86: Chapter 86 Olharast Rock 86: Chapter 86 Olharast Rock As a Qionghua City person, Zhang Xiaoman felt that he often got the chance to eat all kinds of delicacies since the city was famous for its food culture.

However, compared to his usual fare, he had never eaten anything as exquisite and luxurious as today’s meal.

As for taste, Zhang Xiaoman felt the food here wasn’t necessarily the most delicious, at least it wasn’t so unique as to be unrivalled.

But in terms of aesthetics, it was the most delicate and beautiful meal he had ever eaten in his life.

“To think such a large plate would only have this tiny serving of food…

that’s just mean,” he thought to himself.

Zhang Xiaoman felt that today wasn’t about eating at all, but more about looking at plates.

Although the servings were small, Su Fu had ordered a large quantity, and since there were only six people present including Zhang Xiaoman, everyone ended up full by the end of the meal.

Under normal circumstances, Zhang Xiaoman was reluctant to attend such dinners, but considering the help he had received from Su Fu, he decided to come.

What surprised him, however, was that this dinner wasn’t as bad as he initially thought it would be.

It could be said that the dinner was meant just for him, and coupled with Su Fu’s exquisite way of dealing with people, host and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

After three rounds of drinks and an array of dishes, Su Fu’s wife, Ling Xiaoyu, along with their daughter Su Kuangkuan, excused themselves and left first, leaving only four people in the room.

Zhang Xiaoman saw Su Fu and Xiao Shun looking at him with an expression of having something to say but hesitating.

After a brief contemplation, he understood what they wanted to discuss and started, “About the proposal you mentioned last time, I have given it careful thought.

With the alien species reemerging and the invasions resuming, the Great Fusion is about to descend…

and yet, our human talent has rapidly deteriorated over the past 300 years, to the point where we now completely lack a foundation and our heritage has been severed…”

He sighed softly at this point:

“Indeed, relying solely on my power, it would likely be hard to oversee everything.

I’ve thought it over, and I want to restore human heritage, to gather the once world-guarding Three Great Forces anew and integrate them into a new organization—I plan to call it the Star Alliance.”

The few people present couldn’t help but gasp upon hearing this, with Xiao Shun unable to suppress his excitement, “Then, Senior Zhang…

Are you, are you agreeing to let us join?”

Su Fu was also looking on with an eager expression.

Zhang Xiaoman looked at the two of them and said, “The Star Alliance will inherit the will and convictions of the old Three Great Forces.

Joining is not so simple.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shun perked up and said, “Senior!

Whatever your requirements, please say them!

I will do my utmost to fulfill them!”

Zhang Xiaoman shook his head slightly and said:

“I don’t have any specific requirements, but combating the alien species is of the utmost importance.

I can’t just casually lead an ordinary person down this path; it requires not only sufficient courage but also steadfast conviction and a resolve to face death…”

“Moreover, to confront the alien species, one must possess the strength to control Dark Energy.

However, with human talent now severed, I won’t consider involving others in such dangerous matters until I have completed the Enlightenment Array.”

Upon hearing this, both of them couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

At this moment, Su Fu also asked:

“Mr.

Zhang, may I ask how your recent research into the Enlightenment Array is coming along?

If it’s completed, does that mean we might be able to…?”

Zhang Xiaoman nodded and said, “I’ve reached the most critical step in the depiction of the Enlightenment Array.

I’m just missing one last material to finish it.

Don’t worry, if I need to initiate the Star Alliance plan, I will definitely consider you guys first.”

Su Fu and Xiao Shun both nodded delightedly, but the latter, still curious, asked, “Then may I ask what material you’re still missing, Senior?

Maybe we can help you find it!”

Zhang Xiaoman was momentarily speechless, thinking to himself that Xiao Shun really was quite earnest.

This Enlightenment Array was nothing more than a cover story he had made up.

If he really needed more hands, he could just hand out one or two extraordinary items or skills purchased from the store.

There was no need for such troublesome things as materials and talents.

However, faced with the man’s curiosity, he still made up a name and said:

“The last material isn’t easy to find.

You might not have even heard of it.

It’s called ‘Olharast Rock’, a very precious ore.”

As expected, Xiao Shun’s excitement quickly faded upon hearing this.

However, Su Changqing, who had been listening quietly at the side, suddenly showed a reaction.

“Brother Zhang, this ore you’re talking about, could it be the legendary Sea God Steel?”

Zhang Xiaoman looked at him, a bit surprised.

He could see the intent behind why Su Fu had left him here, but since he had saved Su Changqing and considering the young man was Su Fu’s son, he didn’t say much.

Now, unexpectedly, the young man had actually heard of the name he had casually mentioned.

“Oh?

Mr.

Su, you know of this thing?” he asked curiously.

Su Changqing smiled a bit sheepishly and said softly:

“Brother Zhang, you can just call me Changqing.

I only heard this name mentioned casually by a few adventure-loving friends.

It is said to be a type of legendary steel exclusive to the ancient civilization of Atlantis.

Rumors have it that this steel is impervious to fire and water and extraordinarily hard.

It was also extremely rare within Atlantis and is unseen in modern times…”

As he listened, Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help but take another look at him.

He hadn’t expected such legends to actually exist in the world and be so mysteriously conveyed.

It surprisingly fit well with his own bluffing routine.

At this moment, Xiao Shun suddenly spoke up:

“Old Su, that’s impressive, you even know about this!

Those ‘adventure-loving friends’ you’re talking about, wouldn’t happen to be Yang Yangyang and the others, right?

I can understand this thing being precious, but when you say impervious to fire and water, isn’t all steel like that?”

Su Changqing laughed and explained, “The fire and water resistance I’m talking about is different from what you’re thinking.

The water I refer to means that Sea God Steel can resist corrosion by water and won’t deform even under tens of thousands of meters of sea.

As for fire, it refers to its high-temperature resistance; it’s said that even on the surface of the sun, it would not melt.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shun was immediately flabbergasted: “That exaggerated!?”

Su Changqing continued, “These, of course, are just rumors.

After all, this thing is also just a legend.

Whether it’s actually like that, no one knows, not to mention whether it ever truly existed—it’s still a mystery.”

Having said that, he couldn’t help but look at Zhang Xiaoman with anticipation, hoping that this mysterious expert who had once saved him could provide an answer.