As far as the eye could see, thick mist swirled, its granular particles drifting with the air currents like flowing streams or fluttering veils.
Zhang Yuanqing remained cautiously rooted to the spot, resisting the urge to wander aimlessly.
Has Li Xianzong summoned this dense fog because he refuses to give up? The longer he drags this out, the slimmer my chances of escape become. Does this guy have some hidden trump card, or has he finally lost his mind?
Besides, even though I can't reach Fu Qingyang, the Public Security Bureau must have reported this to their superiors. It's understandable that the Deacon can't arrive quickly, but what about Elder Miao?
Next time I see him, I'm going to give that dog's head a good rub in anger!
Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, a gunshot rang out. Zhang Yuanqing instinctively dove to the ground and rolled away.
Bang! Bang!
Two more shots followed. A sharp pain flared in Zhang Yuanqing's abdomen—he'd been hit.
Using his memory as a guide, he rolled to a nearby public bench and used the information kiosk as cover against further bullets.
Tap-tap-tap...
Footsteps echoed from deep within the mist, followed by a casual laugh.
"I've got two minutes left, Primordial Heavenly Venerable. If you can survive two minutes against me, we'll play again next time. Otherwise, I'll end this Trial early and claim the bounty on your head."
Arrogant! Zhang Yuanqing, his temper flaring, instinctively reached for his Explosive Pistol, ready to fire at the source of the taunting voice. He quickly suppressed his rage.
He's trying to provoke me into attacking, Zhang Yuanqing thought, recalling the earlier details.
When the gunshot rang out, he had been standing perfectly still. If the enemy had already locked onto him, his head would have been blown apart instantly.
But it wasn't until he began to roll that the bullet struck his abdomen.
Was it easier to hit a moving target than a stationary one? Clearly not. Rather, his unsteady stance had initially concealed his position. It was only when he began rolling that he became a target.
He's likely using the Mist's tremors to pinpoint my location. Let's test this. Zhang Yuanqing quietly summoned Little Goofball and directed him to climb onto the interrogation table and knock over the potted plant.
Crash! Bang!
The sound of the shattering pot and the gunshot rang out simultaneously.
Confirmed. He's relying on the Mist's tremors to track me. The instant the gunshot fired, Zhang Yuanqing lunged forward, firing at the sound's origin.
The slide clacked, the muzzle spat flame and smoke, and the bullet traced a faint crimson arc through the dense Mist.
The shot missed its mark, ricocheting wildly off the walls as a stray bullet.
This is his true marksmanship.
Damn it, missed! Zhang Yuanqing rolled repeatedly, slipped into stealth mode, and fled toward the waiting room exit.
There was no need to confront this guy head-on. The hostages had been rescued; escaping was the right choice.
I have plenty of allies. Why would I duel you one-on-one?
Just as he moved, the mist behind him surged forward like a tidal wave.
Without hesitation, Zhang Yuanqing whirled around and fired.
The attacker seemed to have anticipated his move. Even before Zhang Yuanqing could fully turn and raise his arm, the attacker tilted his head, and a pale crimson streak of light grazed past his ear.
"You won't escape my mist."
The distance between them was close enough. Through the dense fog, a sharply defined face emerged: a high-bridged nose, eyes as sharp as knives, and a faint smile that seemed both mocking and challenging.
As Zhang Yuanqing recognized the face, he also noticed eerie crimson talismans glowing in the attacker's eyes.
Seduction!
The Seductive Demon's signature skill at the Transcendent Phase. Prolonged seduction could lead to complete mind control, while brief seduction could deliver a devastating blow to one's Mental Energy.
Zhang Yuanqing remained unfazed. He raised his gun and fired another shot.
Having learned from his previous battle with Ou Xiangrong, he had cast Purification on himself beforehand.
Li Xianzong's face registered clear astonishment. Reacting with the reflexes befitting a Seductive Demon, he leaned back and swung his right leg, kicking Zhang Yuanqing's wrist with a sharp crack. The bullet flew harmlessly into the ceiling.
The Explosive Pistol flew from Zhang Yuanqing's hand, spinning through the air before crashing over the railing and plummeting toward the lobby below.
Without hesitation, Zhang Yuanqing activated his Night Roaming Skill, vanishing into the shadows.
At that moment, he saw Li Xianzong raise his gun, aiming at the spot where Zhang Yuanqing had already dodged to the side.
He can see me? Is he tracking my position by the movement of the Mist? Zhang Yuanqing's heart clenched.
Night Roaming concealed sound, scent, and heat, but it wasn't true invisibility. Any movement would inevitably disturb the air currents.
