A villa on the outskirts of the city.
In the living room on the first floor, Li Xianzong sat on a high-backed chair, facing the room.
On the plush sofa, a mature and intellectual woman reclined languidly. She wore black-framed glasses, her features cold and elegant, her aloof and stern demeanor reminiscent of a strict schoolteacher.
Yet beneath her thin gauze robe, her voluptuous figure stood in stark contrast to her austere aura.
For ordinary men, such a bewitching beauty would have left them dry-mouthed and aroused, even if countless others shared the same desire.
But Li Xianzong remained unmoved by her allure, stating his purpose for visiting:
"I need an Item capable of suppressing high-level Spectral Entities, at least of the Saint Stage."
Yichuan Mei remained reclined, her snow-white arm propping up her delicate chin. Her voice was icy: "Twenty million in cash, or an equivalent Item or materials."
Li Xianzong grinned. "No money."
If Morality Value wasn't a concern, the quickest way for a Seductive Demon to amass wealth was to establish a "cult," seducing masses of people into making offerings and accumulating vast sums of cash in a short period.
A more reliable approach involved seducing the masses, gathering followers, establishing a company, and earning money through legitimate means.
However, this method carried the risk of attracting scrutiny from the Officials, potentially rendering years of effort futile. Moreover, most Seductive Demons lacked the energy, interest, or ability to manage a company effectively.
Yichuan Mei, having anticipated this, scoffed:
"Among the three major professions, only your Military Doctrine Sect remains impoverished, obsessed with nothing but murder and destruction."
In front of Li Xianzong, she reached into her snowy cleavage and retrieved a needle case. Inside were three slender, jet-black needles. She said:
"I recommend consumables. Three Soul-Shattering Needles and three million in cash. Alternatively, you can substitute equivalent Items or materials. These needles can severely injure Level 4 Spectral Entities and inflict significant damage on Level 5 entities. As for Level 6..."
She chuckled softly. "I trust you're intelligent enough not to provoke enemies of that caliber."
"Agreed. I'll deliver within three days," Li Xianzong replied.
"No, no, no," Yichuan Mei wagged a finger.
"You still owe me ten strong Orderly Walkers. That was your promise. I won't proceed with the next stage of our deal until you deliver them."
"I took a serious injury blocking Fu Qingyang for you. He truly lives up to his reputation as one of the Five Elements Alliance's most formidable young talents."
As she spoke, a feverish flush rose on her cheeks. She pressed her legs together, her voice growing rapturous:
"His sword strikes were unstoppable, like a mountain collapsing or a tsunami crashing. It was exhilarating! That's the ultimate experience."
Li Xianzong stared at her manic expression and cursed inwardly: Pervert!
"Fine. I'll capture ten Orderly Walkers for you within half a month."
He needed to acquire Items effective against high-level Spectral Entities, even if they were consumables. Only then could he counter the Primordial Heavenly Venerable's trump card.
Before the Grand Slaughter Instance opened, he had to strengthen himself as much as possible.
Hunting the Primordial Heavenly Venerable offered several advantages: it would hone his skills and accelerate his growth; the bounty was substantial, with enticing rewards in both cash and Items; and the brat was loaded with valuable gear, practically swimming in wealth.
Even without the Trial Mission, Li Xianzong would have attempted to hunt the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.
Huayu Hotel.
At a café with an open-air terrace, Xie Lingxi sat under a parasol, gently stirring her coffee with a silver spoon, the ice cubes clinking softly against the glass.
"Brother Primordial, you haven't contacted me in ages," she pouted, her voice tinged with hurt. "I stayed in Songhai just for you, but why have you been ignoring me?"
Across the small table, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly understood. "Ah, I see. My fault entirely. I shouldn't have neglected you. Come, let's go back to my room. I'll show you just how hot your brother can be."
"Pervert~" the little green tea giggled, covering her mouth. Then she wrinkled her nose. "Brother Primordial, you look so uncool like this. I still prefer your original look."
Zhang Yuanqing had once again disguised himself as Wang Tai, his features unremarkable and his demeanor socially awkward.
"Better safe than sorry. You know Li Xianzong has his eyes on me," Zhang Yuanqing said, taking a sip of his coffee.
