Chapter 204: Full Suit of Armor Born

Chapter 204: The Full Suit of Armor Emerges

As expected, it came!

Zhang Yuanqing was overjoyed; this time, he did not let the Yin Corpse take the vanguard, sprinting madly toward where the radiant light soared into the sky.

Seconds later, he saw the equipment shrouded in the brilliant light—it was a heavy skirt of armor, shield-shaped plates linked by crimson threads, exquisite in craftsmanship.

A suit of armor consisted of only so many components; the pauldrons, cuirass, and weapon already had owners—the subsequent pieces could only be the fauld or the helm.

As he ran, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly sensed something was wrong; the distance between him and the fauld remained constant, giving him the feeling of running toward a mountain until death.

He halted abruptly, realizing he had fallen prey to an "ambush."

This familiar sensation—it was "Ghost Wall"… Zhang Yuanqing scanned his surroundings and called out loudly:

"Zhao Chenghuang or Sun Miaomiao?"

"Ghost Wall" is the charm technique of the Night Wanderer class; to affect a Level 3 Night Wanderer, the caster could only be Sun Miaomiao or Zhao Chenghuang.

And they would have to be relying on an artifact or something similar.

"Hey, Yuanshi Tianzun, didn't expect to ambush you here."

A crisp, playful voice rang out.

Zhang Yuanqing turned at the sound, and ten-odd meters away, a graceful figure slowly took shape.

Black T-shirt, black miniskirt, pale white thighs, swelling bosom, round face, limpid black eyes—her whole being exuded a sweet, exquisite aura.

Her delicately curled hair tips, combined with the noble bearing unique to Night Wanderers, made her look like a little princess.

"Ambush me?" Zhang Yuanqing gazed at the sweet-tempered girl and said:

"How did you know it would definitely be me?"

Sun Miaomiao let out a playful "hehe," baring her little white teeth, and said:

"I didn't know. After entering the dungeon, I just stayed here. Since the components spawn randomly, and each contestant can only equip one piece, as long as I guard a zone, I'm bound to get one eventually."

A clever strategy—instead of wandering aimlessly, better to wait by the tree for the rabbit; no wonder I hadn't seen her… Zhang Yuanqing looked around, his tone casual:

"Your Ghost Wall is impressive, actually managing to trap me."

Sun Miaomiao bared her little white teeth, looking smug:

"This is a charm I created with the help of a Spirit Servant—a Spirit Servant refined from the spiritual body of an Illusionist."

Zhang Yuanqing understood immediately.

No wonder, no wonder Sun Miaomiao's charm could deceive him; Illusionists are the finest "material" for refining Spirit Servants—a Spirit Servant refined from an Illusionist's spiritual body possesses unfathomable abilities.

"Impressive!"

Zhang Yuanqing praised her verbally, but secretly activated the "Spirit Devouring" skill; pitch-black, viscous energy welled up in his eyes, filling the sockets, his temperament turning sinister and noble, like a King of the Netherworld, a Duke of the Blood Clan.

His gaze swept across the surroundings—no anomalies whatsoever; he couldn't locate the opponent's Spirit Servant.

"Looking for my Spirit Servant?" Sun Miaomiao pointed behind herself, smiling:

“She's right here.”

Behind her, a terrifying wraith emerged—a woman in a worn nightdress, hair streaming loose, the garment stained with black blood.

She had died a miserable death, radiating intense resentment and hatred.

“A Night Wanderer fighting a Night Wanderer. The correct way to use a Spirit Servant is to channel their power through oneself as a medium. Don't treat them as mere shock troops. Do you understand?” she instructed earnestly.

Zhang Yuanqing ignored her, secretly contacting the Yin Corpse. He could clearly sense it nearby, yet no matter what, he couldn't see it.

The Yin Corpse still obeyed his control, but when Zhang Yuanqing ordered it to attack Sun Miaomiao, the feedback was—no target found!

