Cultivation: From Menial Laborer to Immortal Venerable

Zhou Xun understood Hong San's intentions as soon as he heard the words "Danbao Pavilion manager."

Hong San had simply secured another channel with Danbao Pavilion and wanted to sell at a higher price.

Zhou Xun decided to see what exactly Hong San was planning.

"However, regarding all of this, Brother San is actually extremely worried!" Hong San changed the subject abruptly and started complaining.

"The brothers in the Iron Hand Gang all want to eat Spirit Rice and cultivate!"

Originally, I was only in charge of the Xinshou Hall, with only sixty to seventy brothers, and life was manageable. But now that I'm the deputy gang leader, I have to be responsible for the hundreds of brothers in the entire Iron Hand Gang!

"Although this deputy gang leader position looks glorious on the surface, I understand very well that their respect for me now is only because they value the benefits I can bring them."

"If one day I can no longer bring them benefits, they will hate me even more!"

"I am filled with dread, brother!"

"There's no other way, so I had to find the manager of Danbao Pavilion to discuss the procurement of pills!"

"Of course, this won't affect our transaction!" Hong San guaranteed with conviction.

"It's just... it's just if the procurement price can be lowered a bit? Otherwise, it's really hard for me to explain!"

Hong San looked at Zhou Xun's expression and spoke tentatively.

As soon as Hong San mentioned the Danbao Pavilion manager, Zhou Xun had already guessed his thoughts.

However, he had already prepared for this matter.

When he first started trading with Hong San, to prevent such a situation from happening today, he had established a connection with Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

In the past, to hide his abilities, he wouldn't dare to sell large quantities of pills to Hundred Treasures Pavilion and had to appease Hong San.

But now, with Grandmaster Yun Ku as his powerful backer, he could completely display his alchemy skills beyond his current talent.

After all, someone valued by Grandmaster Yun Ku must have some skills.

Furthermore, as his alchemy skills improved, the benefits brought by Hong San's channel were becoming less significant.

After all, Hong San could only offload low-grade pills.

Once he advanced to become a mid-grade alchemist and refined mid-grade pills, Hong San would no longer be able to get his hands on them.

With this thought, Zhou Xun made up his mind to separate from Hong San and said:

"I naturally understand Brother San's difficulties!"

Upon hearing this, Hong San thought Zhou Xun had backed down and agreed to lower the price. Overjoyed, he was about to speak when Zhou Xun's voice continued:

"However... the pills I have here are also acquired, and the profit margin is slim. I originally intended to continue this business because Brother San needed them."

"Fortunately, Brother San now has the help of my Danbao Pavilion manager, so I can confidently put this matter aside!"

Then, to Hong San's stunned amazement, Zhou Xun picked up the Spirit Wine.

"Come, I wish Brother San's pill business prosperity!"

He raised his wine cup and gestured to Hong San.

Seeing this, Hong San had no choice but to raise his Spirit Wine as well, clinked glasses with Zhou Xun, and then drank it down in a daze.

"Brother Zhou, I..."

"Alright, Brother San, there's no need to say more. I understand everything. I have other people waiting for me at the pavilion today, so I won't stay any longer. I'll find Brother San for a drink another day!"

With that, he turned and left.

After leaving Yuexiang Tower, Zhou Xun went straight back to Danbao Pavilion.

Having someone waiting for him wasn't a lie; it was the truth.

At Danbao Pavilion, in a pavilion.

A beautiful woman was drinking tea alone, her skin like snow and jade, her eyebrows like distant mountains.

"Miss!" Zhou Xun greeted calmly in a soft voice.

"Alchemist Zhou has arrived, please sit!"

The maiden's voice was like a hundred larks. She revealed her fair, slender hand and gently pointed to the stone stool opposite her.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly and then sat down opposite the maiden.

"Try this Spirit Mist Tea!"

The maiden slightly raised her delicate hand and poured Zhou Xun a cup of Spirit Tea.

