Beast Taming Immortal Clan

Chapter 300 The Necessary Compromise [Please Subscribe]

While Zhou Chun was busy promoting the insect-repelling technique within the family, Zhou Mingde had already traveled to several places.

In fact, his choices included not only the Li family (for pills) and the You family (for formations), but also the Su family of Jiangzhou.

The Su family of Jiangzhou, because Zhou Chun and Su Yuzhen, the future Golden Core seed of their family, had engaged in dual cultivation, was also seen as a potential partner by Zhou Mingde.

Moreover, since Su Yuzhen is regarded by the Su family as a seed for achieving the Golden Core stage, she may actually have a chance to successfully form her Golden Core in the future.

If she becomes Zhou Chun's Daoist partner, then the magical treasure that the Zhou family gave away will have returned to its own family.

Of course, it's too far off to talk about this now, and it's somewhat unrealistic.

Zhou Mingde only considered the Su family as one possible option, giving himself another choice.

But to his surprise, what was originally just a backup option became his final choice.

Faced with the Zhou family's request, the Golden Core cultivators from the Li and You families did not explicitly refuse, but they both made rather exorbitant demands.

The Li family fared somewhat better. Apart from demanding a magic weapon and 100,000 spirit coins, they also shortened the time they would be stationed at the Zhou family to three years.

The You family showed a complete lack of sincerity. Apart from a magic weapon, they actually demanded that the Zhou family transfer all rights to their wilderness stronghold to them, and they were only willing to stay with the Zhou family for three years.

These conditions were undoubtedly unacceptable to Zhou Mingde.

On the other hand, the Su family patriarch was not only willing to stay in the Zhou family for ten years in exchange for only one magic weapon, but also guaranteed to protect the Zhou family in the future.

The only condition was that Zhou Chun and Su Yuzhen confirm their relationship as Daoist partners and announce it to the public.

Faced with such favorable conditions, Zhou Mingde had no reason to disagree.

But he still needs to convince Zhou Chun to agree.

Having made up his mind, Zhou Mingde quickly returned to the Zhou family and called Zhou Chun to his cave dwelling for a private talk.

He first recounted his experiences in the Li and You families, and then he talked about his experiences in the Su family.

In closing, he added, "That's the situation. The Li and You families have acted too greedily; it's really not suitable to invite them to come and oversee things. Besides, three years is too short a time; it probably won't be enough to truly help the family overcome this calamity!"

At this point, Zhou Mingde looked directly at Zhou Chun and said, "The reason I called you here alone today is to accept the Su family's conditions and ask you to agree to become Daoist partners with Su Yuzhen!"

Before Zhou Chun could refute him, he waved his hand and continued, "I know you don't have any deep feelings for Su Yuzhen, but since you have already engaged in dual cultivation, you are already de facto Daoist partners."

"While we cultivators pursue a life of ease and freedom, and are unwilling to do anything against our conscience, it doesn't mean we can act arbitrarily according to our own desires!"

"Now that the clan is facing a crisis, Zheng Chun, as the clan leader, since you have the ability to help the clan overcome this crisis, you should step forward and resolve it for the clan!"

"Besides, becoming Daoist partners with Su Yuzhen is merely to legitimize your relationship; it won't affect your future cultivation or personal freedom. All you're giving up is a title!"

When Zhou Mingde said these words, his tone was very formal and his expression was very serious.

Clearly, he had given it serious thought before saying those words to Zhou Chun.

After hearing his words, Zhou Chun did not rush to express anything, but fell silent.

In truth, Zhou Chun knew that her becoming Daoist partners with Su Yuzhen was not as simple as Zhou Mingde had said, merely a matter of giving a title.

As the patriarch of the Zhou family, his marriage to Su Yuzhen as Daoist partners will inevitably create a deep connection between the two families.

If he were to meet a female cultivator he likes in the future and want to become her Daoist partner, he would likely face pressure from the Su family's patriarch.

At that time, both the Su family patriarch and Su Yuzhen will have a perfectly legitimate reason to stop him.

However, from Zhou Mingde's perspective, these things are all unknown and cannot compare to the imminent crisis.

Zhou Mingde's personality can be understood from his previous decision to strike first and ambush Shen Borong.

He may not lack foresight, but he is clearly more focused on the present.

As the Supreme Elder of the Zhou family and the true core figure of the Zhou family, when he spoke to Zhou Chun about these matters in a very formal tone, it meant that he already had a real idea in mind.

