Chapter 139: Settlement and Return

Chapter 139: Settlement and Return

"Won? We won! Yuan Shi killed Li Xianzong, we won!"

Hearing the prompt tone beside her ear, the Queen sprang to her feet, her beautiful face blooming with wild joy.

Her emotions surged; she rose both fast and fierce.

Li Chunfeng clenched his fists, waving them excitedly several times, then cursed a "Fuck," venting the emotions pent up in his heart, before saying:

"This is the most perilous instance I've ever encountered. To turn the tables in such a desperate situation—I couldn't do it. Worthy of the genius who cleared two S-ranks, worthy of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable..."

So amazing... Li Li Yuanshangcao's joy suppressed the melancholy on his face: "The teammates I've met before, compared to him, the gap is too obvious."

Yin Yang Town was the highest difficulty instance he had ever experienced, completely different from previous instances, and the teammates were completely different.

The calm and wise Li Chunfeng, the unfathomable marksman Guan Ya, the formidable Queen and the Fire Virtue Star Lord—the quality of these teammates far surpassed the Spirit Realm Walkers he had encountered before.

Not to mention a celebrity-level figure like Yuan Shi.

The enemies on the Evil camp side were equally terrifying.

These guys are all true high-level players, high-level players at the Transcendent stage.

Surviving is good... Li Xianzong was killed by him inside the instance. Once we return to reality, who knows how many people will be shocked... Honestly, always making such big news, the bounty ranking is going to rise again... Guan Ya leaned back, resting against the wall in relief, an unconscious smile curling her lips.

Skinny Eating Lotus felt like he was dreaming. Just like that, we won?

An instance this hard, and I just cleared it like that?

Honest and sincere by nature, he felt a pang of shame, feeling he had done nothing, even having a fling with Widow Xu, feeling unworthy of clearing the instance.

At this moment, the Queen's breathing suddenly quickened: "Good, such rich rewards, ah~ I'm going to fall in love with the Primordial Heavenly Venerable."

Hearing this, everyone hurriedly focused their attention, checking the mission settlement.

Guan Ya gave this woman an extra glance.

...

[Settling rewards... Acquired Item/Prop: Gang Token]

[Reward Experience: 28%]

[Main Quest Settlement Complete... Ding, congratulations on completing Hidden Quest, settling rewards for you...]

[Acquired Item/Prop: Yin Yang Taoist Robe]

[Reward Experience: 30%]

[Hidden Quest Settlement Complete... Ding, congratulations on advancing to Level 3 Night Wanderer...]

[Ding! Character Card Reward Activated, Reward Prop: Endurance Spray.]

[Settlement Complete! Exiting Spirit Realm in ten minutes...]

"The Gang Token actually dropped. From now on I can form my own small team." Zhang Yuanqing was overjoyed.

The drop rate for the Gang Token wasn't high; it required reaching a certain Hidden Score to trigger. Obviously, the fierce battle between the two teams, the successive reversals of the situation, his command and the turnaround, had earned the instance's recognition.

The Demon Lord's character card reward arrived as promised, still an item, yet the name sounded rather off.

Zhang Yuanqing had no time to inspect the item; a scorching heat flared at the center of his brow, the black full moon mark manifesting.

A torrent of overbearing Taiyin power unleashed from the mark, surging into his body with an almost tyrannical, unreasoning force, bringing the searing agony and heat of rewritten genes, of life restructured.

He convulsed involuntarily, instinctively lowering his gaze, only to freeze in shock—he saw his own body standing rooted to the spot.

Astral projection again?

The last time his soul left its vessel was just after clearing the Sheling Tunnel, when he became a Level 1 Night Wanderer.

