Chapter 121: Chapter 51: Breaking Through to Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist!

Returning to the cave mansion, Zhou Xun glanced at the Profound Armor Armadillo.

After not seeing it for several months, it had grown significantly.

Zhou Xun estimated that within a year, it would reach the Tier One Peak, qualifying it to attempt a breakthrough to a Tier Two Spirit Beast.

“It seems I should start preparing for its advancement materials!”

For a Tier One Spirit Beast to advance to Tier Two, the best spiritual object would be the Blue Spirit Lamp Flower.

If consumed by a spirit beast during its advancement to Tier Two, there’s a chance it could enhance its bloodline.

Although the probability is low, it is indeed a rare opportunity.

Back in the day, Zhou Xun had encountered one, but he used it to enhance his Spiritual Root.

In addition, there are some Tier-Breaking Spirit Pills specifically designed for spirit beasts.

For example, the Earth Spirit Pill for earth-attribute beast advancement, or the Water Spirit Pill for water-attribute demon beasts.

As for Zhou Xun’s Profound Armor Armadillo, being of the gold and earth dual element, either the Golden Spirit Pill or the Earth Spirit Pill would suffice.

After some thought, he took out a Spirit Feeding Pill and threw it into the mouth of the Profound Armor Armadillo.

“Train well, and I will prepare your advancement materials!”

Patting the Profound Armor Armadillo’s head, Zhou Xun headed to the Cultivation Room.

…

Entering the Cultivation Room, Zhou Xun planned to attempt to break through his Alchemy Skill to Tier Two Middle-Grade.

With this breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment, his Divine Sense strength had increased significantly, more than double that of the Qi Refining Stage.

The improvement in Divine Sense greatly boosts Alchemy Skill, making it highly possible to advance to Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist in one go.

That’s how Master Yun Ku had advanced back in the day.

The elixir he intended to refine was called the Yuan Gathering Pill.

A Foundation Strengthening and Essence Nourishing Elixir for Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, of considerable value.

Each bottle is priced above two thousand Spirit Stones.

Slapping his storage bag, he took out a purple Pill Furnace, placing it in front of him.

He then took out the refining materials for the Yuan Gathering Pill—Tier Two Middle-Grade Gathering Essence Grass and a variety of auxiliary Spirit Medicines.

The Pill Furnace was of High-Grade, barely sufficient for refining Tier Two Middle-Grade Elixirs.

Beneath the Pill Furnace were three pieces of Dragon Spirit Wood Charcoal, made from Tier Two Dragon Spirit Wood, the best fuel for refining Tier Two Spirit Pills.

Each piece was worth dozens of Spirit Stones.

A spell was cast at the base of the Pill Furnace, igniting a bright yellow flame, raising the temperature throughout the Alchemy Room significantly.

With a wave of his hand, the Gathering Essence Grass flew into the Pill Furnace, and the refinement began.

This time, Zhou Xun felt a natural ease.

He had a strong premonition that this refining process would surely be successful!

As the grade of the pill increased, the level of Spirit Medicines required for refinement also rose continuously.

Consequently, the method of refining Spirit Medicines became increasingly complex, and the refining time lengthened.

After half a day, the Gathering Essence Grass was finally successfully refined.

Zhou Xun sensed the change in the medicinal liquid inside the Pill Furnace, continuously adjusting the flame.

Then he added the auxiliary Spirit Medicines one by one.

Time passed bit by bit, but it was unclear how long it took.

Suddenly, a refreshing fragrance of medicine wafted from the Pill Furnace, filling the entire Cultivation Room!

Zhou Xun’s eyes brightened, though his heart remained cautious.

As various spells were cast,

the medicinal fragrance grew even stronger.

Suddenly,

“It’s done!”

Zhou Xun rejoiced, waving his hand at the Pill Furnace. The lid spontaneously opened, and five brilliantly gleaming pills flew out, landing in the Elixir Bottle he had prepared earlier.

“Five Success Pills, all genuine!”

Zhou Xun smiled slightly, in a good mood!

The successful refinement of the Yuan Gathering Pill marked his successful advancement to a Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist.

If this were to be said, others might not believe it.

A Middle-Grade Alchemist not yet forty, with a high chance of becoming a Quasi-Third Tier Alchemist in the future.

A person of such stature could associate as equals with True Pill Cultivators.

In the Cloud Light Sect, this level of figure would be on the elder level.

Pushing open the Cultivation Room’s door, Zhou Xun strode out.

The early morning light was dim; it was already the next morning.

This batch of Yuan Gathering Pills had taken him nearly a whole day, but it was worth it.

In the kitchen, he took out Tier Two Spirit Rice and Tier Two Demon Beast Flesh, making a simple breakfast.

Tier Two Spirit Rice and demon beast flesh were rich in Spiritual Qi.

They also provided considerable assistance to his cultivation.

….

After breakfast, Zhou Xun headed to the Pill Treasure Pavilion.

