Such heavy boots… Zhang Yuanqing felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead, guessing from Fu Qingyang’s slightly trembling arm that the object wasn’t light at all. But he hadn’t expected it to be this heavy—enough to break his arm. Wait, shouldn’t Fu Qingyang have mentioned that to me? Zhang Yuanqing looked up and saw Fu Qingyang’s composed expression, subtly teasing. Such a fuss over the matter of “ruined reputation”? Zhang Yuanqing nodded, but didn't immediately remove his boots, as at that moment, the item attributes appeared: 【Name: Houtu Boots】 【Type: Shoes】 【Function: Mountain God (incomplete); Fatal Leg】 【Description: Crafted from the silk of the sacred mountain silkworm, these boots are light as feathers and impervious to blade cuts. Buried beneath the sacred mountain for thirty-three years, absorbing the dragon's energy and refining the essence from all eight directions, they were finally formed—thus named, the Houtu Boots.】 【Note 1: It is one of the components of the ritual attire for heaven-worshiping ceremonies. The remaining three pieces are: crown, robe, and sash. It is said that when all four pieces of the set are gathered, the secret of immortality can be unraveled.】 【Note 2: Once you wear them, you will become a straightforward person—grounded and sincere in your conduct.】 【Note 3: It is well known that straightforward people possess excellent endurance.】 Mountain God? I remember that the Mountain God was the profession name after a soil creature evolved. "Incomplete" means it only possesses partial abilities of the Mountain God... Notes 2 and 3 clearly represent the price to pay—being a straightforward, honest person makes me a bit nervous. Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment, then stored the Houtu Boots in his inventory, completing the bonding. The very next second, the Houtu Boots summoned themselves from the inventory and landed with a thud on the carpet. Zhang Yuanqing, arms hanging loosely, lifted his left foot and, without removing his shoes, inserted it into the boot's opening. The opening expanded effortlessly to comfortably accommodate his left foot. While not as convenient as the Red Dance Shoes, it still works quite well. Zhang Yuanqing then followed the same procedure to put on his right foot. At the moment he wore the boots, he naturally grasped the functions and significance of the Houtu Boots—and clearly understood the price he had to pay. Firstly, the decisive leg strike: by channeling the power of the earth into his legs, he could deliver a strike of the Saint Realm's caliber, but only three times per day. With just this ability, even a regular extraordinary traveler, I could instantly eliminate—assuming a pure physical confrontation... Zhang Yuanqing was delighted. Next is the Mountain God, who possesses two abilities: First, to absorb the essence of the earth's meridians, converting it into a continuous supply of energy, which explains the endless endurance of earth monsters. As long as they remain grounded, even after fighting for three days and three nights, they won't tire. It would be wonderful if the oxen from the production team had this skill... Zhang Yuanqing mused internally. Second, to transform and integrate a specific region into a "god" of that area—thus earning the title of Mountain God. The ideal choice of region is deep mountain terrain, where the Mountain God can leverage terrain advantages to withstand opponents stronger than themselves. Next in preference is flat land, while cities are the least favorable. "It sounds exactly like the mythical Mountain Gods from legends—so would there also be a Water God? Moreover, could the ability to integrate a region work synergistically with the water and fire array of the Yin-Yang Robe? Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself. Regarding the costs, Note 1 outlines two: one being a person of straightforward nature, and the other being grounded and practical. The "person of straightforward nature" refers to a growing sense of reserve and sincerity—most directly, if Guan Ya one day asks him, "Did you glance at the girls' chests today?" Zhang Yuanqing would typically reply, "I only looked at yours." After wearing the Houtu boots, however, his response becomes, "I... I... I saw several girls' chests" (blushing deeply). The second cost—being "grounded and practical"—literally means that while wearing the Houtu boots, his leaping ability is significantly reduced, effectively confined to the ground. Note 2 functions both as a cost and as a capability: the endurance mentioned here encompasses not just physical strength, but also mental resilience—such as patience, the capacity to endure pain, and the ability to withstand provocations. At that moment, Fu Qingyang commented from the side: "The Houtu Boots are