Zhang Yuanqing instinctively reached for Shilin, to observe the yin qi, but suddenly remembered that Lin Ci was particularly respectful toward Chen Xue Dao, often speaking with deference and never showing the slightest negligence. So he mimicked Lin Ci, bowing in response: "Yes, Master!" With his extensive experience in quest dungeons, Zhang Yuanqing knew that since the Spiritual Realm had given Lin Ci a "mask," there must be a reason—the Spiritual Realm wouldn't do anything pointless. The more challenging the dungeon, the more cautious and attentive the Realm's travelers needed to be. At this early stage, just entering the dungeon, the core mechanics, potential crises, and enemies were still unknown. Therefore, it was best to maintain Lin Ci's identity, proceed steadily, and patiently observe. After responding to Chen Xue Dao, Zhang Yuanqing found dark streaks forming in his eyes, immediately turning his gaze to the coffin. In the Night-Wanderer's exclusive view, the spiritual scrolls glowing on the coffin's surface were subdued, while the yellow paper seals emitted a faint golden light, and the purple seals radiated streaks of ominous energy. Clearly, the purple was stronger than the yellow. Strange—yellow paper is used to seal the body and stabilize the spirit, while purple talismans nourish the aura and invigorate the vital energy. Why are both present on the coffin at the same time? Moreover, the yellow talismans clearly possess weaker spiritual resonance than the purple ones and will lose their effectiveness within six days; once that happens, the sealing array on the coffin lid will become unbalanced. Zhang Yuanqing turned his gaze to the coffin, fixing his attention upon it. His eyes gradually penetrated the seal of the spiritual scroll, revealing a dense, oppressive aura so intense it sent a shiver through him—quietly coiled and resting within the coffin itself. —The Night-Wanderer’s vision can only perceive the essence of the energy, not the substance beneath. Thus, he cannot see what lies inside the coffin. Yet merely by gazing at that mass of shadowed energy, Zhang Yuanqing’s heart began to race and his adrenaline surged, as though facing a life-or-death crisis. There is a malevolent entity within the coffin! A truly terrifying one! He abruptly closed his eyes and stepped back several paces. One hand pressed against his shoulder, and then a thick, warm, soothing energy flowed into his body, instantly Chen Xue dao said in a low, steady tone, "What did you see that frightened you so much?" Zhu Peiran also turned to look at him. Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, his expression serious. "The corpse chamber is sealed with a formidable evil entity—something truly terrifying." He immediately recounted what he had seen, as well as the unusual conditions of the yellow and purple talismans. Thinking back to the palpable presence emanating from the chamber, he felt a shiver run through him. The kind of evil entity capable of producing such an effect must be of an exceptionally high rank. Chen Xue dao and Zhu Peiran both grew serious at once. "An evil entity..." Chen Xue dao mused, "I remember when I first received the courier package, you said you couldn't perceive anything inside the chamber." Ah? Was the original occupant that inept? With such a powerful presence emanating from the chamber, he hadn't even sensed it? Zhang Yuanqing was momentarily stunned. He had only a limited amount of memory, and it came in flashes, lacking in detail. This seemed more like fragmented information provided by the spiritual realm, merely conveyed through the medium of memory. Chen Xue dao gazed at him and asked, "In your opinion, what explains the significant change we've observed from beginning to end?" Zhang Yuanqing was caught off guard by the question. If he couldn't clearly explain the contrast between the two phases, his father-in-law—this seasoned veteran—would surely notice something amiss. Fortunately, he was quick on his feet. After a moment's pause, he adopted a serious tone and said, "It's very likely connected to the deaths of Zhang Hu and Zhao Ma; they amplified the strength of the malevolent force." This explanation was both logical and plausible. Chen Xue dao nodded slightly, then after a brief pause, turned to the storekeeper and the young servant, "You two go ahead and step outside—close the doors." The storekeeper felt as though released from a heavy burden, eagerly agreeing and leading the young servant out of the room, closing the two lattice doors behind them. Once the others had departed, Chen Xue dao narrowed his eyes sharply. "The person who sealed the coffin clearly wishes to nurture the malevolent force within, yet is unwilling for it to emerge." Zhu Peiran furrowed his brows. "If Zhang Yuanqing glanced at his nominal elder brother with renewed interest—this was a genuine enchantment-type spirit, bloodthirsty and warlike, yet wise and skilled in strategy. Co Bei Yue felt a little embarrassed for the enchantment spirit. Chen Xue dao looked at his two adopted sons and said: "From the very beginning, when I accepted the delivery, I sensed this journey would not be simple. Now I see my intuition has proven accurate. This coffin is sealed at every level—the lid cannot be opened, and the malevolent entity within is no ordinary one. I’ve only brought these four young ones with me. Wei'er and Youcai are both fire-elemental practitioners, impulsive and energetic, not well-suited for deliberations." Pausing, he then said seriously: "Ci'er, go to the market today and purchase materials to draw a corpse-stabilizing talisman, one that surpasses the power of the purple talisman in strength. Peiran, lead your people to the city to locate Zhang Hu and Zhao Ma. We still cannot be certain whether they truly perished—we’ll have to wait another day." "There's an old friend of mine sixty miles outside the city of Xiucheng. He once studied swordsmanship at the Divine Sword Manor for several years, then traveled throughout the martial world, eventually settling in Xiucheng. I hope to seek his insights on the current state of the Divine Sword Manor—perhaps he can provide information about this coffin." Each of the team's镖masters had been carefully cultivated, and Chen Xue dao carried a quiet hope, wishing to wait a little longer. Zhu Peiran asked in confusion: "Father, why not remove the purple seal?" "Impossible!" Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "The purple seal gathers and nourishes the lingering maladies, allowing the foul objects within the coffin to thrive and remain calm. If we remove it, we may provoke unforeseen complications." Chen Xue dao nodded, pleased: "Cici is right." After making the arrangements, Chen Xue dao pushed open the door, looked out at the group of镖masters in the courtyard, and declared aloud: "We will rest at the inn tonight and depart at dawn tomorrow. You may go out in batches, but ten of you must remain at the inn at all times. Everyone must return before dark." Zhuo Poiran immediately named several镖masters, sending them off to leave the inn and search for Zhang Hu and Zhao Ma. Chen Xue dao turned to Zhang Yuanqing, "You will stay with me tonight to guard the coffin." "Yes!" Zhang Yuanqing bowed. After leading the Blood Peony and Lady Yin Yao out of the back courtyard, Zhang Yuanqing felt quite pleased, as he now had a full day to explore this ancient city. "I have the materials myself to draw the corpse seal, but I'd rather spend money and buy them rather than waste my own supplies. However..." Zhang Yuanqing suddenly thought, "Where in ancient times could one buy materials with spiritual properties? Lin Ci must know, but I don't." Just as he was worrying, he heard his fourth brother's voice from behind: "Seventh brother, wait!" He turned to see his fourth brother, Zhao Youcai, and his third sister, Chen Wei, approaching. Zhao Youcai stood about 1.9 meters tall, broad-shouldered and sturdy, like a bear or a boar—among the brothers, he was the only one whose stature could match that of his elder brother, Zhuo Poiran. Unlike his elder brother's sharp and severe demeanor, Zhao Youcai has a broad forehead and strong features, being bold and impetuous yet not overly sharp in temperament—appearing more approachable than Zhu Peiran. Among all the brothers, Lin Ci and Zhao Youcai have the closest relationship, as the original host found it easiest to get along with the fourth brother, with no need for constant concern. "Father has assigned you a task—what is it?" Chen Wei asked casually. With the fourth brother present, she had not engaged in any intimate exchanges with her lover. Zhang Yuanqing felt a spark of insight: "My adoptive father has asked me to purchase materials for drawing the spirit-stabilizing talismans—I'm still wondering where to find them." Honorably, Zhao Youcai, as a fire specialist, instinctively replied, "Of course—either at the pharmacy or at the entertainment pavilion." Zhang Yuanqing smiled slightly: "Then let's go!" Together, they bought cinnabar at the pharmacy and, after asking around, located the city's largest entertainment pavilion. Known as the "entertainment pavilion," it served as the central hub for folk leisure activities. The pav There were pavilions for lotus, peonies, yakshas, and elephants, totaling over thirty. Each pavilion featured a different array of entertainment—puppet shows, shadow plays, acrobatics, storytelling—and more. In addition, there were stalls selling medicines, fortune-telling services, gambling games, food and drink, antiques, and secondhand goods. The scene was bustling and vibrant. Of course, there was also the well-known gallery for musical performances. After purchasing materials, Zhang Yuanqing and Chen Wei, under the guidance of Zhao Youcai, entered the gallery, ordered fine wine and cuisine, and began enjoying the graceful dancers on stage. The silk drapes swayed gently, the skirts of the dancers fluttered, their movements elegant yet not overly ornate, vibrant yet refined. The melodies of strings and wind instruments filled the hall, enchanting the audience so completely that they forgot to leave. The gallery also offered its own variety of intimate services—guests found themselves overwhelmed, and could even enjoy private rest with beautiful companions, though the sound insulation was not quite up to par. As a seasoned courier, Zhang's journey was long and often monotonous, and it was common for him to stop in cities, visit te But now, listening to the passionate embrace between her fourth brother and the woman at the pavilion, her eyes grew misty and she gazed at her beloved with deep affection, whispering, "Seventh brother, shall we go inside and rest?" If we can't make it, then we'll have to let Guan Ya apologize. "Hmph!" Chen Wei glared at him disapprovingly and then turned away, paying no further attention. Zhang Yuanqing watched the graceful dancers on stage, his mind drifting, pondering the quest objectives. So far, the risks encountered along the side quests seemed to stem from the coffins—specifically, the malevolent entities within them. The main quest would only activate upon reaching the manor. His last spiritual realm quest had been a team-based challenge. By convention, this one should involve faction-based conflict. Would the evil-aligned characters be waiting