Realm Walker

At ten in the morning, Zhang Yuanqing took a taxi to Fu Family Bay, used the white and black cards to get through the security gates, and entered the villa. He walked past bunny girls who offered him bows of greeting, then stopped before the brown double doors leading to Fu Qingyang's office.

Fu Qingyang really knows how to live, he thought, with all those bunny girls attending to his every need. Once I become a true powerhouse among Spirit Realm Walkers, I'm hiring a whole squad of bunny girls too, just to pour my tea, fetch my water, do my laundry, and massage my back.

He rapped his knuckles against the study door. The instant his knuckles came in contact with the wood, something about that fantasy struck him as slightly off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He gave the door two raps, then pushed the brown double doors open without waiting for a response. The study was simply too large and the soundproofing too good for anyone inside to hear anything outside. Fu Qingyang could scream himself hoarse and nobody would come.

Inside, the centurion sat behind his desk with his fingers interlaced on the surface. Over on the guest sofa, Ling Jun sat cross-legged, absorbed in brewing tea.

Zhang Yuanqing walked the length of the red carpet and stopped before the desk.

"No more health issues, I hope?" Fu Qingyang asked as he dipped his chin, the picture of a concerned superior checking on his subordinate.

Nearby, Ling Jun's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "The Nocturnal Specter is an unkillable cockroach. What could possibly be wrong with him? Yuanshi, come have some tea."

Zhang Yuanqing glanced at him. "Centurion, why is this guy still loafing around here?"

Ling Jun had come to Songhai to help Fu Qingyang hunt down Black Wuchang, yet the man had been a complete freeloader, accomplishing absolutely nothing. Every day he just brewed tea, laid about, then went out to chat about life and dreams with Songhai's finest young ladies.

Fu Qingyang gave a slight nod. "You're right. It is time to kick him out. I don't keep dead weight around."

Ling Jun clicked his tongue. "Qingyang, you've found a new flame and forgotten your old love. Are all our years of friendship worth so little that they cannot compare to a few days of this kid buttering you up?"

Fu Qingyang said nothing. He was not the type to trade quips and banter. However, Zhang Yuanqing was.

"What an awful thing to say," he fired back indignantly. "You can slander me all you want, but how dare you slander Centurion Fu? Is he the type of person who enjoys flattery? And I have never once flattered him. Everything I've said in the past came straight from the heart."

He paused, then added, "Also, could you open your eyes when you talk to people?"

Ling Jun sighed and shook his head, his eyes still crinkled into slits. "Kid, that thick skin of yours is truly something else."

Fu Qingyang cut in at precisely the right moment, and his expression turned serious. "After deliberation, the Elders have decided to award you A-rank Merit, a cash bonus of two million yuan, and two items. Do you have any objections? If so, I'll relay them upward. If not, then it's settled. Headquarters will publish an announcement on the official site. That's a privilege exclusive to those who achieve A-rank Merit."

Zhang Yuanqing was momentarily stunned. A-rank Merit?

Under the Five Elements Alliance's system, A-rank Merit carried an enormous amount of ancillary value. Beyond the elevated clearance and improved compensation, it meant the trajectory of his career was settled, and it would be smooth sailing from here on out. As long as he kept leveling, then making squad leader and even steward would not be out of reach.

Case in point: Acting Squad Leader Teng Yuan was a Level 4 Saint, yet the fact he had earned insufficient merit meant he was still treated as just another elite member. If that Vision Ward Squad Leader of theirs hadn't been at home recovering from injuries, the man wouldn't have even landed the acting squad leader position.

Two million in cash. That puts my total net worth at 2.5 million. That doesn't exactly roll off the tongue in the most auspicious way. The item rewards will nicely fill the gap left by the red dancing shoes and the Orb of the Steadfast, though.

"No objections!" he declared.

Fu Qingyang promptly pressed a button in the corner of his desk. A few minutes later, ten bunny girls with slender waists and long legs filed in one after another, each cradling a silver tray in both hands. They lined up across the study in a neat row, trays held before them, standing absolutely straight.

