Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 320: Chapter 68: Master Wangchuan

Zhou Xun returned to his cave mansion after receiving all the gifts from Weih Qiuxin.

As soon as he sat down, he saw Song Yiqing sitting there waiting for him.

Although she was Zhou Xun’s concubine, she mostly engaged in a spiritual retreat, striving to reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible.

Thus, she had her own cave mansion, right next to Zhou Xun’s.

”Greetings, Master!”

Upon seeing her husband’s figure, Song Yiqing gracefully knelt down, a smile in her eyes.

”Ah, you!”

Zhou Xun gently patted Song Yiqing’s hand. Occasional teasing between husband and wife helps deepen their relationship.

After some tender moments, Song Yiqing spoke of her purpose for coming.

”Husband, my uncle and the others are still at Wangchuan Square. They wish to see you, and yes, Uncle Seven is here too!”

”Oh, Brother Song is here too!”

Zhou Xun looked surprised; the Uncle Seven mentioned by Song Yiqing was naturally Zhou Xun’s old friend—Song Zhishu!

Back when Zhou Xun first entered Qingyue Square, Song Zhishu was already over fifty years old.

Now, over fifty years have passed, and the once twenty-something Zhou Xun is seventy-odd.

As for Song Zhishu, his age is over a hundred. It was unexpected that he would travel all the way here.

He certainly had to meet him.

”Indeed!” Song Yiqing nodded.

”They’re all family, bring them to the Jingxin Pavilion; I’ll personally host a banquet to entertain them!” Zhou Xun instructed.

”Alright!”

...

After decades of management, the Jingxin Pavilion is now brimming with Spiritual Qi and full of scenic beauty, making it the perfect place to entertain fellow cultivators and old friends.

Zhou Xun sat at the stone table, content and at ease.

On it were many pieces of delicious spiritual food. To entertain Song Zhishu, Zhou Xun had specially killed a Tier One Top Grade Red Spirit Dragon Fish, paired with Tier Two Low-Grade Peach Blossom Brew.

Add to that the Spirit Tea and Spirit Fruit planted beside the Jingxin Pavilion.

Even True Pill Cultivators would be sufficiently entertained!

Soon, three figures walked up the stone steps.

Leading them was a person in scholarly robes, white hair and beard, his face having gathered quite a few spots, yet his visage still showed traces of that elegant middle-aged man from years past.

Beside him was a stern old man, hair white and flecked, over sixty years old. He was the current Patriarch of the Song Family, Song Zhide.

As a junior, Song Yiqing naturally walked behind them.

Drawing near, Song Zhishu and Song Zhide clasped their hands and bowed:

”Greetings, Master!”

Seeing this, Zhou Xun gave them a gentle wave of his hand, a supporting force stopping them in mid-bow.

”Brother Song, we’ve known each other for decades, there’s no need for such formality. Surely since I’ve reached Core Formation, I can’t have lost your friendship!”

Upon hearing Zhou Xun’s words, Song Zhishu’s eyes filled with excitement, and he waved his hands repeatedly,

”No, never!”

”Back then you called me ’Brother Zhou,’ can’t we stick to that now?” Zhou Xun said with a hint of reproach.

”Alright, alright, Brother Zhou!” Song Zhishu nodded with emotion and promptly sat across from Zhou Xun.

He hadn’t expected that despite Zhou Xun’s Core Formation, he would remain so down-to-earth without forgetting past bonds!

As for Song Zhide, their friendship was ordinary, so he continued to address Zhou Xun as Master.

”Qingyue Square is hundreds of thousands of miles away from here, Brother Song, with your advanced age, why take the trouble to journey all this way?” Looking at Song Zhishu’s frail form, Zhou Xun couldn’t help sighing.

”I’m already over a hundred, with not much time left,”

”However, upon hearing Brother Zhou had formed a High-Grade True Pill, how could I not come personally to congratulate him? If I missed this moment, there might never be another meeting, causing me lifelong regret!”

Song Zhishu shook his head and replied.