Since losing the support of Master Yun Ku, the current Pill Treasure Pavilion was obscure in White Cloud Immortal City, merely a small elixir shop.

The spirit pills on sale were barely Tier One, serving some Qi Refining Cultivators.

As he walked into the Pill Treasure Pavilion, a servant in white approached.

“Esteemed guest…”

Before finishing his sentence, the servant’s expression suddenly turned to one of delight.

“It’s Alchemist Zhou, please, please come in, I’ll go notify the shopkeeper right away!”

“You recognize me?” Zhou Xun asked, puzzled.

“When Alchemist Zhou broke through to Tier Two, I once accompanied my grandfather to visit and saw Alchemist’s true face!” the servant replied.

“I see,”

Zhou Xun nodded, seemingly recalling a little imp who had followed his elders.

Led by the servant, Zhou Xun entered the Pill Treasure Pavilion’s VIP room.

“Alchemist Zhou, your visit was unexpected, please forgive the lack of proper reception!”

Soon after he sat down, a somewhat familiar voice sounded.

Putting down the Spirit Tea, Zhou Xun turned back and recognized an old acquaintance!

“So it’s Brother Xun. Is it you who’s overseeing the Pill Treasure Pavilion in White Cloud City now?”

This person was none other than Xun Houqing, who had joined the Pill Treasure Pavilion with Zhou Xun back in the day. (See Chapter 23)

“Two years ago, I was fortunate to advance to Tier One High-Grade Alchemist, and the patriarch then sent me to oversee the Pill Treasure Pavilion!” Now Xun Houqing appeared to be in his thirties, with a wisp of beard under his chin adding to his mature charm.

Even in those days, this person’s alchemy talent was considerable, second only to him and Wang Erniu.

Now Wang Erniu has devoted all his energy to the Sword Dao, remaining a Tier One Middle-Grade Alchemist, while Xun Houqing has surpassed him.

“Brother Zhou still looks as young as ever!” Looking at Zhou Xun’s still youthful and handsome appearance, Xun Houqing couldn’t help but feel a little envious.

“Haha, Brother Xun, you’re too kind!”

Then the two caught up on old times for quite a while.

It turned out that after the incident with the Lin Family back in the day, everyone in the Pill Treasure Pavilion was captured.

However, Xun Houqing refused to join the Sunx Family.

He declared:

“Is it not known that loyalty does not serve two masters; the Lin Family was kind to me, and I refuse to betray them!”

He truly lived up to the name of Houqing.

The Sunx Family, appreciating his outstanding alchemy talent and pure conduct, recognized his rare value and only placed him under house arrest, hoping to win him over with time.

Later, when the Lin Family regained control of Red Leaf Square, the Pill Treasure Pavilion returned to Lin Family hands, and he was recognized for his loyalty.

Under their comprehensive nurturing, at under forty years old, he had reached the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining and became a Tier One High-Grade Alchemist!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun applauded in admiration.

“What a remarkable Xun Houqing!”

“Another Lin Zhishan!”

“By the way, I still don’t know the purpose of Brother Zhou’s visit?” Xun Houqing asked about Zhou Xun’s visit purpose this time.

“I successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage a few days ago and wish to use the Lin Family’s resources to send news to Erniu, the young lady, and several old friends in various places!”

Saying this, Zhou Xun took out several letters and handed them to Xun Houqing.

“What!”

Xun Houqing was startled!

“You… you’ve broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage?”

He remembered Zhou Xun being his peer in age, didn’t he?

Back in the Spiritual Root test days, he distinctly remembered Zhou Xun’s talent being just a Spirit Root Sensitivity of twenty-one points, merely beyond the Middle-Grade.

How could he have reached the Foundation Establishment so quickly?

It was known that even Wang Erniu with a High-Grade Spirit Root was only at Ninth-Layer Qi Refining.

“These years have brought some fortuitous encounters, nothing more than luck!” Zhou Xun said casually.

“Elder Zhou truly remained silent for a long time and then astounded everyone with a single feat!”

After some time, Xun Houqing calmed down and spoke with heartfelt admiration.

“Brother Xun, now under forty years old, has reached the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation. By sixty, you should be able to reach the Peak Qi Refining, with future opportunities to break through!”

Zhou Xun comforted him.

Subsequently, Xun Houqing asked Zhou Xun for advice on Alchemy Technique, gaining substantial insights, and both promised to meet again in the future.

Zhou Xun agreed gladly, then left to return to his cave mansion.

…

In the following month,

several visitors came to call, most of whom were representatives of major influences.

As for old friends from Golden Spring Lane, knowing they received Zhou Xun’s invitation to the minor Foundation Establishment celebration, none came to disturb.

Soon, time flew by, and two months passed, approaching the day of Zhou Xun’s Foundation Establishment celebration.

On this day, Zhou Xun was cultivating in his cave mansion when suddenly a guest arrived at the door.

Opening the door, Zhou Xun exclaimed in surprise:

“Erniu!”

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