Before leaving, Zhou Xun still needed to make some preparations.

Song Zhishu's cave mansion.

"What brings Brother Zhou to my place!" Song Zhishu stepped out of the cave mansion, his face beaming with a smile when he saw Zhou Xun.

Zhou Xun did not answer but instead released his own mana.

An aura of mana, unique to a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator, instantly emanated.

"Brother Zhou, you... have broken through to the Late-Stage... Congratulations!" Song Zhishu was initially stunned, but then congratulated him with a look of envy.

"That's right, I was fortunate to make a breakthrough a few days ago!" Zhou Xun nodded and briefly explained his breakthrough situation.

"Congratulations, Brother Zhou, let's head inside and have a chat!" He made a gesture inviting Zhou Xun inside the cave mansion.

Zhou Xun entered Song Zhishu's cave mansion and sat down directly.

Song Zhishu's cave mansion was decorated in an ancient and elegant style, matching his own demeanor very well.

Song Zhishu took out some Spirit Tea and brewed a cup of Spiritual Mist Tea for Zhou Xun.

Gazing at the mist rising from the cup, it appeared both mountainous and illusory.

Zhou Xun took a gentle sip, savoring the lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth.

"Good tea!" He simply complimented, then stated his reason for visiting.

"Brother Song, do you still remember the two conditions I mentioned when I joined the Song Family?"

"The conditions... of course, I remember!" Hearing Zhou Xun's words, he could roughly guess Zhou Xun's purpose for coming.

"Now that I have advanced to the Late-Stage of Qi Refining, in a while, I should not remain in Qingyue Square. I came to inform Brother Song of this." Zhou Xun spoke flatly, then took another sip of the Spirit Tea.

"This... Brother Zhou agreed with our Song Family long ago, naturally we have no objections, but... I personally hope that Brother Zhou might reconsider not staying longer in Qingyue Square?" Song Zhishu sighed inwardly, still harboring a sliver of hope.

The reason he held his current status was largely due to his close relationship with Zhou Xun and being the natural contact for Zhou Xun.

If Zhou Xun left, his status might revert to its previous state.

Of course, if he could break through to the Late-Stage of Qi Refining, there would also be changes.

"Qingyue Square is fine, but does it have Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects?" Zhou Xun retorted.

Even the Song Family wouldn't use such treasures themselves, how could they possibly let them out!

"I, Zhou Mou, aspire to the Foundation Establishment; Qingyue Square is truly difficult to stay in for long!" Zhou Xun's gaze was burning, his resolve firm.

"Brother Zhou is not even 30 yet and is also adept in the alchemy technique; I suppose by the age of forty, you could cultivate to Qi Refining Perfection, leaving twenty years before the sixty-year Foundation Establishment deadline, enough to attempt Foundation Establishment several times!"

"Perhaps, next time we meet, I should address you as Elder Zhou!" Song Zhishu couldn't help but admire him.

In this cultivating world, due to Qi Cultivation, aging was much slower, so many still appeared in their middle ages at sixty or seventy years old.

For instance, this Song Zhishu, looking like a middle-aged man, was already over sixty.

However, once over sixty, even with the nourishment of Spiritual Qi, the body began its decline, making further cultivation breakthroughs impossible.

Of course, if a cultivator practiced the Body Refining Technique, their physique might be robust enough to endure a few more years.

This was why there had been past examples in Xui Country where individuals advanced to the Foundation Establishment in their eighties.

"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Song!" Zhou Xun cupped his hands in thanks.

"Do you know when Brother Zhou plans to leave, and do you have a destination?" Song Zhishu asked.

"I haven't decided yet, but this trip should be to White Cloud Immortal City!" Zhou Xun did not hide this.

Upon hearing this, Song Zhishu nodded.

He had also guessed this place.

White Cloud Immortal City is known as the paradise for loose cultivators in Xui Country, plus it's close to the Hundred Savage Mountain, rich in resources.

Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects also occasionally appear there.

Almost every year, cultivators advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage there.

Thus, countless loose cultivators with aspirations towards the Dao flock to this place.