a solid item. If you can effectively harness the mountain deity's abilities, you'll be able to stand a chance against Zhao Chenghuang." With Yuanshi's current strength, he actually falls short of Zhao Chenghuang. Without that battle armor, Yuanshi's shadow corpse would be rapidly degraded, allowing Zhao Chenghuang to launch a coordinated assault on him—thus securing a decisive victory for Zhao. Let's try wearing the Yin-Yang Robe next and see if there's any set bonus skill... Zhang Yuanqing seemed to have missed Fu Qingyang's words entirely, reaching into his inventory to retrieve the Yin-Yang Robe. As it's a set piece, the components must offer some synergy—otherwise, it wouldn't be considered a set. But whether this synergy activates once the full set is assembled or as soon as two components are equipped, Zhang Yuanqing wasn't certain. The robe unfolded and was draped over his shoulders. Zhang Yuanqing carefully sensed the effect for a moment, then looked delighted. Indeed, there is a set of synergistic abilities. Once the Yin-Yang Array is activated, the water and fire duplicates no longer remain as flame-bodied and water-bodied figures—they transform into solid, earthy beings empowered by the Hou-Tu Boots! These earth-bodied figures possess an unbreakable form and immense strength. Zhang Yuanqing's greatest delight lies in finally overcoming the long-standing weakness of the water and fire duplicates in terms of offensive power. During the match, if the Hou-Tu Boots are activated and the Yin-Yang Array is fully deployed, Zhang Yuanqing is certain to defeat Zhao Chenguang so thoroughly that even his own grandfather would not recognize him. "Your robe—is it..." Fu Qingyang paused, his eyes widening in astonishment. As a scout, he had already sensed the truth through subtle cues in Yuanshen's facial expressions and the way he had retrieved the robe. Zhang Yuanqing offered no concealment: "This robe was a hidden item I obtained from the Yin-Yang Town. It is one of the offerings for the Celestial Sacrifice Set, and the Hou-Tu Boots are part of the same set." Fu Qingyang had composed himself, offering a slight nod. "That explains why you asked me to examine the Houshui Boots back then. The set is extremely rare—among the ones we've collected and documented, there are no more than ten. Each set is worth an immense fortune. Even the senior elders find it difficult to gather a complete set. Yuanshen, your luck is truly exceptional." Zhang Yuanqing's face broke into an uncontainable smile. "I intend to gather the entire Ji Tian set, so I can use it all the way through the Dominant Realm." Fu Qingyang: "That's no easy feat. Within the Five Elements Alliance, only a few have managed to collect a complete set, and each of them is a true prodigy." Zhang Yuanqing asked: "Who among our official ranks has already gathered a complete set?" Fu Qingyang: "Me!" "I should have asked—turns out, I've been waiting here all along." Zhang Yuanqing bowed deeply. "The Hundred-Commander is truly outstanding! Under the Dominant Realm, there is no one else I would follow. By mid-year, I shall ascend to Dominant status, step onto the "Fu Qingyang glanced at him: "Rest a while first, have your broken bones set, and have lunch here at noon." ... At 2 p.m., the arena. One after another, figures appeared on the spectator stands. Within just a few seconds, the once-empty seats became packed—crowds of people pressed closely together, heads forming a dense, dark mass. Zhang Yuanqing appeared at a random spot among the stands, and the official attendants beside him were all strangers to him. Yet, the others recognized him. "Ah—Master Yuan-Shi!," exclaimed a beautiful young woman, clutching her mouth in delight. Her female companions beside her were equally excited and thrilled. I'm now an idol-level figure... Zhang Yuanqing felt a surge of joy, just ready to use his social skills and engage in a lively conversation with several of the young ladies, when suddenly he caught sight of Guan Ya in the distance, smiling warmly toward him. The mentor's teachings flashed through his mind. Zhang Yuanqing gave a slight nod, imitating Fu Qingyang's composed demeanor, calmly and deliberately stepping past the female colleagues, and moving steadily toward the elder official, Lady Si. "Hmm, he's so reserved—quite different from how he performed during the match." "Being reserved is actually perfect. It means he won't be overly casual with girls. I really like a dedicated, restrained male lead." Women's preference for reserved male leads is just as valid as men's fondness for ice-cold, elegant women. Though I may not get my wish, I know they remain pure. Lively, carefree couples often suffer from poor reputations because those who admire their beauty know their male and female leads are always