Ding! A familiar spiritual realm notification echoed in his ears, and immediately, Zhang Yuanqing heard the description of the副本: 【Spiritual realm map loading. Enter the realm in 30 seconds. This is your current spiritual realm: "Life and Death Arena," ID: 3371】 【Difficulty level: Unknown】 【Type: Multiplayer (non-death-based)】 【Main objective: Defeat opponents directly and fairly on the arena through combat and sparring—keep it concise and respectful.】 【Note: Non-spiritual realm items cannot be brought in.】 【Introduction for Realm 3371: This realm is exclusive to the "White Tiger Army" faction and has been successfully conquered.】 It must have been randomly assigned to this position. For a moment, he felt as though he were in a bustling stadium, surrounded on all sides by enthusiastic spectators—except that this arena was built of stone, old-fashioned and weathered, resembling an ancient amphitheater, and the audience members didn’t hold up K-T boards or glow sticks. Most strikingly, the atmosphere was remarkably quiet: though the crowd was large, everyone remained silent in unison, gazing steadily at the armored swordsman on the central plaza. He was a tall, well-proportioned man with a refined face and a short beard, embodying elegance, strength, and maturity. A fine sword hung at his waist, and he stood proudly in the center. Was this the host? Quite distinctive. Zhang Yuanqing glanced at him several times, and without knowing why, a sense of reverence arose—like a junior officer feeling cautious and respectful before a seasoned commander. He immediately recognized the man’s profession: a scout. As for his rank—whether a Saint or a Sovereign—he couldn’t tell. At that moment, the armored swordsman spread his palm, and a bright white light emerged, revealing an ancient sheepskin scroll. He gently lifted the scroll into the air, where it unfolded with a rustling sound and then stabilized in the sky. Zhang Yuanqing narrowed his eyes, trying to make out the contents of the scroll, but the pure, radiant light obscured the text, making it difficult to see. The swordsman's voice resonated above the plaza: "Ladies and gentlemen, follow me!" "I swear, I will reveal to no one—by any means—any details I have witnessed on the arena." His voice was firm and resonant, carrying an authority that was impossible to ignore. Zhang Yuanqing felt a sudden tremor in his heart, and without thinking, he murmured aloud: "I swear, I will reveal to no one—by any means—any details I have witnessed on the arena." He knew this was the ability of a high-ranking scout—making others instinctively obedient. Countless voices echoed the same phrase simultaneously, merging into a powerful, surging tide—remarkably grand. The armored swordsman continued, "I swear, I will never reveal the appearance of anyone I saw on the arena, in any form, to anyone." The crowd responded in unison, "I swear, I will never reveal the appearance of anyone I saw on the arena, in any form, to anyone." The scroll of sheepskin in the air trembled with a soft hum, and waves of pure, radiant light rippled outward—seemingly establishing a rule: anyone who broke their oath would face severe consequences. Satisfied, the armored swordsman nodded and once again spread his palms open. The scroll in the air rose gently, then drifted softly back into his hands. The prop we just saw seems to be from a foreign occupation called "Knight"—the ability to enter into a contract is particularly evident... I can't reveal specific details, such as the prop's attributes, right? And even the appearance of the prop has been restricted—officially, they've thought of this quite thoroughly. The armored swordsman continued, "Anyone who leaves midway cannot re-enter the arena that day." ...For a brief second, Zhang Yuanqing felt sympathy for that brother. As the armored swordsman spoke, he walked toward a spot in the first row. Only then did the quiet arena erupt into a lively buzz—some people waved to familiar companions, others shouted their friends' names, and everyone kept shifting positions, hurrying toward close friends or loved ones. Ah, now it's free time—everyone can move around? Zhang Yuanqing immediately stood up and began scanning the crowd. Finally, at a spot on his left, quite far away, he spotted Guan Ya. Though there were many handsome men and women present, Guan Ya's figure and grace remained truly outstanding, easily drawing attention. She was now smiling warmly and waving toward a certain direction—her joyful expression radiated genuine happiness. Who is she greeting? Zhang Yuanqing glanced in that direction. There stood a mature woman in a