Li Dongze hurried back to his desk, rubbed his hands vigorously, and booted up his computer in high spirits to draft a message.
"Centurion Fu, I have something to report. I just received word that the Night Wanderer I recruited successfully completed his trial quest and returned to reality. That's right—he has successfully cleared Sheling Tunnel."
He clicked send.
Under the rules of the White Tiger Battalion, subordinates could not place direct phone calls to their superiors unless it was an absolute emergency. Reports were typically delivered via email or message.
Yuanshi clearing Sheling Tunnel was a major event, but not an emergency.
Barely ten-odd seconds after the message was sent, Li Dongze's phone buzzed on the edge of the desk. The caller ID showed Centurion Fu.
*A direct call?* Li Dongze grabbed his phone at once and answered.
"Li Dongze, you'd better be ready to back up your words."
A young man's cold voice came through the speaker, every syllable crisp and precise.
"Centurion, it certainly caught me by surprise as well." Faced with the centurion's warning, Li Dongze sounded entirely at ease. "I just got off the phone with him."
"Do you have the walkthrough?" Fu Qingyang asked immediately.
"You'll have to wait a little while longer."
Centurion Fu fell silent for a few seconds before his icy tone softened. "I hadn't harbored any expectations, but this is a pleasant surprise. For him to clear Sheling Tunnel, he must possess extraordinary ability.
"Li Dongze, you've recruited real talent for the White Tiger Battalion. I'll report this to the Council of Elders and credit you with major merit."
*Oh, heavens, this is simply marvelous...* The smile on Li Dongze's face widened. Then, recalling something, he lowered his voice. "Does this need to be kept confidential?"
The fact that he had recruited a Night Wanderer was already no secret among the captains in Kangyang District. Even if they deliberately avoided mentioning it going forward, people would take notice over time.
It could not be hidden for long.
In particular, the Five Elements Alliance and the Taiyi Sect had an agreement granting the Taiyi Sect the right of first refusal for any Night Wanderers appearing nationwide. Because of this pact, the Five Elements Alliance had almost no Night Wanderers of its own—only a scattered few.
Fu Qingyang scoffed. "Why hide it? The Taiyi Sect already stated clearly that they didn't want this Night Wanderer. They don't get to go back on their word now.
"The ones you need to watch out for are our own people within the Five Elements Alliance. I don't want what happened with Baihui to happen again. We must win him over with virtue and bring him fully into the fold."
This aligned completely with Li Dongze's own thoughts. He promptly sought guidance with humility. "Please instruct me, Centurion Fu."
"Make him a regular employee and give him a raise."
*Huh? A raise?*
*Is this what you call winning people over with virtue?*
"I dislike buying loyalty with money, for those united by profit will inevitably scatter when profit ends. I prefer to win people over with virtue. However, virtue takes time to demonstrate, while money yields immediate results."
Centurion Fu's voice remained calm. "Have him write up a walkthrough as soon as possible. I want the core intelligence on the Mountain God Temple. It will also serve to pay back the favor we owe the Taiyi Sect."
Any S-rank Spirit Realm inevitably contained valuable information and intelligence far beyond what ordinary realms could offer.
"Understood!"
Li Dongze ended the call.
*What kind of winning people over with virtue is that? Though that certainly is the Fu family's style.* Li Dongze shook his head.
This young master of the Fu family came from a clan that had moved abroad during turbulent times to escape the flames of war. Through a century of enterprise, they had grown into a massive financial titan.
Later, the Fu family accepted an olive branch extended by the state, returning home with vast fortunes to participate in the nation's economic development.
Not only was the Fu family an enormous financial conglomerate, but it was also a hereditary lineage of Spirit Realm walkers. Every year, a notable number of Scouts emerged from their family ranks.
They were a force within the White Tiger Battalion that could not be overlooked.
Despite his youth, Centurion Fu was thoroughly versed in every form of financial firepower, earning him the nickname "Money Prince" among the official organization's Four Young Princes.
