87: Chapter 87: Unexpected Gains 87: Chapter 87: Unexpected Gains Seeing everyone’s gaze turn towards him, Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

It seemed that in the end, it was up to him, the “professional,” to provide the answer.

“Ahem…”

He cleared his throat and first looked at Su Changqing with a gratified expression before he said,

“Although what you just mentioned is somewhat exaggerated, it isn’t entirely baseless.

Olharast Steel is indeed extremely rare; to date, I have only seen my mentor use it once.

However, he later lost it accidentally during a battle in the outer realms, and since then, this steel has never appeared in the world again.”

Everyone listened intently, all feeling a sense of regret.

Xiao Shun couldn’t help but ask,

“Then, senior, if the Enlightenment Array you are setting up requires this material, how could we find it?”

Zhang Xiaoman put on a calm expression and said,

“There’s no need to hurry, this is actually what I was planning to discuss with you next.

Just a few days ago, I discovered a site where the Three Great Guardian Forces once converged.

I plan to investigate it shortly, and perhaps I might find that material.”

Xiao Shun then asked, “Does that mean, senior, that you plan to leave Qionghua City?

How long might it take for you to return?

By the way, where is that ruin located?”

Zhang Xiaoman thought for a moment and shook his head,

“I do indeed need to leave Qionghua City for a while.

As for how long it will take, I can’t say at the moment.

However, the place is at sea, and I’m still looking for a vessel to set off.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shun’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Senior, may I know where exactly at sea?

Which ocean is it?”

Zhang Xiaoman looked at him and replied,

“It’s located somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.

Why do you ask?”

Xiao Shun quickly said, “Here’s the thing, I have a few friends who are planning a sea voyage for an adventure in the next few days, and they’re also headed for the Pacific Ocean!

If you haven’t found a way yet, senior, I could speak to them and ask them to take a detour to bring you along—a free ride with the wind!”

Zhang Xiaoman’s spirits lifted as soon as he heard this and he asked,

“Is that really possible?

The place I need to go is a bit far, about 3000 kilometers east from Bai Yulan City.

Can they reach such a place?”

Xiao Shun thought for a moment, and then affirmed with confidence,

“Yes, they definitely can!

Anyway, they are just planning to sail around on the sea.

It doesn’t matter where they go, right?

I’ll talk to them about it and ask for this favor.

There shouldn’t be any problem!”

By then, Su Changqing also joined in and said,

“Exactly, they often go on adventures together, and the boat was bought with their combined funds.

Xiao Shun has contributed quite a bit to it, so I believe this small favor won’t be a problem.”

Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help but look at the two of them again, not expecting an unexpected surprise during this meal.

“Since that’s the case, then I must say thank you in advance.

However, if it’s too much trouble, there’s no need to force it; I’ll find another way.”

Xiao Shun said with a smiling face,

“Senior, what are you thanking me for?

It’s I who should be grateful, if it weren’t for your rescue last time, I might have become monster feed by now!”

At this point, Su Fu also chimed in and said,

“Right, Mr.

Zhang, you might not be aware, but the Nine-color Mixed Brush I gave you last time came from asking his father.

Old Xiao treasures that thing dearly; if Xiao hadn’t helped me persuade him, I’m afraid it would have been quite difficult to obtain it so quickly.”

Zhang Xiaoman looked at Xiao Shun with surprise.

He hadn’t expected this guy to take such matters to heart, even going as far as to lend him considerable assistance.

Although he could have acquired the Nine-color Mixed Brush on his own, it would have been much more troublesome and likely delayed a significant amount of time.

But with his help, things had become much simpler,, especially if the maritime expedition proved successful—then it would indeed be a significant favor.

After all, chartering a ship to make a trip around in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was not as simple as hailing a cab.

At that thought, Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help but give Xiao Shun another look.

Spotting the two canes lying next to him, an idea suddenly struck him.

“Xiao Shun, how’s your leg?

Last time I saw you, you were injured.

Are there any lingering effects?”

Zhang Xiaoman asked.

Xiao Shun hadn’t expected him to suddenly bring this up, but he answered honestly:

“Thank you for your concern, senior!

I was quite lucky this time; the blow only penetrated muscle without damaging any bones.

So, there should be no serious lingering effects, and I should recover normally in a few months.”

“Hmm, not bad, being able to survive an attack from a Bone-eating Demon, you’re quite fortunate indeed,”

Zhang Xiaoman nodded, then said:

“I’ve developed a type of culinary medicine by combining Dark Energy with food, which might help with your injuries.

Would you like to try it?”

The others, hearing this, all showed expressions of surprise, and Xiao Shun was particularly curious:

“If it’s something you, senior,, are recommending, and it’s culinary medicine at that, then of course I’d want to try it!”

After thinking for a moment, he added, “By the way, senior, what do you mean by combining Dark Energy with food?

Could it be that this has some other effects when consumed?”

Xiao Shun found the concept peculiar,, but he didn’t pay it too much attention, treating it only as a particularly effective culinary medicine without giving it much thought.

“This should help accelerate the recovery of your injury.

As for how effective it will be, I can’t say for sure…

But rest assured, even if the effects aren’t significant, there definitely won’t be any harm,”

Zhang Xiaoman explained briefly.

He planned to purchase a basket of baozi from the marketplace to give to Xiao Shun.

The main reason for doing this was to offer a small token of appreciation in return for the help he’d received.

After all, words alone wouldn’t suffice; it was necessary to show some real capability from time to time.

Another reason was his own curiosity about the healing capabilities of the marketplace’s items.

Now he had the chance to use Xiao Shun as the first tester and see just how effective it was, which would give him a better understanding as well.

“I trust anything that comes from you, senior,”

Xiao Shun said.

Zhang Xiaoman nodded.

“Good, just give me a moment.”

The others were momentarily taken aback, not quite grasping his meaning, when they saw him swiftly tapping in the air with both hands, as if activating some peculiar ability.

Suddenly, the space in front of Zhang Xiaoman began to twist, sending ripples visible to the naked eye spreading outward, revealing something green flickering within.

A couple of breaths later, the item had fully materialized and then dropped straight from midair, caught deftly in Zhang Xiaoman’s hands.

When the onlookers focused their attention, they were startled to find that it was actually a jade-green steamer basket!