"Patriarch Song of the Song Family has come to visit?"

Zhou Xun was surprised.

The Patriarch of the Song Family, not only has his cultivation reached the ninth-layer Qi Refining, but he also leads the Song Family, a status not inferior to that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

For him to visit voluntarily was indeed giving Zhou Xun much face.

Zhou Xun naturally would not act overbearing.

He immediately got up and personally went to the door to welcome him.

"Greetings to Patriarch Song, and fellow Daoists!" As he opened the door, Zhou Xun was the first to bow and salute.

The person at the lead had a fair face, a refined and elegant demeanor, and his robe added a sense of majesty.

This person was precisely Song Zhiwen, the Patriarch of the Song Family.

Behind him were four people, among whom three were old friends of Zhou Xun, while the unfamiliar handsome young man was likely Patriarch Song's eldest son.

"I've heard that Alchemist Zhou is an extraordinary talent; seeing you today, it truly is not unfounded!" Patriarch Song laughed heartily and returned the salute.

"Patriarch Song overpraises, please come inside for a chat!" Zhou Xun made an inviting gesture towards the cave mansion.

Patriarch Song didn't stand on ceremony and immediately walked into Zhou Xun's cave mansion, and the others followed.

They came to the hall and sat down.

"Alchemist Zhou's cave mansion has a delightful view!"

Looking at the surrounding spirit plants and spirit flowers, which decorated the cave mansion with vibrant life, Patriarch Song couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Just a small thing, Patriarch Song is too kind!" Zhou Xun said, brewing a pot of spirit tea with elegant movements.

He poured a cup for each person, showing the hospitality of a host.

"Alchemist Zhou's promotion to a high-grade alchemist is truly a joyous event for Qingyue Square. The Song Family, as the host of this place, gifts a Tier Two Spirit Medicine, an Ashoka plant, and a Tier Two Low-Grade Alchemy Inheritance as congratulations. I hope Alchemist Zhou won't dislike it!"

Patriarch Song brushed his waist lightly, and two ancient-looking jade boxes appeared on the stone table.

"I cannot accept such a heavy gift without rendering any service. How dare I accept, please give your guidance, Patriarch Song!"

The Song Family's generous gift must have a purpose in mind.

"Since that's the case, I'll speak plainly!"

"I come here for two reasons,"

"First, to celebrate Alchemist Zhou's promotion to high-grade alchemist; second, to invite Alchemist Zhou to join our Song Family as an Honored Guest Elder!"

Zhou Xun thought for a moment and then politely declined:

"I, Zhou Mou, as a loose cultivator, only wish to refine pills well. I never thought of joining any faction. Please forgive me, Patriarch Song."

In his situation, he couldn't stay in one place indefinitely.

Upon hearing Zhou Xun's refusal, Song Zhiwen was not angry but continued to speak:

"Alchemist Zhou, how about hearing the conditions of our Song Family before refusing?"

Hearing Patriarch Song's words, Zhou Xun nodded and agreed.

"Please, Patriarch Song, enlighten me!"

"First, if Alchemist Zhou agrees to become our Song Family's Honored Guest Elder, you can receive an unconditional annual salary of 200 spirit stones,"

"Second, after becoming an Honored Guest Elder, our Song Family's treasure vault, except for our family inheritance cultivation techniques and secret techniques, will be open to Alchemist Zhou. All treasures and techniques in the vault can be exchanged as long as you have sufficient contribution points!"

"Third, if Alchemist Zhou joins the Song Family, there will be no mandatory tasks. Even if there's a need for pill refining, whether to do it or not is entirely up to Alchemist Zhou. Furthermore, contribution points and spirit stones will be offered as compensation!"

"What does Alchemist Zhou think?"

Patriarch Song finished speaking all the conditions in one breath, looking expectantly at Zhou Xun.

Truth be told, Patriarch Song's conditions were very sincere.

But Zhou Xun indeed couldn't stay at Qingyue Square indefinitely.

Seeing Zhou Xun not immediately agreeing, with a hesitant expression, as if having some unspeakable concerns.

