"That's right. Every point we shave off counts," Tone-Deaf chimed in. "Yuanshi Tianzun has too many points, giving him too much room for error. If he's allowed to run wild without consequences, it bodes ill for all of us."
World Returns to Fire shared the exact same thought. Raising his head, he called out in a clear voice:
"I, World Returns to Fire, hereby formally report Yuanshi Tianzun for using profanity. Reason for report: lack of basic decency."
Qingsongzi and Tone-Deaf leaned out the window with brimming confidence, gazing up at the somber sky.
Beneath the heavens, the hundred-zhang-tall heroic spirit drew its bow, yet it sent an arrow whistling directly toward their small building.
[Ding! Report failed! Your reporting feature has been sealed for thirty minutes, and one point has been deducted.]
The expressions on all three men instantly froze.
"Report failed..." World Returns to Fire's face darkened drastically.
He had only three points left.
"Report failed? Is swearing not a violation?" Tone-Deaf asked, flabbergasted.
World Returns to Fire drew a deep breath, suppressing the urge to curse out loud, and said, "It's also possible that Yuanshi Tianzun reported himself. He pulled that exact trick when he first entered the dungeon. If so, at least we've tested out a rule: each violation can only be reported once."
Qingsongzi and Tone-Deaf exchanged glances and fell silent.
Yuanshi Tianzun's raw combat power wasn't overwhelming, but inside this dungeon, the psychological pressure he exerted far surpassed Zhao Chenghuang's.
World Returns to Fire said, "Don't panic. We still have a chance to turn the tables, and that is the armor. Don't forget the game rules: each person can only equip one piece of armor. There are three of us, which means three pieces.
"When necessary, two of us can make the sacrifice to back the third, handing over our points and armor to him. We'll split the final rewards equally anyway, so it doesn't matter who claims the actual glory."
His reasoning was exceptionally clear.
Qingsongzi and Tone-Deaf gave slight nods. Given the current situation, this was the only way to rival Yuanshi Tianzun and the Taiyi Sect. If only they could pull Earth God over to their side as well.
World Returns to Fire looked toward Tone-Deaf. "Try that cuirass on and see what effects it has."
Tone-Deaf retrieved the cuirass from his inventory and, with the assistance of his Music Thrall, strapped it on securely.
[Ding! Cold Iron Cuirass equipped—Tone-Deaf.]
Both World Returns to Fire and Qingsongzi received the Spirit Realm notification.
After reviewing the equipment's attributes, Tone-Deaf tried moving his limbs. A mixture of delight and worry colored his voice. "The cuirass drastically boosts defense, but it's far too clumsy and slows my speed down."
Reaching into the Void, he drew a short sword and drove it hard against his chest. A weapon sharp enough to slice gold and sever jade left only a faint white scratch on the armor plate.
"The defensive power is astonishing, close to an Earth Monster's. Still, compared to Earth God himself, it's far off," Tone-Deaf concluded.
***
[Ding! Cold Iron Cuirass equipped—Tone-Deaf.]
[Ding! You have been reported by World Returns to Fire. Reason: Lack of basic decency. Report failed; the reporter has been docked one point.]
*He really did report me.* Hearing the chime by his ear, Zhang Yuanqing almost burst into laughter.
Back when he was snatching the cuirass, he hadn't managed to bite back a curse in the heat of the moment. He realized right after that it posed a risk. Out of respect for his enemies' intelligence, he had opted to report himself.
Sure enough, World Returns to Fire's report had arrived right on cue.
*Since his report failed, that rule I guessed earlier holds true.*
The same violation could not be reported repeatedly.
For example, when he pulled down the yin corpse's trousers, that specific act could only be penalized once. Anyone else reporting it would fail.
*However, the act of pulling down trousers itself can probably be committed multiple times. Just like murder—a criminal won't be sentenced twice for killing a single person, but if he kills again after getting out of prison, he'll still face the law.*
*World Returns to Fire does have a good head on his shoulders, but this time he walked right into my trap. He's down to three points. If he gets reported one more time, he'll be eliminated directly.*
*Tone-Deaf already claimed the cuirass. I need to do everything I can to seize the remaining pieces of armor.*
Zhang Yuanqing, still clad in his pajamas, stood up and dusted off his backside.
