I Can Use Myriad Divine Abilities-Chapter 96: Politely Refused

[Source Material +5.3]

This information that appeared in Zhang Yuan’s vision made him pause in surprise.

Is there a mistake?

A big question mark instantly popped up in Zhang Yuan’s mind.

The Source Material he just acquired was undoubtedly the result of killing a Yin Mountain Cultist.

The problem was that Zhang Yuan hadn’t performed any rites, so why did he still receive Source Material?

Unless the opponent was strange!

But aside from having a sinister appearance, there were no other strange characteristics of the Yin Mountain Cultist.

The blood flowing was bright red!

However, the Source Material gained was not fake.

Zhang Yuan thus deduced that this Yin Mountain Cultist was likely a half-human, half-phantom being.

On the surface, there didn’t seem to be much difference from a normal person, but in reality, they possessed some strange attributes.

Therefore, there’s no need for rites; killing them directly grants Source Material!

As if to confirm Zhang Yuan’s guess, in just the blink of an eye, the Iron Corpse whose head Gao Sheng had just severed and the Yin Mountain Cultist pressed underneath began to decompose rapidly at a visible rate.

They seemed to have been doused with strong acid, with wisps of gray-black smoke rising from their skin, flesh, and bones.

A strong stench quickly spread out.

It was nauseating!

Zhang Yuan accidentally inhaled a bit and felt a slight dizziness.

Startled, he immediately held his breath and retreated backward.

"Antitoxic Pill!"

At this moment, Gao Sheng’s voice reached Zhang Yuan’s ears.

Zhang Yuan reacted quickly, hurriedly taking out a wax-coated pill, crushing it, and swallowing it.

Because the Yin Mountain Sect is adept with poisons.

And the claws and fangs of zombies are highly toxic.

Therefore, all the Battle Hall Disciples participating in this operation were equipped with three Antitoxic Pills.

The Elixir Pill dissolved rapidly in his stomach, and as the medicine took effect, the dizziness quickly disappeared.

Zhang Yuan exhaled deeply.

Looking at the corpses on the ground in front of him, which were about to turn into pools of pus, he felt somewhat frustrated.

This Iron Corpse could have provided at least twenty to thirty points of Source Material.

Yet such a substantial experience package was something Zhang Yuan could only watch, unable to claim.

In the earlier situation, he had no chance to compete with Gao Sheng for the final blow.

"Zhang Yuan, you did very well."

Noticing Zhang Yuan’s expression, Gao Sheng smiled and said, "For this operation, you are credited with the greatest merit!"

Although both formidable Iron Corpses were personally slain by him,

without Zhang Yuan uncovering the deeply hidden mastermind behind the scenes, it wouldn’t have been such a resounding success.

Moreover, Zhang Yuan had also killed the Yin Mountain Cultist.

Such outstanding achievements; how could anyone deny the deserving merit?

Though Gao Sheng had calculated deeply, he wasn’t narrow-minded or envious of capable people.

Naturally, this merit had to be credited to Zhang Yuan!

Zhang Yuan came to his senses and hurriedly said modestly, "I was just lucky."

This Yin Mountain Cultist was indeed disguised exceptionally well, far beyond ordinary imagination.

Earlier, Zhang Yuan had been able to see through him.

On the one hand, it was due to keen intuition; on the other, luck played a part.

In fact, if the Iron Corpse, disguised as a rock, could have withstood the arrow imbued with his vital energy unscathed,

he would have given up.

"Luck is also a part of strength."

Gao Sheng sheathed the Canglang Sword and looked at Zhang Yuan with an added glint of appreciation in his eyes: "No wonder the Squad Leader favors you highly, appointing you as Incense Master against opposition!"

In truth, Gao Sheng was initially against Zhang Yuan’s exceptional promotion, believing the latter had joined the Furious Whale Gang for too short a time.

Without sufficient experience, how could he be convincing?

It was due to this preconception,

so after the public announcement in the Inner Hall, Gao Sheng didn’t immediately allocate subordinates to Zhang Yuan.

According to the gang’s rules, an Incense Master should have five to ten ordinary members under their command.

Gao Sheng’s reason was that Zhang Yuan was simply too young, severely lacking in the experience of the martial world.

Thus, for the safety of the Battle Hall Disciples,

it would be best to let him temper for a while and allocate subordinates when matured in all aspects.

Gao Sheng’s argument was convincing.

Even someone predisposed to Zhang Yuan like Zhao Jinlan found it challenging to oppose.

Hence, the matter was stalled.

However, Gao Sheng had now changed his mind.

In this operation of eliminating Yin Mountain Cultists, Zhang Yuan’s performance was both wise and brave, and he achieved great merit.

Continuing to suppress would be entirely inappropriate!

The Vice Hall Master of the Battle Hall said, "When we return, I’ll give you a list, and you can choose your subordinates."

Under normal circumstances, the personnel allocated to an Incense Master cannot be chosen at will.

Gao Sheng was making amends for previous shortcomings,

thus giving Zhang Yuan a special exception.

Yet Zhang Yuan showed no signs of delight, hesitantly responding, "Thank you, Hall Master, for your kindness, but I feel my abilities and experience are insufficient. It would be better for me to accumulate more wisdom over a few years."

Zhang Yuan was well aware of the gang’s rules.

But he was pleased with not being assigned subordinates.

In both his past and present lives, Zhang Yuan lacked experience in managing subordinates.

He had no interest in it either.

With tremendous secrets to keep and needing to devote much time to Martial Arts training,

having subordinates would mean the need to foster relationships, which would be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly.

Zhang Yuan had no desire for ostentatious displays.

"Is that so..."

Gao Sheng never imagined that Zhang Yuan might not be interested in the authority of an Incense Master.

Seeing Zhang Yuan’s earnest demeanor, he contemplated and then nodded, "That’s fine."

Since Zhang Yuan was unwilling, why force him?

Zhang Yuan was delighted: "Thank you, Hall Master!"

Gao Sheng found it amusing: "What’s there to thank about this."

He truly didn’t comprehend the mindset of young people these days.

If it were Gao Sheng himself, the more subordinates, the better—after all, it’s a symbol of power.

While the two chatted, the fight at the front of the manor had ended.

All the zombies had been thoroughly slain by the Battle Hall Disciples, with no more emerging.

Following this, under Gao Sheng’s command, the team began a sweeping search of the manor ruins.

They unearthed numerous corpses that had yet to zombify.

A mere Yin Mountain Cultist raising so many zombies and Iron Corpses was truly inexplicable.

The site was less than a hundred miles from Linhe County Town, of considerable scale, and it was unclear how long it had existed.

Where did the bodies come from?

Who had been providing so many corpses to the Yin Mountain Cultist long-term?

When you think about it, it makes one’s skin crawl!

Yet Zhao Jinlan and Gao Sheng said nothing, simply leading the team in cleaning the entire manor, burning all the corpses.

Among these corpses were three Battle Hall Disciples who had fallen in battle.

Their ashes would be taken back to Whale Castle for burial.

There were over a dozen injured disciples,

but none of their injuries were serious.

In the martial world, feuds and grievances, injuries and deaths can never be avoided.

Everyone had grown accustomed.

Then, led by the two Vice Hall Masters, the Battle Hall Disciples set off on their return journey.

They returned to Wu Manor by sunset.