Time flies, and another three months have passed.

In the cultivation room, Zhou Xun swallowed a Yuan Condensing Pill.

As the elixir entered his stomach, a powerful surge of medicinal force arose, and Zhou Xun quickly circulated the "Spirit Wood True Technique" to refine the medicinal power into mana.

It coursed along his meridians, completing a grand circulation, and then converged at his dantian.

There, a drop of liquid mana was about to form.

The cultivation speed of a High-Grade Spirit Root was indeed exceptionally fast, although it was just the lowest 40 points of Spirit Root Sensitivity.

Yet compared to when it was at 39 points, the speed had increased by almost half.

Thus, Zhou Xun spent all the subsequent time cultivating within the cultivation room.

Now, with less than two months left before Golden Cloud Valley opens, Zhou Xun hopes to break through to the second layer of Foundation Establishment before it opens.

Every month, Zhou Xun would take a Yuan Condensing Pill, and his cultivation was advancing rapidly.

No one knew how much time passed.

Another surge of mana merged into that nearly formed liquid mana.

Like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

In an instant, the twentieth drop of liquid mana took shape.

Quantitative change triggered qualitative change, and the strength of mana throughout the dantian instantly increased.

At the same time, it also marked that Zhou Xun's cultivation had formally stepped into the second layer of Foundation Establishment.

Meanwhile, his Divine Sense also substantially expanded, reaching three hundred and fifty zhang, surpassing ordinary Foundation Establishment Peak cultivators.

Feeling the surging mana within, Zhou Xun smiled slightly and stepped lightly through the door of the cultivation room.

Upon exiting, he met Song Yiqing's somewhat nervous expression.

As Zhou Xun's concubine, all her honor and disgrace were tied to Zhou Xun.

Seeing Zhou Xun's relaxed demeanor, she finally let out a sigh of relief and then became overjoyed.

"Husband, you... you've successfully broken through to the second layer!"

Zhou Xun laughed heartily, pulled her into his embrace, and then carried her across his arms as he strode towards the bedroom.

"Since I've successfully broken through, we must celebrate properly today!"

Song Yiqing wrapped her arms around Zhou Xun's neck, her cheeks flushed, burying her face on Zhou Xun's shoulder, coquettishly saying:

"Qing'er, by... by all means, let your husband do as he pleases!"

The next day, Zhou Xun dressed neatly, opened the door, feeling refreshed and energized.

After breakfast, Zhou Xun went out and headed to Danhai Pavilion.

As he came to the street, there were noticeably more cultivators around.

Some dressed as martial artists, some as daoists, monks, and many in outfits not from Xui Country, seemingly from surrounding cultivation countries.

"It seems the opening of Golden Cloud Valley has attracted all these people!"

Arriving at Danhai Pavilion, the inside was also much busier than before.

"Master, you've arrived!"

Inside the elegant room, Old Daoist Chuyun was hosting a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a man in his forties with a broad, square face and Fifth-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"You are the master of Danhai Pavilion, Alchemist Zhou Xun?" The middle-aged man asked curiously.

"Indeed I am, and you are?" Zhou Xun nodded.

"I am Wuk Hengfei of Golden Ape Valley. I've long heard of Alchemist Zhou's great reputation, and I thought you were an esteemed elder, not expecting such youth and elegance!" The middle-aged man laughed heartily, full of compliments.

Golden Ape Valley is located in the northern part of Xui Country, with the Wuk family being one of the four great cultivation families, with seven known Foundation Establishment cultivators, not to mention a patriarch in the Fake Pill Realm.

"Daoist Wuk is too kind, what kind of elixir are you looking to purchase?" Zhou Xun cupped his hands.

"I've come to purchase Tier Two Healing Pills, but it seems your pavilion is out of stock!" The middle-aged man showed a regretful expression.

"From what you're saying, all other shops are also out of stock of elixirs?" Zhou Xun asked in surprise.

"That's right. I visited several places, Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Spirit Pill Tower, but none had Healing Pills left!"

The man sighed.

"Master, due to the opening of Golden Cloud Valley, the demand for talismans, magical artifacts, and healing and Qi replenishing elixirs has surged,"

"Even the two types of elixirs in our store just sold out this morning, and I hadn't had the chance to inform you!"

Old Daoist Chuyun explained beside him.

"I see!" Zhou Xun nodded.

"No problem, I'll just refine a batch!"