Time to find Yuan Ting and form an alliance—and snatch some armor along the way.
***
Along the riverbank, Zhao Chenghuang strode forward with a detached expression. Yuan Ting trailed behind him, his gaze flitting occasionally toward the lower half of his yin corpse.
By now, the yin corpse's waist was wrapped in a jacket tied into a makeshift skirt.
Doing this served two purposes: for one, the penalty for 'peeping at private parts' had left him traumatized; for another, countless spectators were watching from outside, and letting the yin corpse strut around bare-bottomed looked awful.
Suddenly, Yuan Ting halted in his tracks, his face shifting slightly. "World Returns to Fire reported me."
Zhao Chenghuang glanced back, raising a brow.
Yuan Ting said in a low voice, "It was about you tossing the yin corpse earlier. You didn't report me, but he did."
Zhao Chenghuang gave a slight nod. "It seems that as long as a violation occurred, it can be reported at any time, with no strict statute of limitations."
Yuan Ting blew out an irritated breath. "I suddenly understand why wild wanderers loathe reporting so much. This high-intensity reporting environment is suffocating.
"Taking the reporting mechanic to its logical extreme essentially demands everyone become a saint, because only a saint will never be reported."
He then corrected himself. "No, the ultimate extreme of reporting is a full-blown witch hunt—even saints would get reported. Judging by the rules observed so far, we should be glad it hasn't reached that point yet."
Yuan Ting prattled on. "Speaking of reports, it reminds me of another secret. Let me tell you, but you must promise not to tell anyone else."
The corner of Zhao Chenghuang's mouth twitched as he cut him off. "Not interested!
"Furthermore, the stadium outside is packed with spectators. Telling me is tantamount to telling the entire world."
A crestfallen look crossed Yuan Ting's face. "Fine!"
After they walked a few paces, Zhao Chenghuang said, "We'll search for Sun Miaomiao now and rendezvous as quickly as possible. Yuan Ting, I will need you to make a sacrifice to help me secure the championship. When necessary, I will eliminate you to claim your points and armor.
"Once the match concludes, I will compensate you."
His tone was calm and natural, as though he hadn't even considered the possibility of Yuan Ting refusing.
Within the Taiyi Sect, the spoiled young master and princess of the Transcendent stage were Zhao Chenghuang and Sun Miaomiao, while at the Saint stage, the Ghost King of Fengdu and Yin Ji held sway.
When a young master made a request, how could an ordinary sect member like Yuan Ting refuse? How could he dare refuse?
Besides, Zhao Chenghuang hailed from nobility and spent generously. If he promised compensation, compensation would surely follow.
Yuan Ting remained silent for a moment, then nodded. "Understood!"
After journeying for about twenty minutes, they suddenly spotted a brilliant pillar of light soaring into the distant sky. Without hesitation, they dashed toward the destination.
As they drew near the origin of the light, Zhao Chenghuang instructed, "Guard the perimeter for me. Watch out for ambushers."
Yuan Ting had no choice but to halt, commanding his yin corpse to stand vigilant on the spot while he surveyed their surroundings.
Right then, near a half-collapsed wall not far off, he saw a head with wispy baby hair pop out, wide dark eyes blinking back at him.
*Yuanshi Tianzun's spirit servant! He's nearby...* Just as Yuan Ting was about to shout a warning, he saw the adorable little spirit servant raise a chubby hand and wave in an exaggerated, beckoning gesture.
*Telling me to come over?*
After a brief hesitation, Yuan Ting led his yin corpse quickly toward the crumbling wall.
He had to admit, the infant's innocent, bewildered appearance was an excellent distraction, but he could also tell Yuanshi Tianzun needed to speak with him.
To prevent Yuanshi Tianzun from launching a dishonorable sneak attack, Yuan Ting halted several meters away from the broken wall rather than rashly closing the distance.
"Tsk, tsk. Captain Yuan, you look an awful lot like a lackey right now," Yuanshi Tianzun's light chuckle drifted from behind the wall.
"When did you get here?" Yuan Ting asked.
"Just arrived. Saw the two of you right away," Zhang Yuanqing replied with a sigh of regret at having brushed past another piece of armor.
Yuan Ting smiled faintly. "You don't look like you're setting an ambush for us. What is it?"
Zhang Yuanqing said, "I want to ally with you."
