Taking a Master

The cloaked figure finally showed a faint smile. "A master player schemes for the overall situation; a master strategist aims for the far horizon." "I don't understand that riddle!" Lieutenant Stephen frowned, switching the subject. "What was going on with that Jumang? He possessed an absurd number of Dominator items, and my shout couldn't kill him. His Spirit Realm ID isn't Jumang." The cloaked figure's brow immediately knit together. "Explain in detail." Stephen Simpson then recounted the battle from the night before in detail. After listening, the cloaked figure fell silent for a long time, remaining as still as a statue. Lieutenant Stephen asked with a grim face, "Did you think of someone?" "I thought of a person," the cloaked figure replied in a raspy voice. "A person who is already dead. I hope it isn't what I suspect. You don't need to concern yourself with him. The leader's plan is more important. Regardless, his level is still too low. At such a critical juncture, there is no need to waste energy on him." *** After seeing off the President, Zhang Yuanqing ate breakfast in the dining hall and gathered the Saints of Return of the Dead into his bedroom. Under the concealment of a soundproofing item, he recounted the entire battle from the previous night to everyone. Guan Ya and Sun Miaomiao broke out in a cold sweat, feeling both lingering terror and a touch of resentment at the danger he put himself in. Zhao Chenghuang, Asano Ryo, and Tianxia Guihuo rejoiced that their guild leader had escaped with his life, while marveling that he was already able to participate in battles involving peak Dominators. Thinking back, they had all been companions holding hands through the Killing Dungeon. Now, he had secretly slipped into a sharp suit and combed his hair like a grown-up. Only Brother Red Chicken slapped Zhang Yuanqing's shoulder enthusiastically, calling out *hou sai lei* while declaring that surviving a great disaster meant good fortune lay ahead, and that lunch would be Canton-style congee on his dime. Zhang Yuanqing looked around at everyone and said in a grave voice, "After this battle, even if my identity isn't completely exposed, it's pretty close. But it doesn't matter. My undercover mission in the Free Confederation has basically come to an end." It could be considered a partial failure. It wasn't a total failure because he had made substantial contributions and acquired massive amounts of classified intel regarding the Covenant of Freedom, including the truth behind the advent of the Demon Seed. Furthermore, he had flushed out Catherine and taken down an eighth-level Leviathan. Now that Catherine's identity was exposed, Donna's string of lovers would definitely be removed from their posts and investigated, effectively clearing out hidden dangers for the orthodox faction. "Next, I will probably stay in a guild dungeon for a while to cultivate in seclusion and prepare for the Killing Dungeon at the end of the year." There was no dungeon in November, while mid-December was reserved for the Killing Dungeon. The mission in New York County was basically concluded, leaving little for him to do. Originally, he could have stuck his hand into the maneuvers and assassinations among Dominators, but the battle in the arena the previous night had exposed far too much information and trump cards. He was worried that the evil faction would deduce his identity and target him specifically. So he chose to take the President's advice: hide inside a dungeon to cultivate the Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record and build a solid foundation for when he ascended to Day Wanderer. "While I'm away, try to keep a low profile. You can choose to return home, or travel around the Free Confederation." After a few more instructions, Zhang Yuanqing dismissed the team members. Just as he was about to enter the guild dungeon, his phone chimed with an incoming text. [President: I'm arranging a task for you. Someone will contact you shortly. Help me confirm a matter.] Zhang Yuanqing replied: [What is it?] The President did not reply. Fifteen minutes later, Zhang Yuanqing received a text from an unfamiliar number: [Mr. Jumang, I am a member of the Relief Society. The President instructed me to arrange a meeting with you. The address is 24 Hans Street.] Zhang Yuanqing's expression turned exceedingly odd. Number 24 Hans Street was the first place he had rented in New York County—the home of the landlady and her family. The person contacting him... was his landlord, Cao Qing. Zhang Yuanqing had known that Cao Qing belonged to the Void class and was a sleeper agent groomed by the President. But he had never imagined that the landlord wasn't a member of the Merchant Guild, but rather part of his mother's Relief Society! *Does that mean I'm technically the Young Master? And he dared to charge his Young Master rent...* Zhang Yuanqing texted back: [I'll be right over.] He put away his phone, slipped on a mask and sunglasses, and left the bank building. Alternating between Star Escape, Wind Manipulation, and Dream Traverse, Zhang Yuanqing took only ten-odd minutes to arrive at 24 Hans Street. *Knock, knock!