At one thirty, the sunlight was scorching, dusty, and the slightly uneven street radiated intense heat, distorting the air. A wind-blown taxi stopped by the roadside, not far from the entrance arch of the Unseen Hotel. Zhang Yuanqing carried his backpack, put on his baseball cap and mask, and stepped out. "Young man, heading back to Songhai? I can wait for you!" the driver, a kindly elderly man, called out warmly as he peered over the edge. Though this trip had been a solid one, he still hoped to make another fare. After a moment's thought, Zhang turned and said, "I'll be back in the evening. How about you wait then?" "Have a good trip!" the driver said, pressing the accelerator and driving off. Zhang adjusted his cap and strode confidently through the parking spaces in front of the lobby, pushing open the main hall door. A strong, refreshing breeze rushed in, invigorating him and leaving him feeling at ease. Xiao Yuan, the young lady at the counter, stood there in her usual white shirt paired with a wine-red suit jacket—tall, well-proportioned, with bright, vibrant features. Xiao Yuan glanced at him and said calmly, "Come with me." She then stepped away from the counter, her high heels clicking steadily as she walked toward the hotel interior. How can this woman be so cold one moment and warm the next? Zhang Yuanqing hurried to follow and entered the elevator. They reached the third floor. Xiao Yuan pulled out her employee card from her pocket and swiped it to open door 306. "The third-level spirit-influencing demon you requested has around 30% to 60% experience—quite strong. He's the head of a powerful criminal faction in Jinshan City and has committed many heinous acts." Xiao Yuan leaned against the doorframe, arms folded. Zhang Yuanqing entered the room and saw a man lying quietly on the bed. He was in his early thirties, with a lean, well-proportioned frame, strong muscles, and no excess fat. After examining him carefully, he confirmed there were no obvious external injuries or fractures, and nodded in satisfaction. The physical body is like the raw material—it must be intact, undamaged. Any missing limbs or structural flaws would be unacceptable. This body is in excellent condition, clearly indicating that Xiao Yuan has been truly attentive. "How long has it been since the death?" he asked again. The material's death should ideally occur within twelve hours, as the concentration of residual spirit within the body directly determines the quality of the material. "It was just hunted this morning," she replied. Zhang Yuanqing nodded again with satisfaction, then removed his backpack and took out twenty bundles of thick banknotes, each bundle amounting to one hundred thousand yuan. "This is the payment," he said. Xiao Yuan paused, her expression suddenly turning cold. "No payment is needed," she said. "Hunting the spirit-possessing demon for you is part of my promise, and it's also a gesture of goodwill on my part." Her gaze lingered on the twenty thousand yuan in cash for a few seconds, hesitating before firmly shifting away. Did I think she was being charitable? She's so sensitive—just a little bit of kindness can easily wound her sense of self-worth... Zhang Yuanqing said solemnly, "The human relationships are owed to me by Kou Beiyue; they should be repaid by him himself. But now, what I'm repaying is the debt owed to you." Xiao Yuan furrowed her brows and remained silent. The hotel's business hasn't been booming, and in recent years the overall situation has been sluggish, making it difficult to earn a profit. To maintain her small team, she's under significant pressure. The team under the Master Wu isn't just her and Kou Beiyue. The cash of twenty thousand yuan is quite significant. Zhang Yuanqing seized the moment, growing increasingly agitated, saying, "By repaying the debt on Kou Beiyue's behalf, it seems as though I'm an outsider. Does that mean I'm less important in Xiao Yuan's eyes than that rather clumsy young man?" "Exactly!" Xiao Yuan replied. Zhang Yuanqing: "...". A faint smile flashed in Xiao Yuan's eyes, quickly masked, and she maintained a cold demeanor, saying, "But you're right—Kou Beiyue's debt should be repaid by him himself. He Zhang Yuanqing then handed over the twenty thousand yuan in cash. Xiao Yuan held the bundles of banknotes in her hands, opened the door, and was about to leave—then paused, saying, "I originally intended to help you track down an older woman, but such a target is relatively rare, and you've been pressing me so tightly. For next time when you need to prepare the Yin corpse, please let me know at least two weeks in advance. As for the payment..." She glanced down at the large stack of banknotes pressed against her chest, a smile playing at her lips, "still twenty thousand." The door closed with a solid thud. Did she really just tease me? And on this particular point? Zhang Yuanqing stood speechless. Still, Xiao Yuan, what I truly appreciate is warm, vibrant older women—not cold, distant ones. After a moment of delight, he composed himself and shifted his focus back to the task at hand. Zhang Yuanqing then carefully removed from his backpack a white porcelain bowl, a brush, a crimson pigment, the bodily fluids extracted from the zombies, and the black soil from the ancient tombs that had been purified of yin energy—pouring all of them Not long after, the contents of the bowl blended into a thick, porridge-like dark brown substance. He walked to the bedside, using his blood-sucking blade to cut through the fabric of the creature's body, one hand holding the bowl and the other gripping the pen, dipping it into the "ink," and sketching spiritual incantations upon the body of this enchanting spirit. After death, the spirit gradually dissipates, though during