Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 629 - 17: Trouble Comes Uninvited (Part 2)

...

After the old man left, Zhou Xun went to the Cultivation Room.

Today, he had obtained quite a few Fourth Level Talisman Papers and Spirit Ink from True Monarch Tianci, and Zhou Xun planned to take this opportunity to try,

refining a Tier Four Talisman!

If successful, he could become a Tier Four Rune Dao Grandmaster, and with the Nurtured Talisman Technique at his disposal, he could quickly obtain a batch of Tier Four Talismans with formidable power.

This would be of great help to him during the ongoing war between the Human-Demon Races.

He took out a cushion and sat cross-legged in front of a desk,

then waved his hand, sending several Spirit Lights falling onto the desk.

A stack of Tier Four Talisman Paper, a dish of Tier Four Spiritual Ink, and a single Talisman Pen.

Then Zhou Xun lit a stick of Tier Three Top-Grade Calming Incense, a scent of sandalwood rising and lingering at his nose.

Zhou Xun’s somewhat restless mood instantly calmed,

his eyes closed slightly as he began to adjust his breath.

After about half a quarter of an hour, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit reached their peak, and he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a calm gaze like an ancient well.

"Now is the time!"

Immediately, Zhou Xun took out a piece of Talisman Paper and spread it out,

then picked up the Talisman Pen, lightly dipped it in Spirit Ink, and began drawing according to the pattern of the Tier Four Fire Dragon Talisman!

The pen moved like a dragon and snake, accomplishing it all in one go,

all the patterns were completed with one stroke!

Just as Zhou Xun was about to inscribe the Sealing Spirit Spell,

suddenly, the half-finished talisman started to vibrate, initially very subtle, then growing larger,

finally,

with a "hiss," a wisp of smoke rose, and the Talisman Paper combusted spontaneously, turning to ashes in an instant!

"The refinement failed!"

"It seems that without a Tier Four Talisman Pen, it might be impossible to successfully draw this Tier Four Talisman!"

Zhou Xun sighed lightly.

He already had Tier Four Mountain Monarch’s Beard as the pen’s bristle, and just needed to find a Tier Four Middle-Grade or higher Spirit Bamboo as the pen shaft to refine a High-Grade Talisman Pen,

"If there was an exchange meeting for Nascent Soul Cultivators, it would be great!"

The Sea Suppression Immortal City hosts an annual exchange meeting because many Nascent Soul Cultivators gather there,

but this year’s meeting had just been held before Zhou Xun arrived at the Sea Suppression Immortal City,

If Zhou Xun wanted to attend, he would have to wait over nine months.

After pondering for a while, Zhou Xun decided to visit several major shops in the city, hoping for some gains. Even if there wasn’t any, he could always make an advance reservation!

Thus, Zhou Xun went out.

He headed straight to the city’s largest shop - Wuli Pavilion.

It was the largest commerce association in the entire Central Continent, with Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators occupying it!

Branches were spread throughout the Central Continent, whether in the Righteous Alliance, Celestial Dao Alliance, or even within the Demonic, traces of this commerce association could be found.

Previously, Zhou Xun had purchased his Pill Origin Wine here, which is why he chose it as his first stop!

In less than half a quarter of an hour, he arrived at Wuli Pavilion!

The pavilion covered an extensive area of several hundred feet, with dozens of doors in all directions, constantly receiving cultivators coming and going, all of whom were above the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Zhou Xun glanced around and then stepped inside.

"Greetings, Elder Zhou!"

A young man wearing a long green robe approached, bowing deeply with respect.

"The shopkeeper ordered that if you visit, you should be informed immediately. Please come with me to the elegant room to rest!"

"Ah, it’s you, Wu He, isn’t it?" Zhou Xun smiled,

This was indeed the servant he met during his first visit.

The young man heard this and was overjoyed,

"I didn’t expect you to remember me. It is truly an honor beyond measure!"

"Haha, lead the way then!"

Quickly, Zhou Xun arrived at the same elegant room as before, and after he settled, two maids brought up Spirit Tea.

After about half a cup of tea’s time,

the faint sound of footsteps came from outside the door, and a portly middle-aged man in a brocade robe walked in — it was Shopkeeper Gao Yuan.

"Daoist Zhou, sorry for the wait!"

The middle-aged man chuckled, cupped his hands, and sat beside Zhou Xun.

"Shopkeeper Gao’s business is prosperous. I’m here for two matters!" Zhou Xun smiled, returned the courtesy, and then stated his intentions!

"Please enlighten me!"

"The first matter concerns the four ounces Profound Thunder Crystal; how is the situation now?" Zhou Xun asked.

