Jade Mining Mountain Base.
When Zhou Daoquan saw Zhou Chun, who had reached the Purple Mansion Phase of cultivation, he was overjoyed and extremely delighted.
He couldn't help but exclaim with heartfelt emotion, "The pupil has surpassed the master."
Compared to this, although he was also pleased to hear from Zhou Chun that Lin Hongyu had succeeded in Core Formation, he wasn't as deeply moved, and at most, he felt relieved that the family's investment hadn't been in vain.
After all, he was not very familiar with Lin Hongyu, and she did not share the Zhou surname.
Even if her success in Core Formation meant she would protect the Zhou Family, in Zhou Daoquan's eyes, it was still just a transaction.
So while he was happy, the significance of that happiness was completely different.
Zhou Chun then also spoke about the family's plans to have Lin Hongyu come over to the Wasteland Territory to oversee the Frontier Base.
After listening to what he relayed, Zhou Daoquan first fell silent and pondered for a while, then spoke, "I have no objection to the family's plans, but has the family considered how to manage the interaction between those people and Xu Fu and others?"
"Although Xu Fu and the others were trained and raised within the family from a young age and are bound by the 'Secret of Dragon Transformation', if they are to live with the captive Bandit Cultivators, there's no guarantee they won't slip up. If word gets out, it could jeopardize the family's plans."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun immediately replied, "That shouldn't be a problem. Even Xu Fu and his people won't know the real purpose behind the expansion of the base. On the contrary, we can use their testimony and the family's rewards to them to mislead those Bandit Cultivators."
"Moreover, it's necessary to involve Xu Fu and his people; without their supervision, those Bandit Cultivators might intentionally sabotage our operations during their assignments!"
Hearing him put it that way, Zhou Daoquan thought it made sense and didn't say more.
He simply nodded and said, "The concentration of Spiritual Energy here in Jade Mining Valley is even higher than at the family's mountain gate, and there's no need to sustain as many Cultivators and Demon Beasts, so it is entirely sufficient for Taoist Friend Lin's cultivation. We only need to replace the Spirit Cleansing Formation with a larger Array."
"That is indeed the case. And with Senior Lin here, there is no need to replace the Guardian Great Formation. The current Formation can simply have its range slightly expanded and still be completely effective."
Zhou Chun also mentioned another aspect of convenience following their discussion.
Having settled this matter with Zhou Daoquan, Zhou Chun also made it a point to inspect Xu Fu and the others.
Over twenty years had passed since the arrival of the forty-seven Zhou Family Death Warriors, and now only twenty-three remained alive; the number of casualties was not insignificant.
However, these surviving Cultivators now had at least reached the ninth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, which showed they had reaped substantial benefits.
During the years when Zhou Chun went to the Yang Kingdom and entered seclusion to open up his Purple Mansion, the Zhou Family had also sent over twenty-odd Clan Members to join the base to replenish their workforce.
In addition, from the second batch of trained Zhou Family Death Warriors, some outstanding individuals were now available to take on tasks.
With these additions and losses, they were just barely maintaining the operation of the two bases.
But Zhou Chun had already learned from Zhou Zhengyong that to maintain the operation of both bases and to plan for the mining of the Spirit Jade Mine, Xu Fu and the others had basically ceased seeking Spiritual Objects and were instead busy with the two bases and the Spirit Jade Vein.
The people Zhou Chun inspected this time were those inside the Jade Mining Valley Stronghold, only around a dozen of them.
After completing the inspection with Xu Fu's accompaniment, he instructed Xu Fu, "In the future, the family might move more people here to expand the base. Xu Fu, you and your people should be prepared. When that time comes, you'll need to control those newcomers and prevent them from causing trouble."
After a moment of contemplation, he added, "When those people arrive, the family will reward you all with another Foundation Establishment Fruit!"
He made this decision considering Xu Fu and his people's tremendous contribution to the Zhou Family over the years, and to set an example for the Bandit Cultivators who would arrive later.
Upon hearing this, Xu Fu was both shocked and elated.
He immediately thanked him profusely, "Thank you, Clan Leader, for your generous affection. On behalf of my brothers, I thank you for your kindness toward us!"
"You've earned it," Zhou Chun assured, patting Xu Fu's shoulder gently to show closeness. "I've said it before, as long as you serve the Zhou Family well, we will not let you down."
At that moment, an excited hooting could be heard nearby; it was the Vajra Spirit Monkey greeting Zhou Chun with delight.
Zhou Chun looked over, his expression showing mild surprise, and said, "Oh, Dali, have you also advanced to a mid-grade level-two Demon Beast?"
"Indeed. A few years ago, Dali helped the family seize a tree of Spirit Fruit in the wilderness, so after consulting with the three Elders, I rewarded it with three Spirit Fruits to consume, which unexpectedly aided its promotion to a mid-grade level-two," Zhou Zhengyong quickly explained the reason behind it.
"Then it truly is its good fortune!"
Zhou Chun nodded, reached out to shake hands with the approaching Golden-Furred Giant Monkey, and patted its lowered head. He exchanged a few words with it using monkey language.
Afterward, Zhou Chun went to see the Spirit Jade Mine himself.
The Spirit Jade Mine was now in the process of tunnel excavation, and the miners working there were the descendants of the wild folk Zhou Zhengyong had offered asylum to years ago.