Chapter 324

Chapter 324: Registered Disciple

"It turns out it’s Friend Quan, I’ve long heard of your great name, please sit down." Zhou Luo invited her to sit.

Previously, he feared her strength and dared not crowdsource for alchemy with her.

Now, both had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, there was no distinction of noble status between them.

Frankly speaking, he, a Second Level Pill Master, seemed to be a bit better than her.

After Quan Chunzhi sat down, Zhou Luo had a servant bring a cup of spiritual tea, then asked, "What is the reason Friend Quan has come this time?"

Hearing this, Quan Chunzhi’s beautiful eyes gleamed, and she said softly, "I’ve come to ask Pill Master Zhou to help refine a Foundation Establishment Dan."

Years ago, she went through great hardships for her younger brother, finally gathering all the materials, and handed them over to Pill Master Sun to refine.

But the result was that she only got one low-quality Foundation Establishment Dan, which greatly disappointed her.

Later, she used that low-quality Foundation Establishment Dan to exchange back for some materials, and over these years, piecing them together, she finally gathered all of them again.

Only because of what happened last time, she dared not seek Pill Master Sun, and additionally, another Second Level middle first-level Pill Master was in Closed-Door Training, so she could only wait.

Until recently, news came out that Zhou Luo could refine Foundation Establishment Dan.

At first, Quan Chunzhi didn’t trust him very much, after all, there was a precedent, and she didn’t dare to be overconfident.

But when she saw that he had successively refined middle-quality Foundation Establishment Dan three times, each time better than before, she was finally moved.

Therefore, she came here today.

Hearing this, Zhou Luo smiled faintly and said, "It’s just an equal trade, there’s no need for talk of help. Friend Quan, you can just wait your turn."

"Pill Master Zhou, actually, I wish you could help me refine pills half a year from now." Quan Chunzhi said with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Her younger brother was advanced in age, and if he didn’t break through soon, deficiency of qi and blood would greatly increase the failure rate of Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, he himself had a weak foundation, and were it not for her help, he wouldn’t have reached his current stage.

In this situation, the earlier he attained Foundation Establishment, the better.

Currently, there were so many people seeking Zhou Luo’s help that if waiting honestly in line, one would certainly have to wait three to five years to get one’s turn.

She naturally couldn’t wait that long.

Therefore, she came personally to visit.

"Friend Quan, you know that there are so many people coming to my door." Zhou Luo pretended to be troubled.

He couldn’t ruin the rules for one person; that would bring him no benefit at all.

"I’ve already spoken with that person; he’s willing to transfer his opportunity to me." Quan Chunzhi said seriously.

These words made Zhou Luo frown.

"Friend Quan, this matter is somewhat inappropriate." He said in a low voice.

He had deliberately started this auction merely to earn some extra money and to create hype.

But if people knew about Quan Chunzhi’s actions, they would know that refining opportunities could be sold off.

That would be different.

Then, there would certainly be people who didn’t need refinement but still bid for the next refining opportunity, and then resold it at a high price.

If this continued, the entire auction would descend into chaos.

He couldn’t allow that to happen.

Quan Chunzhi understood his meaning and was slightly embarrassed. "Pill Master Zhou, I was being presumptuous," she said. "But rest assured, no one else knows about this, and that person won’t tell anyone else either."

For the sake of her younger brother, she had paid a considerable price this time, even surrendering a Lifespan Pill.

"Just this once," Zhou Luo’s voice carried a faint chill.

"Then, Pill Master Zhou, can you refine it for me?" Quan Chunzhi asked hopefully.

Zhou Luo did not respond, merely sipping his spirit tea in silence.

Quan Chunzhi’s expression shifted several times. She pursed her lips and said earnestly, "Some time ago, Master Xuanlong sent someone to inform me that he is willing to take me on as a registered disciple."

Zhou Luo’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

Master Xuanlong — wasn’t he the administrator of Qinyuan City?

That was a significant figure within the Qinyuan Sect, yet he was willing to accept her as a registered disciple.

Within the master-disciple relationships of the world of cultivation, disciples were categorized by status into registered disciples, entry-level disciples, disciple in attendance, and direct disciples.

Registered disciples differed from the other three formal types; they generally referred to disciples who were acknowledged and had their names recorded.

These disciples typically possessed a certain level of cultivation talent and could be considered junior disciples.

Registered disciples underwent an observation period before becoming formal disciples, assessing their physique, spiritual roots, moral character, temperament, insight, and wisdom.

If they passed the observation, they would gain the opportunity to advance to become disciples worthy of full transmission.

Compared to formal disciples, registered disciples received far fewer benefits, otherwise Quan Chunzhi wouldn’t have needed to seek Zhou Luo for pill refinement.

But since she was now under the tutelage of a Golden Core master, even as a mere registered disciple, her status and position would undergo a dramatic transformation.

Moreover, if she performed exceptionally well in the future, there was a high probability she could become a formal disciple.

Since Zhou Luo intended to stay in the Immortal City, interacting with others was unavoidable later on.

Her suddenly speaking these words now was clearly meant to demonstrate her newfound value.

Zhou Luo pondered briefly.

Having her owe him a favor might not be a bad thing. Refining pills for her was the same as refining for anyone else, and since the auction winner hadn’t objected, he naturally had no objection either.

"Congratulations, Friend Quan. I hope you’ll provide more care and support in the future," Zhou Luo offered a deliberate pleasantry.

Since he intended for her to owe a debt, this matter had to be made explicitly clear.

Quan Chunzhi understood his implication. She nodded, "I owe Pill Master Zhou a favor. I will certainly repay it in the future."

She had made a commitment, and if she ever reneged, it could influence her path.

Zhou Luo nodded. "Then Friend Quan, please return and prepare first."

After seeing Quan Chunzhi out of Zhou Fu, he turned and headed back towards the inner courtyard, making his way to the alchemy room to see how Zhou Chang Lun was performing.

Just as he reached the door, his ear caught a faint, whispery sound.

"Exhale… Big brother, I can only help you this much. You need to hurry."

Hearing that tender voice belonging to Zhou Changqing made Zhou Luo’s eyes gleam sharply.

He didn’t enter. Instead, he released his mental strength, silently observing the scene inside the alchemy room.

What he saw was Zhou Changqing’s small frame just leaping down from a chair, standing there panting slightly. His little face was a bit pale.

On him, Zhou Luo could sense a slight undulation of spiritual energy.

Had this little fellow learned how to use spiritual energy?

Zhou Luo was inwardly startled.

Clearly, Changqing had just utilized spiritual energy.

He directed his mental strength towards the furnace.

The flames inside were burning noticeably fiercer than usual, and the speed at which the medicinal herbs were melting had greatly increased.

This was Zhou Chang Lun’s task.

Zhou Luo didn’t expect him to achieve exceptional refinement; it was simply foundational practice to begin with.

But Zhou Chang Lun lacked sufficient spiritual energy. The Dan fire he released was relatively weak, requiring a long time each session for the melting process.

Now, with Zhou Changqing’s assistance, the melting speed had clearly accelerated significantly.

Zhou Luo watched silently. He pondered inwardly: Changqing—wasn’t it just days ago that this little one couldn’t even circulate his spiritual energy properly?

How had he become so proficient in such a short time?

Was he simply hiding his capabilities? Or was he exceptionally talented?

He decided to continue observing.