Cultivation: From Menial Worker to Immortal Venerable Section 3

His words resonated with the crowd.

After all, the majority of the cultivators present were at the second level of Qi Condensation. The steward's words effectively excluded most of them, prompting a chorus of agreement.

"That's right, Steward, we have plenty of experience clearing spirit aphids!"

"We at the second level of Qi Condensation are certainly capable."

Seeing this, the red-robed middle-aged man's face immediately darkened.

Without hesitation, he unleashed his magical power, and the aura of a cultivator in the middle stage of Qi Condensation instantly erupted.

The cultivators were startled.

"The affairs of our Wu Family are not for the likes of you to babble about!" The red-robed steward's gaze was sharp as he looked at each of the speaking cultivators.

Wherever his gaze fell, people flinched. Following this, cultivators below the third level of Qi Condensation retreated. As for those at the third level of Qi Condensation, their faces lit up with joy as they lined up to register.

Zhou Xun's cultivation was only at the second level of Qi Condensation, falling short of the registration standard. Naturally, he found himself among the crowd behind, watching the registering cultivators with envy.

Suddenly, a commotion arose from the registration crowd ahead. A white-haired old man was grabbed by the red-robed steward and tossed out, accompanied by a disdainful curse:

"What's an old bone like you doing joining the fun!"

The old man pleaded incessantly:

"Steward Wu, please be lenient. This old man is also at the third level of Qi Condensation, just let me through!"

"Bah! Let you through? Do you think I'm an idiot? Get lost!"

It turned out that once a cultivator surpassed sixty years of age, their physical functions would begin to decline, and their spiritual sense and magical power would slowly wither.

Although this old man was also at the third level of Qi Condensation, judging by his appearance, he was close to a hundred years old. When calculated, his magical power was not as sustainable as Zhou Xun's, who was at the second level of Qi Condensation. Naturally, the red-robed steward was unwilling to recruit him.

Soon, the Wu Family's red-robed steward left with the recruited cultivators.

Zhou Xun shook his head and proceeded to the next recruitment.

"What's your cultivation level?"

"Second level of Qi Condensation."

"We are only recruiting cultivators at the third level of Qi Condensation. Please leave."

"Second level of Qi Condensation? Go, go!"

"Second level of Qi Condensation? No, no!"

Zhou Xun went through all the recruitment points, and almost every family required cultivation at the third level of Qi Condensation or above.

The only option that didn't have a cultivation requirement was mining.

However, mining areas were often sparse in spiritual energy, and coupled with the high intensity of work, there was no time for cultivation.

Therefore, although the reward was extremely high, no one was willing to go except for those whose cultivation prospects were cut off, and parents who were earning cultivation resources for their children.

Zhou Xun, with his heart set on the Great Dao, naturally would not join.

After waiting for a day and finding no suitable tasks, Zhou Xun had no choice but to return.

When he was about a hundred paces from home, Zhou Xun spotted a figure lingering at his doorstep from afar.

He focused his magical power into his eyes and immediately recognized the person's face.

"This person means trouble!" Zhou Xun inwardly alerted himself.

It was Wei Shangren.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou, you're finally back! I've been waiting for you for a whole hour!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun slightly raised his eyes and casually cupped his fists:

"It's Brother Wei. May I ask what brings you to my humble abode?"

"Yesterday, when I went to work, I noticed Brother Zhou wasn't there. I was quite worried. After inquiring, I found out that Brother Zhou had been fired, so I came to pay my respects and check on you!" the young man said with a grin.

"I appreciate Brother Wei's kind intentions!" Zhou Xun replied perfunctorily and was about to take out his token to open the door.

Seeing this, Wei Shangren laughed heartily:

"Brother Zhou, why be so distant? Although we've had some disagreements, we did work together. Won't you invite me in for a cup of spirit tea?"

"Brother Wei, why feign sincerity? Since you are an unwelcome guest, I won't keep you any longer. Please leave!" Zhou Xun was too lazy to continue the pretense.

Wei Shangren's face was full of smiles, his eyes glancing westward, smugly saying:

"Brother Zhou seems to have come from the west plaza. I assume you were looking for work. How did it go? If Brother Zhou doesn't mind, I can introduce you to a few opportunities!"

"After all, I am now a Talismaster apprentice, so I do have some influence!"

"Brother Wei needn't worry about this matter!" Zhou Xun remained composed. He gripped his token with his left hand, injected magical power, and cast a beam of green light onto the gate.

