"Greetings, Alchemist Zhou!"

This was an elder dressed as a Confucian scholar, with slightly graying hair and holding a folding fan in his hand.

It was none other than Song Zhishu.

The first time Zhou Xun met him, Zhou Xun was only twenty years old and his cultivation was at the Fourth-Layer Qi Refining.

Now thirty years have passed, and the once middle-aged Song Zhishu has also shown signs of old age, with graying hair and wrinkles appearing on his face.

And his current cultivation is also at the Late-Stage Qi Refining.

It's a pity that he is already over seventy years old, making further cultivation advancement difficult.

Generally speaking, when a Qi Refining Cultivator reaches the age of sixty, not only does the success rate of establishing the Foundation drop significantly, but the difficulty of improving cultivation also increases exponentially.

Song Zhishu was no exception. After reaching Late-Stage Qi Refining more than a decade ago, his cultivation has not advanced further.

However, for him, reaching Late-Stage Qi Refining in this life is already a great fortune.

After all, he only has a Low-Grade Spirit Root.

"When did Daoist Song arrive?"

Seeing an old friend, Zhou Xun was quite happy.

"Two years ago, after receiving a letter from Alchemist Zhou, the clan discussed it and finally decided to send me to deliver that High-Grade Spirit Stone to Alchemist Zhou!"

As Song Zhishu spoke, he took out an exquisite Jade Box from his Storage Bag, sealed with a Sealing Spirit Talisman to prevent Spiritual Qi leakage.

Seeing this, Zhou Xun's eyes brightened.

Another High-Grade Spirit Stone, extremely important to him at a time when the Beast Tide is certain to occur.

With a High-Grade Spirit Stone, he can drive the Quasi-Third Tier Puppet.

However, he was extremely surprised that a High-Grade Spirit Stone worth over thirteen thousand Spirit Stones was entrusted to a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator like Song Zhishu to deliver.

Thirteen thousand Spirit Stones is a wealth that most Foundation Establishment cultivators do not possess.

How could they feel reassured?

After a brief contemplation, Zhou Xun understood the reasoning behind it.

Firstly, Song Zhishu is known for his integrity and is widely reputed throughout Qingyue Square.

Secondly, Song Zhishu is already old, beyond the threshold for establishing the Foundation past sixty, with no significant future development in cultivation.

This High-Grade Spirit Stone, even if he took it and ran, wouldn't resolve his cultivation predicament.

And his descendants live in Qingyue Square.

Thirdly, is his relationship with Zhou Xun. Originally, he was responsible for maintaining communication with Zhou Xun for the Song Family and was the closest person to Zhou Xun, aside from Song Yiqing.

Both sentimentally and logically, he was the most suitable candidate.

"Thank you, Daoist Song!"

"How many Spirit Stones are needed for the exchange?"

Zhou Xun pointed to the Jade Box in front of him.

"Ten thousand Spirit Stones will suffice!"

Zhou Xun nodded. It seems the thoughts of the Song Family and the Lin Family are the same.

The rare opportunity to ask Zhou Xun for help and have Zhou Xun owe them a favor naturally cannot be missed.

Thus, Zhou Xun counted out a hundred Middle-Grade Spirit Stones and handed them to Song Zhishu.

Song Zhishu accepted them without looking, putting them into his Storage Bag.

"Speaking of which, this High-Grade Spirit Stone was exchanged by my third uncle who used connections in the Cloud Light Sect. That is why this Spirit Stone has just been delivered!"

Song Zhishu then explained the origin of the Spirit Stone.

This also demonstrated the Song Family's sincerity.

The Song Family's support for Zhou Xun was truly wholehearted.

They married off their daughter and gifted treasures!

"I see. It's troublesome for the ancestor. In the future, if Zhou Mou's help is needed, it is naturally my duty to assist!"

Zhou Xun appreciated this and made his promise in return.

Song Zhishu laughed heartily at these words, having achieved his goal.

The conversation then turned to the auction event.

"I have indeed come with a request for Alchemist Zhou this time!"

"Our Young Master has reached the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining for some time, and the next step is establishing the Foundation."

