Annie and Bill wanted to see him?
Guan Ya, who was unfamiliar with both of them, maintained a calm expression. Zhang Yuanqing, however, was rather surprised. After a moment of thought, he said, "Sure! Please show them in."
Since Fu Qingyang had agreed to it, refusing now would look like he was deliberately defying his superior. What if Fu Qingyang demanded another sparring match?
*I just advanced to Saint and made a name for myself, so it makes sense that Annie and Bill would pay me a visit...* Zhang Yuanqing mused inwardly as he quietly pulled up the duvet to cover the splints on his legs.
The bunny girl bowed and exited the room. A moment later, she returned leading two foreigners inside.
The man stood ramrod straight, with short light brown hair and deep, tranquil eyes. His features were sharply chiseled, and the fine crow's-feet at the corners of his eyes lent him a mature, weather-beaten air—a middle-aged gentleman of immense charm.
The woman wore a business skirt, a white dress shirt, and a tailored blazer—a crisp, capable corporate outfit completely devoid of superfluous accessories. Yet she shone like the most dazzling of gems.
With blonde hair, blue eyes, exquisite features, and an alluring aura, even other women would gaze upon her and praise her as a stunner.
"Mr. Yuanshi, I heard you just finished sparring with Elder Fu, and he broke your leg?" Mr. Bill walked briskly to the bedside to offer his sympathies.
The bunny girl brought over two high-backed chairs and invited the guests to sit.
*Who told you that? Was it that piece of trash Fu Qingyang...* Zhang Yuanqing complained internally, though outwardly he gave a hearty laugh. "We originally agreed to spar at the same level. Who could have expected Elder Fu would be no match for me? Flustered, he couldn't help himself and unleashed his Dominator-level strength."
A look of sudden understanding dawned on Bill. He exchanged a glance with Annie beside him, secretly astonished.
What Fu Qingyang had told them was: *During my spar with Yuanshi Tianzun, I accidentally broke his leg. He is currently lying in the guest room downstairs.*
Who would have guessed there was such an inside story?
*At the same level, even Fu Qingyang couldn't beat him?* Annie's eyes sparkled.
Beside them, Guan Ya frowned. From Annie's micro-expressions, she caught the woman's intense desire for Yuanshi.
Were it any ordinary woman, Guan Ya wouldn't give her a second thought. But the Desire profession was the vixen class among Spirit Realm walkers; their seduction skills were second to none under heaven.
Having a beauty from the Desire profession coveting your prospective boyfriend would make anyone nervous.
Guan Ya was somewhat worried about Yuanshi's willpower. After all, he was a Scorpio.
At that moment, Mr. Bill spoke up. "I came on behalf of the Merchant Guild to congratulate Elder Fu on his advancement to Dominator. I did not expect to find you here as well, Mr. Yuanshi."
As he spoke, he fished a black card out of his pocket and handed it over. "This is a gift from the Merchant Guild to you—a Supreme Black Card. Holders enjoy a twenty-five percent discount when purchasing materials and items from the guild. With this card, you may also attend auctions hosted by the Merchant Guild. Furthermore, should you ever travel abroad, the Merchant Guild can arrange your transportation and accommodations.
"Our guild only issues twenty of these Supreme Black Cards to external parties each year."
*A twenty-five percent discount?* Saint-stage items easily cost tens of millions, meaning a single transaction could save two to three million. Zhang Yuanqing eagerly took the card. "Thank you for the Merchant Guild's generosity."
Once Zhang Yuanqing accepted the card, Annie gave a radiant smile. "Mr. Yuanshi, I have something to say to you in private."
Mr. Bill promptly rose and nodded. "I'll leave you two to chat."
Annie turned toward Guan Ya, her ocean-blue eyes curving into crescents as she flashed a sweet smile. "Ma'am, could you grant me a few minutes?"
Looking at that angelic face, Guan Ya felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart, a warmth of affection rising within her. Smiling gently, she replied, "Go ahead and talk. I won't disturb you."
Completely captivated by Annie's charm, she felt that a woman so elegant and moving was far out of Yuanshi's league, and her affection and trust toward Annie skyrocketed.