Fu Qingyang rose from his desk and strode over with elegant, measured steps. He lifted the red cloth draped over the first silver tray, revealing a round piece of emerald jade carved with vine like patterns.

"This item is called the Rejuvenator. It's a Wood Demon-class item. Its function is to restore the owner to peak condition when they are near death. Usage is simple: just wear it on your person. However, if you're killed instantly, the effect won't trigger." He paused. "It's a Wood Demon item, so naturally it excels at restoration."

A full recovery from a near-death state? It was a trump card tier item, effectively granting an extra life. Wood Demons truly were the healers of the Spirit Realm.

Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up. "What's its cost?"

A faint smile cracked Fu Qingyang's stern face. "Its cost is also called 'rejuvenation.' It gives the user an intense urge to reproduce. Quite a few official Walkers at the branch, suffering from certain... declining functions, have lined up to borrow it. Using it, they rediscovered the joys of manhood."

Wood Demons really are the ultimate healers! Zhang Yuanqing marveled once more.

In a sense, that kind of cost was every man's dream. But it would create a dangerous vicious circle given the cost that the Straw Doll was exacting on him, turning his fantasies about sows into actionable impulses...

He deliberated for a few seconds and shook his head. "I'd like to see the others."

Fu Qingyang lifted the red cloth from the second tray, revealing a ring woven from dark vines. "Forest Whisper. It allows the wearer to communicate with trees and animals. You can understand what they say, and they can comprehend your commands. While it doesn't offer powerful offensive capability, in certain domains it's more practical than any attack item. Tracking, for example. The cost of using it is that you'll become an extreme animal and plant rights activist."

An image surfaced in Zhang Yuanqing's mind: a faceless man gently stroking a sow, asking, "Feels good, doesn't it?" as the sow happily chatted back to him.

God damn it. Zhang Yuanqing shook his head, his expression dark. "I'll keep looking."

Fu Qingyang glanced at him, unable to fathom why Yuanshi's mood had suddenly turned so grim. Did he think the items weren't good enough?

The centurion moved to the third tray and lifted the red cloth. "This one is called the Adorable Hair Clip, a Musician-class item. Wearing it grants the user a charm that is irresistible to all genders. No one can bring themselves to harm you. The cost is that your personality gradually becomes more feminine."

Zhang Yuanqing stared at the pink cartoon hair clip and demanded, "Why is this even here? Do the Elders not know my gender?"

"Elder Teddy personally selected this one for you," Fu Qingyang replied.

"Ah. That explains everything." Zhang Yuanqing weighed his options, then said, "I'd still like to see more."

He already had a Red Veil and the Red Dancing Shoes. Add a hair accessory on top of that, and the look would be truly beyond saving.

Fu Qingyang proceeded to introduce the remaining seven items. They spanned Earth Wraith, Fire Sage, Scholar, Nocturnal Specter, and Scout classes. Zhang Yuanqing's mind grew dizzy from the sheer variety.

"Centurion, what would you recommend?" he asked.

Fu Qingyang seemed to have been waiting for exactly that question, and he answered without hesitation, "The Nocturnal Specter excels in close combat, but your fighting skills are middling at best, which severely limits what you can do. Ambushing enemies could easily backfire on you, especially against those like Guan Ya who are masters of hand to hand combat. That's why you need a ranged attack item. I recommend the Burst Pistol."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I know you're about to say you've never fired a gun. That's fine. For your second item, choose the Eye of the Observer. It lets you see through obstacles to detect hidden enemies in your surroundings. It enhances your vision and grants you the ability to predict the trajectory of moving objects. Combined with the Burst Pistol, you'll become a marksman in short order, even if you've never touched a firearm before."

The Eye of the Observer was a pair of black-rimmed glasses that had a scholarly air about them, while the Burst Pistol was an aggressive-looking large-caliber handgun in a deep crimson shell, the kind of weapon whose recoil could fracture an ordinary person's bones.

