If we can't convince them, the team could collapse in an instant... Under the intense gaze of his teammates, Zhang Yuanqing murmured to himself. He understood Yun Meng's, Hong Ji's, and Xia Shu's concerns—everyone had family and friends, and none of them wanted to die; there was no need to sacrifice themselves for others' missions. Moreover, they weren't particularly close; they'd only teamed up for a single dungeon run. Who knows, once they returned to reality, they might complain: "This guy is a complete disaster—what a mess! Next time, don't match me with such teammates." The Free Eagle team had precisely exploited this psychological dynamic, stirring up discord and pushing the group toward disintegration. While it's natural for people to value their lives, such persistent troublemakers are truly disruptive. "Let's first analyze the strength gap," Zhang Yuanqing said, looking at the black-dressed beauty. "Yin Ji is level 6, Xia Hou Ao Tian is level 5, yet they have to face a major boss who has already wiped out a four-level six-person team. Can you, as a Yin Ji steward, manage that?" In fact, it's a seven-person team, but he can't say so because, in the official records, there's no seventh member. Yin Ji gently shook her head: "It depends on the professions of the six, the tools they carry, and also on environmental and geographical factors. I might be able to do it—or I might not." Zhang Yuanqing nodded, turned his gaze away, and looked toward the group. "So, Yin Ji, as the steward, will definitely be no match for that monster, and Xiahou Aotian is yet another weak link." "How can I be a weak link?" Xiahou Aotian protested, only to remember that the Yuanshǐ Tianzun was on his side, and thus sighed in resignation, "You go on, you go on..." "Don't deny it—your eight million backup cards have already been scattered into the sea, and you're not particularly skilled in combat yourself. Who else is the weak link?" Zhang Yuanqing pressed his point on the protagonist, then glanced at the three Red Chicken brothers. "Neither of them can possibly stand a chance against the monster." "That's too hasty." "Free Eagle chuckled, 'He himself claims to have no trump cards, and you believe him? Yin Ji is a senior steward of the Taiyuan Sect—do you think she has no trump cards? How come they can't even hold their own against the boss? Without data analysis or comparative insights, everything's just subjective guesswork. And now, they want to convince us?' 'Not just subjective,' Zhang Yuanqing remained calm. 'We've located the Yin-Yang rotating disk from the Jianghu Branch. But what about the Shé family's artifact? Where do you think it is?' Free Eagle paused, then his expression grew serious. Summer Tree of Love mused, 'So your point is that the component of the rule-based artifact is on the boss himself?' Zhang Yuanqing nodded. 'Where else could it be?' 'That would be even more dangerous,' Red Chicken Brother reflected. 'We should retreat—definitely. We can't risk our own lives just to save these two. Though I believe loyalty matters most when people are drifting through the quest, my chicken soup is still waiting for me back home.' "By the time you leave the instance, the chicken will have turned to ash... Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but complain, speaking seriously, "Exactly because Yin Ji and Xiahou Aotian can't manage it, we need to form a team even more than ever." At last, he revealed his point: "We entered the instance at midnight, and now it's morning—over five hours have passed. Our main objective is to survive for 36 hours. If Yin Ji and Xiahou Aotian fall to the monsters, do you think our five level-4 characters will survive for even 30 hours?" Red Chicken Brother opened his mouth, speechless—he realized Yuan Shi Tian Zun was right. If they followed the Free Eagle's pace, their only fate would be total elimination. Facing the monsters might be dangerous, but at least there was still a chance. Zhang Yuanqing proposed, "Then I suggest we all head to Yishan Island to push the boss. Anyone in agreement, raise your hand." Xia Shu Zhi Lian raised her hand. "Me, I agree—we should go together and fight the boss. That way, we still have a chance of clearing the instance." Yunmeng raised her hand to express her viewpoint. ——She nurtured plants, wove bodices and short skirts from roots and stems, looking quite like a character from a survival island adventure, endearing in her simplicity. Hongji also raised his hand. In the end, everyone turned their gaze to the Free Eagle, a slightly plump woman who hesitated and struggled for a long time before reluctantly stating, “I champion freedom and democracy. Since you’ve all made your decisions, I’ll follow the principle of minority yielding to majority.” Xiahou Aotian beamed with delight and said, “Then let’s set off.” This Primordial Deity truly isn’t bad—he’s going to have to reconsider bringing him back into the main storyline. Yin Ji thanked the Primordial Deity with a grateful glance and remarked, “Now isn’t the right time for a decisive battle. Let everyone rest; we’ll return to the island for lunch.” The underwater battle left everyone physically and mentally drained, with Xia Shu Zhi Liang and Xiahou Aotian nearly dying, Yunmeng having survived once before, and Yin Ji having pushed her own power to