* Familiar with the place, he knocked on the security door of Room 401. Footsteps sounded from within, and the door swung open. Zhang Yuanqing once again saw the thinning hair and slight potbelly of the landlord. Cao Qing scrutinized Zhang Yuanqing for a few moments, recognizing the legendary figure despite the sunglasses and mask. He eagerly ushered him inside. "Please come in, please come in!" Zhang Yuanqing walked through the entryway into the living room and swept his gaze around, noticing that Cao Qing was home alone. Since he was currently wearing the Jumang persona, he skipped reminiscing and got straight to the point: "What are the President's instructions?" Cao Qing retrieved a sealed plastic bag from his pocket, containing several strands of hair and a few tissues. "The President wants you to help locate this person, or confirm whether he is dead or alive," Cao Qing explained. *Find someone?* Understanding the President's intent, Zhang Yuanqing took the bag, opened his inventory, and summoned the Red Dancing Shoes. *Tap, tap, tap...* The Red Dancing Shoes cheerfully twirled around their master. Zhang Yuanqing stuffed the sealed bag into the shoes and issued a tracking command. The Red Dancing Shoes stood rooted to the spot, "dazed" for several seconds, before shaking themselves and kicking the sealed bag back out. *Unable to track. The target is already dead...* Zhang Yuanqing looked at Cao Qing and said, "He's dead." "Dead..." Cao Qing sighed. "Understood." Curious, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Who were you looking for? If I may ask." Cao Qing shook his head. "I only know his name was Abe Marshall. If you wish to know more, you can ask the President yourself." Zhang Yuanqing nodded and took his leave, eager to find a place to pay the dancing penalty. *** Inside the Mohist Mechanism City. Outside the dense forest at the foot of the mountain, Empress Sandao sat cross-legged atop a slab of bluestone. Zhang Yuanqing and Commandery Princess Yinyao sat cross-legged below the stone, the former humbly seeking guidance: "Empress, what is the core profound meaning behind the Divine Power of the Sun?" After returning from the landlord's place, he had entered the guild dungeon and summoned the Old Hag, dropping to his knees to beg for her guidance in his cultivation. The Old Hag had initially been unwilling, but Zhang Yuanqing said: *This junior has drifted half his life, lamenting only that he never met a worthy master. If Empress does not cast me aside, I am willing to take you as my master!* And so, the Old Hag had happily agreed. As for Commandery Princess Yinyao, she was a yin corpse. Cultivating the Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record would be akin to playing with fire and burning herself; she ought to be diligently advancing along the Lunar path instead. But Zhang Yuanqing had told her that Human Immortals of the Musician class possessed the ability to bring the dead back to life, and who knew if she might be resurrected one day? Upon hearing this, Commandery Princess Yinyao had cheerfully come along to attend the theory lecture. Empress Sandao's voice was calm and aloof as she explained slowly, "When I first entered the sect, my elders instructed me repeatedly: to cultivate power, one must first cultivate the heart; to refine methods, one must first nurture one's nature. "To join the Pure Yang Sect, the most important requirements are an upright, unyielding character, an iron spine that would rather die than bend, and righteous integrity that refuses to associate with scoundrels and flatterers." *Bullshit! Then explain why the Sect Master of Chunyang fell into depravity!* Zhang Yuanqing internally mocked the Pure Yang Sect's slogan, but quickly grasped the meaning behind the Old Hag's words: "You mean to say that specializing in the Divine Power of the Sun requires a matching personality?" Empress Sandao nodded in approval. "A teachable pupil! "In the world of cultivation, temperament is paramount. What kind of personality you have determines what kind of arts you are suited to cultivate. Deceitful and treacherous people cannot cultivate the Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record. This is similarly reflected among Spirit Realm walkers: what kind of personality you have determines what character card you obtain. "All things carry yin and embrace yang. The Golden Crow nurtures all living things under heaven; get too close and you are scorched, stay too far and you freeze. Those who cultivate the Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record must be dignified and impartial, fierce and domineering." Empress Sandao looked at Zhang Yuanqing and said, "Your heart is open and magnanimous, your actions leave your conscience clear, and you are reasonably just. However, you are adept at flattery and lack dignity. You are capable of flying into a rage for justice and choosing mutual destruction, which is exceptionally fierce, but in dealing with the world you are slick and tactful, lacking domineering strength." *If I weren't so good at flattery, would you still like me?* Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment and said, "I understand." At that moment, Commandery Princess Yinyao raised her hand and chimed in, "Master, you have misjudged him. This boy appears slick and tactful on the outside, but underneath he is unruly, rebellious to his bones, and extremely domineering. As for the flattery, that is merely a ploy to confuse you; he is plenty dignified when dealing with me. Your disciple believes Yuanshi Tianzun is exceptionally suited to cultivating the Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record." *Adding a chicken leg to your dinner tonight!