Chapter 332: Chapter 80: Encountering an Old Friend!

Behind the city gate was a street over ten zhang wide, the main thoroughfare of Fengyuan City, bustling with people.

Zhou Xun slowly walked northward along the street, flanked by various buildings, closely packed, with eaves towering in splendid array, magnificent and grand.

Zhou Xun looked over,

“Celestial Star Pavilion!”

“Spirit Treasure Tower!”

“Cold Moon Pavilion!”

“Yuelai Inn”

…

All were familiar names.

No different from when Zhou Xun came here decades ago.

A slight thought reveals the rationale behind this.

As the largest Immortal City in Fengg Country, Fengyuan City is where every inch of land is exceedingly precious.

The shops along the busiest main street are its core.

Without a certain amount of wealth and background, it is impossible to rent a shop here.

And such people usually have a stable status, naturally prolonging the existence of their shops.

The purpose of Zhou Xun’s visit this time was the Hundred Pleasures Tower.

This tower is one of the top comprehensive shops in Fengyuan City, whose owner is the veteran Fake Pill Cultivator of Fengg Country, Master Wenyang.

He is widely connected and extremely influential in Fengg Country.

Zhou Xun came to inquire about the residence of the elder surnamed Hu from years ago.

Although he conducted a transaction with that Puppet Master, it was done in an inn due to unfamiliarity.

Now, decades later, to find him, one has to rely on other intermediaries.

…

After walking for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Zhou Xun arrived in front of a majestic building spanning a hundred zhang in area and five stories high.

The eaves are adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, with a plaque in the middle inscribed with the big characters “Hundred Pleasures Tower”.

This was indeed Zhou Xun’s destination.

He then walked inside with his hands behind his back.

The first floor covers an area of several hundred zhang, filled with Magical Artifacts, Talismans, Elixirs, etc., used by Qi Refining Cultivators.

At this moment, dozens of cultivators were carefully selecting items, with several servants in green robes beside them explaining.

Seeing Zhou Xun entering, a servant with a refined appearance in a green robe greeted him respectfully with a salute.

“Little one Jin San greets this senior, may I know what treasures you wish to purchase?”

“I am not buying anything; I am here to visit your Tower Master, Master Wenyang!”

“What!”

Upon hearing this, the servant couldn’t help but exclaim,

attracting the attention of other cultivators on the first floor.

Seeing this, the servant’s face changed dramatically, stammering:

“Elder… Elder, please forgive me!”

Their Tower Master, Master Wenyang, is a Core Formation Cultivator, the type of person able to visit him must be extraordinary.

“It’s fine!” Zhou Xun waved his hand, naturally not bothered by a servant.

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed as a shopkeeper seemed to notice the commotion here, tidied up his attire, and quickly came over.

“Greetings to this esteemed one… huh, you… you are… Master Wangchuan!”

The middle-aged man, upon getting closer, saluted and, midway through, recognized Zhou Xun’s face, immediately displaying a surprised look, his saluting gesture frozen there.

Only after a while did he regain his senses, hurriedly bowing to the ground.

“You recognize me?”

Zhou Xun asked in surprise,

Even though he had been here before, it was disguised with a different appearance, posing as Lii Feiyu.

And this face of his was appearing in Fengyuan City for the first time; how could anyone recognize him?

Seeing Zhou Xun’s kind face and gentle tone, the middle-aged shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief and quickly explained:

“Let the Master be informed,

You are the only High-Grade True Pill cultivator in a thousand years in Fengg and Xuu Countries, admired by all. Of course, your image has been etched into the mind of the younger generation!”

Hearing this, Zhou Xun nodded.

These words were indeed true.

As the renowned new True Pill in a neighboring country, what major force wouldn’t have his image in their collection?

After all, high-tier cultivators often like traveling around the world, and if any disciple were so clueless as to offend a senior, wouldn’t they be courting death?

This is true even for regular forces, not to mention grand shops like the Hundred Pleasures Tower welcoming people.

Seeing Zhou Xun not showing signs of impatience, the shopkeeper quickly said:

“It is truly our honor for the Master to visit the Hundred Pleasures Tower. If the Master does not mind, why not sit in a private room for a while?”

“Very well!”

Zhou Xun nodded.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper quickly motioned to a servant nearby.

Then he led Zhou Xun upstairs.

They went up to the fourth floor, into an elegantly designed private room.

“This is our Hundred Pleasures Tower’s treasure, Qingfeng Tea!”

The middle-aged shopkeeper said, taking out a tea set and a box of exquisite tea leaves.

“Drinking it is like a breeze brushing the face, with a unique taste!”

In a short time, the Spirit Tea was brewed.

“Master, please!”

The middle-aged shopkeeper handed the Spirit Tea to Zhou Xun with both hands.

Zhou Xun took it, lifted the lid, and a faint scent wafted out, refreshing his mind.

Then he took a gentle sip.

The tea flowed into the mouth, a coolness rushed to the back of the head, bringing Zhou Xun calmness.

“Good, excellent tea!” Zhou Xun lightly praised.

Seeing this, the middle-aged shopkeeper was relieved.

After all, the person in front of him was a True Pill Cultivator, a tier higher than their Tower Master.

“Please wait here, Master. I have informed the host, and he will be here shortly!”

“No problem!” Zhou Xun waved his hand.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, a middle-aged man with a lean face and dressed in a green robe walked in.

Upon seeing Zhou Xun, the middle-aged man slightly bowed and performed a junior’s salute to Zhou Xun:

“Wenyang greets Master Wangchuan!”

