226: reward

“Come in!”

Zhou Leyi closed the beast hide in his hand and called out to the Disciple attending outside.

As for Zhou Minglai, he respectfully stood to the side.

A Disciple dressed in the Zhou Family's snake-patterned attire entered, and after receiving Zhou Leyi's instructions, walked outside.

Not long after.

Five Cultivators of similar age, around thirty years old, entered from outside.

“Family Head.”

The five bowed to Zhou Leyi.

“No need for such formality.”

Zhou Leyi waved his hand.

“Mingyi, Mingrui, Mingyuan, Ming'e, Mingjie, the five of you take this map and go with Minglai to investigate.”

“If the situation is true, set up a Formation to conceal it, then send word back to the Clan.”

Zhou Leyi handed the beast hide map in his hand to Zhou Mingyi, who was at the head of the group.

The five of them all had upper-middle talent, and cultivated the Legacy Cultivation Technique of the Five Elements. After Zhou Leren switched to cultivating the Five Elements Primordial Canon, these Five Elements Legacies had already been fully completed.

Now, they could Cultivate to the Late Golden Core Stage Realm.

The five of them were already forty-six or forty-seven years old and had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

The Five Elements Cultivation Techniques complemented each other, and if they joined forces against an enemy, even a Great Cultivator in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage would be able to escape with their life.

“Yes, Family Head.”

Zhou Mingyi and the other four answered in unison.

After Zhou Leyi gave a few more instructions, they took Zhou Minglai and left the Zhou Family Great Hall, flying towards the place recorded on the beast hide map.

Over a month later.

In a deep ravine and abyss, a stream of light streaked across the sky.

A moment later.

A white spiritual scarf stopped, with six figures on it.

“Big Sister, according to the scene described by that Loose Cultivator, this should be the place without a doubt.”

After carefully observing for a moment, Zhou Minglai recalled the information he had bought from the Loose Cultivator and said to the capable woman with a high ponytail and a strong suit, who was leading the group.

Zhou Mingyi held the beast hide map in her hand and, after comparing it with another map, confirmed that this was indeed the place.

She then heard Zhou Minglai's words.

She exchanged glances with the other four.

“Let's go down and take a look.”

Zhou Mingyi waved her hand, and the white spiritual scarf quietly descended into the deep ravine.

The six of them had already circulated their magical power, guarding against potential dangers.

Zhou Mingyi's Divine Sense spread out, and not detecting any danger, she took the lead and walked towards the depths.

At the bottom of the deep ravine.

The six of them spread out to investigate, but found nothing.

“Could the information be wrong?”

The six gathered.

Zhou Minglai's expression was ugly, and he had already concluded that he had been deceived by the Loose Cultivator.

“No rush, let's investigate more carefully.”

Zhou Mingyi waved her hand, stopping their wild guesses.

“Alright.”

The other five nodded in agreement and dispersed again.

“Boom~”

After a while.

Zhou Mingyi suddenly heard a loud noise, and her expression changed involuntarily.

Her figure flew out, arriving at the source of the sound.

“Mingjie, what happened?”

Zhou Mingjie's expression was a little strange.

“Look quickly.”

Zhou Mingjie pointed to a pit not far in front of him and said with a hint of excitement.

He had just felt something, so he tried his hand, and unexpectedly, he really found something.

Zhou Mingyi looked in the direction Zhou Mingjie pointed, and in the deep pit, there were subtle transparent Ore exposed, which were clearly illusionary void crystal.

When the two came to the deep pit to investigate, the other four also arrived at the location.

“Ming'e, you set up the Formation.”

“Minglai, you and I will return to the Clan to report the situation.”

“The three of you stay here and help Ming'e.”

Zhou Mingyi instructed the group.

“Yes, Big Sister.”

The expressions of the group became serious, and there was joy on everyone's faces.