Has the Deceased No. 1 also been blinded by the "ghost wall"? Though it is a dead thing, it possesses sentience, and sentience can be veiled by illusions. If the Yin Corpse can't find the target... Zhang Yuanqing didn't hesitate, summoning the Burst Pistol, raising the muzzle and firing at Sun Miaomiao.

Bang! Bang!

Dark red trajectories tore through Sun Miaomiao's body; she shattered like a bubble, only to reappear a short distance away.

At the sight, Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank.

“Inside an illusion, you can't hit me.” Sun Miaomiao clasped her hands behind her back, looking like an innocent, carefree girl, smiling playfully.

Zhang Yuanqing retorted sarcastically:

“The greatest weakness of an illusion is its fragile balance. Everything is fake. You can confuse me, lure me, even make me self-harm within the illusion, but you cannot actively harm me.

“Once there is outside interference, your illusion will collapse without a fight.”

Sun Miaomiao's large, limpid eyes curved into crescents as she said:

“I just need to trap you. You have the highest score, right? When the other contestants arrive, and you're stuck in the illusion, a joint attack will eliminate you swiftly.”

“Yuan Shi Tian Zun, you ruined my grandfather's reputation. Taking advantage of this arena battle, I'll humiliate you thoroughly, let the official Walkers outside see that my grandfather rejected you simply because the Taiyi Sect is brimming with talent.”

…

The Colosseum, the Elders' seating area.

Elder Sun was deeply comforted:

“Oh my, this child Miaomiao, always acting on her own initiative. She said she'd use this arena battle to suppress Yuan Shi Tian Zun, to vent my anger. Would I really bother quarreling with a junior?

“Fine, fine. Since she's set her mind on it, I can only let her be. Yuan Shi Tian Zun is quite talented, what a pity he ran into my granddaughter!”

Finishing, Elder Sun lifted his chin, casting a sidelong glance at the few elders without offspring, or those with mediocre descendants, his gaze full of pride.

“Having a filial granddaughter is just amazing!” Elder Dog said sourly.

Elder Dog was alone in the world, orphaned since childhood, raised on the charity of a hundred families in a small fishing village in Fu Province, his only companion a yellow dog.

Now, with most of his life behind him, he remained alone.

The elders who had been mocked all wore unsightly expressions.

…

A terrifying charm technique. As expected, those who rank in the top three all have a few tricks up their sleeves... With the Yin-Yang Robe and Red Dancing Shoes, I don't need to worry about being insta-killed, but neither artifact can dispel illusions... I can try deploying the Yin-Yang Robe's formation, using a formation to break the illusion, fighting poison with poison.

Zhang Yuanqing felt a slight headache, and said:

“Wasn't it Yuan Ting who ruined your grandfather's reputation? What the hell does that have to do with me.”

Sun Miaomiao ignored his retort, stammering twice:

“Yuanshi Tianzun, I can give you a chance. Let's make a deal.”

“Two thousand for the night, eight hundred for a quickie. You pay me.”

Having said that, Zhang Yuanqing waited for Sun Miaomiao to fly into a rage, then summon the Yin-Yang Robe for a sneak attack.

Sun Miaomiao froze: “What do you mean?”

“...How do you want to trade.”

Sun Miaomiao's face instantly lit up with excitement:

“Give me your little spirit servant. I'll help you defeat that Zhao Chenghuang fellow and assist you in winning the championship. How about that?”

Zhang Yuanqing sneered: “If you're stalling for time, at least find a reasonable excuse.”

“No, I'm serious. I can dispel the illusion right now.” Sun Miaomiao said.

Before Zhang Yuanqing could respond, pitch-black, viscous energy welled up in her eyes; her temperament turned cold, bewitching, and noble. Her small mouth opened, and she inhaled gently.

The terrifying phantom behind her turned into green smoke, drifting gracefully into her cherry-red lips.

