Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 201: Chapter 131: Changes in the Immortal City

”Ping’er was disrespectful, please forgive him, Master!”

Hearing his younger son’s unrestrained words, Zhou Jingsong’s heart jumped.

”Haha, it’s no problem, no problem. Ping’er is lively and adorable, which pleases me!” Zhou Xun waved his hand.

”Have their Spiritual Roots been tested?”

Zhou Xun pointed at the Zhou brothers and inquired.

Generally, humans can have their Spiritual Root talent tested by the age of six, and it stabilizes by eighteen.

”Tested. Jing’er has a Fire Spiritual Root of nineteen points, just shy of middle-grade, while Ping’er is slightly better, with an Earth Spiritual Root of twenty-one points!”

Zhou Jingsong respectfully replied.

”Jing’er is only nine, his aptitude hasn’t settled yet. Don’t be stingy with Spirit Stones, you can purchase some Fire Attribute Spiritual Objects for Jing’er to consume. Perhaps his Spiritual Root can increase by one or two points and reach middle-grade!”

Zhou Xun glanced at Zhou Jingsong and instructed.

”Yes, Master!”

Zhou Xun then turned his attention to his younger disciple, Wang Shun.

Currently, Wang Shun is in his thirties, with his cultivation at the Eighth-Layer Qi Refining.

He has a Middle-Grade Spiritual Root, progressing reasonably with the support of Wang Erniu, a Sword Cultivator, with a chance to advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the future.

Zhou Xun nodded to himself, glancing at his other two disciples, frowning slightly.

Zhou Jingsong’s progress in cultivation was considered normal, but Shi Wanying’s was a bit slow.

Approaching the age of fifty, she had yet to reach Peak Qi Refining, which was truly unexpected, but he did not voice it.

”Alchemist Zhou,” Zhou Jimin, seeing Zhou Xun turn his gaze to him, looked excited.

If he hadn’t hitched a ride with Zhou Xun, his son would not have achieved his current accomplishments.

Born as a Loose Cultivator with Low-Grade Spiritual Root Talent, he managed to reach the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining in his early fifties and mastered Tier One High-Grade Alchemy Skills.

Even ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators treated him with respect.

This was all thanks to Zhou Xun’s support.

”It’s been years, and fellow Daoist, you are still as robust as ever!”

”Thanks to you, I should have several more decades of life!” Zhou Jimin cupped his hands.

Zhou Jingsong had specially requested a Tier Two Low-Grade Life-Extending Pill from Zhou Xun, enough to prolong Zhou Jimin’s life by over ten years.

After understanding the current situations of his disciples, Zhou Xun sent them off, leaving Zhou Jingsong and his wife behind.

Seeing Zhou Xun’s expression darken, Zhou Jingsong and his wife exchanged a glance, at a loss.

”Wanying, tell me, how is it that over a decade has passed and your cultivation still hasn’t reached Peak Qi Refining? With your talent, this is truly unexpected!”

”Master, I...” Shi Wanying lowered her head, looking somewhat ashamed.

”For us cultivators, cultivation is fundamental. In the coming days, focus entirely on secluded cultivation until you reach Peak Qi Refining, and then attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment!”

Zhou Xun thought for a moment and instructed.

As for Zhou Jingsong, despite having many conditions provided, his talent was still somewhat lacking, making his chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment not very high!

”How is your collection of Foundation Establishment Pill materials going these years?”

”We’re still missing the main medicine,” Zhou Jingsong said with his head down.

Years ago, Zhou Xun had instructed them to collect Foundation Establishment Spirit Medicines on their own in preparation for their future Foundation Establishment!

”Very well, I still have a Tier Two Demon Pill in hand. I will refine two Foundation Establishment Pills for you; this is my last support for you!”

Zhou Xun said indifferently.

As the saying goes, the master leads the way, but cultivation relies on the individual.

Even with his Direct Disciples, he could not support them without limits.

”Thank you, Master!” The two of them bowed excitedly.

”Leave the auxiliary ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pills, and you can go back!”

”Yes!”

...

After the Zhou couple left, Feng Tingli visited upon hearing the news.

He specifically brought the token representing the White Cloud Spirit Pool quota.

”Brother Feng, you’ve troubled yourself numerous times, this sentiment Zhou Mou will remember!” Sending Feng Tingli to the door, Zhou Xun cupped his hands politely.

”Haha, if not for the elixirs refined by Brother Zhou, how could I have broken through to Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment so quickly!” Feng Tingli commented indifferently.

Over the years, White Cloud Spirit Pool quotas were all won with Feng Tingli’s help.

Feng Tingli was efficient in his tasks, gaining Zhou Buqi’s favor over the years and now serving as the steward of Yunlu Hall.

”Brother Feng, take care!” Zhou Xun watched Feng Tingli’s silhouette vanish and entered the Cave Mansion.

Returning to the bedroom, Zhou Xun took out the token signifying the White Cloud Spirit Pool qualification and handed it to Song Yiqing.

”Husband, is this the token for the White Cloud Spirit Pool quota?”

Looking at the bluish token in her hand, Song Yiqing asked curiously.

”Indeed, the White Cloud Spirit Pool can significantly shorten the cultivation time for us cultivators, it is an exceptional treasure,”

”In the coming time, I need to stay at White Cloud Mountain and can’t return. When the White Cloud Spirit Pool opens, you can go to Yunlu Hall and present this token!”

Zhou Xun instructed carefully.

He planned to visit Zhou Buqi next,

And then might be asked to assist Master White Cloud in refining elixirs.

He didn’t know how long refining a Tier Three Elixir would take, or how long preparations would need, so he arranged everything in advance.

”Husband, don’t worry, I can handle it myself!”

...

Early the next morning, just as Zhou Xun awoke from meditation, Song Yiqing had already prepared breakfast.

Portridge made of Tier Two Spirit Rice and Demon Beast Flesh still provided considerable assistance even to someone at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment like him.

Thus, Zhou Xun retained the habit of eating.

After breakfast, Zhou Xun went out, heading straight to White Cloud Mountain.

On the way, many cultivators came and went,

Dressed like scholars, some like Daoists, and others carrying large swords, all hurrying along.

”It seems like there are more cultivators than before, almost like when Golden Cloud Valley opened back in the day!”

After a brief thought, Zhou Xun understood the reason.

Due to the surge in Demon Beasts at Hundred Savage Mountain, many markets near the mountain were demolished, while only large markets like Red Leaf Square could remain under such impact.

With markets closing, cultivators who depended on them had to find new places to settle.

White Cloud Immortal City, as the largest City of Loose Cultivators in Xui Country, with its high city walls and deep spirit pools, guarded by Master White Cloud of the True Pill Realm, offered safety, drawing many here.

Besides, cultivators from other areas of Xui Country were attracted by the increased Demon Beasts at Hundred Savage Mountain.

After all, Demon Beasts are a resource, and if you are strong enough, you can gain more from such a situation.

With increases on both fronts, White Cloud Immortal City suddenly became prosperous with the surge in cultivator numbers.

Zhou Xun’s Danhai Pavilion, now the second-largest Elixir Workshop in White Cloud Immortal City, was making substantial profits.

His pocket, once tightened by an auction ten years prior, gradually swelled up again.

As they say, misfortune and fortune rely on each other.

Soon, Zhou Xun arrived at the foot of White Cloud Mountain.

The guards at the entrance had doubled compared to before.

Zhou Xun took out his token and handed it to the guard for inspection.