Clearing two S-rank Spirit Realms, slaying Li Xianzong inside an instance, taking first place in the arena tournament... This string of feats filled the Transcendent walkers present with despair.
Elder Thousand Faces acted as though he had not noticed the dread on everyone's faces. Looking toward the delicate youth by the window, he smiled and asked, "A-Yi, do you have the confidence to defeat him?"
The boy, whose brow carried total indifference to everything, replied flatly, "I will try to kill him."
Elder Thousand Faces turned to Good Ministers Slay Their Masters. "Little fatty, what about you?"
Good Ministers Slay Their Masters scratched his head. "I don't think I can beat him."
At the main table, Snake Woman flicked her tongue and clicked her tongue in disdain. "Look at this useless bunch. You haven't even entered the trial and you're already cowering. It's a pity Deceitful Eye Judge died so early. If the Fallen Holy Grail were still around, we could take Yuanshi Tianzun as a servant and control this super-genius."
Madman Zhang San, also from the Central Branch, sneered. "Facts have proven that Deceitful Eye Judge couldn't handle top-tier geniuses at all. Given Yuanshi Tianzun's potential, he'd most likely become a second Demon Lord."
Snake Woman arched her delicate eyebrows and giggled. "I just wonder if this Yuanshi Tianzun is as thoroughly equipped as the Demon Lord. Ah, I suddenly miss the Demon Lord a little."
Just then, My Fate Is Mine, Not Heaven's spoke up: "Elder, you've only mentioned his strengths, but not his weaknesses."
Elder Thousand Faces said, "From Li Xianzong's hunt for him, it is apparent that Yuanshi Tianzun's close-combat abilities are terrible. Even though he has improved since, he is far from top-tier. He has a yin corpse with exceptionally high combat power, but lacks a spirit servant that matches his level."
My Fate Is Mine, Not Heaven's pondered briefly and asked, "What about his personality? Does he have any glaring flaws? Greed for money, lust..."
Elder Thousand Faces shook his head.
The Lust Divine General suddenly spoke: "When Demon Eye was in Songhai, he investigated Yuanshi Tianzun, and his verdict was: a kindred spirit! This man seems to have a moral cleanliness complex. He cannot stand filthy, underhanded deeds—what people typically call a bleeding heart. You can try tackling him from that angle."
Huh? Yuanshi Tianzun is a bleeding heart? Sure, he's a decent guy, but how could he possibly deserve that label... Listening intently and gathering intel, Kou Beiyue felt they were falsely maligning Yuanshi Tianzun.
A moral cleanliness complex... Then he could be targeted through wine, women, wealth, and wrath, corrupted and broken in spirit. From the perspective of illusions, there were far too many ways to exploit that...
My Fate Is Mine, Not Heaven's smiled. "Thank you, Divine General."
"Allow me to share my thoughts!"
A young man wearing boxer shorts squatted on his chair, a pair of flip-flops resting beside the legs. He looked around at the crowd, speaking unhurriedly: "The upper limit of this killing trial is Level 4. No matter how strong Yuanshi Tianzun is, his ceiling is visible. A-Yi, Fatty, and My Fate all have experience hunting Level 4s, so they aren't actually much worse than him. That means the decisive factors in victory or defeat will come down to numbers and the trial itself. The orthodox classes will definitely outnumber us, and Yuanshi Tianzun's talent for clearing trials will inevitably surpass ours. So how we fight is already very clear. First, we must compensate for our deficit in numbers. Dark Night Rose surely doesn't lack peak Transcendent walkers, and we will need helpers from the orthodox faction. As for trial clearance, there are no particularly effective tricks; Yuanshi Tianzun will inevitably gain a huge advantage within the instance. Therefore, we need items. Elder Thousand Faces, may I apply for an item set?"
Kou Beiyue recognized him. Human Blood Bun had introduced him earlier—this man was ranked fifth on the official wanted list, "Nothing Is Taboo," a Bewitching Demon.
Elder Thousand Faces smiled and praised him, "A sound analysis. There is no item set, but I have prepared a secret item for you all."
***
"Husband, is this a vat for storing water?"
The Ghost Bride—or rather, Bai Lan—stood in the bathroom, one arm covering her snow-white bosom and a finger pointing curiously at the flush toilet.
She was entirely unclothed, her wasp waist, long legs, perky bottom, and voluptuous bust put on full display.
Why hasn't the bunny girl brought the clothes yet... Zhang Yuanqing urged in his mind, answering aloud, "That's, um, the place for relieving oneself."
Having said that, he saw shock register in Bai Lan's eyes.
Now that she possessed the freedom to move about, she had begun taking notice of the furniture and appliances around her, developing a keen curiosity toward everything. Along the way, she had chattered incessantly, asking about this and that.
Zhang Yuanqing had realized by now that Fu Qingyang was messing with him. With a Scout's Insight, how could Fu Qingyang not have seen that he hadn't been acting of his own volition?
Taking it a step further into conspiracy territory, Fu Qingyang had deliberately arranged a female yin corpse for him just to drive a wedge between his cousin and her future husband. That was why, upon seeing Bai Lan snuggling in his arms, he had pushed the boat along the current and ordered him to stay away from Guan Ya.