Roughly three minutes later, the spirit form returned to the flesh, the rampaging Taiyin power finally settling. Zhang Yuanqing sensed the changes in his body while pulling up his attribute panel:

【Name: Yuanshi Tianzun】

【Race: Human】

【Class: Night Wanderer】

【Level: 3】

【Skills: Night Roam, Devour Spirit, Taiyin Spirit, Howl at the Moon, Charm Arts, Spirit Talisman, Spirit Journey】

【Experience: 8%】

【Morality: 140】

【Reputation: 40】

【Spirit Talisman (Active): Exclusive spirit script of the Night Wanderer, capable of inscribing talismans and arrays. Note: Completed, can now inscribe the Refining Yin Corpse Array.】

【Spirit Journey: The Primordial Spirit departs the physical body, duration twenty minutes.】

"So Night Wanderers truly possess the ability to separate soul from body; they specialize in this domain, after all. Just didn't expect to learn it at Level 3... I've finally learned all the Night Wanderer skills..."

Sighing with emotion, Zhang Yuanqing was about to check the item when a sharp *clack* rang out. The dull-red dancing shoes stumbled toward him, weaving east and west like a drunkard, looking none too bright.

Even like this, it still wants to dance with me? Seizing the window before the curse faded, Zhang Yuanqing exploited a bug and stashed it back into his inventory.

Next, he returned the Eye of Insight and other items to his inventory one by one, finally able to focus without distraction on his new spoils.

【Name: Guild Token (Pending Activation)】

【Type: Token】

【Function: Establish Guild (Upgradable)】

【Description: Level 1 Guild Token, can form a six-man squad, create a dungeon exclusive to the squad; grants bonus experience rewards (Leader receives double the members' share); can invite same-level members to join dungeons; can unlock Guild Warehouse...】

【Note 1: Guild-exclusive dungeon unlocks when member count reaches six.】

【Note 2: Guild Warehouse (Locked)】

【Note 3: Guild Token ignores factions, can recruit hostile faction members.】

【Note 4: Guild members cannot betray one another, cannot infight.】

"Holy shit, this thing is far more precious than any item. Anyone with capability and ambition who gets a Guild Token, given time, will absolutely become a regional warlord. For instance, me..."

“I'll use it to form my own little team—best to establish a squad independent of the official channels, composed mainly of Wild Walkers. That way, we can pioneer new channels without overlapping networks, so the Five Elements Alliance people are out of the question…”

Zhang Yuanqing summoned the Gang Token, a triangular bronze plaque cast from bronze, the word "Gang" engraved upon its face.

The moment he gripped the token, a blue interface sprang up automatically; upon it, using his finger as a stylus, Zhang Yuanqing typed in a name he had just improvised:

[Chan Teaching]

[Ding! Name already taken, please rename.]

[The King Returns]

[Ding! Name already taken, please rename.]

[The Dead Return]

[Ding! Naming successful, Gang Token activated, Gang Warehouse opened. Note: The Gang Warehouse does not belong to the inventory, it is bound to the Gang Token. Every member may open the Gang Warehouse to view items, but requires the Gang Leader's consent to withdraw items from the warehouse.]

Zhang Yuanqing immediately checked his attribute panel and saw an additional line of information:

[Gang: The Dead Return (Leader)]

Then, with a thought, he opened the Gang Warehouse; the storage grid numbered a full twenty slots, more than the inventory.

"The Gang Warehouse is bound to the token, not the Character Card. In that case, I can just toss the Scarecrow into the warehouse. That way, the Scarecrow ceases to be my prop, the price of fetish distortion can be resolved. Left in the warehouse as a welfare for gang members, I can still use it anytime. Isn't that far better than handing it over to the organization?"

Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up, delight surging within him.

The Scarecrow was a powerful cursed artifact, used in combat to counter an opponent's artifacts, capable of miraculous effects.

But the cost was a gradual aesthetic shift toward sows; at first glance, it didn't seem too fatal or dangerous, but over time, one's sexual orientation would twist irreversibly—even the Demon-Subduing Pestle's purification proved useless.

The meaning of living would be reduced to nothing but holding a sow's rump.

Too terrifying.

