Chapter 72: Deposing the Family Head, Zhou Chen Returns

Lin Feng gripped the porcelain bottle, staring blankly in the direction where Zhou Chen had disappeared, then looked at the three scorched corpses on the ground. A massive wave of emotion surged in his heart.

Shock! Gratitude! Awe! Doubt! All sorts of complex emotions were intertwined.

"In… passing?" Lin Feng murmured to himself, then gave a bitter laugh.

He hadn't expected that this Junior Brother, who had just been promoted to Core Disciple, would have grown to such a terrifying degree. This favor would likely be hard to repay.

Lin Feng no longer hesitated and immediately sat down cross-legged, carefully taking out a healing pill and placing it in his mouth.

The vast medicinal power entered his body, rapidly repairing his internal injuries.

—

Luo City Zhou Family, the plaza in front of the ancestral hall.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the bluestone floor a dark red, making the Zhou Family ancestral hall appear solemn and oppressive in the twilight.

During the Zhou Family ancestral hall sacrifice, the air was as heavy as lead. The lively atmosphere of previous years' sacrifices was gone, replaced by a suffocating silence.

On the high platform in the center of the plaza, the seat that originally belonged to the Family Head Zhou Yuanshan was now occupied by the high-spirited eldest son of the Zhou Family's second branch—Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming wore the robes of a Qinglan Sect Inner Sect Disciple. He looked arrogant, with a winner's smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

The aura of the Qi Refining Tenth Layer emanated from him without concealment. In a place like Luo City, he was already a "favored son of heaven" sufficient to intimidate all sides.

Standing beside him was his mother, Lady Chen, her face glowing with health and her eyes shining with undisguised pride, as if the Zhou Family had already fallen completely into the pockets of the second branch.

Below the platform, several clan Elders led by the Grand Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder surrounded Zhou Ming and his mother like stars around the moon, their faces filled with flattery.

Their attitude was already very clear: immediately dismiss Zhou Yuanshan and install Zhou Ming as the next generation Family Head.

Isolated in a corner was a white-haired figure, the Zhou Family's Sixth Elder, Zhou Yuanyang.

Standing beside him was the Zhou Family Head, Zhou Yuanshan. His face was pale and bloodless, yet he kept his back straight, glaring at the crowd on the platform.

If one observed closely, they would find that Zhou Yuanshan's aura was decaying, with only a Foundation Establishment third layer cultivation—even weaker than several of the Elders. His eyes were filled with anger and deep helplessness.

Zhou Yuanshan looked around and found that, aside from the Sixth Elder, not a single one of his former clansmen spoke up for him.

"…In conclusion, Zhou Yuanshan, as the Family Head, has been mediocre and incompetent, causing our Zhou Family's industries to wither in recent years and our Disciples to lack successors. Furthermore, he lacks the powerful strength to guard the Zhou Family. He is no longer fit for this great responsibility!"

The Second Elder Zhou Yuanfeng's voice was loud and carried an unquestionable tone, echoing across the silent plaza.

"On the other hand, our nephew Zhou Ming possesses extraordinary talent and has already joined the Qinglan Immortal Sect. His future is limitless! With him leading the Zhou Family, he will surely lead us back to glory! At today's sacrificial assembly, I propose that Zhou Yuanshan be deposed from his position as Family Head and that Zhou Ming succeed him immediately!"

At this time, Zhou Ming of the second branch had not yet officially reached Foundation Establishment, so succeeding as Family Head was slightly forced. However, the Second Elder was pushing for it strongly, having clearly received many benefits.

"Seconded!"

"Zhou Ming should be the Family Head!"

"Zhou Yuanshan, step down!"

Voices of agreement rose one after another across the plaza.

Sixth Elder Zhou Yuanyang's beard trembled with rage. He suddenly took a step forward and shouted sternly.

"Silence! Is the ancestral law child's play? Yuanshan is the eldest son of the direct line and was the Family Head designated by the previous Family Head before his death! How can he be deposed or replaced because of a temporary situation? Are you trying to forget your ancestors?! No matter what Zhou Ming is, his experience is too shallow. How can he command the respect of the crowd?"

