Six Dominators taking part? Well, that makes sense. It isn't time for demigods to take the field yet. If the President stepped in and slaughtered all the evil faction's Dominators, the evil faction's demigods would surely follow suit. Whether Orderly or evil, nobody wants to become a commander without an army unless driven to absolute desperation.
Zhang Yuanqing began to wonder which Dominators would be participating. First, he needed to head back to Heaven's Punishment—there was another operation today to clean up evil faction Saints!
He activated Spirit Devouring, swallowing Nige's spiritual body into his belly, and then vanished into dreamy starlight.
***
Eight in the evening.
Zhang Yuanqing stepped out of the bank building, used Star Escape to slip into an unoccupied house in Queens, pulled off the dust sheet covering the sofa, and lay down to wait.
He took advantage of the spare time to place a video call to Xiao Yuan and fill her in on his current situation abroad.
The Palace Master and Guan Ya were both abroad as well. He met regularly with the former to go shopping and sample foreign delicacies. With the latter, he was joined at the hip, keeping her thoroughly drenched and breathless day after day.
Only Xiao Yuan could be seen through a screen.
More than a month had passed since the destruction of the Wuhen Hotel, but that short span of time had not erased the wounds in Xiao Yuan's heart. She had grown colder and more taciturn, showing a trace of tenderness only when facing him.
She was currently serving as Fu Qingyang's informant, secretly gathering intelligence on the evil faction with a particular focus on the Southern School. However, because Illusionists were elusive and difficult to capture, she had only managed to hunt down three Illusionists and one Dream Master over the past month, which left her far from satisfied.
Even so, when it came to leveling up, backed by Money Prince's heavy funding—with ample support in props, materials, and mechanical weapons—Xiao Yuan had sailed smoothly through two trials. Her experience bar was now at 58% of Level 6, and she had decided to enter the year-end killing trial to make a push for the Dominator stage.
Through Cold-Blooded Steamed Bun's introduction, Kou Beiyue had joined the Eastern Branch of the Psionic Society. Ever since the Wuhen Hotel became history, he seemed to have undergone a complete metamorphosis—not in intelligence, but in temperament.
Kou Beiyue had transformed from a foolish pup into a dangerous, feral wolf. He fought with reckless abandon and struck to kill every time. Relying on his fearless, cold-blooded brutality, he had gained a bit of fame in evil class circles, earning the moniker "Little God of Slaughter." The Poison King took a liking to him and appointed him a Deacon, placing twenty thugs under his command.
*Master Wuhen still has a chance of resurrection, but the other members of the hotel have no hope at all. When someone dies, their flame goes out—there isn't the slightest chance of bringing them back!* Zhang Yuanqing sighed.
Soon, nine o'clock arrived.
A man in a solid black suit and a silver mask appeared in the spacious, dim living room.
"New York County really does have a lot of empty homes. Never the same one twice," Mr. President remarked with feeling, looking at Zhang Yuanqing. "Are you ready?"
Zhang Yuanqing nodded.
Mr. President raised his hand and snapped his fingers. "Banish!"
As soon as the word fell, Zhang Yuanqing's vision blurred, and the world spun. An instant later, he found himself in a peculiar meeting room.
Before him was an austere wooden conference table flanked by twelve high-backed chairs. The wall behind the head seat displayed an axe and a shield, while the walls on either side bore tiger pelts and mounted deer heads.
A thick wool carpet covered the floor.
It looked somewhat like the council chamber of a medieval lord.
Six people sat upright around the primitive conference table:
Fu Qingyang, dressed in white, with sword-sharp eyebrows and starry eyes; Chris Gustave, looking valiant in loose camouflage trousers and a dark-green tank top; the cool and glamorous prosecutor Vinnie Bernt; a handsome young man with a sports headband wrapped across his forehead; and a gorgeous young woman in a brilliant red dress, resembling a highborn lady of ancient times.
—In front of Chris sat a glass fishbowl, where a small, colorful fish swam merrily.
