Upon receiving the news from the Fengmen Zombie, the previously jovial meeting atmosphere instantly fell silent.
"Sigh." Senluo let out a soft sigh, rubbed his temples, and scanned the room before murmuring, "This Zhang Wei… I didn't expect him to survive this. I thought sending the Fengmen Zombie would be enough. I underestimated Zhang Wei again. This is my fault. As for how to resolve this…"
He paused, then said gravely, "The Huang family patriarch is a crucial part of the plan and cannot be replaced, but a substitute can be found."
The Spectacled Man adjusted his glasses and asked, "Then how about one of the five families from the Northeast?"
Chongzi, responsible for intelligence gathering, immediately chimed in, "I recall one of the elders from the Hu family was planning to travel recently."
Senluo shook his head. "After I injured the Huang family patriarch, it's unlikely he can be easily harmed again. Last time, Yin Yang and I went to the Huang family, it already attracted the attention of the Weidao Division and the five Northeast families. They are definitely wary. Perhaps this planned outing is just a lure."
"Choosing to target the Huang family patriarch just as he is about to obtain the Ten Thousand Year Old Ginseng is too risky for us."
Chongzi nodded in agreement with Senluo's assessment. "Then do you need me to find a new target? If so, I'll start collecting information now. The Suolong Well plan is at its most critical stage."
Senluo replied, "Find a target as soon as possible. If it's absolutely necessary, we can postpone the Suolong Well plan. If we find one, I'll send Yin Yang and Gardener along this time. We won't have a repeat of the situation with the Huang family patriarch."
Yin Yang shrugged, whether due to his personality or the fact that Zhang Wei was still alive, he said indifferently, "I thought we could just injure the Huang family patriarch and let him die slowly. Unfortunately, someone interfered. This time, let's be ruthless. Kill him and bring back the corpse."
Senluo nodded noncommittally. "Not killing the Huang family patriarch is to prevent the five Northeast families from retaliating. The death of an elder carries too much weight and is enough to provoke their anger. None of them will stand by. If the Senluo Division is discovered, the Suolong Well plan will have to be postponed."
"However, this time I will not hesitate. We will kill the target with all our might, bring back the corpse, complete the most crucial part of the Suolong Well plan, and then… enter the Suolong Well!"
As he spoke the last words, Senluo's eyes flickered with anger and determination.
Following that, seeing that a replacement for the Huang family patriarch had been discussed, the Spectacled Man adjusted his glasses again and said, "Since the matter of the Huang family patriarch is settled, let's discuss something happy. Senluo, I have something to report to you."
As he spoke, the Spectacled Man revealed his characteristic smiling expression. "Senluo, the Huahua I've been training has now reached the level of a top-tier Ghost King, close to the Half-Step Zhenguo level. I believe she will reach it soon."
His voice was not loud, but as he spoke, even Yin Yang and Gardener, who usually paid little attention to the Senluo Division's affairs, turned their heads.
"Already a top-tier Ghost King?" Yin Yang's eyes widened in surprise.
Gardener looked over, murmuring in astonishment, "Huahua? You mean the cat spirit next to you? Is she that cat spirit you were bragging about before? Didn't she just join the Senluo Division not long ago? I remember she was only… Ghost King level? How long has it been?"
Even Senluo was surprised, his previous frustration replaced by curiosity. However, he didn't look at the Spectacled Man. His gaze was fixed on Huahua as he directly asked, "You've reached top-tier Ghost King? Take off the artifact that's hiding your aura, and let me see."
"Meow~" Huahua nodded and casually removed the artifact the Spectacled Man had prepared to protect her and hide her strength. Instantly, her aura as a top-tier Ghost King erupted. To gain status in the Senluo Division, Huahua did not hold back and unleashed her full power.
With the enhancement of her Ghost Back patterns, Huahua's strength was directly linked to Zhang Wei's own. In that moment, her top-tier Ghost King strength burst forth like a surging tide, astonishing Senluo and the other high-ranking members.
"Good heavens." Chongzi exclaimed, glancing over.
"Top-tier Ghost King, no, she's almost one foot into the Half-Step Zhenguo level. This…" Paper Man widened his eyes, instinctively pinching his pale, paper-like face.
The Embroidered Shoes also lightly covered her lips and exclaimed, "My goodness, how long has it been? Her strength is already greater than mine?"
Without exception, the other high-ranking members were all surprised. Their attention was completely drawn to Huahua's strength. The somber atmosphere of moments ago had vanished. All the high-ranking members had momentarily forgotten about the Huang family patriarch and were focused on Huahua.
Then, Senluo's eyes gleamed, and he said, "Good."
With the Suolong Well plan nearing completion, a large amount of combat power was needed. The stronger, the better. Huahua's increased strength brought significant benefits to the plan. Senluo was very satisfied. Indeed, as long as the Senluo Division's affairs did not involve Zhang Wei, they were all good news.
"You are now qualified to become a high-ranking member of my Senluo Division. What do you all think?" Senluo pondered for a moment, his gaze falling on the Spectacled Man.
In response, the Spectacled Man understood Senluo's thoughts and earnestly said, "I can vouch for Huahua with my own status. She has always been by my side, and I trained her myself. She is trustworthy."
Senluo nodded and then turned his gaze to the other high-ranking members present.
Seeing this, Fatty and the other high-ranking members of the Senluo Division understood that Senluo was asking for their opinions on whether Huahua would become the new high-ranking member of the Senluo Division.
The next second, Fatty grinned. "Although the addition of Old Willow Tree makes it thirteen high-ranking positions, which sounds impressive, our Senluo Division has humans and ghosts. With Chongzi, Old Willow Tree, Embroidered Shoes, and now a cat spirit, we have everything. It's very impressive. I agree."
Following Fatty's words, Old Willow Tree, Tailor, Mute, and Stutterer, who already knew Huahua's background, spoke one after another.
"This old man seconds the motion."
"Seconded."
"Aba (Seconded)"
"Sec, sec, seconded."
At that moment, Chongzi and the others also chimed in.
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
Yin Yang yawned, not having much energy to pay attention to these matters. It seemed his eyes were only focused on artifacts and the Suolong Well plan. "I second it too. It's always good to have an extra helper."
Gardener glanced at Huahua. She knew Huahua was Zhang Wei's cat. Seeing that everyone else had agreed, only she remained, she then slowly added, "Since everyone agrees, then I agree as well."
"Since there are no objections, then…" Senluo heard this, scanned everyone, confirmed there were no dissenting opinions, and tapped his fingers on the table. He looked at Huahua and then stated directly, "Huahua, you are now the fourteenth high-ranking member of the Senluo Division."