According to the original plan, after renting the house, there would still be one hundred and ten Spirit Essences left. Now with the rent increasing by fifty percent, only sixty are left.
Not counting cultivation resources, even just buying Spirit Rice would only be enough to support for half a year.
Moreover, I have to prepare for next year's rent in advance.
"It's still urgent to find a job as soon as possible!"
Once again arriving at the West Plaza, the place was bustling with people, everyone seemed enthusiastic.
Zhou Xun, filled with doubt, hurriedly inquired from an elderly person beside him.
"Daoist Brother, may I ask what's happening here that gets everyone so excited?"
The elder had white hair, his robe seemed unusual, though quite worn and had burn marks, with a faint medicinal aroma!
It seemed he once was affluent, now fallen from grace.
"Daoist Brother?"
Seeing it was a young man with rosy lips and white teeth, with a face like jade calling him, the elder's expression turned a bit strange but he patiently explained:
"Fellow Daoist might not know,"
"Five days ago, Master Yun Ku from the Lin Family Pill Workshop successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage and also advanced to a Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemy Master,"
"To celebrate and expand, the Lin Pill Workshop decided to recruit ten alchemy apprentices and thirty Spirit Contract Servants. This is a big opportunity for us loose cultivators!"
"What!"
Hearing this news, Zhou Xun's heart was moved.
He vaguely remembered that the reason he was able to join the Miaofu Pavilion as a Spirit Contract Servant was because three years ago, the Second Elder of Miaofu Pavilion was promoted to a Tier Two Rune Master, which led to expansion, recruiting six apprentices, and twenty Spirit Contract Servants. Zhou Xun then had the chance to join.
Now encountering such an opportunity again, he certainly couldn't miss it.
"Daoist Brother, do you know the requirements for this recruitment?"
As apprentices of the Pill Workshop and Spirit Contract Servants, naturally, there is a certain threshold; not just anyone can join.
"First, one must have a clear background and be of good character. If you were raised in Red Leaf Square, that's even better,"
"Secondly, the alchemy apprentices must be under eighteen years old and have cultivation above the Third Layer Qi Refining, then be selected based on merit."
"Spirit Contract Servants must be below thirty years old and at the Third Layer Qi Refining, or at the Second Layer Qi Refining before eighteen!" After speaking, this person glanced at Zhou Xun and said with a hint of regret:
"It's a pity that you are about to reach Second Layer Qi Refining Perfection, just a sliver away from the apprentice standard, what a shame!"
The elder sighed as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun's heart moved.
With so many conditions for an alchemy apprentice, he was only short by one factor, his cultivation. Was there room for maneuver, he wondered, though outwardly he remained modest:
"What's there to be regretful about? I am just a mere loose cultivator. Being able to join the Lin Family as a Spirit Contract Servant, I'm already quite satisfied. As for being an apprentice, I don't dare to ask for more!"
"Not arrogant, knows when to give and take, has self-awareness, a fine temperament, but unfortunately, the talent and cultivation aren't enough!" The elder stroked his beard, somewhat amused by the worldly affairs.
"Contentment brings happiness, it's good that you have an open mind!"
"May I ask when the registration starts?" Zhou Xun asked hurriedly.
Such large-scale recruitment is typically announced in advance, with registration first followed by selection.
If given some time, with a certain cost, he might break through before the selection!
"One month from today, registration will be open here, and selection will take place, hoping you achieve your wish by then!"
"Thank you, Daoist Brother!" Zhou Xun cupped his hands and saluted.
'One month, I still have a chance!'
Zhou Xun was overjoyed,
In the Cultivation Hundred Skills, the status of an Alchemy Master is the most revered.
Even a Tier One High-Grade Alchemy Master can become a guest of honor for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Like Master Yun Ku, before breaking through, he was a Tier Two Low-Grade Alchemy Master. Though his cultivation was only at Ninth-Layer Qi Refining, his status was higher than an ordinary Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Now that he has advanced to Tier Two Middle-Grade, his status nearly rivals that of Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, ranking among the top five in Red Leaf Square.
If he could join the Lin Family Pill Workshop as an alchemy apprentice under Master Yun Ku, the Wei Brothers would surely not dare to trouble him anymore.
