Realm Walker

Zhang Yuanqing hailed a taxi and rushed to Fu Family Bay. He swiped his card through the reader to get past the security gates, entered the community, and arrived at the front gates of the luxurious villa.

The moment he stepped inside the grounds, he spotted Ling Jun crouching beneath a decorative tree, wearing a loose-fitting shirt, cropped pants, and flip flops. The young man had his arms wrapped around the trunk, muttering something under his breath.

Zhang Yuanqing followed his gaze upward. Among the lush branches was a phone, around which was coiled a thin green vine. The phone's camera was pointed at one of the villa's windows, and the angle kept shifting, as though it were filming something.

What on earth is he doing? Zhang Yuanqing wondered.

He sidled closer and asked, "Are you peeping on the bunny girls in the bath?"

Ling Jun glanced back and shushed him. "Why would I bother filming that? Keep it down. I'm shooting front page material here."

Was there really anything in the world more worth filming than slender-waisted, long-legged beauties bathing? If so, it would have to be a sow in a bathtub. Zhang Yuanqing eyed him suspiciously. Was this guy the same ascetic type as Fu Qingyang?

He was about to press further when Ling Jun waved him away. "Go do your thing. Stop standing here like a lamppost, or you'll blow my cover."

With no other choice, Zhang Yuanqing turned and followed the flagstone path across the lawn into the villa's interior. He navigated the familiar route to the study, knocked lightly on the brown double doors twice, and then pushed them open.

As they swung wide, a sound greeted him—familiar, and almost endearing.

Tap, tap, tap.

The lavishly-decorated study revealed itself in stages. First, he noted a curly-haired poodle perched atop the desk. Then, beside it, a brand new pair of red dancing shoes.

The shoes were circling Elder Teddy, engaged in a vicious assault.

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack!

It flitted around, delivering a flying kick here, a savage stomp there, alternating between the left and right cheeks, like an irritating, inexhaustible fly that refused to be swatted. Zhang Yuanqing couldn't be sure, but Elder Teddy's expression seemed to radiate a profound wish for death.

Fu Qingyang, Guan Ya, and Jiang Jingwei sat on the sofa in the reception area. The red haired girl watched Elder Teddy's ordeal as though it were primetime entertainment, giggling and cackling without restraint. Guan Ya's lips were pressed into a thin line, her composure hanging by a thread. Fu Qingyang's expression was a brick wall as usual, but his gaze did not leave Elder Teddy for a single instant. He couldn't bear to look away.

So the Elder triggered the Red Dancing Shoes' kill rule, Zhang Yuanqing realized. It's truly a worthy rule-type item if even an elder can't neutralize it.

Still, he had to respect the old dog's dignity. He'd rather endure endless kicks to the face than dance. He drew a deep breath and strangled the laugh that was clawing its way up his throat.

As the door opened, Fu Qingyang and the others looked over. Elder Teddy's gaze sharpened to a razor's edge, and murderous intent radiated toward the newcomer.

Zhang Yuanqing dropped into a deep bow without hesitation. "Elder, thank you for traveling all the way to the capital on my behalf to fix this item. I humbly offer my thanks, and will surely find a way to repay your kindness."

Elder Teddy's fury had nowhere to land in the face of such respectful obedience. At that precise moment, the Red Dancing Shoes launched another flying kick, striking him square across the face.

The flames in Elder Teddy's eyes blazed higher, and Zhang Yuanqing quickly bowed again. "Thank you, Elder."

After a beat of silence, Elder Teddy said in a low voice, "Take this wretched item back."

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Yuanqing acknowledged, then exhaled with relief and turned to the shoes.

"Stop harassing the elder," he said sternly as he secretly issued the recall command.

The Red Dancing Shoes answered their master's summons. They ceased their assault on the poodle and bounced toward him in cheerful little hops.

It was worth noting that once an item had bonded with its owner, the owner could actively cancel or interrupt the shoes' attacks. This was a power granted by the Spirit Realm itself.

Zhang Yuanqing was about to stow the shoes away when a message flickered into view:

【Would you like to dance with me? If so, please march in place.】

Oh no. I forgot I never paid the price back then.

