Nothing could convey Zhang Yuanqing’s current emotions—should I try, I’d say it was—grass! The Taimo Sect hasn’t given up searching for the Magus Heir. How determined they are! What should I do? Hand over the White Tiger in my mind to Xiao Doushi? No, Xiao Doushi couldn’t bear the weight of the White Tiger’s pressure—he’d collapse, both body and spirit, instantly. I could make a final stand? Risk傅 Qingyang’s friendship with me? That might work if Guan Ya were sitting there instead. Shouldn’t Qingyang have suspected me already, while manipulating the heavens’ injustice? He didn’t speak then—perhaps holding back his strongest move, waiting for the Tiger Seal to arrive? But that doesn’t quite make sense. With his sharp eyesight and his tools, even without the Tiger Seal, he should have been able to uncover the truth from me. It wasn't what I expected—reality never unfolds as you intend… Zhang Yuanqing shook violently, like a quail caught in fear, though in truth he was facing off against the White Tiger in his spiritual realm, struggling fiercely to resist. Despite his full efforts, his resistance only delayed the revelation of the truth. Finally, he opened his mouth and uttered a single word: "I…" Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, pattering steadily. Fu Qingyang gazed deeply into his eyes, asking, "What is it?" In his spiritual realm, the White Tiger slowly rose to its feet, as if preparing to devour him. Zhang Yuanqing's inner fear erupted, his spiritual body trembling. As he prepared to reveal his identity and confirm that he was a descendant of the Magus King, suddenly, a profoundly cool and pure Taiyin energy surged forth from the deepest part of his spiritual realm. This force surged like a flood breaking its banks, washing over his spiritual body, and ultimately coalescing into a massive black circular moon at the heart of his spiritual realm. Gentle, ethereal moonlight poured down, enveloping Zhang Yuanqing's spirit. He felt an unprecedented comfort and ease, as though a newborn returning to its mother's womb. Miraculously, when he looked again at the hanging white tiger, it remained stern and majestic, still inspiring deep-rooted fear—but the profound pressure that had once shaken his soul had vanished. Not vanished—rather, it had been shielded by the radiance of the black full moon. Sensing the "sky" pouring down the power of the Yin energy, instinctively guided by the night wanderer's nature, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly grasped the essence of the black moon. It symbolized Yin—secrecy! Was this the power of the character card? Could it counteract the influence of rule-based items? Indeed, it was far more than merely a reward item for completing a dungeon quest. The great effort made by the Tai Mon to seek the Magus' heir was surely not without reason—there must be hidden truths I am unaware of. Zhang Yuanqing was quietly amazed. He had now completely escaped the awe inspired by the Tiger Seal, yet his demeanor remained humble and trembling, as if standing at the edge of a deep chasm. Under Fu Qingyang's increasingly stern gaze, Zhang Yuanqing's voice kept trembling, "I—I am not... the Magus King's heir..." As he spoke, Zhang Yuanqing inwardly observed his consciousness, scanning the Sea of Awareness, his heart pounding with anticipation, to gauge the response of the Leaping White Tiger. The tiger maintained its regal posture, motionless and dignified. Had he succeeded in concealing the truth? Zhang Yuanqing nearly exhaled in relief, but remembering that Fu Qingyang had not removed the Tiger Seal, he forced himself to remain composed. Fu Qingyang waited a few seconds as usual, and upon seeing no signs of disturbance, his composed and serious expression softened. With a firm grasp of his fingers, the Tiger Seal vanished, returning to the inventory. Only then did Zhang Yuanqing lean back, collapsing into the high-backed chair, gasping for breath. Fu Qingyang rose and walked to the video recorder, shutting it down. Returned to the table and sat down, giving Zhang Yuanqing nearly ten minutes to recover, until his breathing stabilized and his complexion no longer pale. Then Fu Qingyang began: "Now, let's move into our private conversation. Yuan Shi, I'd like to invite you to join the Baihui Guard." Zhang Yuanqing remained in the slumped posture against the chair back: "The Baihui Guard? The faction you established, Commander?" He recalled Ling Jun having mentioned this before. "Yes," Fu Qingyang nodded, "The Baihui Guard is currently a Level 3 faction, capable of recruiting twenty members. I've already recruited fifteen. The sixteenth seat—I'd like to offer it to you." Zhang Yuanqing hesitated slightly. "The Baihui Guard is my own organization, with its own benefits. Each month, you'll receive a salary of one hundred thousand, and a housing allocation in a first- or second-tier city, valued at no less than twenty million. Additionally, there will be a dedicated club facility serving the Baihui Guard—any needs you may have, you can simply reach out to them." You can find them to handle everything from luxury goods and high-end vehicles to various requirements that demand credentials. "Even the woman you admire—wearing black stockings—can be arranged for you by our people," said Zhang Yuanqing, who listened in wide-eyed astonishment. By the time he heard the last sentence, he felt that the Hundred-Man Commander held a rather rigid and somewhat subjective view of him. Am I really that lustful? "As for my demands, there is only one: my orders shall supersede those of the Five Rows Alliance," said Fu Qingyang calmly. "In ancient terms, the White Tiger Guard are my brothers and my private