Xie Lingxi exclaimed, "Brother Primordial, I heard you stormed the hospital alone yesterday, single-handedly taking down the criminals, holding off Li Xianzong, and making a huge contribution to The Officials' rescue operation. You're amazing!"
Look at that—the benefits of being a "little green tea"! Zhang Yuanqing sighed.
"No matter what, I still got a beating. The gap between me and Li Xianzong is huge."
"That's because Brother Primordial hasn't reached Level 3 yet," Xie Lingxi said, resting her cheek in one hand while stirring her coffee with the other. Beneath her long lashes, her eyes sparkled with watery brightness. "Once you come out of the Spirit Realm next time, you'll easily defeat Li Xianzong."
"I've always believed in you, Brother Primordial."
A strange sense of comfort washed over Zhang Yuanqing. "Are you using your soothing ability on me?"
"What? I'm just telling you what I really think~"
As Xie Lingxi's flattery gradually emptied his coffee cup, Zhang Yuanqing's mood completely recovered, leaving no trace of his earlier dejection or heaviness.
The Musician's soothing ability is indeed impressive, but the cost is a significant increase in my affection for Xie Lingxi. Zhang Yuanqing examined his heart, finding all shadows dispelled.
At that moment, Xie Lingxi picked up her delicate handbag from the table, unzipped it, and retrieved a black jade stone that shimmered with dreamlike radiance from within.
"Brother Primordial, this is my gift for you."
Zhang Yuanqing paused, surprised. "You're giving this to me?"
"I don't need it anyway," Xie Lingxi said with a radiant smile. "As a delicate and adorable young lady, far removed from conflict, possessing this Jade Talisman would be a waste. It's better to give it to you, Brother."
This gift was far too precious. Zhang Yuanqing had secretly considered how to trick her into giving him the Jade Talisman, but it was just a fleeting thought, never intended to become reality.
She must be worried about Li Xianzong assassinating me, he thought. No matter what she says, the gap in our power is undeniable.
So far, whether it was The Officials, his friends, or even unaffiliated Walkers, no one believed he could stand against Li Xianzong. Everyone felt that Primordial Heavenly Venerable, having been targeted by Li Xianzong, was in grave danger.
"Keep it for yourself. I haven't fallen that far yet," Zhang Yuanqing said, pushing the Jade Talisman back. He feared that if he accepted it, he would lose his resolve to train relentlessly in combat, burning his bridges and committing fully to the struggle.
Xie Lingxi didn't press the matter further. She retracted the Jade Talisman and whispered, "Brother Primordial, Sister Palace Master is also at the hotel. She wants to see you."
"Huh? That beautiful, wild-spirited sister is here too?" Zhang Yuanqing exclaimed in surprise. Thank goodness I came disguised as Wang Tai, he thought. If I had shown my true face, that crazy, lustful woman would have kidnapped me to be her male consort!
Xie Lingxi stood up, took Brother Primordial's arm, and led him out of the café, back to their room.
Outside the presidential suite, Xie Lingxi pressed the keycard into Zhang Yuanqing's hand and whispered, "Go ahead."
Noticing she had no intention of joining him, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Aren't you coming in?"
Xie Lingxi shook her head vigorously, retreating several steps.
Girl, your reaction is making me inexplicably anxious, Zhang Yuanqing thought as he watched the little green tea hurry away. Instead of swiping the card immediately, he retrieved the Eye of Insight.
Come to think of it, he'd never had the chance to use this Item to peer into the minds of powerful figures.
This was the perfect opportunity to gauge the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter's attitude toward him and to assess the true extent of her madness.
Zhang Yuanqing put on the sunglasses and swiped the card.
Beep-beep~
The door opened, and as he stepped into the foyer, he saw the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter seated behind a desk directly opposite the entrance. She wore a magnificent crimson ancient robe, its chest and sleeves embroidered with golden cloud and dragon patterns.
Elegant and imposing.
"Palace Master, you wished to see me?" Zhang Yuanqing nodded in greeting.
Beneath her silver mask, her bright, spirited eyes scrutinized him. She chuckled softly. "You've maintained your composure remarkably well after being beaten by Li Xianzong. I thought you'd be depressed for days."