Moreover, becoming an alchemy apprentice has another advantage, which is the opportunity to openly access various Spirit Plants.
His Spring Condensation Scripture would have a use.
Thinking of this, Zhou Xun lost the desire to look for a job.
Immediately, he rushed towards the east, where the Pill Workshop was located.
He decided to purchase an Energy-Introducing Pill.
The Energy-Introducing Pill is a Foundation Strengthening and Essence Nourishing elixir suitable for Early-Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, many Peak of Second Layer Qi Refining cultivators use this pill to break through.
However, this elixir is expensive, costing at least 40 Spirit Essences per pill.
"Even though I'm not at the Peak of Second Layer Qi Refining, the chance of directly breaking through to the Third Layer by taking the Energy-Introducing Pill is small, but the opportunity is right here, it's worth trying!"
Walking down the long stone road, turning a few street corners, he arrived in front of the Lin Family Pill Workshop.
The Lin Family Pill Workshop is the largest elixir shop in Red Leaf Square, extremely grand.
The building has a main building and four annex buildings, the tallest being about seven or eight feet high, with its roof towering. The entire Ten Thousand Treasures Tower covers nearly a hundred square meters, with corridors winding back and forth, eaves pecking high like birds, railing carved and painted gorgeously, truly majestic and stately.
Two guards stood at the building's entrance, both being Peak of Third-Layer Qi Refining experts.
Zhou Xun stepped through the entrance and went straight to the area selling Early-Stage Qi Refining elixirs.
"Young master, what elixir would you like to purchase?"
"Energy-Introducing Pill!"
"That'll be 41 Spirit Essences in total!"
Without hesitation, Zhou Xun took out Spirit Essences and received a bottle containing the Energy-Introducing Pill from the shopkeeper, then hurriedly left, heading home.
As he approached the lane entrance, Zhou Xun encountered many passersby, all cultivators living in Luliu Lane.
The neighbors had unusual expressions towards him!
Zhou Xun felt strange.
As he got closer, he heard them talking about him, with faint sounds reaching his ears.
"Did you know? I heard Zhou Xun was fired from Miaofu Pavilion!" said a young man dressed as a servant, who usually flattered Zhou Xun.
"Heh, he got what he deserved!" said another person gloatingly.
Many were envious when working at Miaofu Pavilion.
Zhou Xun heard this, said nothing, brushed past them, knowing that this kind of thing, whether in the past life or this life, was common.
Shaking his head, Zhou Xun continued walking forward.
...
Just then, a tall figure approached, asking with concern
"Brother Zhou, I heard you were fired from Miaofu Pavilion?"
This person looked scholarly, with a wide-bladed slaughter knife, about a foot long, hanging at his waist, appearing over forty years old.
"Brother Gao, even you know about this!" Zhou Xun cupped his hands and saluted.
This man, surnamed Gao, also lived in Luliu Lane and was a Spirit Slaughter Cultivator.
In the Cultivation Realm, Spirit Fish, Demon Beasts, and the like require special handling when slaughtered, or else the Spiritual Qi would dissipate, greatly reducing value, hence the birth of the Spirit Slaughter profession.
And this middle-aged man named Gao was a Spirit Slaughter Cultivator by family lineage. His skill in slaughtering Spirit Fish was exceptional.
He now worked at the largest Cultivator Tavern in Red Leaf Square, responsible for slaughtering Spirit Fish.
"Your matter has spread throughout the lane, why not let me speak for you and become a servant at my tavern? While it may not compare to Miaofu Pavilion, it's still a secure place to earn a living!" The middle-aged man's tone was sincere.
Zhou Xun felt warm but still refused.
This Brother Gao, Zhou Xun felt unfathomable when he first crossed over. Now with the Spring Condensation Scripture in hand and the opportunity for an apprenticeship at the Pill Treasure Pavilion, he politely declined:
"Thank you, Brother Gao, I'd still like to look for myself. If I truly can't find a way, I'll have to trouble you then!"
"Alright, you're young, you should seize your chances more often; if it truly doesn't work out, come find me then!"
Zhou Xun nodded in agreement, carrying the Energy-Introducing Pill, he quickly headed home.