troops. Of course, officially, we are a subordinate faction under the White Tiger Army." The offers from the other side were too generous, so Zhang Yuanqing no longer hesitated. He raised his voice and declared, "I am willing to die for the Hundred-Man Commander!" It was clear that Fu Qingyang intended to cultivate him as a pillar of his own organization, aiming for upward mobility within the official power hierarchy. Though personally courageous, this noble, aloof young man from a prominent family was indeed well-versed in the necessary social and institutional networks. Zhang Yuanqing had this thought in mind, yet still asked: "The reason the centurion recruited me is..." "Long ago, I had intended to invite you to join the White Tiger Guard, but Elder Dog said the condition was that you pass the major physical examination." Fu Qingyang said. "It was also my intention—ever since then, I've been waiting for the major physical examination to conclude. Among all the talents I've observed, you are the one I've most admired." At this point, the Fu family's young lord spoke with an air of lofty dignity, like a young king surveying the land: "There are many talents in the world, yet in my eyes, most of them are merely trash. Ling Jun is a talent, but too lazy—like mud that can't be raised up. Guan Ya is a talent, yet lacks the heart of a true strong one; she settles for whatever comes, and thus is also trash. Jiang Jingwei has exceptional talent, but her mind is always occupied with fighting—she practices because she enjoys fighting, not because she's driven to grow. Therefore, she's still trash. The female marshal of the White Tiger troops has talent so strong it's almost overwhelming, yet "...Zhang Yuanqing listened with his heart pounding, thinking that as a captain, such words would surely not be well received—should they reach the Emperor’s ears, they might well mean a headcut. Yet the person seated behind the table remained cold and aloof, as if he himself were the supreme sovereign. Fu Qingyang continued, "Yuanshi, you are different from them all. You possess a deeper inner strength, a more polished exterior, and a more diligent spirit—these are conclusions I've drawn through careful observation. Two S-tier副本 reports have revealed your resilience in the face of adversity; you grow stronger with each setback, a quality very much like mine." "Such qualities are more important than innate talent." "Like me? Goodness, then, the Son-in-law thanks the Emperor for his great favor!" Zhang Yuanqing couldn’t help but mentally mutter. Suddenly recalling what Guan Ya once said—Fu Qingyang had once been considered lacking in talent as a youth, overlooked by his family elders and often looked down upon by his peers—he now began to understand why this seemingly aloof young noble had come to hold such high regard for himself. "Thank you, Captain," Zhang Yuanqing quickly expressed his gratitude and flattered remarks. ... After leaving Tang's Hospital, Zhang Yuanqing did not take Li Dongze's car. Excusing himself with a class schedule, he departed on his own. Walking along the busy street amid a steady flow of traffic, he repeatedly pondered two questions: First, the black circular moon. "I remember Yuan Ting mentioned that when a Spirit Realm traveler passes away, the Spirit Realm formats their character card. However, for high-level travelers, the formatting is often incomplete, leaving behind certain unique traits." "But isn't this force too strong? To resist high-level rule-based items—this clearly indicates a power of exceptional caliber. It should be impossible for such a force to remain intact... Perhaps this is precisely why the Taiguan Sect has been so diligently seeking the successor of the Magus?" "Or, perhaps, only part of the reason?" "That's also good—gradually peeling back the veil of the character's card is better than noticing nothing at all. Unfortunately, that force is beyond my control; I'm even unaware of its presence. The night-wanderer's instinct tells me it originates from the Source of the Moon, symbolizing the hidden. Second, the chronic headache. This comprehensive health check has made him realize that his headaches are anything but ordinary. Previously, he hadn't given much thought to them, simply because as a typical college student, his capacity was limited. Now, as a traveler of the Spiritual Realm, he had wondered whether there was a profession akin to 'doctors' in the Spiritual Realm. However, at that time, his rank and position were low, with insufficient authority. Moreover, the frequency of his headaches had eased, so he hadn't prioritized it much. I should find out where Mom got the medicine from... As he thought this, he opened his contact list and dialed his mother's number—a call he hadn't made in over half a year. 'Ding-ding~' The call connected quickly, and a warm yet slightly assertive voice came through the speaker: 'Yuanzi?" What's up? I have a meeting later. Mom, where did you buy that special medication I'm taking? Zhang Yuanqing asked. Why are you asking now? Has the medicine run out? Though she couldn't see him, Zhang Yuanqing could already picture his mother frowning, a touch impatient. The medicine hasn't run out—I just wanted to know. Zhang Yuanqing spoke evenly, her tone cool and composed, lacking the usual warmth and energy. I arranged for that medicine through a business partner in overseas. Didn't I tell you before? The drug hasn't been launched yet—it's still in the research and development phase. If it weren't for your worsening condition, I really wouldn't have agreed to give it to you. I didn't expect it to work so well. Which overseas company? Don't ask too many questions, dear. Just don't let people know about this medicine—this is a business secret. "Mother said it impatiently, then realized her tone was off, and softened: 'Mom will be back in China for the New Year. What would you like as a gift?' 