Chapter 22: The Night Ranger Conference
He opened his mouth but couldn't ask the question.
Being different from the mainstream meant being out of the ordinary.
Before knowing whether it was good or bad, he couldn't go around talking about it carelessly. Moreover, since there was no relevant information on the forum, it meant that the black full moon was not something that lower-level individuals could understand.
The higher the level of something, the more it needed to be kept secret. This was common sense that everyone understood.
Especially since he was still a novice and didn't have the ability or experience to deal with unexpected situations.
Why was the character card that Brother Bing gave me different from ordinary Night Rangers? That bastard didn't tell me any information and disappeared.
Next, he exited the post and clicked on the forum's search box, planning to look up information about the Sandao Mountain Niangniang Temple.
After entering "Sandao Mountain Niangniang Temple," he obtained two pieces of content. One was the instance guide (Five Elements Alliance version) that he had seen before, and the other was an introduction to the Sandao Mountain Niangniang Temple.
"Sandao Mountain Niangniang Temple, a temple from the early Ming Dynasty in Sandao Mountain of Songjiang Prefecture, worships the deity Sandao Mountain Niangniang. This Niangniang is skilled in praying for rain, exorcising ghosts, refining medicine, and benefiting the local area. After Sandao Mountain Niangniang ascended to immortality, the local government officials and gentry raised funds to build a temple for her.
"The Sandao Mountain Niangniang Temple fell into decline early on, lacking many precious research materials—Excerpted from the Songfu Library."
Seeing these few words "Excerpted from the Songfu Library," Zhang Yuanqing's face turned dazed, and cold sweat formed on his forehead.
The Sandao Mountain Niangniang Temple really exists? It exists in history?
If that's the case, did that Niangniang really exist? Or rather, was she a real person herself?
Can real people appear in spirit realms?
If she was a real person, would she crawl out of the spirit realm to find me? Zhang Yuanqing scared himself with his own thoughts.
"Sister Guan Ya, I have a question."
He never racked his own brain over things he could ask about.
Guan Ya turned her head.
Zhang Yuanqing told her his speculation about Sandao Mountain Niangniang.
"The Long should have told you that spirit realms exist between reality and illusion," the Old Siji raised her cup, took a sip, and said:
"Many scenes in spirit realms are based on reality. For example, the 'Lingang Reservoir' and 'Xiangshui Amusement Park' Night Ranger trial spirit realms all have corresponding locations that can be found in reality. But obviously, these things don't exist in reality; otherwise, it would have been a mess long ago."
So, although Sandao Mountain Niangniang really existed, the one I saw was fabricated by the spirit realm? Zhang Yuanqing felt relieved.
Old Banger, you just stay put in the spirit realm.
In the capital, at Beishui Gate Airport.
The gaunt-looking Yuan Ting sat in the spacious business class seat, wearing a black suit and black shirt, his hair meticulously combed, looking like a business elite.
Through the small airplane window, he overlooked the myriad of lights below, dazzling and splendid.
Today, he had just reported to the organization about the news of Sheling Tunnel being cleared. By the afternoon, he would be summoned to the capital.
But it had nothing to do with Sheling Tunnel. This trip back to the capital was because the Taiyi Sect Leader had called a meeting of Night Rangers scattered throughout the country to gather in the capital.
Such large-scale meetings were usually only held at the end of each year because that was when Night Rangers from all over the country would come to the capital to report on their work.
If there was an exception, it must be a big deal.
Hopefully, it's not bad news. Yuan Ting looked at the approaching city lights, his thoughts swirling.
The plane landed steadily. Yuan Ting got off the plane, dragged his suitcase straight to the underground second-floor parking lot, and boarded the special car waiting for him.
Forty minutes later, the special car arrived at a five-star hotel. Yuan Ting put away his luggage and took the elevator to the large conference room on the top floor.
A banquet was being held here. Gentlemen and ladies dressed in black suits, black coats, and black evening gowns, holding wine glasses, mingled among the delicacies, talking and laughing amidst the clink of glasses.
"Oh, Squad Leader Yuan is here."
Yuan Ting had just taken a glass of wine from the waiter's tray when he saw a man in a black shirt coming to greet him. The man had a neat, short haircut, bright eyes, sharp facial features, and a standard inverted triangle physique.
"Jian Ji!"
Yuan Ting saw his old friend approaching and smiled, "Long time no see."
"Everyone has been waiting for you for a long time. Come, come, let's go say hello."
Jian Ji put his hand on Yuan Ting's shoulder and embraced him to the table. Six people were sitting at the table, three men and three women. These were the Night Rangers who had trained with Yuan Ting when he first joined the Taiyi Sect.
Now they were all scattered in different places and had become squad leader-level figures.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Yuan Ting inquired,
"Why did the Sect Leader gather everyone in the capital this time?"
Yang Qian, who had a ponytail and was wearing a leather jacket and pants, pursed her lips and said in a low voice,
"We were just discussing this topic. We only know that the level of secrecy is very high, and even the Executors don't know."
She had a slender figure, neat hair ends, no makeup, no jewelry, and a heroic and unrestrained appearance.