Zhang Yuanqing considered the centurion's recommendation for a few seconds. The pairing was indeed perfect for his current situation.

"Then it's decided," he said with a grin.

He took the two items from Fu Qingyang. As they settled into his hands, the item information materialized in front of his eyes.

【Name: Eye of the Observer】

【Type: Glasses】

【Functions: Insight, Enhanced Vision】

【Description: "An excellent detective needs a pair of keen eyes to catch details others miss. And an excellent swordsman must possess the heart to see through his opponent's techniques. This is what it means to have a sharp mind and sharp eyes." — A certain mysterious swordsman.】

【Note: Being too clever isn't always a blessing. A little ignorance makes life easier...】

The information of the second item was also in his field of vision.

【Name: Burst Pistol】

【Type: Weapon】

【Functions: Armor Piercing, Burst】

【Description: This handgun was imbued with the will of a powerful Fire Sage. Its bullets carry an explosive effect on impact, making it the bane of all armor. The bullets also possess a mild purifying effect.】

【Note: Please keep your temper in check.】

It was worth noting that the Eye of the Observer's cost was this: while wearing the glasses, the user would involuntarily observe the people around them and analyze their inner thoughts. Seeing through hearts was never a pleasant affair. One might glimpse the darkness lurking inside their loved ones and friends, or discover that their wife didn't truly love them, and had perhaps even gone and made them an unwitting cuckold.

As for the Burst Pistol's cost, it was straightforward and self-explanatory.

Zhang Yuanqing tucked the items away with deep satisfaction, then spoke up. "Centurion, there are two things I'd like your help with."

Fu Qingyang waved a hand to dismiss the bunny girls and headed back toward his desk, nodding as he walked. "What is it?"

Zhang Yuanqing first summoned the Red Dancing Shoes, now coated in a film of dull ash. "This item was contaminated by Black Wuchang. It's currently unusable. I was hoping you could help me to purify it."

Fu Qingyang took the shoes and studied them for several seconds. No surprise or alarm crossed his face. “I’ll pass them along to Elder Teddy, who will then commission a Taiyi Sect elder to perform the purification. They'll be back in your hands in three to five days."

Zhang Yuanqing thought it over for a moment. "Sounds good."

Given the merit to his name and his abilities, he no longer had to worry about anyone in the organization getting greedy. Those days of hiding and hoarding like a rookie were behind him. And a Taiyi elder certainly wouldn't stoop to strong-arming an A-rank Merit holder over a low-tier rule-type item.

Next, he produced the Straw Doll and handed it to Fu Qingyang. "This was part of the spoils gained from killing Black Wuchang. I'd like to turn it into the organization."

Fu Qingyang paused, set down the Red Dancing Shoes, and took the Straw Doll. He took one look at it and quickly set it down again, as if it had burned his fingers. "Hold on to this doll for now. I'll report it to my superiors and let the elders evaluate it. Adding or removing even a single item from the vault requires a strict process."

He cast a sidelong glance at the ugly little doll. "If the Elders decide the cost of the item is too steep relative to its value, you should be prepared to sell it cheap."

The cost isn't even that bad. At worst you just end up attracted to a different species... Zhang Yuanqing sighed inwardly but nodded. Even if he wanted to negotiate, he had no access to the elders.

***

Xie Lingxi was curled up in a single seat armchair on the empty open-air balcony of her room in the Huayu Hotel, before a glass round table. A gentle breeze played through her hair as warm sunlight bathed her skin, while she occasionally sipped from her glass of fruit juice.

Across from her sat the palace master of Slaughter Cessation Palace, draped in a crimson dress. She had swapped to a new mask that only covered her face down to her nose, leaving her vivid red lips on full display.

"I've had my people look into it," Xie Lingxi said with an air of mystery. "The Holy Grail incident is over. Sis Palace Master, guess who killed Black Wuchang."

The Palace Master gave her a sharp glance, and Xie Lingxi immediately dropped her act. "It was Bro Yuanshi."

