"Invite Guan Ya home for dinner? Not a chance. You’ll have forgotten all about this in a few days anyway," Zhang Yuanqing muttered to himself.
Zhang Yuanqing had to admit that he was quite fond of Guan Ya. Who wouldn't love a smoking-hot older sister with curves in all the right places?
On top of that, her looks were top-tier, and ever since he joined the bureau, she had looked out for him and helped him immensely.
As a hot-blooded twenty-one-year-old young man whose blood could rush at the slightest stray thought, feeling attracted to such a mature, charming older woman was completely normal.
Zhang Yuanqing could sense that Guan Ya felt something for him too. In truth, men and women didn't need to go through life-and-death trials to become lovers; that was the stuff of television dramas.
Normal romance usually grew out of spending time together in daily life, having compatible personalities, and developing mutual affection until dating followed naturally.
However, he and Guan Ya clearly hadn't reached that point yet. Inviting her over to his house for dinner out of nowhere felt rather inappropriate. What if she turned him down? Even though someone as socially adept as him wouldn't care much about saving face...
"It’s really Guan Ya’s sports car that was too flashy. She’s gorgeous, and I’m young, handsome, and don't make much money. Being suspected of being a kept man is actually pretty understandable. Seriously, though, that bunch of old biddies collect their pensions, lounge around all day with nothing to do, and spend all their time gossiping."
Grumbling to himself, he clicked on that post from earlier.
#How the Arena Tournaments Worked in Past Years—Predicting This Year’s Tournament Format#
"First, let's talk about the venue. In previous years, the venues were always inside the exclusive dungeons of the five major factions. For newcomers, this might be hard to grasp, so let me explain briefly: there is an item called a faction token. A faction token generates a 'faction-exclusive dungeon,' which only members of that faction can enter.
"Once a faction dungeon is cleared, the faction leader becomes the administrator of that dungeon and gains some basic administrative permissions, including the ability to open it voluntarily."
So the venue was inside a Five Elements Alliance faction dungeon. That made sense. If a "sports meet" were held in the real world, picking a venue would be difficult to begin with; they would have to choose some desolate, uninhabited area. Given the sheer number of Five Elements Alliance members, traveling en masse was dangerous and prone to ambushes by evil professions.
Second, the tournament grounds would be an easy target for evil professions to "drop a nuke" on, wiping out massive numbers in one go. Lastly, if official walkers evacuated their assigned cities on a large scale, the evil professions could exploit the vacuum to cause chaos.
Zhang Yuanqing had cleared up one question in his mind.
Speaking of which, he had an exclusive dungeon of his own, but because his faction hadn't recruited enough members yet, the faction-exclusive dungeon had never opened.
"Back to the topic. In past years, the tournament mainly featured direct ring combat—the straightforward slugfest in an arena that everyone imagines. However, taking into account the generation and overcoming of the five elements, direct ring combat wasn't entirely fair, so 'scenario-based' matches were added at random.
"It's like the 'multiplayer confrontation' dungeons everyone has experienced, except during the tournament, it's strictly one-on-one. This year, the Taiyi Sect and the Five Elements Alliance are co-hosting the tournament, so I boldly predict that scenario-based matches will feature more supernatural elements. Everyone, hurry up and stock up on items and materials that counter spirit bodies."
The comments below read:
"Great prediction. Don't predict ever again."
"I feel like I read something, yet I also feel like I learned nothing."
"Does that even take predicting? Even a fool could have figured that out, okay?"
Even though many people were roasting the poster, for a newcomer like me, this is a very helpful informative post. Scenario matches... unexpected, yet completely logical, Zhang Yuanqing mused.
Scenario-based arenas introduced more variables. They tested not only individual combat power, but also adaptability to the environment and the ability to leverage external factors, greatly increasing the chances of the weak defeating the strong.
Zhang Yuanqing felt that this was precisely the proper way to approach being a Spirit Realm walker. Whether inside a dungeon or in the real world, what truly mattered was always overall capability.
Not mere brute force.
"My base strength is very solid for Level 3, but not at the very top. Fortunately, I have the Yinyang Robe... Hmm, the Yinyang Robe has its limits too. If I run into someone immune to water and fire, it'll be troublesome..."
Zhang Yuanqing put away his phone, slung his backpack over his shoulders, and headed out the door, intending to go to the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau.
*Beep, beep...*
As he reached the entryway, the sound of keys entering a passcode came from the security door outside.
"Auntie?"
The woman who walked in was dressed in comfortable loungewear, her hair permed into stylish curls. Her features were attractive and well-maintained—none other than his aunt.
"Yuanzi!" Auntie warmly took his hand, pulling a thick stack of crisp red banknotes from her pocket. "Here's some pocket money from Auntie. Your uncle said family doesn't need formal thank-yous, but Auntie still wanted to show her gratitude."
"Thanks, Auntie! I was just running short on cash. Treating girls to meals is so expensive, and I've been dating recently. If I run out again next time, you can give me some more." Zhang Yuanqing happily accepted it.