Just then, Li Dongze saw someone tag him in the "Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker Management Group."
Qingteng: "@Li Dongze, Decurion Li, how are things going with that newly recruited Night Wanderer of yours?"
Qingteng was the captain of Baihui. Had any other Wood Demon asked, Li Dongze would have suspected ulterior motives. But this female captain was gentle and kind, not the sort of brazen, scheming vixen who played dirty.
Bailong: "Whoa, that cuts deep! You know full well nobody could clear Sheling Tunnel, so why go and rub salt in Decurion Li's wounds?"
Before Li Dongze could respond, Bailong, who held a grudge against Qingteng, jumped in to start a spat.
Da Jiba: "He definitely died in Sheling Tunnel. Yesterday, someone in my jurisdiction went missing in Sheling Tunnel too. We still haven't found the poor bastard. He's basically dead in the realm."
*Straightforward Fire Masters are as irritating as ever.*
Aside from these three active captains, nobody else chimed in, seemingly having lost interest in the matter.
*My friends, you're going to envy me in the very next second!* Li Dongze casually sent a 1,000-yuan red packet.
He snatched it first himself, claiming five yuan.
Qingteng: "Thank you, boss!"
Bailong: "Generous boss!"
Da Jiba: "May the boss's waist and kidneys stay strong forever!"
They instinctively grabbed the red packet and gave their thanks. Once the routine was finished, the realization suddenly struck them.
Bailong: "No way?"
Da Jiba: "Li Dongze, what do you mean by this? Speak clearly!"
Qingteng: "Decurion Li?"
Li Dongze: "Thank you all for your concern. My newly recruited Night Wanderer has successfully cleared Sheling Tunnel."
The group fell instantly silent, as if an all-member mute had been activated.
Yuan Ting: "Li Dongze, don't joke around."
The Taiyi Sect Night Wanderer, who rarely surfaced in the Five Elements Alliance management group, was the first to speak up.
Unlike the other captains, this was a major event concerning his own class. He couldn't ignore Li Dongze's message, even if it was far more likely a joke.
The other captains remained quiet, waiting silently for Li Dongze's reply.
At that moment, Centurion Fu posted a message in the group:
"As of today, the first clear of Sheling Tunnel belongs to our Five Elements Alliance. I will sync the Spirit Realm walkthrough into the database shortly. As an S-rank trial realm, it produces Night Wanderers of higher quality than other realms, which I believe will be of immense help to the organization's plan for cultivating Night Wanderers."
Staring at this lengthy paragraph, the captains were stunned.
Centurion Fu held the rank of Deacon; his words carried an entirely different weight from Li Dongze's. Since he had spoken, it was undeniably true.
Sheling Tunnel had really been cleared? What kind of monster had Li Dongze recruited?
In that instant, the captains realized the newcomer's value went far beyond merely belonging to a "rare class." The person himself was what was truly worth investing in.
Da Jiba: "I suddenly feel like having a team-building event again."
*You just want to poach my subordinate...* The corner of Li Dongze's mouth twitched.
Shui Shang Piao: "I'm not taking the boat out this month. Let's set up a gathering—how about today?"
Tang Guoqiang sent a red packet.
Bailong: "A gathering is fine, but I don't think Baihui should be allowed to attend."
Qingteng: "Heh."
Quanwang: "I'm very curious how that rookie cleared Sheling Tunnel. Anyone capable of pulling that off is certainly no ordinary person. Li Dongze has good luck, landing such talent."
Seeing the unrest brewing in the chat, Centurion Fu sent another message: "I will use the Sheling Tunnel walkthrough as leverage to negotiate Night Wanderer quotas from the Taiyi Sect, and do my best to ensure every team is assigned a Night Wanderer within five years."
Qingteng: "Thank you, Centurion Fu!"
Da Jiba: "Holy crap, there's actually a deal like that?!"
The group atmosphere instantly erupted in excitement.
