At 10:00 AM, Zhang Yuanqing arrived at Fu Family Bay by taxi. He swiped his white card and then his black card to open the security gates and entered the villa. As the bunny girls bowed in greeting, he stopped before the large, brown double doors.
Fu Qingyang really knows how to live the good life, Zhang Yuanqing thought enviously. So many bunny girls attending to his every need—food, clothing, and daily routines. When I become a powerful Spirit Realm Walker, I'll hire a whole group of them too. They can bring me tea, pour water, do my laundry, give me back massages...
Lost in his musings, Zhang Yuanqing knocked on the study door.
The moment his knuckles rapped against the wood, he felt a nagging sense that something was off about his thoughts, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Knock-knock~
After two knocks, he pushed open the brown double doors.
He didn't wait for a response because Young Master Fu's study was enormous and soundproofed; no one outside could hear conversations within. Even if Fu Qingyang shouted himself hoarse, no one would come to his aid.
Inside the study, Fu Qingyang sat upright behind his desk, his fingers interlaced on the surface. Ling Jun sat cross-legged on the wooden guest sofa, intently brewing tea.
Zhang Yuanqing walked across the long red carpet and stopped before the desk.
"Are you fully recovered?" Fu Qingyang asked with a nod, his tone concerned as he addressed his subordinate.
Nearby, Ling Jun narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Nightwalkers are like cockroaches—impossible to kill. What could possibly be wrong? Primordial, come have some tea."
Zhang Yuanqing glanced at him. "Centurion, why is this guy still hanging around?"
Ling Jun had come to Songhai to assist Fu Qingyang in hunting down the Black guard of Impermanence, but he turned out to be a slacker, contributing nothing. He spent his days drinking tea, slacking off, and going out to chat with Songhai's finest young ladies about life's ideals.
Fu Qingyang nodded slightly. "He should indeed be sent packing. I don't tolerate freeloaders here."
Ling Jun clicked his tongue. "Qingyang, you've forgotten old friends for new flames. Our years of camaraderie mean nothing compared to a few days of this kid sucking up to you?"
Fu Qingyang remained silent, uninterested in banter or wordplay.
But Zhang Yuanqing was different. "Your words are truly grating," he retorted angrily. "You can insult me all you want, but how dare you slander the Centurion? Do you think he's the kind of person who enjoys flattery? I've never flattered him—everything I've said has come straight from the heart.
"And could you at least open your eyes when you speak?"
Ling Jun sighed, squinting and shaking his head. "Your thick skin is truly unparalleled, kid."
Fu Qingyang promptly interrupted their pointless banter, his expression turning serious.
"After deliberation, the elders have decided to award you an A-Rank Merit, a cash reward of two million yuan, and two Items. Do you have any objections? If so, I'll relay them.
"If not, this decision stands. Headquarters will announce it on the official website—a privilege reserved for A-Rank Merit Holders."
A-Rank Merit? Zhang Yuanqing was stunned.
Within the Five Elements Alliance's system, an A-Rank Merit carried immense value. Beyond increased authority and privileges, it paved a clear path for his career advancement.
With sufficient rank progression, positions like Chief and Deacon would be within reach.
Consider Teng Yuan, the acting Chief of the True Eye Division. Despite being a Level 4 Saint, his lack of Merit Points still confined him to Elite Member status.
Had the True Eye Chief not been home recovering from injuries, Teng Yuan wouldn't even have secured the acting Chief position.
The two million yuan cash reward meant his net worth now stood at 2.5 million—a somewhat ominous figure. Fortunately, the Item rewards would perfectly fill the gaps left by the Red Dancing Shoes and Steadfast Orb.
"No objections!" Zhang Yuanqing declared.
Fu Qingyang immediately pressed a button on the corner of his desk. Within minutes, ten slender-waisted, long-legged bunny girls entered the study in single file, each carrying a silver tray in both hands.
They lined up in a row across the study, holding the trays with perfect posture.
Fu Qingyang rose from his desk with graceful, measured steps. He lifted the red cloth covering the first silver tray, revealing a circular piece of jade, carved with vine-like patterns.
"This Item is called 'The Reviver'," Fu Qingyang explained. "It's a Wood Spirit class Item that restores its Master to peak condition when they're on the verge of death. The method of use is simple: just wear it. But be warned, if you're killed instantly, its effect won't trigger."
Full restoration at death's door? This was a trump card-level Item, essentially granting an extra life. No wonder Wood Spirits are Recovery Sorcerers, Zhang Yuanqing thought, his eyes lighting up. "What's the price?"
A faint smile curved Fu Qingyang's stern face.
"The price is also called 'Revival'," he said. "It grants the user an overwhelming urge to procreate. Many Official Walkers from the Branches, whose... functions have begun to decline, have applied to borrow it. They've rediscovered the joys of manhood."
Zhang Yuanqing sighed again, thinking, The Wood Spirit truly lives up to her reputation as a Recovery Sorcerer!
In some ways, this cost was every man's dream, but it would react chemically with the Scarecrow's cost, driving him to act on his fantasies about sows. After a moment's contemplation, Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "I want to see more."