"Command respect?"

Lady Chen's sharp voice rang out, full of mockery.

"My son is already an Immortal Sect Disciple and is about to reach Foundation Establishment. In this Luo City, who else wouldn't be convinced? My husband is also a Deacon of the Wenxian Sect! If anyone isn't convinced, stand out and let me see! Could it be that some people are jealous of talent and are hindering the rise of our Zhou Family's second branch?"

Lady Chen's gaze glared fiercely at Zhou Yuanshan and the Sixth Elder.

"Zhou Yuanshan, I heard that Genius son of yours has long since become a complete waste in the Wenxian Sect? He's like a clay Buddha crossing a river, unable even to save himself. Do you still expect him to come and back you up? Keep dreaming!"

Hearing this, Zhou Yuanshan's face turned from white to green. His fists were tightly clenched, his nails sinking deep into his palms.

Zhou Chen was the eternal pride in Zhou Yuanshan's heart. Now, having him insulted and trampled upon so publicly made his heart feel as if it were being pierced by needles.

His lips moved, wanting to say something in rebuttal, but thinking of the news sent by Zhou Fu from the Wenxian Sect about his son being "crippled," it ultimately turned into a powerless sigh. His figure seemed to stoop even more.

Zhou Ming let out a smug chuckle and stood up. An aura that felt like it could break through to Foundation Establishment at any moment was deliberately pressed toward the Sixth Elder and his uncle Zhou Yuanshan.

"Family Head, Zhou Yuanyang, the times have changed. In the world of cultivation, strength is respected! I, Zhou Ming, am valued by the Qinglan Sect and am the only hope for the Zhou Family's rise. As for my good Elder brother Zhou Chen… heh, I'm afraid he'll be a cripple for the rest of his life. Lord Family Head, you should be sensible and enjoy your retirement in peace. In the future, the glory of the Zhou Family will be continued by me."

Zhou Ming's words were filled with contempt and ridicule.

"For this sacrificial ceremony, Zhou Yuanshan's virtue does not match his position. It's better for me to preside over it, so the ancestors can see that I am the true hope of the Zhou Family!"

"Zhou Yuanshan, Zhou Yuanyang, why haven't you knelt down to greet the new Family Head?!"

Grand Elder Zhou Yuanze suddenly shouted.

Just as Zhou Ming was feeling complacent and ready to enjoy everyone's worship—

"Oh? The future hope of the Zhou Family? That sounds quite impressive."

A flat voice devoid of any emotion clearly reached everyone's ears.

The voice wasn't loud, yet it seemed to come from the depths of the Nine Underworlds, causing the arrogant Zhou Ming's movements to instantly freeze!

An indescribable chill made everyone's hearts skip a beat!

Everyone looked over in horror!

They saw a tall, straight figure standing quietly outside the towering gates of the ancestral hall.

It was Zhou Chen!

The entire plaza was deathly silent! One could hear a pin drop!

"Chen… Chen'er?!"

Zhou Yuanshan suddenly looked up, his clouded eyes bursting with unbelievable light, instantly overwhelmed by massive surprise.

Zhou Chen had really returned!

"It's you? Zhou Chen?! Why did you, a waste, come back?"

Lady Chen cried out in shock, the pride on her face instantly replaced by disgust.

But Zhou Ming was extremely solemn, and alarm bells were ringing in his heart!

Zhou Chen's appearance was too sudden. There were no fluctuations of Spiritual Qi on his body; he really looked like a cripple!

But what terrified him was that the pressure Zhou Chen had just brought him was even more suffocating than that of the Qinglan Sect Elder beside him!

Then he shook his head, dismissing the thought. One had to know that Elder Zhang Wu of the Qinglan Sect was already at the Nascent Soul Six Layer!

What was Zhou Chen? Nothing more than a waste putting on an act. Zhou Ming's heart settled slightly.

"Zhou Chen?"

Second Elder Zhou Yuanfeng composed himself and shouted with authority.

"This is the Family's most important sacrificial ceremony. How can you be allowed to barge in at will? Withdraw immediately! Once the ceremony is complete, we will discuss the crime of your intrusion!"