Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 161: Chapter 91: Alchemist Zhou, a True Elder!

White Cloud Immortal City,

Master White Cloud’s Cave Mansion.

Master Yufeng, Zhou Buqi, and Xing Huai’an stood respectfully in front of an elderly man with white hair.

This elder was none other than the renowned Master White Cloud.

Just by appearance, one might mistake him for an ordinary old farmer, never imagining that he was the formidable first Loose Cultivator of Xui Country!

”Bo’an, Buqi, Huai’an,”

”Now that we have obtained the Crytsal Condensing Reishi, I have been researching the refining method of the Crystal Condensing Pill for years, and although I have made some progress, ultimately I am not a Tier Three Middle-Grade Alchemist, and cannot successfully refine it alone!”

”If I had the assistance of three Alchemists, I would be confident in refining this Crystal Condensing Pill!”

”However, there is only Qingyuan who has reached the Tier Two High-Grade level, and we are still two short. Do you have any ideas?”

Master White Cloud looked at his three disciples in front of him and asked.

The Qingyuan he mentioned is the father of Lv Jingwu, Lv Qingyuan, also known as Master Hongyu.

”Master, I have studied alchemy for many years, and now I am at the threshold of Tier Two High-Grade. I am certain to break through within ten years!” Master Yufeng spoke immediately.

After achieving the Fake Pill, he realized there was no room for improvement in cultivation, so he devoted all his energy to the Cultivation Hundred Skills.

His long hours of study had advanced his skills in talisman making, alchemy, and array to Tier Two Middle-Grade, and his artifact refining technique had even reached Tier Two High-Grade.

This is actually the situation for most Fake Pill Cultivators.

Basically, the top echelon of alchemists, artifact refiners, talisman makers, and other masters in cultivation skills in Xui Country are mainly Fake Pill Cultivators.

After all, True Pill Cultivators still have the potential for cultivation improvement, naturally unwilling to waste energy on sideline pursuits.

”Good, good, good! Then we only need one more person!” Master White Cloud nodded and said.

”Disciple does know of a candidate!” At this moment, Zhou Buqi spoke up.

”Speak on!” Master White Cloud looked toward him.

”This person is named Zhou Xun and is an Honored Guest Elder in our Immortal City. Though he is under forty, he is already a Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist. His alchemy talent speaks for itself, and with the support of our Immortal City, he is sure to progress to Tier Two High-Grade within twenty years!”

”With Junior Brother Qingyuan and Senior Brother Yufeng, we will have three Tier Two High-Grade Alchemists. With these three, Master will be able to refine the Crystal Condensing Pill!” Zhou Buqi replied.

”What of his character, his background, is he reliable?” Master White Cloud continued to ask.

”Zhou Xun hails from the Red Leaf Square Lin Family, fled to Qingyue Lake with the Lin Family’s young miss during the Wu Family upheaval, and later settled in Qingyue Square. He is known for his loyalty and righteousness!”

Zhou Buqi recalled Zhou Xun’s details and summarized briefly.

”Since it is you, Buqi, personally recommending him, I trust there won’t be any issues,”

”Then I leave this matter to you, make sure he advances to Tier Two High-Grade within twenty years. Ever since the return from that Ghost Realm, my longevity has greatly dwindled, and I don’t have many years left!”

”If Huai’an cannot break through to True Pill in time, the centuries-old foundation of White Cloud Immortal City can only be handed over to Cloud Light Sect!”

The elder sighed slightly, remembering something.

”Master, you have boundless fortune, living another hundred years will not be a problem!” Master Yufeng, Xing Huai’an, and Zhou Buqi hurriedly kneeled upon hearing this.

”I have lived for more than four hundred years, surpassing most. Alright, you may rise!”

With a wave of his hand, he forcibly lifted them from the ground.

Then instructed Zhou Buqi:

”Time waits for no one. Go and organize that Honored Guest Elder Zhou!”

”Yes, disciple will go at once!” Zhou Buqi cupped his hands in acknowledgment, then left the cave mansion.

...

Upon hearing the news that Zhou Xun had left Golden Spring Lane for Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field, the neighborhood residents gathered to send him off.