A year ago, Zhou Xun had instructed Old Daoist Chuyun to acquire refining materials for these two types of elixirs, and he himself had been stockpiling them.

Now, it seems he was going to profit greatly!

The prospectors haven't yet struck it rich, but those selling the prospecting tools already have!

"Daoist Wuk, please wait while I personally refine a batch for you!"

"I must trouble Daoist Zhou then!" The middle-aged man rejoiced, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect!

Half a day later, Zhou Xun returned to the elegant room, carrying a bottle of Tier Two Middle-Grade Healing Pills.

"Daoist Wuk, this bottle contains five pills; I wonder if that's sufficient!" Zhou Xun said as he handed over a delicate pill bottle to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man received it, opened it to take a whiff, and was overjoyed.

"Tier Two Middle-Grade Healing Pills, potent with excellent quality. What fine pills!"

"How many Spirit Stones for them? I'll take them all!"

"Five thousand Spirit Stones will do!" Zhou Xun smiled slightly.

"You are generous, Daoist Zhou. I admire you; I'll definitely become your friend!" The middle-aged man cupped his hands, taking out five thousand Spirit Stones and handing them to Zhou Xun.

Normally, Tier Two Middle-Grade Healing Pills sell for a thousand Spirit Stones each, and given the upcoming opening of Golden Cloud Valley, prices of elixirs, talismans, and magical artifacts have all risen, yet Zhou Xun offered the same old price, which was quite rare.

"Haha, Brother Wuk, you're too kind!" Zhou Xun aimed to foster a good relationship with the Wuk family, so he didn't raise the price.

After chatting for quite some time, enjoying the conversation, the middle-aged man finally rose to take his leave in the evening.

In the following half month, Zhou Xun stayed at Danhai Pavilion, focusing on alchemy, mainly producing Healing Pills and Qi Recovery Pills.

The quantity was so great that they would usually be enough to sell for two years.

Of course, the prices had increased accordingly, by over fifty percent.

...

One day, while Zhou Xun was cultivating within his cave mansion, Song Yiqing's voice suddenly came through.

"Husband, Uncle Erniu is here!" (PS: In ancient times, a husband's younger brother was called 'Uncle')

"Alright, I'll be right out!" Zhou Xun nodded.

Reception Hall.

Wang Erniu and his second son Wang Shun were already waiting there.

"Brother!" Seeing Zhou Xun enter, Wang Erniu greeted him happily.

Wang Shun bowed deeply:

"Disciple greets Master!"

"Erniu and Wang Shun, there's no need for formalities!"

With old friends visiting, Zhou Xun was in a good mood, he waved his hand, and a surge of energy helped Wang Shun to his feet!

After some polite conversation, Zhou Xun suddenly grew serious and spoke solemnly:

"You're here to say goodbye, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Erniu was silent for a while, then nodded.

"With less than a month until Golden Cloud Valley opens, I wanted to come and see you before entering!"

Zhou Xun looked at Wang Erniu for a long moment, sighed, and advised:

"You must have seen on your way here that White Cloud Immortal City has many more cultivators, not just from our Xui Country but also from surrounding cultivation countries,"

"They all have at least Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivation, with many being Foundation Establishment experts, and you know what they're all here for,

"Do you really still want to go in?"

Zhou Xun's expression was solemn; historical records said Golden Cloud Valley opens every fifty years, and each time, it's a bloodbath.

Of those who enter, less than forty percent survive!

Even Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators are not immune to falling within.

"Brother, I chose the path of a Sword Cultivator; this is something I can't avoid!" Wang Erniu softly addressed Zhou Xun, his eyes firm and resolute.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun nodded without saying anything further.

The two remained silent for quite some time.

Suddenly, Zhou Xun patted his Storage Bag.

Several streaks of white light flashed, landing on the table between them.

A set of Tier Two Low-Grade Talismans, prepared for offense, defense, and evasion, including the Wind-Controlling Talisman nurtured by Zhou Xun for a year, allowing Wang Erniu to match the speed of a Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

One Tier Two Middle-Grade Healing Pill, and a bottle of Tier One Top Grade Qi Recovery Pills, all essential Treasure Pills for Golden Cloud Valley.

"Take these with you, and come back alive!"

"Brother... alright!" Wang Erniu looked at Zhou Xun, nodding his head.

He silently decided that if he could return this time, he must repay his brother's kindness properly.

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