In a way, the Seductive Demon's ability was a perfect counter to the Nightwalker's stealth.
Bang! Bang!
Bullets shattered the floor tiles as Zhang Yuanqing, crouching low, circled behind Li Xianzong, closing the distance to prevent him from firing again.
He gripped the Demon Subduing Pestle in one hand and the Blade of Bloodlust in the other, aiming the former at Li Xianzong's back and the latter at his neck.
Li Xianzong's lips curled into a smirk. He sidestepped, spun, and with a flourish of his right hand, the silver butterfly knife unfolded its wings, revealing its razor-sharp blade.
In a backhanded sweep, Li Xianzong's blade clashed against the Blade of Bloodlust with a clang, sending sparks flying.
Zhang Yuanqing's hand went numb, nearly losing his grip on the blade.
Suddenly, he saw Li Xianzong's leg muscles bulge, followed by the tightening of his back muscles, unleashing a downward surge of power.
The Eye of Insight granted him the ability to anticipate his opponent's moves.
Zhang Yuanqing immediately pressed his palm downward.
Crack!
A faint sound of bone fracturing echoed as his palm struck Li Xianzong's rock-hard knee.
Zhang Yuanqing staggered backward.
The dense fog still obscured his vision somewhat, slowing his reaction time.
Flames erupted from Li Xianzong's knee, burning through his pants and searing his skin, yet he seemed impervious to pain, launching his next attack without hesitation.
The butterfly knife flashed, stabbing, slashing, and slicing, leaving a trail of deep, slow-healing wounds across Zhang Yuanqing's body.
Simultaneously, Li Xianzong's free hand and legs became lethal weapons, driving Zhang Yuanqing into a relentless retreat.
Li Xianzong's close-quarters combat skills far surpassed Zhang Yuanqing's, and his Level 3 physical attributes dwarfed the Level 2 Nightwalker's.
Had it not been for the Eye of Insight's predictive abilities and the Brute's Gauntlets' agility, Zhang Yuanqing would already be lying headless on the ground.
Pfft!
Li Xianzong slashed open Zhang Yuanqing's chest with a single stroke. Blood gushed forth in torrents as the Seductive Demon tasted the crimson liquid. His eyes glowed scarlet, his battle lust surging.
Thud, thud, thud. Zhang Yuanqing staggered backward, panting heavily.
His condition was deteriorating rapidly. Agonizing pain wracked his body, and the unhealing wound was causing him to lose blood at an alarming rate, leading to dizziness and weakness.
Clearly, the butterfly knife in Li Xianzong's hand possessed a bleeding effect.
Where are the reinforcements? Is the dense fog delaying them? I can't hold out much longer. Thank goodness I didn't use the Heavenly Toad Incense Burner—that would have been playing with fire and getting burned. Zhang Yuanqing's physical state continued to decline.
Faced with the enemy's relentless, torrential attacks, he didn't even have time to retrieve the Red Veil. Moreover, summoning the Ghost Bride required a two- to three-second "charge-up" period before she would appear, making her unsuitable for this situation.
I need to create some breathing room.
"Not bad, but far weaker than I expected." Li Xianzong flicked his tongue out as if to lick the blood from his blade, but for some reason, he restrained himself. Grinning widely, he said, "You have one minute left. Don't expect any reinforcements to save you. The dense fog will disorient them, creating a Ghost Wall effect. No one's coming to rescue a piece of meat on the chopping block."
Even as he spoke, Li Xianzong's hands and feet didn't slow. He gave Zhang Yuanqing no chance to catch his breath, lunging forward like a coiled spring.
Arrogant bastard! A flash of fire ignited in Zhang Yuanqing's eyes. He clenched his fists and slammed them together against his chest.
Boom!
Flames and shockwaves erupted, tearing through the waiting hall.
Fury boiled in Zhang Yuanqing's eyes. Without pausing, he continued to slam his fists together in rapid succession.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions detonated one after another, the concussive force crashing like tidal waves.
Li Xianzong was stunned by the relentless blasts. The shockwaves slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward. He curled into a defensive ball, abandoning his attack.
The explosions raged for over ten seconds before finally subsiding. Zhang Yuanqing collapsed to the ground, blood seeping from his seven orifices. Multiple organs had been damaged, but he had finally created an opening.
Without hesitation, he summoned the Red Veil.
But just then, Zhang Yuanqing began to cough violently, hacking up bloody phlegm. Blood trickled from his nose. Hallucinations swam before his eyes. His lungs burned like fire, and his kidneys were failing rapidly.
He had been poisoned.
