Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 74: Chapter 4: One Person Ascends, All Rise

The Law Enforcement Team of Qingyue Square has a total of seven squads, and Shi Jingfeng is the captain of the seventh squad.

Among the seven captains, one is at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining, four at the Eighth-Layer Qi Refining, and two at the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining.

Since Shi Jingfeng’s cultivation is the lowest, he holds the lowest status among the seven captains and has the weakest voice.

Whenever there is the arduous task of night patrols, it often falls to Shi Jingfeng.

It leaves him in misery.

On this day, Shi Jingfeng arrived early at the Law Enforcement Team’s base in the market.

”Good day, Captain Shi!”

The guard at the door promptly greeted Shi Jingfeng warmly upon seeing him.

”Good!” Shi Jingfeng returned the greeting immediately.

However, he felt extremely puzzled inside.

The guard on duty today was clearly a member of the first squad. Due to their Ninth-Layer Qi Refining captain, they typically looked down their noses at him.

Let alone giving him such a respectful greeting today.

With confusion, Shi Jingfeng walked into the base.

On his way to Dianmao Hall, everyone he met greeted him with great enthusiasm, making Shi Jingfeng even more perplexed.

Although he is a captain, he ranks last and has the weakest cultivation, so he never had much prestige.

Even among his subordinates, there were many who were arrogant, not to mention members of other squads.

With doubt and puzzlement, Shi Jingfeng entered Dianmao Hall, where the other six captains were already present in an orderly manner.

As soon as Shi Jingfeng entered, they all greeted him warmly:

”Brother Shi, morning!”

”Lao Qi, you’re here, come sit with me!”

...

Each one was extremely enthusiastic, including the captain of the first squad with the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining, who was no exception.

It’s worth noting that on regular days, their willingness to even greet him was already a great courtesy, making today’s behavior quite abnormal.

Shi Jingfeng was baffled.

”Could it be they’re going to dismiss me?” Shi Jingfeng considered a possibility and instantly felt as if he’d fallen into an ice cave.

”It’s said that in order to prevent dismissed individuals from harboring resentment, there is always a ceremony of excessive etiquette during dismissals!”

Just as Shi Jingfeng was at a loss, the head of the Law Enforcement Team, the Hall Master of the Song Family’s Law Enforcement Hall, Song Zhiwu, who is at the Peak of Ninth-Layer Qi Refining, entered.

Upon entering, Song Zhiwu immediately looked at Shi Jingfeng.

Then he pointed to the seat beside him, speaking amiably:

”Jingfeng, come sit next to me!”

Shi Jingfeng was stunned, followed by a shock—wasn’t this putting him on the spot!

His gaze immediately turned toward the other captains, and he could already foresee their solemn expressions.

It’s hard for anyone to accept a person who usually ranks last suddenly sitting above them.

As he scanned across, he was taken aback.

All the captains were smiling and looking extremely amiable.

”Jingfeng, go on!” Seeing Shi Jingfeng’s hesitation.

The first squad captain with Ninth-Layer Qi Refining laughed, as if he wished he were the one sitting there.

”Yes, Jingfeng, you should sit here in the future!” the other captains chimed in.

It seemed as if they were delighted to see Shi Jingfeng rise above them.

Shi Jingfeng had no choice but to sit bewilderedly next to Song Zhiwu.

He dared not sit properly, with only half of his body on the chair, as if sitting on pins and needles.

”It seems they really intend to dismiss me!” Shi Jingfeng mused with a bitter smile, though he couldn’t fathom why.

Since he assumed office, he had been diligent and never offended anyone, so how could such a thing happen to him?

Just as he was feeling uneasy, Song Zhiwu’s voice rang out:

”Jingfeng, I heard you’re neighbors with Alchemist Zhou and have a great relationship, often having tea together?”

”Y-Yes!” Shi Jingfeng couldn’t react for a moment.