black T-shirt and light blue tailored jeans, with smoky eye makeup and silver earrings, her features bright and commanding. A true queen! He breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Yuanqing immediately rose and moved closer to the elder sister. "Guan Ya,姐!" "Oh! I was just looking for you—turned out I saw the queen first." Guan Ya's eyes lit up with delight when she saw him arrive. At that moment, the queen, who had been waving her hands for a while but had shown no intention of coming over, now radiated a bright sparkle in her eyes, leaving her companion behind and jogging over with eager steps. Guan Ya said softly: "I've been trying to get her attention. Though she's been warm and responsive, I could sense from her subtle expressions that she wasn't truly eager to come—she didn't want to leave her companion behind, and felt that as long as she showed enough enthusiasm and joy when greeting me, she could simply manage to handle the interaction. But when you arrived, she immediately came rushing over." "So you're saying this is all about that artificial sisterly bond among women—like the plastic sisterhood?" Zhang Yuanqing quietly remarked. "Hey, Yuanshi! Long time no see!" The queen stopped, standing upright with a bright, radiant smile. "Oh, my queenly lady, the more I see you, the more stunning you become. If you keep this beautiful, I'll be certain to pursue you." Zhang Yuanqing offered his sincere praise. At the same time, he felt a little reassured—his greatest fear was for the queen to call him "Yuanshi Tianzun." That would always draw a crowd around him. The name "Yuanshi" was so commonly used that it was hard for people to immediately connect it with Yuanshi Tianzun. The queen smiled warmly and sat down gracefully beside Zhang Yuanqing. "Who was that man in armor just now?" Zhang Yuanqing turned to look at Guan Ya on his left. Old Si Ji usually kept her gaze distant, with a face as beautiful as a heavenly goddess, yet as cold as ice—seeming to have missed his question entirely. What a strange way to give me the cold shoulder... Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself. The queen on the right, known for her considerate nature, spoke up: "That one is the elder from your Songhai branch—yes, I believe so, as he also presided over the match last year." She glanced downward, toward the first row, and said, "The seats in the first row are occupied entirely by senior elders, though I personally know only the Hongying Elder from Taiguan, Sun Elder, the Fuzheng Elder and Shuiyi Elder from Scattered Province, and the Dog Elder from Songhai. I recognize the one who presided over the event, but I don't know his spiritual realm ID." As a frontline administrator, she only knew a limited number of elders. Zhang Yuanqing leaned forward and observed—there were at least twelve elders seated in the first row, a number that was quite impressive, and this was only a portion of the attendees. Such a gathering of so many distinguished figures occurs only once a year, and it truly inspires excitement. "Are the five marshals present?" Zhang Yuanqing asked curiously. The Queen shook her head, "The five alliance chieftains have been elusive—so far, neither our transcendental-stage travelers nor many of the stewards have laid eyes on them." Zhang Yuanqing felt a bit disappointed, yet found it entirely reasonable. As they were speaking, another wave of excitement broke through: "Yuanshǐ brother~" A clear, sweet, tender voice blended with the crispness of youth. Zhang Yuanqing didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Xie Lingxi had dressed in a fresh, down-to-earth, and pure manner—white canvas shoes, light-colored slim jeans, a white t-shirt, and her voluminous hair adorned with a sleek, tech-inspired headband. "You’ve come too?" Zhang Yuanqing smiled warmly and waved her hand. Yet Xie Lingxi didn’t immediately approach. Her bright eyes lingered, shifting toward the regal and vibrant Queen, and with a gentle, delicate voice, she asked, "May I sit by Yuanshǐ brother’s side?" Her soft, pure presence naturally invited care and protection. The Queen hesitated slightly, lifted her hips, and quietly shifted outward. Xie Lingxi beamed and said, "Thank you, sister." Pressed her petite bottom between the two of them, intimately cradling Zhang Yuanqing's arm. The Queen was somewhat disappointed, while Guan Ya grew even colder and more composed. "Brother Yuanshi, I came here thanks to my father's invitation. In such formal events, only a few high-ranking figures from the official noble families are typically invited. Since my father is currently preparing to enter