Hearing this, Auntie grinned even wider.
***
In the north, at a remote suburban villa.
The villa, with its white marble exterior walls, stood halfway up a mountainside. A wide, winding road extended from the entrance, connecting to the national highway at the foot of the mountain.
The villa grounds covered a good two mu. Besides the main building, it featured a beautiful courtyard in full bloom, with a large swimming pool right in the center.
A dozen or so tall, shapely beauties in swimsuits were either splashing in the pool, rubbing sunscreen on each other, or carrying platters of food back and forth between the courtyard and the villa.
Rows of dining tables were arranged by the poolside, laden with lavish delicacies and fine wine.
At first glance, one might have thought it was a grand party.
Looking closer, however, one would notice there were no other men present—except for an emaciated man lounging on a large sunbed.
Furthermore, while the swimsuit-clad beauties laughed, played, and enjoyed the food, they constantly glanced at the man from time to time, their eyes filled with fear and caution.
The emaciated man had dark skin and was so thin he possessed virtually no body fat; every rib along his chest and abdomen stood out starkly.
At this moment, a fair-skinned young woman was straddling his waist, biting her lip with furrowed brows. She seemed to be enduring agonizing pain, muffled whimpers slipping from her throat now and then.
The dark, gaunt man's complexion formed a stark contrast with the woman's fair skin.
This continued for over ten minutes. Drenched in sweat, the girl's lips turned pale, showing signs of imminent collapse from exhaustion.
The dark, skinny man pushed the girl aside with a casual flick of his hand and said flatly, "Next!"
A tall woman who had been waiting nearby for some time felt terror flash through her eyes, her face paling as she climbed on top of him.
This dark, emaciated man was none other than the Soldier Master Sect's Lust Divine General, a Level 6 Mist Lord who ranked fourth among the Eight Divine Generals.
"Lust Divine General" was not his Spirit Realm ID; his original ID had long since been forgotten. From the day he advanced to Saint, he stopped using his old ID, and Asura bestowed upon him the title of "Lust."
The Lust Divine General was true to his name. In terms of bloodthirstiness, he did not stand out among Bewitching Demons, but when it came to lust, few in the world could rival him.
He was the kind of lecher whose legs turned to jelly at the sight of a beautiful woman. Any woman who caught his eye was eventually reduced to a caged slave, kept solely to satisfy his desires.
As for women he could not simply abduct for one reason or another, he would use coercion, seduction, and other means to maintain a long-term hold over them, ultimately training them with his unique techniques into obedient slaves at his beck and call.
Furthermore, once certain high-quality "goods" were trained into utter submission, the Lust Divine General would send them out to serve successful figures across various industries, and even high-ranking dignitaries.
They became his connections and channels.
Amidst waves of soaring pleasure, just as the Lust Divine General was about to reach his climax, a cold voice rang out by his ear:
"Though you have the freedom to do whatever you please, I have waited for you for half an hour. My patience has run out."
The Lust Divine General twisted his head around, his face contorting into a vicious scowl. He hated being interrupted while doing business more than anything.
Yet the moment he saw clearly who had spoken, the ferocity on his face instantly froze. He shoved the woman aside, threw himself to the ground, and said in a trembling voice:
"Subordinate pays his respects to the Fear Heavenly King!"
Beneath the parasol stood a young man in a black formal suit—handsome, elegant, with two silver studs piercing his earlobe.
His gaze was as cold and stern as his expression.
The Fear Heavenly King, head of the Four Heavenly Kings, the strongest being under Asura.
Regarding his battle record, few rumors circulated in the outside world, with only two known incidents: first, the Demon Lord had once taken a beating from him; second, the alluring Palace Mistress of the Water God Palace had once fought the Fear Heavenly King to the death. The outcome remained unknown, but the Fear Heavenly King was still the Fear Heavenly King.
The young man in the black suit said calmly:
"Demonic Eye has lost contact in Songhai. Before he went dark, he intended to kill the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter. Go to Songhai, maintain operations in the black market there, and investigate why Demonic Eye disappeared while you're at it."
Heavenly King Demonic Eye was missing? Had that lunatic finally capsized in a ditch?
The Lust Divine General's first reaction was delight. If there was anyone he loathed the most, it was definitely Demonic Eye, because Demonic Eye had once hunted him down simply because he had raped and murdered a defenseless woman.
To a Bewitching Demon, how could that even count as an offense?
Yet that lunatic held a fierce obsession with cleansing the human realm. When it came to the evildoings of the Soldier Master Sect's Bewitching Demons, Demonic Eye's attitude was out of sight, out of mind—but if he saw it, he killed on sight.
The Lust Divine General had fled in terror back to headquarters, and in the end, it was Asura who suppressed the conflict.
From then on, wherever Demonic Eye went, the Lust Divine General steered well clear.