*Does the charm of the Desire profession captivate men and women alike?* Watching Guan Ya leave, Zhang Yuanqing withdrew his gaze and said, "Miss Annie, while being alone with a beautiful woman like you is my honor, please keep it brief. Otherwise, once my girlfriend comes to her senses, she'll come back holding a rifle to your head."
"Girlfriend?" A flicker of surprise crossed Annie's pretty face, followed by a faint smile. "She truly is a rare beauty... Mr. Yuanshi, on behalf of the Goddess of Beauty Association, I would like to invite you to join us and become one of our members. That is the reason I requested to speak with you alone."
*Become a member of the Goddess of Beauty Association, just like the Demon Lord? As expected, the association won't let any promising Night Wanderer slip away!* Feigning an appropriate trace of surprise, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What does membership entail?"
"You can think of it as being an external member or an affiliate of the Goddess of Beauty Association. As long as you become a member, you will have access to the association's channels, including intelligence gathering, bounty postings, mission assignments, interest-free loans, and more." Annie detailed the membership benefits. "Any request you have, you may raise with the association. We will satisfy it to the best of our abilities, and if we cannot, we will help you locate suitable partners. Furthermore..."
Annie paused, pulled the high-backed chair right up to the bedside, and pushed back her hair with practiced allure, an ambiguous smile playing on her lips. "Every member is assigned a dedicated liaison from our foreign affairs department. You may ask me to attend to any matter, personal or professional."
*Does that include milking...?* Zhang Yuanqing's mind was instantly flooded with the sounds of the Demon Lord and Betty going at it.
Shaking the wanton thoughts from his head, he asked reasonably, "And what is the price I must pay?"
Annie smiled. Asking this meant Yuanshi Tianzun was not averse to joining the association; he was merely weighing the pros and cons like a shrewd operator.
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed lady, whose bust was no less impressive than Guan Ya's, thrust her chest forward slightly and smiled. "An annual membership fee of five hundred thousand, plus completing the occasional mission issued by the Goddess of Beauty Association. These missions are not mandatory; if you find a mission unsuitable or excessively dangerous, you may decline. However, you must complete three missions per year."
Zhang Yuanqing fell into thought.
The cost was indeed negligible. An annual fee of five hundred thousand was practically symbolic, and while there was a quota of three missions per year, if the tasks issued by the association were too hazardous, failing them wasn't the end of the world—at worst, he could just resign his membership.
These visible costs were negligible. What was the truly dangerous price?
Seduction!
If he failed to control himself while interacting with someone from the Desire profession and ended up getting milked even once, he would become an appendage of the Goddess of Beauty Association.
Even a genius who didn't fear Desire practitioners of the same level—like the Demon Lord—would still find the association's president and other higher-ups waiting to take him to bed, keeping him firmly under their thumb all the same.
Of course, from the Demon Lord's perspective, becoming an affiliate of the Goddess of Beauty Association wasn't necessarily a bad deal; being an affiliate didn't mean being a slave.
And as long as he held out against their seduction, the benefits of joining were immense.
It would be equivalent to sharing the association's network, expanding his connections, and gaining an alternative avenue when trouble struck, rather than staking his entire life on the Five Elements Alliance.
Furthermore, if he wanted to investigate the Demon Lord's past, the Goddess of Beauty Association would serve as an excellent entry point.
After pondering for several seconds, Zhang Yuanqing said, "If I agree to become a member of the Goddess of Beauty Association, will my dedicated liaison be you, Miss Annie?"
Annie fought down her excitement. "Yes!"
This was non-negotiable. She wasn't about to do all the groundwork only for another vixen in the association to reap the rewards.
Zhang Yuanqing said, "Very well. But we must establish three rules..."
Before he could finish, Annie interrupted in confusion, "What do you mean by 'three rules'?"
"It means agreeing on a few conditions beforehand." Seeing her nod in understanding, Zhang Yuanqing continued, "First, our relationship cannot be publicized. Second, you may only appear before me when I need you; when I don't need you, you are not to follow me around. Of course, calls and messages are welcome anytime.