'No thanks,' Zhang Yuanqing declined. On the other end, there was a brief pause, followed by a certain compromise: 'I remember that friend will be visiting the mainland to assess the market this year. If you'd like to know more, just ask him—I'll let Mom know.' 'Hmm,' Zhang Yuanqing murmured. 'Well, then, I'll hang up. Mom has a meeting.' She's always like this—always busy, always disliking inefficient communication. To her, nothing matters more than her career, not even her own children. Zhang Yuanqing hung up. He slipped his phone back into his pocket, walked for a while in a gloomy mood, and then the phone rang again. Zhang Yuanqing immediately reached for his phone—this time, it was from Xie Lingxi. The hope in his eyes vanished instantly. He picked up the phone with impatience: "Finish your spiel in thirty seconds—I've got a whole bunch of young ladies here in black silk stockings and long legs, no time to listen to you ramble." "Does Master Yuan like black silk stockings? I can show you." Shé Lingxi spoke with a sweet tone. Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment, then shook his head and declined: "No, you don't have to. You look better in a sailor's uniform...咳, cough—what a stretch! I'm not saying you should wear a sailor's uniform, just get to the point." "The Lady of the Palace has returned. She'd like to see you." Shé Lingxi lowered her tone. "She's not feeling well—can't explain over the phone. Just come by." The eccentric one has returned? Hmm, she's been in the north for nearly ten days. Zhang Yuanqing stopped in his tracks and hailed a taxi by the roadside. ... At Tang Family Hospital. Fu Qingyang stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, listening to his phone and said, "All members of Kangyang District have been thoroughly screened—there are no Night Rose members, nor anyone influenced or controlled by the evil organization." The Dog Elder responded with a low, steady "hm." "Better than yesterday." Yesterday, the health check-ups were conducted in Jinjiang District, where two Night Rose members were identified and detained on-site. After interrogation, they only mentioned that their superiors might be official steward-level figures. However, the specific identities of these superiors remained unknown to the two members. Yet, prior to this, before the large-scale health screenings of the grassroots staff, the Dog Elder had already convened the stewards of the Songhai Branch and completed the screenings. All staff passed. Fu Qingyang mused, "The Night Rose has methods to evade the perception of the Huo Fu seal—this is actually another clue." The Dog Elder nodded again, "There are not many means to block the Huo Fu seal. And since the Night Rose's leader is also a Night-Wanderer, I have a good sense of his current level." That was someone who had refined the power of the Moon to its utmost, standing at the same level as the Five Masters. "Hmm, the Moon has two core strengths: feminine power and secrecy." These abilities had already been evident in the extraordinary-stage skills—Spirit Devouring and Night Wandering. The Dog Elder then shifted his tone and asked, "What did Yuan Shi think?" Fu Qingyang reported truthfully: "The Assistant Director recommended that we not assign him to any particularly important posts yet. He still needs to gain experience and truly grasp the essence of being a judge. As for my own assessment, I learned that he had once interacted with a villainous profession, though only briefly and casually. I believe he is a well-balanced, principled young man, and this should not be seen as a flaw." The Dog Elder remained silent, then asked, "With which faction has he been in contact?" Fu Qingyang replied, "He mentioned a person he met, who introduced himself as the Master Without Trace." The Dog Elder's tone clearly improved: "Ah, yes—it's him. Then we can simply leave it at that." By the way, did you ask the question that Taiguan entrusted you with? Fu Qingyang said: "He's not a descendant of the Magician King." The Dog Elder finally smiled: "Excellent!" ... At Fu's Village, Lingjun hung up the phone and mumbled: "He truly isn't a descendant of the Magician King. Without relying on his lineage, he's showing such extraordinary talent—Seung Elder must be even more confused..." Regardless, Fu's identity is now certain; the focus of Taiguan's investigation can shift. He entered the information and sent a brief message to Seung Elder's assistant. ... At Huayu Hotel. Zhang Yuanqing, guided by a female assistant, took the elevator to the floor housing the presidential suite. As the elevator doors opened, he saw Xie Lingxi standing gracefully at the elevator entrance, waiting patiently. "Uncle Yuanshi!" The young green tea girl stepped forward, pushed aside the assistant, and took his arm, assuming the posture of a well-behaved younger sister. "What is it that the Princess has to discuss with me?" he asked softly. Xie Lingxi gently shook her head: "The Palace Mistress sister is seriously injured. She's in my room, saying she must see you immediately. You should go there right away." Seriously injured? I remember that the musician's profession in the Spirit Realm is like a nurse, capable of producing the original life essence. How severe could her injuries be? What level of enchanting spirit-being must have struck her? Yet why does she insist on seeing me even after being injured? Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly: "Give me the room card."