Not only had the profits not decreased, they had instead doubled.
Seizing this opportunity, Hong San's Xinshou Hall took in many disciples whom other halls could no longer afford to support. As one side waned and the other waxed, Xinshou Hall became the largest hall in the entire Iron Mountain Gang.
Hong San, too, gained immense prestige within the Iron Mountain Gang because of this.
"Brother Zhou, congratulations, congratulations!" Hong San offered with a beaming smile, his expensive Dharma robe particularly eye-catching.
At this moment, he cut an imposing and dignified figure.
If someone used the Heaven's Eye Technique to examine him, they would discover that Hong San's cultivation had advanced another level in this short time.
"I heard the Iron Mountain Gang will be appointing a new deputy gang leader. Before long, I suppose I'll have to call you Gang Leader Hu, Third Brother!"
Their interests were deeply bound together. Hong San's promotion at this time was also of enormous benefit to him.
Over the past year and a half, more than four-fifths of Zhou Xun's pills had been sold through Hong San.
"Brother Zhou, your news travels fast!" Hong San laughed heartily and did not deny it.
"I wonder if there is any news about the Tier 2 Spirit Herbs I asked you to look into?" Zhou Xun pulled Hong San aside and asked.
When Zhou Xun realized he needed Tier 2 Spirit Herbs to improve his spiritual root, he had begun making arrangements early.
Using the excuse of seeking high-grade spirit herbs to offer Lin Zhishan, he had Hong San make inquiries on his behalf.
After all, Hong San controlled Xinshou Hall and was exceptionally well-informed.
"What a coincidence. I was just about to tell you today—there's news about a Tier 2 Spirit Herb!"
I'm stuck on the road, damn it!!!!
Updates will be later these next few days, but I'll definitely keep two updates a 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 first-tier low-grade pill refinement master!" Wei Shangren was somewhat anxious.
In terms of status, this man was now in no way inferior to his eldest brother, Wei Shangli.
If Wei Shangli had not been the Wu Family's son-in-law, he would likely have been surpassed by quite a bit.
Danbao Pavilion was currently enjoying tremendous momentum, its strength rising steadily.
As a member of Danbao Pavilion, Zhou Xun's status naturally rose with the tide.
"Yes, Big Brother. That Zhou Xun is truly cursed!" At the mention of Zhou Xun, Wei Shangyi gritted his teeth in hatred.
The matter of that assessment back then had caused him to lose his position as a Danbao Pavilion apprentice.
Afterward, he had left Danbao Pavilion and become the disciple of a mid-grade pill refinement master.
Compared to being an apprentice at Danbao Pavilion, it was not merely a small difference.
"That brat has now grown into a force to be reckoned with. I'm afraid he'll be difficult to deal with!" Wei Shangli sighed.
To be precise, he had always been difficult to deal with.
Wei Shangli had made several moves against him, yet all had ended in failure for one reason or another.
It was as though this man had been born able to turn calamity into fortune!
Wei Shangli shook his head. It was already difficult to deal with him from within Danbao Pavilion.
Even his wife's brother, the chief steward of Danbao Pavilion, had immediately warned them after Zhou Xun broke through to pill refinement master that they must strictly honor the agreement from back then.
As for acting from outside, the brat never stepped beyond Red Leaf Square, leaving them willing but powerless.
For more than a year now, Zhou Xun went from his home in Green Willow Alley to Danbao Pavilion every day, then returned home.
A straight line between two points.
He truly was exceptionally difficult to deal with.
"Are we just going to watch him develop so recklessly?"
"I understand this brat's nature better than anyone. Once he has truly grown, he definitely won't let us off!"
Wei Shangren, however, was exceedingly clear-headed at this moment.
He had accurately stated Zhou Xun's plans for the future.
"If not for you, how could we have offended this man to such an extent!" Wei Shangyi said angrily.
