Jingxin Pavilion.

"Disciple greets Master!" Zhou Jingsong and the other two bowed respectfully three times to Zhou Xun.

"Rise!" Zhou Xun waved his hand, and a force lifted the three of them off the ground.

Since leaving White Cloud Immortal City, it had been several years since he last saw these three disciples.

The once-young Wang Shun was now all grown up.

He had the demeanor of a handsome young gentleman, with traces of Lin Xue'e's features on his face.

This young disciple of his had always been taught by Zhou Jingsong, while he, as the master, hadn't taught him much.

Meeting today, it was time to fulfill his responsibilities as a master, so he asked:

"Shun'er, how is your alchemy skill coming along?"

"Disciple became an Entry Tier Alchemist five years ago, and now I'm not far from Tier One Middle-Grade, likely to break through this year!" Wang Shun replied respectfully.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly, his talent wasn't bad. Achieving Tier One High-Grade Alchemist in the future should be no problem.

As for Tier Two, that would depend on his opportunities.

Fortunately, his cultivation was good, already at the Fourth-Layer Qi Refining, with a chance to reach Foundation Establishment before sixty.

After pondering for a moment, he took a jade pendant out from his storage bag and handed it to his young disciple.

This was once a war trophy of his.

"This jade pendant is rewarded to you. It contains a Tier Two Low-Grade defense restriction, capable of withstanding a single strike from an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Take it and cultivate well!"

"Thank you, Master!" Wang Shun joyfully received it.

"And you, Song'er, how have you been faring?" Zhou Xun then turned his gaze to his eldest disciple.

"Disciple is dull; it was only this year that I advanced to Tier One High-Grade!" Zhou Jingsong said with a bit of embarrassment.

In terms of age, he was only nine years younger than Zhou Xun.

Now at thirty-six, he's barely advanced, and his cultivation was only at the Sixth-Layer Qi Refining!

Were it not for breaking into Tier One High-Grade Alchemist, he wouldn't have had the courage to mention to Zhou Xun his wish to wed Shi Wanying.

"In the future, focus more on cultivation, or you might not reach the Peak Qi Refining by sixty!"

Zhou Xun advised, then patted his storage bag, taking out a Spirit Gathering Pill, handing it to his disciple:

"Take this Spirit Gathering Pill; you're not young. Breaking through should be your priority!"

"Yes, disciple obeys!" Zhou Jingsong nodded affirmatively.

Zhou Xun's words instilled a sense of urgency. His innate talent was poor, being of Low-Grade Spirit Root, and if he did not cultivate diligently, he might truly remain at the Qi Cultivation Stage.

As the eldest disciple under Zhou Xun, how could he willingly settle for less?

Finally, Zhou Xun turned his gaze to his only female disciple.

This disciple of his made no significant breakthroughs in the art of alchemy but, as a result, was more focused on cultivation. Now, not yet thirty, she was already at the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining.

"Master, your disciple has no talent for alchemy, still remaining at Tier One Low-Grade!" Seeing Zhou Xun's scrutinizing gaze, Shi Wanying said somewhat bashfully.

"For us cultivators, cultivation should always be the priority. With your Middle-Grade Spirit Root, you have a good chance of breaking through to Foundation Establishment,"

"I'll write a letter, and when you return to White Cloud Immortal City, present it to Elder Feng Tingli. I will ask him to help you secure a cultivation slot at the White Cloud Spirit Pool!"

Shi Wanying was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly bowed in gratitude:

"Thank you, Master!"

She had long heard of the esteemed White Cloud Spirit Pool, and her master had saved nearly ten years of arduous cultivation by using it, successfully reaching Foundation Establishment before forty!

With her master's golden example ahead, she naturally wished to emulate it.

Moreover, she had inquired about her master's spiritual root; it was a Wood Spirit Root of twenty-one points, even a bit lower than hers.

Her aim was to reach Foundation Establishment at an age younger than her master!

"I now understand your situations; tell me, why have you three come today?"

Zhou Xun directed his gaze towards his eldest disciple with a smile.

"Disciple... Disciple..."

Hearing this, Zhou Jingsong stammered, then foolishly glanced at Shi Wanying.

