Journey to the West Creation Technique

Night falls...

The private conversation inside the stone house was still ongoing.

Zhou He and Meng Yuan stood outside the door, looking at each other in bewilderment.

I really didn't expect the higher-ups to attach such importance to this...

He sent back just six words, which immediately alarmed Zhou Mo, one of the three late-stage Foundation Establishment experts of the Southern Underworld Guard, and Headmaster Zhou personally arrived overnight.

The spirit stone vein is indeed extremely valuable...

But there's no need for that, is there?

The two were unaware that an undeveloped spirit stone mine was related to the immortal destiny of three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

If Shen Li hadn't been able to remain calm, all three big shots would have been gathered here by now.

The two stood guard outside the house, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

Zhou He nudged Meng Yuan softly and whispered, "How about we make some tea?"

Meng Yuan retorted in a low voice, "Where would our outpost get tea leaves?"

"Didn't you pick some leaves, dry them, and say they were delicious?"

Meng Yuan rolled his eyes: "I find it too bland myself, how can I entertain refined guests?"

Zhou He: "..."

The two were of low cultivation and insufficient rank, so they had no right to interfere in such a private conversation. They could only wait quietly outside the house, and the wait lasted all night.

As night deepened, the wooden door of the stone house was slowly pushed open.

Zhou Mo walked out with a solemn expression and measured steps.

Zhou He and Meng Yuan immediately bowed and greeted the headmaster.

"Hmm..." Zhou Mo nodded, not saying anything more. He spread his black feather robe and was about to transform into a golden-clawed eagle and leave again.

Meng Yuan quickly advised, "It's late, Elder. Why don't you stay the night and rest?"

"Yes! How can you tell which way to fly at night?" Zhou He also chimed in, offering his advice.

Lu Chengjun stepped out of the stone house and said calmly, "Observing the stars at night to determine the location and guide the way is much safer."

Zhou Mo nodded slightly, then transformed into a golden-clawed eagle and soared into the sky.

After Zhou Mo's figure disappeared into the night, Zhou He, feeling uneasy, cupped his hands and asked, "Captain, may I ask what we should do?"

Lu Chengjun gave the two of them a deep look: "No need to worry, just continue as before."

……

The next day.

early morning.

A golden-clawed eagle circled above the outpost.

Zhou He and Meng Yuan, who were fertilizing the yard, looked up at the sound and were stunned once again...

This golden-clawed eagle does not resemble a demonic beast; it must be a transformation of Zhou Mo.

But he just left last night, and he came back this morning?

What's going on?

The two looked at each other, their hearts filled with doubt.

Could it be...?

"Could it be that Headmaster Zhou got lost while flying at night last night and circled around in the wilderness all night?" Meng Yuan asked with a puzzled look.

"No! They left overnight and returned!" Zhou He said in horror.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the golden-clawed eagle plunged back into the valley.

He folded his wings, landed steadily, and his figure shifted with a surge of spiritual light, instantly transforming into Zhou Mo, dressed in black feathers.

Zhou He and Meng Yuan quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said in a restrained tone, "Greetings, Headmaster."

Zhou Mo's gaze swept over the two stone houses, and he asked in a deep voice, "Is Captain Lu awake yet?"

Zhou He was taken aback, then quickly replied, "I...I'll go wake up Captain Lu right away."

"Wait!" Zhou Mo raised his hand to stop him, his tone tinged with caution: "Don't disturb Captain Lu's rest. Let's just wait here."

What?!

Zhou He paused, his mind going blank.

Isn't Director Zhou being a bit too considerate of his subordinates?

Zhou He and Meng Yuan were momentarily at a loss for words.

They could only wait with Zhou Mo.

Lu Chengjun didn't keep them waiting long. After hearing the noise, he put down "Journey to the West" and went out.

At this moment, Lu Chengjun had already changed into a plain linen robe, his expression calm and composed, with no trace of hostility between his brows.

Sha Wujing does have a fierce side, but that is not his true "appearance".

The appearance of the monk Sha is "stable," because only stability can support all things.

Being taciturn and unperturbed even when the sky is falling is merely a facade.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Mo immediately stepped forward, took out a long sword from his pocket with a smile, and handed it over with both hands.

The sword was exquisitely crafted, with cloud patterns carved on the hilt, clearly not a crudely made item.