the realm, it's been a pleasure to have me join him." "Brother Yuanshi, come by my home in the autumn to enjoy our crab feast. The Xie family rarely hosts guests outside our immediate circle, but my father has specifically requested that you be among them." Xie Lingxi spoke nonstop. The Queen, seated beside her, was taken aback, studying the young woman who looked like a high school student. Was this one of the Xie family? Indeed, she herself was quite unstructured—more of a loose provincial figure. "Miss, are you from the Xie family? Which branch?" the Queen couldn't help asking. "Thank you, Sister. My father is the head of the Xie family," Xie Lingxi maintained her innocent, vibrant demeanor. The Xie The eldest daughter of the Xie family, so devoted and infatuated with Yuanshiben? She slightly lowered her gaze, remaining silent. Non-official noble families from the Spiritual Realm were also coming... Zhang Yuanqing felt a spark of interest and asked, "Sister, look—has the younger sister of the Zhu family come? That is, the former wife of Chi Yue'an?" Xie Lingxi said "Ah" and immediately rose, scanning the crowd carefully, thoroughly examining the "thousands and thousands" of people present. After a long while, she exclaimed with delight, "That one—yes, that's her." Zhang Yuanqing followed her finger, squinting and straining to see. It had been so long that he couldn't tell which one she meant. Ah, well—since that woman had once been trained by the Demon King, she must surely be exceptionally beautiful. We may question the Demon King's character, but we can't question his charm... Zhang Yuanqing, relying on his intuition, found his target among the sea of people. She was a plump woman in a white dress, somewhat distant so her facial features were indistinct, yet there was an elegant, graceful charm that made a strong impression. Should he take the opportunity to probe her further? Observe his reaction to the Copper雀 Tower and to Chi Yue An? Or simply get to know her better, make a personal connection, and for now remain patient? After a moment's reflection, Zhang Yuanqing decided on the latter course of action. The matter concerning Lady Zhu would not require immediate attention—he would certainly wait until he himself was elevated to the rank of Saint. He maintained a composed demeanor, shifting his gaze subtly. At this point, there was still ample time—twenty minutes remained, and the random pairing had not yet begun. However, most people had already found their companions, and the bustling activity had settled into a calmer rhythm, with only a few still wandering about. Zhang Yuanqing heard, not far behind him, two women speaking in hushed excitement: "That one—yes, that's Fu Qingyang, the young gentleman in the white suit—he's absolutely stunning!" "There's also the 'flower prince,' I hear he's very gentle, deeply understanding, especially attuned to women's hearts—being in love with him is something every woman dreams of." "Oh? I thought he was a bit of a playboy, always switching girlfriends." "You don't understand—true beauty isn't always about lasting forever; it's about having once truly possessed it." Similar murmurs echoed throughout, as people instinctively sought out celebrity figures. "That one with the red hair—is that Jiang Ju?" "Oh no, I made eye contact with him—now I feel like he's about to give me a punch." "Hmm, there's also a young girl with red hair beside him—is that Jiang Jingwei?" "Ha! The Land God still looks so energetic, so vibrant." "...Where's Fengdu's Ghost King? Point him out to me." "Ah, the one behind Red缨 Elder." "Turns out it's him. Not particularly handsome, but his presence is incredibly strong—I noticed him right away. With so many people at the Tai Men side, he's the only one who draws people's attention without even realizing it." "Then the one beside him is Yin Ji, right? Why is she covering her face? I want to see how beautiful the magic king's lover is." "Don't mention the magic king—you're killing yourself!" "...Is that the traditionally dressed, gentle-looking man a bit of a musical novice? He's quite handsome, but I prefer someone more robust and strong." "Oh, so you like the Fire Master? I thought you'd prefer a gentle, soft-spoken man—now that really hits home." "...I saw Zhao Chenghuang over there. I saw him! He's both attractive and cool and reserved. Will I be turned down if I ask for his signature?" "Zhao Chenghuang carries a noble aura—while most Level 3 Night-Wanderers share this kind of presence, his is especially rich and deep." "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid of ghosts. Otherwise, I'd