Chapter 23, Zhou Zhengyong’s Request

Translator: Raznick

 

After handing over the mysterious snake egg to the clan’s most accomplished expert in beast-taming, Third Elder Zhou Daoquan, Zhou Chun no longer gave it a second thought.

 

It would be ideal if Zhou Daoquan succeeded in perfecting a method to hatch the egg.

 

Even if Zhou Daoquan couldn’t figure out how, destroying the mysterious snake egg would still earn him up to five hundred spirit coins as compensation.

 

He would win either way.

 

Over the next six months, Zhou Chun’s life resumed its previous routine, much like it had been before he left for the Mu clan.

 

However, because an increasing number of rogue cultivators were coming to Nine Peaks for cultivation, they, as Zhou Clan cultivators guarding the Purification Pavilion, had less time.

 

For those with low cultivation and didn’t have high combat and dueling skills, the safest way to earn spirit coins was to work at the Purification Pavilions of various sects, clans, or town markets.

 

Compared to venturing out on adventures and fighting demon beasts for resources, guarding the Purification Pavilion was harsher and less rewarding, but at least it was safe and stable.

 

However, safe and stable jobs were definitely sought after by the majority in any world.

 

If not for the need to supervise these rogue cultivators and save some spirit coins, Zhou Clan could even fully entrust the task of guarding the Purification Pavilion to the rogue cultivators.

 

It was precisely because of these rogue cultivators taking on the arduous task that Zhou Chun and other Zhou Clan disciples could find more time to meditate, refine their skills, and learn other techniques.

 

Over these months, Zhou Chun took a Spring Sun Pill every fifty days. Following fifty days after taking it, he could open up one acupoint.

 

He was basically certain that after taking all eight Spring Sun Pills, his cultivation would definitely reach the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining Stage.

 

His spirit pet, the Rock Turtle, had rapidly advanced in cultivation after consuming multiple doses of Beast Spirit Pill. It was likely that, within a year or two, it would catch up to its master.

 

One day, Zhou Chun had just finished reading at the library on Flying Stone Peak when he noticed his cousin, Zhou Zhengyong, waiting outside his courtyard.

 

Upon his return, Zhou Zhengyong’s face lit up with joy and he stood up, saying, “Thirteenth Brother, you’ve finally returned.”

 

“Brother Yong, what can I do for you?”

 

Zhou Chun gazed at Zhou Zhengyong with a slight expression of surprise on his face, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his eyes.

 

From the look of Zhou Zhengyong, it wasn’t official business.

 

“It’s like this, yesterday during my shift, while chatting with a rogue cultivator, I overheard the other mention that he had once seen a group of Redtail Monkeys.

 

“You’re also a master in beast-taming arts, Thirteenth Brother. You ought to know that if any group of Redtail Monkeys appears, there’s a high likelihood that the area is inhabited by objects capable of purifying their bloodline and enhancing their cultivation.

 

“My Redtail Monkey has been stuck at average first-grade for years now. No matter how many Beast Spirit Pills it eats, there’s no sign of a breakthrough. Probably because its bloodline isn’t pure enough.

 

“So this time, I wanted to ask you for a favor—accompany me there to see if we can find anything to help my pet break through.”

 

When Zhou Zhengyong got to this point, he looked towards Zhou Chun with an air of anticipation.

 

He came for personal reasons.

 

Zhou Chun understood. Facing Zhou Zhengyong’s eager gaze, he pondered for a moment before nodding and replied, “Brother Yong, since you’ve come to me, on account of our friendship, I would never think of refusing.”

 

After consenting to take on this task, before Zhou Zhengyong could even express his gratitude, Zhou Cun continued prudently, “However, Brother Yong, you must understand that what you’ve heard is but a rumor—I haven’t seen it with my own eyes. In my humble opinion, it’s better to first gather information and uncover the true nature of those Redtail Monkeys before taking any decisive action.”

 

He finished saying this when Zhou Zhengyong’s expression of joy faded slightly, and his eyes betrayed a mix of embarrassment and shame.

 

Zhou Zhengyong took a deep breath, quickly adjusted his mindset, and calmed himself. Then, looking at Zhou Chun with a serious expression and nodding, he said, “Thirteen Brother, you’re right. I cam as soon as I heard it, which was indeed a bit too rash.”

 

After saying that, he spoke in a serious tone, “Once I uncover the truth, I will come to you, Thirteenth Brother, for your assistance.”

 

Zhou Chun spoke earnestly, urging him to be cautious: “Brother Yong, you must watch out too! For all we know, among those rogue cultivators who came here to cultivate, some might even be people who lived here before us!”

 

“Thanks for reminding me, Thirteenth Brother—I’ll be careful.”

 

Zhou Zhengyong nodded and left at once.