"Subordinate obeys!" the Lust Divine General said respectfully.
The young man in the black suit gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over the flock of chattering beauties and came to rest on the villa's main gate. He remarked:
"When I arrived, I noticed the front gate was locked. Why lock it? Are they not free?"
Hearing this, cold sweat broke out across the Lust Divine General's forehead, and he stammered repeatedly:
"They are free, they are free! As long as they wish to leave, I will unlock it immediately. I would never dare restrict their freedom! Everyone is born free, and no one may restrict another's freedom for any reason!"
Against Demonic Eye, he could at least put up a desperate struggle.
If this man turned merciless, he wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance.
The Fear Heavenly King nodded with satisfaction, his tone chillingly indifferent:
"If I see you lock the gate again, prepare to return to the Spirit Realm. Poor Demonic Eye has lost his freedom. I cannot tolerate such a thing. I will rescue him."
The Lust Divine General prostrated himself on the ground. "This subordinate will certainly uncover the truth behind Demonic Eye's disappearance."
By the time he raised his head, the Fear Heavenly King was already gone.
***
Behind the Public Security Bureau building, inside the two-story glass building.
Under Guan Ya's guidance, Zhang Yuanqing logged onto the official forum with a computer, clicked the newly added "Registration Open" option on the homepage, entered his Spirit Realm ID, keyed in the SMS verification code, and confirmed his registration.
"And that's it!" Standing beside the desk, Guan Ya gave a slight nod.
"Thanks, Sister Guan Ya. Are you free today? How about coming to my place for dinner?" Zhang Yuanqing asked probingly.
Guan Ya scrutinized him for a few seconds and smiled. "Are you testing the waters?"
*Sigh, in front of a Scout, no petty thoughts can ever be hidden...* Zhang Yuanqing came clean. "My cousin told my grandma about his promotion. My family wants to invite you over for dinner to thank you."
A Scout could only detect telltale clues, not read minds.
The reason Zhang Yuanqing gave was airtight.
"Your grandma has seen me before... Let's talk about it after the tournament ends." Guan Ya didn't refuse, but she didn't agree right away either.
*Right, Grandma has seen her. Grandma will definitely assume I hooked up with Guan Ya back then...* Zhang Yuanqing could almost picture the elaborate scenario his grandmother would conjure up in her head when she saw Guan Ya:
A gorgeous constable visited the house to investigate a case, laid eyes on her handsome grandson, was overcome with lust, launched a private campaign of conquest, and finally seduced her innocent, worldly-inexperienced grandson.
Or, her grandson saw the stunning constable, shamelessly pestered and flirted with her, and in the end, no virtuous maiden could resist a persistent suitor, so they got together.
If it were the former, Grandma would surely hold a grudge, thinking Guan Ya had abused her position to seduce her grandson.
If it were the latter, Grandma would be delighted, thinking her grandson was quite the capable lad to have wooed a constable.
The exact same situation, viewed from different angles, produced worlds of difference in attitude.
"Sister Guan Ya, are you going to participate in the tournament?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
"I'm considering it..." Guan Ya knitted her brows. "If I enter, I probably won't be allowed to use my rifle. And as you know, Scouts in the Transcendent stage lack potent offensive skills, making it hard to achieve great results."
Her rifle was the kind of weapon where if you could defend against it, you were fine.
If you couldn't, you were dead without a doubt!
There was practically no way to pull a punch with it, so such items were forbidden in the tournament.
Any one-hit-kill item was strictly banned.
Zhang Yuanqing let out an "Oh." "Then the Decurion won't be participating either?"
Guan Ya nodded and smiled. "Right. But he definitely won't admit he's sitting it out because of his combat capability."
Zhang Yuanqing laughed too. "I bet he'll say: 'An occasion like an arena tournament is just letting people gawk at you like a monkey. It's completely un-elegant, so I refuse to participate.'"
With that, Zhang Yuanqing poked his head toward the Decurion's office and hollered:
"Decurion, are you going to participate in the tournament?"
A few seconds later, Li Dongze emerged leaning on his cane, reprimanding him:
"Do not shout in the office area. It is entirely un-elegant! And yes, I will not be participating."
Zhang Yuanqing asked smoothly, "Why not?"
Li Dongze looked deadly serious. "Because fighting in front of a crowd is terribly un-elegant. I do not care to be gawked at like a monkey."
Zhang Yuanqing and Guan Ya looked at each other and grinned.
"What are you two smiling at?" Li Dongze frowned.
"We're not smiling."
"You definitely are."
***
The following afternoon, after refreshing the official forum repeatedly, Zhang Yuanqing finally saw the top twenty lists compiled and analyzed via big data by the Scholars go live.
#Official Top 20 Saint Stage List (Including Taiyi Sect)#
#Official Top 20 Transcendent Stage List (Including Taiyi Sect)#
*I wonder what rank I'll get...* Zhang Yuanqing could hardly wait as he clicked on the second post.
Chapter 178