After finishing his bowl of spirit rice porridge, Zhou Xun stepped outside and headed toward the West Square.
By the time he arrived, quite a few cultivators had already gathered. They stood about in twos and threes, either murmuring quietly to themselves or standing alone.
In the center of the square stood a tall platform, about a zhang high and half a mu in area. Several antique-looking chairs had been placed upon it, though they were currently unoccupied.
It seemed registration had not yet begun, so Zhou Xun casually selected a corner and waited quietly.
"Little brother, we meet again!"
At that moment, a rich, resonant voice—resembling an ancient bronze chime—sounded from beside him.
Zhou Xun looked up to see an elderly man with somewhat worn clothing, yet full of spirit and vigor, waving to him with a smile.
Judging by his features, this was none other than the old man from whom he had inquired about news here a month ago.
"What a coincidence! I never expected to run into you here again, Daoist Brother!" Zhou Xun bowed to the elder and said with a smile.
He held a rather favorable impression of this enthusiastic old man.
"Oh? Little brother has actually broken through to Level 3 Qi Condensation! It seems you are here to try your hand at becoming an alchemical apprentice. Truly a cause for joy and celebration!" The elder's eyes flicked slightly as he cupped his hands in congratulation.
"I merely had a stroke of luck. After learning the news that day, I poured my entire net worth into purchasing a Yinqi Pill and decided to risk it all. I never imagined I would actually break through; otherwise, I truly wouldn't have known how to make a living going forward."
Zhou Xun spoke the fabricated excuse he had prepared long in advance.
There was a record in the elixir shop of him purchasing a Yinqi Pill, so by using medicinal pills to break through, others would simply assume he had good fortune.
"Little brother hurried off so abruptly that day—was it to go purchase a Yinqi Pill?" The elder looked surprised.
"Indeed," Zhou Xun nodded.
"When opportunity stands before you, to resolutely stake your entire net worth—little brother is bound to achieve great things in the future!" Admiration appeared in the elder's eyes.
"Daoist Brother flatters me. I was merely acting on a momentary impulse. Purchasing that pill exhausted all my savings, and looking back on it now, I still regret it immensely!" Zhou Xun put on an expression of deep remorse.
"Hahaha, little brother doesn't know. Ever since that day, the price of Yinqi Pills has soared, reaching nearly eighty spirit essence at its peak!"
"If little brother regrets it now, you could probably return the pill and still turn a tidy profit!" The elder stroked his beard and laughed.
"Hearing Daoist Brother say that, I really am starting to feel a bit of regret!" Zhou Xun could not help but smile.
"Little brother is truly an interesting person. My surname is Xiao. May I ask...?"
"I am Zhou Xun!"
"Zhou Xun..." The elder murmured his name, nodding slightly.
Then, he took his leave.
"I have pressing matters to attend to. We shall have a proper chat next time we meet, Brother Zhou!"
Zhou Xun cupped his fists in farewell as well.
Yet, deep down, a faint sense of oddity lingered.
Both of their encounters had been purely by chance; how could the old man be so certain they would meet again? He shook his head and decided not to dwell on it.Just past the Si hour, the sound of a chime suddenly rang out from the high platform.
The people in the square all raised their eyes to look. Several figures leapt up onto the platform, led by a square-faced, dignified middle-aged man of about forty years old.
"I am Lin Zhishan, unworthy executive elder of Danbao Pavilion. Today's recruitment assembly shall be hosted by myself!"
Danbao Pavilion was a property of the Lin Family and also the largest elixir shop in Red Leaf Market.
Although Master Yunku was the chief alchemist of Danbao Pavilion, he was not a member of the Lin Family, but rather an honored guest.
It was said that his surname was Xiao, and decades ago, when he was hunted down and driven near Red Leaf Market, he was rescued by the First Elder of the Lin Family. Thus, he joined the Lin Family and became an honored guest.
Afterwards, under the leadership of this Master Yunku, Danbao Pavilion leaped from an ordinary elixir shop into the largest elixir workshop in Red Leaf Market within just a few short years.
