The moment Zhou Xun heard the words "Danbao Pavilion steward," how could he not understand Hong San's intentions today?
Hong San had merely found another connection through Danbao Pavilion and wanted to hold out for a better price.
Let him see exactly what medicine Hong San was selling from his gourd.
"However, Brother San is deeply uneasy about all this!" Hong San abruptly changed the subject and began pouring out his troubles.
"The Iron Hand Gang brothers all need Spirit Rice to eat and cultivation resources to practice!"
"I originally only managed Xinshou Hall, with merely sixty or seventy good brothers. We could still get by. But now that I'm the deputy gang leader, I have to take responsibility for the hundreds of brothers in the entire Iron Hand Gang!"
"This position of deputy gang leader looks glorious on the surface, but I understand very well that they respect me now only because they value the benefits I can bring them."
"If one day I can no longer bring them benefits, they will hate me just as much!"
"This brother is terrified!"
"I had no choice but to seek out Danbao Pavilion's steward and discuss purchasing pills!"
"Of course, this won't affect the transaction between us!" Hong San swore solemnly.
"It's just... could the purchase price be lowered a little? Otherwise, this brother truly won't be able to explain himself!"
Hong San watched Zhou Xun's expression as he spoke tentatively.
The moment Hong San mentioned Danbao Pavilion's steward, Zhou Xun had already guessed what he was thinking.
However, Zhou Xun had long prepared for this.
Back when he had first traded with Hong San, to guard against a day like this, he had opened up the connection with Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
In the past, in order to conceal his true abilities, he had not dared sell large quantities of pills to Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and had needed to coax Hong San along.
But now, with a heavyweight like Grandmaster Yun Ku behind him, he could fully display alchemy skills beyond his current apparent talent.
After all, someone favored by Grandmaster Yun Ku naturally had a few tricks up his sleeve.
Furthermore, as his alchemy improved, the profits Hong San's line could bring him accounted for less and less.
After all, Hong San could only distribute low-grade pills.
Once Zhou Xun advanced to a mid-grade pill refiner and could produce mid-grade pills, they would no longer be something Hong San could lay his hands on.
With that thought, Zhou Xun resolved to cut ties with Hong San and said,
"I naturally understand Brother San's difficulties!"
Hearing this, Hong San thought Zhou Xun had yielded and agreed to lower the price. Overjoyed, he was just about to speak when Zhou Xun's voice rang out again.
"However... the pills on my end are also purchased goods, and the profit is meager. I only kept doing this because Brother San needed them."
"Fortunately, Brother San now has Danbao Pavilion's steward to help him, so this little brother can set this matter down without worry!"
Then, amid Hong San's dumbfounded stare, he raised his spirit wine.
"Come, I wish Brother San's pill business may rise higher and higher!"
He raised his cup, gesturing to Hong San.
Seeing this, Hong San could only raise his own spirit wine and clink cups with Zhou Xun before drinking it down in a muddled daze.
"Brother Zhou, I—"
"Enough, Brother San need not say more. This little brother understands it all. Someone is waiting for me at the pavilion today, so I won't stay any longer. I'll drink with Brother San another day!"
With that, he turned and left.
The next chapter will be a little later.
After leaving Yuexiang Restaurant, Zhou Xun headed straight back to Danbao Pavilion.
He had not made up the excuse that someone was looking for him.
Someone really was.
At Danbao Pavilion, in a certain pavilion.
A beautiful woman was drinking tea alone, her skin as smooth as congealed snow and her brows like distant dark hills.
"Miss Lin!" Zhou Xun greeted her softly, calm and composed.
"Pill Refiner Zhou, you're here. Sit."
The young woman's voice was as clear as a lark's. She extended a delicate hand, white as scallion stalks, and lightly pointed at the stone bench opposite her.
Zhou Xun nodded slightly, then sat down across from her.
"Try this Spirit Mist Tea!"
The young woman lifted her delicate hand and gently poured him a cup of spirit tea.
