Zhou Ling's True Self

"Young master, today's the celebration for young master Zhou Ling," Qing'er gently reminded him, her gaze filled with concern. "Are you sure you don't wish to join?"

Zhou Yuan looked up at Qing'er, his clouded blue eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. His lips curled into a faint smile as he replied, "Qing'er, you know I can't attend such events. My condition…" His voice trailed off, the unspoken reality hanging heavy in the air.

Qing'er nodded understandingly, her loyalty unwavering. "I understand, young master. Your health is the top priority. But if there's ever a way for you to participate without risking your well-being, I hope you'll consider it. The clan still holds you in high regard, and your presence would mean a lot to them."

Zhou Yuan appreciated Qing'er's understanding and the sentiment behind her words. He knew that despite his absence from such celebrations, the Zhou Clan still regarded him as a valuable member. "Thank you, Qing'er. For now, let's focus on finding a way to rid me of this poison. Once that's done, I'll be free to participate in all the clan's events."

Qing'er's eyes sparkled with determination. "We'll get through this together, young master. I'll stand by your side every step of the way."

Zhou Yuan nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over him. With Qing'er's unwavering support and his secret plan in motion, he held onto the hope that one day he would be able to join in the clan's celebrations without fear of the Extreme Yin Bone-Chilling Poison.

The poison had caused Zhou Yuan's ability to cultivate to stagnate due to the risk of disrupting the Yin-Yang balance in his body. Cultivating his Qi required pure fire attribute spiritual qi, which was Yang in nature. Back then, the Clan had to pay a high rich to acquire help of a royal physician of the Xue Empire to stabilize his condition and suppress the poison.

However, cultivating would always be a precarious endeavor, as the poison threatened to surge and overwhelm his Yang cultivation at any moment. This delicate balance had become the central challenge in Zhou Yuan's life, a constant tightrope walking between progress and peril.

Even now, his cultivation remained at the 8th level of Qi Refinement, unable to break through to the 9th level due to the ever-present threat of the Extreme Yin Bone-Chilling Poison.

***

At night.

Zhou Mansion, First Elder Zhou Kai' Courtyard.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was tense as Zhou Ling's anger filled the air. He stood amidst the wreckage of shattered cups; his face contorted in frustration.

"Damn that Zhou Hai," he muttered through gritted teeth. "That lowly branch member dares to embarrass me." His fists clenched and unclenched as he seethed with resentment.

Zhou Ling, as the favored son of First Elder Zhou Kai, had always enjoyed a position of privilege and power within the Zhou family. But Zhou Hai's recent actions had threatened to tarnish his reputation and status, and it was something he couldn't tolerate.

With a deep breath, Zhou Ling tried to regain his composure. He knew he needed to come up with a plan to deal with Zhou Hai and protect his own standing within the family. But for now, all he could do was stew in his anger and frustration, the shattered cups serving as a physical reminder of his wounded pride.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was tense as Zhou Ling's anger filled the air. He stood amidst the wreckage of shattered cups, his face contorted in frustration.

"Damn that Zhou Hai," he muttered through gritted teeth. "That lowly branch member dares to embarrass me." His fists clenched and unclenched as he seethed with resentment.

Zhou Ling, as the favored son of First Elder Zhou Kai, had always enjoyed a position of privilege and power within the Zhou family. But Zhou Hai's recent actions had threatened to tarnish his reputation and status, and it was something he couldn't tolerate.

With a deep breath, Zhou Ling tried to regain his composure. He knew he needed to come up with a plan to deal with Zhou Hai and protect his own standing within the family. But for now, all he could do was stew in his anger and frustration.

As Zhou Ling seethed with anger and frustration, his thoughts turned to Zhou Hai's audacity. "Humph! Zhou Hai, a lowly ant, thinks he can rise up?" Zhou Ling mocked, his voice dripping with contempt. He paced back and forth in the courtyard, the shattered cups crunching beneath his boots.

He knew that Zhou Hai had been plotting for some time, trying to undermine his position within the family. Zhou Hai was a member of a lesser branch of the Zhou family, and Zhou Ling had always considered him beneath his notice. But recent events had shown that Zhou Hai was not to be underestimated.\

Zhou Hai had cunningly orchestrated a series of events that had not only exposed Zhou Ling's weaknesses but had also garnered support from influential members of the family. It was a calculated move that threatened to undermine Zhou Ling's position and reputation within the Zhou family.

As Zhou Ling paced back and forth, his mind raced with thoughts of retaliation. He knew he couldn't let Zhou Hai's actions go unpunished. He needed to regain control and restore his dominance within the family.