the limit. Even the free-spirited eagle had expended tremendous spiritual energy, while Red Chicken Brother and Zhang Yuanqing were in relatively better condition. Zhang Yuanqing stepped forward and said, "I and Yin Ji will arrange the Yin corpses and spiritual attendants for watch duty." Yin Ji took the initiative and said, "I'll handle it." Thinking of the dozen or so spiritual attendants Yin Ji had, Zhang Yuanqing didn't feel the need to push himself. Everyone settled on the devastated deck, closed their eyes, and drifted into light sleep. Xia Hou Ao Tian leaned against the ship's railing, not immediately falling asleep. He cleared his throat and said, "Master Yuan Shi, you're truly impressive! Though you've had disagreements with the Xia Hou family, I personally admire you deeply and am willing to go against family interests for someone of your caliber. Therefore, I'd like to make you my senior leader, and from now on, I'll protect you." "Absolutely! Thank you for your appreciation," Zhang Yuanqing smiled warmly. "I've established a guild—I'll invite you right away!" Most thoughtful indeed! Xiahou Aotian's face also brightened with a smile, saying, "Good. You're a smart one—knowing that a fine bird chooses the right tree... Ah, wait—how come it's me joining your guild? Doesn't that make me your subordinate and you the boss?" "Do you have a guild banner?" "No." "Then what are you talking about?" "...". Seeing that Aotian, the protagonist, remained speechless, Zhang Yuanqing turned away and no longer paid him any attention. He summoned the ghost bride, who stood alongside the blood rose at both sides of the ship's hull on guard, then drew out the Yin-Yang Rotating Disk. Finally, he could finally examine the item's details. The Yin-Yang Rotating Disk, roughly the size of a basin, was made of an unknown material—neither gold, nor jade, nor stone, more like a high-composite plastic. Its red pointer shimmered with a metallic luster under the morning sunlight. He placed the Yin-Yang Rotating Disk on his knees. A few seconds later, the item information appeared: 【Name: Yin-Yang Rotating Disk】 【Type: Toy】 【Function: Reclamation, Sealing】 【Description: Once, a distinguished craftsman uncovered the secret of the five Orderly professions—Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Using the finest materials from each of these five professions as the foundation, and infusing the spirit of a Scholar at its core, he crafted a powerful and wise artifact known as the Yin-Yang Rotating Disk. On one occasion, while traveling abroad to collect materials, this craftsman accidentally entered a pleasure house run by the Passionate profession. He became deeply enchanted by the young women there. To pay for his visits, he gifted the Yin-Yang Rotating Disk to the establishment, which then hung it as a treasured centerpiece on the front wall—where it remained for many years…】 【Note 1: Hee-hee, I’ve heard countless innuendos, and with my wisdom and knowledge, I can generate countless more. Are you ready to face my challenge?】 【Note 2: Only a rogue can contain a rogue Honestly, only a rogue can tame a rogue... Zhang Yuanqing's mouth twitched. Now he finally understood why the Yin-Yang Rotating Disk was called the Rogue Disk, and why a piece of equipment always liked to ask questions. It was supposed to be a learned scholar, but it got drenched in the lowbrow, vulgar jokes of the taverns. Suddenly, if the Yin-Yang Rotating Disk had asked questions about subjects like quantum mechanics, calculus, materials science, or pharmacology, the great Yuan-Shi Tianzun and his teammates might have already been wiped out at the bottom of the sea. Oh, no—thanks to Xiahou Aotian, that wouldn't happen. But in that case, the disk would likely end up as Xiahou Aotian's prize. The vulgar jokes have done their job! Returning the disk to the inventory, Zhang Yuanqing felt quite composed and couldn't fall asleep right away. He suddenly realized that while spiritual energy dwindled in the real world, it was abundant within the spiritual realm. Then wouldn't he be able to practice the *Pure Yang Body Purification Scroll* within the replica? The magical staff was about to be returned to the old wooden boat, yet his *Pure Yang Body Purification Scroll* had only just begun to show promise—now it faced the threat of stagnation. If he could practice it within the replica, he could receive monthly training sessions, each enhancing his physical condition, toxin resistance, and magical resistance—both rare and practical. Reflecting on this, Zhang Yuanqing turned around, facing the morning light, regulated his breathing, and began to inhale the sunlight. Initially, nothing unusual occurred; he hadn't yet summoned the power of the sun. Half an hour later, the sunlight grew increasingly intense, and visible beams of light gathered, flowing into his nasal passages. The deck suddenly brightened, as if it were noon, with the temperature steadily rising and the air beginning to warp. The diligent spirit servants, alarmed, scattered in panic—some flying off the vessels, others rushing toward the Yin Princess, seeking refuge under her protection. The power of the sun was a formidable force against the spirits of resentment and the undead. Yin Ji opened her eyes, her gaze sharp and focused. Upon seeing the anomaly