"After years of battling against the demonic energy, I have gained many new insights. I now have greater confidence in breaking through to the Gold Core stage," Luo Ye continued.
"However, Sect Master Meng, you have been a great help this time, and I feel guilty that it has affected your foundation," she added.
Having joined forces with Meng Zhang for three months, Luo Ye was well aware of her condition.
"It's just a minor matter. Senior, please don't worry about it," Meng Zhang said nonchalantly.
Luo Ye fell silent for a moment before handing a jade pendant to Meng Zhang.
"Sect Master Meng, this is the reward I promised you earlier. With your talent, Foundation Building stage is by no means the end of your cultivation. You also have the potential to break through to the Gold Core stage," Luo Ye explained.
"When you reach the late stage of Foundation Building and are ready to form the core, take this jade pendant to the territory of Jiuqu League. By then, you will receive assistance that can help you form your Gold Core."
Luo Ye explained in detail how to use the jade pendant and how to contact the Jiuqu League after arriving there.
As promised, Luo Ye had offered Meng Zhang a significant reward for helping her expel the demonic energy from her body. Although the exact details of the reward were yet to be known, the fact that it could help Meng Zhang form his Gold Core made it invaluable. After all, in the entire Endless Sea of Sand, there were only three Gold Core Daoist Masters in control of the Flying Swan Sect. The recent rumors about Twin Success Valley cultivating Gold Core Daoist Masters had caused a stir, highlighting the significance of the Gold Core stage in the region.
Although Meng Zhang had just achieved Foundation Building and the thought of breaking through to the Gold Core stage hadn't crossed his mind yet, he was certain that he would strive for it in the future. His cultivation base would not stop at the Foundation Building stage.
Carefully, Meng Zhang placed the jade pendant in a safe place. Anything that could aid in breaking through to the Gold Core stage was not to be taken lightly.
While Meng Zhang had helped Luo Ye without expecting a reward, receiving this jade pendant was an unexpected joy for him.
"Ever since I was injured by the demonic energy, I exiled myself to the Endless Sea of Sand. During these years, I've received a lot of help from the black market. Now that my injuries have healed, it's time for me to leave. Before I go, I must make some gestures and arrangements," Luo Ye said.
"Jue Ying will accompany me when I leave. From then on, the relationship between you, Sect Master Meng, and the black market won't be as close. Before I depart, I'll also give some instructions. However, I cannot predict how long my influence will last."
Listening to Luo Ye's words, Meng Zhang felt helpless. He had gained many benefits and assistance from the black market. The news that his relationship with the black market might be affected wasn't good.
As for Luo Ye's specific background and her connection with the black market, she hadn't revealed anything, and Meng Zhang didn't inquire further.
"I'll probably stay for another month. If there's anything you need my help with, don't hesitate to ask," Luo Ye generously offered.
Having known each other for a long time, Meng Zhang felt that neither had taken advantage of the other. He had benefited a lot, and Luo Ye owed him nothing.
Now that they were about to part ways, Luo Ye was offering one last assistance. Meng Zhang didn't hesitate to accept it and made a sincere request to Luo Ye.
Upon hearing Meng Zhang's request, Luo Ye readily agreed without any hesitation.
Half a month later, Luo Ye led Meng Zhang on a flying journey, and they traveled thousands of miles east of Singing Sand City to a hilly region.
The continuous hills were a rare sight in the Endless Sea of Sand.
Flying at a long distance for the first time after reaching the Foundation Building stage, Meng Zhang felt a sense of freshness.
Moving through the air, feeling the sharp gusts of wind, and overlooking the mountains below, Meng Zhang realized the true benefits of reaching the Foundation Building stage. No wonder, in ancient times when cultivation strength was stronger, the Foundation Building stage was considered a true Cultivator.
Flying freely through the air with the wind was an enjoyment and privilege of a Cultivator.
After flying for a while, Meng Zhang finally felt a hint of the extraordinary as a cultivator.
Luo Ye led Meng Zhang to a mountain range and began to descend.
"Here is the hidden residence of the Shi Family. These remnants of the Purple Gold Sect really know how to hide," Luo Ye said.
Meng Zhang had asked Luo Ye to help him get what he was owed from Shi Weiming—a Foundation Building Pill.
After Luo Ye agreed, she quickly gathered information about the Shi Family through the black market's intelligence network.
It turned out that the Shi Family's ancestors were cultivators from the Purple Gold Sect. After the sect's downfall, the Shi Family had been hiding and evading pursuit by the Flying Swan Sect for many years. It was only recently that they had stabilized and begun to develop their influence, thanks to Shi Changqing, a genius cultivator who emerged in the last hundred years.
The black market had spent considerable effort to discover the secret base of the Shi Family.
The place ahead didn't seem unusual at all and looked like any other deserted mountain in the area.
Following Luo Ye's direction, Meng Zhang glanced over.
Since reaching the Foundation Building stage, Meng Zhang's Divine Ability, Deception Breaking Eye, had greatly improved. With just a quick glance, he saw through the hidden secrets of the place.
Luo Ye wasted no time and tore apart the protective formation below with a fierce punch, as if tearing apart a piece of cloth.
A ripple-like disturbance spread, revealing a completely new scene underneath.
Amidst the various small hills were numerous little valleys. Though Meng Zhang's Deception Breaking Eye couldn't see everything clearly due to the formation, he could sense the flowing streams, lush vegetation, and faint figures of people.
"Shi Changqing, Gu Tanghai, come out now!" Luo Ye's thunderous roar echoed in the sky, reverberating loudly.
In the valley below, signs of panic became evident.
Despite being a female cultivator, Luo Ye had a fiery temper. Having roared, she refused to wait even for a moment and unleashed a powerful punch towards the protective formation below.
The formation trembled violently, clearly affected by the impact.
"Shi Changqing, Gu Tanghai, why are you stalling? If you don't come out now, don't blame me for being impolite and destroying this shabby formation!"
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