If Zhou Chun continues to refuse firmly and insists on not compromising, even if he eventually has no choice but to withdraw his idea, this matter will likely create an irreparable rift between the two of them.

For Zhou Chun personally, the losses and impacts would certainly be greater than becoming Daoist partners with Su Yuzhen.

So he remained quite silent at this point.

Zhou Mingde also knew that he needed time to weigh the options, convince himself, and compromise with himself, so he didn't rush him to express his opinion.

After pondering in silence for over an hour, Zhou Chun finally spoke in a low, hesitant voice, "If there truly is no other way, for the safety of the family, this junior is naturally willing to make a sacrifice!"

"Good, with you saying that, I can rest assured!"

Zhou Mingde's brow twitched, and he immediately clapped his hands in approval, finally feeling reassured.

He then glanced at Zhou Chun's gloomy face, pretending not to notice, and continued, "Then I will have the necessary gifts prepared, and personally take you, Zheng Chun, to the Su family to propose marriage!"

"This junior has no objection."

Zhou Chun responded softly and then fell silent.

Zhou Mingde knew that he needed time to adjust his mindset, so he arranged for several family elders to handle the preparation of gifts for the marriage proposal.

After three days of preparation within the family, Zhou Mingde led Zhou Chun, who had come to a decision, to the Su family in Jiangzhou.

When the Su family patriarch of Jiangzhou learned that Zhou Mingde had brought Zhou Chun to visit, a smug smile appeared on his face.

"Heh, looks like that kid finally gave in and compromised!"

He chuckled and nodded smugly, saying, "That's more like it. Young people who are too rigid are easily broken. If they think they can roam freely in this cultivation world just because they have some cultivation skills, they'll inevitably suffer a great setback sooner or later!"

However, when Zhou Mingde and Zhou Chunzhen came to him, his smugness was not visible on his face at all.

After the two men bowed to him, he looked at them indifferently and said, "The fact that you two came together today means that you have agreed to my conditions."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingde immediately replied respectfully, "Senior Su is wise. The reason I brought Zhengchun here is to formally propose marriage to the Su family."

As he spoke, he shook a small folded paper from his sleeve and handed it to the Su family patriarch, saying, "This is the betrothal gift prepared by the Zhou family for this marriage. Please take a look, Senior Su."

Upon seeing this, the Su family patriarch immediately took the folded book and began to examine it.

The first item on the folded document was a betrothal gift labeled "Mysterious Azure Spirit Control Banner," a magical artifact.

As for the items that followed, they were all just special spiritual items produced by the Zhou family, and were not worth the attention of a Golden Core cultivator like the Su family patriarch.

Therefore, he casually glanced at the various gifts behind him, closed the booklet, nodded slightly with a satisfied expression, and said, "Very good. Since your Zhou family is so sincere, I, the patriarch, agree to this marriage on behalf of Yuzhen."

"Thank you for your kindness, senior!"

Zhou Mingde quickly bowed and thanked him.

However, the Su family patriarch did not look at him, but instead turned his gaze to Zhou Chun behind him, and said indifferently, "Zhou family boy, why are you silent?"

"Our ancestor is wise. With the elders of the family present, it is not appropriate for a junior to say more."

Zhou Chun looked up at the Su family patriarch, then quickly lowered his head and answered respectfully.

His answer was impeccable, but the Su family patriarch could naturally tell that he was not being sincere.

She looked at him meaningfully and nodded slightly, saying, "Yes, it's always good to listen to your elders. It's a good thing for young people to have their own personalities and ideas, but don't always act on your whims, or it can easily turn into something bad!"

"Yes, this junior will certainly keep in mind the teachings of our ancestor."

Zhou Chun responded respectfully, showing impeccable manners.

Seeing Zhou Chun so obedient, the Su family patriarch felt even better.

He found a sense of taming pleasure in Zhou Chun, just like a horse trainer taming a wild horse.

Zhou Chun used to be so stubborn and obstinate in front of him, so ungrateful that even a Golden Core cultivator like him often lost face.

But now, a crisis that could lead to the destruction of the Zhou family has finally broken down the defenses of this stubborn individual, making him realize his own weakness and incompetence.

Let him know what it means to reject the kindness of a Golden Core cultivator.

If he had agreed to become Daoist partners with Su Yuzhen back then, then the Su family patriarch might not need any magic treasures now and would lend a helping hand to the Zhou family.

