Aside from the underage middle school girl, every evil class member present held an ordinary job.
Yet meager wages could hardly sustain the expenses of a spirit realm walker. Materials at the Saint stage started in the seven figures, to say nothing of props.
Master Wuhen had also set a strict rule: none of them were permitted to use their class abilities to amass wealth, even in willing, consensual transactions.
Once a breach was torn in a dam, water would inevitably pool and surge, swelling into a flood of corruption that shattered the embankment and twisted the mind.
If evil classes wanted to guard their core hearts and keep their minds from being polluted by their class traits, they had to be even more orderly than the lawful classes, holding to a higher moral baseline and greater resolve than ordinary people.
What kind of group possessed a moral standard beyond that of common mortals?
Monks!
Or rather, religious philosophy.
In truth, the core ideology of every mainstream religion in the world urged people toward goodness, advocating for the radiant side of human nature. As for why the final outcomes were often criticized by the world, that was not the fault of the faith, but the innate wickedness of human nature.
Resisting the allure of material goods and money was the very first step in combating one's inner demons and achieving self-redemption.
The members of the team had indeed adhered faithfully to Master Wuhen's teachings. Even Sweetheart Red Demon, the bank teller with the strongest material cravings, actively suppressed her worldly desires.
Still, if the stipends could be higher, who wouldn't want that?
Sitting at the head of the table, Xiao Yuan looked down both flanks of the long table, her expression cold, elegant, and stern. "This year's stipend is five hundred thousand yuan. Five hundred thousand per person."
The moment she spoke, the evil class members froze in unison, wondering if their ears were playing tricks on them.
Five hundred thousand per person? With sixteen of them, that came to a grand total of eight million! For a team that had always lived on a shoestring budget, this was an astronomical figure.
Sweetheart Red Demon, the heavily made-up bank teller, said in astonishment, "Has the hotel's business gotten that good? Revenue was abysmal last year. Ah, what a delightful sum!"
Even the aloof middle school girl and the gloomy-faced Aunt Wok couldn't help letting faint smiles grace their faces.
"Revenue was abysmal this year too. The money came from other avenues." Xiao Yuan glanced at Kou Beiyue and continued in an even tone, "Yuanshi Tianzun compensated me with ten million in cash, three top-tier Saint-stage props, and a few vials of Life Source Fluid."
Surprise flickered across the faces around the table.
Truth be told, they were more than satisfied with this compensation; in fact, they thought Yuanshi Tianzun had acted with extraordinary generosity.
"Three top-tier props and several vials of Life Source Fluid... Converted into cash, that's got to be over a hundred million. And items like that are priceless even if you have the money," Lin Chong, the gym coach, chuckled heartily. "The kid isn't half bad, is he?"
"He's quite rich, too," the middle school girl remarked.
Little Fatty's gaze swept over the table. The disgruntled mood from moments earlier had melted away, replaced by satisfaction and approval.
Xiao Yuan continued, "In truth, Yuanshi Tianzun's help to our group goes far beyond this. Group chats and text messages can be monitored by the officials, so I didn't say much earlier. Some things can only be said in private."
Hearing this, the crowd turned their eyes toward Xiao Yuan and leaned in attentively.
"He was the one who delivered Ashamed to Be a Father's dying words. Knowing full well that Ashamed to Be a Father belonged to an evil class, and knowing his companions were also evil classes, he was willing to take such a massive risk merely because he believed Ashamed to Be a Father was a good man," Xiao Yuan said calmly. "The very first time I laid eyes on him, I believed he was a good person.
"He helped Beiyue avenge his grudge, and he ran all over the place to secure Beiyue's clearance certificate from the Security Bureau. He saved Beiyue twice. After saving him the first time, he helped Beiyue settle his great feud; after saving him the second time, he helped Beiyue advance to the Saint stage.
"He agrees with Master Wuhen's philosophy, believing that one's class is not the sole measure of human nature, and that corrupt, greedy lawful classes pose no less danger than evil classes...
"He didn't hesitate to violate official regulations to execute Uncle Zhang's grandson—not out of bloodlust, but because he couldn't bear to see Uncle Zhang suffer injustice. Knowing that the hotel was struggling, he frequently sought my help just to seize the opportunity to give me money."
As Xiao Yuan recounted each event in detail, the evil class members showed various reactions: some looked astonished, some nodded with smiles, some clicked their tongues in admiration, some radiated goodwill, while others remained outwardly impassive.