sharing beds with others. Once again, the words of my life coach come to mind. "Guan Ya!" He sat down beside her at the old secretary's side. Zhang Yuanqing knew that by actively seeking her out right after entering, he would surely win her favor, and his earlier cold attitude toward the "fans" would further boost his appeal. "Ah!" Guan Ya nodded with a radiant smile, her eyes subtly satisfied. The initial chaos of adjusting seats quickly settled. The queen didn't watch today's match—according to Guan Ya, she happened to be on duty, so she had to stay in reality, heartbroken. As for Xiao Green Tea and Jiang Jingwei, Zhang Yuanqing hadn't seen them. Amid the clashing of scales and armor, the armored swordmasters made their entrance, delivered a brief opening speech, and then the combat pairings were instantly displayed on the spiritual realm interface for all the present spiritual realm travelers. "Fengdu Ghost King vs. One Reed Crosses the River" "Lin Jun vs. the Rosy Young Lady" "Fu Qingyang vs. the Flame-Bearing Bear" "...” Zhang Yuanqing quickly scanned through the match list, delighted to exclaim, "This is only the beginning, and already so many star-level competitors have made their appearances?" In the extraordinary stage of the competition, only a few star-level players typically debuted on the first day. Kuan Ya explained, "The number of officials is naturally limited. For instance, in a major city like Songhai, there are only about fifteen to twenty saints, and they don't always participate in the tournament." Many elder saints would only step in if they were confident of securing a top ten finish. On one hand, they might not even participate in the combat dungeons; on the other, a defeat would be quite embarrassing. The stewards are the backbone of the official structure. When the elders are not present, the stewards become the highest-ranking officials that the traveling delegates can interact with. Face matters above all. Guan Ya gave a positive response based on her observations. Zhang Yuanqing looked again at Fengdu's Ghost King—his face stern, composed, and impassive, never smiling. He thought to himself: it's no wonder Yin Ji doesn't like Fengdu's Ghost King and has chosen to follow the Magistrate instead. The Magistrate is warm, lively, and naturally gifted—clearly more appealing to women than a serious, reserved man. As his thoughts drifted, three Yin corpses formed a triangular formation and charged toward Yi Wei crossing the river, their steady, firm footsteps growing increasingly urgent and rapid. Each step cracked the stone planks of the platform. Yi Wei's pupils suddenly contracted, her eyes turning amber, her pupils elongating, thick yellow fur sprouting beneath her skin, whiskers extending from her lips, her nose darkening and rounding, her fingernails lengthening and curving into sharp claws. In an instant, she transformed into a graceful, well-proportioned cat-woman. The cat-woman leapt lightly, clearing the heads of the three corpses and evading their attacks. She landed silently, without a sound, then swiftly materialized into a blur, moving as swiftly as lightning, heading toward Fengdu's Ghost King. At the same time, green wild grass sprouted from the stone planks beneath Fengdu's Ghost King, spreading out like a carpet and transforming the arena floor into a meadow. Fengdu's Ghost King remained composed, leaping several meters into the air, and then entering the night realm, vanishing from view under the watchful eyes of the crowd. The cat woman instantly halted her momentum, scanning carefully left and right, checking for any signs of footprints on the meadow. Yet Fengdu's Ghost King seemed as though he had vanished entirely. "Where do you think he is?" Guan Ya asked softly. Zhang Yuanqing didn't hesitate, stating, "On the shoulder of the Yin尸." The mixed-blood beauty glanced at him in surprise—this matched her own observations, though Yuan Shi, not a scout and without the Insight glasses, had deduced it purely through battlefield intuition. At that moment, a clear image of Fengdu's Ghost King appeared on the shoulder of one of the Yin尸. He held a small round mirror in his hands, gazing into it. As if seeing something satisfactory in the reflection, he smiled lightly and then exhaled a continuous, endless flow of Taiyin energy. "Wooowwwww..." The ghostly wails echoed throughout the arena, and the temperature dropped sharply. As Zhang Yuanqing, the deity of night wanderers, clearly observed, wisps of pale mist, carrying the power of the lunar energy, drifted upward and materialized into various spectral spirits—some male, some female, some old, some young—some with fierce, contorted faces, others with wild, disheveled hair. A full dozen spectral beings, each holding a sickle, floated in the air, swirling and dancing in