"After I leave, I hope the Song Family can look after Danhai Pavilion to some extent!"

Zhou Xun requested with a cupped hand gesture.

He had two disciples who were not taken along.

He still needed to go to the Luo Family Secret Vault to retrieve treasures, which was not suitable for taking these two along.

Moreover, both of his disciples were cultivators born and raised in Qingyue Square, not necessarily willing to leave their homeland.

He hoped the Song Family would, on his behalf, give them some preferential treatment.

"Rest assured, Brother Zhou. As long as I'm around!" Song Zhishu assured. Watching over one or two juniors was not a difficult task for him.

...

The next day, inside Danhai Pavilion.

"Senior brother, what do you think... why did Master suddenly gather us?" Shi Wanying, now eleven years old and already showing signs of beauty, asked as she looked at her honest senior brother with her big eyes.

Zhou Jingsong, now appearing as a young man, still maintained his honest nature.

"I don't know, but being this solemn, Master must have important matters!" Zhou Jingsong replied earnestly.

Just half a year ago, he had successfully advanced to a Middle-Grade Alchemist.

This was also the reason Zhou Xun could leave with peace of mind.

A Middle-Grade Alchemist is enough to uphold Danhai Pavilion.

After all, when Zhou Xun first came to Qingyue Square, he was merely a Middle-Grade Alchemist.

Moreover, Zhou Jingsong, being a local cultivator, was naturally more trusted by the Song Family.

But Zhou Jimin, Zhou Jingsong's father, wore a worried expression; since joining Danhai Pavilion, this was the first time he saw the Pavilion Master so solemn.

It gave him a bad premonition.

As everyone's minds were occupied with different thoughts, Zhou Xun entered.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master."

"Greetings, Master!"

Everyone paid their respects.

Zhou Xun walked to the top seat and sat down.

"Pavilion Master, you have broken through to the Late-Stage of Qi Refining!" Shopkeeper Huang spoke with delight.

"Indeed!" Zhou Xun nodded, not concealing his aura, so it was unsurprising Old Huang could see it.

"Congratulations, Pavilion Master!"

"Congratulations, Master!"

Everyone offered their congratulations.

Zhou Xun pressed his hands down and declared:

"Now that I have broken through to the Late-Stage of Qi Refining, I will leave Qingyue Square soon, likely never to return. Having followed me for many years, I must make proper arrangements for you..."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.

"Master!"

"Master!"

Zhou Xun waved his hand.

"My mind is made up, say no more!"

Seeing this, everyone had no choice but to remain silent, their eyes showing confusion.

At this point, Zhou Xun turned his gaze towards Shopkeeper Huang.

"Old Huang, how long have you been with my Danhai Pavilion?"

Surprised by the inquiry, Shopkeeper Huang paused briefly but then replied earnestly:

"In response to Master, I've been with Danhai Pavilion for nine years now!"

"Nine years, indeed!" Zhou Xun nodded, realizing he'd been in Qingyue Square for nine years.

"Since Danhai Pavilion was established, you've served as its shopkeeper, and the current grandeur of Danhai Pavilion is partly due to your contributions!"

He then took out a Storage Bag and handed it to Shopkeeper Huang.

"There are some Spirit Stones and Elixirs inside, consider it compensation for your efforts over the years!"

"Master... this." Shopkeeper Huang was puzzled by his intent.

Zhou Xun offered no explanation, handing each person present a Storage Bag.

Within each, including Shi Wanying, lay treasures worth hundreds of Spirit Stones, including a set of Tier Two Low-Grade Alchemy Inheritance gifted by the Song Family to Zhou Xun.

With resolute eyes, Zhou Xun said: "From today, the Danhai Pavilion is yours, Zhou Jingsong." He handed over the responsibilities firmly.

The ten-year period is a buffer given to Zhou Jingsong.

If he couldn't stabilize the Danhai Pavilion in ten years, then it would no longer be Zhou Xun's concern.

"Jingsong, take care of your junior sister!"

Zhou Jingsong nodded, "Yes, Master."

With this, under the mixed emotions reflected in everyone's eyes, Zhou Xun turned and left.

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