Vicious intent!
A knock sounded at the door, and the bunny girl came in carrying a set of women's clothes.
Zhang Yuanqing hastily instructed the bunny girl to help her get dressed, then shut the door and stepped outside.
Half a minute later, the bunny girl opened the door and said helplessly, "Mr. Yuanshi, she refuses to wear them."
Zhang Yuanqing blinked. "What's wrong?"
The bunny girl hesitated, offering a bitter smile. "You'd better ask her yourself."
Zhang Yuanqing returned to the room to find Bai Lan sitting naked on the edge of the bed with her long legs pressed together, the garments scattered beside her.
"Why won't you put them on?"
She pointed at the bra, frowning. "Why isn't it an under-bodice? Such indecent attire—this humble woman will not wear it."
Please, just put it on! If you don't, I'm going to be possessed by the Demon Lord... Zhang Yuanqing assumed the dignity of a husband. "You must learn to adapt to modern times. Put it on!"
Bai Lan obeyed, looking thoroughly aggrieved.
Just then, a chime rang from Zhang Yuanqing's pocket. He pulled out his phone and saw a message from Xiao Yuan.
Taking advantage of the bunny girl helping Bai Lan into her underwear, he left the room to read it.
The message was long—over a thousand words detailing the events of the evil class summit.
The Silver Moon Divine General is participating in this year's killing trial?
Zhang Yuanqing was astonished. He was not the person he had been two months ago; he was now intimately familiar with the key figures in the major evil organizations, having committed them firmly to memory. Naturally, he knew what made the Silver Moon Divine General special.
Even more shocking, however, was that Dark Night Rose was involved as well.
I have to pass this information along to the Centurion, even though he shows me none of the respect due a future cousin-in-law...
Wait, what? When did I become a bleeding heart? These evil classes are slinging mud! I don't have a moral cleanliness complex. My moral baseline is only a tiny bit higher than the Demon Lord's...
Dark Night Rose really wants to kill me too. Wild rogue walkers can't be trusted, and not just rogue walkers—I can't fully trust colleagues in the official faction either. The Tiger Tally only screened people from the Songhai Branch.
In addition, the message noted that the evil organizations had prepared a secret item to kill him, though Kou Beiyue did not know what it was, only that it had been assigned to "Nothing Is Taboo."
Xiao Yuan's analysis of it was that it had to be a rule-based item.
This deduction was not difficult to make. The instance restricted items above Level 4, and since it was not an item set, inflicting enough damage on Yuanshi Tianzun to kill him would inevitably require a rule-based item.
Kou Beiyue is entering the killing trial too? Does he think he's lived too long? What was Xiao Yuan thinking, actually agreeing to that...
He stowed his phone, walked down the corridor, ascended the twin staircase, and arrived before the second-floor study.
Knock, knock!
After knocking, Zhang Yuanqing pushed open the brown wooden door.
Fu Qingyang was sitting behind the desk browsing his computer. Without even looking up, he said flatly, "Save your excuses."
Are you seriously that bored... Zhang Yuanqing cursed silently, strode across the long red carpet, stopped beside the desk, and said, "Centurion, I have important intelligence."
Only then did Fu Qingyang tear his gaze from the screen to look at him.
Zhang Yuanqing said in a low voice, "My informant infiltrated the evil organizations' summit and discovered that Dark Night Rose is involved as well. They're targeting both of us, and they've arranged four Saints to deal with you."
"Four Saints are hardly enough to threaten me. Are we the only targets? Well, that makes sense. After all, everyone else is trash." Fu Qingyang remained calm, seemingly not surprised in the slightest. "Understood. Is there anything else?"
"The Silver Moon Divine General will also be participating in this killing trial."
Fu Qingyang's expression finally shifted, growing solemn. He nodded slowly. "Understood. I will make appropriate arrangements. I didn't expect Silver Moon to take part in the killing trial. Then again, Demon Eye is locked in the Zoo with no hope of escape; it's time for someone to fill the vacancy."
Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Fu Qingyang had seemed genuinely surprised by Silver Moon's participation.
The Money Prince explained, "Asura set a rule: the Soldier Master sect may only have four Heavenly Kings. For a new one to arise, an old one must die. Or, of course, the old one can slay the newcomer."
No wonder the Silver Moon Divine General hasn't advanced to Dominator all this time... Zhang Yuanqing nodded, then heard Fu Qingyang continue:
"Yuanshi, every opening of the killing trial is a grand event in the Spirit Realm world, especially this one. On this grand stage stand both you and me. The five Alliance Leaders are watching us; headquarters and the various branches are watching us; the Spirit Realm clans are watching us; evil organizations, civilian rogue walkers, and even overseas powers are watching us. I will claim first place on the leaderboard. I will stand at the peak and advance to Dominator in the most dazzling fashion. I hope you will do the same. I hope to meet you at the summit."
Zhang Yuanqing's blood surged. "Yes, Centurion! Aside from us, everyone else is trash! However, Centurion... they've prepared a secret item to kill me. Also, I don't quite trust the colleagues entering the trial. As you know, Dark Night Rose has planted many pawns within the official ranks."