chaotic motion. These weren't mere servants of the spirit realm—there were simply too many. They weren't exactly spirits of service; they were somewhere between servants and wailing ghosts. What on earth was going on? Zhang Yuanqing was utterly stunned. The spectral beings raised their sickles and charged directly at the cat woman. With every strike, she emitted sharp cries of pain. Though she could nimbly evade attacks from the shadowy corpses, she could not avoid these invisible spirits. After several minutes, the battle concluded. Feng Du, the Ghost King, had won effortlessly—like a mere side dish being picked over. Was this what the previous sovereign's invincible champions had been like? Why did he need So far, Fengdu's Ghost King has been drawing upon the abilities of the Night-Wanderer God. As for the Star Officials—what about their capabilities? Zhang Yuanqing silently reflected. The second pair was Ling Jun and Lu Hong, the latter a God of Pestilence, whose strengths lie in pathogens and microorganisms, areas effectively countered by the Beast King's healing powers. Yet Ling Jun remained steady and composed throughout, never making a decisive move, since "Miss" was a particularly graceful, mature woman. "Which division are you from, sister?" "The Copper Province." "Ah, I've gained an advantage here—though it's not truly earned." "That's all right; victory itself isn't the point." "Indeed, victory isn't the point. Simply getting to compete against such an accomplished woman is my greatest gain from this tournament." "You truly know how to speak—no wonder you're known as the 'Flower Prince.'" "Did you come to the match primarily for the rewards?" "For refinement—training." After lingering and hesitating for nearly half an hour, the armored warrior couldn't help but furrow his brow and raise his voice: "Let's get this done—let's finish it quickly!" "Linjun heard this, pressed a hand to his chest and gasped, 'I'm ill—I'm giving up.' The seasoned woman across from him blinked, utterly stunned. Before she could speak, Linjun had already pressed a hand to his chest and stumbled back toward the audience seats, unsteady. He'd deliberately done this—intending to make me endure more matches... The familiar female attendant from Water God's Palace instantly grasped the young man's intent. Overwhelmed with both gratitude and surprise, her admiration for him grew significantly. Guan Ya agreed wholeheartedly,感慨道, "This young man, Qingyang, has always had a flair for the dramatic since childhood." "He's also the kind who's both naive and well-off." "Yet he claims to govern through virtue." "These things we'll keep private—don't let them get out." "Exactly as I'd hoped." As he spoke, a fiery sphere rose from the audience section and crashed down like a mortar shell toward Fu Qingyang, who was floating in midair. Fu Qingyang's face grew stern. With a simple flick of his fingers, the fireball exploded, and within the expanding blaze, a tall, imposing figure emerged. The man was in his forties, broad-shouldered, with a full beard, commanding presence, and sharp, penetrating eyes—someone who, if walking down the street, would draw several stares and then be approached to ask, "What are you looking at?" and then receive a solid punch. "Fu Qingyang!" "Saint Fire Bear exclaimed, 'They say you're the foremost among those below the Sovereign Realm. I'm not convinced. I'm here to witness your true strength—hope you're not just a name on the wall.' As he slowly descended, he saw Fu Qingyang reach out from the void, grasping a Han Baofang bronze sword. The blade was sharp, yet the sword's body was covered in layers of bronze rust. The composed Qian Gong, with a single stroke, severed the sword through the air. Saint Fire Bear's eyes widened, his body trembling strangely, his mind flashing through countless evasive maneuvers—yet each one was immediately rejected by him. In the end, he did nothing, allowing the blade to slice through his chest and break his ribs. Thud! He crashed heavily onto the platform, blood bursting from his chest and spreading across the grass. Fu Qingyang turned around and drifted back to the platform. The battle had already concluded before it even began. The logistics team hurried onto the stage, assessed the injuries, and announced, 'Senior, we need to administer the life essence infusion.' The armored warrior nodded slightly. The logistics team then carried Saint Fire Bear away, swiftly departing. The entire arena fell silent. A few seconds later, a surge of murmurs erupted like a tidal wave. "What? That's it? Did the Saint-Fire Steward just charge fees?" "The act is completely fake. I could have easily dodged Fu Qingyang's sword blow—how could the Steward, a man of such stature, have failed to meet it? The money-merchant truly lives up to