Even the Executors don't have the right to know? Yuan Ting slightly nodded his head and didn't ask further.
Jian Ji smiled and raised his glass, "We'll naturally know when the meeting starts. Thinking about it now is useless. By the way, any interesting stories recently?"
The spirited Yang Qian said with a smile,
"I do have an interesting story. A while ago, the eldest son of the coastal Xiahou family was beaten up by the Palace Master of the 'Kill-Stopping Palace.' It's said that by the time the Xiahou family elders arrived at the scene, he was almost done for.
"Although he was saved with Life Original Liquid, he was still severely injured. It's estimated that he won't dare to go out for a long time. And if there are spirit realm missions in the near future, he will definitely die."
"Kill-Stopping Palace?" A male classmate looked at Yuan Ting, "If I remember correctly, this is a spirit realm practitioner organization in the Songhai area. How did they start a fight with the Xiahou family?"
Yuan Ting shook his head, "The people of the Kill-Stopping Palace all have very extreme personalities, especially that Palace Master, a complete madman. It's not surprising that they fight with anyone. But their attitude towards official organizations is relatively friendly, and they are usually well-behaved."
Yang Qian sighed, "That Palace Master is a high-level spirit realm practitioner. Even the Executors may not be her match. As long as such a person isn't too excessive, it's best to turn a blind eye."
After chatting for a while longer, Jian Ji looked around and said, "There are still too few of us Night Rangers. We can only watch other professions make a splash and steal the limelight."
"Speaking of which, it's been many years since our sect has produced a stunningly talented Night Ranger," said Xia Liang, who had a round and cute face. Her voice was soft and slightly coquettish.
Since the topic had come up, Yuan Ting became interested and said,
"I do have some big news related to our Night Rangers."
The people at the table looked over, their faces full of curiosity.
"Do you still remember Sheling Tunnel?" Yuan Ting asked.
"Yeah, the novice-level bug spirit realm. Back then, Jiang Lin and Zhao Kai died inside," Jian Ji asked in confusion, "Did this ghostly place claim another victim?"
"From now on, Sheling Tunnel's first kill record is gone. It was conquered by a young man."
Yuan Ting's words were like a dud bomb, silencing the Night Rangers at the table.
After a few seconds, Jian Ji said blankly, "Is this true?"
Xia Bing widened her eyes and said loudly in her coquettish voice, "Yuan Ting, don't joke around."
The others had skeptical looks on their faces.
Yuan Ting nodded affirmatively, "This matter has already been reported to the sect. You can inquire with your respective superiors. If you inquire without looking at the guide, the Executors should tell you."
The skepticism turned into exclamations. The Night Rangers at the table had looks of shock and excitement.
"This is a big deal."
"That brother is awesome. How did he do it? Damn, I just want to see the guide now, not attend the meeting."
"Wake up. Your clearance level probably can't access it."
Yang Qian looked around and asked, "Did this newcomer join the Taiyi Sect? Is he in the capital?"
Yuan Ting seemed even more eager to discuss and shook his head regretfully,
"You don't know. That guy was recruited by the Five Elements Alliance. Fu Qingyang personally called Elder Sun to ask for the guide. When Elder Sun heard that the trial mission was Sheling Tunnel, he immediately said he didn't want the person.
"Words spoken are like water spilled, unable to be taken back. Sigh, the Elder was muddled."
"Indeed muddled."
"Elder Sun, this angers me."
Just as they were criticizing that high and mighty elder, Yuan Ting suddenly saw a middle-aged man in black walking over, heading straight for him. The man said,
"Yuan Ting, Elder Sun said that after the meeting, don't leave right away. Go to his place."
Yuan Ting's expression instantly froze.
The banquet quickly approached its end. The servers removed the dishes and drinks.
The soft lighting also turned into bright and intense meeting lights. The Night Rangers in the hall sat at their respective round tables, waiting in silence. With over a hundred people, not a sound could be heard, and a pin drop would be audible.
During the long wait, an old man wearing a white martial arts uniform entered the meeting room amidst eager anticipation.
He was nearly two meters tall, extremely impressive. His face was wrinkle-free, his eyes sharp as knives. On his forehead was a golden sun, like a tattoo.
If it weren't for his head full of silver hair indicating his age, he would have looked more youthful and in his prime than young people.
The Taiyi Sect's Great Elder, Spirit Realm ID: Scorching Sun Executioner.
The Night Rangers sat upright, straightening their spines, giving sufficient respect to this strongest Night Ranger below the Sect Leader.
The Scorching Sun Executioner swept his gaze over the many sect members below and said slowly,
"Not long ago, the Sect Leader sensed the fall of the Demon Lord. The Taiyi Sect's greatest hidden danger has been eliminated. But the Demon Lord's character card did not return to the spirit realm, and its whereabouts are unknown. From now on, you all must search with all your might for the Demon Lord's successor.
"This successor has two major characteristics: their occupational mark is not a crescent moon, but a black full moon. When clearing spirit realms, they have character card rewards that ordinary Night Rangers don't have."
(End of chapter)