Seeing that Zhou Xun acted as if he hadn't heard him, his expression unchanged, Wei Shangren felt a hint of annoyance. He lowered his voice and continued to provoke:

"Doesn't Brother Zhou wonder why he was fired?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun chuckled softly:

"Besides you, Brother Wei, who else could it be!"

Wei Shangren nodded proudly.

"Brother Zhou is indeed wise. Four days ago, my elder brother was promoted to a Rank 1 Talismaster. As soon as I heard the news, I immediately found the warden and had you fired. With my brother's influence, he naturally wouldn't dare refuse!"

Every Talismaster was a core figure of the Mystic Talisman Pavilion. Moreover, his elder brother was only in his early twenties and had the potential to advance to Rank 1 High-grade in the future, greatly increasing his status, far above those wardens.

Therefore, even the warden who had initially thought highly of Zhou Xun dared not step forward.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun smiled faintly, unconcerned.

With the Ningshun Sutra in his possession, his future was destined for brilliance. A temporary setback was merely a small amusement on his path to greatness.

Seeing this, Wei Shangren said angrily:

"Zhou Xun, you really know how to pretend! Without your shop's work, you probably won't even be able to afford to rent this house,"

"When you're kicked out of Red Leaf Square, you'll have to live with those rogue cultivators outside, struggling to survive. Who knows, you might end up dying in a gutter one day. When that happens, I, Wei, will burn two more sticks of incense for you!"

"But it's different for me. I've now become a Talismaster apprentice, and I will become a Talismaster in the future, becoming a superior being in Red Leaf Square!"

"Then I shall congratulate Brother Wei in advance!" Zhou Xun laughed heartily and strode through the door.

Watching Zhou Xun's retreating back, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

"My brother said that if you don't kill a snake, you'll suffer its harm. If you're going to make a move, then go all out to crush them. Only dead enemies are good enemies!"

"If I could kill your uncle, I can kill you too!"

Wei Shangren immediately turned and walked in a certain direction.

Back in his room, Zhou Xun was deep in thought!

Wei Shangren's visit had reminded him.

Given his personality, he definitely wouldn't stop at this. He would surely have more tricks up his sleeve.

Fortunately, Wei Shangren's elder brother was only a Rank 1 Low-grade Talismaster and had not yet established his influence, so his reach was limited.

As long as he had enough Spirit Stones to live in Red Leaf Square, they couldn't do anything to him.

Red Leaf Square strictly prohibited fighting. Its rules were extremely severe. Even if there was enmity, they had to settle it outside Red Leaf Square or on the Life-and-Death Arena.

Otherwise, any fighting within the square would result in execution.

Two hundred years ago, a rogue cultivator in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, relying on his cultivation, secretly killed an enemy.

When the cultivator died in Red Leaf Square, the four great families simultaneously mobilized. Eventually, the investigation led to this Foundation Establishment cultivator. The heads of the four great families of Red Leaf Square – Wu, Lin, Sun, and Li – personally took action, captured the person, and killed him in public.

From then on, Red Leaf Square became solemn and respected. A large number of cultivators moved into Red Leaf Square, and Red Leaf Square became even more prosperous, ranking among the top five in the entire Xu Nation.

Thinking of this, Zhou Xun felt slightly relieved.

After a simple dinner, with a sense of anticipation, he entered the quiet room to begin his daily cultivation.

The next day, just as Zhou Xun finished his spiritual rice porridge, there was a knock on the door.

Zhou Xun got up, went to the door, and opened it. A plump figure squeezed in.

"It's Warden Lin! What brings you here?" Zhou Xun quickly invited him to sit and brewed a cup of Spirit Tea.

The place where Zhou Xun lived belonged to Green Willow Alley in the southeastern district of Red Leaf Square. This Warden Lin was the housing manager responsible for this alley, with a cultivation base of Qi Condensation Layer 5.

Zhou Xun had no prior relationship with him.

Apart from collecting rent, this warden had never visited him at other times.

"I heard you were fired from the Mystic Talisman Pavilion?" Warden Lin picked up the Spirit Tea Zhou Xun had brewed with his left hand, blew on it gently, and then took a sip.

"That's right, Warden Lin has excellent sources!" Zhou Xun replied calmly.

Warden Lin nodded and got straight to the point.

"I believe you can guess my intention. It's about collecting next year's rent, but…" The fat warden paused, a hint of complexity in his eyes as he glanced at Zhou Xun.

"But someone has passed a message down through the higher-ups, stating that they will no longer rent this house to you."