"Ally with me?" Yuan Ting shook his head. "Impossible. I represent myself, but I also represent the Taiyi Sect. The three of us must look out for one another and strive for the championship. How could I possibly ally with you?"
Even though they were on familiar terms.
Zhang Yuanqing said, "Don't be so quick to refuse. Hear out my bargaining chips first. I can trade intel with you."
To be precise: gossip!
Staring at the crumbling wall, Yuan Ting gave an unhesitating rejection:
"Yuanshi, you've misunderstood me. Let me put it more clearly: I will not betray my fellow disciples, much less compromise the honor of the Taiyi Sect for personal gain.
"Leave. Otherwise, once Zhao Chenghuang returns, you won't be able to get away even if you want to."
With that, he spun around and started walking off.
From behind the wall, an eerie voice drifted out: "Do you know why Elder Gou likes possessing dogs? No one knows this secret, but by pure chance, I uncovered the truth."
Yuan Ting's feet abruptly froze. In astonishment, he looked down at his boots. He hadn't intended to stop, yet his physical instincts had overpowered his mind.
"As long as you ally with me, I'll tell you."
"...No!"
"Then you know Chi Yue'an's ex-wife is Zhu Rong, right? Before he died, he spilled plenty of secrets to us. For instance, every single day, Zhu Rong demands—" Zhang Yuanqing cut himself off.
"Demands what?!" Yuan Ting's voice shot up several pitches.
"Ally with me, and I'll tell you."
Yuan Ting fell silent. He was a man of principles and resolve.
Zhang Yuanqing continued, "I know an artisan of the Desire profession named Annie. Within their association, there's a former lover of the Demon Lord. Annie knows many women who were intimately involved with the Demon Lord. Most of them hold high offices now. You'd never guess who used to sleep with him back in the day."
Yuan Ting's eyes lit up, burning with an intense thirst for knowledge.
Zhang Yuanqing added, "I was once hunted down by Heavenly King Demonic Eye. From him, I dug up heaps of gossip about the Heavenly Kings of the Soldier Master sect. Gossip about Dominators, mind you. Can you even imagine?"
Yuan Ting's face began to twitch faintly.
Zhang Yuanqing pressed on: "Do you want to know how to enjoy the services of the Desire profession for free? Or how about the time Young Master Fu got thrashed by a woman back in the Fu family during his youth, all because he did something that provoked public outrage?"
Yuan Ting's breathing turned ragged.
Zhang Yuanqing delivered the final blow: "Fu Qingyang once said things in front of me that would utterly ruin his reputation, make him despised by everyone, and even get him expelled from the White Tiger Guards. I could tell you."
"Say no more!" Yuan Ting let out a low roar, striding past the wall to stand right before Zhang Yuanqing, panting hard. "I agree! I agree to everything!!"
Zhang Yuanqing blinked in mock surprise. "Where are your principles?"
"When necessary, our principles should remain flexible!" Yuan Ting gripped Zhang Yuanqing's hand tightly, overflowing with deep camaraderie. "Good brother, I'll definitely help you take down that scoundrel Zhao Chenghuang!"
"Splendid. Once the match is over, I'll tell you every single scrap of intel I know. Now, lean in. Here's my plan..."
***
In the arena's spectator stands:
The secret behind Elder Gou possessing dogs?
*Is that something we're even allowed to hear?!*
A way to enjoy the Desire profession for free?
*Name a price! We'll pay anything for it!*
The Demon Lord's former lovers, most of whom now held high offices? Aside from Yin Ji, who was public knowledge, who else was there?!
Chi Yue'an's ex-wife? That dissolute noblewoman known for keeping male concubines? What did she demand every day—ten men?!
And just what on earth did Fu Qingyang say to Yuanshi Tianzun that would ruin his reputation, earn him universal scorn, and get him cast out of the White Tiger Guards? That was Money Prince! The eldest young master of the Fu family!
The arena was dead silent. A bizarre, suffocating atmosphere blanketed the venue, accompanied only by the ragged breaths quietly spreading through the crowd.
In the Elders' seats, Elder Sun leaned toward the Teddy in the neighboring chair and whispered, "Old Dog, do you possess that Teddy because of some unspeakable hardship?"
