Cultivation Begins From The Desert

After Zhouyang left the Yellow Sand Sect, he didn't return directly to the Yuquan Lake Oasis or Red Fox Ridge, but instead went to the Baisha River Oasis.

His purpose for going to the Baisha River Oasis was, of course, to visit Chen Ping'an at White Camel Peak.

Now that the Chen Family Ancestor had fallen at the hands of a demon beast, and the Zhou family gained the Red Tiger Mountain Oasis gifted by Cao Wenjin as a foundation, the root of the conflict between the Chen and Zhou families no longer existed.

Moreover, the Chen family, now one of only two Purple Mansion Clans in the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm, was an important force that could not be ignored by any side in the now turbulent Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm.

Zhang Yunpeng had subtly indicated to Zhouyang as he left the Yellow Sand Sect that it would be best for the Chen and Zhou families to resolve their conflict and join the Yellow Sand Sect's camp.

For this reason, Zhang Yunpeng personally wrote a letter for Zhouyang to deliver to Chen Ping'an, expressing his willingness to act as a witness for the reconciliation of the two families.

Zhouyang also agreed with reconciling with the Chen family.

The grievances between the Zhou and Chen families were actually all tied to the Chen Family Ancestor. Now that the Chen Family Ancestor had fallen, there was indeed no need for the two families to continue their fight.

Therefore, he now intended to personally meet the current Patriarch of the Chen family, Chen Ping'an, to show the Zhou family's sincerity and resolve the conflict between the two parties.

"Junior Zhouyang, greets Elder Chen."

At White Camel Peak, when Chen Ping'an received the news of Zhouyang's visit and flew out of his cave dwelling, he saw Zhouyang from a distance paying his respects beyond the array.

Seeing Zhouyang's respectful attitude, Chen Ping'an's heart was moved, gaining some understanding.

His thoughts turned, and finally, he nodded lightly, responding politely, "Patriarch Zhou, you are too gracious. A distinguished guest visits, and Chen failed to welcome you from afar. I hope you can forgive me."

Seeing this attitude, Zhouyang immediately realized that the purpose of his visit today should not be difficult to achieve, and a slight smile appeared on his face as he replied, "It was presumptuous of the junior to come and disturb the elder's cultivation."

After exchanging polite pleasantries, the two, observed by numerous Chen family cultivators, entered Chen Ping'an's cave dwelling together.

Once inside the cave dwelling and with no outsiders present, Zhouyang directly took out the letter Zhang Yunpeng had given him and handed it to Chen Ping'an.

"For Elder Chen's judgment, the purpose of this junior's presumptuous visit has been stated by Elder Zhang in this letter. Please take a look."

Chen Ping'an took the letter, released his Divine Sense to examine it, and his expression momentarily changed.

However, as he continued to read, his expression gradually returned to normal, even showing some undisguised joy, not knowing what benefits Zhang Yunpeng had promised him.

After about a quarter of an hour, after Chen Ping'an finished reading Zhang Yunpeng's letter and pondered for a while, he finally said, "Indeed, there is no need for the Zhou and Chen families to continue their conflict. Since Sect Leader Zhang is willing to mediate, and the Zhou family is willing to move their family foundation away from the Baisha River Oasis Cultivation Realm, the Chen family certainly does not wish to be the villains."

Hearing this, Zhouyang immediately cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Elder Chen is indeed benevolent and righteous, the junior is impressed."

"Don't be in a hurry to thank me. While Chen agrees not to suppress the Zhou family, you must honestly answer a question for me."

Chen Ping'an waved his hand, then looked at Zhouyang with sharp eyes and sternly asked, "Was it you who killed Chen Fangli?"

Zhouyang's expression paused for a moment, clearly taken aback.

He didn't expect Chen Ping'an to ask this question at this time.

However, he didn't stay stunned for long and promptly nodded decisively, "Yes, it was indeed this junior who killed him."

After speaking, without waiting for Chen Ping'an to say anything further, he directly patted his storage bag and took out the Memory Pearl recording the event, handing it over to Chen Ping'an.

After watching the image recorded by the Memory Pearl, Chen Ping'an fell silent for a moment and then spoke in a calm voice, "Let this matter rest."

Having said that, he crushed the Memory Pearl in his hand.

This result was not beyond Zhouyang's expectations.

He didn't say anything more, and after discussing some matters with Chen Ping'an, he returned directly to the Yuquan Lake Oasis.

Back at the family, the first person Zhouyang went to see was the old Clan Leader, Zhou Minghan, and he informed him about his dealings with Cao Wenjin and the reconciliation with the Chen family in detail.

"Good, good, good, excellent, hahaha..."

Zhou Minghan, upon hearing Zhouyang's words, couldn't contain his excitement and burst into hearty laughter.

At this moment, besides the simple word "good," there's no other way to describe Zhou Minghan's feelings.

He didn't know how long it had been since he was this happy; the last time he was this happy might have been when Zhouyang successfully established his Foundation and awakened the 'Qianyang Treasure Body.'

But even then, he wasn't as elated as he was today, completely losing his composure.

Indeed, whether it was a large oasis that could serve as the family's millennium foundation, or a piece of 'Purple Heart Jade Marrow' that could help Foundation Establishment cultivators open a Purple Mansion, both were things Zhou Minghan only dared to dream about.

