He opened his mouth to ask, but the words wouldn't come.
Deviating from the norm meant something extraordinary.
Without knowing whether it was good or bad, he couldn't risk spreading rumors. Moreover, since the forum lacked any relevant information, it was clear that the Black Moon was beyond the comprehension of lower-level members.
The higher the level of knowledge, the greater the need for secrecy—a principle understood by all.
Especially since he was still a rookie, lacking the experience and skills to handle unexpected situations.
Why is the Character Card Bing Ge gave me different from those of ordinary Nightwalkers? That bastard didn't tell me anything and then vanished.
He exited the thread and clicked on the forum's search bar, intending to investigate the Sandaoshan Goddess Temple.
After typing "Sandaoshan Goddess Temple," he found two results: the dungeon攻略 (Five Elements Alliance version) he had previously read and an introduction to the temple itself.
"Sandaoshan Goddess Temple, a temple on Sandaoshan in Songjiang Prefecture, dating back to the early Ming Dynasty. It venerates the Goddess of Sandaoshan, who excels in praying for rain, exorcising ghosts, refining elixirs, and healing the sick, bringing prosperity to the region. After the Goddess ascended to immortality, local officials, gentry, and commoners jointly funded the construction of the temple in her honor.
"The Sandaoshan Goddess Temple fell into decline early on, resulting in the loss of many valuable research materials—excerpted from the Song Prefecture Library."
[ Excerpt from the Song Prefecture Library. ]
Staring at these words, Zhang Yuanqing's face went blank, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
[ The Sandaoshan Goddess Temple is real? It existed in history? ]
If so, did the Goddess herself truly exist? Or was she originally a real person?
[ Can real people appear in the Spirit Realm? ]
If she's a Perfected Master, could she crawl out of the Spirit Realm and come looking for me? Zhang Yuanqing was terrified by his own thoughts.
"Sister Guan Ya, I have a question."
He never bothered to rack his brain over things he could simply ask about.
Guan Ya turned to face him.
Zhang Yuanqing shared his speculations about the Goddess of Sandaoshan.
"The Chief must have told you that the Spirit Realm exists between reality and illusion," the Veteran Driver said, lifting her cup for a sip. "Many scenes in the Spirit Realm are based on real-world locations. For example, the Nightwalker Trial Spirit Realms like Lingang Reservoir and Xiangshui Amusement Park all have corresponding locations in reality. But these things obviously don't exist in the real world, or else chaos would have erupted long ago."
[ So, even though the Goddess of Sandaoshan really existed, the one I saw was a fabrication of the Spirit Realm? ] Zhang Yuanqing felt a wave of relief wash over him.
[ Old Hag, just stay put in the Spirit Realm. ]
Capital City, Beishuimen Airport.
The gaunt-faced Yuan Ting sat in the spacious business class seat, dressed in a black suit, black shirt, and meticulously combed hair—the picture of a polished business elite.
Through the narrow window, he gazed down at the dazzling sea of lights below, a sprawling metropolis shimmering in the night.
He had just reported the successful conquest of the She Ling Tunnel to the Official Organization earlier that day. By afternoon, he would be summoned to Capital City.
However, this trip had nothing to do with the She Ling Tunnel. The Taiyi Sect Lord had convened Nightwalkers from across the nation for an emergency meeting in the capital.
Such large-scale gatherings were typically held only at the end of each year, when Nightwalkers from all regions would converge in Capital City to report on their annual duties and accomplishments.
Any deviation from this schedule meant something significant was afoot.
I hope it's not bad news, Yuan Ting thought, watching the city lights grow closer, his mind racing with possibilities.
The plane landed smoothly. Yuan Ting disembarked, wheeled his suitcase to the underground parking garage on the second basement level, and boarded the designated car waiting for him.
Forty minutes later, the car arrived at a five-star hotel. After stowing his luggage, Yuan Ting took the elevator to the grand conference hall on the top floor.
A banquet was in full swing. Men and women in black suits, black overcoats, and black gowns mingled among the buffet tables, glasses clinking as they laughed and conversed.
"Ah, Captain Yuan is here!"
Yuan Ting had just taken a glass of wine from a waiter's tray when a man in a black shirt approached him. The man had a clean-cut buzz cut, bright eyes, a sharply defined face, and a classic V-shaped physique.
"Jian Ji!" Yuan Ting greeted his friend with a smile. "Long time no see."
"Everyone's been waiting for you. Come on, let's say hello to the others." Jian Ji draped an arm around Yuan Ting's shoulder and led him to the table. Six people were seated around it—three men and three women—all Nightwalkers who had trained alongside Yuan Ting when he first joined the Taiyi Sect. Now scattered across the country, they had all risen to the rank of Captain.
After a few brief pleasantries, Yuan Ting inquired, "What's the Sect Lord summoned us to the capital for this time?"
Yang Qian, her ponytail swaying as she spoke, pursed her lips and replied in a low voice, "We were just discussing that. All we know is that the security level is extremely high—even the Deacons don't have access to the information."
Her lithe figure, neatly trimmed hair, and lack of makeup or jewelry gave her a striking, no-nonsense air.