"Unfortunately, the Cloud Light Sect has strictly controlled the outflow of Tier-Breaking Elixirs like the Foundation Establishment Pill in recent years, so our Song Family could not obtain one."

"Coincidentally, the ten-yearly auction of White Cloud Immortal City is happening, and there are Foundation Establishment Pills being auctioned. This is also my second task for coming here!"

"But as the competition for Foundation Establishment Pills is fierce, and since our Song Family is not a local family, we are apt to become an obvious target if we act. Could we ask Alchemist Zhou to bid for the pill on our behalf?"

"Of course, all the Spirit Stones spent would be covered by our Song Family!"

For this matter, Zhou Xun readily agreed.

...

After Song Zhishu's departure, news of Zhou Xun's return to Golden Spring Lane quickly spread.

The neighbors of Golden Spring Lane flocked to visit,

and Zhou Xun naturally received them warmly.

To Zhou Xun's surprise, someone came also to request the refining of elixirs, specifically asking for the extremely rare Foundation Establishment Pill.

And the commissioners were none other than Fairy Mingyue and Fang Tianlun, from the 23rd chapter of this volume.

"Daoist Fang, Fairy Mingyue, long time no see!"

"Greetings, Alchemist Zhou!" The beautiful woman and the middle-aged man bowed respectfully as soon as they saw Zhou Xun, making a deep salute.

Twenty years have passed, and today, Fairy Mingyue exudes an even greater mature allure, making her even more captivating.

"We have come uninvited to ask Alchemist Zhou to help us refine a batch of elixirs. We will handle all compensation at market price!" The two said as they saluted once more.

"You two are too kind. We've known each other for years. It's just a batch of elixirs; of course, I'm willing to help!" Zhou Xun laughed heartily, without putting on any airs of being a senior.

"May I inquire what kind of elixir you wish to refine?"

Zhou Xun asked curiously, noting their serious demeanor and assuming it wasn't a common item.

The two exchanged a glance, each taking out several Spirit Medicines from their Storage Bags.

"Earth Spirit Grass!"

"Dragon Heart Fruit!"

"Bright Flower!"

"Spirit-Encompassing Reishi!"

And some more common Spirit Medicines.

This was clearly a complete set of materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

"You two are truly fortunate to have gathered a complete set of materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Zhou Xun was visibly astonished.

He remembered it was a stroke of luck that he had gathered three auxiliary ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill in the past, using a Tier Two Demon Pill as the main ingredient alternative.

He hadn't expected these two to have collected a complete set.

"Alchemist Zhou is too kind; we were just lucky!" Fang Tianlun modestly replied.

"Very well, I will help you refine this batch of elixirs. However, I must state upfront, Zhou Mou does not guarantee success,"

"If only one pill is produced or there is complete failure, I will not charge any fee,"

"If two pills are produced, you will owe me a refining fee of a thousand Spirit Stones,"

"If three pills are produced, the third Foundation Establishment Pill will be mine, with no further charges. How does this sound?"

Zhou Xun's offer reflected the charges of other Alchemy Masters in White Cloud Immortal City.

Both nodded in agreement without reservation, saying in unison:

"As Alchemist Zhou says!"

Zhou Xun nodded, collecting the Spirit Medicines, and then entered the Cultivation Room.

Several hours later, the Cultivation Room doors opened again.

Zhou Xun handed two medicine bottles to Fang Tianlun and Fairy Mingyue.

"The refining was extremely successful, with three pills produced. These two are yours, and there is no need for the fee!"

As he spoke, he handed the bottles to the two.

Fang Tianlun and Fairy Mingyue were overjoyed, quickly taking them and bowing deeply once more.

"Thank you, Alchemist Zhou!"

"May you both successfully establish the Foundation!" Looking at their Peak Qi Refining cultivation, Zhou Xun congratulated them with a smile.

Fang Tianlun, being slightly older and nearing sixty, likely had a lower chance of breakthrough compared to this enchanting Fairy Mingyue.

.....

Time flew by, and soon the day of the auction arrived.

Zhou Xun, accompanied by Song Yiqing, set off to the auction venue, which was again at the Cyan Ape Hall.

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