When he laid eyes on these five people, Zhang Yuanqing nearly lost his composure.
Chris and Vinnie were understandable. After all, they were two of the big three in the Heaven's Punishment New York County branch; wiping out evil faction Dominators was their duty.
But what was the deal with Money Prince and Demon Eye Heavenly King? Especially Demon Eye Heavenly King! You're a Heavenly King of the Soldier Master sect—instead of punishing evil and purging villains in the Northwest, what did you run to New York County for?
And Money Prince and the Palace Master hadn't given him any prior warning whatsoever.
*Seriously, it's a room full of familiar faces...* Zhang Yuanqing muttered under his breath, turning his gaze toward the final Dominator.
This was a middle-aged man draped in gold and silver. Six or seven thick gold chains hung around his neck alone. His left wrist bore a gold bracelet, a silver bracelet, a jade bracelet, and a diamond bracelet, and his right wrist was adorned identically.
He possessed sharp Western features, slightly graying temples, eyes gleaming with mercantile shrewdness, and an affable smile that promised mutual prosperity.
"Everyone is here! This is the core figure of our operation, New York County's rising star, Mr. Jumang!" Mr. President began to clap loudly.
Aside from the gold-and-silver-clad middle-aged man joining in the applause, the other five automatically ignored the demigod's theatrical antics.
Mr. President blinked to the middle-aged man's side, patted his shoulder, and made the introduction:
"This is the Vice President of the Merchant Guild, Panxi Edison."
*Panxi Edison?!* Zhang Yuanqing was startled as the man's information surfaced in his mind: one of the two Vice Presidents of the Merchant Guild, leader of the Profit Faction, and a Level 9 peak Dominator.
This was someone on par with the Ten Elders.
He took another look at the Dominators present. Aside from the Palace Master at Level 7, everyone else was a Level 8 Dominator, and all possessed divine artifacts.
Even the Palace Master had the Demon Refining Pot with administrator privileges.
Now add a peak Dominator leading the charge... Did the President consider this operation exceptionally perilous? Were the enemy Dominators of extraordinary caliber, or might they face the legendary gaze of a god?
Otherwise, with the lineup present, even a Level 9 peak Dominator would meet a bitter end.
Panxi Edison stood with a beaming smile and eagerly extended his hand.
"A pleasure to meet you, an absolute pleasure! Here is my card. You are a valued junior of the President, which makes you one of our own. If you ever buy anything from me, I'll give you fifty percent off. If you sell anything to me, I'll buy it above market price."
He spoke fluent Mandarin, his attitude warm and his smile gentle, devoid of any peak Dominator pressure. He looked just like a slick, worldly merchant.
"Take everything he says in reverse," Mr. President chimed in from the side. "Sell him something, and he'll cut the price by fifty percent. Buy something from him, and it's well above market price."
Zhang Yuanqing acted as if he hadn't heard, eagerly taking the business card. "Vice President Edison clearly looks like an honorable businessman. Whether buying or selling in the future, whatever price you name is the price it will be. If I raise a single objection, I'll spell Jumang backward."
The acquaintances here already knew his true identity, so there was no need to put on an act.
Meanwhile, Chris, Vinnie, and Panxi had never met Yuanshi Tianzun, so they wouldn't suspect anything just because his social skills had suddenly improved.
Panxi Edison smiled with satisfaction at Jumang's polished words.
Mr. President then introduced Demon Eye Heavenly King. "Demon Eye Heavenly King. You must have heard of him."
Zhang Yuanqing cooperated by putting on a look of sheer astonishment: "Demon Eye Heavenly King?!"
"No need to be nervous, he's on our side," Mr. President explained. "Demon Eye and Yuanshi Tianzun were sworn brothers through life and death. After Yuanshi Tianzun returned to the Spirit Realm, Demon Eye Heavenly King joined forces with Elder Fu to form an Avengers alliance, vowing to fight the Dark Night Rose and the Southern School to the bitter end to avenge his dearest brother..."
