Looking at the Avatar in his hand, Zhang Wei smiled and murmured,
"I just watched Avatar 2 not long ago. I hope you won't disappoint me."
As he spoke, Zhang Wei's mind moved, and he threw the Avatar figurine into the system. The next moment, the figurine grew with the wind, transforming into a tall figure three meters tall with blue skin all over. It was the male protagonist of Avatar.
It could be seen that although the Avatar was entirely blue and very conspicuous, in the darkness of night, its blue color blended with the dim surroundings, making it difficult to detect, especially in the shadows of the dense trees.
Seeing this, Zhang Wei said,
"Help me scout the surrounding terrain and draw a map for me. If there are any ghosts or Gu worms, record them as well. Also, if you find any medicinal herbs or spirit flowers, help me pick them. Here is the herbalist's book."
The Avatar took the exorcist's herbalist book handed over by Zhang Wei, flipped through it quickly, and then nodded at Zhang Wei.
Immediately after, the Avatar moved nimbly, leaped onto a tree, and darted into the forest like a swift rabbit, disappearing from Zhang Wei's sight.
...
On the other side, at Zhang Wei and the others' temporary resting camp.
"Why has Captain Zhang Wei been gone for so long? I hope nothing has happened."
Hu Shiliu, eating dry rations, drew aimlessly with a branch, bored.
"He probably went to relieve himself. After all, nature calls. Didn't Gu Master Lin also go to pee earlier? Sister Shiliu, do you want some Oreos? I brought strawberry-flavored Oreos."
Huang Xiaodan offered enthusiastically.
However, before he could hand over the cookies, he felt a chill down his spine. As if sensing something, he turned around and saw a Fengmen Zombie looking at him not far away. Its dead eyes were chilling and hair-raising in the dark night.
[Ding! Fengmen Zombie... Can this weasel speak with some decorum? To say in front of a woman that my descendant went to defecitate]
[Host has received System Points +500]
The Fengmen Zombie frowned. With his usual protective nature, hearing someone talk about Zhang Wei immediately made him unhappy.
Just as Huang Xiaodan was startled and about to say something,
"It's not to relieve himself, just went to the restroom."
As he spoke, Hu Shiliu and Huang Xiaodan looked over. Hu Shiliu couldn't help but be delighted,
"Captain Zhang Wei."
Hu Shiliu ran towards Zhang Wei and handed him the Oreo that Huang Xiaodan had offered, saying,
"Captain Zhang Wei, do you want an Oreo? Strawberry flavored. Um... are you free now? I have something I want to ask you about."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"I heard my father and uncles say that you refined a nation-suppressing artifact fan. I'm also interested in artifact refining. Can you teach me how you refined a nation-suppressing artifact? I can only refine half-step sect-level artifacts at most right now."
Hu Shiliu said timidly, occasionally glancing at Zhang Wei.
In response, Zhang Wei was somewhat surprised but also found it reasonable. He had heard of Hu Shiliu before. She was deeply favored by the Eighth Grandfather of the Hu family and possessed great talent herself, being a genius of the Hu family. It was rumored that she also dabbled in alchemy and artifact refining, a rare and exceptional fox who could do both.
"You can refine half-step sect-level artifacts?"
Zhang Wei inquired.
Sect-level artifacts could deal with Ghost Kings, or even top-tier Ghost Kings. Yet, Hu Shiliu was only at the Red-Clothed Fierce Ghost level. To be able to refine half-step sect-level artifacts at such a young age was definitely powerful talent, and extremely rare among human ghost exorcists.
As Hu Shiliu nodded, Zhang Wei couldn't help but murmur,
"Now I understand why your Eighth Grandfather dotes on you so much. It's not just because you're cute and adorable, but also because you're exceptionally talented."
"Thank you for the compliment, Captain Zhang Wei. It's nothing much, I just study these things a lot. My great-grandfather knew this and found many teachers to guide me. But compared to me, Captain Zhang Wei, you are the truly amazing one, being able to refine nation-suppressing artifacts."