He glanced toward Elder Teddy. "Elder, if you'll excuse me for a moment..."

"There's no need," Elder Teddy said flatly. "Dance right here."

This is revenge! Zhang Yuanqing realized, and he immediately looked to Fu Qingyang. Centurion, you have to back me up here!

Fu Qingyang averted his gaze, while Guan Ya quietly produced her phone and turned on the camera.

Jiang Jingwei's face lit up. "You're going to dance? I want to watch, I want to watch!"

Zhang Yuanqing stepped his left foot back, rose onto his toes, and performed a curtsy. Fine. It's not like I haven't danced in public before. I am my uncle's true successor, after all.

What followed was a thunderous cascade of tap dancing that echoed through the study.

A few minutes later, the Red Dancing Shoes concluded their performance, executed a satisfied curtsy of their own, and turned into two streaks of red light that quickly disappeared.

Elder Teddy, visibly satisfied, spoke. "The rest of you, leave. I have something to discuss with Yuanshi."

Fu Qingyang rose at once. As he passed his trusted subordinate, he gave a slight nod of approval. "Your dancing was not bad."

"..."

Guan Ya waved her phone at Zhang Yuanqing with a mischievous grin.

As she passed him, he grabbed her hand. "I have one request. Don't let Yuan Ting see that."

Fu Qingyang paused, his gaze dropping briefly to their clasped hands, and Zhang Yuanqing released her immediately.

After Jiang Jingwei departed as well, Elder Teddy said gravely, "On my trip to the capital, I learned something from Elder Sun. He says he encountered the Three Paths Mountain Goddess in a Nocturnal Specter dungeon and discovered why she's been searching for you."

Zhang Yuanqing's heart lurched.

"He hopes you'll be willing to sell the item containing the yang soul of the Three Paths Mountain Goddess," Elder Teddy said. "Are you willing?"

The Demon-subduing Awl's function was purification and demonic suppression, but the karmic entanglement it carried was immense. The old bat could track him across a thousand miles because of it.

If the Taiyi Sect could offer a suitable replacement along with other valuable items and cash, Zhang Yuanqing was inclined to sell. It was the same logic as with the Fallen Holy Grail. The item was impressive, but had limited practical use for him. Converting it into immediate, tangible benefits was the smarter play.

He weighed his options, calculating what price would be appropriate. I could trade it for some powerful items, then take down Li Xianzong...

Elder Teddy nodded approvingly. "Don't trouble yourself. I've already declined on your behalf. The yang soul of the Three Paths Mountain Goddess is a priceless treasure, and as a Nocturnal Specter, you'll certainly need it in the future. Did Elder Sun really think a casual 'name your price' would be enough for him to walk away with something like that?"

"Elder, what did you say?"

"The yang soul of the Three Paths Mountain Goddess is a priceless treasure."

"No, the other part. He actually said 'name your price'?"

Zhang Yuanqing's face contorted with anguish. I wanted to sell it! Please, by all means, make a generous offer!

Elder Teddy blinked, pretending not to notice the naked desire in his eyes, and pressed on. "Your reluctance is perfectly natural. The Goddess's yang soul has three primary uses. First, it can be refined into high-level items. Second, once you reach the Sovereign tier, you can use it to bargain directly with the Goddess herself. Third, in the most extreme scenario, you could manipulate and enslave her.

"In other words, the moment you reach the Sovereign tier, that single item could make you one of the most formidable fighters at that level."

This was precisely why he had refused Elder Sun's request. It was a gamble. If Yuanshi Tianzun could advance to the Sovereign tier, the Five Elements Alliance would gain another top-tier combatant.

Enslave the old bat, eh? Zhang Yuanqing suddenly lost all desire to sell.

"But I'm worried I can't protect it," he mused aloud.

"If you're concerned that the Taiyi Sect might try to seize it in secret, don't be," Elder Teddy replied. "Those who reach the elder level wouldn't stoop to such things, and besides, the Alliance wouldn't permit it. Dark Rose, on the other hand, is a threat worth watching.