*Hey, hey, how did you come up with such a cringeworthy line? Yuanshi Tianzun would die of embarrassment all over again in the underworld...* Zhang Yuanqing cursed inwardly.
Demon Eye Heavenly King curled his lips. "No, I never purge sins for vengeance. I do it to maintain world peace and justice."
*You shut up too!* Zhang Yuanqing's cheek twitched.
Chris and Vinnie looked somewhat uncomfortable. Under normal circumstances, it was unthinkable for them to sit at the same table as an evil Dominator. But the one who convened this meeting was the sole demigod of the Void class.
He was the President of the Merchant Guild.
A demigod's request could not be refused.
Although the two female Dominators had never visited the Second District, they had heard plenty about Demon Eye Heavenly King. Just as the legends described, he was a self-righteous fanatic.
Fu Qingyang said calmly, "Mr. President, trivia can be set aside. What exactly is this secret operation of yours?"
The Dominators at the table reined in their emotions and sat up straight.
"First, let me explain the operational background!" Mr. President began.
"The evil faction in New York County controls a high-tier item capable of corrupting Orderly classes. We do not yet know the upper limit of that item, only that even Level 8 Dominators can have their cognition warped by it.
"Relying on this item, the Covenant of Freedom has corrupted a vast number of Orderly members. They hold regular gatherings centered around that item—a thoroughly decadent and debauched affair..."
The Palace Master of Halting Slaughter cut him off testily, "Get to the point!"
"The decadent and debauched gathering *is* the point. According to reliable intelligence, the Covenant of Freedom has a plan underway: they want to control Donna Caroline, and then use this New York County branch president of the Association of God of Beauty to corrupt and control the high-ranking members of the Orderly faction here. The operation is set for tomorrow's gathering."
Chris and Vinnie were visibly shocked.
Ever since the major victory at the harbor, the evil faction had kept a very low profile. Their Saints and Dominators had gone into hiding, rarely clashing directly with the Orderly faction.
Even with the Sea God Church, Heaven's Punishment, and the Merchant Guild searching with all their might, results had been sparse.
The Orderly leadership had deduced that the evil faction was lying low to scheme in secret, but none had imagined their target was Donna.
It was indeed a venomous scheme!
Vinnie frowned. "President, Donna's charm is potent enough to drain the will to fight from anyone. Unless a demigod steps in, it's impossible for the evil faction to force her to attend the gathering."
Mr. President nodded. "Which is why the Covenant of Freedom had the Dream Master Sect Master Tongtian disguise himself as Jumang to seduce Donna. While she is swept up in passion, he is to crush a teleportation array talisman and bring her to the gathering.
"According to my deductions, the gathering's location should be inside the Spirit Realm, which is why an array was constructed. If we want to enter the gathering, we must use the teleportation talisman provided by the Covenant of Freedom."
Zhang Yuanqing cooperated by producing the silver triangular talisman and displaying it to everyone.
Mr. President continued, "Donna Caroline's beauty is widely known, and not a few evil Dominators covet her. Numerous Dominators will certainly appear at tomorrow's gathering. When the time comes, the six of you will raid the gathering and wipe them all out in one swoop.
"Let me add two pieces of information. First, Donna had already taken a liking to Jumang and wanted to make him her lover. Second, Sect Master Tongtian was secretly hunted down by us not long ago. The intelligence was obtained from him, so its authenticity is guaranteed."
In the fishbowl before Chris, the little fish Ruth poked its head out and said in a delicate voice, "This could also be a trap set by the evil faction—sacrificing a Dream Master just to lure us to our deaths."
Panxi Edison smiled. "Which is why my purpose in joining this operation is to ensure you can all withdraw safely."
As a peak Dominator of the Void class, there were few places capable of trapping him, and he could traverse the Spirit Realm at will.
Trials in the Spirit Realm were countless, making it virtually impossible to pinpoint the gathering's location without the talisman. But once inside the gathering grounds, opening a teleportation passage to leave was as simple as lifting a hand.
