Chapter 621: Going through a strategic pass
Luo Ye Daoist Master handed the Soul Bead to Meng Zhang and told him that he could now go find Daoist Master Black Fox to report the mission.
When they were in the treasure repository earlier, the Soul Bead was taken directly by Luo Ye Daoist Master, and Meng Zhang only glanced at it briefly without examining it closely. Now, he held the Soul Bead in his hand, carefully observing it, but still couldn't see any changes.
Seeing this, Luo Ye Daoist Master thought Meng Zhang was a little worried and explained to him carefully. She had invited a senior expert this time, who made a small modification to the Soul Bead without causing any harm. With Daoist Master Black Fox's insight, it would be impossible for him to detect any issues. The hidden danger within the Soul Bead would only erupt at least several decades or even centuries later.
With Luo Ye Daoist Master's explanation, Meng Zhang was completely at ease. They had already delayed for so long, and it was not appropriate to continue postponing.
After bidding farewell to Luo Ye Daoist Master, Meng Zhang, along with the Extreme Sword Spirit General, flew directly towards Dongyuan City. Upon entering Dongyuan City and arriving at the entrance to the black market, Daoist Master Black Fox's subordinates, who were arranged there, immediately came forward and took them directly to meet Daoist Master Black Fox.
Apparently, Daoist Master Black Fox was truly anxious. He didn't even bother with pleasantries and immediately got to the point, asking about the success of their mission.
When Meng Zhang took out the Soul Bead, Daoist Master Black Fox couldn't even care about basic courtesy and snatched the Soul Bead from Meng Zhang's hand, staring at it intently. Meng Zhang didn't mind and let Daoist Master Black Fox inspect it carefully.
After a long while, Daoist Master Black Fox finally recovered. With the Soul Bead in his hand and his objective achieved, he realized he had been a little rude and awkwardly smiled, explaining to Meng Zhang that it was due to the excitement of finally obtaining the treasure that he had momentarily lost his composure. He apologized and asked for Meng Zhang's understanding.
Both the master and disciple needed to express their gratitude to Meng Zhang. They would never forget Meng Zhang's great kindness and generosity.
Daoist Master Black Fox continued to praise Meng Zhang with endless flattering words, but Meng Zhang was starting to feel a bit fed up with it. Daoist Master Black Fox was experienced and tactful in dealing with people. He had just lost his composure upon seeing the Soul Bead, but now that he had calmed down, he quickly resumed his cunning demeanor.He informed Meng Zhang that the Void Nether Stone needed by the Taiyi Sect was being transported from the south and would take some time to arrive. He requested Meng Zhang to be patient and wait for it.
Meng Zhang had just obtained a batch of high-quality Void Nether Stones from the treasure repository, so he wasn't as eager for the ones Daoist Master Black Fox had promised. However, Void Nether Stones were valuable and hard to come by in the Jiuqu League, so it would still be a good thing to acquire more of them.
While talking to Meng Zhang, Daoist Master Black Fox discreetly glanced at the back of Extreme Sword Spirit General. The Void Nether Stones they obtained from the treasure repository couldn't be stored in a magic tool, so Meng Zhang had cast a sealing spell on them and had Extreme Sword Spirit General wrap them in a package and carry them on his back.
Daoist Master Black Fox may not know the exact treasures Meng Zhang obtained, but he could guess that Meng Zhang had gained a lot from this venture. Daoist Master Black Fox had his own magnanimity. As long as he obtained what he needed and achieved his goal, he could accept that Meng Zhang benefited a little. After all, it wasn't him who suffered any loss.
He and his master belonged to two different types of people. Although Daoist Master Black Fox held a considerable position within the Dark Alliance, his loyalty to the organization was limited, and he prioritized his own interests. He had engaged in activities such as misusing his authority for personal gains.
The treasures in the treasure repository belonged to the Dark Alliance and were not Daoist Master Black Fox's private property. To use the organization's resources to win over Meng Zhang and accomplish his personal goals, what could be better than that?
Meng Zhang had no interest in continuing to tangle with the old fox. He made some perfunctory remarks and took the initiative to bid farewell.
After a preliminary inspection, it was confirmed that the Soul Bead in Meng Zhang's possession was in good condition. Daoist Master Black Fox was very enthusiastic towards Meng Zhang and left his contact information, expressing his desire to keep in touch in the future.
Having attempted to achieve this for centuries, hiring several teams and paying a heavy price without success, Daoist Master Black Fox was extremely impressed with Meng Zhang. He truly wanted to establish a good relationship with him. Meng Zhang's identity as the Taiyi Sect Master aside, the most crucial factor was that Meng Zhang handled this matter extraordinarily well.
Having such a capable individual as a friend could prove useful in the future. Especially with Daoist Master Black Fox's influence within the Dark Alliance, Taiyi Sect's activities in the Jiuqu League should become much smoother with his support.
As for the altered Soul Bead, when it would be exposed was not a concern for Meng Zhang at the moment. According to Luo Ye Daoist Master, Daoist Master Black Fox would be unable to see through its secrets, and the hidden danger would erupt much later.
Meng Zhang bid farewell to the warm-hearted Daoist Master Black Fox and, along with Extreme Sword Spirit General, didn't linger outside but flew directly back to Taiyi Sect's mountain gate, Hundred Grass Slope.
Meng Zhang hadn't been away from the sect for long, and nothing major had happened in his absence; everything was normal.
The most important task within the sect, repairing the Mother-Child Transmission Disc, was being carried out under the command of Deep EarthSpirit General in an orderly manner.
Meng Zhang's most concerned senior disciple, Niu Dawei, hadn't come out of seclusion yet and was still cultivating in isolation.
Meng Zhang and Extreme Sword Spirit General took out all the gains from this trip.
After a modest exchange of words, they divided all the spoils. At the insistence of Extreme Sword Spirit General, Meng Zhang took the lion's share.
They each kept the items they needed, and the remaining abundant resources were exchanged within the sect at extremely low prices, enriching the sect's treasury significantly.
The twelve golden nuts were left untouched as Meng Zhang couldn't trust any Third Rank Alchemist. Instead, he kept them to be consumed directly.
As for the large Sun Gold Crystal, Meng Zhang handed it to Shocking ThunderSpirit General, asking him to use it to refine a magic tool when he had spare time.
Shocking ThunderSpirit General, who was currently busy repairing the Mother-Child Transmission Disc, took some time out to carefully examine the Sun Gold Crystal. As a professional tool refiner, his discerning eye surpassed Meng Zhang's.
He informed Meng Zhang that the outer part of the Sun Gold Crystal was Third Rank spiritual material, while the core was Fourth Rank spiritual material. Such materials were challenging to handle.
However, with such high-grade spiritual materials, careful research might enable Meng Zhang to refine an exceptional magic tool.
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