this process, the spirit remains partially attached to the physical body—yet is effectively separated from it. It's much like the relationship between a cup and its water: the water is contained within the cup, but is not one with it. Therefore, the first step in crafting a yin corpse is to re-integrate the residual spirit within the physical body. Only then can a yin corpse with low intelligence be produced; a yin corpse devoid of spiritual awareness is equivalent to a lifeless puppet, offering little value. Furthermore, once the spirit and body are fused, certain attributes are retained—typically in the form of a passive ability. The enchanting spirit at the transcendent stage possesses only one such passive ability: rage! Zhang Yuanqing focused his concentration, paying meticulous attention to every stroke. Aside from ensuring the spiritual scroll was perfectly inscribed, each stroke had to channel an identical amount of Yin energy. If the Yin energy flowed unevenly, the structural balance of the array would be compromised, leading to failure. After about fifteen minutes, the spiritual scroll was complete—twisted, distinct incantations seamlessly connected, forming a harmonious and visually striking, yet unusual array. Zhang Yuanqing clearly felt the lingering spirit within the corpse gradually seeping into the flesh, reuniting with the now-cold body. "It's done!" He exhaled deeply, beaming with satisfaction. Although the spiritual scroll was a natural talent of Ye You Shen, mastering it was only the foundation. Success in achieving it in a single attempt depended entirely on skill—wherein, beginners often fell far short of seasoned practitioners. Zhang Yuanqing, who had first attempted to refine the yin corpse, took a deep breath and then retrieved two glass test tubes from his backpack, each containing a purple and a red liquid. The purple liquid was the blood of a powerful yin entity, sourced from the exclusive spiritual realm of the Night-Wanderer Deity. The red liquid was the sap of a plant known as "Blood-Hand Flower," rich in potent vitality. The purple liquid was used to nourish the yin corpse, endowing it with yang and yin energies. The red liquid revitalized the lifeless body, restoring flexibility to joints and suppleness to muscles—more simply put, like lubricant that reactivates rusted gears. Finally, Zhang Yuanqing took out a translucent yellow crystal resembling amber, the most valuable among all materials, worth two million. This material originated from the spiritual realm of the Earth Monster and possesses strong earth-based spiritual energy, as well as exceptional adaptability, allowing it to blend harmoniously with most substances. He had chosen the earth attribute for the yin corpse—an attribute he had decided upon long ago, after careful deliberation. The mesmerizing spirit is a skilled warrior, excelling in close-range combat among all classes, yet its moderate healing and defensive capabilities are its weaknesses. Between healing and defense, Zhang Yuanqing chooses defense. For the shadow corpse, which never tires nor suffers pain, healing proves somewhat underwhelming; defense, however, is more critical. As a puppet and a tool, the corpse is susceptible to damage. Especially when facing a strong opponent, it may even be stripped of its skin and sinews—thus rendering it useless. To this end, Zhang Yuanqing pours the purple and red liquids into a small bowl, mixes them with the viscous liquid, and stirs quickly. He dips his brush into the diluted liquid and begins to inscribe the array on the floor. Notably, the hotel floor is composed of wooden planks and tiles; were it a carpet, Zhang Yuanqing would be at a loss. Inscribing the array on the floor is more complex and challenging than drawing on the corpse itself, and to ensure accuracy, he proceeds with great care and slowness. After all, there was only one set of materials. Half an hour later, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling suddenly exhausted—like a child who had spent all day building blocks and finally completed the structure. Zhang Yuanqing lifted the body of the seductive spirit and gently placed it at the center of the array, then positioned the yellow crystal on the chest of the corpse. "This is it—the turning point!" He stepped back to the edge of the array, pressing his palm gently against one corner, steadily channeling an unceasing flow of Yin energy. Instantly, gusts of cool wind swept through the room, and the temperature dropped sharply. One after another, the dried incantations glowed with faint purple, black, and red light. The black and purple hues merged into the corpse, forming a dense aura of阴煞 (negative spiritual energy), while the red light nourished the corpse, reviving its pale skin. Seeing this, Zhang Yuanqing immediately increased the flow of Yin energy. The black, purple, and red lights surged upward, reaching the ceiling in a magnificent, radiant display. The yellow crystal on the corpse’s chest, like a melting ice cream cone, was gradually absorbed by the dark spirit. The shadow corpse lying at the heart of the array suddenly opened its eyes, their gaze fierce and cruel, a powerful force radiating from within it sweeping the curtains and bed linens into a gust of阴 wind. "It's done!" Zhang Yuanqing was overjoyed. Not quite yet—there was still one final step. He stepped boldly into the array, bit his fingertip, and drew a circular formation on the shadow corpse's forehead. As soon as the circle took shape, it dissolved into the corpse's body, and in Zhang Yuanqing's consciousness, a perfect replica of the same circle appeared. This was the master's seal—both a command and a medium for controlling the shadow corpse. The seal served two functions. First, it allowed instructions