Thinking of this, the Su family patriarch said to Zhou Chun Chun with great joy, "Since you have decided to be with Yu Zhen, then treat her well from now on. As long as you can fulfill your duties as a Daoist partner, I will not hold any past unpleasantness against you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun replied in a low voice, "Yes, Ancestor, you are very magnanimous. I am deeply grateful."

Afterwards, the Su family patriarch summoned Su Yuzhen and personally discussed with Zhou Mingde the matter of holding a dual cultivation ceremony for the two of them.

The Su family is a prominent family in Jiangzhou. Su Yuzhen, who is now at the Purple Mansion stage, is also a well-known cultivator in the Su family. Naturally, her marriage to someone is not something that can be taken lightly.

Moreover, the Su family patriarch also intended to ensure that Zhou Chun would have no chance to back out by holding a grand dual cultivation ceremony.

After this discussion, the time and arrangements for the dual cultivation ceremony were finalized. The Su family patriarch kept his word and went directly to the Zhou family with Zhou Mingde and Zhou Chun.

He will remain stationed at the Zhou family's mountain gate until a Golden Core cultivator comes to plunder the Zhou family, or until the ten-year period ends.

Of course, to maintain secrecy, this matter will only be known to the upper echelons of the Su and Zhou families; even the elders of the Zhou family will be kept in the dark.

With the Golden Core cultivator, Patriarch Su, presiding over the family's mountain gate, Zhou Mingde and Zhou Daoyi, the two Supreme Elders of the Zhou family, breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, Zhou Daoyi personally took charge of the dual cultivation ceremony between Zhou Chun and Su Yuzhen.

As expected, the news that the Zhou family of Lanzhou and the Su family of Jiangzhou were going to become in-laws quickly caused quite a stir in the cultivation circles of both Lanzhou and Jiangzhou.

Logically speaking, it is common for cultivation families to intermarry, and it is not a strange thing.

But this time it was undoubtedly different.

The two cultivation families that first formed a marriage alliance were located in Lanzhou and Jiangzhou, thousands of miles apart.

Secondly, the two cultivation families have different backgrounds. One is a vassal family of the Moon Wheel Sect, the largest power in the Jing Kingdom, and the other is a vassal family of the Green Lotus Temple, the third largest power in the Jing Kingdom.

Thirdly, the cultivators who married into these two cultivation families were of very high status: one was the patriarch of the Zhou family, and the other was a junior cultivator at the Purple Mansion stage who was highly favored by the Su family's patriarch.

Such a marriage alliance is, if not unique, rare among the various cultivation families in the Jing Kingdom's cultivation world.

How could this not cause gossip among others?

"The Zhou family is really lucky. They've managed to quietly establish a connection with the Su family of Jiangzhou again. That's a Golden Core cultivation family!"

In the Wang family of Red Medicine Valley, the clan leader, Wang Zhixiong, looked at the invitation sent by the Zhou family and couldn't help but sigh with envy.

This wasn't the first time he had made such a remark.

As a close family, he had witnessed the changes in the Zhou family over the years.

He genuinely envied the Zhou family's good fortune.

He used to harbor ambitions to rival the Zhou family and vie for dominance in the Five Families Alliance.

However, after suffering heavy losses in the southern expedition against the Dragon Transformation Sect, he could only try his best to restore the family's vitality and no longer had that ambition.

The same applies to Wang Zhixiong and his family, as well as to the Sun family of Jinfengling, the He family of Qingzhushan, and other families.

"Damn it! The Zhou family got lucky again. How come they always seem to have all the good things happen to them!"

When Zhang Shi'an, the Supreme Elder of the Zhang family in Tiantai Mountain, learned about the marriage alliance between the Zhou and Su families, he was so angry that he smashed many items in the room.

He had never forgotten the humiliation the Zhou family had inflicted on him.

Although on the surface he was completely subdued and terrified by the Zhou family.

But in reality, he never forgot this humiliation and always thought that one day he could avenge it.

However, the news of the marriage alliance between the Zhou and Su families was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him.

The reality is that there is absolutely no sign of the opportunity for redemption he so desperately desires ever appearing.

On the contrary, the Zhou family's power has been growing stronger day by day, and the gap between them and the Zhang family has been widening.

And he could only watch helplessly as all of this unfolded before his eyes, powerless to change anything!

Time passed slowly, and three months had gone by in the blink of an eye.

On this day, after more than three months of preparation, the grand ceremony of Zhou Chun and Su Yuzhen's dual cultivation was finally held at the Zhou family's mountain gate, Jiufeng Ridge.

There will be another update tonight.

(End of this chapter)