"Daoist Zhou, you are truly a young talent, already a Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist. It puts us old folks to shame!" Lin Yuanru said with a smile on his face.

"Grand Elder, turning the tide and elevating the Lin Family is the true skill. I've long admired you, Elder Zhou!" Zhou Xun laughed and said warmly.

The person before him was not only a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator but also Lin Xueying's elder, so Zhou Xun spoke very courteously.

"Hahaha!" Lin Yuanru laughed heartily.

It could be said that the current prosperity of the Lin Family was entirely due to Grand Elder Lin Lin's meticulous planning.

Receiving praise from Alchemist Zhou of the White Cloud Immortal City was naturally a great joy.

"Please come inside!" Lin Yuanru said, welcoming Zhou Xun in.

Lin Yuanru sat at the main seat, while Zhou Xun took the guest seat.

In front of Zhou Xun were Spirit Fruit, Demon Beast Flesh, and Spirit Wine, all being Tier Two Spiritual Objects.

They were indeed valuable.

Below, the upper echelons of the Lin Family were all seated.

Zhou Xun raised his wine cup and walked over to the once stout steward of Luliu Lane.

"If it weren't for you back then, Daoist friend, I would have been kicked out of Red Leaf Square a long time ago. I toast to you!"

With that, he drank the Spirit Wine in one gulp.

Naturally, Steward Lin now understood Zhou Xun's identity.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator and a Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist.

When he personally heard this from the Patriarch, he couldn't reconcile it with the destitute youth who couldn't even pay his rent.

He thought the Patriarch was joking with him.

But once he confirmed it was true, he was speechless for a long time.

Ever since that day, his status within the clan was immediately elevated several times over.

His annual salary of thirty Spirit Stones increased to one hundred, and his elixir supply went up from one to three a month.

Even his residence was upgraded to a Tier Two Low-Grade Cave Mansion.

The Patriarch even promised that he would have a slot in the next batch of Cyan Spirit Pills, which aid in breaking through to Late-Stage Qi Refining.

Meanwhile, the Late-Stage Qi Refining Elders in the clan started treating him more courteously.

He realized it was all thanks to Zhou Xun.

Back then, it was just a casual help, not knowing it would become the biggest opportunity of his life!

Truly, "you plant a flower intentionally, but it doesn't bloom; unintentionally planting a willow, and it grows into shade!"

"Elder Zhou, you're too kind. As the steward responsible for rentals, it was my duty to prevent any shady dealings!"

The stout steward quickly stood up, answering respectfully.

"If you ever need anything, feel free to find me!" Zhou Xun promised, exchanged a few more polite words, and then returned to his seat.

After the welcoming banquet ended, the clan elders departed, while Zhou Xun joined Lin Yuanru and Lin Anshu in a secret chamber.

What they would discuss next was the matter of Zhou Xun's Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicine.

"The purpose of my visit, Grand Elder and Patriarch, you probably already know!" Zhou Xun said seriously.

"Indeed, Erniu mentioned that Daoist Lin needs Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicine. As a Spirit Medicine Family with centuries of heritage, our clan indeed cultivates several Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicines!"

"Purple Mist Grass, Azure Sky Flower, Five-Colored Fruit, Celestial Cyan Root—Daoist Zhou, which one do you need? We're willing to offer it with both hands!"

Lin Anshu mentioned the names of four Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicines in succession.

"As expected of a Spirit Medicine Family, you have four types of Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicines!" Zhou Xun was overjoyed upon hearing this.

It was indeed worthwhile to come.

Zhou Xun also guessed that the Lin Family must have more than just these four Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicines!

It's just that his current relationship with the Lin Family was still shallow, so they were cautious. He could always make further requests once his cultivation and alchemy skills improved in the future.

Zhou Xun pondered for a moment and then mentioned a name:

"Azure Sky Flower!"

Lin Anshu nodded:

"Daoist Zhou, please wait. The Azure Sky Flower is still planted in the clan's Spirit Land. Once I've harvested it, I'll bring it to you!"

"Thank you, Patriarch!" Zhou Xun cupped his hands in gratitude and continued, "As the saying goes, 'No benefit should be gained without merit.' Is there anything I can assist the Lin Family with?"

The Lin Family was so accommodating that Zhou Xun naturally couldn't pretend to be unaware and take a Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Grass for free.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanru and Lin Anshu exchanged a glance, showing satisfied expressions.

"May I ask, what is Alchemist Zhou's success rate in refining Foundation Establishment Pills?" Lin Anshu asked nervously.

"To be honest, the Foundation Establishment Pill I consumed to achieve Foundation Establishment was personally refined by me!" Zhou Xun said as he took out the remaining Foundation Establishment Pill and handed it to Lin Anshu for appraisal.

Lin Anshu received it, opened the stopper, and sniffed it lightly, overwhelmed with joy:

"It's a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill; Daoist Zhou's skill in this elixir is impressive!"

He then handed the elixir to Lin Yuanru.

Lin Yuanru glanced at it, looked deeply at Zhou Xun, and praised:

"The medicinal power is complete, and the color is perfect, ranking high even among genuine ones!"

"What our Lin Family desires is indeed related to these Foundation Establishment Pills. We've accumulated materials for a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills and hope Alchemist Zhou can help refine them!"

Lin Anshu explained his intentions.

Their original idea was to invite Zhou Xun to be an Honored Guest Elder, but after learning that Zhou Xun advanced to a Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist, they adjusted their conditions.

They believed that the limitation of being an Honored Guest Elder as merely a status doesn't genuinely bring many benefits, and instead, defines the relationship between the Lin Family and Zhou Xun as purely transactional.

Just like Master Yun Ku, who, despite being an Honored Guest Elder of the Lin Family, didn't he leave eventually?

Rather than maintaining the facade of an Honored Guest Elder, they preferred to establish a genuine friendship, solidifying the relationship between both parties.

After Zhou Xun's rise to prominence, he didn't forget old friends and even brought his disciple from Qingyue Square over!

Such deeds reinforce the impression of Zhou Xun as kindhearted and righteous in everyone's mind.

An alchemist with extraordinary alchemy talent and deep emotional ties, who cherishes old friendships, would be highly sought after by any force.

The Lin Family also had the connections of Lin Xueying and Wang Erniu with Zhou Xun, giving them a natural ally.

Thus, when gifting the Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicine, they didn't present any demands, considering these motives.

"Refining Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"That's naturally not a problem. However, refining a batch of elixirs is far less valuable than a single Tier Two Spirit Medicine!"

"I'd also like to donate this Foundation Establishment Pill to the Lin Family for use, to offset the cost of that Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicine!"

Zhou Xun offered.

Even without him, the Lin Family could have found other alchemists to do the refining.

However, calculating too precisely might harm their rapport. Zhou Xun still hoped to acquire the other Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Medicines in the future.

"Naturally, every single Foundation Establishment Pill is invaluable to us, so we will accept it!"

Lin Yuanru nodded and took the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Half a day later, the door to the Pill Room opened.

Looking at the anxious Lin Yuanru and Lin Anshu outside, Zhou Xun said with relief, shaking the elixir bottle:

"Elder Zhou is fortunate not to have failed, three Success Pills!"

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.