*What a brilliant move by the centurion. With this promise dangling...* Li Dongze let out a long breath.
Next, the captains enthusiastically discussed long-term plans for cultivating and allocating Night Wanderers, subtly and overtly probing Li Dongze about the identity of the hero who had claimed the first clear.
Male or female? How old?
But Li Dongze refused to tell them a thing.
While the captains were happily chatting, Yuan Ting of the Taiyi Sect was in a completely different frame of mind.
He stared blankly at Centurion Fu's statement, reading it several times over before finally digesting the monumental news.
Sheling Tunnel, which even the Taiyi Sect had been helpless against, had actually been conquered?
How had that rookie pulled it off?
Since it was a realm specific to his class, and because he was a Night Wanderer himself, he craved the truth far more than the other captains. The curiosity clawed at him like a hundred paws scratching his heart.
However, now was not the time to dwell on the details. He needed to report this to the organization.
Shouldn't such an outstanding Night Wanderer belong to the Taiyi Sect?
*Elder Sun was so muddleheaded! How could he make promises so carelessly, costing the Taiyi Sect such a talent for nothing!* Yuan Ting couldn't help harboring a trace of resentment toward the elder.
***
Zhang Yuanqing took a taxi to the police station. Following the familiar path around the back of the building, he stepped into the glass building that radiated an air of professional elite.
Ascending to the second floor, the first thing he saw was the mixed-race mature beauty sitting on the sofa sipping tea, her supermodel-long legs crossed, clad in a shirt, skirt suit, black stockings, and high heels.
Her waist was slender and her bust generous, paired with exquisite makeup and stylish hair. If there was a gold standard for a workplace goddess, Zhang Yuanqing felt she was it.
Fortunately, his aesthetic threshold had been pushed exceptionally high by his aunt. He greeted her without batting an eye.
"Sister Guan Ya."
Guan Ya set down her teacup, rose to meet him, and said with a smile, "Tsk, tsk. Here I thought our college student was an innocent puppy, but turns out you're a wolf cub. Congratulations on becoming a Night Wanderer. Big sister will reward you with a hug."
She opened her arms, displaying an ample embrace.
Having already gained a preliminary grasp of her personality, Zhang Yuanqing refused to take the bait. He sneered, "Vixen, how dare you affront me with your bosom!"
If it were any other woman, Zhang Yuanqing certainly wouldn't have said something like that. But Guan Ya was a seasoned speedster—hitting the gas was the only proper way to handle her.
Guan Ya paused for a moment before bursting into giggles. "Come on, the decurion wants to see you."
After taking a few steps, she suddenly turned back and offered a faint smile. "You must have reaped quite a harvest in the Spirit Realm. No, no need to tell me. Hiding your true strength and trump cards is an essential quality for every Spirit Realm walker."
*I didn't plan on telling you anyway.* Zhang Yuanqing was caught off guard, but quickly caught her drift. She was reminding him to properly guard his secrets and not lay all his cards on the table.
Following Guan Ya, Zhang Yuanqing once again entered the luxurious office and saw Li Dongze reclining comfortably in a soft armchair, a cigar resting between his fingers.
"Do you know what my biggest worry was just now?"
Li Dongze stood up and walked toward the guest sofa, sizing up Zhang Yuanqing as he spoke.
"What?" Zhang Yuanqing played along.
"My biggest worry was that you'd get abducted on your way here." Li Dongze opened the liquor cabinet, took out three tumblers, and asked, "What are you having?"
"Coke!" Zhang Yuanqing replied.
"Guan Ya, have someone go buy some," Li Dongze instructed at once.
*Not bad, my status has clearly gone up.* Zhang Yuanqing sat down across from Li Dongze, who took a sip of liquor before getting straight to the point.
"The young truly command respect. You did an exceptional job.
"Later, I'll have to trouble you to write a detailed walkthrough of the process. But before that, I'd like to ask: did you discover any unusual information in the Mountain God Temple?"
Chapter 20