Fu Qingyang pondered for a moment before saying, "The pawns planted by Dark Night Rose were able to pass the grand health check, which means they have special means of bypassing lie detection. Ordinary items won't be able to sniff them out, and it's impossible to give you the Tiger Tally... Still, every fox eventually shows its tail. Once you enter the instance, find Guan Ya immediately and keep her at your side. She can help you."
Zhang Yuanqing sighed. "Wouldn't that be improper? After all, I'm supposed to stay away from her."
Fu Qingyang froze for a second, glared at him, and barked, "Get out!"
***
Late at night.
On the deserted streets, the stifling heat baked in by the blazing sun had settled in the quiet night, and the evening breeze carried a slight chill.
As arranged, Zhang Yuanqing arrived at the café across from the Kangyang District Security Bureau.
Inside the café, bright lights shone. The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter, draped in an exquisite gown, sat by the window resting her chin in her hand, daydreaming serenely.
"Palace Master, I would like to purchase a vial of Life Essence," Zhang Yuanqing said, getting straight to the point.
The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter cast a sidelong glance at him before turning her gaze away, speaking coldly, "Production of Life Essence is limited. There is none to spare for you."
Hearing this, Zhang Yuanqing felt a wave of disappointment.
The Palace Master shifted her tone. "However, the Xie family has some. Lingxi secured a vial for you."
Ah, what a wonderful little sister! Overjoyed, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "How did you know I came to buy Life Essence?"
A mocking smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Isn't this the only reason you ever seek me out?"
Don't make me sound like a scumbag... Zhang Yuanqing declared with righteous indignation, "Naturally, I wish to be closer to you, Palace Master. But you are fair as a celestial maiden, like an untainted lotus blooming on a snowy peak. I dare only admire you from afar, never dreaming of profaning you."
The Palace Master sneered. "Oh? So you're thinking of profaning me!"
Zhang Yuanqing started. Just as he opened his mouth to explain, his ankle suddenly tightened. In the next instant, the world spun, and his surroundings flipped upside down.
He was suspended by his ankles from a red thread.
"Palace Master?"
Unrushed, the Palace Master took out a tube of pale gold liquid and placed it on the tabletop, saying coolly, "In two hours, the red thread will snap on its own. Reflect on your conduct."
She rose gracefully, trailing crimson silk across the floor, and vanished out the door of the café.
"Palace Master! Palace Master, let me down!"
Zhang Yuanqing shouted for a long time, but the woman was long gone with no sign of returning.
What am I supposed to reflect on? Profaning you?!
Zhang Yuanqing was both baffled and annoyed, completely at a loss as to what this lunatic woman was playing at.
He had the inexplicable feeling of being convicted simply because he had stepped out of the door with his left foot first.
***
Dawn was breaking.
Zhang Yuanqing returned to Fujia Bay in low spirits. He turned the guest bedroom doorknob and found the room brightly lit, a stunning beauty lying on the soft bed.
At present, Blood Rose was a proper yin corpse; Bai Lan, the Ghost Bride, had been recalled into his body. Zhang Yuanqing had been terrified that she would pester him to consummate their marriage, so after dark, using an errand as an excuse, he had extracted her from Blood Rose's corpse.
It was now five in the morning. Based on past experience, the killing trial would begin at seven. That meant there were only two hours left before entering the instance.
After dinner the previous evening, Fu Qingyang had handed over the item set issued to him by headquarters.
The set was called "Ironwood Armor," an item for the Wood Monster class, consisting of rattan armor, a pair of bracers, and a pair of greaves.
The set possessed three skills: "Spring Returns to the Earth," which enhanced recovery; "Ironwood Wall," which bolstered defense; and a near-death Resurgence ability usable once.
The item's negative cost was an increased procreative urge: for every hour worn, the wearer's reproductive desire would increase for five minutes after removing the equipment.
The official organization's motive in providing this gear was clear: to shore up his twin weaknesses in melee and defense, while Resurgence served as a lifesaver.
Yet Zhang Yuanqing felt this armor set should go to Guan Ya—which, of course, had nothing to do with Lingjun's terrible advice.
—After dinner, Lingjun had secretly messaged him to show him the light:
"Give this armor set to Guan Ya. She'll be deeply touched and realize what an important place she holds in your heart. And when she takes the gear off, she'll go into heat, which is the perfect chance to cook the rice before anyone can stop you! Two birds with one stone. If I were you, that's exactly what I'd do."
If I were Fu Qingyang, I'd twist both your and Yuanshi Tianzun's heads clean off... Zhang Yuanqing had replied with utmost solemnity: "I am not that kind of person! By the way, where does Guan Ya live?"
Jokes aside, Zhang Yuanqing genuinely believed that giving this set to Guan Ya could create an invincible melee ally.
Time ticked by, minute by minute. When the alarm clock on the nightstand struck seven, Zhang Yuanqing heard the Spirit Realm notification chime in his ear:
[Ding! The large-scale killing trial has begun. Do you wish to participate?]
Chapter 243