Zhang Yuanqing felt an intangible force dissipate. Then, he saw another Sun Miaomiao standing in the ruins not far away, holding a skirt armor in her arms.

She really dispelled the illusion... Zhang Yuanqing was stunned. What scheme was this woman plotting?

At this moment, Sun Miaomiao's earlobe twitched. She looked into the distance and said:

“Someone's coming. Let's change locations and talk.”

Immediately, the two tacitly brought their Yin Corpses and each employed Night Roaming, leaving the place.

Moments later, two figures rushed over rapidly. They were precisely Qingsongzi, a warm-hearted man with a sunny and cheerful disposition, and Tianxia Guihuo, carrying a narrow-mouthed long saber. Behind them, Yin Chi, wearing a breastplate, struggled to keep up.

“Someone got there first.” Tianxia Guihuo leaped onto a wall, scanned the surroundings, and said:

“There are no traces of battle around. It seems someone happened to be nearby. Pretty good luck.”

There were too many broken walls and ruins around, desolate and bleak. Tianxia Guihuo was no scout; it was hard to find the bullet holes Zhang Yuanqing left behind in the chaotic wreckage.

Qingsongzi wore a look of disappointment.

In the three-man team, only he had not obtained any equipment.

...

In a certain ruin.

Zhang Yuanqing gently exhaled a mouthful of Taiyin Force. The cold, yin qi billowed. Before it could land, he gathered the Taiyin Force a step ahead and placed it on his shoulder.

This was to prevent Sun Miaomiao from playing dirty and ambushing Little Tease.

This mass of Taiyin Force condensed on his shoulder, transforming into a chubby, round infant.

Upon appearing, Little Tease naturally crawled onto his master's head, pressing his little belly against his master's skull. He opened his glossy, jet-black eyes and observed Sun Miaomiao together with him.

"Ah, it's him, it's him..." Sun Miaomiao hopped up and down, her equally dark and lively eyes shimmering with excitement and obsession.

"So cute~" she murmured, intoxicated.

*Does this woman have a thing for kids...?* Zhang Yuanqing frowned, probing, "You like Spirit Servants? That isn't enough to make me trust you."

He had to admit, after the Ghost Wall was lifted, the reason Night Wanderer hadn't fled was because Sun Miaomiao's promise to "help you win the championship" had successfully tempted him.

So he intended to test the waters, see what Sun Miaomiao was really about. Even if she cast Ghost Wall again, it couldn't be worse than just now.

"I like *little* Spirit Servants. The smaller, the better, because they're all so cute and adorable. There are several little Spirit Servants raised in the pagoda tree in my grandpa's courtyard; I go to play with them every day." Sun Miaomiao spoke without ever taking her eyes off Little Dudu. "I'll help you take down Zhao Chenghuang, assist you in winning the championship, and you give me the Spirit Servant. How about it? No need to rush to refuse. If you're worried I'll trick you, I can swear on my grandpa's reputation that I absolutely won't deceive you."

*Your grandpa's reputation is already in the gutter, and you still claim you won't deceive anyone!* Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "No deal!"

"The Houtu Boots are a Saint-grade artifact. Are they not worth more than a single Spirit Servant?"

"He isn't a Spirit Servant. He's the child I raised."

"Then there's nothing to talk about?" Sun Miaomiao's eyes turned pitch black, a wisp of green smoke drifting from her mouth.

As Rank Three, even without help, she wouldn't hesitate to fight Yuanshi Tianzun, harboring not a shred of fear.

Zhang Yuanqing shifted tactics. "If you're truly sincere, we can change the terms. For instance, after the competition ends, I can let this child stay with you for a while. Perhaps you could transfer to Songhai; that way, he can keep you company every day."

Sun Miaomiao's beautiful eyes lit up, clearly tempted.

She thought for a moment, then proposed, "Can I hug him first?"

"You can, but you have to pledge that Illusionist Spirit Servant behind you as collateral. I'm sorry, but without sufficient trust, I won't let the child take the risk." Zhang Yuanqing said.