Li Xianzong, still curled on the ground, began to laugh—a triumphant, mocking sound that echoed through the hall. He slowly pushed himself up, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
"The Nightwalker's vitality is truly remarkable. The Gu Poison I laced on my blade took over a minute to take effect. Though Witchcraft Masters are lowly and vile, their methods are undeniably effective."
He had killed a Fourth-Tier Witchcraft Master and possessed Gu Poison. Zhang Yuanqing's vision grew increasingly blurred, his limbs felt weak, and his heartbeat faded. Despair washed over him.
Li Xianzong wasted no time. He drew the pistol from his waist and aimed it at Zhang Yuanqing's head.
"Sorry, but I'll be taking your head."
In the next instant, his vision vanished.
A Little Infant Spirit had latched onto Li Xianzong's calf, stealing his sight.
Zhang Yuanqing, the Little Goofball, froze in surprise. He hadn't ordered the Little Goofball to attack, partly because he was too busy dealing with the enemy and partly because the Brute's Gauntlets had made him reckless and impulsive.
But sensing its Master's peril, the Little Goofball had acted on its own. After all, it had already developed considerable spiritual intelligence.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yuanqing's trembling hands struggled to drape the Red Veil over his head.
"Hmph!"
Undeterred by his sudden blindness, Li Xianzong retrieved a foul-smelling cloak from his Inventory and draped it over himself.
Then, he pressed his palms together and bowed toward the ground.
Fortune Reduction, Curse!
A Witchcraft Master's Fortune Reduction and Curse affected both physical and spectral entities. While not as adept at handling spirits as an Illusion Master, this Saint-Tier Item proved remarkably effective against low-level Vengeful Spirits.
The dirty coat rippled with a dark, oily sheen, surging like a tide toward the Infant Spirit clinging to Li Xianzong's calf.
Little Goofball shrieked, his form rapidly dissolving, becoming murky and tainted with filth, yet he refused to let go.
One second, two seconds, three seconds, four seconds...
The vision switched back. Little Goofball had held on until the very end, collapsing to the ground, his form fading thinner and thinner.
As soon as his vision returned, Li Xianzong glanced at Zhang Yuanqing. He saw a red cloth draped over Zhang Yuanqing's head, and a terrifying, overwhelming Yin energy descended like a tidal wave, like a tsunami.
Li Xianzong's hair stood on end, his instincts as a Seductive Demon screaming danger.
He fired two shots at the enemy's head without waiting to see the result, then swiftly pulled a piece of chalk from his pocket and drew a circle on the ground.
In the next instant, a hazy yellow light enveloped the circle and him.
Li Xianzong vanished within the glowing barrier.
By this time, the Ghost Bride had taken control of Zhang Yuanqing's body. His arms turned jet-black, muscles bulging, dark veins pulsing beneath the skin, and sharp claws extended from his fingertips.
But the enemy had already disappeared.
Unable to find her enemy, the Ghost Bride stood frozen in place.
Go... go save him, Zhang Yuanqing silently urged.
Sensing his will, the Ghost Bride slowly approached the Little Goofball, who was on the verge of dissipating.
Zhang Yuanqing influenced the Ghost Bride, guiding her to kneel slowly, open her arms, and cradle the nearly vanished Infant Spirit as if holding something lost and found again.
He absorbed the Little Goofball into his body, finally losing consciousness with a sense of profound relief.
Fu Family Bay.
As the sun set, casting long shadows across the spacious conference hall, Fu Qingyang sat with a face as cold as frost, listening to his subordinates' reports.
Around the conference table sat White Dragon, Green Vine, Teng Yuan, Big Muscle, Boxing King, and other Kangyang District Captains, along with several key members.
"During the attack on Pingtai Hospital, seven people were killed and twenty-three sustained minor injuries. The bombs have been disarmed, but the incident has caused significant public unrest. The matter has been transferred to the Public Security Bureau for further investigation."
Li Dongze briefly summarized the aftermath, as these matters fell outside the Five Elements Alliance's jurisdiction. Their primary mission had been to neutralize the rogue Spirit Realm Walkers.
"With the exception of the mastermind, Li Xianzong, who escaped, all the other perpetrators have been eliminated. Li Xianzong had been planning this for a long time. He seduced the Fallen Ones, deepening their resolve to perish together in a suicidal attack, while he himself had already prepared his escape route," Li Dongze said, raising the remote and activating the projector.
A photo appeared on the screen, showing a circle drawn in chalk.
"After investigating the scene, we discovered how Li Xianzong escaped. According to our colleagues at the Central Court, this appears to be an Item from the 'Earth Fiend' Class. Unfortunately, the surveillance cameras were disabled at the time, so we couldn't capture the specifics," Li Dongze explained.