his name." The audience chattered continuously, criticizing Fu Qingyang for staging a mock match. Zhang Yuanqing suddenly recalled the moment at the Third Primary School when he had slain Hei Wúcháng—the Fire Master known as the Night Rose—hadn't even dared to engage Fu Qingyang in close combat. Yet this Saint-Fire Steward had charged straight into the fray from the start. In comparison, this one was truly a genuine Fire Master. The Night Rose, in fact, was a disgrace to the art of Fire Mastery. Amid the murmurs, Zhang Yuanqing heard Guan Ya remark: "This is what it means to approach the Way." Approach the Way... he silently repeated these four words, and then asked: "What exactly does this mean?" This question had "I mentioned before that the river-crossing soldier is known as Xiao Qingyang, and you've certainly experienced his insight specialization." Guan Ya said. "Fu Qingyang's strike is essentially the enhanced version of the river-crossing soldier's insight specialization—yes, refined and strengthened across countless iterations." Zhang Yuanqing nodded. The river-crossing soldier can anticipate two to three steps ahead; whenever he lifts his spear, you immediately feel as though you're about to be struck—whether to the left or the right, his prediction is always accurate. "So, is the Centurion anticipating seven or eight steps, or even more?" Guan Ya shook her head, her expression serious. "No. If he were truly anticipating that far, he wouldn't be said to have reached the level of 'approaching the Way.' His mastery is even one level beyond that." One level beyond? Zhang Yuanqing raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?" "I've told you before that Fu Qingyang wasn't particularly gifted. From an early age, he was looked down upon by his family elders, and among his peers, he ranked only average to below average. Yet he was deeply proud—a pride that came from within, rooted in his very bones. Sometimes I didn't understand it: how could someone so unremarkable be so proud? What gave him that right? Precisely because of this blind pride, he often suffered bullying from his family peers. When Guan Ya speaks of this, her eyes carry nostalgia, admiration, and deep respect. "It was only during his 15th year, at the family's martial arts competition, that I was knocked unconscious by a single cut from him—just one stroke, yet swift, powerful, and precise, catching me completely off guard. "Later, I learned that for the past seven or eight years, Fu Qingyang had practiced only one technique: the cutting strike. "He knew his natural abilities weren't strong, so he didn't study martial arts or learn various techniques—he focused solely on the cutting strike, pouring all his energy and dedication into perfecting it until it reached its peak." "I was utterly convinced that I had lost, because I knew that that single strike embodied his pride and the decades of dedication he had poured into it—by the time he delivered it, he had already become invincible." Guan Ya exhaled, "Since becoming a Spirit Realm traveler, he has seamlessly integrated his insight into his strikes, practicing tirelessly, yet his family elders still didn't believe in him, always feeling he was too narrow in his approach, relying solely on one technique, which made him vulnerable to targeted attacks. Indeed, that was the case. Back then, he was strong—like the current river-bound pawn—but not outstanding. It wasn't until he ascended to the Saint Realm that we realized he had transformed that single strike into a rule." Pausing, Guan Ya looked at the stunned Yuan Shi and nodded, "Yes—into a rule, specifically the rule governing rule-type artifacts. His strikes are unyielding; they cannot be avoided, only endured, even the most powerful sovereigns cannot escape them—just like your red dancing shoes, which even the Dog Elder could not alter. Fu Qingyang is the first person since the emergence of the Spirit Realm to have mastered such a rule." Of course, I don't know whether the marshals can make it—or not. "This is what it means," he murmured, suddenly understanding. He now grasped why Fu Qingyang looked down upon the prodigies, why he considered them all trash, and why he felt the female marshal's diligence fell short of her talent. Fu Qingyang truly had the credentials to say so—he wasn't particularly gifted, yet he possessed a strong heart for greatness. It was truly heart-wrenching and inspiring. Zhang Yuanqing thought this to himself quietly. At that moment, a soft, melodious voice came from beside him. "Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun!" Zhang Yuanqing gathered his thoughts and turned to see a mature and charming woman approaching. Her face was round and vibrant, her lips like a deep crimson blossom—full and lush, like a plump peony. Zhu Rong!