Now that the "dreams have come true," the joy in his heart couldn't be expressed in words.

"Heaven bless the Zhou Family, heaven bless my Zhou Family!"

"Xiao Jiu, oh Xiao Jiu, the most correct decision I've made in my life was choosing you to become the Clan Leader of the Zhou Family!"

"Our Yuquan Zhou Family will surely become renowned throughout the entire Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm because of you. You will undoubtedly become the best and most outstanding Clan Leader of our Zhou Family!"

Zhou Minghan was exceedingly excited as he tightly gripped Zhouyang's arm, his face showing an indescribable excitement and exhilaration.

Originally, when he chose Zhouyang as the 'Foundation Establishment Seed' of the Zhou Family, it was simply in the hope that Zhouyang could take over his responsibilities, letting the Zhou Family's legacy continue on.

Later, discovering that Zhouyang possessed the 'Qianyang Treasure Body', his expectations for Zhouyang increased, hoping Zhouyang could lead the Zhou Family to rebuild its glory and revive its prosperity.

As he observed Zhouyang's rapid cultivation progress and his frequent opportunities and fortuitous encounters, he hoped Zhouyang could lead the Zhou Family to strength, becoming a Purple Mansion Clan.

Now, seeing that all these expectations were on the brink of being fulfilled by Zhouyang, how could he not be ecstatic?

He clutched Zhouyang's arm tightly, laughing wildly out of control: "It was worth it! This old man's life was worth it! To see Xiao Jiu lead the clan to this point, even if I were to fall now, I would die without regrets!"

Zhouyang, who had lived for almost a hundred years, was seeing the always steady and cautious old Clan Leader lose his composure for the first time. For a moment, he was also a bit bewildered, unsure how to respond to the elder.

As for the elder's current display of excitement and exhilaration, he somewhat understood, but lacked the deep resonance that came from mutual experience.

However, he knew that, with the elder's temperament and cultivation, such a loss of composure should not last too long.

Indeed, under Zhouyang's silent watchful wait, Zhou Minghan's maniacal laughter lasted less than half a quarter of an hour before gradually returning to normal.

With bright eyes, he looked at Zhouyang and chuckled: "Haha, just now this old man lost his composure in excitement, perhaps giving you, Xiao Jiu, a laugh."

Zhouyang smiled lightly, politely yet not without a hint of awkwardness, without knowing how to easily respond.

Seeing this, Zhou Minghan continued: "But this old man is truly not afraid of your mockery, Xiao Jiu. What I said just now were words from the bottom of my heart. Xiao Jiu, you might not even realize how important you are to the Zhou Family!"

Zhouyang was no longer the young lad who would be overjoyed with a few words of praise from elders. Although he still retained a youthful appearance, his mentality was already mature and stable.

Therefore, hearing Zhou Minghan say this, he not only did not show a happy smile but instead shook his head with a bitter smile: "You are overpraising me, great-grandfather. Without your unwavering support and nurturing, how could I have achieved what I have today? Perhaps, I would have long perished at the Foundation Establishment Stage!"

After speaking, he deeply bowed to the elder: "Having received your and the clan's great kindness, now that I have the ability, I should naturally repay the clan within my capacity. It doesn't deserve such high praise from you!"

"No, no, you are deserving!"

Zhou Minghan waved his hands repeatedly, lifting him up with both hands, solemnly saying: "You achieved what our Zhou Family's past generations could not, you are fully deserving of this. This old man is proud of you, and the other cultivators of the Zhou Family are also proud to have you as their Clan Leader. You are the pride of the Zhou Family!"

You are the pride of the Zhou Family!

These words from Zhou Minghan surpassed a thousand words of praise.

"Am I the pride of the Zhou Family?"

"Yes, I will surely become the pride of the Zhou Family!"

Zhouyang murmured to himself, a happy smile appearing on his face.

Originally, as his cultivation gradually increased, he actually wasn't as concerned about the family affairs as before.

For example, he hadn't inquired about the situation of the family's low-tier cultivators for a long time, and he didn't even know how many cultivators there were in the Zhou Family at present.

If this situation continued, the connection between him and the Zhou Family would become weaker and weaker.

Until one day, he would be unable to bear the burden the family placed on him, angrily leaving home and completely severing ties with the family.

In the Cultivation Realm, things like this had happened, and they could even be said to occur frequently.

But now, Zhou Minghan's heartfelt words reignited Zhouyang's former sense of dedication and contribution to the family.

Suddenly, he recalled an ancient saying from his previous life—'When poor, remain noble and unaffected; when successful, aid the world.'

He might never manage 'aiding the world,' but could he not even manage to look after one family?

"A single tree does not make a forest, one person cannot accomplish all things. Currently, the family may not keep pace with my advancements. Considering the family might drag down my cultivation, but once I reach the Purple Mansion or Golden Core stages, after decades or even a century, the family should be able to give back to me then."

"Even outsiders like Master Cyan Yang and Cao Wenjin were willing to invest and support me when I was weak."

"The blood of the Zhou family members and mine flows from the same root; why should I not invest in them, support them?"

Upon reaching this thought, Zhouyang felt a sense of clarity, as if dispelling clouds to see the sun. His state of mind became completely different than before.