"Elder Ye, I need a batch of Dragon Sleep Stones, as well as the medicinal materials required for the Awakening of eight people. Here is the list; please take a look," Zhang Xiaoman said as he handed out a printed sheet of paper.
Ye Cang took it and looked over it, then said, "These are all common medicinal materials. I can find them in Dragon Sleep Mountain’s medicinal storehouse."
Zhang Xiaoman nodded and responded, "Great, I’ll leave this to you then. I’ll also need Elder Ye to attend the Awakening Ceremony in two days’ time."
"Haha, surely! The task the Star Lord entrusted to me shall be accomplished! It seems that the Star Alliance is about to welcome some fresh blood," Ye Cang laughed.
Zhang Xiaoman tapped his fingers on the stone table and then said:
"Dragon Sleep Stones are essential for the Enlightenment Array, and the other materials also represent a significant expense. Even though you are a member of the Star Alliance, I can’t just take them without offering something in return..."
"How about this, for every batch of materials I take from you, I will record 5 Contribution Points for you. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Cang paused briefly. He clearly understood the nature of the Contribution Points Zhang Xiaoman referred to, but he had not expected the latter to take the initiative to offer to record Contribution Value for himself.
"Star Lord, since I have joined the Star Alliance, these external possessions rightfully should be used by the Star Lord. Why speak of rewards? This is my duty. Moreover, I am already of advanced years; I might have the will but lack the strength to take up arms against foes. If you don’t allow me to contribute in some way, I fear I would truly have no face to meet others," Ye Cang said.
Zhang Xiaoman gently shook his head.
"Elder Ye, I understand your sentiments, but Dragon Sleep Stones are of significant importance. Their value is not limited to this, and besides, they originally belong to your Dragon Sleep Mountain. How could I possibly take them so casually?"
Seeing that the other party still intended to refuse, he waved his hand decisively and interrupted:
"Elder Ye, no need to say more. This matter is settled. Considering the value of the Dragon Sleep Stones, 5 Contribution Points are the very least I can offer. As for the duty you mentioned, I have other tasks for you to undertake, so rest assured on that front."
As he spoke, he handed over another sheet of paper, which bore the design of a Teleportation Array composed of ten Star Alliance Markers.
"If I’m not mistaken, there should be such a Formation within Dragon Sleep Mountain, although it is currently inactive, and my Spirit Detection Technique can’t locate it yet. I need you to help me find it and then inform me of its location."
Ye Cang took the paper and looked at it curiously. "This seems to be a symbol of the Star Alliance, but what exactly is this Formation? May the Star Lord enlighten me?"
Zhang Xiaoman, hearing himself addressed as ’Star Lord’ repeatedly, felt a secret thrill, but at the same time, also felt a bit of secondhand embarrassment.
These fellows had all started to follow Lin Sisi’s lead in calling him that.
"Strictly speaking, this is actually not a Formation. According to the records, its name is ’waymark’."
"A waymark? Would you mind explaining its specific use? Could it be a Formation for Teleportation?"
Zhang Xiaoman nodded.
"Exactly, it is indeed a Teleportation point. Star Alliance members can use a specific Dark Energy Formula to activate it, and then traverse through this waymark to arrive here. The exact Formula should be recorded in the booklet I gave you."
Ye Cang recalled for a moment and then said, "Indeed, I have seen it, but I have only just grasped the Spirit Detection Technique and haven’t had the leisure to study it yet."
Zhang Xiaoman was slightly surprised and looked at him. He hadn’t expected the old man to have already mastered the Spirit Detection Technique’s Formula, seemingly a bit faster in progress than Brother Hero.
He immediately expressed his wish to see the results and asked the other party to demonstrate.
Ye Cang did as asked, his arms moving awkwardly in front of him, seemingly tracing the Formula required for the Spirit Detection Technique.
Zhang Xiaoman then applied the Spirit Detection Technique to himself and observed his tracings of the Dark Energy Formula’s trajectory.
A moment later, Ye Cang finally completed the tracing. The Magic Technique activated with a fleck of silver light shining from his fingertips.
He mimicked Zhang Xiaoman, applying the Spirit Detection Technique to his eyes. Then, with an air of an enlightened Transcendent sage, his dignified appearance was displayed before the latter.
Zhang Xiaoman silently marveled inside; a person’s appearance does indeed have a significant effect.
Bolstered by the Spirit Detection Technique, Mr. Ye exuded the aura of an ancient Ancestor presiding over a sect, as depicted in cultivation novels – someone with unfathomable strength.
"Star Lord, may I ask if there is anything amiss with my method? I would appreciate your guidance," Ye Cang requested.
Zhang Xiaoman snapped out of his admiration and first nodded, then shook his head slightly.
"Your strength is clear. Your energy is steady, neither arrogant nor rash. During the process of tracing Dark Energy, you maintain stability and continuity, which is very good. In the early stages of learning, you should be able to outpace others by quite a bit," he commented.
At this point, he changed the tone of his feedback.
"However, your drawback is also obvious: your speed is too slow. When facing more complex Formulas in the future, the longer you spend drawing, the more energy you will have to expend to sustain the arranged active particles. Of course, efficiency can be improved with more practice..."
"But what you need to understand is that Dark Energy Formulas are not set in stone during the arrangement. Some specific Formulas might require a fluid and continuous style, and if you proceed too rigidly, you’re likely to fail..."
Zhang Xiaoman appraised Ye Cang’s recent performance, whom in turn listened intently.
After he had finished summarizing, Ye Cang suddenly bowed with hands cupped in front of him, showing his gratitude:
"I greatly appreciate the Star Lord’s guidance, thank you!"
Zhang Xiaoman was momentarily taken aback, then graciously indicated that no further thanks were necessary, privately feeling helpless with how overly polite Mr. Ye was, which he found rather taxing.
"Well, now that you understand about the waymark, if you can find it, I plan to establish Dragon Sleep Mountain as an external branch of the Star Alliance, and you would be the branch Manager," he explained.
Ye Cang was pleased to hear this.
However, given his many years of discipline, he didn’t show all his emotions outwardly, only nodding slightly. While thanking Zhang Xiaoman, he also assured that he would definitely find the hidden waymark.
Subsequently, Zhang Xiaoman inquired about his own doubts from earlier, wondering why he hadn’t seen any disciples on Dragon Sleep Mountain.
Only then did he learn that Mr. Ye had dismissed the Outer Disciples who had come for cultivation experience in order to prevent others from noticing the Star Alliance’s activities.
Inside the gates, only the Ye Family’s inner sect members remained, as well as trusted confidants like Housekeeper Sun.