originating from Yuan Shi Tian Zun, her expression softened, and then, in her clear, luminous eyes, a sense of astonishment emerged. The aura emanating from him was upright and commanding, though subtle—precisely the power of the Sun God. Yet, how could a Star Official possibly refine the power of the Sun God? That was a force uniquely mastered by the Sun-Wandering Deities. Red Chicken Brother sensed the shift in temperature and blinked in confusion: "It's noon, right? I feel like I just fell asleep... Wait, what is Yuan Shi Tian Zun doing?" "He is cultivating. This is a fundamental skill of ancient cultivators—nothing extraordinary. Ancient cultivators progress slowly; Yuan Shi Tian Zun's cultivation over several years would roughly equate to what we consider one of our next dungeons." Free Eagle was also startled awake. As an executive officer of the Heaven's Judgment organization, her knowledge base surpassed that of Red Chicken Brother. The method of absorbing celestial energy to advance, though occasionally documented in the dungeons, remained relatively rare and largely overlooked. First, it's simply too slow—each subsequent quest reward for the spiritual realm practitioners equals years of accumulated gains for ancient cultivators. Second, in the real world, they simply cannot absorb celestial and terrestrial energies. Once they enter the spiritual realm, everyone is busy with questing, leaving little time or motivation to cultivate, and the returns are modest. "This is a master-level power—though the returns are modest, the benefits are boundless," Yin Ji remarked. Master-level power? Indeed, Free Eagle raised an eyebrow, instantly expressing admiration. If it's truly master-level, then it's quite a different story. Though she admired it deeply, her own profession being different, she could only watch and enjoy the show. Red Chicken Brother turned around and resumed resting. Yet Yin Ji couldn't fall asleep. She deeply admired and longed for the cultivation method of Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun. Back in the Saint-level killing quest, if she possessed such abilities, she might have secured one of the three available spots. Should she master the method of breathing and channeling the power of the Sun God, her chances in the upcoming killing quest would greatly improve. The difference between Saint-level and Master-level cultivators is truly immense. Yin Ji sighed, absorbed her spiritual servant into her body, and closed her eyes to rest. The divine power of the Sun God within the quest was notably "gentle"—she could continue breathing and circulating it without any concern for physical strain. However, its purity and concentration were significantly lower. From now on, each time she entered the quest, she would need to breathe and circulate it for several hours, striving to refine the Pure Yang Body Washing Record to a solid foundation by the time she reached the Saint Realm. Zhang Yuanqing felt content as the Sun God's power settled and accumulated within her. She didn't know how long she had been resting until she was awakened by Xia Shu Zhi Lian. Opening her eyes, she saw the blazing sun overhead, the water shimmering with ripples. The vehicle and boat had been pushed by the waves to the edge of Yashan Island, just twenty meters from the shore. After resting for five or six hours, the group was refreshed and energetic, yet their expressions grew serious upon seeing the lush, verdant island. "Let's go ashore!" Zhang Yuanqing's body dissolved into a dreamlike stream of starlight and reformed at the shoreline. One by one, the group used various The sky was bright and sunny, casting dappled shadows through the trees, with the air moist and carrying a distinct scent of decaying leaves. Quiet and still, there was no animal movement, no insect hum—nothing like a vibrant island forest. Yet this was characteristic of the spiritual realm, something everyone had grown accustomed to. After a steady, unhurried walk through the dense woods for about fifteen minutes, Red Chicken Brother remarked, "This island is truly vast." Summer Hou Ao Tian seized the opportunity to share some knowledge, showing off his expertise: "The *Xin Hui County Annals* describe Cliffs Mountain as rising forty to fifty feet high, stretching approximately eighty li. How could it not be?" "Enough, enough! This is the place we've always saved for our soups—how could I not know? I even played here as a child. But Cliffs Mountain isn't an island at all," Red Chicken Brother replied. Summer Hou Ao Tian stepped through the soft soil, wielding his knife to cut through vines and shrubs, and continued: "Once, it was an island. Cliffs Mountain Island could support fishing and agriculture, foster civilian and military economies internally, and defend against external threats. The Yuan Dynasty "Alas, this dynasty has truly deteriorated; its military is weak beyond belief, and its downfall is inevitable." Upon hearing this topic, Hong Ji Ge sensed he was in his element, sighed deeply: "All blame goes to Zhao Kuangyin—he favored culture over military strength, and from the very beginning, this set the stage for its eventual decline. Thus, to ensure a stable realm, martial power must be championed." Xue Hou Ao Tian shook his head vigorously: "Wrong, wrong. First, Zhao Kuangyin's preference