definitely pursue him." "...Sun Miao Miao is absolutely stunning. "Pretty good, but with such exceptional talent—so out of reach, frustrating!" "...That's Qing Songzi, that's the soldier crossing the river, that's the Heavenly Fire unifying the world... Where is Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn? I can't find him." "Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn is a newcomer; not many have seen him. I really want to witness the passage of two S-tier spiritual realm characters." Though ranked only moderately among the top twenty, Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn has drawn considerable interest from many across the various departments as a legendary figure. Having reached Level 3 just under three months after becoming a spiritual realm traveler, and having continuously cleared S-tier and high-difficulty A-tier challenges, including defeating the renowned Li Xianzong, his achievements have earned him a strong reputation. Despite being ranked 11th, this hasn't dampened the curiosity of the spiritual realm travelers from different branches about Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn. Unfortunately, he has been in the game for such a short time that even among the official travelers from Songhai, many have never seen him. ... Zhang Yuanqing is also observing the top-tier performers, with particular interest in those from Tai Men. The night-wanderer of Taimei is easy to spot, sitting behind Master Sun and Master Hongying, a dense group of figures dressed in black skirts and robes, very distinct. He is primarily focused on Sun Miaomiao, Yin Ji, and Zhao Chenghuang. Though a bit distant, he can't clearly see the facial features of his targets—only vaguely discerning that Sun Miaomiao has a round, graceful face, a particularly striking beauty. Yin Ji is veiled in a silk shawl, clad in layered black gowns, her figure and facial features obscured, yet her overall silhouette conveys a strong sense of grace and charm. Zhao Chenghuang has a refined, handsome countenance, arms folded across his chest, seated with poised stillness, exuding a quiet, self-assured pride. At this moment, a soft, sweet voice interrupts Zhang Yuanqing's gaze. "You're here too," the woman says. Zhang Yuanqing turns to see a woman with golden hair and green eyes has appeared beside him without him noticing. She cannot be described merely as beautiful—she should be called a "beauty of exceptional charm," a "source of trouble," or a "delightful, alluring enchantress"—words that carry A typical beautiful woman is pleasing to the eye and inspires admiration, while Anne is so captivating that one simply wants to strip her bare and take her forcefully. The three women around Zhang Yuanqing all furrowed their brows, instinctively displaying hostility. Especially the young, delicate one, who felt a comprehensive domination from Anne—Anne’s alluring smile, her shameful bust, her smoothly rounded hips—all a clear case of a superior-level assault. Xie Lingxi couldn’t help but clench her arms tightly around her Yuanshǐ brother’s. She hadn’t grown up yet; she was still a small, vulnerable girl, only deeply concerned for her brother. "Miss Anne?" Zhang Yuanqing smiled. "Have you also received the invitation from the Five Elements Alliance?" Anne nodded, her voice soft and pleasant. "I came with Mr. Bill. When I saw you, I came over to greet you enthusiastically. I forgot to ask your Lingjing ID—until now, I didn’t even know how to address you." In fact, she didn’t even know Zhang Yuanqing’s given name, only that his mother was Chen Shu. Zhang Yuanqing followed her gaze and spotted Bill Tarantino, with his deeply defined features and mature masculine charm. The foreign businessman bowed slightly to him. Zhang nodded in return, shifted his attention, and smiled at Anne. "I'm just a minor figure, nothing special!" Anne didn't offer much response, only smiled gently and turned to leave. Zhang then turned his gaze back toward the gathering of Taomen disciples. Suddenly, Guan Ya's voice rang out in his ears: "Jiang Jingwei has arrived!" What? He was startled and quickly turned to see—there she was, Jiang Jingwei bounding toward him and Guan Ya with a joyful expression. Seeing Zhang Yuanqing, Jiang Jingwei waved vigorously and exclaimed loudly: "Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun, this way—right here—" Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun? Anne, who had just taken a few steps, suddenly stopped. Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun? The official attendants around instantly turned their attention, moving in perfect unison.