For him, befriending Zhou Xun during his days of obscurity was the greatest honor of his life.

Zhou Xun’s Core Formation celebration was of immense significance to him, so he naturally wanted to come see for himself.

”Brother Song’s sentiments are engraved in my heart!” Zhou Xun remarked with emotion.

With keen eyesight, he could easily see that Song Zhishu’s lifespan was unlikely to exceed twenty years.

Unfortunately, he only had Qi Refining cultivation. Even if Zhou Xun had a better Longevity Pill, Song Zhishu couldn’t consume it.

”Brother Song, it’s rare that you’re here. Try some of our spiritual food, all of it homegrown!”

So saying, he picked up a piece and served it to Song Zhishu,

The two conversed back and forth, exchanging toasts, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Meanwhile, Song Zhide appeared somewhat anxious.

The main purpose hadn’t been discussed yet. Their visit wasn’t just for reminiscing; it was concerning the enrollment of their ten or so Song Family disciples into Wangchuan Lake.

He frequently signaled to Song Zhishu.

Yet Song Zhishu seemed oblivious, not mentioning it at all.

Several hours later, the banquet concluded, and Song Zhishu and the others rose to bid farewell.

”Thank you, Brother Zhou, for your hospitality. May your journey on the immortal road be long and successful!” Song Zhishu said sincerely.

”Thank you, Brother Song. As for your Song Family disciples, rest assured they can remain at Wangchuan Lake,” Zhou Xun replied.

”Then we shall be troubling you, Brother Zhou. Take care,”

”Take care!”

Zhou Xun folded his hands and watched Song Zhishu and the others depart.

...

Returning to the cave mansion, Zhou Xun gathered several disciples and subordinates.

Inside the reception hall,

Zhou Jingsong and others sat in two rows, awaiting Zhou Xun’s arrival.

They didn’t have to wait long before Zhou Xun walked in, accompanied by a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth.

”Greetings, Master/Island Master!”

Everyone clasped hands in salute!

Zhou Xun gestured with his hand and proceeded to the main seat.

The youth stood respectfully by Zhou Xun’s side.

”Today, I have summoned you all for two matters!”

”The first matter is that I have accepted a new registered disciple, whom I want you all to meet today. His name is Lin Youshan, from the Lin Family of Red Leaf Square, and he is the youngest son of Patriarch Lin Anshu!”

”Get to know each other!”

He said this, pointing to the young boy beside him.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Jingsong stepped forward, looking over the young boy and nodding his head:

”Little junior brother indeed looks impressive; no wonder you have caught the master’s eye. I am your senior brother, Zhou Jingsong!”

”Greetings, senior brother!” Lin Youshan clasped his hands in a salute!

”I am your second senior sister. If you face any difficulties, feel free to come to me!”

At this moment, Shi Wanying also approached, looking at the young boy who was about the same age as her daughter, evoking a sense of affection.

”Thank you, second senior sister!”

Moved by Shi Wanying’s kindness, Lin Youshan’s nose tingled, reminding him of his mother who had passed away many years ago.

”Haha, I am your third senior brother...”

...

Soon, Lin Youshan had become acquainted with everyone.

Observing the harmonious scene, Zhou Xun nodded secretly and then addressed the boy:

”Youshan, I am usually busy and may not have the time to personally guide you. In the meantime, you can follow your senior brother,”

As he spoke, he glanced at his eldest disciple, instructing:

”Jingsong, I’m entrusting your little junior brother to you!”

Zhou Jingsong, who once managed the Danhai Pavilion for him and had taught countless people, was extremely experienced.

Wang Shun had followed Zhou Jingsong since childhood, and now his cultivation and alchemy were quite proficient,

thus Zhou Xun felt completely at ease entrusting Lin Youshan to Zhou Jingsong.

”I will obey the master’s command!”

Zhou Jingsong and Lin Youshan clasped their hands in approval.

”The second matter is about the Spiritual Veins in the jurisdiction of Wangchuan Lake!”

”This time, having achieved Core Formation, the Cloud Light Sect has allocated the surrounding ten thousand miles of Wangchuan Lake to be under my control!”

