Clan Cultivation: Starting from Beast Taming

While Zhou Chun was busy promoting the Insect Expelling Technique within the clan, Zhou Mingde had already been bustling about in several places.

In fact, in his heart, the candidates were not just the Elixir Li Family and Formation You Family, but also the Jiangzhou Su Family.

The Jiangzhou Su Family, since Zhou Chun had engaged in dual cultivation with their future Golden Core Seed, Su Yuzhen, was also seen by Zhou Mingde as a potential partner for cooperation.

Moreover, since Su Yuzhen was regarded by the Su Family as a Golden Core Seed, it was quite possible that she could indeed succeed in Core Formation in the future.

If by that time she became Zhou Chun's Dao companion, then the Dharma Treasure given to her by the Zhou Family would truly return to their own hands.

Of course, to speak of this now still seemed too far-fetched and somewhat unrealistic.

Zhou Mingde simply considered the Su Family as an option, to give himself more choices.

But to his surprise, this option, originally akin to a backup, became his final choice.

Faced with the Zhou Family's request, the Golden Elixir Cultivators of the Li and You families did not outright refuse, but their demands were quite excessive.

The Li Family's side was somewhat better, asking for a Dharma Treasure and one hundred thousand Spirit Coins, and wanting to reduce their stint guarding the Zhou Family to three years.

The You Family's side showed very little sincerity, not only demanding a Dharma Treasure but also wanting the Zhou Family to transfer all the rights and interests of their wilderness outpost to them, and they were only willing to guard the Zhou Family for three years as well.

These conditions were undoubtedly unacceptable to Zhou Mingde.

On the other hand, the Ancestor of the Su Family was willing to guard the Zhou Family for ten years for just one Dharma Treasure and even promised to protect the Zhou Family in the future.

The only condition was to officially acknowledge Zhou Chun and Su Yuzhen as Dao companions and announce it publicly.

Faced with such generous terms, Zhou Mingde had no reason to disagree.

However, he still needed to persuade Zhou Chun to agree.

Thus, having made up his mind, Zhou Mingde quickly returned to the Zhou Family and called Zhou Chun to his cave dwelling for a private conversation.

He first recounted his experiences with the Li and You families, before talking about his encounter with the Su Family.

Coming to the end, he also smoothly said, "That's the situation. The Li and You families are far too greedy, and it's not suitable to invite them to guard our clan. Besides, three years is too short a time, I'm afraid it's insufficient to truly help the family get through this crisis!"

As he said that, Zhou Mingde looked directly at Zhou Chun and said, "I have asked you here today because I intend to accept the terms of the Su Family, and I want you to agree to become Dao companions with Su Yuzhen!"

Without waiting for Zhou Chun to voice any objections, he immediately waved his hand and continued, "I know that you don't have very deep feelings for Su Yuzhen, but since you have already engaged in dual cultivation, you are de facto Dao companions."

"Although we Cultivators pursue following our hearts, living freely and unrestrainedly, unwilling to do things against our will, it doesn't mean we can act recklessly based on our own desires!"

"Now that our clan is in crisis, you, as the Clan Leader, should stand up and resolve this crisis for the clan if you have the ability to help us get through it!"

"Besides, marrying Su Yuzhen as your Dao companion is only to formalize the de facto relationship you already have, and it won't affect your future Cultivation or personal freedom. What you're giving up is just a nominal title!"

When Zhou Mingde said this, his tone was very formal, and his expression, extremely serious.

It was clear that he had carefully considered this before speaking to Zhou Chun.

After hearing what Zhou Mingde said, Zhou Chun didn't rush to respond but fell into silence.

Actually, Zhou Chun was well aware that marrying Su Yuzhen as his Dao companion wasn't as simple as Zhou Mingde said, being merely a matter of titles.

As the Clan Leader of the Zhou Family, his marriage to Su Yuzhen would inevitably deepen the ties between the two families.

If he truly encountered a female Cultivator he liked in the future and wished to marry her, he would likely face pressure from the Ancestor of the Su Family.

At that time, both the Ancestor of the Su Family and Su Yuzhen would have straightforward reasons to stop him.

However, from Zhou Mingde's point of view, all these issues were uncertain future events, not as pressing as the immediate crisis.

From Zhou Mingde's previous decision to take pre-emptive action and launch a surprise attack on Shen Borong, it was clear what kind of person he was.

He may not lack foresight, but he evidently prioritized the matter at hand.

And as the Supreme Elder of the Zhou Family, the true spiritual core of the clan, when he spoke about these issues so formally with Zhou Chun, it indicated that he had genuinely formed a plan.

If Zhou Chun still adamantly refused and persisted in not compromising, even if Zhou Mingde grudgingly withdrew his proposal, it would likely create an irrevocable rift between them.

For Zhou Chun personally, the damage and impact from this would undoubtedly be greater than marrying Su Yuzhen as his Dao companion. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

So at this moment, he appeared very silent.

Zhou Mingde also knew that he needed to give him time to weigh his options, to convince himself, to compromise, so he did not press him for an answer right away.

After pondering in silence for slightly more than two hours, Zhou Chun finally spoke in a muted voice with a complex tone, "If there really is no other way, for the safety of the clan, this junior is naturally willing to make the sacrifice!"

"Good, with your words, I am at ease!" Zhou Mingde's eyebrows twitched, and he clapped his hands in approval, finally feeling reassured.