Something flickered through the Palace Master's eyes. "Him?"

"He's really something," Xie Lingxi said in a tone of admiration. She always perked up whenever Yuanshi Tianzun came up in conversation. "A little while ago, I genuinely thought he was dead. My dad's taken an interest in him too. Said he wants to develop him as a connection for the Xie family, and told me to get closer to him over the next few days."

For Spirit Realm noble families, investing in and cultivating a promising official Walker was standard practice.

The Palace Master let out a mocking laugh. "Wouldn't it be simpler and more direct to just groom him into a son-in-law of the Xie family?"

Xie Lingxi blushed. "I'm still young, you know."

"The Xie family has more heirs than just you," the Palace Master scoffed. "You've got plenty of older cousins."

Xie Lingxi giggled. "With those pampered, domineering tempers of theirs, they can only marry the type of men who'd do anything to latch onto the Xie family name. A real genius would never deign to fawn over them. Geniuses prefer girls who know how to dote on their man."

The Palace Master rose and walked to the edge of the balcony, bracing both hands on the railing.

"He's growing so fast," she murmured to herself, barely above a whisper.

***

A certain dilapidated Western-style house in the Old Town District served as a gathering point for Evil class practitioners. Xiao Yuan, dressed in a long trench coat and wearing a mask, passed through the various identity checkpoints and descended the staircase to the first basement level. Stale air thick with sweat, cigarette smoke, and something other smell that defied description hit her in the face.

The underground space was vast. The outer perimeter had been converted into a bar offering food, drinks, fruit, and certain special services. It was just past noon, so there were only a handful of patrons at the booths and bar stools. Come nightfall, the place would truly come alive.

Xiao Yuan swept her gaze around the room and walked straight to the bar, taking a seat beside a bald man. "Any news lately?"

The bald man had a vicious look about him. Tattoos covered his face and scalp in dizzying, menacing patterns that made one's head swim just from looking.

He set down his glass, rubbed his head, and split into a grin. "What do you want to know?"

His Spirit Realm ID was Tianlingling, and he was this hideout's landlord and protector, a Saint-tier Enchanting Demon.

Xiao Yuan slid ten bills from her pocket, placed them on the bar, and pushed them toward the bald man. "Just start me off with something."

Tianlingling pocketed the money, satisfied. "The trial missions for the large-scale slaughter dungeon are about to kick off. Word is, Li Xianzong has chosen Songhai."

For Spirit Realm Walkers, the large-scale slaughter dungeon represented a major clash between the Lawful and Evil alignments, and this was one of only two opportunities each year to change tiers and classes. Level 3 Transcendents and Level 6 Saints who wished to advance and step into a higher tier had to participate.

Whenever these events drew near, the major Evil-class organizations would rally their most promising young members and deploy them to key cities, tasking them with hunting Lawful-class Walkers as a warm up for the opening of the dungeon. It also served as an opportunitie for the rising talents on both sides to feel each other out and gauge combat strength before the dungeon's opening.

Of course, this was purely the way the Evil-class factions approached it. The Lawful side had its own arena tournaments.

Xiao Yuan was somewhat surprised by the information. "He didn't go to the capital? He chose Songhai instead?"

The capital was the holy grail for every ambitious Evil-class Walker, the city they all dreamed of conquering. After all, the headquarters of both the Five Elements Alliance and the Taiyi Sect were located there. Hunting down the genius Walkers in the capital was where the real prestige lay.

The bald man smiled but said nothing. Xiao Yuan slid over another ten bills.

"I hear the Transcendent tier bounty list is about to change," Tianlingling continued. "Yuanshi Tianzun from the Songhai Branch might crack the top five, though I can't say whether Li Xianzong coming to Songhai is specifically related to that bounty."

This Yuanshi Tianzun. How did he suddenly climb into the top five? Xiao Yuan didn't pursue the topic further, but counted out another ten bills. "I heard Black Wuchang is dead. I want the full details."