Song Zhiwen continued:

"If Alchemist Zhou has any concerns, feel free to express them!"

Hearing this, Zhou Xun nodded:

"I don't mind joining the Song Family, but I am inclined towards the Dao, and might not be able to stay at Qingyue Square indefinitely,"

"In the future, if the day comes that I leave, the Song Family must not obstruct me,"

"If Patriarch Song agrees to this condition, I am willing to be the Song Family's Honored Guest Elder!"

"Ah, I see, that is not a problem!" Song Zhiwen agreed without hesitation!

"In that case, I greet the Patriarch!" Zhou Xun stood up and gave a cupped fist salute!

Patriarch Song also stood up to return the salute to Zhou Xun.

Zhou Xun joined the Song Family, considering several aspects,

First, the Song Family is the master of Qingyue Square, and Patriarch Song's conditions were indeed very sincere, all of which he agreed to Zhou Xun's requests.

If Zhou Xun refused again, he would certainly offend the Song Family, which would be a loss.

Second, the Song Family was indeed generous, even opening the family treasure vault to Zhou Xun. With the Song Family's connections and financial strength, there must be many Tier Two Spirit Medicines in the vault.

This represents numerous opportunities to enhance the spiritual root talent for Zhou Xun, which he naturally couldn't miss.

Third, the Song Family had deep connections, Patriarch Song's own aunt is the Dao partner of a True Pill cultivator of the Cloud Light Sect. Becoming an Honored Guest Elder of the Song Family, even if he leaves Qingyue Square in the future, offers some additional security.

Zhou Xun joined the Song Family, making everyone happy.

Before leaving, Patriarch Song left an Honored Guest Token with Zhou Xun, which would allow him access to the Song Family Territory.

"Once I refine this Tier Two Spirit Medicine, I shall visit the Song Family Treasure Vault!"

...

Time passed, and two months went by quickly.

On this day, Zhou Xun entered the quiet chamber as usual to cultivate.

Suddenly, he was attracted by the Profound Armor Armadillo Beast Egg in the corner.

At this time, a weak spiritual power fluctuation was emanating from the beast egg.

According to the Beast Taming Technique, such spiritual power fluctuations can sometimes occur when a beast egg is about to hatch.

"Could it be that it's going to hatch today?" Zhou Xun pondered with delight in his heart.

He picked up the beast egg, gently holding it in his hand, faintly feeling the heartbeat and slight movements inside.

He confirmed, the Profound Armor Armadillo was about to break out of the shell.

Zhou Xun immediately followed the spell from the Beast Taming Technique, infusing mana to nurture the beast egg.

This was to let the Profound Armor Armadillo get used to his aura.

So that when the demon beast breaks out of the shell, it would be naturally close to Zhou Xun.

In this way, even without signing a Spirit Pet Contract, he could command the Profound Armor Armadillo.

Every day after cultivation, Zhou Xun would follow the method recorded in the Beast Taming Technique, infusing mana to nurture the beast egg.

This went on for half a month.

"Crack"

A slight sound.

A tiny crack appeared on the shell of the beast egg.

Then a part of the top of the beast egg gradually caved in.

Next, a sharp claw poked out, followed by two claws.

Then the head came out, and finally, the entire body emerged from the beast egg shell.

After coming out, the Profound Armor Armadillo immediately locked onto the direction of Zhou Xun, slowly crawling towards him.

Zhou Xun gently lifted it with his hand, about two-thirds the size of his palm.

The Profound Armor Armadillo, sensing a familiar aura, affectionately nuzzled Zhou Xun's wrist.

Zhou Xun found that his spirit pet was somewhat different from the recorded Profound Armor Armadillo.

On its back at the scale armor area, there were a few not easily detectable golden threads.

"Could it be that the Spirit Medicine Essence functioned, causing this Profound Armor Armadillo to mutate?" Zhou Xun speculated in his heart.

If this were indeed the case, in the future his spirit pet might break through the shackles of its bloodline, reaching even higher levels.

He took out a Spirit Feeding Pill to feed the Profound Armor Armadillo, then put it into the Spirit Beast Bag.

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