I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

In the time that followed, Zhou Yuan's life returned to a monotonous cycle.

He removed the [Fire Cloud Technique] cultivation manual jade slip and the [Golden Source Pill] from his equipment slot and replaced them with the [Crimson Gold Furnace] and [Dan Dao Insights].

His cultivation had already reached the tenth level of Qi Refining, and breaking through again would not be something that could be accomplished overnight.

Even with the help of equipment, it is still impossible to break through in a short period of time.

The most urgent task is still to make money.

The pills taken daily require a large number of spirit stones.

The upgrade cost of one thousand spirit stones weighed heavily on my mind like a mountain.

Inside the quiet room, the fire in the stove was reignited.

With the combination of the two pieces of equipment, Zhou Yuan could clearly feel that his understanding of alchemy had reached a whole new level during this period.

The occasional sluggishness that used to occur when refining the Golden Source Pill has now completely disappeared.

As his consciousness sank into the alchemy furnace, the changes in the medicinal properties of each herb were as clear and distinct as the lines on his palm.

This extreme control makes even the concept of the success rate of pill formation somewhat blurred.

He almost had the illusion that he could produce pills in every batch if he wanted to.

The results confirmed his feeling.

With the terrifying enhancement of these two pieces of equipment, his success rate in refining first-grade top-quality Golden Source Pills has reached an astonishing figure.

80%!

This means that as long as he starts the furnace, it is almost impossible for him to lose money.

This is no longer alchemy; this is imprinting spirit stones.

A month later.

Zhou Yuan appeared at the entrance of Miaodan Pavilion.

He was dressed in a simple blue robe, and his cultivation level appeared to be at the eighth level of Qi Refining, making him inconspicuous in the crowd.

"Master Zhou, you've arrived."

As soon as he stepped into the pavilion, a sharp-eyed steward immediately greeted him with a beaming smile, his attitude excessively enthusiastic.

Over the past month, Zhou Yuan sold several bottles of Biyuan Pills and Jinyuan Pills to Miaodan Pavilion in batches.

Each time, the quantity is small, but the quality is excellent. In particular, the Golden Source Pill is so desirable that even cultivators above the tenth level of Qi Refining are tempted. The Myriad Pill Pavilion has already listed him as a top-level VIP.

The value of a rogue cultivator who can consistently provide top-quality pills is self-evident.

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly and followed the steward familiarly toward the inner hall.

"The same old rules."

He placed three jade bottles containing Golden Essence Pills on the table and spoke calmly.

The manager carefully took the bottle, uncorked it, glanced at it, and his smile grew even brighter.

"Excellent Golden Source Pill! Master Zhou's mastery of alchemy has truly broadened my horizons."

After offering some compliments, the manager quickly checked and settled the accounts. Then, as Zhou Yuan requested, he brought over a large batch of medicinal materials for refining the Golden Source Pill.

The transaction was completed, and Zhou Yuan put away the medicinal herbs and prepared to leave.

"Master Zhou, please wait." The steward hurriedly called out to persuade him to stay.

Zhou Yuan paused and turned around.

"My manager wishes to meet you. I wonder if Master Zhou would do me the honor?" The manager adopted a very humble posture.

coming.

Zhou Yuan remained calm and composed.

It's no wonder that a rogue cultivator at the Qi Refining stage, who can continuously produce top-grade pills, would be targeted.

This was exactly what he expected.

"Lead the way," he replied casually.

The steward, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly led the way, taking Zhou Yuan to the second floor of the Dan Pavilion.

The environment on the second floor was much more elegant than downstairs, and the air was filled with the fragrance of high-grade spiritual tea.

In an elegant VIP room, a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe and sporting a long beard had been waiting for some time.

When he saw Zhou Yuan enter, he immediately stood up to greet him with a warm smile on his face.

"This must be Alchemist Zhou. He is indeed a promising young man, a true prodigy in the art of alchemy!"

The middle-aged man personally poured Zhou Yuan a cup of tea brimming with spiritual energy, his words full of flattery.

Zhou Yuan didn't touch the cup of tea; he simply sat down calmly.

"Shopkeeper, please speak frankly."

He didn't want to waste time on this pretense.

"Haha, Master Zhou is indeed a straightforward person!"

The shopkeeper chuckled, then stopped beating around the bush. He composed himself and looked at Zhou Yuan seriously.

"On behalf of the Lin family behind Miaodan Pavilion, I formally invite Master Zhou to become a guest alchemist of our Lin family."

Recruit.

Zhou Yuan remained silent.

His worst fears came true.

Becoming an exclusive alchemist for a certain faction means losing your freedom and potentially becoming a tool for refining pills day and night.

This is something he absolutely does not want to accept.

However, if you refuse directly, there's no guarantee that the other party won't become dissatisfied and resort to underhanded tactics.

An alchemist who can refine top-grade pills is a huge piece of meat in himself, enough to tempt many people to take risks.

Zhou Yuan quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

Seemingly sensing his concerns, the shopkeeper timely offered a significant incentive.

"Master Zhou may not know this, but although my Lin family is just a family of cultivators, the current head of the family is an inner sect steward of Huangfeng Valley, with a cultivation level of mid-Foundation Establishment."

Yellow Maple Valley!

deacon!

These two words made Zhou Yuan's heart skip a beat.

He knew all too well the life of a solitary cultivator. Alone and helpless, he had to be extremely cautious in everything he did, lest he invite unforeseen disaster.

If one could join a major sect like Huangfeng Valley in the Yue Kingdom and receive its protection, their future path of cultivation would undoubtedly be much smoother.

"If Master Zhou is willing to become a guest elder of the Lin family, the Lin family can make some arrangements to recommend Master Zhou to enter Huangfeng Valley and become an inner disciple."

The shopkeeper's words carried a fatal temptation.

Zhou Yuan did not respond immediately. He raised his head and looked directly at the other person.

"What do I need to give up to become a guest retainer of the Lin family?"

He understands better than anyone that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Seeing that Zhou Yuan was interested, the shopkeeper's smile deepened.

"It's very simple."

He held up two fingers.

"Master Zhou only needs to refine fifty batches of top-grade first-rank pills for my Lin family each year. The Lin family will provide the materials for the pills. In return, Master Zhou will receive 20% of the profits from each batch of pills he refines."

"In addition, the Lin family will protect Master Zhou's safety, and if he needs scarce resources in his cultivation, the Lin family will also use its connections to help him find them."

The shopkeeper paused, then added.

"To show our sincerity, the Lin family is willing to give Alchemist Zhou an additional high-grade magic weapon, which he can choose from."

Fifty furnaces per year.

This quantity is not excessive; with his current alchemy efficiency, he can complete it in at most two months.

The remaining time is entirely at your disposal.

In addition, there is a 20% profit share.

Most importantly, it's about being a disciple of Huangfeng Valley.

This offer is undeniably generous.

Zhou Yuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, as if making final considerations.

The shopkeeper didn't urge him, but quietly picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and looked confident of victory.