Clan Cultivation: Starting from Beast Taming-Chapter 1193 - 509: Sacrifice is Necessary [Subscribe Requested]_3

Because he understood this point, he had never dared to fantasize about Core Formation before. His entire focus was on strengthening the family, even at the cost of delaying his own cultivation.

Because of this dedication, he earned the reverence and respect of Zhou Daoyi, Zhou Daoquan, Zhou Chun, and other younger generations, as well as the admiration of the clan members.

However, he was also clear that not everyone could sacrifice their own path for the growth and prosperity of the family.

This was especially true for those cultivators whose paths were broader and had the potential to advance further.

And Zhou Chun, who had successfully formed his Golden Core at just over two hundred years of age, was undoubtedly such a cultivator with great prospects and the hope of reaching the Nascent Soul Stage!

If Zhou Chun were to continue dividing his attention between family matters now, using his energy to support the development of the family, it would indeed bring great benefits to the family. It could be assumed that he personally would not mind this much.

However, after two or three hundred years, when Zhou Chun realized that his progress in cultivation was less than expected due to being distracted by family affairs, or even that he had lost the hope of reaching the Nascent Soul Stage—

At that time, no matter how deep Zhou Chun’s familial feelings were, it would be hard for him not to harbor some resentment. He might even directly cut ties with the family and leave to single-mindedly pursue the path to the Nascent Soul!

If such a thing were to happen, the Zhou Family’s losses would far outweigh the gains they currently received.

Examples like this were not unheard of in the Cultivation World; they were, in fact, somewhat common!

If Zhou Mingde had not successfully formed his Core, even if he had perceived this point, he wouldn’t have had any good solutions.

After all, back then, with Zhou Chun being the Zhou Family’s only Golden Core Stage cultivator, it would have been unavoidable for him to divert his attention to family matters—such as instructing younger clan members in cultivation and resolving their doubts about cultivation.

But now, since Zhou Mingde had successfully formed his Core and his lifespan had been greatly extended, giving him at least another five hundred years to live—

Matters that should have distracted Zhou Chun could now be entirely taken over by Zhou Mingde.

Given his circumstances, since he had no possibility of achieving Nascent Soul Formation, sacrificing some cultivation time was completely acceptable.

Thus, after prolonged contemplation, he chose this moment to have a candid discussion with Zhou Chun.

Zhou Chun hadn’t expected that when Zhou Mingde said he had something to discuss, it would turn out to be this.

When Zhou Mingde finished speaking, Zhou Chun was stunned.

He then looked at Zhou Mingde with a complex expression, his throat constricting as he momentarily didn’t know what to say, deeply moved inside.

After a long moment of brewing his emotions, he finally spoke with deep feeling: "I have never thought of the family as a burden!"

"I have always been grateful to you and the family for your care and support when my cultivation was still weak. I have always cherished the atmosphere of mutual assistance among our clan members, and I have always been proud to be a member of the Zhou Family!"

"Although the family can no longer provide me much support in cultivation resources, it still helps me in many other ways. I’ve never thought about leaving the family."

He was not merely being humble—these were his heartfelt words.

Just as he said, although the Zhou Family could no longer offer him cultivation resources, the cave dwelling he occupied within the family required no rent, and he continued to receive generous annual stipends from the Zhou Family.

Furthermore, whenever he needed to gather materials or inquire about information, the entirety of the Zhou Family’s cultivators—hundreds in total—would work to assist him.

Even the food for his Spirit Pets was provided by the Zhou Family. novelbuddy.cσ๓

These conveniences were things that would be hard to come by for a Loose Cultivator.

Joining a sect might offer similar conveniences, but if one enjoyed these benefits, wouldn’t one also have to serve the sect in return?

Under such circumstances, wouldn’t it then be better to remain in the Zhou Family, calling the shots and enjoying the respect of elders?

Zhou Mingde could naturally discern whether Zhou Chun’s words were genuine. Hearing them, he nodded in satisfaction and said, "Indeed, I trust that Zhengchun’s feelings for the family are sincere, and you would never think of leaving the family."

Then he shifted his tone and said, "But the family and its members are meant to bring mutual achievements to each other."

"Now you’ve already led the family to an unprecedented level of prosperity, yet the family’s ability to assist you is gradually diminishing. Whether for the sake of your path ahead or the family’s long-term interests, you shouldn’t dedicate so much of your energy to family trivialities anymore!"

Having been spoken to so directly, Zhou Chun would have seemed inconsiderate if he kept resisting.

Thus, he solemnly bowed and said, "Junior has learned the lesson. No matter what achievements Junior attains in the future, you will always be the elder I respect the most, and the Zhou Family will always be my home!"

"Good, good, good! With these words from you, I am content!"

Zhou Mingde exclaimed joyfully, his face full of delight as he helped Zhou Chun up.

After confirming their respective tasks for the future, Zhou Mingde began taking over the family affairs that had previously distracted Zhou Chun.

However, Zhou Chun still retained the title of Clan Leader and did not formally step down from the position.

It was only three months after Zhou Mingde’s Golden Core ceremony that Zhou Zhengyuan, the oldest cultivator among the Zhou Family’s "Zheng"-generation, reached the end of his lifespan and sat and transformed.

Throughout Zhou Zhengyuan’s life, although he had never fought on the battlefield for the family, he had devoted himself tirelessly to refining pills for the family and had certainly rendered great service.