"Lastly, do not use your charm on me. I have a girlfriend."
Annie nodded, her smile radiant. "Mr. Yuanshi truly is devoted. Understood."
She never liked using sex to serve others anyway. Seduction was a trump card reserved for necessary moments. As long as she could sign Yuanshi Tianzun as her exclusive member, not being able to use her charms was a pity, but acceptable.
Most importantly, what she needed right now was an opportunity to gradually build familiarity. Once they grew close, was there any doubt she could bed Yuanshi Tianzun? She had even prepared the pig tail.
Right then, a knock sounded at the door.
Annie rose to open it. Standing outside was a young man with an untamed hairstyle, handsome features, and a gentle demeanor.
It was Ling Jun.
"Oh, my dear Miss Annie! We Chinese have an old saying: a single day apart feels like three autumns. Yet my longing for you feels as though it has traversed ten thousand years."
Ling Jun leaned dashingly against the doorframe, striking a pose, and spoke passionately: "You are the light of my life; whether I wish it or not, I cannot leave your side. My dear Miss Annie, might I have the honor of taking you out to dinner tonight?"
As he spoke, he shot an inconspicuous glance toward Zhang Yuanqing on the bed, as if saying: *Take notes!*
*So greasy... Right, women of the Lust profession are naturally wanton, so romantic, greasy lines might actually appeal to them more?* Zhang Yuanqing nodded, as if signaling back: *Got it, got it.*
To everyone's surprise, Annie frowned, glanced back at Yuanshi Tianzun, and when she turned around again, her face had turned frosty. She said coolly, "Mr. Ling Jun, please do not seek me out again in the future. I wouldn't want Yuanshi to misunderstand."
"???"
Ling Jun froze on the spot, his cynical smile locking up completely.
*Well... this is awkward...* Just as Zhang Yuanqing was pondering how to explain and salvage his life mentor's trust, a burst of static crackled from the nightstand.
From the waist pouch resting there came a man's sorrowful singing:
*"Snow drifts, the north wind howls, heaven and earth a vast expanse of white~"*
Accompanied by the mournful music, Ling Jun turned and walked away, his retreating figure radiating an indescribable desolation and loneliness.
***
Jinshan City, a street corner milk tea shop.
Human Blood Bun slowly masked the emotion in his eyes and quietly put away his phone.
Acting as if nothing had happened, he calmly picked up his milk tea and took a deep drink.
Inside, however, his thoughts were exploding:
*Fuck, scared the shit out of me! That traitor Kou Beiyue is actually Yuanshi Tianzun's man! No wonder he had the gall to boast that Yuanshi Tianzun wouldn't dare kill him...*
*Strange. If he's Yuanshi Tianzun's man, why hasn't he sold me out? I've known him for a while now. Is he plotting something? Could his target be the Guild Leader behind me?*
*The bounty on him is quite generous. Should I report his whereabouts to the Guild Leader, have him send reinforcements, and kill Kou Beiyue to claim the reward?*
*Sigh, it wasn't easy finding a like-minded friend; it'd be a pity to kill him. But the bounty is indeed tempting. Besides, who would have thought that this kid Kou Beiyue, seemingly so simple on the surface, would be this scheming...*
With his mind racing, Human Blood Bun reached a decision.
He would report the matter to the Guild Leader, Gu King, and let him decide.
Kou Beiyue finished his milk tea in one gulp and sighed in satisfaction. "Damn, this stuff is good! I used to never be able to afford milk tea."
*He sure puts on a convincing act...* Human Blood Bun forced a smile and agreed, "Yeah, totally. Now that we're both Saints, we've got milk tea freedom."
***
Fujia Bay Villa.
Just after seeing Annie off, Guan Ya dragged her rifle into the room. Standing beside the bed, she looked down coldly at Zhang Yuanqing and flared her nostrils, sniffing the air.
While pleading, "Guan Ya, calm down," Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What are you sniffing for?"
"Sniffing to see if there's any scent of photinia blossoms!" Guan Ya's oval face was coated in frost.