Shi Wanying, seeing this, lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes, and stared at her toes.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Xun could guess their purpose in coming here.

He was certainly aware of the romance between Zhou Jingsong and Shi Wanying.

They were childhood sweethearts,

And Zhou Xun had no intention of tearing apart a happy couple.

With a slight smile, he said:

"Alright, I've guessed your intentions!"

"Jingsong is honest, and Wanying is naive and lovely. Since you are affectionately inclined to each other and wish to become Dao companions, I naturally have no objections!"

"Thank you, Master!" Zhou Jingsong and Shi Wanying, upon hearing this, were overjoyed to tears, immediately kneeling and deeply bowing in gratitude!

"Congratulations, Senior Brother and Senior Sister!" Wang Shun clapped his hands and laughed heartily from the side.

At just over a decade old, he had joined Zhou Xun's tutelage, living with Zhou Jingsong and Shi Wanying.

For him, they were like father and mother figures.

Now that they had received Zhou Xun's blessing to become Dao companions, he was naturally very happy, too.

"However, Wanying, this matter still needs to be conveyed to your mother!"

"Understood. Disciple plans to travel back to Qingyue Square before the wedding ceremony to bring her mother over!"

Shi Wanying spoke up.

"That will do. It's a long journey; I'll lend you both the Profound Armor Armadillo for protection!"

Zhou Xun nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Master!"

The two were delighted. Although the law and order in Xui Country was relatively good, with Cloud Light Sect's Law Enforcement Cultivators patrolling the area, tribulation cultivator incidents were rare.

However, given their relatively low cultivation, having Zhou Xun's Tier Two Spirit Beast escort them ensured their safety.

Currently, although the Profound Armor Armadillo was only Tier Two Low-Grade, its strength, due to bloodline mutation, was estimated by Zhou Xun to be no less than an ordinary Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

...

Half a year later, Zhou Jingsong and Shi Wanying's Dao companion contract ceremony was held at Yuelai Inn.

On this day, guests filled the premises, with Zhou Jingsong's father, Zhou Jimin, personally welcoming them.

He now showed signs of aging, but his complexion was more vigorous than ever.

"Daoist Zhou, congratulations, congratulations!"

A middle-aged man in merchant attire extended greetings.

"Shopkeeper Li, your esteemed presence is welcome, welcome!" The guest was a shopkeeper from a small spirit medicine shop in the Immortal City.

Quite a few spirit medicines for Danhai Pavilion were sourced from him, so naturally, he was acquainted with Zhou Jingsong's father.

"Bah, an Early-Stage Qi Refining, if not for your son being Alchemist Zhou's son, you're hardly worthy of addressing me as brother!"

Shopkeeper Li cursed inwardly.

Shopkeeper Li was a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator and ran a spirit medicine shop, enjoying a distinguished status.

However, most of his shop's spirit medicines were now purchased by Zhou Xun's Danhai Pavilion, so offending Zhou Jimin was not in his interest.

Zhou Jimin, astute and socially skilled, naturally discerned Shopkeeper Li's thoughts.

But he was unfazed, as long as Danhai Pavilion endured, and as long as Alchemist Zhou was present, he, Zhou Jimin, would remain a noteworthy figure in White Cloud Immortal City!

Soon, various shopkeepers and neighbors from Golden Spring Lane began to arrive.

"Feng Tingli, Elder Feng!"

The person announcing the guests called out loudly.

All the guests turned their attention.

Feng Tingli was an elder of White Cloud Immortal City, a notable figure hailing from Golden Spring Lane.

To everyone's surprise, even he had come.

It seemed Alchemist Zhou's standing in the Immortal City was higher than they had estimated!

They all knew Elder Feng hadn't come for Zhou Jingsong, who had just advanced to Tier One High-Grade Alchemist,

but for his master, Zhou Xun.

Indeed, at least two-thirds of the attendees had come out of respect for Zhou Xun.

As the mundane sect elder of White Cloud Immortal City, Feng Tingli was naturally aware of how highly valued Zhou Xun had been over the years in the Immortal City.

Tier Two Spirit Medicines were sent to Wangchuan Lake almost as if they were free.

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