Cultivation: From Menial Laborer to Immortal Venerable

"It's good that Wei Shangyi didn't pass, saving me trouble with him later!"

Zhou Xun was a person who disliked trouble.

If Wei Shangyi retreated now, Zhou Xun would be at ease.

However, this didn't mean he would let the Wei brothers off the hook.

When his wings were fully grown and his strength was high in the future, it would be time to deal with the Wei brothers.

After another refining session was completed, Lin Xueying pointed out the issues everyone had with their refining.

"Today is my last time guiding you all. In seven days, your alchemy skills will be assessed. Those who haven't succeeded yet need to work harder!"

With that, she floated away.

Wei Shangyi was ranked seventeenth and wasn't very confident about passing the assessment.

Although he had a Medium Spiritual Root, spiritual root aptitude was only an auxiliary factor in the assessment.

Upon returning, he immediately found his elder brother, Wei Shangli, to discuss a plan.

Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, Private Room Ten, Class A.

Wei Shangyi and Wei Shangli were toasting a white-haired old man in embroidered robes.

If Zhou Xun were here, he would recognize him.

This old man was the steward in charge of logistics at their Danbao Pavilion.

This old man was also a member of the Lin family, and his generation was extremely high, being of the same generation as the Lin family's current Grand Elder.

Even the Lin family head would have to call him Uncle.

It was a pity that his talent was too poor; he was only at the third level of Qi Condensation, so he was assigned to Danbao Pavilion as the logistics steward.

It could be said that no one in the entire Danbao Pavilion had a deeper seniority than him.

Even Grandmaster Yun Ku had not been at Danbao Pavilion for as long as this old steward Lin.

"Shangyi, I didn't know you and Shangli were brothers!" the old man said, already a little tipsy.

"It's my fault, Steward Lin. I'll penalize myself with three cups!" Wei Shangyi picked up the wine pot, poured himself three cups of spirit wine, and drank them down in one go.

"What Steward Lin? Call me Third Grandfather!"

"Your sister-in-law calls me Third Grandfather when she sees me!"

Wei Shangyi's expression twitched slightly, and he forced himself to call out, "Third Grandfather!"

The old man was delighted.

"To tell you the truth, here at Danbao Pavilion, even that brat Yun Ku doesn't dare to put on airs in front of me!"

"Of course, everyone knows you're the real pillar of support!" Wei Shangyi flattered the old man.

"So, just say whatever you need to say!" The old man's eyes flashed as he said this.

"You really can't hide anything from me!" Wei Shangli chimed in.

"My third brother knows his alchemy talent is ordinary and is not confident about this assessment. I implore you, Third Grandfather, to intervene!"

"Intervene?"

"If it were anything else, perhaps this old man could say a word, but for the apprentice assessment, I'm truly powerless!" Although the old man spoke with great authority, he was very self-aware.

The affairs of Danbao Pavilion were decided by Grandmaster Yun Ku alone. Even the current Grand Elder of the Lin family would not interfere with Danbao Pavilion's matters.

Where would it be his turn to comment, a mere low-level cultivator?

If people gave him face, they might call him Old Master Lin; if they didn't, he was just an old, insignificant low-level cultivator.

Wei Shangli was not surprised by the old man's reaction; he had another purpose in seeking him out.

"I heard that the logistics you're in charge of also include the inspection of the entire Earth Fire formation?"

"What are you asking this for!" The old man instantly became vigilant.

"Your grand-nephew has no ill intentions. I just hope that on the day of the assessment, Third Grandfather can manipulate the Earth Fire to cause some of those ranked ahead of my brother to fail!"

"With your years of experience managing the Earth Fire formation, Third Grandfather, you only need to slightly control the Earth Fire's power to erupt a little during others' refining to make them fail!"

"Moreover, the Earth Fire naturally has the characteristic of occasional eruptions. I believe that even if they fail their refining, they will only consider themselves unlucky and won't suspect you!"

"If Third Grandfather helps my brother fulfill his wish, I am willing to offer ten Spirit Stones as a reward!"

The old man was furious upon hearing this. He flatly refused, his words firm.

"Although my cultivation is low, I will never allow such a thing to happen in Danbao Pavilion. Today's matter will be considered as if it never happened because of my grand-niece. Don't mention it again!"