"Enough. From now on, we simply need to keep to our own waters and not trespass into his. Even if his talent in pill refinement is outstanding and he becomes a first-tier high-grade pill refinement master in the future,"
"he still won't be able to cause us any substantial harm!"
Wei Shangli ultimately reached his conclusion.
By the time Zhou Xun became a High-Grade Pill Refinement Master, Wei Shangli would surely have become a high-grade talisman master as well.
Both would be first-tier high-grade. Even if there were some difference in status, it would not be too great.
Thus, he was not afraid of Zhou Xun.
As for reaching the second tier, that was absolutely impossible. A mere Rogue Cultivator could at most reach the high grade.
At his home in Green Willow Alley.
Hearing Hong San mention news of a Tier 2 Spirit Herb, Zhou Xun's heart stirred, and he hurriedly asked:
"Please enlighten me, Third Brother!"
Hearing this, Hong San did not answer directly, but instead 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 market independent of Red Leaf Square.
Precisely because it was unofficial, many treasures that could not see the light of day, as well as treasures banned openly, were all traded there.
From another perspective, this had also created the Black Market's prosperity.
"This time, the Black Market will be held in a mountain range eight hundred li west of Red Leaf Square."
"At the same time, this Black Market will hold a small auction. According to the auction list that has circulated, there happens to be a Tier 2 spirit herb on it!" Hong San explained.
It seemed the Tier 2 Spirit Herb at the auction was the news he had mentioned.
"It truly is an opportunity." Zhou Xun nodded.
"However, the Tier 2 Spirit Herb being auctioned this time is a Spirit Condensing Herb!" Hong San said, looking somewhat embarrassed.
The greatest use of the Spirit Condensing Herb was its ability to increase a cultivator's resistance to yin energy.
For cultivators around Red Leaf Square, this item was not particularly valuable.
That was because, for tens of thousands of li around Red Leaf Square, there was no land of yin energy.
Only those cultivating certain specific techniques would have need of it.
Thus, while this spirit herb was classified as second-tier, its price was not especially high, only somewhat higher than certain first-tier high-grade spirit herbs.
"What a pity it's a Spirit Condensing Herb. Elder Lin likely won't be interested!" Zhou Xun said regretfully.
His excuse to outsiders was that he was seeking spirit herbs for Lin Zhishan, so naturally his response had to fit Lin Zhishan's identity.
"Yes, I was delighted for nothing back then!"
"But if a Tier 2 Spirit Herb can appear here once, it can appear a second time. I'll need Third Brother to keep a close eye on news from the Black Market!" Zhou Xun reminded him again.
"Don't worry!" Hong San nodded.
He did not tell Zhou Xun that the organizers of the Black Market were precisely the four major powers on the outskirts of Red Leaf Square.
Once the celebration ended, Hong San quickly departed.
Zhou Xun began preparing for his trip to the Black Market.
He had given this journey careful consideration.
First, no one else knew that he was going to the Black Market, so the possibility of someone lying in ambush for him could be ruled out.
Second, Zhou Xun's current wealth was not insignificant. He could afford enough treasures for defense and escape, greatly ensuring his safety in going to the Black Market.
Third, Zhou Xun now possessed the divine sense of a late-stage cultivator. As long as he bought a Dharma artifact, his combat strength could completely rival that of a mid-stage cultivator.
Taking everything into account, this trip would not pose much risk.
Moreover, this was the only Tier 2 Spirit Herb he could afford. He could not let this opportunity slip away.
Before setting out, Zhou Xun took stock of his assets.
He had a total of eighty-three spirit stones.
He had accumulated all of them over the past year and a half.
"First-tier low-grade won't do. I need at least mid-grade Defense Talismans, as well as Light Body Talismans to increase my speed."
"What a pity first-tier high-grade Flight Talismans are too expensive. If I buy one, I won't have the means to bid on that Tier 2 Spirit Herb!" Zhou Xun felt a slight pang of regret.
"I'll need a Dharma artifact too. If I really encounter a cultivator who robs others, I might just have to give him a surprise!"
Before you continue