for culture over military affairs was rooted in historical circumstances. Second, the general public views the military as a force for defending the homeland, yet historically, the military has always been a source of trouble—especially during times of peace. Allow me to elaborate..." "I don't want to hear it! I don't want to hear it!" Amid their continuous chatter, Yin Ji endured patiently, but finally gave in, asking: "Mister Yuanshi, what spell were you practicing just now?" "Call me Yuanshi," Zhang Yuanqing made one rather demanding request. ...Yin Ji pressed her lips together, silently watching him. She's so reserved, easily rattled by jokes—my Guan Ya sister is truly something special. Zhang Yuanqing didn't press, smiled instead, and said, "The Pure Yang Body-Cleansing Technique." He briefly described its functions. Upon hearing this, the deep, serene black eyes of Yin Ji suddenly sparkled with brightness. She couldn't conceal her eagerness. "I'd like to purchase the Pure Yang Body-Cleansing Technique—what price would you suggest?" If it were the Magus, he might say, "It depends on how well you treat me tonight." But I'm a proper, upright gentleman. Zhang Yuanqing mused, "A piece of equipment from a Saint-level realm doesn't need to be of the finest quality, but it must have a unique purpose or function. Additionally, you'll need to locate a knight's equipment from at least a Master-level realm, sign a contract with me, and ensure that the Pure Yang Body-Cleansing Technique is never passed on to anyone else." Yin Ji exhaled gently, her mood bright. "Excellent! Once we exit the instance, I'll reach out to you." "Genzai seems particularly fond of teasing Yin Ji, yet it doesn't quite feel like genuine affection—more like he's driven by some special reason, with a touch of malice and whimsy. Natsuki has been observing their conversations closely. After walking for about half an hour, they finally emerged from the dense forest, revealing a small town before them. The town's scale was hard to judge, with buildings typical of ancient brick, tile, and wooden beam structures. Black tiled roofs and white walls, with straight, parallel gabled facades. The town appeared deserted, though the houses were neatly arranged and well-placed, yet worn and deteriorated—many roofs had leaks, and the stone-paved streets crisscrossed the area, dotted with dry grass and dust. Xiahou Aotian remarked, "The *Yashan Zhi* records: 'Timber was felled to build pavilions and palaces; the main hall was named Ci Yuan, where the Yang Empress resided. Outside, a temporary imperial court and market were established, and officials and departments constructed over three thousand military-style dwellings, each with its own settlement.' 'Each with its own settlement' refers to permanent residence, thus indicating that the I was initially skeptical, since the remnants of the Southern Song arrived at Yashan in June 1278 and the Southern Song dynasty fell in early 1279. "Less than a year—how could they have established permanent, settled homes? I didn't expect it to be true." Stop lecturing! Haven't you noticed everyone is clearly tense?... Zhang Yuanqing cleared his throat, cutting off Xiahou Aotian's further explanations, and said, "The imperial pavilion should be deep within the town—let's go." After another cautious walk of about fifteen minutes, an imperial pavilion emerged among the lush greenery ahead. Though modest and slightly rustic, it stood out with its red walls and golden roofs, different from the surrounding town houses—this was likely the last stand of the Southern Song remnants. "The boss is inside," Zhang Yuanqing and Yin Ji said, their faces serious. In their perception, a thick, oppressive coldness hovered above the pavilion, so dense and intense it was chilling. The young emperor within—the creature, in fact—was probably among the very highest ranks of the Saint-level beings. Yin Ji pondered for a few seconds, then said, "I'll send my spiritual servant in to investigate and confirm the monster's location. Please remain calm for now." At this moment, the advantages of Ye You Shen became evident. Immediately, Yin Ji exhaled a stream of Taiyin energy, transforming into a pale, ghostly woman with a serene complexion, who drifted gracefully into the imperial palace. Zhang Yuanqing lowered his voice: "We'll act once Yin Ji confirms the monster's location, but in the meantime, it's essential to formulate a strategy. Red Chicken, do you still have any bombs from your underwater deployment?" Red Chicken replied, "I have three more explosive packages left; the other six will be refreshed in ten hours." "I've seen it—right at Ciyuan Palace. It appears to be asleep, perhaps a good opportunity," Yin Ji suddenly added. "Maybe it sleeps during the day. Red Chicken, quickly install the bombs at the palace entrance. Once Yin Ji brings the monster out, you immediately detonate them." Zhang Yuanqing pushed Red Chicken gently on the shoulder, sending him off. Then he turned to the others, "Do any of you have any trap items? If not, we'll wait for Red Chicken Brother to recover from his bomb and then launch our attack while he's asleep." "That would be perfect," said Xiahou Aotian, adding a line of idle commentary. At that moment, Yin Ji spoke urgently, "Come back quickly—I can't see it anymore."