"Twenty Spirit Stones!" Wei Shangli, having long understood the old man's character, held up one hand and made the shape of a two.

"Alright, I've been in Danbao Pavilion for many years. How could I break my principles for a mere twenty Spirit Stones?" The old man raised his eyes.

"The price needs to be higher!"

"Thirty Spirit Stones, how about that?" Wei Shangli's heart ached immensely.

He hadn't carried many Spirit Stones when he fled, and every one he used was one less.

He hadn't expected the old man to be so greedy.

But for his third brother, and also to prevent Zhou Xun from stepping forward, it was all worth it.

"They all say alchemists are wealthy, but I think Talismaster are no less so. Thirty is enough, thirty is enough. Please rest assured, honored sirs, once I, Lin Hongjiu, receive the money, I will handle this matter beautifully!" The elder chuckled, his previous backbone completely gone.

"I naturally trust Third Grand-uncle's reputation. At that time, you only need to..."

He rattled off the numbers of three alchemy rooms in one breath, and Zhou Xun's room, B-17, was among them.

Grandmaster Yun Ku, having just broken through to Foundation Establishment, had entered seclusion to consolidate his cultivation after the recruitment assembly.

All matters of Danbao Pavilion were handed over to Lin Zhishan for management.

After Lin Xueying returned, Lin Zhishan sought her out to understand the recent situation of these prospective apprentices and to hear the opinions of his grand-niece and fellow disciple.

"Erniu not only has high cultivation talent, but his alchemy talent is also the best among everyone."

"Xun Houqing is honest and upright, with ordinary cultivation talent, but his alchemy has unique merits."

"Zhou Xun's cultivation talent is average. His alchemy is also just barely passable. He was ranked towards the back when he passed the assessment, but he's good-looking. Why does Master value this person?"

She also knew that Grandmaster Yun Ku valued Zhou Xun.

"When I saw this person, it reminded me of my past self."

Just as Lin Zhishan was about to answer, a powerful voice echoed, like an ancient bell. Grandmaster Yun Ku had emerged from seclusion.

"In those days, my cultivation talent was ordinary, and my alchemy talent was not outstanding either, but my heart for the Dao never wavered. Fortunately, my master did not abandon me and taught me the art of alchemy. Step by step, I achieved what I have today!" The elder sighed, a reminiscent expression on his face.

"It is also because of my master that I have achieved what I have today!" Lin Zhishan felt deeply moved.

Lin Xueying, as if understanding but not quite, nodded.

In her opinion, since her master valued this person, even if his alchemy talent was somewhat lacking during the assessment, it wouldn't be impossible to let him pass. He was just an alchemy apprentice, after all.

Afterward, she chatted with Grandmaster Yun Ku about Zhou Xun.

Time passed quickly, and seven days flew by.

During these seven days, five more people successfully refined the Pigu Pill.

As for the eight people who had not yet succeeded, they were destined to fail this assessment.

Everyone was well aware that the list of those who passed this assessment would be chosen from the remaining twenty-two people.

This was Grandmaster Yun Ku's first recruitment of alchemy apprentices after his advancement, and everyone in Danbao Pavilion attached great importance to this assessment.

Lin Zhishan personally presided over it.

"You have all been in Danbao Pavilion for half a year, and you must have mastered the basic alchemy techniques. Today is the time to test your achievements!"

Lin Zhishan stood before the prospective apprentices, his voice solemn and imposing.

Wei Shangyi stood in the crowd, his gaze, however, flickered towards Zhou Xun, who was not far from him. An unknown excitement showed in his eyes.

"After the alchemy is finished, let's see if you can still remain so calm and composed!"

He then shifted his gaze to several other people.

Among the thirty people here, besides Wang Erniu, his Spiritual Root was the best.

He, who should have been the center of attention, ranked seventeenth in alchemy techniques.

This greatly displeased his arrogant nature.

He resented Xun Houqing and resented Zhou Xun, wondering why their alchemy surpassed his.

At the same time, he even resented Lin Zhishan and Grandmaster Yun Ku. With such outstanding Spiritual Root talent, he still had to compete on the same stage with those who had Inferior Spiritual Roots.

"Today, all of you will stumble!"

Zhou Xun, naturally unaware of Wei Shangyi's schemes, was earnestly listening to Lin Zhishan's speech.

Although he was very confident about passing the assessment, he still needed to listen carefully to the rules.