Although Master Wenyang is also a Core Formation Cultivator, he has only condensed a Fake Pill.

In the Cultivation Realm, Fake Pill Cultivators have no room for improvement, and their mana is only half that of an Early-Stage True Pill Cultivator.

When the two meet, Fake Pill Cultivators often greet with a junior’s salute.

Zhou Xun raised his sleeve, and a lifting force supported Master Wenyang’s body as he bowed.

Meanwhile, he clasped his hands in return and said:

“There is no need for such formality, Daoist Wenyang. We can regard each other as equals!”

Feeling this irresistible force, Master Wenyang was shocked!

“Is this the High-Grade True Pill? It gives me a vast and unstoppable feeling!”

His expression became more respectful, and faced with Zhou Xun’s courtesy, he couldn’t help but feel honored and surprised.

“I wouldn’t dare, Master, you are too courteous!”

Afterwards, at Zhou Xun’s invitation, he sat down nearby.

“It’s truly my honor to have the Master visit our Hundred Pleasures Tower. If there’s anything you need, just let me know!”

As the saying goes, he wouldn’t walk into the Temple of Three Treasures without a reason. Zhou Xun must have important business here.

Seeing Master Wenyang speak openly, Zhou Xun continued the conversation.

“It’s not about giving orders; I’m just here to inquire about some news!”

“Please speak, Master, Wenyang will certainly tell you everything I know!” Master Wenyang said.

“I’m here to commission a Tier Three Treasure. I wonder if Daoist Wenyang knows of any Tier Three Artifact Refiners?” Zhou Xun directly stated his intention.

The reason he didn’t directly ask the elder with the surname Hu,

is that Zhou Xun wasn’t sure if Elder Hu’s artifact refining skills had truly reached Tier Three.

Perhaps Master Wenyang, who has many friends, knows of other Tier Three Artifact Refiners.

After all, his goal is an Artifact Refiner, regardless of whether their surname is Hu.

“I do know a Tier Three Artifact Refiner. This person is surnamed Hu, and goes by the title ’Master Hu Kui,’” answered Master Wenyang.

“Is it the same Hu Daoist who refined the Quasi-Third Tier Puppet capable of contending with True Pill Cultivators?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun’s heart stirred, and he immediately asked.

“That’s the one,” Master Wenyang nodded.

“Do you know where this person’s Cave Mansion is located?” Zhou Xun was delighted to hear this and quickly inquired.

“Daoist Hu is a good friend of mine. I can take you to him directly, but…” Master Wenyang hesitated, then continued:

“But Daoist Hu is currently not in the city. He has gone to explore Fengyuan with several friends to find Puppet Materials!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun frowned.

He was, of course, aware of Fengyuan’s vastness, unknown to span millions of miles.

And at their level of cultivation, it was very common to be away for several years at a time.

If he were to wait here for several years, it might not be very realistic.

After some thought, he asked:

“Do you know when Master Hu Kui will return?”

“I don’t know the exact time, but Master Hu Kui has been away for two years now. According to his previous habits, he should be back within three months at the latest!”

Master Wenyang answered truthfully.

“Three months is not long; I’ll wait then!”

Hearing this, Master Wenyang’s mind churned.

Master Wangchuan is a High-Grade True Pill, likely to become a Late-Stage Core Formation in the future. Now appearing within his shop and intending to stay in Fengyuan City,

isn’t this the perfect opportunity to strengthen their relationship?

“As it’s the Master’s first time here, you might not have a place to stay. If you don’t mind, I have a small courtyard!”

“It’s situated just behind our Hundred Pleasures Tower, very quiet!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun nodded:

“Then I’ll take you up on your offer!”

Thus, Zhou Xun stayed at the courtyard behind the Hundred Pleasures Tower.

…

The next morning, breakfast was brought by a maid, all made from Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Rice.

Such high-quality Spirit Rice wasn’t commonly seen even in Xui Country.

As a result, Zhou Xun ate several bowls.

After breakfast, Zhou Xun left, planning to stroll around Fengyuan City since it would be some time before Master Hu Kui returned.

Moreover, traveling among the common folk and experiencing the world’s multitude could significantly help temper the Heart Realm.

There were once Powerful Cultivators who mingled in the marketplaces to train their hearts, eventually perfecting their Heart Realm and breaking through to a higher realm.

Fengyuan City is a very inclusive Immortal City.

It has top-tier shops serving High-Tier Cultivators along the main roads, as well as places like the West Plaza for transactions among lower-tier cultivators.

This time, Zhou Xun’s destination was the West Plaza.

During his last visit, Zhou Xun was pressed for time and had no intention of leisurely exploring this area.

The West Plaza is situated on the western side of Fengyuan City, only about eight or nine miles from where Zhou Xun was staying at the Hundred Pleasures Tower.

He walked there.

Along the way, cultivators in various attire hurried by, unlike Zhou Xun, who strolled as if through a garden.

With stops and starts, it took him about half an hour to reach his destination.

As soon as he entered the West Plaza, a bustling market atmosphere enveloped him, with countless stalls in view and a continuous stream of bargaining and quoting.

Zhou Xun smiled as he looked around, one by one.

“Daoist, have a look at my talismans, freshly refined and of excellent quality!”

At that moment, a somewhat familiar voice reached his ears.

Zhou Xun followed the direction of the voice,

and saw a woman in a red dress, kneeling in front of a talisman stall, eagerly trying to attract customers.

“It’s her!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep