Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2785 - 1031: Extremist, Late Stage Nascent Soul

"Apologize!"

The bone-chilling words were uttered by Zhou Fuqiu, causing the surrounding temperature to seemingly plummet.

His gaze was fixed upon the boy who was revered by many.

Zhou Fuqiu recognized him.

Zhou Yu Hao's father was a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator.

However, the primary reason for his popularity and the attention he received was due to his grandfather.

Seven years prior, Zhou Yu Hao's grandfather received direct tutelage from the Ancestor, achieving a breakthrough to the Golden Core Period in a single attempt, thus becoming a prominent figure within the Clan.

Consequently, their branch of the family had risen in status.

Despite his youth, Zhou Yu Hao was acutely aware of his family's elevated standing from a young age, often conducting himself with arrogance.

At this moment, challenged by Zhou Fuqiu, he initially recoiled instinctively but then regained his composure, bolstered by the encouragement of his companions.

What was his own standing? And what about the standing of Zhou Fuqiu and his sibling?

Why should he harbor any fear towards them?

Zhou Yu Hao scoffed, "Aren't my words the truth? Such a frail individual, even if they possess a Spirit Root, likely won't be able to cultivate. Why expend effort here? My suggestion is for you to relocate to Coral Town sooner, conserving resources for the Clan."

As he spoke, his surrounding companions echoed his sentiments.

"Yu Hao speaks the truth!"

"One must possess self-awareness. Our Zhou Family is not overflowing with resources; all provisions should be utilized judiciously, and dedicating them to someone so sickly is truly a waste."

"I heard their family receives the care of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in addition to compensation?"

"Zhou Qingyu is simply not suited for cultivation alongside us!"

...

The clamor intensified, their gazes piercing like thorns.

Zhou Qingyu's face turned ashen, her lips quivering subtly.

Particularly when she observed several friends of similar age, who averted their gazes, her eyes welled up with tears.

Instinctively, she clutched the sleeve of the boy standing before her.

"Brother, let's depart!"

A tight grip seemed to seize Zhou Fuqiu's heart as he gently released his sister's hand.

Before she could comprehend, Zhou Fuqiu positioned himself fully in front of her.

"I shall state this one final time: apologize!"

Across from him, Zhou Yu Hao not only refused to apologize but instead made a mocking gesture towards him.

"No, no, what can you possibly do to me..."

Thud!

Within the square, a piercing sound seemed to erupt.

A figure, catching everyone completely by surprise, took several rapid strides, lunging directly in front of Zhou Yu Hao.

With one hand, Zhou Fuqiu seized the shorter Zhou Yu Hao by the neck, while his other hand delivered a swift slap across his face.

Smack!

"Apologize!"

The crowd remained frozen, none having anticipated Zhou Fuqiu's sheer speed.

Even Zhou Yu Hao, the target of the assault, was dazed by the blow, rendered speechless.

Smack!

"Apologize!"

As the second slap connected, Zhou Yu Hao abruptly regained his senses, fury blazing, "You dare strike me?"

Smack!

"My father is a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, my grandfather is a Golden Core Ascendant Master."

Smack!

"Help me, quickly, assist me!"

Smack!

Three of his teeth clattered to the ground.

Zhou Fuqiu's frigid gaze swept across the onlookers; those few who had considered intervening faltered involuntarily.

With a cold snort, Zhou Fuqiu tightened his grip with his single arm, astonishingly hoisting Zhou Yu Hao by the neck before the assembled crowd.

"I ask you one last time, will you apologize?"

Zhou Yu Hao, who had initially been shorter than Zhou Fuqiu, was now elevated to his eye level.

Confronted by those eyes that seemed to gaze upon a lifeless form, he finally succumbed to fear, his face, the color of a bruised plum, forming silent words.

"I... I am sorry."

Thud!

Zhou Fuqiu released his grip and turned to depart.

Zhou Yu Hao crumpled to the ground, emitting a sound akin to a broken bellows, his trousers inexplicably damp, releasing an offensive odor.

He stared at Zhou Fuqiu's retreating back, his eyes filled with stark terror.

The onlookers instinctively parted, creating a path as Zhou Fuqiu led his sister away from the square.

...

On the narrow pathway paved with bluestone slabs.

The siblings strolled at an unhurried pace.

"Brother, I have no desire to go to the square for training tomorrow."

"No, you must attend. With me by your side, no one will dare to mistreat you."

"But they..."

"The opinions of others are inconsequential; what matters is that we live well. Furthermore, diligent training and self-strengthening are the sole foundations upon which we can depend."

"Very well, Mao Mao will heed Brother's guidance!"

Hurried footsteps echoed from behind.

Before long, Zhou Yuqi caught up, gasping for breath.

"Fuqiu, how could you dare strike Zhou Yu Hao just now? His family possesses a Golden Core Ascendant Master; you have incurred their wrath, and in the future..."

Zhou Fuqiu regarded Zhou Yuqi with a cold stare, "Must I permit him to torment my sister?"

Zhou Yuqi hesitated, "But..."

Zhou Fuqiu cut him off without hesitation. "There are no 'buts.' No one is allowed to bully Mao Mao as long as I am alive!"

The final five words were uttered with an unshakeable resolve, leaving no space for argument.

Zhou Yuqi stood there, utterly bewildered, as if seeing his childhood friend for the very first time.

He returned home in a daze.

His mother, apparently having learned of the earlier events, summoned him for a detailed questioning.

Zhou Yuqi responded distractedly, then suddenly had an idea.

"Mother, why don't we adopt Fuqiu and Mao Mao?"

"Adopt them?" Upon hearing the proposal, Zhou Yuqi's mother's lips curved into an irrepressible smile. "Very well, tomorrow I shall petition the Family Head."

Believing he had secured a crucial favor for his cherished friend, Zhou Yuqi could not contain his elation and leaped with joy.

...

Deep into the night.

Inside the deserted Green Water Pavilion, a swift shadow flitted past.