In terms of preciousness, the Illusionist behind Sun Miaomiao was in no way inferior to Little Dudu.

In terms of power, it utterly crushed the unweaned Little Dudu.

If Sun Miaomiao agreed without hesitation, Zhang Yuanqing would believe she genuinely liked little Spirit Servants. If she hesitated or refused, he would leave immediately, treating this conversation as if it never happened.

"Deal!" Sun Miaomiao agreed instantly.

She waved a hand, manipulating the terrifying phantom behind her to float toward Zhang Yuanqing.

Little Dudu shrank behind his master's head in fright, not daring to look at the nightgown-clad female ghost.

Seeing this, Zhang Yuanqing wrapped the ghost in Yin Energy with one hand, while grabbing Little Dudu by the scruff of the neck and tossing him toward Sun Miaomiao with the other.

Sun Miaomiao rushed forward, arms outstretched to catch Little Dudu, hugging him tight and showering him with fierce kisses: "Good baby, good baby~"

Little Dudu originally wanted to struggle, but the dense Yin Energy on her was simply too comfortable, so he obediently leaned against the soft pillow and let her kiss him.

"Good baby. Can you talk yet? Call me Big Sister."

“How adorable~”

A few minutes later, Sun Miaomiao finally deigned to tear her gaze away, turning it upon Yuanshi Tianzun:

“I’m quite satisfied with this child. It’s settled then. I’ll help you secure the championship, and you let him board with me for a while. Now, tell me your plan.”

It feels a bit unreal... roped in Sun Miaomiao just like that? Zhang Yuanqing still found it inconceivable, but figured he wasn't losing out, so he said:

“You’ve been lingering in this zone without encountering any other contestants; there are things you don't know. Let me brief you on the situation first.

“Among the eight contestants, Tianxia Guihuo has the fewest points, only three left. Qingsongzi, Yuan Ting, Zhao Chenghuang, and Yinchi each have four points. Tudi Gong has seven. You have ten. I have thirty-odd.

“Because of the reporting rule I developed, I conclude that the next combat mode will be guerrilla warfare. The contestants won't gather en masse again.”

If they did gather, all it would take was two shameless contestants dropping their pants while everyone was distracted, and besides Tudi Gong, Sun Miaomiao, and himself, everyone else would be eliminated.

Anyone with a brain would avoid a chaotic free-for-all.

The correct method was to utilize the vast map for guerrilla warfare, picking them off one by one.

“What reporting rule did you develop?” Sun Miaomiao asked curiously.

The drop-your-pants rule... Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly, then said: “For instance, like this...”

As his voice fell, he shifted his consciousness into Little Rascal, supplanting it, then raised two tiny hands and pressed them firmly onto Sun Miaomiao’s full, soft breasts.

“Ah...” Sun Miaomiao gasped in shock, then flew into a rage. She raised her hand and delivered a flat-handed chop to Little Rascal’s sparsely-haired head, cursing:

“Get the hell out of me.”

As the chop landed, the power of Taiyin shuddered violently.

Zhang Yuanqing’s will was forcibly expelled from Little Rascal’s body.

Little Rascal, having taken a beating, wailed loudly.

“Baby, be good, be good~” Sun Miaomiao hurriedly soothed him, her face full of doting indulgence.

Zhang Yuanqing laughed: “Just like that. You can report me for molesting you.”

Sun Miaomiao pursed her lips: “What a shameless rule. Wouldn't I be at a huge disadvantage?”

To report him, she’d have to sacrifice her virtue and let a man cop a feel?

Sun Miaomiao rubbed Little Rascal’s head, skipping past the topic, and mused:

“If it’s guerrilla warfare, our biggest threat is Zhao Chenghuang. He has a Level 4 Yin Corpse and can trigger 'Corpse Transformation' to burst with power. Besides that, I’ve heard he has a very unique Spirit Servant, though he’s never used it.

