Zhou Xun tidied up briefly, and then opened the door.
"Brother Zhou, congratulations on joining the Pill Treasure Pavilion as an Alchemy Apprentice!"
The visitor was none other than Shan Xionghai, eager to offer his congratulations as soon as the door was opened.
"It's still too early to say that, whether it happens depends on the assessment in six months!" Zhou Xun waved his hand, but there was a hint of confidence in his words.
Not to mention that his cultivation is now more than halfway through the Third-Layer Qi Refining.
His Spirit Root Talent has also reached the Middle-Grade level.
Among the 30 selected individuals, he was already among the top.
Let alone having the Divine Sense of a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator at the Third-Layer Qi Refining stage.
Whether it's refining herbs or controlling the fire, it would be very helpful.
Zhou Xun warmly welcomed Shan Xionghai inside.
As soon as they sat down, Zhou Xun took out a pot of Spirit Wine and two cups, placing them on the table.
Shan Xionghai, without any formality, picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup, and drank it all in one go, then said discontentedly:
"You really kept this a secret from me, Brother Zhou!"
"I suddenly heard about your name in the West Plaza today, and it truly surprised me!"
Zhou Xun laughed heartily and said:
"That's my fault, how about I drink three cups as punishment!"
With that, he picked up the wine pot and drank three cups of Spirit Wine in succession.
Shan Xionghai naturally didn't really blame Zhou Xun, he was just complaining a bit.
"Brother Zhou, how do you plan to celebrate such a joyous event?"
Zhou Xun was taken aback upon hearing this.
He hadn't really thought about it, but since Shan Xionghai brought it up.
It's indeed worth celebrating properly.
"Invite a few close friends, a small celebration among ourselves will do!" Zhou Xun thought for a moment and replied.
The original owner's parents passed early, so past friendships had faded away long ago.
After Zhou Xun transmigrated, he was worried about being exposed by those who knew him, so he actively reduced social interactions.
Other than going to Miaofu Pavilion for his duties, he mostly stayed in and cultivated.
Over the years, there were very few people he still interacted with.
Even Shan Xionghai visited mostly because he took the initiative.
"Alright then, do you have a date planned, Brother Zhou?" Shan Xionghai naturally had no objections to this.
"I have to report to the Pill Treasure Pavilion in three days, so how about tomorrow!" Zhou Xun thought for a while and said.
He then began calculating the materials needed for the small celebration.
"There's enough Spirit Rice and Spirit Tea at home, no need to buy more!"
"There are only two pots of Spirit Wine left, and Spirit Fruit, Demon Beast Flesh need to be bought!"
"Leave that to me, I'm quite familiar with Shopkeeper Hu at the East Market Spiritual and Miscellaneous Shop, and he offers discounts!" Shan Xionghai said boldly.
Both he and Shan Ershu were Demon Hunting Cultivators and had many dealings with the shopkeepers there.
Zhou Xun nodded:
"Then I'll trouble you, Xionghai!"
...
After buying Spirit Wine, Spirit Fruit, Demon Beast Flesh, and so on, Shan Xionghai returned with large bags.
Acquainted neighbors curiously asked.
"Xionghai, you've hit it big buying all those spiritual objects!"
"Haha, you didn't know, my Brother Zhou successfully got selected as an Alchemy Apprentice at the Pill Treasure Pavilion, and this is for celebrating him tomorrow!"
Such joyful news, naturally Shan Xionghai didn't keep it secret and shared it boastfully.
"Brother Zhou, Zhou Xun?"
"Indeed!"
Soon, the news of Zhou Xun being selected as an Alchemy Apprentice at the Pill Treasure Pavilion spread out.
...
The next day, at Zhou Xun's home.
Zhou Xun got up early and tidied up the house.
Shan Xionghai also came to help prepare the Demon Beast Flesh.
Time quickly went by until 9:30 AM.
Outside, a hearty voice came through.
"Hahaha, Xunn, I heard you got into the Pill Treasure Pavilion!"
The one who came was a middle-aged man in his forties, broad and sturdy, dressed like a Martial Artist, bearing a resemblance to Shan Xionghai by four to five points in facial features.
