After discussing, the group swiftly handled their current tasks, then set off on an impromptu journey.
This time, He Qingchen joined them as well, and they did not inform Zhang Luoyu in advance.
On the plane, Jian Xi tagged Zhang Luoyu in a group chat, ["@Zhang Luoyu, what are you up to, master?"]
Sitting nearby and playing on his phone, Su Yinghe saw the group message and chuckled, "Naughty."
Su Yinghe played along and sent another message, ["@Zhang Luoyu, when are you coming back to City B? We're all waiting for you, even the fourth master is back."]
In a playful mood, the group on the plane started acting.
Zhang Luoyu replied quite quickly, ["Just finished eating, don't even mention it. The new land I acquired has run into some trouble, I probably won't be able to return for another half a month. You guys have fun with Xiao Qi, I'll foot the bill."]
A flurry of large red packets appeared in the group chat.
Jian Xi conscientiously did not claim any, but she counted that there were six transfers in total, and eight people in the group, including He Qingchen.
Everyone except her received a share.
As the others were busy opening their transfers, Jian Xi looked at them claiming the red packets with a pitiful expression.
Suddenly, a phone appeared in front of her - it was He Qingchen's. "Here."
Jian Xi glanced down at the transfer page on his phone screen, giggled, took it, and claimed the money, satisfying her urge!
Zhang Luoyu had sent 200,000 to each person, split into multiple transfers due to the 200,000 limit.
Huo Chengxi: ["Thank you, master, you're the best!"]
Su Yinghe: ["I agree, master, we love you!"]
Lin Yichen: ["Thank you, master."]
...
After a few words, Zhang Luoyu said he had to get back to work, and the group chat quieted down.
Everyone put down their phones and discussed the trouble Zhang Luoyu had mentioned.
Ye Ze frowned, "I know where that land is, but as far as I know, it shouldn't be a major hazard. Why would it cause master so much trouble?"
Jian Xi looked pensive, took out two Five Emperors' coins, and tossed them a few times - forming the Qian trigram.
She furrowed her brow slightly, as this Zhen Qian hexagram presaged an ominous sign, filled with difficulties. "It seems our timing was right. If we hadn't come, master might not have been able to handle this place alone."
Gu Zhiyao also noticed the hexagram's pattern and her expression became serious. Unsatisfied, she said, "Yeah, we happened to come at the right time. Master is still the same, keeping everything to himself when trouble arises instead of asking for help. So stubborn."
Jian Xi relaxed her expression and opened her celestial eye to see what exactly had occurred, so they could prepare in advance.
She closed her eyes and calmed her breath.
A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and spoke, "It's a zombie, a thousand years old."
Ye Ze took a deep breath, "Has it manifested in this world?"
The others also tensed upon hearing this, as zombies were quite rare, let alone millennia-old ones!
Jian Xi said, "Not yet manifested, it's still buried deep under the land master acquired. He must have sensed something amiss, which is why he's been so preoccupied with this matter. But he probably only knows there's something down there, not that it's been there for a thousand years."
"Perfect, we still have time. Let's prepare, then go take care of this thousand-year-old zombie as a gift for master!" Jian Xi smiled mischievously.
Ye Ze nodded, "Alright, the Metaphysics Association has a branch in City A, I'll message them to send us some handy ritual tools."
"Sounds good, I'll draw Summon Lightning Talismans and Fire Talismans - those should work well against it." Jian Xi took tools out of her bracelet.
The others couldn't help much at the moment. Su Yinghe, Huo Chengxi, and He Qingchen would conserve their energy as the physical combat forces. Ye Ze said the tools would be for them - physical attacks were indispensable!
As for spellcasting, that was up to Jian Xi and Ye Ze.
Gu Zhiyao took Jian Xi's Five Emperors' coins to divine fortunes and predict outcomes. He Qingchen voluntarily gave her the missing coin, so she could consult the I Ching constantly.
Of course, Lin Yichen wasn't idle either. Jian Xi gave him silver needles, and he was checking the plane's first aid kit, taking stock of the supplies in case anything was needed and he could ask He Qingchen to have it prepared.
He couldn't do much in such situations besides provide medical support. Though he had never had to use his skills from childhood until now, he always remained prepared - better safe than sorry!
As everyone was making preparations, Jian Xi grinned, "I'm getting a bit excited, it feels like ages since we last 'battled' together!"
Her remark instantly dispelled the tense atmosphere on the plane. Su Yinghe's red lips curved into a smile, "I thought I was the only eager one. Turns out Xiao Qi is just as impatient!"
The others exchanged glances and smiled as well.
An hour later, the plane landed at City A's airport, and the group of seven headed straight for the city's outskirts.
They had already received the ritual tools and Lin Yichen's requested supplies at the airport.
In the car, Jian Xi took out a carving knife and engraved talismans onto the peach wood swords, enhancing their power.
After these preparations, their destination was in sight.
When they got out of the car, they saw an expanse of desolate grassland, surrounded by construction barriers and various tools.
However, there were no workers on site, which was convenient for them.
Talismans were posted on the barriers, forming a sealing formation, clearly Zhang Luoyu's work.
Jian Xi crouched and placed her hand on the ground, sensing the surroundings.
After a moment, she suddenly laughed, "No wonder the second master said this place wasn't a major hazard - this fellow got lost?"
Huo Chengxi asked curiously, "What happened, tell us more."
"It didn't originally belong to this area. It must have only recently gained self-awareness and tried to surface, but was buried too deep. It tried digging its way out but went in the wrong direction, ending up here. Now it's almost hollowed out the ground beneath our feet!"
Jian Xi tapped the ground with her toe. "It's right under us now, still digging upwards in the right direction."
"What should we do, wait for it or give it a hand?" Huo Chengxi asked.
Su Yinghe shook her head in refusal, "Let's just wait, I don't want to dig!"
Gu Zhiyao agreed, as she and Su Yinghe were both wearing dresses and high heels, not wanting to get covered in dirt!
