Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2788 - 1032:

Unmoved by the gazes of the gathering crowd, he betrayed neither humility nor arrogance, his expression impassive.

Zhou Xiaocheng, a Golden Core Ascendant Master and one of only five within the Zhou Family, lifted an eyebrow. After a brief scan of the hall, he offered a smile to Zhou Fuqiu. "Are you Fuqiu?"

Zhou Fuqiu inclined his head slightly in greeting. "I have met Grandpa Cheng."

"Good!" Zhou Xiaocheng declared, stroking his beard. "Your bearing is exceptional, and your talent is remarkable. You will surely become a distinguished figure of the Zhou Family in the future. My grandson Yu Hao was a bit tactless earlier; you have already taught him a lesson. From now on, you two shall remain friends, like brothers. If he fails to correct his bad habits, you should continue to discipline him on Grandpa's behalf, alright?"

Zhou Fuqiu appeared somewhat taken aback, responding hesitantly, "Fuqiu will remember Grandpa Cheng's words; we are still friends, still brothers."

Laughing heartily, Zhou Xiaocheng departed with his hands clasped behind his back.

Behind him, Zhou Yu Hao's father seemed slow to react. He glanced at Zhou Fuqiu before following, bewildered.

Seventh Uncle, Zhou Haiye, however, approached Zhou Fuqiu with an overtly ingratiating air. "Fuqiu, you haven't visited our home in quite some time."

Zhou Fuqiu's expression remained cool. "I have been preoccupied with my studies and caring for my sister, so I haven't been out much recently. Seventh Uncle, Second Grandpa wishes to discuss something with me, so let us talk another time." With that, he entered the hall alone.

Seventh Uncle stood at the door, dumbfounded.

The eldest uncle placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hai Ye, no need to fret over young Fuqiu; he should sense your sincerity." After speaking, the eldest uncle also entered the hall.

Did he truly sense it?

Zhou Haiye forced a smile, yet a dangerous glint flickered in his narrowed eyes.

Inside the hall.

Upon seeing Second Grandpa's sturdy back once more, Zhou Fuqiu bowed in respect.

"You overheard everything just now, correct?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"

"Fuqiu will abide by Second Grandpa's decision. However, that house holds memories of Father and Mother; my sister and I are not yet ready to move out."

"That is understandable. I will regularly dispatch people to monitor the situation. Should you require any assistance, you may seek out your eldest uncle or approach me directly. Take this token; crush it immediately if you find yourself in danger."

Zhou Fuqiu respectfully accepted the token, vaguely perceiving the immense power it contained.

After expressing his gratitude to Second Grandpa, Zhou Fuqiu prepared to depart.

But before he could step out, Second Grandpa suddenly called to him. "This is a family matter. You don't need to feign maturity, maintaining a stern face all day. You should smile more, like other youths your age."

The boy's body stiffened. Without turning around, an inexplicable emotion welled up within him. After his parents' departure, he had spent a considerable time caring for his sister alone, without guidance or comfort from any elder. Within the vastness of the Zhou Family, he had felt no warmth at all. Until this very moment.

His voice catching, he replied, "Fuqiu will remember Second Grandpa's words."

"Go then!"

Zhou Junxiao waved his hand, observing the boy's somewhat lighter steps as he departed, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly. While precocious and knowledgeable from his studies, adept at concealing emotions and presenting a facade, he was, after all, still a mere child.

He then turned his attention to his own son. "In the future, look after the brother and sister more closely. Ensure they receive related resources regularly. Additionally, issue one more copy..." Zhou Junxiao paused, as if a thought struck him, and quickly amended his instruction. "Issue two more sets of body-nourishing medicine, and deliver them discreetly!"

...

Within the Green Water Pavilion.

Zhou Fuqiu silently reflected on the day's events. He felt a sense of relief from the goodwill shown by Zhou Yu Hao's family, yet also a subtle disgust towards Seventh Uncle's proposition of adopting him and his sister. He did not believe the supplements sent by Seventh Uncle's family previously were coincidental, nor did he believe the adoption offer today stemmed from genuine affection. The logic was simple: if such intentions were true, why had they not been proposed half a year ago?

His reluctance to live in Second Grandpa's household was also straightforward. Second Grandpa's residence teemed with people, making it difficult to guarantee an absence of conflict in daily interactions. He was uncertain whether, should he or his sister inadvertently offend members of the Family Head's lineage, they would still receive Second Grandpa's protection. It seemed wiser to reside alone in the Green Water Pavilion. Moreover, he needed to cultivate!

Commencing cultivation at too young an age, from his vantage point, invited interference from elders, thus hindering the swift acquisition of formidable power.

As for his current strength?

Zhou Fuqiu joined his fingers together, sword-like, and pointed at the pond before the pavilion.

Whoosh!

A torrent of deep blue light flashed and vanished, and the century-old bluestone within the pond silently crumbled into dust.

First-level Magic Water Arrow Technique!

Such might was absolutely beyond the capabilities of an Early-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

Furthermore, it was executed instantaneously!

Among the other Five Elements Techniques, Zhou Fuqiu could not achieve such mastery, only with Water Type Technique did he feel an innate sense of effortless control from the very beginning.

It was as though he needed only to will it, and it would be done!

Regrettably, his father’s study contained scarce Spell Tomes, with only a limited selection of Water Type Techniques available.

However, Zhou Fuqiu was no longer in a state of urgency.

Under the protection of Second Grandpa, he had no need to court danger or hasten his progress.

He was still young, not yet of the proper age.

Once his Spirit Root underwent proper testing, the clan would bestow cultivation techniques aligned with his attributes, and he would also gain access to the clan’s Scripture Pavilion to peruse favored Techniques.

That would be the opportune moment to truly showcase his inherent talents.

The ripples on the pond gradually subsided, and the young boy gazed upon his reflection in the water.

Recalling the words Second Grandpa had spoken upon departing the meeting hall, the boy unconsciously grinned, attempting to force a smile.

Yet, the visage staring back from the pond appeared to be weeping instead.

The boy parted his lips, but ultimately pressed them firmly shut.