”Very good, very good, you should continue to have more interactions with Alchemist Zhou!” said Song Zhiwu cheerfully.

”Indeed, Jingfeng, you are fortunate. Now that Alchemist Zhou has advanced to a High-Grade Alchemist, you’ll never lack elixirs in the future. Don’t forget us old brothers then!” boomed a husky man with a thunderous voice.

This man was the captain of the third squad, with an Eighth-Layer Qi Refining cultivation, and also a Body Cultivator, extremely powerful.

Only at that moment did Shi Jingfeng realize.

He was basking in the glory of Brother Zhou.

Currently, Qingyue Square only has one High-Grade Alchemist, who is a Honored Guest Elder of the Song Family, and the elixirs he refines are rarely available after supplying the Song Family.

Even though there is a large business like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, there are still too many monks and too little gruel.

More importantly, Zhou Xun is only in his early twenties, which almost confirms that he can become a Tier Two Alchemist in the future.

At that time, he will be able to refine spirit pills that assist in Foundation Establishment — Vein Protection Pill, Blood Spirit Pill, even the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Such an alchemist is someone that no Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator wouldn’t rush to build a relationship with.

But when did Brother Zhou advance to a High-Grade Alchemist, and I wasn’t aware at all.

...

It’s no coincidence that similar situations occurred to individuals like Song Zhishu, Shopkeeper Huang, and the couple Zhou Jimin, who were associated with Zhou Xun.

At this moment, Song Zhishu had numerous Late-Stage Qi Refining brothers and cousins stepping over the threshold.

To outsiders, as the steward renting houses, his position had great perks and substantial authority, making him a cut above others.

But in the eyes of his Late-Stage Qi Refining brothers and cousins, they looked down on him as a Fifth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator.

Visiting him was out of the question, and even when they met, although they addressed him as Seventh Brother, their eyes couldn’t hide their disdain.

All of this, Song Zhishu remembered in his heart.

Initially, he also felt unwilling and struggled for it, but alas, the cultivation realm is so cruel. If your aptitude isn’t good, no matter how diligently you cultivate, you won’t reach the threshold of Late-Stage Qi Refining.

He originally had come to terms with it.

Unexpectedly, today’s events gave him a chance to vent.

”Seventh Brother, you have the best relationship with Alchemist Zhou in our Song family, please help introduce us, this hundred Spirit Stones is your brother’s reward, please accept it with a smile,” said a slightly chubby middle-aged man in a somewhat flattering tone.

His name was Song Zhizhuo, ranking fourth in Song Zhishu’s generation.

”So, you have today too!”

Looking at this Fourth Brother, recalling his usual behavior, a sense of satisfaction arose in his heart.

When Fourth Brother’s familiar face gradually merged with the youth who carried him around for fun during childhood, Song Zhishu felt a pang of melancholy and gave up the thought of venting.

Then he cupped his fists and solemnly said:

”Fourth Brother, I will certainly help with all my might!”

Song Zhizhuo was taken aback by the words, and then looked at this seventh brother, graceful like a jade tree and full of scholarly charm, with a complex expression, eventually giving a smile of apology upon seeing his sincere eyes.

Seeing this, Song Zhishu also laughed.

This mutual smile seemed to take them back to their youthful days.

Years of grievances vanished into thin air.

As the saying goes, after all the calamities, brothers remain, meeting with a smile to smooth out grudges.

...

Over on Zhou Xun’s side, during the day he stayed at Danhai Pavilion, receiving one visitor after another.

He received so many congratulatory gifts that his hands were sore.

Converted to spirit stones, the total value exceeded a thousand.

When he returned to his cave mansion, it was already night.

After cultivating, Zhou Xun went to rest early.

The next day, just after Zhou Xun had breakfast, a voice came from outside the cave mansion announcing a visitor.

”The Patriarch of the Song Family, Song Zhiwen, along with Fifth Brother, Seventh Brother, and two sons, come to visit Alchemist Zhou!”