Chapter 396: The Tall Tree Attracts the Wind
Xiao Hong’s high recognition of Zhang Yuan did not make the other members of the team uncomfortable.
Even the prideful Chen Ziyi nodded in agreement.
He indeed had his pride but never denied the role of his teammates, especially when Zhang Yuan’s performance just now was astonishing.
If Zhang Yuan hadn’t shot an arrow through Muxu Dragon’s eye, causing serious harm to this powerful deceitful monster, Chen Ziyi might not have had the chance to deliver a fatal sword strike.
Most importantly, Zhang Yuan used a mortal weapon rather than a profound artifact.
That was even more impressive!
In fact, Xiao Hong’s team had archers in the past.
But due to the special environment of Mo Yuan, the effectiveness of archery was limited. Once involved in intense battles, archers often felt constrained and less effective compared to swordmen or swordsmen.
But Zhang Yuan was different.
Zhang Yuan’s archery skills were outstanding; even in his first mission, it didn’t take much time to adapt from being unfamiliar with the team to working seamlessly, playing a significant role in the battle.
Chen Ziyi’s thoughts at this moment aligned with Xiao Hong’s.
Howl~
Suddenly, a piercing wolf howl echoed into everyone’s ears from afar.
Xiao Hong’s expression instantly changed: "Fog Wolves!"
This Tier Five expert almost without hesitation, immediately ordered, "Retreat!"
Just as he finished speaking, Mu Feifei, who was dissecting the Muxu Dragon’s corpse, decisively stopped her actions, quickly took out a water bag to clean her hands, and finally scattered some powder on herself and the others.
This pretty woman whistled, summoning the squirrel that was on standby nearby.
Then, she retreated with her teammates.
Fog Wolves are among the most numerous fierce beasts in Mo Yuan. Individually, their strength isn’t very high, but they are powerful when acting in packs, with a single group having hundreds or even thousands.
Moreover, the head wolf’s tier is very high, possessing innate divine power and significant spiritual wisdom.
The head wolf even understands military tactics!
Therefore, under the lead and command of the head wolf, a pack of fog wolves is incredibly terrifying.
Martial cultivators delving into Mo Yuan encountering a pack of fog wolves have no option but to retreat.
Confronting these fierce beasts head-on is the worst choice.
Unless there’s no other choice!
Even though Xiao Hong’s team had three Tier Five members, they were no match for a fog wolf pack.
Even if they could win, there was simply no need.
After all, they were here to make fortunes, not to cleanse Mo Yuan.
Under Xiao Hong’s lead, everyone swiftly withdrew from the danger zone, retracing their path back above Mo Yuan.
When everyone broke through the enveloping mist and saw the vast mountain ranges surrounding the gorge, the tense atmosphere relaxed considerably, and they couldn’t help but smile at each other.
While everyone in the team were no weaklings and had very resilient minds,
in Mo Yuan, no one could truly remain calm and composed.
Because the gorge below was fraught with peril, no one could guarantee they’d definitely return alive.
"Let’s first exchange for Daoist merit."
Xiao Hong laughed and said, "Then I’ll treat everyone to a drink!"
The exploration of Mo Yuan today was immensely rewarding, and the loot was quite abundant.
Initially, Xiao Hong aimed primarily at team coordination and testing Zhang Yuan, the new teammate.
Who would have thought they’d bring back so much?
Xiao Hong felt incredibly lucky!
And naturally, no one opposed his suggestion.
So, they returned to the Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion and exchanged all loot for Daoist merit in the Merit Hall.
Then, they distributed it according to contribution to each teammate.
But Xiao Hong did not exchange directly; he had his network here, first interacting with leaders of other teams, and only after a rather complex process did he complete the task.
It took a considerable amount of time, and by the time they left the Martial Pavilion, it was already dark.
Chen Ziyi and Zhang Feihu, among others, were accustomed to this and remained very patient.
This allowed Zhang Yuan to further recognize Xiao Hong’s capability and resourcefulness.
No wonder, despite being younger than Chen Ziyi and not necessarily having higher cultivation, he was able to act as the commander.
In the exploration of Mo Yuan today, they collectively earned seventy-three Daoist merits in total.
Zhang Yuan received twelve.
As for the distribution rules, they were set by Xiao Hong.
No one raised objections.
And regarding the amount of Daoist merit he received, Zhang Yuan didn’t feel shortchanged or unfair.
As a newcomer just joining the team, it was even somewhat beyond expectations.
That night, Xiao Hong hosted a grand feast for his teammates at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion in Lin Xian Manor.
They drank five large vats of the Hundred Flowers Brew, the most famous in the pavilion.
Everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly!
In the following five days, Zhang Yuan continued to study and practice in the Martial Pavilion, solidifying his foundation.
No team ventures into Mo Yuan every day; for martial cultivators from outside in the Martial Pavilion, cultivation is the most important.
And entering Mo Yuan is merely to obtain cultivation resources.
So, after acquiring a batch of Daoist merit, Xiao Hong’s team temporarily disbanded, each busy with their own affairs.
They did not interfere with each other, waiting for the next action.
Every five or six days on average, Zhang Yuan would follow Xiao Hong into Mo Yuan to hunt fierce beasts and strange monsters, gather heavenly materials and earthly treasures.
The acquired Daoist merit was all used for martial arts cultivation.
As time passed, Xiao Hong’s team gradually built up quite a reputation in Upper Scenic Celestial.
Because the five of them consistently returned from Mo Yuan with impressive gains.
Once, they even dug up a more than three-hundred-year-old Ink Ginseng.
Ink Ginseng is a heavenly material and earthly treasure found only in Mo Yuan. It looks similar to wild Ginseng but differs greatly in effect and is a precious material for refining high-tier elixirs.
The three-hundred-year-old Ink Ginseng was quite rare and was exchanged for a full four hundred points of Daoist merit.
When the news spread, Xiao Hong’s team became an object of envy and sometimes jealousy in the Martial Pavilion.
This made Zhang Yuan faintly feel that their recent limelight was becoming too prominent.
Before he could think of a way to respond, Xiao Hong suddenly gathered his teammates.
The team leader excitedly said, "I’ve got good news for everyone; Senior Brother Xiao Yan wants to collaborate with us to explore Mo Yuan Black Dragon Pool together!"
Xiao Yan!
Zhang Yuan’s eyes flickered, and he subconsciously frowned.
Although he showed no significant reaction on the surface, there was quite a stir in his heart.
Xiao Yan was a renowned figure in the Upper Scenic Celestial Martial Pavilion!
It was said that this prodigy wasn’t yet thirty, and his cultivation had already reached the peak of Tier Five.
Breaking through to Tier Six was merely a matter of time.
And Xiao Yan’s team was also the strongest in the Martial Pavilion.
This prodigy had been at Upper Scenic Celestial for three years, frequently leading his team in and out of Mo Yuan, seizing countless opportunities.
Therefore, Xiao Hong’s excitement and eagerness were not without reason!