Even the Deacons aren't cleared? Yuan Ting nodded slightly, refraining from further questions.
Jian Ji raised his glass with a grin. "We'll find out when the meeting starts. No use speculating now. By the way, anything interesting happen lately?"
Yang Qian, radiating confidence, chuckled. "I have a juicy tidbit. Recently, the eldest son of the Xiahou Family from the coastal region was crippled by the Palace Master of the Palace of Ceasing Slaughter. By the time the Xiahou elders arrived, he was barely clinging to life."
"Though they managed to save him with a Life Elixir, his vitality was severely depleted. He'll likely be confined indoors for a long time. If there's a Spirit Realm mission soon, he's as good as dead."
"The Palace of Ceasing Slaughter?" A male student turned to Yuan Ting. "If I remember correctly, they're a Spirit Realm Walker organization from the Songhai Region. How did they clash with the Xiahou Family?"
Yuan Ting shook his head. "The Palace of Ceasing Slaughter's members are notoriously extreme, especially their Palace Master—a complete madman. It's no surprise they're feuding with someone. Still, they're generally cooperative with official organizations and keep a low profile."
Yang Qian sighed. "The Palace Master is a high-level Spirit Realm Walker. Even a Deacon might not be her match. As long as she doesn't go too far, we can just turn a blind eye."
After chatting for a while longer, Jian Ji surveyed the group and remarked, "Our Nightwalker numbers are still too small. We can only watch other classes steal the spotlight and make waves."
"Speaking of which," Xia Liang, a cute, round-faced Nightwalker, said in her soft, slightly coquettish voice, "it's been years since our sect produced a truly exceptional Nightwalker."
Intrigued by the topic, Yuan Ting chimed in, "I actually have some big news related to us Nightwalkers."
The entire table turned to him, their faces alight with curiosity.
"Remember the She Ling Tunnel?" Yuan Ting asked.
"Yeah, the beginner-level Bugged Spirit Realm where Jiang Lin and Zhao Kai died back then," Jian Ji replied, puzzled. "Did that cursed place claim another victim?"
"From now on, the She Ling Tunnel's First Kill is gone. Some kid cleared it."
Yuan Ting's words landed like a dud bomb, silencing the Nightwalkers at the table.
After a few seconds, Jian Ji asked blankly, "Is that even possible?"
Xia Bing's eyes widened, and she exclaimed in her coquettish voice, "Yuan Ting, you're joking, right?"
The others wore skeptical expressions.
Yuan Ting nodded firmly. "This has already been reported to the sect. You can ask your superiors about it, but if you don't ask for the walkthrough, the Deacon should tell you."
The murmurs of doubt transformed into gasps of astonishment as the Nightwalkers around the table wore expressions of shock and excitement.
"This is huge!"
"That guy's a legend! How did he pull that off? Damn, I just want to see the strategy guide now, not sit through this meeting."
"Wake up, your clearance level probably doesn't grant you access."
Yang Qian glanced around before asking, "Did this newcomer join the Taiyi Sect? Is he in the capital?"
Yuan Ting seemed even more eager to continue the conversation, shaking his head regretfully. "You all don't know the full story. The Five Elements Alliance recruited him. Fu Qingyang personally called Elder Sun to request the strategy guide. When Elder Sun heard the Trial Mission was the She Ling Tunnel, he immediately refused to let the guy go.
"What's said is said, like water spilled from a cup—it can't be taken back. Ah, the Elder's foolishness..."
"Truly foolish."
"Elder Sun... this makes me angry."
As they were criticizing the aloof Elder, Yuan Ting suddenly noticed a middle-aged man in black approaching him directly.
"Yuan Ting," the man said, "Elder Sun wants you to stay after the meeting and visit him."
Yuan Ting's expression instantly froze.
The banquet was nearing its end. Servers began clearing away plates and drinks.
The gentle lighting transformed into the harsh glare of conference lights. The Nightwalkers sat silently at their round tables, waiting. Over a hundred figures remained motionless, the silence so profound that a pin drop could be heard.
After a long wait, an elderly man in white training robes entered the conference hall, his arrival met with eager anticipation.
Standing nearly two meters tall, his imposing figure radiated strength. His face was remarkably unwrinkled, his gaze sharp as a blade, and a golden sun-like mark, resembling a tattoo, adorned his forehead.
Were it not for his full head of silver hair, he would have appeared more youthful and vigorous than many younger members present.
This was the Great Elder of the Taiyi Sect, known in the Spirit Realm as the Crimson Sun Judge.
The Nightwalkers sat upright, their backs straight, showing due respect to the most powerful Nightwalker beneath the Sect Lord.
The Crimson Sun Judge scanned the assembled members and spoke slowly:
"Recently, the Sect Lord sensed the Demon Sovereign's demise, eliminating a grave threat to the Taiyi Sect. However, the Demon Sovereign Character Card has not returned to the Spirit Realm and remains missing. Your next task is to search for the Successor of the Demon Lord with all your might.
"This successor possesses two key characteristics: their profession mark is not a crescent moon but a black full moon. Upon clearing the Spirit Realm, they will receive Character Card rewards that ordinary Nightwalkers do not."