Zhou Xun finished eating the Spirit Rice Porridge and headed out towards the West Plaza.
When he arrived at the West Plaza, quite a number of cultivators had already gathered there, clustering in groups and either whispering to each other or standing alone.
In the center of the plaza stood a platform about ten Zhang high, covering half an acre of ground, atop which were a few chairs of ancient and elegant design, though no one was seated at the moment.
It seemed the enrollment had not yet begun, and Zhou Xun casually chose a corner to quietly wait.
"Young brother, we meet again!"
A thick voice rang out beside him, sounding like an ancient bell.
Zhou Xun looked up and saw a slightly shabby but spirited elder smiling and greeting him warmly.
Upon seeing his face, Zhou Xun recognized him as the elder he had asked for news from a month ago at this very place.
"It truly is fate, I didn't expect to meet you here again, Daoist Brother!" Zhou Xun greeted the elder with a courtesy bow, smiling.
Zhou Xun held quite a favorable impression of this kindly elder.
"Ah, young brother has broken through to the Third-Layer Qi Refining, I suppose you're here to vie for the position of Alchemy Apprentice, truly worth celebrating!" The elder's eyes showed a slight change as he cupped his hands in congratulations.
"I am fortunate indeed; upon learning of the news, I spent all my savings to purchase an Energy-Introducing Pill, gambling everything, and didn't expect to actually break through. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to proceed with my life!"
Zhou Xun delivered the excuse he had long prepared.
The Pill Workshop had a record of Zhou Xun purchasing the Energy-Introducing Pill, so others would simply think he had good luck on his side.
"That day, young brother left in such haste, did you go to purchase the Energy-Introducing Pill then?" The elder asked in surprise.
"Indeed," Zhou Xun nodded.
"Opportunities awaited, decisively spending your fortunes, young brother is bound for great accomplishments!" The elder's eyes showed a look of admiration.
"Daoist Brother overpraises, it was merely a momentary impulse, purchasing that Energy-Introducing Pill cost me all my savings, and I still feel regret thinking about it!" Zhou Xun expressed a look of remorse.
"Hahaha, young brother might not know, but since that day, the price of the Energy-Introducing Pill soared, reaching as high as eighty Spirit Essence at one point!"
"If young brother feels regret afterward, you could return the elixir for a profit!" The elder stroked his beard, laughing.
"Listening to Daoist Brother, I do feel a bit of regret now!" Zhou Xun chuckled.
"Young brother is indeed an interesting person, my surname is Xiao, might I ask your name?"
"I am Zhou Xun!"
"Zhou Xun..." the elder murmured his name, nodding lightly.
He then took his leave.
"I have other matters to attend to; we'll chat enthusiastically next time, Brother Zhou Xun!"
Zhou Xun cupped his hands in farewell.
Yet a strange thought lingered within him.
The two encounters were purely chance, how could the elder be so certain they'd meet again? Shaking his head, he thought no more of it.
...
Shortly past 9:00 AM, a booming voice suddenly sounded from the high platform.
The people in the plaza raised their heads to look, catching sight of several figures leaping onto the stage, the leader a stern-faced middle-aged man around forty years old.
"I am Lin Zhishan, Steward Elder of the Pill Treasure Pavilion; today's recruitment meeting will be chaired by me!"
The Pill Treasure Pavilion is Lin Family's enterprise and also the largest Elixir Shop in Red Leaf Square.
Master Yun Ku, although the chief Alchemy Master of the Pill Treasure Pavilion, is not a Lin Family member but rather an Honored Guest Elder.
It's said his surname is Xiao; decades ago, he was hounded near Red Leaf Square, saved by the Lin Family Grand Elder, and thus joined the Lin Family as an Honored Guest Elder.
Under Master Yun Ku's leadership, the Pill Treasure Pavilion rose rapidly from a mere elixir shop to become the largest Elixir Workshop in Red Leaf Square within a few years.
Now, the Pill Treasure Pavilion has expanded its branches to White Cloud Immortal City, thousands of miles away, and the Lin Family has risen from the bottom of the Four Great Clans to the second, only beneath the Wu Family.
And Lin Zhishan is Master Yun Ku's eldest disciple, a Tier One High-Grade Alchemy Master, as well as a formidable cultivator at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining!
"Wasn't Lin Zhishan dispatched to oversee the Pill Treasure Pavilion branch in White Cloud Immortal City? Why is he back now?"
Some with knowledgeable connections began discussing.
"It's said Lin Zhishan is an orphan, not favored in the family; Master Yun Ku recognized his talent in alchemy and took him as a direct disciple, instructing him in alchemy, leading to his present achievements!"
"True, Lin Zhishan regards Master Yun Ku as a father; he must have come back upon hearing of Master Yun Ku's breakthrough to extend his congratulations personally!"
"A tale of filial piety between teacher and student!"
...
"This meeting seeks to recruit ten apprentices and thirty servants,"
"Alchemy apprentices must be under eighteen years old and at least Third-Layer Qi Refining to enroll; after which, we will select twenty from among them,"
"Over a half-year of cultivation, ten will be chosen as true Alchemy Apprentices!"
"Spirit Contract Servants must be under thirty years old at Third-Layer Qi Refining, or under eighteen years at Second Layer Qi Refining! We will directly select thirty candidates and sign contracts with them!"
"Those interested can sign up below," Lin Zhishan pointed to beneath the platform.
Zhou Xun eagerly looked over to see several makeshift wooden booths in front of the platform.
A long banner hung over the booths with inscriptions of "Alchemy Apprentice" and "Spirit Contract Servant" and so on.
A long line had already formed in front of the booths.
Zhou Xun chose a queue for Alchemy Apprentices and joined in.
"Zhou Xun, you're here to sign up too!"
Just as Zhou Xun took his place, a familiar voice sounded behind him.
Zhou Xun turned his head quickly.
It was Wei Shangren.
Beside him stood a graceful young man, around twenty years old, bearing a resemblance to Wei Shangren of about seventy to eighty percent, his older brother, Wei Shangli, a Tier One Rune Master.
Zhou Xun had served as a Spirit Contract Servant in the Miaofu Pavilion for years, so he naturally recognized them.
"Oh, Brother Wei, why are you here as well? Are you looking to switch to the Lin Family and become an Alchemy Apprentice?" Zhou Xun smiled faintly, speaking up.
"Brother Zhou is joking; my second brother and I are just accompanying our third brother to register!" The elegant young man responded unperturbed, explaining casually, his tone warm as a spring breeze.
Yet the shrewd gleam deep in his eyes did not escape Zhou Xun's Divine Sense.
"Greetings to Talisman Master Wei!"
'This man is hard to deal with,' Zhou Xun thought, growing a flash of caution, but outwardly remaining unchanged, smiling, returning the courtesy.
He then turned to look at the young man beside him, whom Zhou Xun had never met.
His lips were red, and his teeth white, bearing a resemblance to Wei Shangli of about fifty to sixty percent.
"He's so young yet already at Third-Layer Qi Refining, extraordinary talent, I must be vigilant!"
Wei Shangli's third brother respectfully greeted Zhou Xun:
"The name Zhou Xun, Shangyi has often heard from my elder brother; meeting you today, you truly have an exceptional aura! As fellow Alchemy Apprentices in the future, I hope to learn much from you!"
The words seem to express great confidence in passing the selection.
Zhou Xun felt an annoyance, reminiscent of facing a 'green tea' personality in his past life.
Yet his face remained calm, smiling slightly, "It's nothing, really!"
Afterward, the few chatted amicably, like friends reunited after a long absence.
Soon, those lined up in front had completed their registration, and next it was Zhou Xun's turn.