Elder Gou bared his teeth in a rare display of agitation. "I purely just like dogs! Don't let your imagination run wild. Didn't I tell you that before?"
*Oh, you just like dogs...* The surrounding Elders cast deeply meaningful looks in his direction.
"Did you mention it before? I have no memory of that." A thought struck Elder Sun. Perhaps, just perhaps, he could hype this up to replace his own senile reputation.
"..." Elder Gou wanted nothing more than to dive into the dungeon and pry open Yuanshi Tianzun's skull.
"What did you say to Yuanshi?" Guan Ya asked softly.
The gazes of everyone nearby locked squarely onto the handsome young master in the white suit.
Fu Qingyang sat expressionless. The Money Prince, who could maintain an unflinching composure even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles right now.
He exerted every ounce of willpower to control his facial expressions, preventing any noticeable twitch.
*I really should expel him from the White Tiger Guards after all...* Fu Qingyang took a deep breath and rubbed his throbbing temple.
"I never mentioned a thing about the Demon Lord to Yuanshi Tianzun," Annie said with lingering wariness. "Enjoying the Desire profession for free? If my Chinese hasn't failed me, that means sleeping with a woman without paying compensation. Mr. Bill, I can't let him sleep with me for free."
*You haven't even slept with him yet...* Mr. Bill sighed helplessly. "What he said isn't necessarily true. It's merely psychological warfare."
As for the connection between the Demon Lord and the Goddess of Beauty Association, that was hardly a secret. With Yuanshi Tianzun's clearance level, gleaning a rough outline through the Five Elements Alliance was completely plausible and required little effort.
A young male concubine nervously glanced at Zhu Rong, only to find her wearing a dangerous, alluring smile, radiant as a blooming rose.
"The more outrageously he slanders me now, the more I'll make him enjoy it in the near future! I'll drain every last drop of his energy while keeping him endlessly aroused, suffering so much he won't be able to stop even if he begs for it."
***
Yuan Ting watched Yuanshi Tianzun melt into the night. After waiting a few seconds, he stepped out from the low wall and returned to his original post.
About a minute later, he saw Zhao Chenghuang returning with his yin corpse. Yuan Ting's eyes fell upon Zhao Chenghuang's arms. "Vambraces? What do they do?"
Zhao Chenghuang wore pitch-black vambraces covering both his forearms and upper arms.
Zhao Chenghuang replied coldly, "Defense, and strength."
He lightly clenched his fist and punched forward.
The air let out a soft pop as a shockwave shot forth, collapsing a dilapidated building in the distance.
"Impressive!" Yuan Ting praised.
Zhao Chenghuang nodded. "Any anomalies around here?"
Yuan Ting said, "I saw Yuanshi Tianzun's spirit servant appear earlier, watching from a distance. By the time I rushed over, it had already slipped away."
Zhao Chenghuang gave an affirmative hum. "It seems he remains alone, with no one willing to ally with him."
Yuan Ting replied without batting an eye, "His points are so high that everyone wants to eliminate him. No one would ever ally with him—unless he offers an absurdly good deal."
***
*Yuan Ting, Zhao Chenghuang, Qingsongzi, and Tone-Deaf each have four points left. Earth God has seven, World Returns to Fire has three, and Sun Miaomiao has ten. If another group brawl breaks out, the priority is to find a way to eliminate World Returns to Fire first.*
*Earth God still has one report attempt left. He counts as half an ally, so I won't target him for now. But I need to find a way to knock Sun Miaomiao's points down.*
*So far, three pieces of armor have appeared, and I haven't gotten a single one. The dungeon hasn't stated how many pieces make up the full set...*
Zhang Yuanqing crouched alongside his yin corpse amidst a patch of ruins, surrounded by shattered roof tiles and lush weeds.
Following the cuirass and the vambraces, another piece of equipment had emerged—a cold iron war blade.
It had been claimed by World Returns to Fire.
When the war blade materialized, Zhang Yuanqing had been scouring the southern district of the city, at the opposite end of the map. The distance was far too great, forcing him to give it up.
*It's been almost half an hour, and no armor pieces have spawned in the south yet. Going by the pattern, one should be appearing soon.*
Zhang Yuanqing waited patiently. After a long while, a pillar of brilliant light soared into the sky, erupting less than a hundred meters south of his position.
Chapter 203