As the tea flowed into the cup, mist rose in curling swirls. One moment it formed a fierce tiger, the next a flood dragon. It gathered without dispersing, each shape lifelike and distinct.
Zhou Xun froze slightly, then praised it.
"Fine tea!"
"Please," the young woman said with a faint smile, one that made a hundred flowers bow their heads in shame.
"Many thanks!"
Zhou Xun took the cup and lightly sipped it.
The tea entered his mouth and instantly transformed into pure Spiritual Qi, slipping through his abdomen and into his Dantian.
Zhou Xun circulated the Essence Cultivation Art and immediately refined it into spiritual power.
That single sip was actually comparable to the effects of one Qi Induction Pill.
Without wasting any, Zhou Xun promptly drained the remaining tea in one gulp.
It took him a short while to refine it all.
Zhou Xun opened his eyes and saw the young woman looking at him with some curiosity. He said,
"I have never drunk such fine spirit tea before."
"This is Spirit Mist Tea. It can improve one's spiritual power," the young woman explained.
Zhou Xun nodded, thinking that he should buy some from Hundred Treasures Pavilion to drink later.
Then he brought up the main matter.
"May I ask why Miss Lin summoned me?"
"Pill Refiner Zhou has only been at Danbao Pavilion for a few years, yet your alchemy is exquisite and your foundation exceptionally solid. Senior Brother Zhishan has praised you often!" Rather than answering directly, the young woman first complimented Zhou Xun.
"I have asked Pill Refiner Zhou here today because I have a matter to entrust to you!"
"What matter is it?" Zhou Xun asked cautiously.
"My Lineage has tasked me with refining Fire Resistance Pills. However, they require too many, and I cannot refine them all alone. I have specially invited Pill Refiner Zhou to participate!" the young woman answered.
"I have never refined Fire Resistance Pills before. I fear I may have difficulty fulfilling Miss Lin's request." Zhou Xun shook his head and tactfully declined.
Miss Lin possessed peerless beauty and was also the Lin Lineage's direct daughter. Who knew how many people had their eyes on her?
As the saying went, a beautiful woman could bring disaster. Zhou Xun was only a pill refiner and had no desire to fall into such trouble, so he decisively refused.
The young woman was somewhat stunned upon hearing this, as though she had not expected Zhou Xun to refuse.
So she continued,
"I have already arranged matters with Senior Brother Zhishan. During the refinement of Fire Resistance Pills, you will not need to concern yourself with your usual pill-refining duties."
"Furthermore, for every proper Fire Resistance Pill successfully refined, our Lin Lineage will grant ten Spirit Essence as compensation, as well as one point of Danbao Pavilion Contribution Points!"
Danbao Pavilion Contribution Points were roughly equal in value to ten Spirit Essence.
However, Spirit Essence could be earned through many different means, while Contribution Points could only be obtained by completing tasks.
Moreover, Contribution Points could be exchanged for precious treasures difficult to purchase outside.
Thus, to people of Danbao Pavilion, Contribution Points were far more valuable than Spirit Essence.
Therefore, when Lin Xueying offered this price, even Zhou Xun could not help but feel tempted.
She was offering far too much!
The young woman seemed to see Zhou Xun's interest and hurriedly struck while the iron was hot.
"For this refinement, Erniu and Xun Houqing have both already agreed. With Pill Refiner Zhou added, we will have exactly enough people!"
If I won't be the only one, then it should be fine, Zhou Xun thought.
Thus, he nodded.
"In that case, Zhou agrees!"
Seeing this, the young woman smiled faintly. She then took out a Pill Formula and several portions of alchemy ingredients from her Storage Pouch.
"This is the Fire Resistance Pill Formula. Pill Refiner Zhou may study it. There are also five portions of refining materials, which you can use to practice beforehand!"
"In five days, we will officially begin refining Fire Resistance Pills!"
Zhou Xun accepted them and stored them in his Storage Pouch. Without chatting further, he took his leave.
Before you continue