Zhou Xun and a few others arrived near the East City Gate, walked straight through a group of vendors, and then left the city.

What he did not notice was that among the vendors selling low-tier talismans, the middle-aged stall owner discreetly glanced in the direction Zhou Xun left.

Afterward, he packed up his stall and went to the Yuelai Inn.

"Ancestor!"

"That Zhou Xun has finally appeared and has left through the East Gate!" The middle-aged man approached an elder and bowed with hands clasped, reporting.

The elder's eyes flickered with a sharp, cold light upon hearing the words.

"Good, I understand!"

If Zhou Xun were here, he would recognize this elder as Zheng Tianxiu.

After Zhou Xun refused him that day, Zheng Tianxiu was still unwilling to give up. The quasi-third tier array was crucial to his Zheng Family's legacy, so naturally, he wouldn't easily let it go.

Therefore, he dispatched several family juniors to set up stalls along the road Zhou Xun would inevitably take when leaving the city. Once they had news of him, they were to report immediately.

"But there are still three people with him!" the middle-aged man continued.

"Who are they?"

"Two women and one man. I only recognize one of the women; she is the top card of Junyue Pavilion, White Spirit Fairy!"

"As for the man, he seems to be the Chief Steward of the Immortal City!" the middle-aged man tilted his head, pondering.

"Zhou Buqi?" Zheng Buxiu furrowed his brows.

He glanced at the middle-aged man in front of him and waved him away.

"Why is this person with Zhou Xun? This is rather troublesome!"

"If it comes to a fight, Zhou Buqi and I are both Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, so I'm not afraid. However, as the Chief Steward of White Cloud Immortal City and a direct disciple of Master White Cloud, he must possess numerous treasures,"

"If we clash, I'm afraid I won't be his match!"

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Buxiu was reluctant to give up so easily.

After all, without his presence, the Zheng Family would definitely be powerless against the Huang Family of Huangzhu Ridge, and his hard-built family could be wiped out!

"Perhaps I should follow and see; I don't believe Zhou Buqi can stay by Zhou Xun's side forever."

So he packed his belongings and left the inn.

Then, he flew straight in the direction Zhou Xun had gone.

...

Three days later, Zhou Xun and his companions rode a flying spiritual artifact to reach Wangchuan Lake.

They landed on Lake Heart Island.

The previous owner of the Daoist Field was already waiting here.

"Junior Mo Yushu, I have met Chief Steward Zhou and Alchemist Zhou!"

A middle-aged man, dressed like a local magnate and somewhat stout, immediately bowed in salute when he saw Zhou Xun.

This man was a direct descendant of the High-Ranking Honored Guest Elder, and he had been managing this Daoist Field for years.

A year ago, he received news from White Cloud Immortal City that the Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field would be handed over to the newly joined Honored Guest Elder Zhou.

The middle-aged man initially thought of using his late father's influence to force the Elder Zhou to give up this place.

After all, as long as other cultivators didn't target this Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field, they planned to continue leasing it out.

Once they got the detailed information about Zhou Xun, they dropped this idea immediately.

A Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist under forty years of age—they naturally understood what that represented.

Even his father, a Tier Two High-Grade Artifact Refiner, was no match for this man.

"Zhou Mou's purpose here today must already be known to you, Daoist Friend," Zhou Xun said calmly.

Zhou Buqi, standing aside, watched with a smile, showing no intention of intervening.

As long he was here, others should know the attitude of White Cloud Immortal City.

"I understand. The Immortal City has already sent someone to inform me!"

"Please rest assured, Senior. The facilities on the island are intact, and as for those mature Spirit Woods and Spirit Medicines, I've already harvested them. As for the saplings, they are offered to you, Senior!"

"In a few years, they should be usable!"

"By the way, a decade ago, I cultivated a batch of Silver-Scale Spirit Fish in Wangchuan Lake. It will take another ten years or so for them to mature, and they are also offered to you, Senior!"

The middle-aged man said respectfully, with a flattering expression.

"Offering them to me?" Zhou Xun was surprised.

These Spirit Medicines and Spirit Wood saplings, along with the young fish, could easily be worth a thousand Spirit Stones!

In the hands of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would not be a small sum.