Praised by Zhang Wei, Hu Shiliu blushed, and her previous nervousness eased a bit. She then said,
"Captain Zhang Wei, can I discuss some artifact refining with you?"
"This is possible, but I..."
Zhang Wei was about to find an excuse to decline.
Just then, a voice came from behind, interrupting Zhang Wei and Hu Shiliu's conversation:
"Captain Zhang Wei."
"What's wrong, Gu Master Lin? Have you finished scattering the sulfur?" 138 Reading Network
Zhang Wei turned to look and saw Gu Master Lin approaching. Before leaving, he had instructed the latter to set up some sulfur around the temporary camp to drive away Gu worms, as most Gu worms were sensitive to the smell of sulfur.
"It's all scattered. I also scouted the surroundings and caught a Gu worm to be a snack for my Gu worm king baby. We can rest here with peace of mind. There are very few Gu worms here, and it's not a Gu worm nest."
Gu Master Lin coughed lightly and hesitated, saying,
"I'm looking for Captain Zhang Wei, not only to report the situation but also to request permission to go out and see if I can catch some rare and unusual Gu worms to cultivate. You know, it's night now, and it's the most active time for Gu worms."
"It's easiest to find Gu worms at this time. And we are still on the outskirts now. I think the outer areas might be safer for catching Gu worms. Once we enter the Yunnan Worm Valley, it will be harder to catch them, and I can't even guarantee my own safety."
Zhang Wei understood.
The Yunnan Worm Valley was not only home to the Ten Thousand Years Old Mushroom but also the origin of Gu worms, where the most diverse species of Gu worms lived. For Gu worms, this place was dangerous, but at the same time, it was a paradise.
In this regard, Zhang Wei did not refuse his request. Instead, he showed concern,
"I see. Then Gu Master Lin, you go ahead. By the way, did you receive your signal flare? When you go out looking, try not to stray too far from us. If there's any danger, use the signal flare to notify us, or ask Mr. Paper Man to make you a communication paper figure so you can contact us if there's danger. By the way, are you going alone?"
"I'm fine alone. This is just my hobby, I can't trouble everyone."
Gu Master Lin said with a smile, not daring to ask for someone to accompany him.
However, even though he didn't ask, Zhang Wei assigned someone to accompany him. After all, he was a Gu Master, and once they entered the depths of the Yunnan Worm Valley, he could provide significant security for the team.
"Zombie, Mr. Sun Tongqian, you two go with Gu Master Lin."
Zhang Wei instructed.
As he spoke, everyone present was stunned and looked at Zhang Wei in unison.
Immediately after, the Fengmen Zombie thought for a moment and nodded,
"Alright, I'll go."
[Ding! Fengmen Zombie... Zhang Wei is trying to subtly send me away, isn't he? After all, we are enemies on the surface. This move is good, it won't make others or the Senluo Division suspect our relationship.]
[Host has received System Points +700]
On the other side, Gu Master Lin looked over and then whispered into Zhang Wei's ear,
"Captain Zhang Wei, are you planning to take this opportunity to test the Fengmen Zombie? That's brilliant, haha. This is perfect, at least I won't be acting alone. I'll help you test if the Fengmen Zombie is truly sincere in participating."
Gu Master Lin thought to himself that Zhang Wei sending the Fengmen Zombie and the half-step nation-suppressing corpse retriever Sun Tongqian was definitely not for his protection, but to test the Fengmen Zombie's true intentions.
Thinking of this, Gu Master Lin's eyes rolled, and he whispered again,
"Captain Zhang Wei, do you want me and Mr. Sun Tongqian to take this opportunity to get rid of the Fengmen Zombie for you? Or do you actually have this idea too? Yes, this is the best opportunity to get rid of the Fengmen Zombie."
...