After gaining 50 Spirit Essence and teaching those people a lesson, Zhou Xun was in a good mood.
He returned to the banquet and chatted happily with everyone.
The time period before the feast began.
That Spirit Slaughter Cultivator, a middle-aged man with the surname Gao, personally came to offer his congratulations and presented a generous gift.
Originally, Zhou Xun did not invite this person, simply because he always felt this person possessed some profound mystery and was unwilling to form deep ties.
Since he's here, let it be.
Zhou Xun naturally entertained him warmly.
After that, more than a dozen neighbors from Luliu Lane each presented a congratulatory gift consisting of several Spirit Essence.
Even Lan Song, whom he met at the Miaofu Pavilion the other day, somehow found out about the event.
He entrusted someone to deliver a congratulatory gift of 5 Spirit Essence.
The influx of visitors truly exceeded Zhou Xun's expectations.
Fortunately, Shan Xionghai bought enough spiritual objects, otherwise, it would have been difficult to entertain guests without being disrespectful.
"It seems I've underestimated the reputation of being an Alchemy Apprentice at Pill Treasure Pavilion!" Zhou Xun mused to himself.
During the banquet, everyone toasted and exchanged drinks, creating a lively atmosphere.
Not until evening did everyone gradually disperse.
After sending off the last guest, Zhou Xun was about to close the door.
"Alchemist Zhou, Alchemist Zhou!"
A powerful voice called out.
Zhou Xun followed the sound with his gaze.
A robust man around thirty years old, with dark skin and a scar across his face, was clasping his fists in respect.
"Brother Hong San, didn't you leave? Is there anything else?"
The man was among the dozens of neighbors who came to congratulate him today.
"Indeed, there is something to discuss!" The man nodded without hesitation.
"Come in and let's talk!" Zhou Xun welcomed Hong San inside.
"I wonder what business Brother Hong San has?"
He guided the man to a seat, poured a cup of Spirit Tea, and then inquired about his intention.
This Hong San was considered a notable figure in Luliu Lane.
Not only skilled in Fourth-Layer Qi Refining but also a senior member of one of the four major rogue cultivator forces around Red Leaf Square.
Red Leaf Square, as the largest cultivator market within 5000 miles, not only contained a vast number of cultivators living within.
The market periphery gathered a large number of Low-Tier Rogue Cultivators.
Without the deterrence of the Law Enforcement Team, incidents of murder and robbery occurred from time to time.
Consequently, familiar people formed groups for warmth and self-preservation.
As groups expanded, more than a dozen forces gradually formed around the market periphery.
The four most powerful groups are Iron Mountain Gang, Blood Eagle Sect, Spirit Storage Association, and Jade Hall.
Hong San is a Hall Master within Iron Mountain Gang.
The man's words were straightforward:
"Alchemist Zhou should be aware that the Four Great Clans have jointly prohibited trading activities around the market periphery!"
"Correct," Zhou Xun nodded.
The market's value partially rests in the Spirit Vein and partly in providing a good trading environment.
If trading activities flourish around the market periphery, it would naturally impact business within the market, and the value of the stores within would greatly decrease; Red Leaf Square's Four Great Clans would naturally not permit such a thing.
"In actuality, trading in the periphery continues unabated, and it's even the main source of income for our four major forces!"
This is a "secret" known by all cultivators in Red Leaf Square.
As long as no open stalls or shops are conducted, the little private transactions behind the scenes actually have no impact on the business of Red Leaf Square.
The Four Great Clans naturally couldn't be bothered to intervene.
"To my knowledge, isn't Iron Mountain Gang's biggest business selling talismans?" Zhou Xun was somewhat puzzled, thinking that the organization responsible for selling elixirs like Spirit Storage Association should be the one approaching him.
"Recently, demon beasts have erupted in Hundred Savage Mountain, and many Demon Hunting Cultivators have returned!"
"With a significant reduction in talisman-making material supply, the price of talismans has skyrocketed. As we primarily deal with Low-Tier Cultivators, the price increase makes it difficult to sell our talismans!"
"With many mouths under my hall to feed, I thought about expanding our money avenues," the man explained.
"Fortunately, Alchemist Zhou was admitted to Pill Treasure Pavilion, and if you and I collaborate, much can be achieved!"