”As such, we now have four Tier Two Spiritual Mountains and over thirty Tier One Spiritual Veins,”

”Due to the previous Beast Tide, other than Daoist Fang’s Wuli Mountain, most have become unclaimed lands,”

”Letting them go to waste would be a great pity!”

”Therefore, I plan to distribute them!”

Zhou Xun, having now reached the Core Formation Stage, had broadened his horizons, not valuing a few Tier Two Spiritual Veins at all, and thus he planned to distribute them to his disciples and subordinates.

Upon hearing this, everyone was spirited, but few took action.

Seeing this, Zhou Xun had to call them by name.

”Jingsong, I remember your father’s greatest wish was to expand the Zhou Family into a Cultivation Clan; any thoughts on the remaining three Spiritual Veins?”

”This...” Zhou Jingsong hesitated a bit,

”Disciple does not wish to leave the master’s side!”

It would be a joke, now that Zhou Xun had become a True Pill Cultivator,

if he were to reside outside for long, his ties with the master might slowly weaken, and even a master-disciple relationship needs nurturing.

Such a loss could not be compensated by a single Tier Two Spiritual Vein.

”It’s just assigning a Spiritual Mountain; you can still stay at Wangchuan Lake. The Danhai Pavilion in Wangchuan Square still needs your oversight,”

”In that case, Xuanyu Mountain is yours. As a Tier Two Alchemist, possessing a Tier Two Spiritual Vein is absolutely within your rights!”

Xuanyu Mountain was the only Tier Two Middle-Grade among the three Tier Two Spiritual Veins, and Zhou Xun’s assignment to Zhou Jingsong naturally had a touch of consideration for him.

After all, he was his primary disciple; serving him for so many years, even if he had no significant merit, he had certainly worked hard.

”Thank you, Master!”

Zhou Jingsong nodded.

”As for the name of this Spiritual Vein, how about we change it as well? Naming it after your father, let’s call it ’Jimin Mountain’; what do you think?”

”Thank you, Master. I believe my father would be greatly comforted in his heavenly spirit!” Zhou Jingsong’s eyes grew slightly red.

The master’s consideration for him was truly exceptional.

”As for the remaining two, Qiuxin, Xiuyin, they are entrusted to you both!”

And for Fang Tianlun and his wife’s Wuli Mountain, ever since the fall of the White Cloud Immortal City, its rental was handed over to the Cloud Light Sect.

Now that it has been allocated under the jurisdiction of Wangchuan Lake, Zhou Xun naturally assigned it to Fang Tianlun and his wife.

”Thank you, Island Master!”

Fang Tianlun and his wife showed excitement, bowing immediately.

They simultaneously felt extremely fortunate for their choice back then.

”This is undoubtedly the most correct decision in my life!”

Now, with the Spiritual Veins in hand, coupled with being the first Artifact Refiner under High-Grade True Pill Zhou Xun,

the future potential is evident,

with such a backing, one might have the opportunity to train to the peak of Foundation Establishment and aim for Core Formation.

And their Fang Family at Wuli Mountain would certainly become a renowned Cultivation Family in the Xui Country.

Who would have thought that the descendants of a former blacksmith could achieve such accomplishments today?

After explaining these two matters, Zhou Xun further elaborated on cultivation issues for them.

With his current Early-Stage Core Formation cultivation, he dealt with their questions with great ease.

”By the way, since Master has successfully reached Core Formation, what title will you take?”

Typically, upon reaching the Core Formation Stage, regardless of the quality of the Inner Core formed, one is respectfully addressed as ”Master.”

Moreover, most Core Formation cultivators often give themselves a resounding title.

Like ”Master White Cloud,” ”Master Yun Yi,” ”Master Yun’an,” and so on.

”A title?”

Hearing this, Zhou Xun lowered his head in contemplation.

”Since I take Wangchuan Lake as my Dao field, I shall take Wangchuan as my name!”

”Yes, greetings to Master Wangchuan!”