We've obtained the two items... Fu Qingyang had a sense of expectation—as long as Yuan Shi emerged alive from the quest, he would surely secure at least one of the lost items. Perhaps the Yin-Yang Wheel from Jianghu's branch, or perhaps a rule-based component from the Xie family. This feeling was ungrounded, lacking in reason—it stemmed purely from trust. I don't care how he proceeds, but I know he will succeed. That is the trust between true champions. Yet, when he personally heard Yuan Shi Tianzun confirm that both items had been secured, Fu Qingyang was still stunned, remaining silent for a moment. Receiving one prize is quite different from claiming all of them. The former can be achieved through negotiation and compromise, while the latter demands one must suppress teammates, making them fully convinced. After a few seconds of silence, Fu Qingyang regained his composed tone and said, "Excellent! Come straight to the study." "As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Qingyang saw a dreamlike streak of starlight emerge on the red carpet of the study, spiraling upward and coalescing into a young man dressed in a sleek black short-sleeved shirt. It was Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun. Fu Qingyang raised an eyebrow, 'It seems his experience points have significantly improved.' He had interacted with numerous star officials before—junior ones could only mechanically perform teleportation, unable to choose distance or destination autonomously. Yuan Shǐ clearly had surpassed the junior level now, with experience points surely exceeding 50%. 'Next time I enter the dungeon, I'll reach level five,' Zhang Yuanqing said. As he spoke, he hoped to see expressions of astonishment and admiration on Qian Gongzi's face, but instead found only his composed, sculpted features—calm and aloof. Probably already deeply envious beneath that composed exterior. Hmph, the big guy really knows how to act—how can he just not let me feel special? Oh no, he's a scout, and I completely forgot that. As he thought about it, a sudden sense of alertness stirred within him." Fu Qingyang supported his elbows on the table, his fingers crossed, coldly gazing at his trusted aide: "Yuanshi has been lacking guidance for some time now—his ideas have grown bolder and bolder.…" The atmosphere hung still for a moment, and Zhang Yuancheng sighed, saying, "I've been striving to keep up with the elder's pace, hoping one day to stand beside you and fight alongside you. Yet you remain like a towering mountain—something I can only dream of, never quite reach." Upon hearing this, Fu Qingyang dropped the idea of further instructing him and steered the conversation back on track: "Place them here." Zhang Yuancheng hesitated not at all—holding the yin-yang rotating disk in his left hand and the sacred infant's head in his right, he placed both items on the table. Fu Qingyang first picked up the yin-yang disk, studied its properties carefully, then glanced up at Zhang Yuancheng. "I've long heard of this artifact from the Jianghu Branch, known as the 'Rough-and-Ready Disk.' Hah—indeed, it's no surprise that it's yours." Suddenly, he felt a bit regretful about handing over this item... Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but worry about his reputation. Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun was the dream suitor of countless official female colleagues and a figure deeply admired by countless male colleagues—definitely not someone to be tarnished by a mere broken item. While rumors might not always convince others, the item's attributes never lie. Indeed, after this punishment, the head had realized that for him, having too many achievements wasn't always beneficial—rather, it was better to secure more direct benefits. Zhang Yuanqing exhaled in relief. He had been thinking about how to convince Fu Qingyang to back him, given that the money-merchant's political awareness was quite high. Without Fu Qingyang's support as a senior elder, it would have been difficult for him to negotiate with the Huaihai branch, let alone the headquarters. Fortunately, Fu Qingyang had never let him down. "Let this matter rest for now," Fu Qingyang said, setting down his hands and standing upright, his voice steady. "There's a sudden incident I need to inform you about. During your time in the副本, the chairman of the Merchant Guild, the senior executives of the Wine God Club, and the Marshal fought a fierce battle in Songhai. The chairman's magnificent tree, the Wàn Bǎo Shù, was damaged, and the hundreds of items hung on it have scattered all over the place." "Yesterday, the headquarters convened the Ten Elders' Meeting, demanding that all branches mobilize their full manpower to recover the scattered items, otherwise the Marshal's moral value will be reset to "I managed to have you released from one month of imprisonment—now you're free. Your next major task is to clean up after that useless one." ...Zhang Yuanqing was completely stunned. A piece of ancient bronze sculpture had caused such a commotion in Jinhui City, with hundreds of props scattered among ordinary people—this was simply unimaginable. "At the level of the half-gods, shouldn't they have at least this much command over the situation?" He found it utterly incredible. "That particular one has only recently ascended to the rank of half-god and is known for being extreme—his destructive power is rare, yet his sword energy lacks finesse and control." Fu Qingyang expressed his regret: "Times have no heroes; the useless one has seized the top position." You're not afraid of dying, are you? Did you forget how badly you were