Cultivation: From Hired Hand to Immortal Venerable

Not only did the profits not decrease, but the income doubled.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hong San's Xinshou Hall accepted many disciples that other halls couldn't afford to support. With this shift, Xinshou Hall became the most powerful hall in the entire Iron Mountain Gang.

Hong San also gained significant prestige within the Iron Mountain Gang because of this.

"Brother Zhou, congratulations, congratulations!" Hong San said with a smile, his expensive mystic robe quite eye-catching.

At this moment, his presence was imposing and dignified.

If anyone were to use the Heaven's Eye Technique to investigate, they would discover that in a short period, Hong San's cultivation had advanced another level.

"I heard the Iron Mountain Gang is promoting a new deputy gang leader. I imagine soon I'll be addressing you as Gang Leader Hong!"

The two were deeply intertwined by their interests, and Hong San's promotion at this time greatly benefited Zhou Xun as well.

Over the past year and a half, more than four-fifths of Zhou Xun's pills were sold through Hong San.

"Brother Zhou has very well-informed news!" Hong San chuckled, not denying it.

"Do you have any news about the second-tier spiritual medicine I asked you to look for?" Zhou Xun pulled Hong San aside and inquired.

When Zhou Xun realized he needed second-tier spiritual medicine to improve his Spiritual Root, he had made arrangements in advance.

Using the excuse of searching for high-level spiritual medicine to present to Lin Zhishan, he had Hong San inquire for him.

After all, Hong San controlled Xinshou Hall and had access to information.

"What a coincidence, I was just about to tell you about this today. I have news about second-tier spiritual medicine!"

Blocked on the road, how could I be so reckless with gambling!

The updates will be a bit late these few days, but I will definitely guarantee two updates every day!

Just as Zhou Xun was holding his celebration, the three Wei brothers were also discussing Zhou Xun.

"Big Brother, that Zhou Xun has become a low-grade first-tier Alchemist!" Wei Shangren said with some urgency.

In terms of status, this person was now completely on par with his elder brother, Wei Shangli.

If Wei Shangli weren't the son-in-law of the Wu Family, he might have been surpassed by quite a bit.

Danbao Pavilion's influence was now immense, and its strength was growing daily.

As a member of Danbao Pavilion, Zhou Xun's status naturally rose accordingly.

"Yes, Big Brother, this Zhou Xun is truly devilishly good!" Speaking of Zhou Xun, Wei Shangyi gritted his teeth.

The incident during the assessment years ago had caused him to miss out on a position as an apprentice at Danbao Pavilion.

He had left Danbao Pavilion afterward and apprenticed under a mid-grade Alchemist.

Compared to the apprentices of Danbao Pavilion, he was more than just a little bit behind.

"This brat has now become a force to be reckoned with, I'm afraid he'll be difficult to deal with!" Wei Shangli sighed.

To be precise, this person had always been difficult to deal with.

He had made several attempts, all of which ended in failure for various reasons.

It was as if this person was naturally blessed to escape misfortune!

Wei Shangli shook his head. It was already very difficult to deal with him from within Danbao Pavilion.

Even his wife's uncle, the chief steward of Danbao Pavilion, had immediately warned them to strictly adhere to the agreement from that year after Zhou Xun broke through to become an Alchemist.

If it were from the outside, this brat never stepped out of Red Leaf Square, leaving them with the intention but not the means.

Over the past year or so, Zhou Xun's routine had been from his home in Green Willow Alley to Danbao Pavilion, and then back home.

A simple two-point route.

He was truly very difficult to deal with.

"Then are we just going to watch him develop so recklessly?"

"I understand this brat's personality best. Once he becomes a force to be reckoned with, he definitely won't let us off!"

At this moment, Wei Shangren was very clear-headed.

He accurately predicted Zhou Xun's future intentions.

"If it weren't for you, how could we have offended this person to this extent!" Wei Shangyi said angrily.