As the tea poured into the cup, misty vapor rose, transforming into a fierce tiger, then a coiling dragon. The mist remained condensed, each form distinct.

Zhou Xun was slightly taken aback, then praised:

"Good tea!"

"Please enjoy!" Seeing Zhou Xun's reaction, the maiden smiled slightly, making a hundred flowers shy.

"Thank you!"

Zhou Xun accepted it and took a gentle sip.

As the tea entered his mouth, it instantly transformed into pure spiritual energy, flowing into his dantian from his abdomen.

Zhou Xun circulated the Essence Cultivation Art, instantly converting it into magical power.

This single sip was as effective as a Qi Induction Pill.

Following that, Zhou Xun finished the remaining tea without wasting a drop.

It took him a little time to refine it.

Zhou Xun opened his eyes and saw the young woman looking at him with curiosity. He spoke:

"I have never tasted such fine Spirit Tea before!"

"This is Spirit Mist Tea; it has the effect of improving magical power!" the young woman explained.

Zhou Xun nodded, thinking to himself that he should go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to purchase some.

Then he brought up the main topic:

"May I ask why Miss Lin sought me out?"

"Dan Master Zhou has only been in Danbao Pavilion for a few years, yet your alchemy skills are exquisite and your foundation is extremely solid. Senior Brother Zhi Shan praises you highly!" the young woman replied, not directly answering his question but first complimenting Zhou Xun.

"I am looking for Dan Master Zhou today to entrust you with a matter!"

"What matter is it?" Zhou Xun asked cautiously.

"I have been entrusted by my family to refine Fire Resistance Pills. However, the quantity required by the family is too large, and I cannot refine them all by myself. I have specifically invited Dan Master Zhou to participate in the refining!" the young woman answered.

"Fire Resistance Pills, I have never refined this pill before. I'm afraid I won't be able to fulfill Miss Lin's request!" Zhou Xun shook his head, politely refusing.

Miss Lin was of unparalleled beauty and the legitimate daughter of the Lin family. Countless people had their eyes on her.

As the saying goes, beauty is a source of trouble. Zhou Xun, as a mere alchemist, did not want to get involved in such a mess, so he decisively refused.

The young woman looked somewhat taken aback, seemingly not expecting Zhou Xun to refuse.

She continued:

"I have already arranged with Senior Brother Zhi Shan that during the refining of the Fire Resistance Pills, you will not need to concern yourself with daily alchemy tasks."

"Furthermore, for every genuine Fire Resistance Pill successfully refined, our Lin family will provide a subsidy of ten Spirit Essence and some Danbao Pavilion contribution points!"

Danbao Pavilion contribution points were calculated by value and were roughly equivalent to ten Spirit Essence.

However, Spirit Essence could be earned through many channels, while contribution points could only be obtained by completing tasks.

Moreover, contribution points could be exchanged for rare treasures that were difficult to obtain in the outside world.

Therefore, for those in Danbao Pavilion, contribution points were far more valuable than Spirit Essence.

Thus, when Lin Xueying offered this price, Zhou Xun couldn't help but be tempted.

She was offering too much!

The young woman seemed to have noticed Zhou Xun's wavering resolve and quickly pressed her advantage:

"For this refining, Er Niu and Xun Houqing have already agreed. With Dan Master Zhou joining, we will have just the right number of people!"

"If it weren't just me, it would be fine!" Zhou Xun mused inwardly.

He then nodded.

"Very well, I accept!"

Seeing this, the young woman smiled slightly and then took out a pill recipe and several refining materials from her storage bag:

"This is the Fire Resistance Pill recipe. Dan Master Zhou can study it. There are also five sets of refining materials, which you can use to practice beforehand!"

"Five days from now, we will officially begin refining the Fire Resistance Pills!"

Zhou Xun took them, put them into his storage bag, and without further idle chat, took his leave.