Returning home, Zhou Xun began his routine cultivation practice.

At present, he had reached the Peak of Third-Layer Qi Refining cultivation level, the bottleneck to the Middle-Stage Qi Refining had troubled him for several months.

Actually, this was a normal phenomenon.

After all, there were many cultivators who could never break through in their lifetime.

After eating Spirit Rice, Zhou Xun operated the Nourishing Essence Technique to start cultivating.

Although there was no increase in cultivation, he guessed that this cultivation was actually slowly grinding down the bottleneck.

Because this time he could clearly feel that there was a slight loosening at the bottleneck.

"In a month at the earliest, a year at the slowest, and I will be able to break through!"

Upon breaking through to the Middle-Stage Qi Refining, Zhou Xun's divine sense and mana would both significantly increase.

Only then could he freely control that flying magical artifact.

The mana of Third-Layer Qi Refining was too thin; even with a flying magical artifact, he could not fly far.

After completing his cultivation, Zhou Xun began practicing the body refining technique.

He took out a few spirit medicines from his storage bag and refined them into a medicinal liquid according to the formula in the Hundred Veins Body Refining Technique.

Then mixed it with spiritual water and poured it into a wooden barrel.

Zhou Xun took off his clothes and sat inside, operating the technique from the Hundred Veins Body Refining Technique.

Steam rose, his skin emitting a faint red glow, as the color of the medicinal liquid in the barrel began to fade.

"Using this medicinal liquid for cultivation, the progress of the body refining technique is very smooth, I think I will successfully enter it soon!"

Using this medicinal liquid as an aid in cultivation nearly ten times has finally yielded results.

According to the records in the spell, the strength of the body after entry is comparable to that of a Tier One Early-Stage demon beast.

What's more important is that Zhou Xun's meridians would also be strengthened.

At that time, the amount of time Zhou Xun could cultivate each day would increase, and the mana that his dantian could accommodate would also greatly increase.

...

In this way, another month passed.

Zhou Xun and Lin Xueying's coordination became increasingly seamless.

Without needing directives, Zhou Xun was able to perfectly follow Lin Xueying's rhythm in refining spirit medicine.

For Lin Xueying, each time she refined the Fireproof Pill, it was like an enjoyment.

On this day, after Zhou Xun assisted the Lin family's eldest young lady in refining a batch of Fireproof Pills,

as Zhou Xun was tidying up the Alchemy Room and preparing to take his leave, Lin Xueying called him.

"What is it, young lady?" Zhou Xun lifted his deep, calm black eyes.

"If I remember correctly, Alchemist Zhou is only twenty years old this year!" Lin Xueying inquired with a pleasant smile.

"Correct!" Zhou Xun nodded; when he had just joined the Pill Treasure Pavilion, he was only seventeen, and it had been nearly three years now.

"A Tier One Low-Grade Alchemist at twenty years old, and whose actual skills are close to middle-grade; that's truly a genius in the Alchemy Dao!" The young woman praised him, her tone full of appreciation.

Then she changed the topic.

"The Lin family greatly admires Alchemist Zhou's brilliance. I have a cousin, naturally beautiful and striking; even I feel a tender affection for her."

"What's even more rare is that my cousin's talent is not poor either, with a Water Spirit Root sensitivity of nineteen, nearly comparable to a middle-grade Spirit Root."

"If Alchemist Zhou joins us as a son-in-law, apart from the previously stated conditions, we promise that other treatments will be completely in accordance with those given to direct family members!"

"I wonder if Alchemist Zhou is interested?"

The young woman spoke and stared at Zhou Xun intensely, a barely perceptible tension flashing through her eyes.

The offer for the treatment equivalent to a direct descendant was indeed very sincere, they were basically considering him as part of the Lin family.

Zhou Xun was naturally tempted as well.

But he still had to refuse.

With the Spring Condensation Scripture in his possession, it was simply impossible to find a Dao companion to live with day and night.

His Spirit Root would continue to improve in the future, and if discovered, the consequences would be beyond what he could bear.