Ling Jun, who rarely attended such meetings, added, "Fortunately, this type of attack is difficult to replicate. According to the Morality Value penalty mechanism, although the Fallen Ones committed the murders, Li Xianzong's seduction will also result in a deduction of his Morality Value. He won't dare to pull such a stunt again for a long time."
The Morality Value system operates through both direct and indirect penalties. Indirect killing occurs when a Spirit Realm Walker uses their abilities to manipulate others into committing crimes.
However, the Morality Value deduction for indirect killing is typically less severe than for direct killing, and the extent of the penalty depends on the strength of the Walker's control.
For example, directly controlling a "puppet" to kill someone resulted in the same Morality Value deduction as committing the murder yourself. However, instigating or encouraging others to commit crimes would result in reduced or halved deductions, depending on the degree of influence exerted.
The Spirit Realm was bug-free, like a meticulously crafted program that had anticipated every conceivable loophole.
At that moment, Jiang Jingwei complained, "If Elder Miao had arrived sooner, this whole mess could have been avoided."
She voiced what the other Captains dared not say aloud.
They knew Fu Qingyang had been ambushed by Yichuan Mei, a Guardian of the Void Sect, but couldn't understand why Elder Miao had been so delayed.
Fu Qingyang glanced around the table and explained, "Elder Miao went to the Capital City on business."
To purify the Red Dancing Shoes for the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.
After this brief explanation, he turned to Guan Ya and asked, "How is Primordial doing?"
Guan Ya's mood darkened. "We administered the Life Elixir. His life is no longer in danger, but he's been quite despondent since waking up."
The Captains couldn't help but recall the scene when they found the Primordial Heavenly Venerable: kneeling on the ground, his arms wrapped around something invisible, motionless, his vital signs barely registering.
Upon examining his injuries, they discovered over a dozen knife wounds and two gunshot wounds across his body, severe blood loss, and organ failure.
It was unimaginable what kind of ordeal he had endured in those brief one or two minutes.
Fu Qingyang's brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed as he said, "Surviving Li Xianzong is already a stroke of luck. Primordial's rise has been too rapid; a setback like this might actually do him some good."
After a pause, he added, "No one is to comfort him."
Such gestures would only wound his pride.
Fu Qingyang continued:
"Your immediate task is to conduct a full-scale search for Li Xianzong within your respective jurisdictions. Alert your subordinates to remain vigilant against potential ambushes."
"Level 3 Walkers are to cease operating alone. Keep your communication channels open. Yichuan Mei has been injured and won't resurface anytime soon. Ling Jun and I will maintain 24-hour vigilance."
"As for Primordial, keep him confined to his residence for the next few days. He is not to venture outside."
The Evil Organization's Trial Mission was jointly initiated by the Spiritual Energy Association, the Military Doctrine Sect, and the Void Sect. Open to all Evil Classes, it allowed anyone to hunt Official Walkers for bounties.
Most of the time, skirmishes between minor figures were seen as petty squabbles, drawing little attention. The true spectacle lay in the clashes between geniuses and powerhouses.
The captains nodded slightly, their expressions grave.
As seasoned Official Walkers, they had witnessed countless such scenarios.
Every year, around mid-year and year-end, the Evil Classes launched unilateral hunts against the Official Walkers, engaging in cycles of reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance, hunting and counter-hunting, with casualties on both sides.
Overall, the Officials usually gained the upper hand. The only persistent headache was the Evil Classes' mastery of guerrilla warfare. Their elusive movements kept the Official Walkers constantly on the defensive.
They weren't afraid of direct confrontation; it was the ambushes that truly worried them.
"Meeting adjourned!" Fu Qingyang glanced at the Mixed-Blood Beauty. "Guan Ya, stay behind."
The others filed out of the conference room, leaving only the cousins in the vast, empty space.
"You'll be entering the Spirit Realm soon, right?" Fu Qingyang asked.
"Within half a month," Guan Ya nodded.
Fu Qingyang opened his Inventory and retrieved a rifle, approximately 1.2 meters long. Its pitch-black barrel was adorned with intricate, gold-plated patterns that shimmered with dazzling brilliance.
He handed the rifle to Guan Ya. "I remember you applied to the clan for this Item, but the Council of Elders disapproved due to your perceived laziness. From now on, it's yours."
Guan Ya raised an eyebrow. "The Council of Elders agreed?"
