Twin Success Valley had long possessed the ability to refine Lesser Foundation Building Pills, and no one dared to snatch them from them.
In the end, it all came down to their strength.
Whether it was loose cultivators or the various sects around them, none had the capability to challenge Twin Success Valley.
In fact, when Twin Success Valley subdued the Zhao Family's mountain gate, their cultivators unleashed a massacre, killing a large number of attackers from the Zhao Family.
Afterward, in the name of avenging the Zhao Family, Twin Success Valley also dealt with many loose cultivators.
With Twin Success Valley's intervention, the Zhao Family incident came to an end.
After this event, the number of loose cultivators in the surrounding area greatly decreased. Those cultivators who weren't involved in the incident became much more cautious.
Next, Meng Zhang prepared to see if any of the junior disciples had talent in beast taming, in preparation for hatching the Crimson Feathered Eagle.
Meng Zhang didn't enjoy his leisure time for long before receiving news from Zhang Zhanlin in Singing Sand City. Zhou Shengkao had something to discuss with him.
Meng Zhang had no choice but to put aside the affairs of the sect and hurriedly rush to Singing Sand City.
Meeting Zhou Shengkao again, Meng Zhang felt somewhat uncomfortable. This damn guy had instigated him to attack the Zhao Family. Later, when the Twin Success Valley cultivators arrived, they not only took most of the spoils, but if Meng Zhang had been a little slower, his life would have been in danger.
Fortunately, the Twin Success Valley cultivators were busy cleaning up the Zhao Family's mountain gate and didn't pursue the escaping cultivators.
Of course, in Zhou Shengkao's eyes, if Meng Zhang were the kind of person who didn't know the current situation, didn't know how to retreat, and was only greedy, seeking endless benefits, then dying at the Zhao Family would be deserved.
Meng Zhang's experience at the Zhao Family was not only a test for him but also a warning.
When Zhou Shengkao saw Meng Zhang, he didn't seem to feel embarrassed at all. Skipping the pleasantries, he went straight to the point.
"Meng, my friend, we've known each other for some time and have a good rapport. Now, there's a chance to make a fortune, and I thought of you first."
Knowing Zhou Shengkao's character, Meng Zhang had no interest in whatever opportunity he was talking about. He was sure there must be a big pit hidden behind it.
Before Meng Zhang could reject him, Zhou Shengkao continued, "More than a hundred miles east of your Taiyi Sect, there used to be a white hidden earth mine. Over a decade ago, during the sand monster chaos, the mine was destroyed by sand monsters. Later, our sect was too lazy to rebuild the mine, so we just abandoned it."
Hearing Zhou Shengkao talk about the abandoned mine, Meng Zhang's heart tightened, almost thinking that Twin Success Valley had discovered he had been there.
If not for his cultivation of the Qi, Meng Zhang might have even fled immediately.
"In recent days, someone in the sect remembered that abandoned mine and thought it was a pity to let such a good mine go to waste."
"But the profit from mining white hidden earth is not high, and some in the sect believe it's a bit of a burden for us to mine it ourselves."
Zhou Shengkao didn't notice Meng Zhang's reaction and continued talking.
Meng Zhang relaxed slightly, realizing that Zhou Shengkao didn't seem to know about his connection to the abandoned mine.
"So, someone in the sect proposed to lease the white hidden earth mine to other forces for mining, and our sect will collect rent regularly."
"When I heard this news, I immediately thought of you, my friend."
"I heard that your Taiyi Sect has been a bit tight on finances. Renting the mine could bring in some extra income for the sect."
As Zhou Shengkao kept talking, Meng Zhang felt helpless. He had desperately tried to avoid that abandoned mine, but Zhou Shengkao was determined to involve him.
Meng Zhang was about to refuse when Zhou Shengkao seemed not to notice his reaction and continued speaking.
"My friend, I fought hard for this opportunity for you. It's not easy to come by, so you must seize it."
Meng Zhang knew that if he directly refused, the other party would grow suspicious.
"But Zhou, I have no experience in managing a mine. Taiyi Sect has never mined white hidden earth before."
Hearing Meng Zhang's excuse, Zhou Shengkao smiled and said, "Mining white hidden earth is the easiest kind of mining. You just need enough mortal miners, and it can be mined continuously."
"Also, I heard you have dealt with Lao Bulu from the Flying Swan Sect's peripheral merchant group quite a lot. You can seek advice from him about mining. You can also sell the mined white hidden earth to him."
"Of course, you only need to sell a small portion of the white hidden earth to him. The rest, our sect will buy at a fair price in secret."
"As for how to conceal the actual production, how to manage the accounts, and how to deceive Lao Bulu, that's your job."
Hearing this, Meng Zhang finally understood Zhou Shengkao's intentions.
He wanted Taiyi Sect to lease the white hidden earth mine as a cover. Most of the mined white hidden earth would be sold to Twin Success Valley, and a small portion would be sold to Lao Bulu, making him think it was the mine's entire output.
As far as Meng Zhang knew, white hidden earth was a low-grade material. Apart from being used to refine some magic tools, it didn't have significant uses. However, Flying Swan Sect had always been willing to buy white hidden earth in unlimited quantities. Moreover, Meng Zhang realized that many white hidden earth mines had a connection, whether obvious or subtle, with Flying Swan Sect.
The person Meng Zhang knew, Lao Bulu, was affiliated with a peripheral force of Flying Swan Sect, specifically responsible for purchasing white hidden earth on behalf of the sect, as well as supplying some white hidden earth mines.
It seemed that white hidden earth had some uses unknown to him.
Now, Twin Success Valley was secretly buying white hidden earth, undoubtedly for their own purposes.
Realizing this, Meng Zhang knew that he couldn't refuse Zhou Shengkao's request.
If he was foolish enough to know Twin Success Valley's plans and still didn't cooperate, his fate would probably be silenced by death. As a vassal force of Twin Success Valley, Taiyi Sect was naturally supposed to stand with Twin Success Valley. However, once Flying Swan Sect was involved, things became complicated.
Many thoughts flashed through Meng Zhang's mind, but not much time had passed.
His expression remained unchanged, and he quickly changed his approach, "Since Brother Zhou values me, I'll take care of this matter. I will handle it properly and to your satisfaction."
Zhou Shengkao's face revealed a satisfied smile.
"I knew it; Meng, my friend, you are someone who knows the current situation."
"You help Twin Success Valley, and we won't treat you unfairly."
"So, during the mining of the white hidden earth, Taiyi Sect's annual tribute will be waived."
With Zhou Shengkao's words, Taiyi Sect was spared a significant expense.
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