Zhou Ming'e took out many Materials from her Storage Pouch and handed them to Zhou Mingrui and the other two, who then spread out to set up the Formation foundation.

Zhou Mingyi took Zhou Minglai and flew out of this deep ravine.

Several hours later.

The deep ravine slowly disappeared from sight.

Cloud Dream Marsh, Jade Moon Peak.

Zhou Mingyi and Zhou Minglai headed straight for the Zhou Family Great Hall.

Inside the Great Hall.

Zhou Leyi was overjoyed after hearing their report.

“Minglai, you have rendered a great service this time.”

“Also, go find that Loose Cultivator. Our Zhou Family rewards merit, even if he didn't do it intentionally.”

Zhou Leyi pondered for a moment and said to Zhou Minglai.

Zhou Minglai's expression brightened.

Upon hearing the second sentence, he quickly accepted the order and left.

“Mingyi, the matter of mining illusionary void crystal will be entrusted to the five of you.”

“The mined illusionary void crystal should be sent directly to the 'Old Land'.”

After Zhou Minglai left, Zhou Leyi instructed Zhou Mingyi, who was waiting at the side.

Zhou Mingyi had only conducted a preliminary investigation, but she had already been able to detect that below the pit, there were not just those tiny illusionary void crystal grains; there must be a vein of Ore present.

And 'Old Land' was the designation for the abandoned sword sect Legacy site where Zhou Liyue was stationed.

“Yes, Family Head.”

Zhou Mingyi's expression became serious, and she responded earnestly.

The five of them had advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage too recently and had not yet received official positions in the Clan.

Now, with this task falling to them, they naturally welcomed it.

“This matter should not be publicized.”

Seeing Zhou Mingyi turn to leave, Zhou Leyi still couldn't help but caution her.

Although there had been no accidents during the process of investigating illusionary void crystal these past few years, it was still better to be cautious.

After Zhou Minglai left the Great Hall, he imagined that after receiving this merit, his Family contribution points would surely greatly increase.

His Sixth Layer of Qi Refining magical power was already close to reaching Perfection.

The barrier that stood before the Late Qi Refining Stage had gradually revealed itself, and it was precisely the time when resources were needed.

Moreover, the value of a great merit was far more than that, enough to support him until the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Thinking about these things, Zhou Minglai felt joyful.

He also thought of that Loose Cultivator, and how he had clearly tricked him back then, yet provided him with such a great Opportunity.

He couldn't help but chuckle playfully.

He left Cloud Dream Marsh.

Zhou Minglai formed a hand seal, casting a Lightness Talisman on himself, then slightly circulated his magical power and headed towards the place where he had first encountered that Loose Cultivator.

In a Loose Cultivator market.

Zhou Minglai, dressed in casual clothes, appeared, feeling a little dejected.

“It seems he's used to tricking people, and he's also afraid that someone will come back to find him...”

Zhou Minglai thought to himself.

He had already searched all the nearby markets and Cultivator gathering places, but he still hadn't found the Loose Cultivator from back then.

“If it weren't for the Family Head's order, how could a mere Loose Cultivator make me search so hard...”

As a Disciple of the Zhou Family, Zhou Minglai naturally had some arrogance in his heart.

After a moment, Zhou Minglai composed himself and entered this market.

His gaze constantly swept over the various stall owners along the roadside.

“Hey~”

Not long after, Zhou Minglai's eyes lit up, and he walked towards a middle-aged stall owner who was enthusiastically introducing his wares.

Although this stall owner was not exactly the same as the person from back then, his aura could not be faked.

“Brother Lu, you certainly made me search for you!”

After the man completed his transaction, Zhou Minglai leisurely stepped forward from behind and spoke slowly.

“What Brother Lu, you...”

Lu Bianwei subconsciously retorted, but when he turned around and saw Zhou Minglai's face, his heart tightened.

“Bad news, I've been found!”

Lu Bianwei's face remained impassive, but his vigilance in his heart had risen.