Zhou Xun, witnessing this, felt quite pleased in his heart.

Having lived in Golden Spring Lane for over ten years, it seemed his reputation among these neighbors was fairly good.

Rightly so, given how he had cared for them many times over the years.

”Fellow Daoists, though I will no longer reside in Golden Spring Lane in the future, the relationship between us endures, and should you need anything, feel free to find me at Wangchuan Lake, and I will certainly assist if I can!”

Zhou Xun looked at the crowd before him, many of whom were familiar faces of nearly a decade.

”Alchemist Zhou truly has the demeanor of an elder, it’s surely our good fortune to have lived in the same lane with him!” remarked an elderly man dressed in Confucian attire.

”Indeed, Alchemist Zhou has taken good care of us over the years, always receiving us personally when we sought pills, never showing any arrogance of a Foundation Establishment senior!”

”I have never encountered an elder like Alchemist Zhou!”

”You flatter me!” Zhou Xun courteously replied, listening to the endless praises.

”Oh, there’s one more thing I need your help with!” Zhou Xun suddenly remembered and cupped his hands toward the crowd:

”My Daoist Field has just been established, and I need some helping hands. Is there any Daoist here willing to follow me to Wangchuan Lake?”

Though Zhou Xun had yet to visit Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field, he had already obtained detailed information from the rental steward:

Wangchuan Lake covers hundreds of miles, featuring several islands, with the concentration of spiritual energy increasing as you approach Lake Heart Island.

From Tier One Middle-Grade extending to Tier Two Middle-Grade.

All this falls within the jurisdiction of Zhou Xun’s Daoist Field.

To be precise, stretching three hundred miles in all directions centered on Lake Heart Island, is the territory determined by White Cloud Immortal City for Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field.

The gains from this area all belong to Zhou Xun.

Hearing Zhou Xun’s announcement for recruits, the crowd was overjoyed.

Zhou Xun’s benevolence towards his subordinates was well-known throughout White Cloud Immortal City.

Among the Spirit Contract Servants, Zhou Xun’s Danhai Pavilion was the most coveted destination aside from the official White Cloud Immortal City.

Not to mention the very familiar Master Chuyun.

Now serving as the shopkeeper of Danhai Pavilion, aside from the annual salary provided by Zhou Xun, there are occasional rewards, plus selling some talismans he personally crafted at times.

In terms of income, it’s much more than before; status-wise, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators treat him with great respect.

Such conditions naturally made them envious.

Today, they themselves had a chance to join under Zhou Xun, an opportunity not to be missed.

However, they also knew that Zhou Xun would not accept just anyone.

So they asked:

”What kinds of talents is Alchemist Zhou looking to recruit?”

”At Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field, the lake covers a hundred miles, with abundant spiritual energy, making it an excellent place for cultivating Spirit Fish. Is there any Daoist skilled in rearing Spirit Fish?”

Once taking over Wangchuan Lake, most of the Spirit Fish will naturally have been fished out by the predecessor!

Besides this, the Spirit Fields on the lakeside and several acres of medicinal fields on Lake Heart Island all need tending hands as well.

However, those Spirit Fields already have Spirit Farmers tilling them, so Zhou Xun naturally wouldn’t replace them, only the Spirit Field Steward needs replacing.

But Spirit Field Stewards are generally Middle-Stage Qi Refining Cultivators.

And his neighbors here were mostly Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, naturally uninterested in that position.

As for the medicinal fields, situated on the strategic Lake Heart Island, Zhou Xun does not plan to let outsiders manage them.

Moreover, for such a large Daoist Field, Zhou Xun also needs some guards.

But since the safety of the whole Daoist Field is involved, Zhou Xun doesn’t plan to entrust it to others.

Upon hearing Zhou Xun seek cultivators for raising Spirit Fish, the crowd sighed and shook their heads.

Xui Country is a landlocked nation, with only a few Spirit Veins near lakes that require expertise in raising Spirit Fish.

Thus, such talents are scarce.

Zhou Xun was merely asking casually without much hope.

”Um... my father happens to be a Spirit Fisherman, may I join the senior’s ranks?”

At this moment, a melodious voice, like that of a nightingale, spoke up.