success rate for Foundation Establishment. How could he afford to risk it?
If Zhou Xuanhao were to fail, he wouldn't have to worry about the future livelihood of his wife and children. But if he were to fail, what would happen to his sons and grandsons, who lack Spirit Root Talent?
"Everything is fate!"
Zhou Xuanlin's heart was filled with bitterness as he let out a long sigh.
In the mortal world, some beggars eventually become emperors, and in the Cultivation Realm, some with Lower-grade Spirit Root Talent ultimately become Great Cultivators in the Nascent Soul Stage.
Alas, such people are exceedingly rare; ninety-nine out of a hundred mortals and cultivators have their fates predetermined at birth.
A mortal born into a wealthy family enjoys an endless life of opulence, and a cultivator with a Top-grade Spiritual Root is almost invariably successful in establishing their Foundation barring accidents.
Whereas an ordinary mortal born into a common family or a cultivator with only Low-grade Spirit Root Talent will, barring unforeseen circumstances, remain an ordinary civilian, an ordinary Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator throughout their lives.
Zhou Xuanlin, having lived for over ninety years, has long seen through this. So upon arduously cultivating to the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation, he almost gave up on dreams of Foundation Establishment, just wishing to enjoy life's simple pleasures within the remaining twenty to thirty years of lifespan, making sure his time on Earth was not for naught.
Now, having accepted reality, watching Zhouyang's strangely expressionless face, he recalled that his words spoken earlier in surprise seemed inappropriate. Abruptly he exclaimed, "Ah, I misspoke earlier. Xiao Jiu, don't misunderstand! Big Brother's success in Foundation Establishment genuinely fills this old man with joy in my heart; I'm truly happy for the clan having another Foundation Establishment Cultivator. There's absolutely no intent to defame Big Brother, I dare swear it!"
He was also in a hurry, even blurting out words of oath.
This is understandable, with Xuan Hao successfully establishing a foundation, becoming the second current Foundation Establishment cultivator of the family. His status was now vastly different from before.
As a clan elder and cousin to Xuan Hao, if news spread of him being jealous and slandering the Zhou Family's Foundation Establishment cultivator, the old Clan Leader Zhou Minghan might be furious enough to strip him of his elder position. Other cultivators of the same generation would likely cut ties with him; that would be more painful than being killed.
Zhouyang saw this scene, and any slight dissatisfaction in his heart soon dissipated. He relaxed his expression, smiled broadly, and said, "Seventh Uncle, don't be agitated. Your loyalty to the family is well known by the old Clan Leader and my father. Our Zhou Family cultivators are always united. I naturally believe you would not slander my father, so please, rest easy!"
"Phew! As long as you understand, Xiao Jiu, as long as you understand."
Zhou Xuanlin carefully watched Zhouyang. Seeing his genuine smile, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, dispelling his worries.
Then, Zhouyang and Zhou Xuanlin engaged in a long discussion lasting most of the day, mainly with Zhou Xuanlin introducing the business operations of "Jade Spring Tower," as well as the Zhou Family's network in the marketplace, and how to quickly contact the family in case of emergencies.
Basically, the shopkeeper of "Jade Spring Tower" acts as the Zhou Family's representative in "Jinsha Marketplace," handling all family affairs in the marketplace.
Prior to Zhouyang, for someone to qualify as the shopkeeper of "Jade Spring Tower," they would at least need to be a clan elder of the Zhou Family.
Before becoming a clan elder, Zhou Xuanlin had already been at "Jade Spring Tower" for over ten years, but the person in charge was always Zhou Xuanhao, the Zhou Family elder.
After completing the handover for "Jade Spring Tower" with Seventh Uncle Zhou Xuanlin, Zhouyang next made a trip to "Drunken Immortal Tower."
"Drunken Immortal Tower" was previously managed by his mother Lin Yuting. After his mother accompanied his father back to the family, Seventh Uncle Zhou Xuanlin's wife Luo Meiwei took over as the shopkeeper. Additionally, female cultivators from the "Yuan" generation of the Zhou Family—Zhou Yuanchun, Zhou Yuanxia, and Zhou Yuanzhen—were appointed as attendants and chefs.