Yet deep inside, every one of them was reshaping their perception of Yuanshi Tianzun—and also reshaping their understanding of Xiao Yuan's attitude toward him.
As Master Wuhen's cold, aloof eldest disciple, Xiao Yuan had never spoken of a man in such meticulous, vivid detail.
Detailed enough to lay out everything he had ever done, item by item.
In her rendering, Yuanshi Tianzun sounded like the most flawless man under heaven: supremely gifted, lively in temperament, and endowed with a profound sense of justice and moral principle.
Beyond his contributions to their group, Xiao Yuan also gave an elaborate account of Yuanshi Tianzun's exploits within official ranks—assisting an elder in hunting the Greed Divine General, resolving the Holy Grail crisis, imprisoning Heavenly King Demonic Eye, and more.
And even though Yuanshi Tianzun had remained cold and resolute toward him, Heavenly King Demonic Eye of the Soldier Master sect still held him in high esteem, valued him immensely, and regarded him as a kindred spirit.
Everyone knew that Heavenly King Demonic Eye was called the Angry Youth Heavenly King, a man who couldn't stand the slightest speck of sand in his eyes. Even if you merely snatched a child's lollipop, you would have to pay with your life.
For Yuanshi Tianzun to be regarded as a kindred spirit by such an intolerant fanatic, his moral baseline had to be unimaginably high.
Yuanshi Tianzun's image in everyone's minds shot up like a rocket, bathed in a sacred, untainted halo.
"He really is an intriguing young fellow," Chief Instructor Lin Chong said, stroking the stiff, bristly stubble on his chin. "When is the kid getting here?"
After Xiao Yuan's introduction, intense curiosity about Yuanshi Tianzun had ignited among them.
Kou Beiyue checked the time. "He should be here soon."
Just as he spoke, his phone rang. The caller ID showed Yuanshi Tianzun.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, he answered promptly. A crisp, concise voice came through the speaker: "Come down and grab the stuff."
Kou Beiyue bounced out of his chair at once and bolted out of the large suite in high spirits.
The mild-mannered, honest-looking middle-aged man pushed up his glasses and remarked, "He doesn't look hostile toward Yuanshi Tianzun at all."
A glamorous woman scoffed. "He's a rebellious kid—who knows what's going through his head?"
A white-haired old man said in a deep voice, "The more rebellious they are, the more patience you need. You can't just beat a child, but you can't spare the rod either..."
"Uncle Yang, you're already retired. Stop preaching your educational theories!" An effeminate man with delicate, charming features and light makeup pinched his thumb and middle finger in an orchid gesture, speaking with overt disdain.
He then took the hand of Sweetheart Red Demon beside him, his voice high-pitched and flamboyant: "Oh my, Sister Red Demon, where did you get your nails done? They look gorgeous! After the sermon, you must take your big sister there!"
After a wait of over ten minutes, the suite door finally swung open. Kou Beiyue pushed a dining cart inside, followed by a young man. His facial features were decent—not an ethereal, jade-faced stunner with eyes like stars, but handsome, sunny, and pleasant.
His demeanor uniquely blended the eerie nobility of a Night Walker with the ethereal mysticism of a Starlord.
The young man was also wheeling a cart, which was laden with top-shelf ingredients and bottles of fine wine.
"What are you two doing? Today is Master's sermon, not a party for drinking," a gloomy-looking middle-aged woman said coldly, scrutinizing this official genius with obvious dissatisfaction.
Zhang Yuanqing closed the door, glanced over the figures gathered around the table, and finally looked at Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan began introducing everyone, starting from her left side and moving around the table.
With a beaming smile, Zhang Yuanqing circled the room, shaking hands with each member, winking at the glamorous woman, patting the middle school girl on the head, and telling the flirtatious, seductive man, "You're truly stunning, sister."
His easy, overly familiar manner caught everyone off guard and left them somewhat ill at ease.
"Listening to the sermon and Dharma doesn't get in the way of having a good meal, right?" Zhang Yuanqing pushed a box of premium black tea toward Aunt Wok. "This was personally cultivated by the old ancestor of the Xie family. Give it a taste, Aunt Fang. Beiyue, go boil water right away—use that drum of snow mountain spring water I brought."
Aunt Fang's eyes lit up. After a moment's hesitation, she silently opened the bronze canister and gently inhaled the fragrance of the tea leaves.
