The second jade box contains a map.

"Luo Family Secret Vault Treasure Map!"

In the Cultivation Realm, the rise and fall of powers is commonplace.

Therefore, some far-sighted families, in order to preserve their legacy, leave opportunities for future resurgence.

They build such secret vaults, and powerful families may even leave opportunities for Foundation Establishment within them.

The Spirit Talisman Luo Family had a quasi-Third Tier Talisman Master and was a Foundation Establishment family, comparable in strength to the Wu Family of Red Leaf Square.

It is conceivable how immense the wealth left behind in such a family's secret vault would be.

No wonder even Zhou Xun feels tempted now.

"With my current status as a Middle-Grade Alchemist, I have no shortage of resources for cultivating to Late-Stage Qi Refining!"

"This secret vault should be explored only after I break through to Late-Stage Qi Refining!"

By then, he would also have to prepare for Foundation Establishment, and the resources in this secret vault would come in handy.

Moreover, after reaching Late-Stage Qi Refining, he would be stronger, making the exploration of the secret vault safer.

After all, the Luo Family had many disciples back then, and no one can guarantee that this treasure map is the only one in the hands of the Wei Brothers.

Immediately, he carefully put away the two treasure boxes.

Zhou Xun took out the Spirit Rice he purchased during the day from his storage bag and scooped three large spoonfuls.

Now he was no longer in the same predicament as before, where even consuming Spirit Rice required careful calculation.

After making and enjoying the Spirit Rice, he began his daily cultivation.

Although he was an Alchemist, Zhou Xun did not excessively rely on pills.

His Nourishing Essence Technique is a balanced and harmonious cultivation technique that requires steady progress in line with its cultivation mindset.

Moreover, elixirs contain elixir poison, and continuous excessive consumption can lead to excessive accumulation of elixir poison in the body.

Firstly, this could exacerbate bottlenecks, increasing the difficulty of future breakthroughs.

Secondly, heavy elixir poison would severely affect the efficiency of converting Spiritual Qi, and without a future supply of elixirs, relying on natural Spiritual Qi for cultivation would be significantly slower.

Thirdly, frequent use of elixirs could lead to an unstable foundation. As the saying goes, "A tall building rises from the ground; a solid foundation is essential."

Cultivation is the same; only with a solid foundation can one progress further in the future.

Therefore, taking elixirs should be within limits.

Generally, taking one elixir every month is preferable, as a month's time allows the body to expel the elixir poison.

Of course, this is an average scenario, and it still depends on the individual cultivator's constitution.

Several hours later, Zhou Xun finished his cultivation.

"At the current pace, it will take approximately three years to reach the peak of Fourth-Layer Qi Refining!"

After leaving White Cloud Immortal City, Zhou Xun continued his cultivation journey without pause.

Zhou Xun is now twenty-one years old; in three years, he will be twenty-four, which is not a slow pace at all.

...

The next day, after having Spirit Rice porridge, Zhou Xun prepared a few simple gifts and began visiting his neighbors.

Zhou Xun plans to reside in Qingyue Square long-term, so fostering good relationships with his neighbors is necessary.

Moreover, those who can afford to rent a High-Grade Cave Mansion are certainly not ordinary cultivators.

Though they are neighbors, each cave mansion is about a mile apart.

Zhou Xun went to the cave mansion on the right.

The one on the left naturally belonged to Lin Xueying.

He took out a Basic Communication Talisman from his bosom, softly introducing himself and expressing his desire to visit.

He then sent the Communication Talisman towards the cave mansion.

The Communication Talisman turned into a streak of Spirit Light, instantly entering the cave mansion's restriction.

In just a moment, the cave mansion's restriction opened, and three people walked out.

Two adults and a child, evidently a family.

Leading at the front was a robust middle-aged man, followed by a beautiful woman in a white dress, and a little girl around three or four, with two buns on her head.

This seemed to be his wife and daughter.

The owner of the cave mansion coming out with the whole family to greet Zhou Xun was very formal.

"Alchemist Zhou's visit warrants a grand welcome!" As soon as he saw Zhou Xun, the middle-aged man gave a hearty smile and greeted him from afar with clasped hands.

The woman and the young girl behind him also curtsied.

"Your family coming to greet me is too much of an honor!" Zhou Xun responded with a bow of his own.

"My name is Shi Jingfeng, and this is my humble wife and little daughter!" The middle-aged man laughed heartily, pointing to the beautiful woman and the young girl beside him.

"Greetings to Madam, and to this little cultivator friend!" Zhou Xun looked at the cute little girl in front of him, carved from jade.

He then took out a greeting gift, a bottle of Calming Pills he had refined himself, and handed it to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man accepted the gift.

"You're too kind, fellow Daoist. Please, come in!"

Zhou Xun was thus led into the cave mansion.

The middle-aged man's name was Shi Jingfeng, a captain in Qingyue Square's Law Enforcement Team, with a Seventh-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation.

This cave mansion was assigned to him by Qingyue Square.

His wife's name was Gao Yue, with a Fourth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation, a Low-Grade Spirit Wine Master, and his daughter, named Shi Wanying, was now three years old.

After staying for about half an hour, Zhou Xun took his leave on the pretext of other matters.

As he left, the Shi family presented him with a return gift, a jar of Spirit Wine.

...

Returning to his cave mansion, he saw a graceful figure at the entrance.

"Brother Zhou!"

The young girl glowed with joy upon seeing Zhou Xun.

"Miss!" Zhou Xun's tone was gentle.

"I've come to discuss our next steps with you!" The girl's starry eyes sparkled, and her voice was as clear as ringing stones in a spring.

She took out the cave mansion's Restriction Token, simultaneously casting a spell towards the restriction, which caused the main entrance to automatically open.

Entering slowly, Zhou Xun's cave mansion was very simply furnished.

"Brother Zhou, your cave mansion is too plain. Once I cultivate some Spirit Herbs and Spirit Flowers, I'll help you decorate it a bit!"

After entering, they walked through a corridor that was several feet long to reach the main hall.

As soon as they sat down, Zhou Xun placed the jar of Spirit Wine on the stone table between them.

"I've just received a new jar of Spirit Wine. Would the young lady like to try it?"

"Alright!" The young girl nodded, slightly revealing her fair neck, reminiscent of a swan's grace.

"Is the young lady here to discuss the matter of alchemy to exchange for cultivation resources?" Zhou Xun spoke slowly.

"Indeed, we are settling here, and for the time being, we should stay. It's better to start the alchemy work early to avoid depleting our resources!" The young lady was also in a hurry to flee, and her supply of Spirit Stones was running low.

"Tomorrow, I will visit the Song Family Elixir Steward to discuss the alchemy matters!" Zhou Xun nodded; he had intended to do so even if Lin Xueying hadn't mentioned it.

...

The following evening, Zhou Xun first visited Song Zhishu.

He held no acquaintance with his elder brother, and since this matter was initiated by him,

it would be most appropriate to let him act as the middleman and introduce Zhou Xun to his elder brother.

Song Zhishu greeted Zhou Xun warmly when he arrived and immediately took out a Communication Talisman to notify his elder brother.

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