Fu Qingyang and the Palace Master made no comment. They already knew Sect Master Tongtian was Yuanshi's alternate identity, so Chris's concern did not apply.
Mr. President pressed his hands down to signal for calm. "Donna arranged to meet Sect Master Tongtian for a date at three tomorrow afternoon. I will have Jumang keep the appointment and play along with the Covenant of Freedom's plan. Once Jumang opens the spatial corridor, I will teleport the rest of you over."
Demon Eye Heavenly King sneered, "Lucky in love, aren't we?"
Vinnie, Chris, the Palace Master, and Fu Qingyang all looked at Zhang Yuanqing. Their expressions ranged from playful mockery to teasing, with a few hints of veiled threat.
The Palace Master frowned. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just have that Donna woman cooperate? Jumang is only a Saint; he could easily be enchanted out of his mind and ruin everything."
The President shook his head. "No! The Covenant of Freedom has planted a spy by Donna's side who will be monitoring the date. To fool the spy, Donna must be kept in the dark as well.
"If the spy notices anything amiss, the gathering might be canceled. Naturally, taking control of the spy would work too, but we haven't identified who the spy around Donna is yet."
The Palace Master fell silent.
Sitting upright in the head seat, Mr. President said in a low voice, "Next, let us discuss the risks. You will be facing not only evil Dominators, but potentially the direct gaze of a god. I will provide you with an item."
He reached out into empty air and retrieved a dark-gold stone seal from the void.
The stone seal was roughly the size of a fist, square-shaped with smooth, rounded edges. The center was carved with a three-legged Golden Crow, surrounded by radiating lines along the borders.
The moment this dark-gold stone seal appeared, the temperature in the austere council chamber spiked sharply, as if midsummer had arrived in an instant.
"The Golden Crow Seal! An item of Day Wanderer status, with the powers of purification and incineration." Mr. President tossed the stone seal to Jumang. "This item will be controlled by you. As it should be."
Chris and Vinnie frowned, unable to understand why a Dominator-tier item was being entrusted to Jumang.
A Dominator-quality item came with severe side effects; this would only harm him.
*You aren't even bothering to hide it anymore, are you?* Zhang Yuanqing caught the item, his emotions complicated as he checked its properties.
The President's tone made it clear that this item was a relic left behind by his father.
[Name: Golden Crow Seal]
[Type: Weapon]
[Functions: Purification, Incineration]
[Description: This stone was originally a branch-weighting stone from the legendary Golden Crow's nest. Having been bathed in divine solar power over countless years, it took on the aura of the Golden Crow, becoming an exceptionally formidable item.]
[Remarks: It will burn enemies, but it will also burn its wielder.]
[Remarks: Under the full radiance of the sun, all external powers shall be dispersed.]
The item had two costs. First, while in use, the wielder's body would be incinerated by divine solar power; only a Day Wanderer was immune to this burning.
Second, while in use, the wielder could not use any other skills or items.
*No wonder he gave it to me. Although I'm not a Day Wanderer yet, my Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record has reached minor accomplishment, giving me half a solar physique. The incineration will probably be agonizing, but used in moderation, it won't reduce me to ashes...* Zhang Yuanqing understood.
By contrast, though the Dominators present possessed higher tier status, forcibly using the Golden Crow Seal would only end in mutually assured destruction.
"The purification will protect you from corruption while countering the evil Dominators' skills," Mr. President said. "I will hold off the evil faction's demigod for you, but you only have half an hour. Do your best. Ah, and you may handle all the spoils of war yourselves—that will be your compensation.
"Before the operation begins, you must remain here and refrain from contacting the outside world. Although all of you were chosen by me and have reliable backgrounds, you can never rule out a traitor."
With that, he snapped his fingers. "Banish!"
Jumang vanished from the council chamber.
An instant later, Mr. President also vanished from the head seat, leaving the trial grounds.
Chapter 755