The intelligence that Zhou Chun and Taoist Mingxia brought back completely eased Master Qingwei's worries.
For a long time, in dealing with the Dragon Transformation Sect, the Green Lotus Temple had been the most active.
The reason was simple, the territory of the Green Lotus Temple bordered the Wasteland Territory. If the Dragon Transformation Sect wanted to enter Jingguo Country, they couldn't bypass the Green Lotus Temple no matter what.
Another reason was the greater enmity between the Green Lotus Temple and the Dragon Transformation Sect.
The current Green Lotus Temple had risen to their position by stepping over the corpses of the Dragon Transformation Sect.
Because of this, upon learning that the Dragon Transformation Sect had grown even stronger, the Green Lotus Temple was extremely anxious and very eager to crush the sect once again.
However, forces such as the Moon Wheel Sect and the Sunflame Sect had been unable to make up their minds to fully commit to destroying the Dragon Transformation Sect.
Therefore, the Green Lotus Temple had initiated a spy plan, sending undercover agents to infiltrate the Dragon Transformation Sect in an attempt to obtain information decisive enough to spur the Moon Wheel Sect, the Sunflame Sect, and other forces into action.
And now, as fortune favors the bold, after expending considerable manpower and resources, the Green Lotus Temple had finally obtained critical intelligence, providing them with a sufficient reason to annihilate the Dragon Transformation Sect.
This made Master Qingwei want to shout out loud, "Heaven helps those who help themselves"!
After a burst of joy, he looked at Taoist Mingxia and nodded continuously, "Nephew Mingxia, you've done an excellent job this time. Having obtained such important intelligence, you have made great contributions. Once I report this intelligence to the Supreme Elder, I will definitely request that she gives you a substantial reward!"
Having said this, and as if something occurred to him, he suddenly asked, "By the way, where is Little Friend Zhou? We must ensure that he keeps this matter under strict confidence. It must not be leaked prematurely!"
Hearing his question just as she had been pleased by his words, Taoist Mingxia's expression became slightly unnatural as she replied, "In response to the Temple Master, when this disciple obtained this intelligence, I knew its significance. Consequently, I let Taoist Friend Zhou return home so that I could rush back to the sect as swiftly as possible to report to the Temple Master."
Master Qingwei nodded, then spoke softly, "Then please notify the Zhou Family on that matter, so they can tell Little Friend Zhou to keep it confidential when he arrives home!"
"Yes, Master. I obey."
Taoist Mingxia breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.
Thus, a few days later, Taoist Mingxia personally visited the Zhou Family and met with the Supreme Elder of Zhou Family, Zhou Mingde.
Whatever the two had discussed remained unknown, but Taoist Mingxia left the Zhou Family with a smile on her face.
Meanwhile, within the cave dwelling atop Pagoda Peak, Zhou Mingde, after sending Taoist Mingxia off, called Zhou Chun out from his secret cultivation room.
He then said to Zhou Chun, "As we expected, Taoist Mingxia came here intending to silence our Zhou Family."
He then snorted coldly, "Humph, that man reaps all the benefits for himself, yet tries to fob our Zhou Family off with empty promises that can't be fulfilled. Despicable!"
Zhou Chun's expression was not good either, but the result was within his expectations.
He simply said coldly, "Since she's so concerned about whether or not the junior has returned, it might be better if the junior returns later. That way, they won't keep worrying about the junior."
Zhou Mingde nodded, then continued, "Then, Zhengchun, you should concentrate on cultivating in seclusion in my cave dwelling. Once this blows over, we will go and obtain the Thousand Year Grass to get the resources needed for Daoyi to open up his Purple Mansion."
And so, for the next half year, Zhou Chun stayed hidden in Zhou Mingde's cave dwelling, cultivating the "Blood Exchange Dragon Transformation Technique" to transform the dragon blood attributes within his body.
After half a year of arduous cultivation, Zhou Chun finally transformed the dragon blood attributes in his body into the bloodline of the Green Flood Dragon Qingqing.
During this time, Taoist Mingxia from the Green Lotus Temple had several times sent people to inquire about Zhou Chun's whereabouts, but the Zhou Family always responded that they had not seen him.
Zhou Mingde even made a personal visit to the Green Lotus Temple to find Taoist Mingxia, suggesting that they search for Zhou Chun in the Wasteland Territory together.
But Taoist Mingxia would not agree to such a thing.
She declined, citing her pressing duties that prevented her from leaving, as the reason.
Perhaps out of a sense of compensation or perhaps fearful that Zhou Mingde and the Zhou Family might do something impulsive, she did hand over the 30,000 Spirit Coins promised earlier to Zhou Mingde in advance.
The original conditions given by the Green Lotus Temple for Zhou Chun's undercover mission were simple: if the mission was successfully completed upon his return, he would be rewarded with 30,000 Spirit Coins.
The news Zhou Chun brought back was entirely sufficient to meet the requirements for successful return, hence the money was naturally owed to him.
This was also one of the real intentions Zhou Mingde had for visiting Taoist Mingxia.
After Zhou Chun completed his blood attribute transformation, Zhou Mingde visited the Green Lotus Temple again.
This time, he openly told Taoist Mingxia that he was going to the Wasteland Territory to look for Zhou Chun and asked her to protect the Zhou Family during his absence.
"The deep concern you, Taoist Friend Zhou, have shown for your junior is truly humbling!"
Taoist Mingxia looked at Zhou Mingde, who was resolute, and after letting out a long sigh, she nodded and said, "Please rest assured, I will send Disciple Liu Shiyun with my token to the Zhou Family to guard it, guaranteeing that no one will invade your home while you are away."
"Then Zhou is deeply grateful to Taoist Friend Mingxia."
Zhou Mingde expressed his thanks, then took Liu Shiyun, who had successfully completed Foundation Establishment, and her father Liu Qingshan, back to the Zhou Family.
After returning to the Zhou Family, Zhou Mingde called together all the Elders of the Zhou Family and announced his decision to search for the missing Zhou Chun.