Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2779 - 1029:

As dawn broke, a persistent knocking echoed at the medical hall's entrance.

Shortly after, a young boy entered in a hurry.

"Young Master, Young Master Yuqi has arrived to see you," Granny Lin announced, her displeasure evident.

Unmindful of Granny Lin’s disdainful gaze, Zhou Yuqi strode directly into the inner chamber.

"Fuqiu, how is our little sister Mao Mao?"

The slender young man pulled back the bed curtain, turning to reveal a face that had clearly seen no sleep the entire night.

He fixed his gaze upon the tiger-headed Zhou Yuqi, as if intently searching for some hidden truth within him.

Zhou Yuqi spoke with urgency, "I heard this morning that someone had barged into Elder Hai Bo Clan’s medical hall last night. Upon learning it was you, I rushed over immediately to check on your well-being."

Zhou Fuqiu suddenly inquired, "Who exactly are ’they’?"

Zhou Yuqi appeared startled, instinctively responding, "Yin Siniang and a few attending servants. Why do you ask?"

Zhou Fuqiu remained silent.

Yin Siniang was the middle-aged woman who had previously delivered a tonic on behalf of Seventh Uncle’s household.

Her standing was comparable to Granny Lin’s; both were maids who had accompanied their mistresses as part of their dowries.

Three decades prior, the Zhou Family had asserted control over Bailu Marsh.

Seven years ago, the Zhou Family of Bailu Marsh, the Lin Family from Qingtong, and the Yin Family residing in Cold River Valley forged an alliance, initiating preliminary cooperation.

This collaboration spanned numerous areas, including marital ties.

A significant number of lower-ranking clan members from the three families entered into intermarriages.

In this arrangement, the Zhou Family reaped the most substantial benefits, securing many female cultivators from both the Lin and Yin families through marriage.

Zhou Fuqiu’s mother hailed from the Qingtong Lin Family, while Zhou Yuqi’s mother originated from the Cold River Valley Yin Family.

Owing to their nearly identical familial backgrounds and having been born in the same year, Zhou Fuqiu and Zhou Yuqi spent their childhoods in close proximity, sharing the most profound bond.

On occasion, when their playful antics escalated, they would even share meals and spend nights at each other’s homes.

The elder members of both families maintained equally close relations, occasionally exchanging small tokens of appreciation.

Therefore, when Seventh Uncle’s family sent Yin Siniang with a tonic just a few days prior, it seemed unremarkable, and there was no thorough investigation.

However, it was precisely this oversight that led to the unfolding mishap.

Zhou Fuqiu had initially wished to accept Elder Hai Bo Clan’s explanation – that his sister had inadvertently consumed the tonic, resulting in a weakened constitution. But after he administered a Fire-removing Pill and expelled a quantity of perplexing toxins, he could no longer believe they were truly tonics!

Furthermore, how did Seventh Uncle’s family learn about the medical hall’s predicament last night when the information was only supposed to surface this morning?

Could it be that Yin Siniang had been keeping his family under constant surveillance?

Was the action hers alone, or was it orchestrated by Seventh Uncle and Seventh Aunt?

"Fuqiu, what is happening?"

A voice laced with confusion reached his ears, pulling Zhou Fuqiu back from his thoughts.

"It’s nothing significant. Mao Mao is just feeling a little under the weather. We will be heading home soon."

Hearing this, Zhou Yuqi visibly relaxed, a smile gracing his features as he reiterated, "As long as she is alright, as long as she is alright. Little sister Mao Mao is indeed quite delicate. As her elder brother, you have been somewhat negligent; you must take better care of her moving forward!"

"Mm," Zhou Fuqiu replied with a gentle nod, his eyes never leaving Zhou Yuqi.

That smile on Zhou Yuqi's face was genuine, radiating the untainted innocence characteristic of youth.

— 'He likely has no clue about the truth of the matter,' Zhou Fuqiu mused.

Outside the medical hall, the rain persisted relentlessly, as if it intended to fall without end.

The cultivators of the Zhou family appeared to have grown accustomed to such weather.

It was simply that given the current scarcity of clan resources, they had not erected a grand formation to ward off this bone-chilling spring downpour.

By midday, as the rain began to subside.

Granny Lin held an umbrella aloft while Zhou Fuqiu, with the still-sleeping Mao Mao secured on his back, emerged from the medical hall.

Zhou Yuqi, the tiger-headed boy, followed closely behind, intending to accompany them on their journey home.

However, the moment they stepped beyond the medical hall's threshold, Zhou Fuqiu spoke up abruptly.

"Yuqi, there’s no need for you to see us off. Please return home!"

Zhou Yuqi stood dumbfounded.

Before he could utter a word in response, his companion, carrying his sister, had already entered the rain, guided by a servant. His figure gradually faded into the distance.

...

The Zhou Family boasts a venerable legacy spanning eight hundred years in the North Sea region.

In its prime, the clan commanded a force of over ten thousand cultivators and a populace exceeding a billion, vastly outshining typical Nascent Soul Ascendant Sects, nearly rivaling a powerful secular dynasty.

Regrettably, during their desperate exodus from the North Sea, a mere few dozen members managed to survive.

The tragedy was immense!

Having finally reached Zhongzhou and endured a full century of recovery and regeneration, they had only just begun to regain a fraction of their Yuan Qi.

Nevertheless, the number of true core clan members remained surprisingly small.

The term "core clan members" here specifically designates those capable of cultivation and possessing an official generational title, distinguishing them from the collateral branches deemed unworthy of such distinction.

Commencing with Ancestor Zhou Yunshen, the second generation consisted of merely five individuals, who now stand as the Zhou family's formidable Five Great Golden Cores.

The third generation encompasses approximately a hundred members.

Zhou Fuqiu's father, Zhou Baihan, is among this group, belonging to the 'Hai' generation.

Furthermore, his successful attainment of Foundation Establishment grants him a significant standing within the present Zhou Family.

Consequently, Zhou Fuqiu's immediate family not only possesses its own isolated courtyard but also boasts a distinguished Second Order Middle Grade Cave Mansion, ample enough to sustain the daily cultivation pursuits of Zhou Baihan and his wife, Lin Jingshu.

In addition to Granny Lin, several mortal servants incapable of cultivation attend to their everyday needs.

Following Zhou Baihan and his wife's departure on assigned tasks, Zhou Fuqiu ascended to the position of both the effective and ceremonial head of the household.

Upon his return, he first saw to his sister's arrangements, enjoining Granny Lin to watch over her diligently, before making his way back to his cherished Green Water Pavilion.

He felt an urgent need for solitude.

The sudden turmoil experienced overnight had left the young boy's mind utterly exhausted, his thoughts in a far more disarray than at any moment since his memories began to form four years prior.

Standing by the pavilion's edge, his unfocused gaze drifted towards the verdant algae and aquatic plants below as the boy sank into quiet contemplation.

Gradually, his focus began to sharpen, and a determined expression settled upon his features.