Not long ago.
While eating, Zhang Chao received a call from his cousin Zhang Mei. She told Zhang Chao that the immortal statue he wanted had been sent by air. Additionally, the immortal statue sent by the Wei Dao Division did not require Zhang Wei to pay any fees.
At that time.
Zhang Chao exclaimed in surprise:
"Ah? No money? Holy crap, is this the treatment for the powerful? They're serving Zhang Wei for free? No way, I'm so envious and jealous."
Zhang Mei chuckled upon hearing this:
"What are you talking about? I said you don't need to pay, not that it's free. Someone paid for you. Guess who?"
"Ah? Someone paid? Who? It's not you, is it, sis? Do you have a crush on Zhang Wei? You should have said so earlier, I'll arrange a blind date between Zhang Wei and you. Although Zhang Wei has Lu Lianxue, Qiu Xiaolin, and others, you, sis, have a good figure, so you're not without a chance."
"Go to hell, what are you saying? It's not me, it's someone else. Forget it, I'll tell you directly, it's Xiao Xuan who paid."
Zhang Mei paused, recalling the words passed down from above, and then said:
"Xiao Xuan said that at the last international forum, to flatter you and showcase the talent and spirit of Great Xia, he exposed your forum search records. Afterwards, he felt he didn't respect your privacy enough, so he paid for the immortal statue this time as an apology. At the same time, it's a bribe to continue writing reports about you on the international forum later on..."
"Uh... giving immortal statues as a bribe is too stingy, how much is it worth."
"It's worth a fortune, Zhang Chao, you idiot, finish listening to me. I haven't finished yet. The immortal statues from Zhejiang are not ordinary immortal statues found in people's homes. They have been consecrated, they are magic artifacts, and of no low level."
In her words.
Zhang Chao heard the envy in Zhang Mei's voice and couldn't help but ask curiously:
"What level?"
"Half-step sect-guarding level. That is to say, any one of those immortal statues can deal with a half-step ghost king."
"Holy crap!!"
Zhang Chao's eyes widened, and he swore in shock:
"My god, even if you're rich and powerful, you can't be this rich and powerful. What's Xiao Xuan's background? Are you sure those statues are all at this level?"
Zhang Chao recalled the immortal statues he had requested. Roughly calculating, there were at least a dozen. Wouldn't that mean over a dozen half-step sect-guarding level magic artifacts were casually given away? Such generosity, even as a descendant of the Maoshan Sect, made Zhang Chao gasp.
In fact.
Not only Zhang Chao, but Wu Nian and Lu Lianxue, who learned of this afterwards, were also shocked:
"Amitabha, this benefactor Xiao Xuan... is so rich."
"My heavens, even our Longhu Mountain wouldn't dare to give gifts so lavishly. This isn't just being rich, it's extravagance."
Lu Lianxue covered her mouth and exclaimed.
Following that.
Lu Lianxue looked at Wu Nian and Zhang Chao, hesitated for a moment, and asked:
"How many half-step sect-guarding level magic artifacts do your Wutai Mountain and Maoshan Sect have?"
As soon as her words came out.
Wu Nian clasped his hands together and said:
"Amitabha, this humble monk is not very clear. I haven't asked my martial uncles. However, thinking about it, my martial uncles each have one, so there are probably around thirty in total."
Zhang Chao said directly:
"My family has forty-three half-step sect-guarding level artifacts. I counted them when I was a child. I originally wanted to be like in the novels, carrying all my magic artifacts with me, just like Baili Pangpang in the novel 'I Learned to Slay Gods in a Mental Hospital', covered in magic artifacts. But my dad wouldn't allow it, he treasured them very much, and only gave me three or four."
Before he finished speaking.
Zhang Chao said with a mixture of envy and strangeness:
"This guy Xiao Xuan is truly a spendthrift. He took out over a dozen at once. Isn't that equivalent to taking out half of Wutai Mountain's inventory, or a quarter of my family's inventory? He's really a prodigal."
Because of this.
Seeing Xiao Xuan reporting his trip to the Vatican first, Zhang Wei didn't mind. The other party had 'bribed' him with a large sum of money, and he couldn't be happier.
Thinking of this.
Zhang Wei looked at Zhang Chao and chuckled:
"I hope Xiao Xuan reports on me more, so he can bribe me more."
...
On the other side.
Great Xia, Zhang Wei's home.
At this time.
Zhang Wei's father, Zhang Ping, was watching the World Cup final, drinking wine, and cheering loudly from time to time:
"Ah!! Messi!! Messi!! He scored! Honey, come quickly, Messi scored in the extra time of the final against France. It's 3-2 now, it's stable, Argentina will win the championship now, haha, a new king of football is born, woohoo!"
Seeing Zhang Ping happy like a child, Zhang Ping's wife, who was cooking in the kitchen, shook her head:
"I say, husband, don't just watch the game, have you contacted Dan Xiao?"
"I contacted him, but Dan Xiao hasn't replied yet. I'll call and ask."
Zhang Ping said, his eyes fixed on the TV screen, then he picked up his phone and dialed a number in his contacts, labeled 'Dan Xiao'.
...
On the other side.
Great Xia, by the mouth of a Dragon Locking Well.
At this time.
A young man, but with eyes that held a沧桑 (cāngsāng - vicissitudes/weather-beaten look) unsuited to his age, stood by the well, looking at the well opening, lost in thought.
If any high-ranking official from the Wei Dao Division were present, they would surely recognize the young man's identity. He was Great Xia's True Dragon Guard, hailed as the strongest yet weakest True Dragon Guard of the current era, Sheng Xuan!
Just then.
Ding Ling Ling.
His phone rang. He picked it up and saw that the caller ID was 'Jia Dan Da' (假胆大 - Fake Courageous).
Seeing this.
Sheng Xuan, who had been looking at the Dragon Locking Well with a hint of fear on his face, revealed a smile:
"Jia Dan Da, why are you calling me today? Aren't you watching the World Cup?"
"Yes, I'm watching. Are you watching too?"
"Yes, I'm watching too."
Sheng Xuan replied casually, then changed the subject:
"You're not calling to chat while watching the game, are you? Are you that idle?"
"That's not it. I'm calling to ask you, you mentioned before that you have a lot of protective talismans and the like. Aren't you making one for my Zhang Wei? Have you finished it? As Zhang Wei's distant uncle, you can't be so unconcerned about your cute and handsome distant nephew."
"So that's what you're calling about. I've already finished it and sent it to Zhang Wei."
"Ah? Sent it? When? How come I didn't know? Zhang Wei, this brat, didn't even call to tell me."
"It's normal that you don't know, and it's not Zhang Wei's fault. He doesn't even know I sent it. I entrusted a friend to send it. You know, my reputation in the industry is quite famous. If others knew I sent it to Zhang Wei, they might become suspicious."
"That's true, Dan Xiao, you're quite thoughtful. Alright then, as long as it's sent... Holy crap!! France scored, ah!! It's 3-3, damn it, extra time is gone, it's going to a penalty shootout, no!"
Hearing Zhang Ping's wails from the phone, Sheng Xuan burst into laughter.
...