Zhou Xun received two stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass handed over by Shan Xionghai and put them into the pack on his back.
Because of the Spirit Gathering Grass, the two once again searched around the hall for several laps, finding nothing, and only then did they reluctantly exit the cave.
"Big brother, is this real? I actually got two stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass!" As soon as he exited the cave, Shan Xionghai couldn't hide his excitement and said to Zhou Xun.
Hearing this, Zhou Xun frowned and quickly admonished:
"Xionghai, as the saying goes, 'a man without guilt holds a jade, yet is guilty', the value of this spirit medicine is so great that even Foundation Establishment cultivators might be interested. Now that it has fallen into our hands, we must keep it secret, or it will certainly bring calamity!"
"Big brother, don't worry, keeping one's wealth concealed is a principle ingrained in every demon hunting cultivator's heart, I definitely won't say a word!" Shan Xionghai assured, patting his chest.
Zhou Xun saw him using his identity as a demon hunting cultivator to guarantee and nodded without further words.
The Hundred Savage Mountain is rich in resources, with countless treasures of heaven and earth inside. As demon hunting cultivators making a living in the Hundred Savage Mountain, if one doesn't know how to hide, and flaunts their treasures, they would have long been devoured without leaving any bones behind.
The two returned to the trap where they hunted the Golden Spirit Rat, gathering their things and packing two large bundles.
Each carrying one, they headed back to Red Leaf Square.
Spending a full seven days, they finally returned to the market.
The reason for spending two more days than when they came was because of Zhou Xun.
Due to carrying great treasures, plus the two huge bundles were really eye-catching, there might have been attentive people noticing them when they first came, lying in ambush on the way back.
Thus, the two chose a path less traveled and took a detour, resulting in spending two more days on the journey.
Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, and they smoothly returned to Red Leaf Square.
All the way to Luliu Lane, they first carried their things to Shan Xionghai's home.
Only then did the two breathe a sigh of relief.
The array in the house not only had defensive capabilities but also soundproofing effect, so the two finally relaxed.
"Big brother, this trip we made a fortune!" Shan Xionghai said.
Hearing this, Zhou Xun shook his head, then explained:
"Those two treasures are too precious, even with second uncle's status, if the news leaks, it's difficult to keep this item."
"The Wu Family's 'Treasure Pavilion' is reputed for their credibility; they shouldn't ruin their years of reputation for this item, right?" Shan Xionghai retorted.
"That depends on what kind of treasure it is,
"If it's an ordinary treasure, that's fine, this is Spirit Gathering Grass, a tier-breaking treasure!"
"If refined into Spirit Gathering Pills, it could create more than a dozen Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators, which is a huge temptation to a family!"
"Enough to draw out a Wu Family Foundation Establishment cultivator's action!"
"With their cultivation, they could resolve us without a sound and let the outside world be none the wiser, do you believe it?"
Zhou Xun warned solemnly.
Hearing this, Shan Xionghai nodded in agreement, sighed, and said:
"So we obtained this item, yet can't use it immediately, is indeed frustrating!"
"Treasures move people's hearts; you and I currently have low cultivation!"
"Better to patiently store it, wait until the peak of Middle-Stage Qi Refining, then trade this item for Spirit Gathering Pills, breaking through to Late-Stage Qi Refining in one go!" Zhou Xun said firmly.
Shan Xionghai, hearing this, realized suddenly.
After sitting for a while, Zhou Xun took his leave to go home, agreeing to meet early the next morning to go together to the Miaofu Pavilion in the market center to sell the Golden Spirit Rat materials.
Upon returning home, Zhou Xun immediately shut windows and doors, checked for any errors, and then cautiously took out the two stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass.
"Now with Spirit Gathering Grass in hand, it's a good time to test the abilities of the Spring Condensation Scripture!"
He had no reluctance over the precious Spirit Grass.
For those cultivating immortality, aptitude is fundamental; although Spirit Grass is precious, it cannot compare to the importance of enhancing Spiritual Root talent.
Even in condensing Spirit Medicine essence and enhancing Spiritual Root talent, there is certainly a difference between ordinary spirit medicine and rare spirit medicine.
Besides, he still had another stalk of Spirit Gathering Grass.
Zhou Xun opened one of the Jade Boxes, picked up the Spirit Gathering Grass, and was about to operate the Spring Condensation Scripture's incantation, but suddenly stopped.
"After these past days of traveling, I'm physically and mentally exhausted and not in the best state; better to wait until tomorrow to adjust and then give it a try!"
For seven days, Zhou Xun had been highly vigilant, consuming a lot of mental energy.
Zhou Xun resisted the temptation to enhance his Spiritual Root talent, put the Spirit Gathering Grass back into the Jade Box.
The moment he closed the box lid, Zhou Xun felt a clearance in his mind.
Introspection in the face of temptation is also a form of heart refinement.
Properly storing the Spirit Gathering Grass, after a simple meal of Spirit Rice, Zhou Xun rested.
...
Early the next morning, Shan Xionghai dragged Zhou Xun to the Miaofu Pavilion at the market center.
As the largest talisman shop in Red Leaf Square, the demand for Golden Spirit Rat materials, which can be used to prepare Spirit Ink and refine Talisman Pens, is huge.
Entering the place where he worked for three years once again, Zhou Xun felt a ripple in his heart.
Previously, he was there as a servant; today, he is there as a client.
Upon entering the Miaofu Pavilion, a young man in a blue robe greeted them.