Fu Qingyang shook his head. "This is a reward from the clan, an early celebration of my upcoming promotion to the Elders' Council, provided I achieve Sovereign status in the mid-year Slaughter Instance. You've deliberately remained at Level 2 for too long. In this Spirit Realm, I expect you to reach Level 3. This rifle will qualify you to participate in the mid-year Instance."
"We can't keep dragging this out forever. Even Primordial is already Level 2."
This time, Guan Ya didn't refuse. She gazed silently at the weapon she had long coveted.
Songhai Suburbs, Underground Bar.
Soft lighting filled the air, thick with the scent of smoke and sweat. Relaxing music played from the speakers.
Though a bar, this place lacked the dazzling lights and raucous noise typical of such establishments. It was a black market hub for Evil Classes, used for exchanging information, conducting transactions, and arranging clandestine meetings.
Indulging in carnal pleasures was secondary.
The booths were crowded with Evil Classes, roughly twenty to thirty individuals. Some whispered secrets, others haggled over prices, and a few engaged in indecent acts in public.
Li Xianzong descended the stairs to the underground bar and sat down next to Tian Lingling. "Give me a bottle of whatever," he said.
The bartender slid over a glass of beer.
Li Xianzong drained it in one gulp, letting out a satisfying burp.
"Killing and drinking—the ultimate pleasure," Tian Lingling chuckled, clapping his junior on the shoulder. "We've all heard about what you did today. You've made quite a name for yourself in Songhai already."
Li Xianzong scoffed. "I haven't killed the Primordial Heavenly Venerable yet. Save the celebrations for when I've slaughtered that brat."
Tian Lingling swirled his drink. "You've already clashed with him? What's he like? Is he really as formidable as the legends say?"
"He's certainly tricky. He has a Saint Stage Item. As for the man himself, he's decent, but killing him won't be difficult," Li Xianzong said casually.
"Good to hear you're confident." Tian Lingling nodded. "What kind of Item is it?"
"A tattered cloth, a Nightwalker Item. Uncle Tian, do you have any connections to get me an Illusion Master Item that doesn't counter his Item? Without it, killing him will be tough," Li Xianzong revealed his true purpose for coming.
Tian Lingling chuckled. "Going after Yichuan Mei? With your physique and looks, you'd only need to offer up a kidney or two."
Li Xianzong rolled his eyes.
Tian Lingling stood up, faced the crowd, and shouted, "Everyone, did you hear about what happened at Pingtai Hospital today? Satisfied?"
The Evil Class members immediately stopped what they were doing, turned toward him, and roared in unison:
"Satisfied!"
"Feeling good?"
"Great!"
"Let's welcome our hero! Drinks are on the house tonight!"
The cheers grew even louder.
"You crazy bastard! You actually got away with it! Well done! I like your kind of madness!"
"Hahaha! The Trial just started, and you've already given the Songhai Branch a rude awakening! You're way more badass than those Capital City guys!"
"Did you beat the shit out of that Primordial Heavenly Venerable kid?"
"Hero, we're following you from now on! Take us with you to kill Official Walkers and earn some extra cash!"
Wild shouts and laughter filled the air.
A woman exercising deliberately let out a high-pitched scream.
Li Xianzong grinned. "Bunch of idiots!"
When the uproar subsided, Tian Lingling asked, "Were you followed? Did you cover your tracks?"
Li Xianzong replied casually,
"I've got it covered," Li Xianzong said, timing his departure perfectly to leave before the Saint and Miao arrived.
Among the Transcendent Phase Walkers, no one capable of tracking him had even been born yet, not even the Scouts.
As he spoke, footsteps echoed from the staircase.
Thump... thump... thump...
The footsteps were peculiar, pausing for several seconds between each step, like a toddler learning to walk.
At first, no one paid much attention. But gradually, more and more people frowned and turned to look at the staircase.
The footsteps descended steadily, maintaining their slow, deliberate rhythm, as if intentionally drawing attention.
Finally, they saw the figure descending the stairs.
It was a woman dressed in a crimson ancient-style gown, embroidered with magnificent gold thread, and wearing a silver mask.
She held a faint, shimmering red thread in her hand.
Li Xianzong's expression changed abruptly. He glanced down and noticed a hair-thin red thread tied around his ankle, which had appeared there unnoticed.
The woman in the red gown released the thread, letting it dissipate into the air. She clasped her hands behind her back, stood on tiptoe like a little girl, and said with a cheerful smile:
"Oh, what a lively gathering! What are you all playing? Can I join in?"
Her eyes, visible beneath the silver mask, darted to the bald man. She exclaimed with delight:
"Ah, it's you, Tian Lingling! I've finally found you! Do you remember the Chu Family massacre twenty-one years ago?"