Time flies, half a year passed in the blink of an eye, and Zhou Xun successfully reached the Peak of Third-Layer Qi Refining.

At this moment, he only lacked an opportunity to break through to Middle-Stage Qi Refining.

This time could be very short, arriving in the next moment, or very long, possibly never breaking through in a lifetime.

Such people are abundant in Red Leaf Square.

Eighty percent of the cultivators unable to break through to Middle-Stage Qi Refining are likely stuck at this stage.

After all, even if the spiritual root is somewhat lacking, relying on the great power of time, as long as one is not too lazy, it is possible to cultivate to the Third-Layer of Qi Refining within decades.

However, Zhou Xun now had a Middle-Grade Spirit Root, so normally this bottleneck would only trap him for one to two years at most.

Since he had reached a bottleneck, Zhou Xun simply began researching other methods to increase his strength.

...

In the Quiet Chamber at home on Luliu Lane.

Zhou Xun sat cross-legged, with the scroll of Body Refining Technique given to him by Shan Xionghai placed in front of him.

After much consideration, Zhou Xun decided to also cultivate body refinement.

Firstly, body refiners value resources over aptitude.

Secondly, body refiners possess formidable combat power, often much stronger than cultivators of the same level.

Thirdly, as long as resources are sufficient, body refiners' progression speed is several times faster than Qi Refiners.

Looking at the beast hide scroll in front of him.

Zhou Xun remembered Shan Xionghai's solemn expression from that day, giving him the sense that this cultivation technique was not simple.

The technique was made from a piece of beast hide, with an extremely ancient design, likely being very old.

Unfolding the beast hide, the words "Hundred Veins Body Refining Technique" came into view.

He continued to study.

This was indeed a body refining technique that could enhance the meridian strength of cultivators.

It is well known that Qi Refining Perfection Cultivators need to break through the barriers of Qi and blood, mana, and divine sense when advancing to Foundation Establishment.

Qi and blood refer to the robust physical body, for only a sufficiently powerful body can withstand the ferocious impact during Foundation Establishment breakthroughs.

Mana refers to reaching Foundation Establishment stage, wherein mana needs a qualitative transformation.

This qualitative transformation involves absorbing a large amount of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, infusing it into the body, compressing through the meridians to flow into the dantian, and finally forming liquid magical power.

To ultimately achieve a qualitative breakthrough.

Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi infusion greatly tests the meridians.

Those with weak meridians often fail to withstand the Qi infusion, leading to lightly damaged meridians and severely injured primordial Qi.

In severe cases, the meridians shatter, cultivation is ruined, or even exploding to death is not uncommon.

The Foundation Establishment Pill is one method to temporarily strengthen the meridians, increase their resilience, and improve the success rate of Qi infusion.

This Hundred Veins Body Refining Technique surprisingly possesses the ability to enhance meridians, indicating its preciousness.

Coupled with its ability to strengthen the physical body, this Body Refining Technique equates to half a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Nevertheless, although the technique is sharp, its cultivation requirements are naturally not low.

Even just the initial entry-level materials are worth dozens of Spirit Stones.

And this only covers one-time cultivation costs.

To successfully enter, at least several rounds are needed, and some people even require a dozen times.

These expenses are sufficient to raise a Low-Grade Spirit Root cultivator to Late-Stage Qi Refining.

However, contemplating the merits of the Hundred Veins Body Refining Technique, Zhou Xun was still tempted.

"This method is quite costly, but the benefits after mastery are substantial, worth the attempt!"

Soon Zhou Xun changed his attire, went out, and bought materials for the Hundred Veins Body Refining Technique three times.

In the following months, Zhou Xun once again entered the mundane routine of cultivation practice.

...

One day, after completing his regular alchemy tasks, Zhou Xun planned to return.

"Alchemist Zhou, please wait!"

A steward called Zhou Xun.

"Ah, Steward Liu, is there something you need?" Zhou Xun smiled in surprise and asked.

"Master Yun Ku has returned and wants to meet the newly promoted alchemists like you!" Steward Liu replied with a cheerful smile, then leaned over and lowered his voice:

"I've been at the Pill Treasure Pavilion for many years, and the number of times Master Yun Ku has summoned new alchemists can be counted on one hand. You should seize this opportunity, Alchemist Zhou!"

"Thank you, Steward Liu!" Zhou Xun cupped his hands and expressed gratitude.

Ever since Master Yun Ku reached Tier Two, he rarely personally managed the Pill Treasure Pavilion.

Soon, Steward Liu led Zhou Xun to Master Yun Ku's small courtyard.

"I have brought Alchemist Zhou here!" Steward Liu announced respectfully from outside the courtyard.

"Let him in," a voice that seemed vaguely familiar to Zhou Xun came from inside.

The voice was powerful, like an ancient bell.

"Alchemist Zhou, please go in!" Steward Liu indicated towards the inside.

Zhou Xun nodded, promptly opened the courtyard door, and stepped in.

The courtyard was not large, covering several ata. A connected fish pond was built around, with many spirit fish living inside.

In the middle stood a pavilion with stone benches and a stone table inside. An old man dressed plainly was already waiting there, smiling at Zhou Xun.

"Dao... Master Yun Ku!" Zhou Xun recognized at once that the elder was the same Master Yun Ku he met during the Pill Treasure Pavilion recruitment conference.

"Young friend, we meet again!"

"I was impolite for not recognizing you earlier, senior," Zhou Xun cupped his hands and paid a respectful salute.

"Haha, it seems I was right that day, young friend indeed joined the Pill Treasure Pavilion!"

Master Yun Ku laughed heartily, his face showing satisfaction.

The entire Pill Treasure Pavilion was under Master Yun Ku's control. To let someone in, it was merely a matter of saying so.

Thinking of Steward Lin's obstruction that day and his subsequent attitude,

Zhou Xun now understood it was this elder's doing.

Therefore, he respectfully gave a deep salute.

"It is thanks to you, senior, that I have reached this point today!"

Seeing this, Master Yun Ku graciously accepted the salute, nodding slightly:

"I found you quite congenial that day, so I gave you a push here and there, but I didn't expect you to grow to this stage!" the old man complimented.

"Your elixirs might fool ordinary alchemists, but not me. That trick of deliberately lowering the elixir quality is just an old tactic I played with... Your current alchemy skills might even surpass that of Wang Erniu!"

The old man explained, then looked at Zhou Xun with a faint smirk.

"Your insight is sharp, senior, I was impetuous!" Seeing this, Zhou Xun could only admit it.

"Knowing when to hide one's skills is good, allowing you to go further, but with me at the Pill Treasure Pavilion, you can be assured. Sometimes, showcasing your strength appropriately can get you more resources!" The old man stroked his beard and said.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior!" Zhou Xun bowed in salute again.

"Here are some alchemy techniques, feel free to take a look!" With that, he patted his storage bag. A stack of texts as tall as a person appeared before him.

"If you can ascend to Middle-Grade Alchemist within a year, I promise to take you as a direct disciple and teach you all my alchemy skills!"

"Thank you, senior!" Zhou Xun respectfully bowed once more.

Master Yun Ku was a Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist, equating in status to a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Becoming his disciple would alleviate any resource concerns before Foundation Establishment.

After all, Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemists could skillfully refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

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