Zhang Yuanqing then handed the fine liquor to Chief Instructor Lin Chong, slid the upscale desserts to the middle school girl, presented limited-edition cosmetic and skincare gift boxes to Sweetheart Red Demon and Farewell My Concubine, and offered top-tier cigars to white-haired Uncle Yang...
In truth, Kou Beiyue had long compiled the team members' Spirit Realm IDs, nicknames, profiles, personalities, and preferences into a document and sent it to him.
Zhang Yuanqing had come fully prepared. Like someone meeting his girlfriend's family and relatives for the first time, he had arranged gifts that no one could bring themselves to refuse.
And those who received them were indeed delighted.
"From now on, we're all on the same side. Here are my business cards. Feel free to come to me whenever you encounter any trouble in the future." Zhang Yuanqing handed out his cards to everyone seated.
Kou Beiyue seized the chance to pull out a chair and sit back down next to Xiao Yuan, but Zhang Yuanqing reacted like lightning, grabbing him by the collar and nudging him aside. "Go on, go on. Bring up the hot pot from downstairs, along with the induction cooker and the cast-iron pot."
Zhang Yuanqing smoothly slipped into the seat. Leaning down, he whispered into Xiao Yuan's ear, "Not bad, huh?"
Xiao Yuan shot him a sidelong glance.
Deep in her eyes, Zhang Yuanqing caught a flicker of warmth and tenderness.
Kou Beiyue soon returned. Before long, a mouthwatering, fragrant steam drifted through the suite. Premium ingredients bobbed gently in the bubbling hot pot broth, while Kou Beiyue chopped vegetables on a cutting board with a combat knife.
Little Fatty stood before the induction cooker, searing steaks in a flat skillet.
Zhang Yuanqing slung an arm around Lin Chong's shoulder, drinking heartily with him, and even linked arms with Sweetheart Red Demon to drink crossed-arm cups of wine. Nor did he neglect the two Transcendent-stage members, boldly declaring he was going to recruit them as his informants.
Initially, everyone had felt some resistance, but Yuanshi Tianzun's conversational artistry was top-tier. He discussed combat with Lin Chong, chatted about luxury brands with Sweetheart Red Demon, talked makeup with Farewell My Concubine, discussed educating children with Uncle Yang, and chatted about tea with Aunt Wok—no, Aunt Fang... A few cups of wine down, and the atmosphere grew delightfully lively.
Sipping tea and savoring their wine, the older elders ceased their grumbling.
Half a steak sat on the plate before Xiao Yuan. Holding a wine glass, she watched Yuanshi Tianzun carousing boisterously amidst the group, and a faint smile gradually softened her cold, elegant countenance.
She wasn't fond of lively clamor, but their team genuinely needed it.
At every annual gathering, everyone wore expressions of bitter sorrow and deep grievances. Their past experiences were like unhealed scars branded onto their hearts, and the enduring journey of self-redemption was so arduous and bitter that most of them had forgotten how to smile.
So smiling like this was wonderful.
Yuanshi Tianzun was like a dose of pure joy injected straight into the team.
After several rounds of drinks, Chief Instructor Lin Chong clapped a heavy hand on Zhang Yuanqing's shoulder, breath thick with alcohol, and bellowed, "I heard you took down the Greed Divine General? At the Saint stage, I've never feared anyone! Come on, we're at the same level—let's spar and see who's truly badass!"
At these words, everyone around the table frowned.
The gloomy Aunt Fang said chillingly, "Lin Chong, have you forgotten why you ended up on the wanted list in the first place?"
The profile on this Panther Head floated into Zhang Yuanqing's mind right on cue. In his early years, the man had been an idle loafer—rash, hot-tempered, and addicted to fighting. During an accidental brawl, he had killed someone and become a fugitive.
As for whom he had killed, the dossier provided by Kou Beiyue made no mention. In short, he was a ruthless brawler who never knew how to pull his punches.
"If we spirit realm walkers want to survive, isn't fighting what we have to do? Aunt Fang, save your breath. I've wanted to spar with Yuanshi Tianzun for ages!"
Lin Chong refused to listen. How could a brute ever listen to reason? He grabbed Zhang Yuanqing and moved to drag him outside.
"This fellow goes completely mad whenever he drinks," the flirtatious Farewell My Concubine grumbled with a frown.
The others set down their chopsticks, their brows tightly knit.