“As for artifacts, he has four or five Supernatural-grade ones. Coupled with Yuan Ting’s assistance, if we run into Zhao Chenghuang, the outcome is uncertain. We absolutely must find a way to recruit another ally.”

Tsk, Zhao Chenghuang has that many trump cards? Worthy of a Spirit Second-Generation, unlike me, just a grassroots nobody!

Zhang Yuanqing clicked his tongue inwardly.

He thought for a moment, then said: “If we’re recruiting an ally, I can try to rope in Tudi Gong.”

Yuan Ting was a secret weapon—better not used, but if used, it had to be a one-hit kill, reserved for the critical moment.

Sun Miaomiao cradled Little Rascal and nodded:

"Then we attempt to win over the Earth God, purge Heaven's Return to Fire and his lot, plunder their points and War Armor, and then, riding that advantage, eliminate Yuan Ting and Zhao Chenghuang. Finally, I’ll help you finish off the Earth God."

Zhang Yuanqing watched the infant being kneaded and caressed, a silent thought crossing his mind:

Little scamp, just sacrifice your dignity for once, and let your master reap the reward...

...

"Couldn't find Miaomiao. No idea where she ran off to."

Yuan Ting stood atop a wall, scanning left and right.

Since entering the instance, they hadn't laid eyes on Sun Miaomiao. Not long ago, the fourth piece of equipment manifested, and he and Zhao Chenghuang rushed over immediately, only to catch the retreating backs of Qingsongzi and the others.

Upon spotting the two of them, Qingsongzi’s trio withdrew swiftly, without a moment's hesitation.

"Take your time looking," Zhao Chenghuang replied, then asked a rare question:

"Yuan Ting, what do you think the next battle will look like?"

Yuan Ting recalled the three retreating figures and analyzed:

"Those three clearly formed an alliance just now. Their next move is nothing more than gathering more War Armor, stockpiling strength, and then dealing a killing blow to us—or a killing blow to the Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning."

"Why not a killing blow to the Celestial Venerable!" Zhao Chenghuang asked.

Yuan Ting offered his reasoning:

"The Celestial Venerable’s points are too high. Most of us only have four points. To eliminate him would cost a grievous price, letting us pick up the pieces for free.

"And if they choose to ally with the Celestial Venerable, letting him burn through his points to wear us down, they can eliminate us Taiyi Gate contestants at the smallest cost. Besides points, there's one critical factor: the Celestial Venerable is alone, yet this stage's mission is to fight until only two remain."

"Meaning, as long as they eliminate the three of us, the final spot will be divvied up among Heaven's Return to Fire’s group. Negotiate the off-screen compensation, and there won't be a problem.

"But we have three people from Taiyi Gate, and only two spots. They’d have to worry about the extra risk of us crossing the river and demolishing the bridge."

Zhao Chenghuang gave a slight nod: "Makes sense!"

At that moment, a gloomy shadow drifted back, draping itself over Zhao Chenghuang’s shoulder.

The shadow had pitch-black lips and a pair of white pupils—it was the Spirit Servant that had seized Jiang Zhiwei’s essence that day.

Yuan Ting started: "You sent the Spirit Servant out?"

He hadn't detected it at all.

Zhao Chenghuang explained offhandedly: "Just had a look at the surroundings."

As they spoke, a brilliant light shot into the sky in the far distance.

Yuan Ting and Zhao Chenghuang fell silent, narrowing their eyes toward it.

The radiance held for several minutes before slowly dissipating. Immediately after, the instance notification chimed in their ears:

[Ding! Cold Iron Helmet equipped — Earth God]

[All War Armor has emerged!]

"What a pity, it's too far from us," Yuan Ting lamented.

He simultaneously grasped the composition of the battle armor—five pieces in total: the cuirass, the vambraces, the helm, the weapon, and that skirt of plates he had yet to don.

A strange smile touched Zhao Chenghuang’s cold features: "Go on, then. It is time this trial ended."