beaten last time? This time, I'm not blaming you—once you've taken your share of hits, don't expect me to be the one you blame anymore... Zhang Yuanqing paused and asked, "What is the Universal Treasure Tree?" "A rule-based item for the realm of the void professions." "All the rule-based items have been damaged?" Zhang Yuanqing was "Rule-based items aren't likely to be damaged so easily. Any item that is easily damaged must also be easily recoverable—this isn't the key point. The key point is that this incident is both a crisis and an opportunity." Fu Qingyang opened his computer, typing rapidly as he spoke: "The headquarters has issued an announcement: after collecting and securing the items, you can either retain them or exchange them for merit points. Additionally, based on several existing case analyses, solving a case triggered by an item can yield a substantial moral value bonus." As he spoke, he rotated his laptop to face Zhang Yuanqing. The latter focused intently, and on the screen appeared a case investigation report. The report summarizes several recent incidents triggered by props: #In a residential complex in Songhai, over a dozen residents have collectively experienced thefts, despite no unusual activity captured on surveillance footage—could this be a supernatural event, or is there another explanation?# #Several female university students at Songhai University were seen jogging nude at night, stating explicitly that "this is part of the owner's assignment."# #A bank vault has been breached.# #A man went missing during a night run and died the following day in a park, reportedly strangled by vines.# These cases have now been resolved, with perpetrators apprehended and the props recovered. According to the official investigators handling the cases, they have earned a substantial moral credit. Indeed, it's a prime opportunity to accumulate moral credits—though I don't need accolades, moral credits are precisely what I seek. And, of course, the props as well. Zhang Yuanqing reflected thoughtfully,感慨道: "Most people, once they receive a prop, tend to indulge their desires and attempt things they would never have dared to do before. This is the consequence of supernatural abilities taking root in everyday life." "Moral-bound spiritual cultivators still balance acts of kindness with wrongdoing; how much more so ordinary people who have no restrictions at all. Perhaps not everyone will commit evil deeds, but as long as a portion of people harbor ill intentions, chaos ensues." "Don't worry too much—vacuum-based professionals possess treasure-hunting skills, and the president himself will resolve most issues. The rest, that's what we and the God of Wine Club will handle." Who could have imagined that even evil-oriented professions would one day be exhausted trying to maintain order... Zhang Yuanqing muttered this to himself, inspired by Fu Qingyang's words: The little comic has treasure-hunting abilities—I can fully leverage that to swiftly gather items throughout Songhai City and make a substantial profit. With this thought, he felt an immediate sense of eagerness. The following discussions focused on the handling of the two items, the desired returns, and the strategic negotiations with the Huaihai Branch and Headquarters. After speaking, Fu Qingyang said, "Guan Ya still doesn't know you've entered the Cliff Mountain Sea; I only told her you've entered the quest." It's perfect—now, let the young green tea girl reach out to the Xie family... Zhang Yuanqing bowed slightly, then snapped his fingers with a crisp sound, and vanished in a streak of dreamlike starlight. "There are so many props scattered around—ordinary people might just happen to pick them up, but if evil-aligned characters obtain them, they'll surely generate a strong wave of high-quality enemies..." The queen pinched her brow, then turned to respond to the young green tea server: "Even the Empress herself isn't worried. What's your concern, you mere attendant?" "Don't be so diplomatic and sarcastic," Guan Ya bit into her sweet doughnut. "I wasn't told the dungeon's level, so what good is my worry? Since Yuan Shi became a Spirit Realm traveler, hasn't he faced countless storms and challenges? All I need is to wait for updates." Xie Lingxi actually shared the same mindset, and immediately asked: "Why didn't Master Fu tell you about the dungeon details? Is there anything special about the dungeon Yuan Shi entered?" "I'm guessing it's S-tier," Li Chunfeng, who was typing furiously at another table handling private assignments, interjected. "Yuan Shi's performance in the combat dungeon has already established the difficulty level of his first dungeon as a Saint-level traveler." "Let's just call it S-level, then—why hide the fact about Guan Ya?" the Queen asked, puzzled. Li Chunfeng couldn't answer, so he continued typing. "Ah, I'd really like to know about Brother Yuanshǐ's quest." Xie Lingxi lay back on the sofa, gazing at the ceiling and sighing. Suddenly, she heard the Queen exclaim in surprise, "Captain! You're back!" Xie Lingxi shot upright and indeed saw the familiar face of her brother. She opened her arms in delight, rushing toward him, but the somewhat cold and unfeeling brother gently pressed her forehead and pushed her back onto the sofa. Zhang Yuanqing said, "I've kept you all waiting." Guan Ya quickly rose to greet him, her hurried movements revealing that she wasn't as composed as she had seemed. "What quest is this this time?" the seasoned driver asked curiously. Xie Lingxi and her two companions listened intently, eager for the answer. As Zhang Yuanqing was about to speak, he noticed a few