Fu Qingyang lifted the red cloth from the second tray, revealing a dark vine ring. "Forest Whisper," he explained. "It allows you to communicate with trees and animals. You can understand their thoughts, and they can understand your commands. While it lacks powerful offensive capabilities, in certain situations, it's more practical than offensive items, such as for tracking.
"The cost of using it is that you'll become an extreme advocate for plant and animal conservation."
A vision flashed through Zhang Yuanqing's mind: a man with a blurred face, stroking a sow and asking, "Does that feel good?"
The sow happily communicated back.
Fuck! Zhang Yuanqing shook his head, his expression darkening. "I want to see more."
Fu Qingyang glanced at him, puzzled by Primordial's sudden shift in mood. Does he think these items aren't good enough?
Fu Qingyang moved to the third tray, lifted the red cloth, and said,
"This is the 'Cute Hair Clip,' a Musician-class Item. Wearing it grants you irresistible charm, making it impossible for anyone to harm you. The cost is a gradual feminization of your personality."
Zhang Yuanqing stared at the pink, cartoonish hair clip. "Why is this here? Don't the Elders know I'm male?"
Fu Qingyang replied, "The Miao Elder personally selected this for you."
"That explains it," Zhang Yuanqing said, weighing his options. "I still want to look at the others."
He already had the Red Veil and Red Dancing Shoes; adding a hair clip would be absurd.
Next, Fu Qingyang introduced the remaining seven Items, belonging to Earth Fiends, Fire Masters, Scholars, Nightwalkers, and Scouts. Zhang Yuanqing's head swam with information.
"Centurion, do you have any recommendations?"
Fu Qingyang seemed to have been waiting for this question. "Nightwalkers excel in close combat, but your fighting skills are average, severely limiting your potential. Against skilled martial artists like Guan Ya, a sneak attack could easily backfire."
"Therefore, you need a ranged attack item. I recommend the Explosive Pistol."
After a pause, he continued, "I know you're going to say you can't shoot, but that's fine. For your second item, choose the Eye of Insight. It allows you to ignore obstacles, detect hidden enemies, and enhances your vision, granting you the ability to predict the trajectory of moving objects. With these two items working together, even if you've never held a gun before, you can become a sharpshooter in no time."
The Eye of Insight was a pair of black-framed glasses with a scholarly air, while the Explosive Pistol was a large-caliber handgun with a deep crimson casing and an imposing appearance—the kind of weapon whose recoil could shatter an ordinary person's bones.
Zhang Yuanqing pondered for a few seconds, realizing this combination suited his current needs perfectly. "Then let's go with that," he said, his voice brightening with enthusiasm.
He took the two items from Fu Qingyang and held them in his hands. The item information quickly materialized:
[ Name: Eye of Insight ]
[ Type: Glasses ]
[ Function: Insight, Super Vision ]
[ A skilled detective needs sharp eyes to catch subtle details. A master swordsman must possess the insight to anticipate their opponent's moves. This is the essence of a sharp mind and keen eyes. ]
[ - Excerpt from the writings of an indescribable swordsman. ]
[ Note: Sometimes, being too clever isn't a blessing. Life's true treasures lie in blissful ignorance... ]
[ Name: Explosive Pistol ]
[ Type: Weapon ]
[ Function: Armor-piercing, Explosive ]
[ Description: This pistol embodies the will of a powerful Fire Master. Its bullets carry an inherent explosive force, making them the bane of all armored targets. The bullets also possess a slight purifying effect. ]
[ Note: Control your temper. ]
It's worth noting that the Eye of Insight comes with a price: wearing the glasses compels you to unconsciously observe those around you, analyzing their inner thoughts. Piercing the human heart is never a pleasant endeavor.
You might uncover the darkness lurking in the hearts of your loved ones, realize your wife doesn't truly love you, or even discover she's been "going green" with someone else.
As for the Explosive Pistol's cost, it's straightforward: control your temper.
Zhang Yuanqing pocketed the items with satisfaction. "Centurion," he said, "I have two requests for your assistance."
Fu Qingyang waved for the bunny girl to leave, then returned to his desk, nodding. "What is it?"
Zhang Yuanqing first summoned the Red Dancing Shoes, their once vibrant crimson now dulled with a layer of ashen gray. "This Item has been corrupted by the Black guard of Impermanence and is currently unusable. I'd like to request the Centurion's assistance in purifying it."
Fu Qingyang took the Red Dancing Shoes, examined them for a few seconds, and showed no surprise or shock. "If I handle this, I'll pass it to Elder Miao, who will then entrust it to an elder of the Taiyi Sect for purification. It should be returned to you within three to five days."
Zhang Yuanqing considered for a moment. "No problem."
With his current Merit Points and strength, he no longer needed to worry about others in the Organization coveting his possessions, unlike his rookie days when he had to hide everything. Moreover, an elder of the Organization would never forcibly seize a low-level Rule Item from an A-Rank Merit Holder.
Next, he retrieved the Scarecrow and handed it to Fu Qingyang. "This is the spoils from my battle with the Black guard of Impermanence. I wish to submit it to the Organization."