"Alright, from now on, let's just mind our own business and not interfere with each other. Even if his alchemy talent is extraordinary, and he becomes a high-grade first-tier Alchemist in the future,"

"He won't be able to cause us any substantial harm!"

Wei Shangli finally reached his conclusion.

By the time Zhou Xun became a high-grade Alchemist, he would surely have also become a high-grade Talismaster.

Both would be high-grade first-tier. Even if there were some differences in status, they wouldn't be too significant.

Therefore, he did not fear Zhou Xun.

As for reaching the second tier, that was absolutely impossible. As a mere rogue cultivator, high-grade was his limit.

At home in Green Willow Alley.

Hearing Hong San mention the second-tier spirit medicine, Zhou Xun's heart stirred, and he quickly asked:

"Please enlighten me, Third Brother!"

Hong San didn't answer directly upon hearing this. Instead, he asked Zhou Xun:

"Brother Zhou, have you heard of the 'Black Market'?"

"The Black Market, I've heard of it!" Zhou Xun nodded.

This Black Market was a trading hub independent of Red Leaf Square.

Precisely because of its informal nature, many treasures that couldn't see the light of day, as well as some officially banned items, were all traded in the Black Market.

This, in turn, contributed to the prosperity of the Black Market.

"This time, the Black Market will be held on a mountain range eight hundred li west of Red Leaf Square."

"Concurrently, the Black Market will host a small auction. According to the circulated auction list, there is indeed a second-tier spirit grass on it!" Hong San explained.

It seemed the second-tier spirit medicine at the auction was the source of his information.

"It is indeed an opportunity," Zhou Xun nodded.

"However, the second-tier spirit medicine being auctioned this time is the Spirit Condensing Herb!" Hong San said with a hint of embarrassment.

The greatest effect of the Spirit Condensing Herb was its ability to enhance a cultivator's resistance to Yin energy.

For cultivators in Red Leaf Square, this item held little value.

This was because there were no Yin energy-rich areas within tens of thousands of li of Red Leaf Square.

Only those who cultivated specific techniques would have a need for it.

Therefore, although this spirit medicine was ranked as second-tier, its price was not too high, only slightly more than some high-grade first-tier spirit medicines.

"It's a pity it's the Spirit Condensing Herb; Elder Lin probably won't be interested!" Zhou Xun said regretfully.

His public excuse was that he was looking for spirit medicine for Lin Zhishan, so naturally, his answers had to revolve around Lin Zhishan's identity.

"Yes, I was excited for nothing back then!"

"However, if a second-tier spirit medicine can appear here once, it can appear twice. You'll have to keep a close eye on news from the Black Market, Third Brother!" Zhou Xun reminded him again.

"Don't worry!" Hong San nodded.

He didn't tell Zhou Xun that the organizers of the Black Market were precisely the four major powers surrounding Red Leaf Square.

After the celebration, Hong San left quickly.

Zhou Xun began preparing to head to the Black Market.

His decision to go this time was well-considered.

Firstly, no one else knew about his trip to the Black Market, so the possibility of being ambushed could be ruled out.

Secondly, Zhou Xun's current financial standing was not low, allowing him to purchase sufficient defensive and escape treasures, ensuring a high degree of safety for his trip to the Black Market.

Thirdly, Zhou Xun now possessed Divine Sense, a trait only found in late-stage cultivators. If he could acquire a Mystic Tool, his combat power would be comparable to mid-stage cultivators.

Considering all these factors, this trip would not involve much risk.

And this was the only second-tier spirit medicine he could afford; the opportunity could not be missed.

Before departing, Zhou Xun took stock of his assets.

A total of eighty-three Spirit Stones.

These were all accumulated over the past year and a half.

"First-tier low-grade... no, at least mid-grade Defense Talismans, and also Light Body Talismans to increase speed..."

"It's a shame the high-grade first-tier Flight Talisman is too expensive. If I bought it, I wouldn't have the funds to bid on that second-tier spirit medicine!" Zhou Xun felt a slight regret.

"I also need a Mystic Tool. If I really encounter a rogue cultivator, I might just have to surprise them!"