Master would begin his sermon in fifteen minutes; there was no time for his drunken antics. Moreover, they worried he might injure Yuanshi Tianzun.
Zhang Yuanqing glanced at Xiao Yuan. Seeing her knit her brows and shake her head, he waved his hands repeatedly. "No fighting, definitely no fighting..."
Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Yuanshi Tianzun was sensible after all, knowing better than to collide head-on with a powerful drunkard.
Lin Chong, however, grew displeased. His eyes widened into glares. "Brother, are you looking down on me? Don't worry, your big brother knows how to hold back!"
A Mist Lord was still a Mist Lord; even one walking the path of self-redemption looked intensely intimidating when provoked.
Zhang Yuanqing waved his hands again. "I'm just afraid I won't know how to hold back and end up injuring you."
The expressions of those present shifted slightly. They thought Yuanshi Tianzun had had too much to drink as well; he wasn't being rational in the slightest.
Chief Instructor Lin Chong's thick eyebrows shot up, feeling utterly slighted and insulted.
Unflustered, Zhang Yuanqing leisurely drew out Little Red Riding Hood. With a flick of his wrist, ten figures tumbled out of the hood, clad in matching uniforms with Corpse No. 1 through Corpse No. 10 embroidered across their chests.
Their faces were deathly pale, their pupils dull yet ferocious, radiating chilling, sinister auras.
The three lead yin corpses made everyone's brows twitch uncontrollably.
Ten yin corpses: three at Level 6, and all the rest Saints!
Immediately afterward, Yuanshi Tianzun exhaled softly. In an instant, a gale of yin wind howled through the suite, accompanied by the faint wailing of ghosts as a suffocating yin energy enveloped the room.
Even the bubbling hot pot broth fell completely still.
Chief Instructor Lin Chong stared at Zhang Yuanqing in a daze.
Uncle Yang and the others stared at him in equal bewilderment.
Was this the kind of lineup a newly advanced Level 6 Starlord was supposed to have?
Such a force might not be able to wipe out their entire group in a single go, but dealing with a solitary Level 6 Mist Lord wouldn't even require him to lift a finger.
"Come on, let's go spar," Zhang Yuanqing said, taking Brother Chong's hand.
Brother Chong jerked his hand back violently, sobering up in an instant. "No more sparring... I don't think there's any need for a spar..."
The feast resumed, but the looks everyone gave Yuanshi Tianzun had quietly shifted.
He was indeed a newcomer, but in a mere half a year, he had traversed a path that took others years, or even over a decade, to walk. He was far more terrifying and powerful than the rumors suggested.
He was a rising star, yet someone they had to look at as an equal—or even gaze up toward with awe.
Yuanshi Tianzun's contributions to Wuhen Hotel had won their approval, and now, the sheer strength he displayed had commanded their respect.
Little Fatty and Kou Beiyue exchanged a glance. The latter felt a touch of envy toward Yuanshi Tianzun's interpersonal prowess; no matter where the man went, he could always hold down the room.
Xiao Yuan helped cut a portion of steak, slid it in front of Zhang Yuanqing, and then checked her wristwatch. "Five minutes left.
"Before entering the venue, let me brief you on the rules and process.
"While Master delivers the sermon, do not interrupt, do not speak, and do not doze off, though crying is permitted. After the sermon concludes, everyone will have an opportunity to confess. If you feel an impulse to repent, do not suppress it; speak it aloud, as that helps purge negative emotions."
*I'm here to make the Master confess!* Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself.
"Upon entering the grounds, Master will erect a Demon-Revealing Mirror before the Buddha. The mirror will project your true essence, and everyone must be reflected in it. The Demon-Revealing Mirror is a Dominator-grade prop; ordinarily, one would never get the chance to use it," Xiao Yuan explained patiently.
A Demon-Revealing Mirror that reflects one's true essence? Zhang Yuanqing's heart gave a stir.
White-haired Uncle Yang offered a kindly smile. "That's meant for evil scoundrels like us. You belong to a lawful class and you're a good child; whether you look into it or not makes no difference."
"I just hope my hostility isn't too heavy this year, or else my whole year of cultivation will have gone down the drain," Chief Instructor Lin Chong said, sounding both hopeful and nervous.
As they spoke, Xiao Yuan checked her watch once more, took out a black jade talisman, and announced in a clear, brisk voice:
"Time's up!"
With that, amid the sudden straightening of everyone's backs, she crushed the jade talisman.
Chapter 524