Previously at Wuli Pavilion, Zhou Xun had set aside this treasure.

"The Profound Thunder Crystal—is actually what I wanted to discuss!"

"Speaking of which, Daoist, your fortune is good. When I contacted the Central Continent headquarters to gather this item, I didn’t expect the commerce association to receive a second Profound Thunder Crystal,"

"And this particular one is considerably heavier!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but be delighted, surprised by such a pleasant turn of events.

"This one weighs seven ounces; due to its urgency, I had it sent along with the others here. Does Daoist Zhou have any thoughts on this additional crystal?"

"For me, the more Profound Thunder Crystal, the better. Rest assured, the Spirit Stones are ample; just let me know when it arrives!" Zhou Xun laughed heartily.

"It will take no more than a month to arrive, and I’ll have someone personally inform Daoist Zhou when it does!" Shopkeeper Fatty replied with a chortle.

"In that case, I am grateful!" Zhou Xun cupped his hands and continued:

"Also, the second matter is about acquiring a piece of Tier Four Middle-Grade or higher Spirit Bamboo, no less than five inches in length. Does your pavilion have any in stock?"

"Regarding Tier Four Middle-Grade or higher Spirit Bamboo, our headquarters does have stock!"

"However... I’m bold enough to ask, what does Daoist Zhou need this Spirit Bamboo for? If inconvenient, then you don’t have to say!" Gao Yuan probed.

"To refine a High-Grade Magical Treasure Talisman Pen!" Zhou Xun did not conceal the truth.

"If for refining a Talisman Pen, then perhaps the Spirit Bamboo we have is less suitable; the Spirit Bamboo for refining a Talisman Pen must emphasize spiritual power permeability,"

"Hence, various Five Elements attributes Spirit Bamboo is best, whereas our pavilion’s is Steel Spirit Bamboo, which isn’t strong in spiritual power permeability. Even if refined into a Talisman Pen, it would be a very inferior one!"

"If Daoist Zhou isn’t in a hurry, I could put out a request for Daoist Zhou, whereby Wuli Pavilion charges a ten percent commission!"

Gao Yuan spoke.

"Wuli Pavilion actually offers such services?" Zhou Xun was astonished and couldn’t help but admire Gao Yuan. This kind of shopkeeper was the first he had seen!

In completing a transaction, offering customers a more comprehensive solution was why this person could manage Wuli Pavilion as its shopkeeper.

"Naturally, we do. Daoist Zhou must simply provide the conditions of the acquisition ahead, wherein I’ll inform Daoist Zhou of any news!"

"In that case, please have your pavilion procure a Tier Four Middle-Grade or higher Five Elements attributes Spirit Bamboo, no less than five inches long, for which I’m willing to offer a bottle of Yuan Strengthening Pill as an exchange item!"

After pondering, Zhou Xun spoke.

"If exchanging with a Yuan Strengthening Pill, Daoist Zhou should receive news soon!" Gao Yuan smiled.

"Then I shall await the good news at my abode!"

"Additionally, I have one more question: Does your pavilion sell Foundation Strengthening and Essence Nourishing Elixir for Early-Stage Cultivators?"

Zhou Xun inquired offhandedly,

"If you’re seeking Core Formation Cultivator’s Elixirs, we naturally have them, but Nascent Soul Stage—"

"Not available!"

"Such elixirs, once they appear in our pavilion, are mostly consumed internally by the commerce association, rarely leaking out, and even if they do, they are swiftly purchased!"

"Unless at an auction, our commerce association scarcely sees such items!"

Shopkeeper Fatty explained slowly.

"I see; now that matters are settled, I’ll be taking my leave. Farewell!"

Then Zhou Xun left Wuli Commerce Association,

visited several other shops, finding no elixirs for sale, and reluctantly returned to his Cave Mansion.

...

In the following days, Zhou Xun remained indoors, staying within the Cave Mansion.

In the Cultivation Room, Zhou Xun sat upright on the cushion, his eyes slightly closed, his breathing deep and regular.

With each breath Zhou Xun took, the surrounding Spiritual Qi seemed drawn by an invisible force, gathering around him.

Permeating through his body surface into his meridians,

operating the Great Cycle Operation according to the path of the "Purple Sky Thunder Technique," finally refined into mana, absorbed by the Nascent Soul in his Dantian.

"Just relying on Qi Cultivation, I wonder when I can break through!"

Suddenly——

Zhou Xun’s gaze moved toward the Insect Room within the Cave Mansion,

"Is it... the Phoenix Butterfly is about to advance!"