Among them, Zhou Yuanchun ranks sixth among her generation. She is the only cultivator with a Spiritual Root among the three children of Zhouyang's foster mother Zhou Xuan Yu, and she is also his mother Lin Yuting's disciple, inheriting her unique brewer profession.
Zhou Yuanxia and Zhou Yuanzhen rank seventh and twelfth, respectively, among their generation. Their ancestors have been secular mortals of the Zhou Family for generations. Their Spiritual Root talent, like Zhou Yuanchun's, is low-grade, and without any surprises, their cultivation paths would likely end at the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Zhouyang, born handsome and of extraordinary background, with cultivation far surpassing his peers, caught the eyes of Zhou Yuanchun and the other two female Zhou Family cultivators when he appeared in "Drunken Immortal Tower."
Girls love beauty, and even female cultivators are not immune to this cliché.
Zhouyang isn't just good-looking; he is also a Tier Two Top-grade Refinery Master, young and wealthy—the ideal Dao companion choice for female cultivators, as Zhou Yuanchun can affirm.
"Hehehe, Xiao Jiu, should I continue calling you Brother Nine or call you Yang brother?"
Zhou Yuanchun, the eldest among the three female cultivators, being the daughter of Zhouyang's foster mother and having the backing of the old Clan Leader Zhou Minghan, is among the few "Yuan" generation of Zhou Family cultivators who aren't too concerned about Zhouyang's changed status. After her initial surprise, she quickly joked with Zhouyang with a gleeful smile.
"Sister Yuanchun, please don't tease me. I still prefer you to call me Xiao Jiu."
Zhouyang awkwardly smiled, finding the teasing from his sixth sister quite perplexing.
"Yang brother" sounds so strange; he really doesn't want to be called that!
After speaking, he turned to smile at Zhou Yuanxia and Zhou Yuanzhen, eagerly watching him from the side, "Hello, Seventh Sister and Twelfth Sister. We haven't seen each other in years, and you all have only become more beautiful. I heard from Mother that the suitors of you sisters line up from Drunken Immortal Tower all the way to Jade Spring Tower. I didn't believe it before, but now seeing you fairy sisters with my own eyes, I know she wasn't exaggerating at all."
Women dress up for those who appreciate them, and hearing Zhouyang say this made the three Zhou Family girls beam with joy.
Zhou Yuanzhen, the one closest in age to Zhouyang and the youngest present, coyly complained, "Brother Nine, you're exaggerating. Auntie wouldn't say that. I don't have any suitors; those people only came for Sister Yuanchun and Sister Yuanxia, not because of me."
Having opened up, the originally shy and reserved Zhou Yuanxia also joined in the teasing, saying, "Oh, you cheeky Twelfth Sister, your ability to lie straight-faced has improved lately. You say it has nothing to do with you, but what about that Uncle from the Liu Family? Why does he visit Drunken Immortal Tower several times every month, and it's always you entertaining him?"
"Hmph, Seventh Sister, you're the one who taught me how to drink and chat with customers, making them feel at home in Drunken Immortal Tower. I was so innocent when I first came here, and you corrupted me!"
Zhou Yuanzhen huffed indignantly, a little upset with Zhou Yuanxia's teasing.
However, no sooner had she spoken than Zhou Yuanchun gave a mischievous grin and looked at someone with embarrassment, laughing heartily, "Hahaha, Twelfth Sister, you're blaming the wrong person. From what I know, everything you mentioned, including that water-sleeve dress you're wearing now, is thanks to Brother Nine. Even the Spirit Stone commission we receive was only approved by the clan, all thanks to Brother Nine's suggestion!"
Zhouyang's face turned crimson with embarrassment, feeling utterly mortified and unable to look at the surprised and annoyed faces of his two sisters, Zhou Yuanxia and Zhou Yuanzhen.
Initially, he had heard his mother Lin Yuting lamenting about the restaurant's poor business and, upon investigating, thought of this clever trick. And Lin Yuting, trusting her precious son, let Zhou Yuanchun give it a try, and it turned out to be very effective.
Subsequently, all the Zhou family members at "Drunken Immortal Tower" were replaced with women, and Zhou Yuanzhen, young and charming, was transferred here as soon as she turned twenty, becoming the restaurant's "star waitress" in no time.