"You are considerate!" Zhou Xun nodded slightly, accepting his goodwill. However, as a dignified high-level Foundation Establishment cultivator and Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist, how could he take advantage of a Qi Refining cultivator?

Then, he patted his Storage Bag and took out a Vein Protection Pill.

"I see your cultivation is already at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining. Perhaps it won't be long before you attempt Foundation Establishment. This Vein Protection Pill is my gift to you!"

"If you break through to Foundation Establishment, your Mo Family lineage can flourish and live up to the name of Master Mo's descendants!"

"Thank you, Alchemist Zhou!"

The middle-aged man accepted the pill, stepped back two paces, and performed a grand salute with great respect.

The Vein Protection Pill can safeguard a cultivator's meridians during the infusion of Spiritual Qi! It is an extremely valuable elixir when Qi Refining cultivators are breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

This pill was truly a timely rain for the Mo Family now!

"Alchemist Zhou indeed is as rumored, possessing noble character and the demeanor of a senior!" The middle-aged man admired in his heart.

Zhou Buqi beside him nodded repeatedly, feeling even more that his decision to recommend Zhou Xun was wise!

Mo Yushu then took out several booklets and handed them to Zhou Xun.

These were all records of the Spirit Fields, Spirit Lands, and various personnel within the Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field.

Handing this over symbolized that this Daoist Field had officially become Zhou Xun's.

The middle-aged man with the surname Mo then led his subordinates away.

...

On the Lake Heart Island, within a pavilion.

Zhou Xun and Zhou Buqi sat facing each other. There was a jug of Spirit Wine on the stone table before them, specifically the renowned Peach Blossom Brew.

The two drank Peach Blossom Brew, admired the scenery of Wangchuan Lake, and felt quite pleased.

"Chief Steward personally escorting; how can Zhou Mou deserve this? This cup is for Chief Steward!" Zhou Xun lifted his Spirit Wine high.

"Honored Guest Elder is too polite!" Zhou Buqi also lifted his wine cup, clinked it against Zhou Xun's, then drank it in one gulp,

He then smiled mysteriously:

"Actually, Zhou Mou also has another important matter to discuss, and this is definitely good news for Alchemist Zhou!"

Zhou Xun, hearing this, said nothing, knowing Zhou Buqi would continue.

"My master, Master White Cloud, wants to refine a Tier Three Elixir. However, refining this pill requires the assistance of three Tier Two High-Grade Alchemists. Two have already been secured!"

"One more is needed, and I have recommended Honored Guest Elder Zhou!"

Zhou Buqi took a sip of Spirit Wine, then continued:

"If Honored Guest Elder Zhou can successfully assist in refining this elixir, Immortal City will handsomely reward you. Even a Core Formation Spiritual Object might be possible!"

"How fortunate Zhou Mou is to be able to assist Master White Cloud? But my Alchemy Technique is only at Tier Two Middle-Grade, which might not meet the requirement, right?"

Zhou Xun cupped his hands and saluted before inquiring.

If Master White Cloud is personally taking action and still requires three Tier Two High-Grade Alchemists to assist, then the pill to be refined must be extremely profound.

Offering a Core Formation Spiritual Object as a reward suggests the value of this elixir would far exceed it.

If he could leverage this event to form a connection with Master White Cloud, his future search for High-Tier Spiritual Herbs would undoubtedly be much easier!

Moreover, if he were to refuse now, he would surely offend White Cloud Immortal City, and all his previous plans would be in vain!

Thinking this, Zhou Xun decided to agree to this matter.

"That's not an issue. As long as you advance to Tier Two High-Grade within twenty years, Honored Guest Elder Zhou!" Zhou Buqi waved his hand dismissively.

"During this period, our Immortal City will fully support Honored Guest Elder Zhou. Whether it's high-level spiritual medicine or Alchemy Technique inheritance, they are entirely open to Alchemist Zhou!"

High-level alchemists are so rare, in part, due to the difficulty in leveling up, but mainly because the spiritual medicines for practice are too precious and hard to acquire.

If there were enough Spirit Medicines, Zhou Xun, with his talent, had confidence he could advance to Tier Two High-Grade within ten years.

"In that case, Zhou Mou will certainly do his utmost to strive to advance within twenty years!"

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