Fu Qingyang paused slightly, set down the Red Dancing Shoes, and took the Scarecrow. After a brief glance, he quickly dropped it as if it were burning hot.
"Keep this Scarecrow for now," Fu Qingyang said, glancing at the grotesque figure. "I'll report it to my superiors and have the elders evaluate it. Every Item entering or leaving the treasury must follow strict procedures."
"If the elders deem the cost too high or the value insufficient, you'll have to prepare to sell it at a bargain price."
The cost isn't that high—at most, it just changes someone's sexual orientation, Zhang Yuanqing thought, nodding helplessly. Even if he wanted to negotiate, he couldn't get an audience with the elders.
Huayu Hotel.
On the empty open-air balcony, Xie Lingxi curled up in a single armchair before a glass round table, enjoying the gentle breeze and warm sunlight while occasionally sipping fruit juice.
Across from her sat the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter, clad in a crimson dress. She wore a different mask, covering only her nose and revealing her vivid, sensual lips.
"I had someone investigate," Xie Lingxi said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "The Holy Grail Incident is over. Sister Palace Master, guess who killed the Black guard of Impermanence?"
The Palace Master gave her an indifferent glance.
Xie Lingxi immediately replied obediently, "It was Brother Primordial!"
A strange glint flashed in the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter's eyes. "Him?"
"He's truly remarkable! I genuinely thought he was dead a while back," Xie Lingxi said, her enthusiasm bubbling over at the mention of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable. "My dad's also very interested in him. He wants to cultivate him as a connection for the Xie Family and told me to get closer to him."
For Spirit Realm Families, investing in and nurturing promising members of the Officials was standard practice.
The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter scoffed. "Wouldn't it be simpler to make him the Xie Family's son-in-law?"
Xie Lingxi blushed. "He's still so young!"
The Palace Master retorted, "The Xie Family has more than just you for daughters. You have plenty of cousins."
Xie Lingxi laughed. "With their pampered and arrogant temperaments, they'll only marry husbands who are desperate to climb the Xie Family ladder. True geniuses wouldn't bother flattering them. They all prefer girls who dote on their older brothers."
The Palace Master rose and walked to the balcony, leaning against the railing as she murmured to herself, "He's growing too fast."
Old District, basement of a dilapidated Western-style house.
This was a gathering point for the Evil Class. Auntie Xiao Yuan, cloaked in a long trench coat and masked, passed the identity verification and descended the stairs to the underground level.
A stifling atmosphere, thick with the stench of sweat and smoke, assaulted her senses.
The basement was vast, its perimeter transformed into a bar offering food, drinks, fruits, and specialized services.
Just past noon, only a few "customers" occupied the booths and bar stools. The place wouldn't come alive until nightfall.
Auntie Xiao Yuan scanned the room before heading straight to the bar. She sat down next to a bald man and asked, "Any news lately?"
The bald man had a fierce expression, his face and scalp covered in grotesque, dizzying tattoos.
"What do you want to know?" he asked, setting down his glass and scratching his head with a grin.
He was the venue provider and protector of this stronghold, a Saint Stage Seductive Demon with the Spirit Realm ID "Tian Lingling."
Auntie Xiao Yuan pulled out ten banknotes, placed them on the bar, and pushed them toward Tian Lingling. "Just give me something to start."
Tian Lingling pocketed the money with satisfaction. "The Trial Mission for the Grand Slaughter Instance is about to begin," he said. "I heard Li Xianzong chose Songhai as the location."
For Spirit Realm Walkers, the Grand Slaughter Instance was a major clash between the Orderly and Evil Factions, and one of only two annual opportunities for class advancement.
Level 3 Transcendent and Level 6 Saint Walkers seeking to advance to higher tiers had to participate in the Grand Slaughter Instance.
During this time, major Evil Class organizations would gather promising young talents and deploy them to key cities to hunt down Orderly Class Walkers, using these hunts as a warm-up for the Grand Slaughter Instance.
This also allowed the rising stars of both factions to gauge each other's strength, gaining crucial intelligence for the upcoming Instance.
Of course, this was a unilateral strategy by the Evil Faction; the Orderly Class had their own "arena battles."
"He didn't go to the Capital City? He chose Songhai instead?" Xiao Yuan asked, surprised.
The Capital City was the ultimate prize for any ambitious Evil Class member, housing the headquarters of both the Five Elements Alliance and the Taiyi Sect. Hunting down the headquarters' elite Walkers would bring the greatest prestige.
The bald man smiled but remained silent.
Auntie Xiao Yuan pulled out another ten banknotes.
The bald man continued, "I heard the bounty list for the Transcendent Phase is changing. The Primordial Heavenly Venerable from the Songhai Branch might break into the top five. I wonder if Li Xianzong came to Songhai specifically to claim that bounty."
How did this Primordial Heavenly Venerable suddenly jump into the top five? Auntie Xiao Yuan didn't pursue the topic, counting out another ten banknotes.
"I heard Black guard of Impermanence is dead. I want the details."