to be sent to the corpse, assigning it simple, straightforward tasks—such as killing enemies—but it could not comprehend or execute more complex commands, like painting. Second, through this seal, the body of the corpse could be taken over, allowing it to be manipulated much like a spiritual servant. In this state, the corpse could perform a wide range of precise and intricate actions. "Look at the abilities this one has retained—what new attributes has the yellow crystal bestowed upon it?" Immediately, Zhang Yuanqing focused his concentration, sending a unified intent into the imprint within his consciousness. In that instant, he felt himself being "split open"—he perceived two versions of himself, each with a separate body. Through the perspective of the yin corpse, he saw himself dressed in a slim, seven-seam pants and a white T-shirt. This sensation was not unfamiliar—he had experienced it when he had been bowing and engaging in playful interactions with the younger ones. "Wow, the yin corpse's physical strength surpasses even my original body!" Zhang Yuanqing was astonished upon understanding the yin corpse's attributes. First and foremost, the yin corpse's physical prowess: as a level-3 enchanting spirit-being, its bodily condition surpassed that of his current self. Moreover, Zhang Yuanqing sensed a growing, eager combat spirit within this body—something innate and resolute. It seemed as though this being was born to fight. The yearning and confidence for battle, which were absent in his original form, now flourished here. "It's as if it's been forced to possess combat prowess... Is this the usual state of the seductive spirit-being?..." Next comes its attributes: the passive ability of "furious rage upon seeing blood" has been preserved—this is the only passive skill of the seductive spirit-being. The skills of seduction and marking have returned to the realm of the spiritual. What truly brings Zhang Yuanqing joy, however, are the three attributes granted by the yellow crystal: First, during combat, the shadow corpse can actively absorb the earth's energy, enhancing its endurance, without requiring the master to nourish it with the energy of the Yin. Notably, the shadow corpse has limits—it is not an eternal engine. Once its internal Yin energy is depleted, the master must re-nourish it. Second, its physical defense has been strengthened. Though it has not yet reached the level of being as solid as bronze and iron, it can withstand ordinary blades and bullets. Third, the ability to summon stone armor. This attribute is an active skill. The Yin Shi can convert the earth-element spiritual energy stored within their body into a stone-like armor that renders them invulnerable to cuts and thrusts, lasting for three minutes. This armor is exceptionally strong—capable of withstanding even a minute of attacks from level-matched, specialized "disrupting armor" deities, such as the Gu Huo-type spiritual beings. "Without relying on any equipment, I feel the Yin Shi is actually a bit stronger than my original form. That's why they say the Yin Shi-equipped Night-Wanderer is quite different from the one without it. That's also why the scholars ranked me at number 11." Zhang Yuanqing suddenly understood. He couldn't help wondering: How strong must the combat power of Zhao the City Deity be, who possesses a fourth-tier Yin Shi? Even if the Yin Shi loses most of the abilities of a Saint-level cultivator, as long as one key ability remains, combined with the Saint's physical prowess, they could easily overpower the majority of extraordinary beings. And that's not even counting Zhao's own combat strength. Previously, I was overly confident—fortunately, now I too have a shade of the undead, and the gap has narrowed. In just a couple of days, the arena match will take place, and I’ll be making a dazzling debut with my undead companion. He leaves the room with his undead firmly in hand, full of confidence. "…." "Miss Xiao Yuan, the match is tomorrow. I'll be there, aiming to win it—definitely in the top three, I'm sure." Zhang Yuanqing didn't commit himself fully. Xiao Yuan glanced at him. "Even making it into the top five would be a great achievement." "Let's make a bet?" Zhang Yuanqing wasn't satisfied. "What about?" Xiao Yuan stepped in. If it were my uncle, the bet would surely be dates, kisses—after all, I'm a serious person," Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment, then said, "The loser will share the bed with the winner!" Then both he and the ghost were tossed out of the hotel by Xiao Yuan. "Come on, it was just a joke!" Zhang Yuanqing hurried off, embarrassed. … Two days later, early morning. After breakfast and a fresh set of clothes, Zhang Yuanqing returned to his room and locked the door. He retrieved the deceased No. 1 from the wardrobe, fastened the waist pack, and set up the King Cat speaker. He waited silently until nine o'clock arrived. According to the official announcement, the way to enter the arena is the same as entering a quest—simply wait at home for the spiritual realm's prompt sound. The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m. "Wait a moment..." Zhang Yuanqing suddenly remembered something. If the Yin Princess is indeed the magic king's lover, she must have seen the Cat King speaker. After all, this item cannot be stored in the inventory. If she discovers that I possess the Cat King speaker, although it wouldn't necessarily establish me as the magic king's heir, she would certainly question me and inquire further—adding unnecessary complications. With that thought, he quickly unfastened his satchel. You'll just have to stay put in the drawer, then—what a pity, losing such a powerful support item... he sighed. Time passed slowly, and finally, it was 9 a.m.