"Name?"
"Zhou Xun!"
"Cultivation level?"
"Level 3 Qi Condensation!" The middle-aged steward in charge of registration had a slight glint in his eyes; he was clearly using the Heaven Eye Technique.
The Heaven Eye Technique is a spell used by cultivators to discern the cultivation level of others. However, it can generally only see through the levels of those at the same stage. If the target's cultivation is too high, or if they have practiced a high-level concealment technique, it becomes impossible to see clearly.
Following this, the man inquired about Zhou Xun’s residence, place of birth, and personal history.
Upon hearing that Zhou Xun had lived in Red Leaf Market since childhood, the middle-aged man’s expression immediately turned amicable. He was a local-born man through and through.
Master Yunku’s reputation was widespread, and this recruitment assembly had attracted many cultivators from afar. In total, they outnumbered the local cultivators of Red Leaf Market by more than half. The middle-aged steward had never been fond of this, and consequently, he rarely gave outsiders a pleasant look.
"You are quite good. At seventeen, you are already more than halfway through Level 3 Qi Condensation. You aren't like those cultivators who rely on pills to force a breakthrough," the steward said while recording something in the register, finally marking it with a large check. "Plus, being a youth raised in Red Leaf Market with a clean background, there should be no problem with you being recruited this time!"
"Many thanks, Steward!" Zhou Xun felt a flicker of joy and bowed to the man.
"It's settled!" the steward added. "Leave a wisp of your mana, and you may depart."
Zhou Xun did as instructed, then took his leave.
Following Zhou Xun in the queue was the third younger brother of Wei Shangren. As soon as Zhou Xun exited, they pushed the door open and entered.
"Shangli pays respects to Uncle!" Before the steward could speak, Wei Shangli stepped forward and bowed.
"Oh, it’s Shangli! What brings you here?" the steward asked warmly.
After Wei Shangli had been promoted to a rank one talisman master, the Wu Family had chosen a woman from a collateral branch to take him as a son-in-law. This wife’s mother happened to be a member of the Lin Family, and the steward standing before them was the maternal uncle of his new bride. Since his marriage, Wei Shangli had visited with his wife several times, and the Danbao Pavilion steward held his young cousin-in-law in high regard.
"I am here to accompany my third brother for his registration. He has a Mid-grade spiritual root and is already at Level 3 Qi Condensation at the age of sixteen," Wei Shangli replied, introducing his third brother, Wei Shangyi, along with his second brother, Wei Shangren, who had accompanied them.
After the group exchanged greetings, they registered Wei Shangyi.
"Shangyi is exceptionally gifted, and with my backing, there will be no issue with his selection!" the steward said with a chuckle.
"I must trouble you with this, Uncle," Wei Shangyi said, following his elder brother's lead and addressing the steward as Uncle, acting as if they were very close.
"The three Wei brothers, aside from the second one, are all outstanding individuals. Plus, with the connection to my niece, they are worth investing in," the steward thought, nodding with satisfaction.
At that moment, Wei Shangren cast a subtle, meaningful glance at his eldest brother. Wei Shangli immediately understood his brother's intentions. His brother had deeply offended Zhou Xun; if Zhou Xun were allowed into the Danbao Pavilion to become an alchemical apprentice, he would surely cause trouble for them in the future.
Wei Shangli turned to the steward and asked, "By the way, Uncle, what did you think of the person who just went in?"
"That person... you mean the young man from just now? Haha, he is also a rare talent. He also grew up in Red Leaf Market and is certain to be selected. Once Shangyi joins, he can get to know him better!" the steward replied, stroking his beard.
Seeing the steward’s stance, Wei Shangren grew anxious and tugged on his brother’s sleeve. Maintaining a calm composure, Wei Shangli smiled and said as if in passing, "Actually, I know him. He used to be a spiritual contract servant at our Miaofu Pavilion. He was spiteful, lazy, and often had friction with my younger brother. However, he has some talent and is skilled at hiding his true nature, so he managed to fool us at Miaofu Pavilion for three years before his true colors were revealed. He was kicked out not long ago. I didn't expect to run into him here... Uncle, you mustn't let him deceive you!"
The steward’s expression shifted. Having served as the head steward at Danbao Pavilion for years, he was well-versed in the ways of the world. As soon as Wei Shangli finished speaking, he guessed most of the truth. Being kicked out not long ago—that would have been around the time his cousin-in-law was promoted to a rank one talisman master. This was surely his doing.
*Very well,* he thought, *since my cousin-in-law has asked, I will give him face, but I won't do it for free.* He remained silent, putting on a show of hesitation.
Wei Shangli, seeing that his uncle-in-law did not respond, understood exactly what he wanted. *Truly a greedy man, but that works in my favor.*
He reached into his Storage Pouch, and with a flash of white light, a milky-white jade bottle the size of an inch appeared in his palm. "Right, when I visited last time, I was in a rush and didn't bring a proper gift. I’ve felt uneasy about it. I happened to obtain a bottle of spiritual fluid recently; I would like to offer it to you, Uncle!" He extended his hand, revealing the exquisite little bottle.
Upon hearing the words "spiritual fluid," the steward was greatly tempted. Spiritual fluid is a product of spiritual energy condensed to its peak, usually found only at the eyes of spiritual veins above rank two high-grade. It assists in cultivation and speeds up progress without the side effects of pills—it is a treasure for any cultivator. The eye of the rank two high-grade spiritual vein in Red Leaf Market was controlled by the Wu Family. He assumed this fluid was a reward from the family for Wei Shangli’s promotion. The bottle likely held about five drops—on the market, it would be worth at least five spirit stones, and it was the type of item that was impossible to find even with money.
A wide smile spread across the steward’s face. He reached out, took the bottle, and tucked it into his own Storage Pouch. "Shangli, you are too kind. I actually have an urgent need for this, so I will accept it with shame!"
He walked to the table, picked up a brush, and began to alter Zhou Xun’s record. "Kicked out from Miaofu Pavilion as a spiritual contract servant; not recommended..." He finished by drawing a large 'X' over the entry.
The three Wei brothers exchanged a smile and took their leave.
Soon, the registration concluded. The stewards in the wooden shed, led by Lin Zhishan, began discussing the preliminary list of candidates. They quickly selected 20 alchemical apprentices and 30 spiritual contract servants, recording them on a new register. Zhou Xun’s name was not among them.
Lin Zhishan then took all the registers to present them to his master, who would make the final decision.