"Name?"
"Zhou Xun!"
"Cultivation level?"
"Third-Layer Qi Refining!" The middle-aged steward responsible for the registration's eyes shimmered slightly, clearly performing the Celestial Eye Technique.
The Celestial Eye Technique is a spell cultivators use to assess cultivation levels, but it generally only reveals the cultivation level of the same tier cultivators. If the level is far higher than one's own, or if the subject has practiced a high-level Qi Concealment Technique, it remains unclear.
Subsequently, the person inquired about Zhou Xun's residential address, place of birth, and life experiences.
Upon hearing that Zhou Xun had lived in Red Leaf Square since childhood, the middle-aged man's expression immediately became amicable.
This person proved to be quite local-biased.
Master Yun Ku's reputation was widespread, and this recruitment event attracted many cultivators from afar to sign up.
In total, they outnumbered even the local cultivators of Red Leaf Square by a large margin.
This left the middle-aged steward continually displeased.
Thus, he often showed a lack of amiability towards the cultivators from other regions.
"You are excellent; at seventeen, your Third-Layer Qi Refining progress is already more than halfway through, unlike those who hastily advanced through elixirs."
"Moreover, being a native of Red Leaf Square with a clear family background, you will essentially have no issue being recruited this time!"
Speaking while noting something in the registry, he finally made a huge tick next to Zhou Xun's name.
"Thank you, Steward!" Zhou Xun felt a flicker of joy in his heart upon seeing this and saluted the middle-aged man.
"This time, it's secure!"
"Leave a trace of mana behind, then you may leave!"
Zhou Xun did as instructed, then bid farewell and left.
...
Next in line behind Zhou Xun were Wei Shangren's third brother and the others, who entered as Zhou Xun exited.
"Shangli greets Uncle!"
As soon as they entered, before the middle-aged steward could speak, Wei Shangli stepped forward and greeted him.
"Ah, it's Shangli; how come you're here!" The middle-aged steward warmly received him.
After Wei Shangli advanced to a Tier One Rune Master, the Wu Family selected a girl from a collateral line and took Wei Shangli as their son-in-law.
And this wife's mother was of the Lin Family.
And standing before them, this middle-aged steward was indeed her maternal uncle.
Since Wei Shangli's marriage, he had frequently visited with his wife.
And this steward from the Pill Treasure Pavilion was particularly fond of his young nephew-in-law.
"I am here this time to accompany my third brother for registration. He possesses a Middle-Grade Spirit Root and is only sixteen, yet already achieved Third-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation!"
Wei Shangli replied, introducing his third brother, Wei Shangyi, and accompanying second brother, Wei Shangren.
After they exchanged formalities, they proceeded to help Wei Shangli's third brother register.
"Wei Shangyi possesses exceptional talent, and with my guidance, his selection is certain!" The middle-aged steward said heartily.
"Thank you, Uncle, for your trouble!" Wei Shangyi, following his elder brother's lead, also addressed the middle-aged steward as Uncle, looking very familiar.
"The Wei trio, except for the second one, are all outstanding individuals, with the added benefit of family ties through my niece; investment is justified."
The middle-aged steward nodded contentedly.
At this time, Wei Shangren discreetly eyed his elder brother, sending several meaningful gazes.
Wei Shangli naturally understood his brother's intentions.
His brother had long offended Zhou Xun significantly, and if Zhou Xun entered the Pill Treasure Pavilion or even became an Alchemy Apprentice, it would create numerous obstacles for them in the future.
Thus, he turned to the middle-aged steward and asked:
"By the way, Uncle, how was the person who just came in?"
"The person just now... You mean that young brother just now? Haha, that individual is also a rare talent, growing up in Red Leaf Square from a young age, and is certain to be selected this time,"
"Once Shangyi joins, he should become acquainted with that person!" The middle-aged steward stroked his beard and laughed.
Upon hearing the steward said so, an urgency flashed in Wei Shangren's eyes, so he pushed his elder brother's sleeve.
Wei Shangli remained composed, offering a slight smile as if casually remarking:
"Speaking of which, I also know that person; he was once a Spirit Contract Servant at our Miaofu Pavilion, but was harsh and cut corners on work, frequently at odds with my brother,"
"But being talented with a knack for hiding, he managed to stay undetected at Miaofu Pavilion for three years before being exposed and recently got expelled. I didn't expect to encounter him here today."
"Uncle mustn't be deceived by him!"
The middle-aged steward was slightly moved by the words. Having been the Chief Steward at the Pill Treasure Pavilion for many years, he was well-versed in human relationships.
Just as Wei Shangli finished speaking, he could guess about seventy to eighty percent of the story.
Expulsion happened not long ago, which calculated exactly around the time this young nephew-in-law advanced to a Tier One Rune Master.
It must be this nephew-in-law's doing.
Oh well, given this nephew-in-law personally mentioned it, it would be only fitting to show respect; yet, one can't just work for nothing.
Thus, he appeared hesitant, feigning deliberate contemplation.
Wei Shangli saw his brother-in-law hesitating to respond, understanding his intention perfectly.
"Such greed from this person, but that's fine by me!"
Immediately, he patted the storage bag, letting out a flash of white light.
A milky-white jade bottle about the size of an inch appeared in his palm.
"You know, last time when visiting Uncle, I didn't have a proper gift prepared in haste, yet Shangli felt uneasy. I happened to recently obtain a bottle of Spirit Liquid, and I'd like to present it to Uncle!"
Saying this, he extended his hand, revealing the small and exquisite jade bottle.
Upon hearing the term "Spirit Liquid," the middle-aged steward became greatly interested.
This Spirit Liquid is the product of spiritual qi intensely coalesced, typically only produced by Tier Two High-Grade Spirit Veins.
This item serves to assist cultivators' cultivation and accelerate the cultivation process without the side effects of elixir poison, making it an ideal cultivation treasure.
And the Spirit Qi Eye of the Tier Two High-Grade Spirit Vein in Red Leaf Square was under Wu Family's control.
This bottle of Spirit Liquid likely came as a reward from the Wu Family when Wei Shangli became a Tier One Rune Master.
The small jade bottle contained about five drops, worth at least five Spirit Stones on the market, but it was both priceless and unavailable.
The middle-aged steward's face was immediately filled with smiles.
Lightly brushing his hand, he placed the jade bottle into his own storage bag.
Then, smilingly, he said:
"Shangli, that's very kind, and indeed, this item has urgent use for myself, so I will accept it with embarrassment!"
He walked over to the table, picked up the pen, and altered Zhou Xun's record.
"This person, formerly a dismissed Spirit Contract Servant from Miaofu Pavilion, not recommended..." finally drawing a big cross.
Witnessing this, Wei Shangli and his brothers exchanged knowing smiles and tactfully took their leave.
...
Soon, everyone had completed their registration.
In the pavilion, the stewards, led by Lin Zhishan, began discussing the preliminary selection.
They promptly chose twenty candidates for the Alchemy Apprentice and thirty candidates for the Spiritual Energy Servant roles, logging them in the new registry, with Zhou Xun's name notably absent.
Following this, Lin Zhishan carried all the rosters to visit his master for the final decision.