"I have been determined towards the Great Dao since childhood and have long vowed to set Foundation Establishment as my aspiration for this life. The Lin family's kindness, I can only accept in my heart!"

The Lin family also would not be able to grant Zhou Xun an opportunity for Foundation Establishment.

Consider the Li family, one of the Four Great Clans at Red Leaf Square, who desperately sought an opportunity for Foundation Establishment but could not find one.

Even Master Yun Ku, his Foundation Establishment Pills were mostly obtained through his own connections.

"Alchemist Zhou need not refuse so quickly. Why not meet my cousin and then reconsider?" The young woman spoke with a cool demeanor, yet there was a hint of eagerness in her eyes.

"There's no need!" Zhou Xun still refused.

"In that case, I'll decline for you." The young woman quickly responded, her lips still hinting at a smile.

...

After work, Zhou Xun returned home.

As he opened the door, he saw a communication talisman floating in the air.

Zhou Xun was somewhat surprised, unable to recall who would send him a message. After all, communication talismans cost ten Spirit Essence each, and most people wouldn't waste them without an important message.

Without further thought, he extended his hand, and the communication talisman fell into Zhou Xun's palm.

Infusing it with mana to activate it, Hong San's voice immediately came through.

It turned out after the two parted ways that day, Hong San went to find the Pill Treasure Pavilion steward.

Initially, that person supplied elixirs at a low price according to their agreement.

But not long after, it seemed the steward found out about Hong San's single source for elixirs and took the opportunity to raise prices.

Hong San, having no choice, had to accept it.

But that steward was greedy, and soon raised the prices again, forcing Hong San to increase his selling price to ensure profit.

But as a result, sales were greatly affected.

So he had no option but to reach out to Zhou Xun via communication talisman, inviting him to meet at Yuxiang Tower once more.

Zhou Xun heard this and smiled faintly.

He picked up the communication talisman and whispered softly.

Referencing the last incident, he mentioned offending his colleagues, finding it difficult to purchase sufficient elixirs again, and hence difficult to help Hong San.

With that, he tactfully declined.

After which, he flung the communication talisman into the air, which transformed into a blaze and flew away.

Upon receiving the reply, Hong San felt a mix of disappointment and regret.

Why was he so carried away and ended up offending Alchemist Zhou?

If he were to be given another chance, he would certainly be respectful and courteous.

But there's no cure for regret.

...

Zhou Xun didn't pay much attention to the matter with Hong San.

He opened the spirit rice jar, took a large spoonful, and sliced some demon beast flesh, enjoying a hearty meal.

Zhou Xun re-entered the Quiet Chamber and began his routine cultivation practice.

Although he hadn't broken through in the past few months, the cultivation during this period was not in vain; while eroding the bottleneck, it also consolidated Zhou Xun's foundation.

Refining spiritual qi, it was transformed into mana and integrated into the dantian.

At this moment, Zhou Xun felt his mana suddenly surge, as if there was an intent to break through.

"It seems the breakthrough is in the coming days!" Zhou Xun had a strong premonition.

Early the next morning, Zhou Xun took leave from Lin Xueying:

"Young lady, in my cultivation yesterday, it seems the bottleneck has loosened, so I request a ten-day leave for a closed retreat to break through to the Fourth-Layer Qi Refining!" Zhou Xun spoke firmly, not allowing refusal.

"Then let me congratulate Alchemist Zhou in advance!" Cultivation matters were significant, and the young lady naturally wouldn't deliberately hinder Zhou Xun, so she agreed happily.

Without Zhou Xun's assistance, the refinement of Fireproof Pills couldn't be delayed, so Lin Xueying sought out Wang Erniu.

The collaboration, however, was disastrous.

Wang Erniu either processed the spirit medicine too quickly or too slowly.

Unable to match Lin Xueying's rhythm.

This made Lin Xueying quite nostalgic for the days when Zhou Xun was around.

"If only he were here, it would be better!"

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