"Master!"
Lin Zhishan bowed to an elder dressed in shabby clothes but exuding a dignified presence.
"Have you selected the candidates?" The elder asked casually, seeming in a good mood.
"Yes, the list is ready!" With that, he handed over several scrolls of Jade Scrolls.
"Master seems in a good mood today!" Lin Zhishan smiled as he watched the elder reviewing the list seriously.
"Haha, I met an interesting young friend today who quite reminds me of you in your youth!" The elder chuckled.
In truth, outsiders did not know that Lin Zhishan's cultivation aptitude was also average, with a Fire Attribute Spirit Root Sensitivity of 21 points, barely reaching the Middle-Grade.
"Could it be another young one who defies fate?" Lin Zhishan asked with interest and surprise.
"Defies fate... Yes, indeed, defies fate. Though his aptitude is somewhat lacking, his temperament is excellent, with a strong heart for pursuing the Dao!" The elder nodded, as if recalling past memories.
"It seems Master has taken a liking to this person!"
The elder smiled but did not answer, continuing to look down at the list.
"Hmm?"
"That young one didn't make it," the elder suddenly murmured.
Then he searched through another list and quickly found Zhou Xun's name.
Looking at the record above.
"Miaofu Pavilion expels servants, interesting, interesting..." The elder showed a look of intrigued expression.
With that, he handed the list to Lin Zhishan.
Lin Zhishan took a look and laughed in turn.
"Master, it seems this child has offended someone. Miaofu Pavilion in Red Leaf Square is a shop that holds the same rank as ours!"
"Later, I will arrange for someone to investigate!"
The elder nodded.
"That would be good, check out who this boy has offended!"
"By the way, Master, shall I add this child to the list this time?" Lin Zhishan asked.
"No need for that, just..." The elder transmitted his voice telepathically.
Lin Zhishan looked surprised at his master.
"Expanding admission by so much?"
"Yes, yes, go announce it."
"Understood!"
...
Just like the others, Zhou Xun waited in the square after registering his name.
After waiting for less than two hours, Lin Zhishan returned to the elevated platform.
Lin Zhishan first saluted the crowd, then spoke up:
"Thank you all for your support of our Pill Treasure Pavilion. For this apprentice recruitment, eighty-three people registered, and for the servant recruitment, there were as many as three hundred and twenty-seven!"
"After discussing with my master, we have decided to expand the recruitment."
"Regarding the apprentice selection, we have decided to expand to 30 people, and after half a year of training and assessment, we will further select the best, expanding the number to fifteen!"
"Of course, those who fail the assessment can choose to stay in Pill Treasure Pavilion if they wish!"
"As for the Spirit Contract Servants, we have decided to expand to fifty people!"
"The specific list will be announced here shortly!"
"Thank you all!"
After saying this, Lin Zhishan saluted all around again.
The people under the stage were overjoyed upon hearing this.
Expanding the recruitment meant a significantly increased chance of getting selected.
Zhou Xun felt the same.
"With the assurance of that steward and the expansion this time, I'm sure to be selected!"
The Wei Family Brothers felt the same.
"Big brother, this is a day of great joy, why don't we book a table at Yuxiang Tower for a Spiritual Banquet, not only to celebrate for our third brother," Wei Shangren said happily.
"That sounds good! Today I'll be the host!" Wei Shangli was also in a very good mood.
Their third brother successfully entered Pill Treasure Pavilion, and the future plan to restore the family had progressed a bit further.
"Remember to invite Steward Lin, we owe much to him today!" Wei Shangren continued.
Steward Lin had overlooked Zhou Xun, making him feel much goodwill toward this "relative".
Watching his second brother's joyous expression, Wei Shangli felt a touch of anger and knocked him a few times:
"From now on, don't cause trouble for me, focus on refining your talisman-making skills!"
"Oh, and today's incident with Steward Lin, you must keep it under wraps!"
"I will, I will!" Wei Shangren promised, rubbing his head.
He knew that because of his matter, his big brother had spent a good amount of money.
As he was speaking, the crowd suddenly surged.
Only to see a middle-aged man in steward attire stepping onto the stage, holding a list, none other than the husband of Wei Shangli's sister, the Chief Steward of Pill Treasure Pavilion.
"It's about to be announced!"
Someone shouted loudly.
The cultivators began to push forward.
The middle-aged steward glanced at the people below the stage and started to speak:
"I am Lin Ruochang, the Chief Steward of Pill Treasure Pavilion. The results of this recruitment will be announced by me!" After saying this, he paused and unfolded the list in his hand, then began to read aloud.
"The selected candidates for Alchemy Apprentice are as follows:"
"First, Jinyun Lane, Red Leaf Square—Weii Yanzhi, Daoist Weii"
"Second... Gou Houqing....."
...
".....Wang Erniu..."
"I got in, I got in!"
The moment the middle-aged steward's words fell, a rustic-looking farm boy shouted incoherently with joy and excitement.
The people around showed not even a hint of ridicule, but rather envy.
They knew that being selected as an Alchemy Apprentice at Pill Treasure Pavilion meant that even if they failed the assessment in half a year, they could still remain.
Besides, Master Yun Ku was known for his kindness to his subordinates, a fact well-known throughout Red Leaf Square.
Zhou Xun also looked kindly at the boy, silently celebrating for him.
Judging by his attire, the boy seemed to be living a less than ideal life, and entering this place was like a carp leaping through the dragon gate.
...
The Wei Family Brothers were standing not far from Zhou Xun, listening to Steward Lin announce the names.
Soon enough, he called out the name "Wei Shangyi" as the sixth.
"Haha, Third Brother, you've indeed made it in, from now on we shall address you as Alchemist Wei!" Wei Shangren said aloud, his eyes full of excitement.
Hearing the words "selected" and "Alchemist", those around easily understood that this person was selected as an Alchemy Apprentice and began to congratulate him.
Wei Shangren heard this and laughed heartily, as if it were he who had been selected.
Suddenly, his keen eyes caught a familiar figure, it was Zhou Xun.
He immediately pushed through the crowd to approach him.
"Brother Zhou is still here, you must have surely been selected!" Wei Shangren, knowing Steward Lin's influence as the Chief Steward of Pill Treasure Pavilion, knew that Zhou Xun had little chance of being selected.
Hearing this, Zhou Xun felt no ripple in his heart.
He had recognized the man on stage as the very same middle-aged steward from the registration earlier.
"With the Chief Steward's personal assurance, I should have already been selected!" Zhou Xun thought to himself.
So he glanced at Wei Shangren and said lightly:
"If I gain, it is my fortune; if I lose, it is my fate."
Seeing Zhou Xun's calm demeanor, Wei Shangren felt provoked and leaned in, sneeringly speaking softly:
"Brother Zhou might not know yet, but the Chief Steward on stage is my elder brother's brother-in-law. He personally assured me that you will certainly be overlooked!"
Zhou Xun raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.
This indeed was beyond his expectations.
Who knew that the seemingly kind middle-aged steward was actually Wei Family's elder brother-in-law.
What a coincidence!
Watching Zhou Xun's frown, Wei Shangren laughed heartily:
"If I gain, it is my fortune; if I lose, it is my fate, hahaha... Opposing me, I'll make sure you never succeed, it's your fate!"
"Brother Wei is quite skilled!"
At this point, Zhou Xun knew reversing the situation wasn't possible, so he began to consider his next steps.
"With these Wei Brothers around, Red Leaf Square is no longer friendly territory for me."
"Considering these Wei Brothers are here, Red Leaf Square is no longer a friendly place for me," he thought, contemplating his next move.
At that moment, the name "Zhou Xun" was called out from the stage.