"I came to Xie Lingxi for psychological therapy," Zhang Yuanqing replied. "That little girl is excellent at comforting people. Being with her always makes me inexplicably happy."
As he finished speaking, Zhang Yuanqing keenly observed her, noticing subtle details:
Her eyes told him she was displeased, and her emotions were directed at him. I haven't done anything to upset her, he thought.
The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter sat regally behind her desk, idly playing with her sleeve as she said softly:
"I'll be leaving Songhai soon for business up north. Before I go, shall I kill Li Xianzong for you? I wouldn't want to return to Songhai and hear you've died at his hands—after all, you're my designated male consort."
"Xie Lingxi is like a younger sister to me. You should spend more time with her."
Her concern was genuine, not teasing, yet it carried a complex undercurrent. She seemed reluctant for him to agree to her suggestion about Xie Lingxi, but her tone and gaze held a subtle warning.
"You'd really help me?" Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up.
The Palace Master nodded slightly. "Five million, and I'll kill him for you."
Five million? Even if I sold myself, I couldn't earn that much! Wait, why did she sound so vengefully pleased when she said "five million"? Zhang Yuanqing scrutinized her, deducing her new intentions:
She keeps staring at my glasses, her gaze growing increasingly dangerous. Damn, she wants to hit me! She's realized I'm spying on her.
Startled, Zhang Yuanqing calmly removed his glasses and said:
"No need. I'll handle my own troubles."
Hearing this, the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter's eyes curved into a smile, seemingly very pleased with his answer. She chuckled, "To become a true powerhouse, you can't rely on external forces forever. The path to the summit must be forged step by step. Li Xianzong is a formidable foe, but not an invincible one.
"If you let the humiliating defeat in the hospital fill you with fear and accept my bargain, I'll be deeply disappointed."
She was testing me all along.
The Palace Master continued, "Leave now. Tell that brat to come here."
Even without his glasses, Zhang Yuanqing could sense her malice. Poor little green tea. He nodded and left the room.
As he stepped out and turned toward the elevator, he saw Xie Lingxi waiting there with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, Brother Primordial, you're out so soon?" Her face fell with disappointment. "Didn't Sister Palace Master bully you?"
"Why would she bully me?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
"That's just how she is! She loves bullying people. She'll hang someone upside down at the slightest provocation. I was already preparing to storm in and rescue you!"
"Does she bully you often?"
"Mm-hmm. Whenever she's in a bad mood, she takes it out on me. She always calls me 'brat' when she's about to bully me."
"Oh, so you're the 'brat' after all."
"Brother Primordial... what do you mean?" The smile slowly faded from Xie Lingxi's face.
Zhang Yuanqing gave her a pitying look. "The Palace Master just told me to go get the 'brat' for her."
Xie Lingxi's small face paled.
Zhang Yuanqing left Huayu Hotel, pulled on a baseball cap and mask, and glanced around to confirm he wasn't being followed. With his hands in his pockets, he strolled down the street.
He planned to spend the afternoon training in martial arts with Guan Ya, as they had agreed that morning.
The training ground was located in Fu Family Bay, which had dedicated facilities for combat practice. Moreover, being under the Centurion's watchful eye, he wouldn't have to worry about assassinations or ambushes.
He was now too wary to even visit the Public Security Bureau.
Zhang Yuanqing was confident that with his physical aptitude, mastering the basics of martial arts wouldn't be difficult. With personal instruction from the Veteran Driver, renowned as a combat prodigy, he believed his close-quarters combat skills could improve rapidly in a short time—provided he put in the hard work.
Once I've improved my martial arts, my next goal is to wait for the Spirit Realm to open.
Just as he was thinking this, his phone rang. It was Fu Qingyang calling.
"Centurion, I was just about to head over," Zhang Yuanqing answered.
Fu Qingyang said, "Elder Miao has returned from the Capital City. Come to my office immediately."
"Is my Item issue resolved?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, overjoyed.
Fu Qingyang hummed in confirmation, his tone oddly strained. "Hurry over. Don't keep the Elder waiting."
Don't keep the Elder waiting? What does that mean? Zhang Yuanqing didn't understand. Why would an Elder need to personally wait for me over such a trivial matter?