"This Daoist Brother, welcome to the Miaofu Pavilion. Would you like to buy some... huh! Zhou... Zhou Xun?" The young man's initial enthusiastic bow turned to surprise as he recognized Zhou Xun's face!
"Why are you here?" The young man's tone instantly cooled with a hint of impatience.
This young man, named Qian Xun, like Zhou Xun, was a Spirit Contract Servant at the Miaofu Pavilion, naturally familiar to each other.
However, this person tended to curry favor.
Previously, when Zhou Xun was favored by the steward, they were close, and he would address him as "Brother Zhou" in daily life.
"I'm here to see Shopkeeper Liu!" Zhou Xun, seeing an acquaintance, was initially in a good mood,
but with this person's attitude, Zhou Xun lost the mood for pleasantries.
"You've already been dismissed; why come to our Miaofu Pavilion?" Qian Xun looked around, then lowered his voice.
Zhou Xun frowned, about to speak,
but was interrupted by a gentle voice.
"Ah, it's Zhou Xun!"
The newcomer, dressed in a sky-blue silk robe, was the very Shopkeeper Liu Zhou Xun was looking for.
"We are here to sell Golden Spirit Rat materials and did not expect this person to drive us away!" Shan Xionghai said with a sneer.
Hearing this, Qian Xun's face changed.
Shopkeeper Liu's expression remained unchanged, and he immediately cupped his hands!
"Oh, I see, it seems we have failed in our guidance. I apologize to this Daoist Friend!"
Seeing the shopkeeper's courteous demeanor, Shan Xionghai waved his hand.
"Ah, and Zhou Xun... no, Daoist Zhou, since you are here to sell materials, you are naturally our guest!"
There was no neglect because Zhou Xun was once his subordinate.
This might be the key reason he could climb from an outsider servant to his current position.
He instructed Qian Xun beside him:
"Apologize to the two Daoist Friends!" His words carried a hint of authority.
Hearing this, Qian Xun hurriedly bowed continuously:
"Brother Zhou, and this Daoist Brother, this little one was blind; please don't hold it against me and forgive me!"
Zhou Xun waved his hand, no longer willing to engage.
"Leave us!" Shopkeeper Liu waved his hand.
Hearing this, Qian Xun promptly left hurriedly.
"Shall we?" Shopkeeper Liu's expression unchanged, then cupped his hands!
"I see, and Zhou Xun... or rather, Daoist Zhou, since you're here to sell Golden Spirit Rat materials, I should not delay you."
With that, he gestured towards the entrance.
Shan Xionghai nodded his head in understanding.
After sitting for a while, Zhou Xun then took his leave and went home, as they agreed to meet early the next day and head to the Market Center's Miaofu Pavilion together to sell the Golden Spirit Rat materials.
Returning home, Zhou Xun immediately closed the doors and windows, and after checking that everything was in order, finally relaxed and took out the two stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass.
Now that I have the Spirit Gathering Grass, it's a perfect opportunity to test the Spring Condensation Scripture's abilities!
Without any hesitation over the precious Spirit Grass.
For a cultivator, talent is the foundation, although Spirit Grass is precious, it can't compare to the importance of enhancing Spiritual Root talent.
Even if it is about condensing Spirit Medicine Essence to enhance Spiritual Root Talent, there are definitely differences between ordinary spiritual medicine and rare spiritual medicine in terms of the enhancement effect.
Moreover, I still possess another stalk of Spirit Gathering Grass.
Zhou Xun opened one of the Jade Boxes, picked up the Spirit Gathering Grass, just about to operate the Spring Condensation Scripture, he suddenly stopped.
"These past few days of traveling have left me physically and mentally exhausted, not in the best condition. Better to try again tomorrow when I'm well-adjusted!"
For the past seven days, Zhou Xun had been highly vigilant, which was extremely draining on his mind.
Zhou Xun resisted the temptation to enhance his Spiritual Root talent, placing the Spirit Gathering Grass back into the Jade Box.
As he closed the lid, he felt a sense of tranquility wash over his heart.
Resisting temptation is also a form of honing one's spirit.
After carefully storing away the Spirit Gathering Grass, Zhou Xun had a simple meal of Spirit Rice and then rested.
...
Early the next morning, Shan Xionghai pulled Zhou Xun along with him to the Market Center's Miaofu Pavilion.
As the largest talisman shop in Red Leaf Square, there was a big demand for the Golden Spirit Rat materials, which can be used to prepare Spirit Ink and refine Talisman Pens.
Reentering the place he had worked for three years, Zhou Xun felt a slight disturbance in his heart.
Previously, he had worked there as a servant; today, he was coming as a customer to sell goods.
"This has to be a joke! Zhou... Zhou Xun?" The servant's tone shifted from enthusiasm to surprise as he recognized Zhou Xun.
"What are you doing here?" The young man named Qian Xun, who like Zhou Xun, was a Spirit Contract Servant at Miaofu Pavilion, said impatiently.
"We've been dismissed, you see." Zhou Xun started explaining,
but was cut off by a gentle voice:
Shopkeeper Liu, in a calm tone, clasped his hands and said,
"I see. If you are here to sell Golden Spirit Rat materials, let's not delay!"
He showed no sign of slacking just because Zhou Xun was once his subordinate.
It seemed that this was the reason why he had climbed to his current position despite having no background.
Qian Xun hurriedly bowed repeatedly:
"Brother Zhou, and this Daoist Brother, I was presumptuous just now, please don't take it to heart."
Zhou Xun waved his hand, showing he did not mind.
"Leave us," Shopkeeper Liu said.
Then he gestured for Zhou Xun and Shan Xionghai to follow him inside the building.