"As for the Spirit Realm, that is indeed a problem. You could temporarily surrender the item to the branch office for safekeeping and reclaim it once you've reached a sufficient level. Of course, the choice is yours."

Zhang Yuanqing considered the options before him. Handing it over is the safest option. With an elder vouching for me, the officials won't try to swindle my item from me. But then, I'd temporarily lose a powerful item. From what I can tell, the Alliance doesn't have any Sovereign-tier Nocturnal Specter items they could offer as a replacement for the awl. As for the Spirit Realm, so long as I don't run into another dungeon tainted by the old bat's influence like Jinshui Amusement Park, it should be fine.

"Let me think it over."

***

In the combat room on the first floor, Zhang Yuanqing, dressed in a white training uniform, followed Guan Ya's instructions through a series of simple stretches.

Becoming a Nocturnal Specter had blessed him with a powerful physique and impressive flexibility. He could now do a full split with ease and without any, shall we say, collateral damage.

Guan Ya and Jiang Jingwei wore matching white training uniforms. One tall, one small, both beautiful and fit. A pleasant sight by any measure.

"Jingwei, why are you here too?" Zhang Yuanqing asked while stretching his legs, glancing at the red haired girl.

"To spar with Sis Guan Ya, obviously! Way more fun than school or office work."

Jiang Jingwei's eyes gleamed with excitement. She was done sitting behind a desk, thank you very much.

A thought occurred to Zhang Yuanqing. "Between you and Guan Ya, who's better?"

"In terms of pure fighting, with no abilities? I've never beaten her." Jiang Jingwei answered honestly.

This open-minded lady's combat skills are even more impressive than I thought. Even Jingwei can't take her.

Guan Ya sat on the floor with her legs together, her torso folding forward as her hands effortlessly grasped the soles of her pink feet. If her collar had been just a little lower, Zhang Yuanqing would have received a bonus.

"You're a total rookie, but we'll skip strength training since you don't need it," Guan Ya said as she continued to stretch. "There are countless martial arts styles, domestic and foreign. I'll start you with freestyle fighting. It's the most practical for where you are now. Once your level improves and you're still interested in hand-to-hand combat, I'll teach you more disciplines."

Zhang Yuanqing regarded her with newfound respect. "It sounds like you're versed in every school under the sun."

Guan Ya maintained her forward fold and laughed. "I was forced into it, honestly. The Fu family is a ruthless clan. They raise their children like they're breeding venomous insects in a jar. It's a constant competition among peers. Studies, combat, swordsmanship...

"If you don't want to get beaten, you train harder. I had decent talent, and after I turned ten, no one could beat me except one older female cousin. But I got sick of that life. The higher their expectations, the less I wanted to try."

Who would have guessed? She and Senior Teng Yuan are kindred spirits.

"What about the centurion?" Zhang Yuanqing asked. "He must have been exceptional growing up."

Guan Ya snorted. "I made him look exceptional by beating the exceptionalism into him, more like. When he was a kid, he was frail and sickly, with hardly any talent. The adults all said he was a hopeless case."

She paused, then changed her tune. "Actually, forget it. I shouldn't air his dirty laundry."

Hardly any talent? The Five Elements Alliance's most outstanding young Spirit Realm Walker, one of the top fighters below the Sovereign tier, and he had hardly any talent? So Fu Qingyang had one of those 'never underestimate the underdog' childhoods, Zhang Yuanqing marveled.

He finished stretching and bounced on his toes. "Sis Guan Ya, let's get started."

Guan Ya engaged her core and rose to her feet in one smooth motion. "To fast-track your combat training, no abilities are allowed. Now then, let's begin."

Zhang Yuanqing considered for a moment. "Freestyle fighting means no restrictions, right?"

Guan Ya nodded. "Winning is the only standard. Are you going to lecture your enemies about sportsmanship?"

***

Three hours later, as the sun sank toward the horizon, Zhang Yuanqing dragged his battered body out of the combat room and into the main hall.