* Zhang Yuanqing gave Commandery Princess Yinyao a mental thumbs-up. Commandery Princess Yinyao concluded, "I believe he has greater aptitude than you to become the Lord of the Sun." Zhang Yuanqing silently swapped the chicken leg for arsenic. This woman was trying to praise him to death, attempting to stir up Empress Sandao's guard and suspicion against him so she could monopolize her master's favor. Empress Sandao ignored her disciple's petty bid for attention and continued, "Your Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record has already reached minor completion. But Spirit Realm walkers are bound by their character cards; without clearing the Killing Dungeon, you cannot advance. It is impossible for you to break through major realms purely through cultivation techniques. "Your Divine Power of the Sun was not earned through your own painstaking efforts, so your compatibility is low and your control is insufficient. It requires repeated breathing exercises and constant practice. Next, I will teach you the spells of the Pure Yang Sect to help you gain complete mastery over the Divine Power of the Sun. In the future, once you clear the Killing Dungeon and advance to Golden Crow, your Divine Power of the Sun will be far thicker and purer than that of experts of the same level." Zhang Yuanqing bowed deeply. "Thank you, Empress." Remembering their conversation from a few days ago, he asked, "Empress, have you observed the celestial signs recently?" Upon hearing this, the Old Hag's brow furrowed at once. "The stars are obscured, and the heavenly secrets are difficult to fathom." "What does that mean?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, bewildered. Empress Sandao spoke in a grave tone, "The Lunar has returned to its place. From this moment forth, the heavenly secrets cannot be divined." *** Free Confederation capital, Huacheng. Unlike other orthodox organizations that wished they could plant their headquarters in bustling downtowns to deter attacks from the evil faction, Heaven's Punishment's headquarters was situated in the relatively secluded western suburbs of Huacheng. Here lay memorial halls, a forest park, a golf course, and a luxury villa district, but nowhere was there a bustling crowd. As the strongest orthodox organization in the world, Heaven's Punishment had immense confidence. Heaven's Punishment headquarters housed three demigods. Both the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Prosecutor were mid-stage demigods of the second phase—which could also be classified as level eleven. Meanwhile, most orthodox demigods in the contemporary world remained stalled at level ten. Beyond their extraordinary quality of demigods, they also possessed the most complete array of orthodox classes and the largest stockpile of items. Structurally, the headquarters sprawled across sixty-eight thousand square meters and was layered with defensive formations. Eighth-level Overlookers took turns patrolling, and the Wind and Thunder Square featured a massive teleportation array. This array had been constructed at great expense by the Merchant Guild. A single email from headquarters could summon Dominators from branch offices nationwide, allowing them to teleport in for immediate reinforcement. In theory, unless the three demigod leaders of the Second District's evil faction joined forces, Heaven's Punishment headquarters was as unshakable as Mount Tai. And if the evil faction's demigods truly dared to launch a combined assault, the best possible outcome for them would still be mutual destruction. For an entire century, this organization had stood like a pillar stabilizing the seas, deterring the evil faction and providing orthodox walkers with immense confidence and security. The door to the detention cell swung open. A prosecutor dressed in a solid black suit over a white shirt, wearing a Thunder insignia on his chest, stood in the doorway. He looked at Channing Lu, who sat cross-legged on the bed wearing golden handcuffs, and said, "Channing, Taiyi Sect's Great Elder has arrived at headquarters. You will soon enter the Lightning Pool. Before that, I need to evaluate your mental state." The prosecutor opened his notebook, sat by the interrogation desk, and asked, "During these days in the detention cell, have you repented for succumbing to temptation and becoming a Fallen?" "Yes," Channing Lu nodded. "If given the chance to do it over, would you make the same choice?" "No. I feel immense regret." "What do you believe order represents?" "...Defending order. Order stands above good, evil, and justice." After asking a few more questions, the prosecutor closed his notebook and left the detention cell without another word. With an expressionless face, this Golden Prosecutor walked down the long corridor, indifferent to the vast, sweeping scenery outside, and headed straight into the office of the First-Class Golden Prosecutor. A First-Class Golden Prosecutor corresponded to a peak Dominator. Within the entire prosecutorial system, there were three First-Class Golden Prosecutors, and Milton Mack was the most active among them. Milton Mack stood by the floor-to-ceiling window holding a blue cat. The cat had straight, pointed ears tipped with tufts of long fur, resembling a lynx. The blue cat's coat was smooth and glossy, crackling with arcs of lightning—an extraordinary beast. "Rhodes, what are the results of the evaluation?" Milton asked, keeping his gaze directed outside, his voice resonant and steady. His hair and beard were already silver-white, yet his frame was burly and his muscles robust, possessing the vigor of a prime young warrior.