Zhou He and Meng Yuan were stunned.

Lu Chengjun raised his hand to take the Xuan Tie sword and lightly flicked the blade with his fingertips.

"Buzz—"

The deep, resonant sound of the sword echoed out, revealing it to be an exceptionally well-forged weapon.

"Not a magical artifact?"

Zhou Mo immediately replied, "No, it hasn't been inscribed with array patterns yet; it's just a forged blank."

"We don't need any magical artifacts." Lu Chengjun nodded slightly. "I'll take it and see if they're willing to trade."

Zhou Mo hesitated, "I've already ordered the workshops to start forging these black iron swords overnight. Do you think forging ten thousand will be enough?"

Ten thousand!?

Zhou He and Meng Yuan gasped. Ten thousand iron tools would require a huge amount of materials, and more importantly, the manpower consumed would be countless.

Keep in mind that the Southern Underworld Guard only has 15,000 men, which means that each of them would have to forge a sword like this.

Lu Chengjun frowned: "It's not even close to being a done deal yet, what's the rush? Even if it really works, two hundred will be enough."

"Two hundred?" Zhou Mo exclaimed subconsciously, clearly this number was completely unexpected.

Two hundred longswords can be exchanged for a spirit stone mine?

How is that possible?

What's the difference between this and giving it away for free?

Ten thousand longswords is actually a conservative estimate.

"Then I'll leave this to Captain Lu." Zhou Mo clasped his hands in a fist salute again.

"Don't worry, Headmaster." Lu Chengjun flicked the sword in his hand.

Both the texture and the feel are superb...

Whoosh!

A small boat shot down from mid-air.

It is the only flying magical artifact in the Southern Desolate Continent, the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat.

Zhou He and Meng Yuan both gaped open, which meant that the Southern Ming Guard had sent out a second late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zhao Xiong, also known as Captain Zhao!

Apart from Commander Shen, who was stationed at the central command, all the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Southern Ming Guard had arrived.

The Flowing Cloud Flying Boat slowly descended...

Four figures stepped off the cloud boat one after another.

The leader was Zhao Xiong, Captain Zhao.

Behind him stood a sharp-looking man in black: Lin Che.

Behind Lin Che was Su Wan, the third person was Li Ang, and the last person was Qian Jin.

Lin Che, Su Wan, Li Ang, and Qian Jin were all members of the hunting team.

Only the team leader, Zhao Xuangang, was absent from the patrol team; everyone else was present.

Is Zhao Xuangang not coming because he's afraid of hindering me?

Zhao Xiong strode towards Lu Chengjun, his face stern, and asked, "Are you telling the truth?"

"yes!"

"Not a single lie?"

"No!"

"Good!" Zhao Xiong nodded heavily. "These four people are familiar with you, and I transferred them all here for this mission."

"Thank you, Senior Zhao." Lu Chengjun cupped his hands in thanks.

Zhao Xiong turned and glanced at Lin Che, Su Wan, and the others, his tone serious: "This matter concerning the spirit stone mine is of great importance. Lu Chengjun is the temporary commander of this mission. You must obey orders!"

Lin Che, Su Wan, and the others simultaneously clasped their hands in a fist salute: "Your subordinates obey!"

Zhao Xiong nodded in satisfaction: "In addition, I will be stationed at the Blackrock Wasteland outpost to provide backup for you at any time. You can just go ahead and do your job."

Lu Chengjun, Lin Che, and the others bowed in unison, their attitudes respectful.

Zhou Mo looked at Zhao Xiong: "Brother Zhao, I'll leave this place to you. I'll head back now."

Zhao Xiong nodded.

Zhou Mo transformed back into a golden-clawed eagle and disappeared into the sky.

Then Lu Chengjun looked at Lin Che: "Senior Brother Lin, you are in charge of arranging their accommodation here."

"Lin Che obeys!"

"The outpost doesn't have much food left, I'm going out to hunt." After saying that, Lu Chengjun walked out of the valley alone.

"Captain Lu, I'll go with you. You're in charge of making the arrests, and I'll carry them," Li Ang said loudly.

"Captain Lu, I know tracking techniques. Take me with you, and I'll help you find your prey," Qian Jin quickly chimed in.

Lu Chengjun turned to look at the two young cultivators, whose faces were full of obsequious smiles.

This is!?

Trying to curry favor with me?