Finally, Zhang Yuanqing took out the "Endurer's Spray" rewarded by the Character Card; its appearance resembled pepper spray, and after a few seconds, the item info floated up:

[Name: Endurer's Spray]

[Type: Health Supplement]

[Function: Prolong Duration]

[Description: It is the work of a Fangshi. In his youth, to make a quick profit, he specialized in selling aphrodisiacs to wealthy gentry and bureaucrats, earning high praise; seekers of the medicine thronged his doorstep, supply unable to meet demand. The Fangshi had a flash of inspiration and produced a convenient spray; one use extends the time by two hours. According to users, long-term use of this spray results in growth.]

[Note: You know how hard abstinence is, don't you? You know, right? So please be a decent person, use with caution.]

Oh my god, what am I seeing? There exists such a miraculous treasure in this world... Zhang Yuanqing read the item info and was speechless for a long while, a single thought in his mind: Fuck, I've struck it rich again.

A gospel for middle-aged men; charging ten thousand per spray isn't excessive, is it?

"As for the price... prolonged use probably leads to addiction."

Just as Zhang Yuanqing was thinking this, he heard hurried footsteps approaching; looking back, it was none other than Guan Ya and the others.

At this moment, there were about three minutes left until the Return.

As the group drew near, Zhang Yuanqing swept his gaze over their joyful faces and smiled: "Looks like your harvest was good."

“Thanks to you!” Li Chunfeng’s smile was irrepressible. “My experience is at ninety percent. I might be able to join the mid-year Slaughter Dungeon, make a push for Sainthood. Besides, I got a pretty decent item, patching up my lack of output.”

The Queen smiled charmingly. “I got an item too. Experience at eighty-seven percent. Even among Level 3s, I’m upper-mid tier. I want in on the mid-year Slaughter Dungeon as well. By the way, Yuan Shi, you should be close to Level 3, right?”

Guan Ya looked over immediately.

“I’m already Level 3. I can join the mid-year Slaughter Dungeon. Sister Guan Ya, how about you?” Zhang Yuanqing smiled.

“……I’m Level 3 too.” Guan Ya’s expression was blank.

What is this guy playing at? Three dungeons, three level-ups? What kind of freakish leveling speed is this?

Ordinary Spirit Realm Walkers need three or four dungeons, sometimes more, just to gain one level.

This speed… it rivals that little witch in the clan.

“You’ve only been a Walker for a month or so, right? This should be your third, maybe fourth dungeon?” The Queen’s mouth gaped slightly.

Zhang Yuanqing turned to Fire Master. “How come he’s still not awake?”

Li Li Yuan Shang Cao explained, “He should have regained consciousness, but the toxins paralyzed his nerves. Mind’s awake, body isn’t. He’ll be fine after sleeping a few days once we return.”

Zhang Yuanqing asked next, “Sister Guan Ya, how are your injuries?”

Leveling up doesn’t heal wounds. At best, constitution improves, slowing the deterioration somewhat. Like him right now—weak, desperate for a long sleep.

Only thinking to ask about my injuries now… Guan Ya snorted inwardly, ignoring him.

Hmm? Zhang Yuanqing looked at her strangely a few times.

The Queen glanced at the panel countdown, hurriedly saying, “Everyone exchange contact info. Surviving together is a kind of fate.”

The official way for Walkers to develop informants is meeting teammates in dungeons.

Usually, in confrontation-type dungeons, if you clear them, feelings and trust form to some degree. The chance of staying in touch offline is extremely high.

Even some Walkers form bonds this way, becoming lovers, spouses.

The group finished exchanging contacts just as the countdown hit zero. The scenery instantly twisted.

……

The view sharpened from a blur. Zhang Yuanqing saw his familiar bedroom and messy bed.

The digital alarm clock on the nightstand read: 05:20.

May’s climate—dawn had already broken. Outside the window, ethereal birdsong drifted up, mixed with the faint murmur of early-rising aunties and uncles in the compound.

Peaceful. Serene.

Zhang Yuanqing stood by the window, breathing the cool, damp morning air. Every return from the Spirit Realm left him with a sense of worlds apart.

