Secretly Enshrined

Zhou Ping stepped forward lightly and placed his hand on Zhou Qianling.

"Qianling, let your great-uncle see how your cultivation is progressing."

Zhou Qianling's thin body tensed and trembled with a start. Only after hearing Zhou Ping's voice did she slowly relax. Zhou Chengyuan, standing to the side, also paused to watch curiously.

Zhou Ping gently channeled his Spiritual Qi, carefully examining Zhou Qianling for any unique qualities.

Previously, he had only briefly checked whether the younger generation possessed cultivation aptitude, without conducting a thorough examination for anything else.

Beyond standard cultivation aptitude, there existed in the world some extremely rare physiques that could greatly aid in one's path. If Zhou Qianling possessed such a special physique, her future would undoubtedly be vastly broader than Zhou Chengyuan's.

With one more powerful cultivator, their family would only grow that much more prosperous.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ping could not help but reveal a look of joy.

The next moment, his smile abruptly froze.

"Grandfather, what is wrong with Cousin Qianling?" Zhou Chengyuan asked with some concern.

Zhou Ping finally snapped back to reality. He immediately said, "Qianling has already drawn Qi into her body, yet you have not even managed to sense Qi. You still have the nerve to ask? Hurry up and cultivate."

"If you had even half of Qianling's diligence, I would be satisfied."

Zhou Chengyuan simply bobbed his head. "I know."

With that, Zhou Chengyuan turned aside to sulk, but he immediately closed his eyes and began meditating.

Though he was a bit mischievous, he still possessed a heart unwilling to fall behind-especially after being belittled by his own grandfather.

"Cultivate well, you two. Come to the main hall for lunch later," Zhou Ping said as he stood up.

Zhou Chengyuan merely grunted in response, but Zhou Qianling, emboldened, replied, "Understood, Great-Uncle."

Zhou Ping did not dwell on the matter. He turned and walked toward the mountaintop.

Because he had just sensed a faint trace of demonic aura within Zhou Qianling's body-and this aura originated from her very bloodline.

Yet Zhou Changxi was a mortal. That left only one possibility: Mu Lushi was a demon!

Among the brothers, Chang'an and Xuanya had been closer to Changxi. He naturally needed to find Zhou Xuanya to ask a few questions.

When he pierced through the obstructing mist, he immediately saw Zhou Xuanya planting ginseng.

Looking around, the ground within a radius of four or five zhang of the Purple Gold Vine was already filled with planted medicinal herbs like ginseng, lingzhi, and poria. Moreover, they were all several years old.

Even mundane medicinal herbs like these were highly sought after in the cultivation world as long as they exceeded a certain age. Hundred-year ginseng, for instance, was a vital raw ingredient for some first- and second-tier Pills.

Since the Huang family was still visiting the immortal clans of the surrounding counties, there was still nearly half a year before the market officially opened. Zhou Ping and his two sons planned to purchase mountain goods and use the Purple Gold Vine to accelerate their growth. By increasing their age, the family's offerings would not appear too shabby when the time came.

"Father."

Zhou Xuanya turned, caught sight of Zhou Ping, and spoke respectfully.

Zhou Ping surveyed the surroundings. "Well done."

Hearing his father's praise, a hint of embarrassment surfaced on Zhou Xuanya's face.

"Xuanya, your father has something to ask you."

Zhou Xuanya was a bit puzzled but answered honestly, "What does Father wish to ask?"

Zhou Ping paused for a moment before asking, "How exactly did your second sister-in-law meet your second brother?"

"Second Sister-in-law? From what Brother Changxi mentioned, he met a hunter's daughter while hunting in the mountains."

"At the time, Second Sister-in-law was being chased by a wild beast. Second Brother shot the beast dead and saved her," Zhou Xuanya recalled with a thoughtful look. "When she first arrived at our home, her injuries were quite severe. Fortunately, she received timely treatment and survived without any lasting issues."

Zhou Ping pondered for a moment. It seemed there really had been such an incident back then.

"And what about your second sister-in-law's family?"

"It seems they were all killed by wild beasts. Only Second Sister-in-law was left," Zhou Xuanya replied. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes; he did not know why his father had suddenly brought up his second sister-in-law.

"Never mind, then."

Zhou Ping crouched down and began planting the medicinal herbs piece by piece. Seeing that his father had no intention of explaining further, Zhou Xuanya did not dwell on the matter and joined him in the planting.

As he planted, Zhou Ping calculated in his heart.

He was already certain that Mu Lushi was a demon.

But any demon capable of taking human form had to be at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm or above, or perhaps she was relying on some powerful Dharma Treasure to conceal herself. Regardless of which it was, neither was an existence his current family could contend with.

There was also another possibility-that she had accidentally swallowed a Transformation Fruit.

But he dared not gamble on it. If his probing proved otherwise and ended up angering her instead, his family would be utterly finished.

Still, Mu Lushi had been here for several years already, yet she spent all her days cooped up in her small courtyard. If she truly were a demon, what could she possibly be after?

She could not possibly be coveting the Zhou family's wealth, could she?

Thinking of this, Zhou Ping could not help but chuckle to himself. When Mu Lushi first arrived, his family was no different from a mortal clan. Even now, they were still practically destitute.

If she truly were a Foundation Establishment demon, there was no way she would take an interest in his family.

Perhaps she genuinely shared a mutual affection with Changxi, and now with Qianling here, that was why she had remained with their family.

Though he did not know which scenario it was, at least up to this point, Mu Lushi had never harmed anyone. She was kind.

He could only pretend not to know. He absolutely must not provoke her. The best course of action was to secretly enshrine her like an honored guest.

Before long, Zhou Ping summoned Zhou Changhe to a courtyard.

"Changhe, from now on, increase the resource allotment for Mu Lushi's courtyard, and send two more servants over."

"Also, do not let the other women do anything foolish."

Zhou Changhe replied loudly, "Uncle, rest assured. Your nephew will handle this beautifully."

He merely assumed that because Zhou Qianling had become a cultivator, his uncle was rewarding Mu Lushi for it.

This was something he had already planned to do anyway. As the only cultivator of the First Branch, he naturally had to treat her with grave importance. He would absolutely not let her grow disappointed in the First Branch.

Almost overnight, news of the increased allotment for Mu Lushi's courtyard spread among the female kin and servants. This made Zhou Changhe's wives and concubines turn red with envy, complaining that the master of the house was playing favorites.

But Zhou Changhe only gave them a single reply. "Whoever gives birth to a child with an immortal fate will also have their courtyard's allotment increased."

Meanwhile, the servants and maids also began to vie with all their might, all hoping to be selected to serve Zhou Qianling.

After all, for these underlings, if they became servants to an Immortal Master, they might be rewarded with spiritual rice or spiritual fruits. Eating such things could prolong one's lifespan.

"Second Madam, the Eldest Young Master has sent us to serve the young miss from now on."

Mu Lushi stared blankly at the two maids standing before her.

The first half of her life had been spent as a small deer; she had only miraculously transformed into a human later on. She possessed little worldly common sense and was terrified of strangers. How could she be accustomed to being served?

She had only just gotten used to the care of the maid left behind by Changxi, and now two more had arrived. She did not know how long it would take to adapt.

Feeling the maids' gazes, Mu Lushi timidly shrank back in fright. Suddenly, a small hand grasped hers. A thin figure shielded her from the front. Though that childish face also held fear and timidity, it was resolute and stubborn. Seeing this brought Mu Lushi a great deal of comfort.

"Mother, Ling'er is here."

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