"There's no scent of photinia blossoms here, only the scent of me missing you," Zhang Yuanqing declared loudly.
"And what does missing me smell like?"
"Photinia blossoms..."
***
Fu Qingyang stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in his study, watching Annie and Bill depart.
These two foreign Spirit Realm walkers represented their respective organizations and had brought congratulatory gifts for his advancement to Dominator.
The Goddess of Beauty Association was of secondary concern, but the Merchant Guild had extensive business dealings with the Fu family.
Naturally, alongside the gifts, Mr. Bill had delivered a piece of intelligence: relations between the Merchant Guild and the Bacchus Club had deteriorated sharply, and a large-scale conflict was likely to break out in the near future.
The Bacchus Club was an overseas evil organization with a feud against the Merchant Guild spanning nearly a century.
Back when the Spirit Realm first emerged, the Bacchus Club was the largest foreign syndicate and merchant league. While collecting protection money, they also controlled the trade of medicines, potions, and spirits among Spirit Realm walkers.
Even Spirit Realm walkers of orthodox professions had to go through the Bacchus Club if they wished to purchase spiritually infused medicines or stat-boosting potions.
Only as the walkers grew in level, and once the Void profession moved past its weak early combat phase, did powerful figures begin to emerge in great numbers, fueling the rise of the Merchant Guild.
With the assistance of numerous foreign orthodox professions, the Merchant Guild defeated the Bacchus Club, captured the market, and became the dominant organization governing trade among overseas Spirit Realm walkers.
In addition, the Merchant Guild cleared out and annexed the Bacchus Club's real-world assets.
The struggle between the two sides had persisted for a century, with both factions fighting tooth and nail.
Recently, because that irresponsible guild leader had finally agreed to assume the presidency, the Merchant Guild was abuzz with jubilation, while the Bacchus Club grew deeply unsettled.
Over the years, the Merchant Guild had relied on the alliance of orthodox organizations to keep the Bacchus Club suppressed.
If the world's strongest Void practitioner returned, the Bacchus Club's situation would deteriorate even further.
To prevent that guild leader's return, the Bacchus Club would certainly wage war against the Merchant Guild soon. According to intelligence Bill received from headquarters, top elites from the Bacchus Club were very likely heading to China to issue a warning to the guild leader.
When that time came, a clash would be practically inevitable.
That was a headache the Five Elements Alliance would have to handle.
What Fu Qingyang feared most was that local evil organizations would seize the opportunity to link up with the Bacchus Club and plot terrorist operations together.
Carrying his concerns, he left the study, walked down the carpeted hallway, and found Ling Jun drowning his sorrows in the side lounge.
"Your demeanor tells me you were rejected by Annie, but what is with the anger and remorse hidden beneath your mood?" Fu Qingyang asked impassively from the lounge doorway.
Hearing him, Ling Jun gulped down a mouthful of hard liquor and said through gritted teeth, "'Teach the apprentice, starve the master.' The ancients truly did not lie to me!"
***
The next day!
Sitting at the breakfast table, Zhang Yuanqing was in a rather foul mood because Ling Jun had blocked him.
Without guidance from his life mentor and lacking dating experience, he was very likely to make blunders while pursuing Guan Ya.
*Sigh, what a mess. I'll just introduce another Desire practitioner to Ling Jun later—maybe one of the Demon Lord's lovers...* Taking a sip of plain congee, he asked casually, "Bro, are you coming home for dinner tonight?"
"Why ask that?" Chen Yuanjun looked at his cousin in surprise; this wasn't the sort of thing he usually asked about.
Swallowing his steamed bun, Chen Yuanjun looked toward their grandmother. "I forgot to mention, Grandma, I won't be coming home for dinner tonight. The bureau has an operation!"
Grandma nodded. "Remember to be careful. Safety comes first, work comes second."
*My cousin's impending blood disaster is today. This is the perfect chance to look into the serial disappearances of young women. If it's the work of a Spirit Realm walker, I might even bag some merit along the way...* Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself.
Chapter 300