grains of white sugar clinging to the delicate corner of her mouth and gently wiped them away with his finger, then sucked them into his mouth. "Oh!" Both Xie Lingxi and the Queen expressed disdain and jealousy. Guan Ya, however, smiled gracefully and warmly. Zhang Yuanqing, having sucked his fingers, said, "The realm I entered this time is Yishan's Sea." While Guan Ya and the Queen were still chewing on the name of the realm, Xie Lingxi's sharp cry had already shattered the quiet of the living room: "What? Yishan's Sea?!" She rolled off the sofa and jumped to Zhang Yuanqing's side, gripping his arms tightly with both hands, stammering, "Yishan's Sea? Really Yishan's Sea?!" Zhang Yuanqing nodded. Xie Lingxi's heart raced wildly; she took a deep breath, trying to suppress her excitement. "Then, then—my item at home—has it been taken? Who took it? Who are your teammates, Yuanshen brother?" Seeing Xie Lingxi so agitated, Guan Ya and the Queen suddenly remembered the related quests and rewards associated with Yishan's Sea. "Brother, please tell me—this artifact is absolutely vital to our Xie family. Since the Sacred Infant's head was lost in the realm, our ancestor has been furious for several months. No matter who holds it, we at the Xie family will absolutely have to purchase it back." Zhang Yuanqing remained silent for just a few seconds before growing increasingly eager. "Now that you've said that, I know exactly what the Xie family's stance is," Zhang smiled, and asked, "So, how much would you be willing to pay? Just give me a figure—I'll consider it." Xie Lingxi blinked, staring blankly at Yuan Shi Tian Zun, as if stunned for a few seconds, before her sharp voice rang out again: "Ah-ah-ah... Brother Yuan Shi, I love you so much!" The cold-blooded detective elder was an outstanding detective before becoming a traveler of the Spiritual Realm. After obtaining his character card and joining the scouting corps of the Five Elements Alliance’s White Tiger military contingent, he became a part of the White Tiger ranks. Though also a senior member of the White Tiger contingent, he had little interaction with Fu Qingyang, and there was infrequent business exchange between the Huaihai and Songhai branches. Thus, Fu Qingyang’s call to him came as a genuine surprise. "Master Yuanshishen just stepped out of the quest," Fu Qingyang said. "So?" The voice on the other end grew increasingly puzzled. Fu Qingyang responded calmly, "He entered the Cliff Mountain Sea, and the Yin-Yang Wheel is manifesting on him." At that, he heard a sharp, hurried breath from the receiver. ... Changsha City, a lush and verdant garden. Fish ponds, artificial mountains, pavilions, terraces, flower beds, and groves—paths winding through the scenery—these are the images that naturally come to mind when one thinks of Jiangnan water towns. Simply thinking of these words evokes a sense of picturesque beauty. Amidst this picturesque landscape, within the pavilion by the fish pond, there stands a woman more beautiful than the scenery itself. Dressed in a fresh green qipao, her skirt embroidered with lifelike lotus blossoms, her vintage hairstyle adorned with pearls and gold hairpins, her full hips gently lifting the fabric, she gazes at the curve of her waist—soft and rounded like a half-moon—before it tapers sharply at the waist, revealing a slender figure, and then blossoms again with grace above. Her face is particularly striking: a vibrant, oval complexion, lightly made up, with black eyeliner accentuating luminous, lively eyes. Her eyes and expression carry the youthful charm of a maiden, yet also exude a subtle elegance. Her features bear a striking resemblance to Xie Lingxi. With both hands, she gently holds a jade bowl, her slender fingers delicately handling the bait, and as she lightly sprinkles it into the water, the colorful koi fish in the pond eagerly rush to feed, creating ripples. Inside the pavilion, a man with a refined face and fine features, his eyes lined with subtle fish-scale creases, sips his tea leisurely. "Lord, when did you "The elegant lady stood by the pond, furrowing her delicate, slender brows, 'She's been confined for nearly half a month now. I had planned to have her take up the piano during my summer break. Isn't it rather odd that Yuan Shi Tian Zun—just as he's been promoted—starts causing trouble? With him as her mentor, how can Lingxi have any real prospects?' Her voice was soft and sweet, warm and soothing, capable of making one feel as if their bones were melting. 'You do admire him, don't you?' said Xie Su with a smile. 'Well, it's simply that I've been enchanted by his good looks. He's absolutely brilliant at the martial arts tournaments—many of the ladies in the circle are deeply infatuated with him. It's been a while since I last saw him, and I've actually forgotten what he looks like.' Xie Mother sighed. Xie Su shook her head in resignation. Xie Mother was a classic flower-fool—today she'd be captivated by one young star, tomorrow by another—but had a poor memory. If she hadn't been watching the dramas closely, she'd soon forget what her favorite young stars looked like. 'His personality is indeed "Thank you, Su," he said. He no longer doubted Yuanshiben's talent, but now he found himself troubled by his own temperament. Previously, when Xie Lingxi had praised Yuanshiben in front of him, she had repeatedly emphasized that "this young man is shrewd"—a true talent for navigating bureaucratic systems. "Why don't we send Lingxi home for now?" Xie Mother suggested tentatively. As she spoke, the phone on the table beside him rang—calling from his beloved daughter, Xie Lingxi.