 

As Zhou Chun watched Zhou Zhengyong’s departing figure, he couldn’t help but recall his own Rock Turtle.

 

In terms of potential, Rock Turtle was clearly superior to Zhou Zhengyong’s Red-tailed Monkey.

 

With proper training and without holding back on resources, it coul be elevated to superior first-grade demon beast within five years.

 

However, by then, Rock Turtle’s bloodline potential had reached its limit.

 

If, in the future, one wished to advance Rock Turtle to second-grade, they would inevitably have to resort to methods similar to Zhou Zhengyong’s—actively seeking out and obtaining certain spiritual objects that can purify or transform its bloodline.

 

But that was something he would only consider after reaching Foundation Establishment.

 

Zhou Zhengyong was clearly a man of action, and the next day, Zhou Chun heard that he had taken leave and left the clan.

 

Seven days later, Zhou Zhengyong, who had just returned from outside and been back for less than a day, found Zhou Chun’s residence again.

 

“Thirteenth Brother, I personally reconnoitered the area and confirmed there is a group of Redtail Monkeys, numbering about twelve or thirteen. The leader is a superior first-grade demon beast, while the others are inferior and average first-grade demon beasts.

 

“I closely observed the monkeys’ valley, and if I’m not mistaken, unusual fruits grow there—the Scarlet Sun Fruit.”

 

Inside the living room, upon being ushered in by Zhou Chun, Zhou Zhengyong had barely settled into a chair when he began to hastily share his recent discoveries without even pausing to drink his tea.

 

He was so impatient that he left Zhou Chun somewhat speechless.

 

But when you really thought about it, it actually seemed pretty normal.

 

Generally, cultivators who primarily practiced beast-taming techniques often had personalities similar to those of their spirit beasts.

 

Zhou Zhengyong, having chosen the impulsive Redtail Monkey as his spirit pet for cultivation, likely shared similar traits in personality.

 

Whether it was his former pet, the Shadow Wind Panther, or his current pet, Rock Turtle, both of them seemed to align with Zhou Chun’s cautious and steady demeanor.

 

At this point, suppressing the urge to dissuade him with words, Zhou Chun followed along with Zhou Zhengyong’s line of thought and said, “If we take your words at face value, Brother Yong, it seems that just us two might not be enough to deal with all those Redtail Monkeys. We might need a Senior with considerable power to bolster our efforts!”

 

Zhou Zhengyong also frowned and let out a sigh, saying, “Yes, indeed. We really need a Senior at the late Qi Refining to come and help, just to be safe!”

 

“But which senior should we invite?”

 

Furrowing his brow, he began to think about the senior members of the Zhou Clan who had decent relations with him.

 

For personal matters like this, one could only ask for help from close acquaintances.

 

In this way, not only was the matter of payment settled, but it also minimized the chances of disagreements arising during their actions.

 

After thinking hard for about half an hour, Zhou Zhengyong finally raised his head and looked at Zhou Chun, who had been waiting quietly. “How about Twenty-seventh Uncle Zhou Jiapeng?” Zhou Zhengyong asked. “His spirit pet, the flying demon beast Steal Plume Falcon, has already reached superior first-grade. It can carry one person while flying, and therefore, with him overseeing the operation, this mission will surely be safe and secure.”

 

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun readily nodded and said, “If it’s the Twenty-seventh Uncle, of course there’s no issue.”

 

Uncle Zhou Jiapeng, in the “Jia” generation, was also quite a notable figure.

 

His own cultivation wasn’t particularly exceptional—at least not to the Foundation Establishment Stage he aspired to—but his spirit beast, the Steel Plume Falcon, was a rare type of flying mount capable of carrying its rider through the skies. And when it came to combat, the creature proved itself more than a match for any challenger.

 

With the Steel Plume Falcon by his side, as long as he wasn’t ambushed, there was hardly anyone in the Qi Refining Stage who could hold him back.

 

After all, even if they had flight artifacts at their disposal, the spiritual power of Qi Refining cultivators and their speed in controlling artifacts were still far inferior to flying demon beasts.

 

Zhou Zhengyong managed to get his uncle involved in helping him, which also left Zhou Chun quite surprised.

 

However, when he recalled Zhou Zhengyong’s background, it seemed to dawn on him why this was happening.

 

Unlike his ancestors, who were all mortals, Zhou Zhengyong’s father was also a cultivator in the clan. He had died accidentally while performing his duties outside.

 

If his father were still alive, he too would be a “Jia” cultivator, and might have known Uncle Zhou Jiapeng back in the day.

 

Of course, Zhou Chun saw no need to probe deeper into these matters.

 

After reaching this agreement, Zhou Zhengyong immediately set out to find his Twenty-Seventh Uncle, Zhou Jiapeng. Meanwhile, Zhou Chun also began preparing the items he would need for his journey.