By now, Danbao Pavilion had even opened branch shops thousands of miles away in White Cloud Immortal City, and the Lin Family had risen from the bottom of the four major families to second place today, second only to the Wu Family.
And this Lin Zhishan was none other than Master Yunku's eldest disciple, a Rank One Superior alchemist, as well as a formidable expert at Level 9 Qi Condensation!
"Wasn't Lin Zhishan dispatched to take charge of the Danbao Pavilion branch in White Cloud Immortal City? Why has he returned now?"
Those well-informed began to discuss among themselves.
"It is said that this Lin Zhishan was an orphan and not valued within his family. It was Master Yunku who possessed the discerning eye to recognize his talent in alchemy, and subsequently took him on as a personal disciple to teach him the art of alchemy, which is how he achieved what he is today!"
"Indeed. Lin Zhishan treats Master Yunku like a father; he must have learned of Master Yunku's breakthrough and returned in person to offer his congratulations."
"A benevolent master and a filial disciple—truly a magnificent tale!"
"This assembly will recruit a total of ten apprentices and thirty handymen."
"Alchemical apprentices are required to be under eighteen years of age and at Level 3 Qi Condensation or above to register. Afterwards, we will select twenty from among them."
"Following half a year of cultivation, ten will be chosen by merit to become true alchemical apprentices!"
"Spirit contract handymen are required to be under thirty years of age and at Level 3 Qi Condensation or above, or under eighteen years of age and at Level 2 Qi Condensation or above! Afterwards, we will directly select thirty people and sign contracts with them!"
"Those interested may register below the platform." Lin Zhishan pointed down below.
Zhou Xun hurriedly focused his gaze and saw several temporary wooden sheds set up in front of the high platform.
Hanging from the top of each wooden shed was a long banner bearing the inscriptions "Alchemical Apprentice" and "Spirit Contract Handyman" respectively.
Long queues had already formed in front of the sheds.
Zhou Xun chose the queue for alchemical apprentices and stepped into line.
"Zhou Xun, you've come to register too!"
No sooner had he settled into place than a familiar voice came from behind him.
Zhou Xun hurriedly turned his head to look.
It was Wei Shangren.
Standing beside him was a handsome young man in his early twenties, whose features bore a seven to eight-tenths resemblance to Wei Shangren. This was none other than his elder brother, Wei Shangli, a Rank One talisman master.
Having served as a handyman in Miaofu Pavilion for many years, the two of them were naturally acquainted.
"So it is Brother Wei. Why have you come here as well? Could it be that you also wish to switch allegiance to the Lin Family and become an alchemical apprentice?" Zhou Xun smiled slightly and asked.
"Brother Zhou jests. My second brother and I came simply to accompany our third brother for his registration!" The handsome youth was not angered in the least by these words, casually offering an explanation in a gentle tone that felt like a spring breeze.
"Greetings, Talisman Master Wei!" Zhou Xun cupped his fists.
Then, he looked toward the youth beside him—someone Zhou Xun had never seen before.
With red lips and white teeth, he did indeed bear a five or six-tenths resemblance to Wei Shangli.
"For someone so young to have already reached Level 3 Qi Condensation, his natural talent is extraordinary. I must remain highly vigilant!"
Wei Shangli's third brother at that moment also respectfully bowed to Zhou Xun:
"Shangyi often hears my elder brother mention Brother Zhou's name. Seeing you today, your demeanor is indeed extraordinary! In the future, as fellow alchemical apprentices, I shall look forward to your guidance!"
His words seemed filled with absolute confidence in passing the selection.
Hearing this, Zhou Xun felt a slight lump in his throat, much like encountering a manipulative person in his past life.
However, keeping his expression completely unchanged, he smiled slightly and said, "Easily done, easily done!"
Afterwards, the few of them chatted pleasantly, resembling old friends who had not met for many years.
Soon, the people ahead finished registering, and the next turn fell to Zhou Xun.