Hong San expressed with a hint of excitement on his face.
"I'm not even an Alchemy Apprentice yet, how could I possibly help?"
Zhou Xun probed.
"Alchemist Zhou might not know, but Pill Treasure Pavilion is the largest elixir shop in Red Leaf Square, where genuine elixirs are sold while those failed low-tier elixirs are completely disregarded!"
"Yet, those failures are treasures impossible to find for our periphery Low-Tier Cultivators,"
"If Alchemist Zhou can collect these failed elixirs, my Brother Hong San would undoubtedly take them all; what do you think?"
"I cannot promise this matter right now!" Hearing this, the man was about to persuade him.
Zhou Xun continued to clarify:
"Currently, I have merely been accepted without knowledge of the internals of Pill Treasure Pavilion; even if I agreed now, I probably can't produce elixirs!"
"Wouldn't it be better to wait until after I enter Pill Treasure Pavilion, obtain access to the failed elixirs or even genuine elixirs, and at that time collaborate with Brother Hong San?"
Zhou Xun didn't refuse outright.
In the future, regardless of purchasing cultivation resources or spirit medicine, a substantial amount of Spirit Stone support would be needed, thus a stable Spirit Essence source is crucial.
At this time, neither accepting nor refusing, leaving a promise first means that future collaboration with Brother Hong San lies entirely within his decision.
He can advance or retreat freely.
"Alchemist Zhou is indeed considerate, then it's settled; should you obtain a source of elixirs, don't forget Hong San!" The man nodded.
Immediately, he pulled out an exquisite wooden box from his bosom, handing it to Zhou Xun.
Zhou Xun was about to decline.
"Earlier was the congratulatory gift from Hong San the neighbor, now this is the real present from Hong San of Iron Mountain Gang; please do not refuse, Alchemist Zhou!"
Zhou Xun nodded and accepted the wooden box.
Rejecting now would only lead him to think Zhou Xun showed no interest in cooperation, potentially offending him.
"Thus, thank you, Brother San!"
"Farewell!" The man clasped his fists with both hands and departed.
Watching Hong San's departing figure, Zhou Xun was lost in thought.
Today's small celebration effectively swept away the past poverty.
Zhou Xun organized all congratulatory gifts and began tallying.
First was the Spirit Medicine given by Shan Ershu.
This was a Tier One Low-Grade Spirit-Attracting Grass, precisely the main medicine for refining the Energy-Introducing Pill.
Valued over one hundred and fifty Spirit Essence.
Shan Xionghai was even more direct, gifting Zhou Xun 100 Spirit Essence; truly extravagant.
As for the dozen or so neighbors and Lan Song's, combined they surpassed sixty Spirit Essence.
What surprised Zhou Xun was the middle-aged man with the surname Gao, with whom he did not have close relations, yet he presented a gift of 50 Spirit Essence; this was indeed a grand present.
The last opened gift was the wooden box given by Hong San.
Opening the lid, an egg-sized, jade-like textured, pale green stone lay quietly inside the box.
The stone's appearance caused a slight fluctuation within an inch of its surrounding Spiritual Qi.
"Spirit Stone!"
Indeed, it was a Low-Grade Spirit Stone, worth at least a hundred and five Spirit Essence if exchanged.
Since crossing over, this was the first time Zhou Xun obtained a Spirit Stone; previously, he had only used Spirit Essence.
Holding it in his palm, he sensed the pure Spiritual Qi within the Spirit Stone.
Zhou Xun resisted the urge for refinement and put it away.
Moreover, a Low-Grade Spirit Stone's cultivation effect is only half that of an Energy-Introducing Pill.
He wasn't yet indulgent enough to refine Spirit Stones for cultivation.
All the congratulatory gifts combined, totaling over four hundred and ten Spirit Essence.
This was wealth that Zhou Xun had not accumulated over all his years since crossing into this world.
Just being accepted by Pill Treasure Pavilion suddenly skyrocketed his wealth several times.
This greatly increased Zhou Xun's anticipation for life in Pill Treasure Pavilion.
Soon, the third day arrived, Zhou Xun tidied himself up well and headed out.
Today was the day to report to Pill Treasure Pavilion.