In the first floor lounge, Ling Jun lounged on an exorbitantly-priced sofa, chatting and laughing with two bunny girls. The moment Zhang Yuanqing appeared, all three fell silent.

Ling Jun stared at the carnage before him. "Your left cheek is swollen like a pig's head."

"That was Guan Ya."

"And the right side?"

"That was Jingwei."

"Even though you have a Nocturnal Specter's regeneration, they shouldn't abuse you like this," Ling Jun said indignantly.

"It's not really their fault. Guan Ya said she was teaching me freestyle fighting. She said winning was the only rule, and anything goes, so I tried a legendary lost technique on her: the Dragon Claw Breast Grab."

"Well, when you put it that way, you didn't exactly come away empty-handed."

"Except I didn't actually land it."

"Then why did Jingwei hit you? Don't tell me you tried that legendary technique on her too."

"Do I look like a pervert to you? She just said one thing: 'All cuckolds must die.'"

"Ah. Well, the fact that she didn't kill you means she still loves you."

Just then, the bunny girls brought out a spread that had been prepared for him: black pepper steak, sausages, fried eggs, pastries, fruit, and energy drinks to replenish his depleted reserves.

Zhang Yuanqing abandoned the conversation and attacked the food like a starving wolf.

***

In the lingering glow of sunset, Zhang Yuanqing pulled on a baseball cap and face mask, bundled himself up tight, and snuck home. When he punched in the code and opened the security door, he was greeted by a loud clattering and clanging coming from the kitchen, where Grandma was preparing dinner.

"Grandma, I already ate out. I've got homework tonight, so don't disturb me," Zhang Yuanqing announced as he slipped into his bedroom.

"You should have said so earlier! I made too much food again!" Grandma fumed.

"Just bring it over to Uncle. He's always sitting around doing nothing anyway," Zhang Yuanqing fired back.

Grandma considered this, found it reasonable, and calmed down.

He shut his door and opened his messaging app. Xie Lingxi had sent him a barrage of crying emojis three hours earlier.

Zhang Yuanqing typed out a reply: I've been training in combat lately. Wait till I've mastered the art.

Xie Lingxi responded instantly: And once you've mastered it, you'll avenge me?

Zhang Yuanqing: No. I'll team up with her to beat you up.

Xie Lingxi sent another wave of crying emojis.

He set down his phone and walked to the full-length mirror by the window, baring his teeth.

The facial swelling had subsided, but the internal injuries lingered. His ribs and lower back still throbbed with a dull ache. Some of his organs were probably still damaged.

"Honestly, why did she hit that hard? She talks a big game about getting a room with me and practicing her 'restraining techniques,' but the second I show the slightest appreciation for her outrageously sculpted chest, she beats me senseless..."

Still, Guan Ya had taught him some genuinely useful things. His biggest problem was that he only knew how to fight with fists and feet. He had no idea how to properly use his knees, elbows, or shoulders. Against opponents who were physically weaker, he could brute force his way through, but the moment he faced a real fighter, his amateur status would be exposed in an instant.

***

Night pressed down heavy and dark around Jinshui Amusement Park, even as the park itself glittered with dreamlike, dazzling light.

A streak of golden radiance split the black sky, coalescing into a breathtaking beauty dressed in ancient robes. Her features were exquisite, with high cheekbones outlining a flawless silhouette, an elegant nose, and sensual lips. Caught by the night wind, her skirt hem and dark hair streamed behind her, cool and ethereal, giving her the air of an immortal descended from the heavens.

The Three Paths Mountain Goddess cast a dispassionate glance at the rides below. Six insignificant ants rode on a screaming roller coaster, with their eyes shut tight.

Without lingering any further, she descended on a beam of golden light into an ancient and gloomy manor.

All around the area, the yin energy froze. Inside the haunted house itself, vengeful spirits prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling.

A dense mass of spectral energy drifted from the depths of the manor and halted three paces from the goddess. Within it, the faint outline of a figure in a wedding gown curtsied in deference.

The Three Paths Mountain Goddess opened her mouth to speak. "The person I asked you to find. Do you have any leads?"