“Morning. So tired, so sleepy…”

His eyelids were leaden, every cell sighing in languor. He just wanted to collapse and sleep, recover stamina and spirit.

He returned to his desk, tore off a sheet of paper, scribbled swiftly:

“No class today. Stayed up gaming. Skipping breakfast. Do not disturb (＾ω＾)”

He pasted the paper on the door, shut the room tight, then sent Li Dongze a message informing him he had exited the instance, and collapsed into sleep.

…

The next day, in a high-end residential complex near the Public Security Bureau, Li Dongze woke promptly to the call of his alarm clock.

His first reaction was to grab his phone, checking for missed calls or messages.

Sure enough, they had come!

Two unread messages—one from Yuanshi Tianzun, the other from Guan Ya.

He opened Yuanshi Tianzun's message first, sent at 5:30 AM:

"Squad Leader, I'm out of the instance. A bit tired. Resting now."

Finally out! Ah, honestly, every trip into an instance keeps me on tenterhooks, more nerve-wracking than going in myself... Li Dongze sighed, his suspended heart finally settling.

Compared to the previous two instances, this time at Yin-Yang Town, his mindset was slightly steadier.

As expected, Yuanshi did not disappoint him.

Li Dongze habitually began his analysis:

"Yuanshi's tone is quite flat. Guan Ya is out too. Instance duration roughly five hours, standard length. Yin-Yang Town's difficulty ranks upper-middle among A-grade instances, mainly faction confrontation. Both Yuanshi and Guan Ya are Level 2; their opponents shouldn't be exceptionally strong."

Thinking this, he exited Yuanshi Tianzun's chat interface to check Guan Ya's message, sent a few minutes prior.

"Squad Leader, Yuanshi and I are out. The enemy we encountered in the instance was Li Xianzong. I took minor injuries, a bit tired. Resting now."

Upon seeing the enemy was Li Xianzong, Li Dongze instinctively froze, a flash of thought crossing his mind: Damn it, Yuanshi and Guan Ya are dead meat!

Then he realized—this was after the fact. They had exited the instance, meaning the one who perished was Li Xianzong.

What happened? Li Dongze stared at the phone screen, dumbstruck.

What teammates did they meet in there? To actually kill Li Xianzong—Transcendent-stage powerhouses are few and far between. Was it those few from the Taiyi Sect? Or the officials? Or some hidden master from the civilian world?

What sleep at a time like this? Get up and write the report!!

Li Dongze's drowsiness vanished entirely, his claws itching with desperate desire for their report.

…

On the other side, the Fu Family Bay Villa.

Before the spacious solid-wood dining table, Fu Qingyang and Ling Jun enjoyed breakfast, attended by bunny girls.

A bunny girl walked in from outside the dining hall, holding an old-style mobile phone, and said:

"Young Master, a call from Miss Guan Ya."

"Oh, they're out." Ling Jun chuckled, taking a sip of milk.

He wasn't too worried about Guan Ya and Yuanshi. Those two—one a combat freak, the other sharp-witted with a plethora of items—an instance like Yin-Yang Town would likely pose them no trouble.

Fu Qingyang's expression eased slightly. He set down his cutlery and took the phone.

"Out?" His tone was calm, as if this were a trivial matter.

Guan Ya let out a soft "Mm," and said, "I've written a report. Take a look. Whether it gets submitted to the archives is your call. I'm exhausted—don't call me unless the world is ending."

She felt the contents of this report were ill-suited for Li Dongze's eyes directly.

Besides, it contained her own assessments of Yuanshi Tianzun—musings fit only for family.

"Good!"

Fu Qinyang dipped his chin in a slight nod. After hanging up, he handed the phone back to the bunny girl and ordered,

"Bring me my laptop."

Ling Jun set down his knife and fork, shedding his air of languid indifference. "What's Guan Ya playing at?"

Fu Qinyang's voice was flat. "Read the report. You'll see."

…