"Shan Ershu, when did you return, it's been almost a year since we last met!"
Zhou Xun joyfully greeted.
After the original owner's parents passed, he relied heavily on this Shan Ershu for help, allowing him to stay at Red Leaf Square smoothly.
Otherwise, how could a teenager with a wealthy inheritance survive in the wolf-like Cultivation Realm?
The man laughed heartily, and with a palm as large as a fan, gave Zhou Xun's shoulder a heavy pat.
Nearly causing Zhou Xun to stagger.
"Not bad, you've grown up, though you're a bit weak, find some time to practice a Body Refining Technique!"
Zhou Xun smiled and nodded, then pointed inside and said:
"Ershu, please come in and take a seat!"
Inside, a five-foot-long table was filled with Spirit Fruit, Spirit Wine, and gourmet food made from Demon Beast Flesh and Spirit Fish.
Once inside, the middle-aged man didn't sit down but instead tapped his waist.
A flash of white light later, an ancient wooden box appeared in his hand.
"Ershu doesn't have anything great, but he was lucky to find a Spirit Medicine in the mountains, take it to celebrate your entry into Pill Treasure Pavilion!"
"Ershu, this... is too precious!"
One must know, not every Spirit Plant can be called a Spirit Medicine.
Each plant's market value is over a hundred Spirit Essences.
Just last time, after hunting a Golden Spirit Rat, Zhou Xun only got seventy Spirit Essences, not enough to buy even the lowest Tier One Low-Grade Spirit Medicine.
"Once Ershu gives something, there's no taking it back!" The man's face hardened, feigning anger.
"With a gift from an elder, one dare not refuse, your nephew accepts it!"
Seeing this, the man nodded in satisfaction and sat down.
While chatting, the room darkened slightly.
Everyone looked outside, only to see a figure filling the entire doorway.
"Steward Lin, you're here!" Zhou Xun greeted warmly.
He had Steward Lin to thank for being able to live here.
Otherwise, if he had been kicked out of Red Leaf Square, Zhou Xun could guess his fate.
So, towards this fat steward, Zhou Xun was genuinely grateful and invited him to the celebration.
"Not bad, work diligently!" The fat steward praised lightly and handed a cloth bag to Zhou Xun.
With the arrival of the fat steward, all of Zhou Xun's invited guests were present.
Just as they were about to start the feast, another commotion was heard outside.
"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou!"
Heading out to see, a youth dressed as a servant, along with several companions, were standing respectfully outside the door.
"Oh, it's you guys, I've been dismissed from Miaofu Pavilion, why are you here!"
Zhou Xun said coldly.
Back in his downtrodden days, these were the same people who mocked him publicly.
"Brother Zhou, we heard you've been recruited by the Pill Treasure Pavilion, so we came to congratulate you. It was wrong of us last time, forgive our lack of vision, please pardon us!" The youth dressed as a servant said apologetically.
"Yes, Brother Zhou, please be the bigger person and forgive us!" the others chimed in.
The youth finished speaking and took out a bulging pouch from his bosom, extending it toward Zhou Xun.
Seeing this, Zhou Xun coldly chuckled in his heart.
As the ancient saying goes, 'Repay enmity with virtue, what then to repay virtue?'
One should repay enmity with straightforwardness!
Zhou Xun took the bag without hesitation.
Opening it, he said:
"50 Spirit Essences, you guys indeed bled for this!"
Seeing Zhou Xun accepted the pouch, they thought he forgave them and sighed in relief.
Speaking in familiar tones, they said:
"Brother Zhou, it was our mistake before, we'll definitely host a table at Celestial Fragrance Tower to apologize to you personally in the future!"
Zhou Xun waved his hand and said coldly:
"Alright, you've delivered the Spirit Essences, don't appear before me again. Our grievances and ties are over and done with!"
The servant stood stupefied momentarily, exchanging glances with his companions.
"What, are you not satisfied?" Zhou Xun slightly frowned.
"No, no!" The servant quickly caught on, pulling his companions to leave briskly.