at the manor, or would they intercept the courier missions en route? If the latter, then the danger of the side quests would increase further. He wasn't sure whether the opponents he'd matched against were level 5 or level 6. Before sunset, the three returned to the "You Ke Lai" inn, where the other couriers began to arrive. Zhang Yuanqing quietly went back to his room, laid out the materials and tools, and prepared ten corpse-stabilizing talismans and ten spirit-sealing talismans, then carried "Everyone stay alert—haven't you all had lunch yet?" As Chen Wei, rejected by Qiu Huan, returned to the inn, she immediately began vigorous drills with the镖师 in the courtyard. Upon seeing Zhang Yuanqing approaching, she huffed, then suddenly struck him with a whip, saying, "Seventh brother, come and join me in practicing too." Having a fiery fiancée wasn't exactly ideal—she was so energetic, and prone to domestic violence... Zhang Yuanqing mentally groaned. "Wei'er, please stop—it's time for Ci'er to enter the room," came the low voice of Chen Xiedao from the eastern pavilion. Chen Wei still held deep respect for her father, so she glared at her lover and stepped aside to make room. Zhang Yuanqing stepped over the threshold, entered the eastern pavilion, and took out a set of two talismans—one to anchor the body, one to stabilize the spirit—then firmly affixed them to the coffin's head. Only then did he turn to face his adoptive father, who sat quietly at the table, sipping tea. "Uncle, my two talismans will only hold for twelve hours. Once the magic fades, they'll need to After the evening twilight, the extraordinary-level镖masters practicing in the backyard gradually dispersed, leaving only the father and son behind. Chen Xue dao, the mountain deity, is reserved, speaks little, and is exceptionally strict with his children and镖masters—everyone holds both deep respect and reverence for him, including the original host, Lin Ci. Therefore, Zhang Yuanqing finds it difficult to initiate conversation; had it not been for the original character's established persona, he would have already been dragging his paternal figure around for rap performances. The night air grows thick with the sounds of insects chirping outside. Sitting by the gate, Zhang Yuanqing remains vigilant over the courtyard while carefully observing the coffin. Given the sacrifices of Zhang Hu and Zhao Ma, the night watch tonight is likely to be his first real crisis since entering the realm. The malevolent entity within the coffin is particularly formidable. Chen Xue dao possesses a high level of cultivation—solidly at level five, possibly even six—making him a true standout in this realm, a near-ceiling presence. With him, even if the creature from the coffin emerges, the situation should be manageable… Zhang Yuanqing is mentally assessing his paternal figure’s level. Ancient practitioners preserved names like "Earth Monsters" and "Mountain Deities," occasionally adapting them—such as the "Sun-Wandering Deity" and the Golden Bird. Yet they lacked a hierarchical structure, so Zhang Yuanqing could only make a vague assessment of Chen Xue dao's rank. "Already, I have transmuted the entire inn into my domain," Chen Xue dao suddenly remarked, leaning slightly toward Zhang Yuanqing. "With my elder father overseeing things, I believe there will be no disturbances tonight," Zhang Yuanqing smiled. It was true—Mountain Deities' core ability was their domain. Within a domain, they could outperform equally-ranked evil professions, though "transmutation" required time, representing a cost of the skill. Chen Xue dao glanced at him thoughtfully and said, "It's clear that Wei'er holds a special fondness for you, and doesn't particularly like Peiran." Could it be that he's discovered the affair between me and Wei'er—no, between Lin Ci and Wei'er—and now, the next sentence will surely be: "Tonight, I shall clear the house of rivals..." Zhang Yuanqing felt a flutter of anxiety. Among all my nephews and nieces, "Chen Xuedao's voice remained low," "But, Ci'er, do you know why I chose Peiran to succeed me?" Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. Chen Xuedao spoke slowly, "You've always been too gentle in your nature. Peiran is resolute and driven—something I don't particularly favor—but the stationery house needs a head like him. I'm growing older, and eventually, the stationery house will have to be handed over to Peiran." This was a warning—was he being asked to distance himself from Chen Wei? Zhang Yuanqing pondered this. Chen Xuedao looked at him, his dignified gaze softening. "Over the years, I've saved a considerable sum—Wei'er's dowry. When we complete this journey, you'll take Wei'er and the money with you. With me still standing, Peiran won't trouble you." Zhang Yuanqing was momentarily stunned. On one hand, he was astonished that his paternal uncle had learned of his affair with his third sister. On the other, he saw in this 'NPC's' eyes a quiet warmth and genuine care. A father's affection for his daughter, and an adoptive father's care for Though they were figures in the spiritual realm, they were still flesh and blood. This quietly dispelled Zhang Yuanqing's intention to say, "I'm sorry, Aunt Guan." Chen Xue dao was flesh and blood, Chen Wei was too; he wasn't Lin Ci, and he couldn't exploit the conveniences granted by the spiritual realm to compromise the girls' bodies. Perhaps Chen Wei wouldn't notice anything amiss, but Zhang Yuanqing himself felt a barrier. "Father-in-law..." Zhang Yuanqing was about to speak when he suddenly heard a painful, scraping sound—like fingernails dragging across the coffin lid—coming from within the coffin.