The evil professions present here, except for the adolescent middle school girls, all have jobs. Yet their modest incomes struggle to cover the expenses of a spirit realm traveler—materials at the saint level start in the seven-figure range, let alone equipment. The Master of Unseen Paths has a strict rule: no use of one's own abilities to generate income, even in voluntary transactions. Once a single opening is made, things accumulate steadily until the flood of moral decay overflows the dam, distorting the mind. To preserve their inner integrity and avoid being tainted by the very nature of their professions, evil professions must be even more orderly than the lawful ones, maintaining higher moral standards and greater steadfastness than ordinary people. What kind of group possesses moral standards beyond the ordinary? Monks—indeed, religious ideals. In fact, the core teachings and philosophies of every mainstream religion encourage people to do good and emphasize the noble aspects of human nature. The outcomes often fall short in the eyes of the public, but this is not a flaw of religion—it is simply a reflection of human nature's inherent flaws. Resisting material and financial temptations is the first step in overcoming inner demons and achieving self-rescue. The team members have indeed diligently followed the teachings of the Master of the Traceless Way, even the bank teller with the strongest material desires, "Sweet Heart Red Demon," who has been successfully tempering her own cravings. Yet, who wouldn't welcome a higher budget? Seated at the head of the table, the small round figure scanned the long table on both sides, her expression cold and serious, stating, "This year's budget is five hundred thousand, five hundred thousand each." As soon as the words settled, the professional figures seated at the table all stared in unison, as if doubting they had heard correctly. Five hundred thousand each? That totals eight million—enormous for a team that has always struggled with finances. The bank teller, "Sweet Heart Red Demon," with her vibrant makeup, expressed astonishment, "Has our hotel business reached this level? Last year, our revenue was quite poor. Ah, this is a truly delightful sum." The initially composed junior high school girl, the gloomy "Pot Aunt," and others couldn't help but smile. "This year's revenue has also been sluggish—we've been making ends meet from other sources," Xiao Yuan said, glancing at Kou Beiyue with a calm tone. "The Prime Immortal has compensated me with one million yuan in cash, plus three top-tier, senior-level items, and, uh, several vials of life essence." The members at the table looked surprised. Honestly, they were quite satisfied with the compensation—indeed, they thought the Prime Immortal was generous. "Three top-tier items and several vials of life essence—when converted into cash, that's likely in the hundreds of millions, and certainly beyond market value," said fitness coach Lin Chong, chuckling. "This kid really has potential." "He's also quite wealthy," added the junior high school girl. The plump boy scanned the group, and the atmosphere, which had previously been uneasy, now shifted to satisfaction and approval. Xiao Yuan added, "In fact, Yuan Shi Tian Zun's support for the team goes far beyond what we've seen. Official monitoring may be in place for chat groups and SMS messages, so I've kept my remarks limited—some things can only be shared privately." Upon hearing this, everyone turned to Xiao Yuan, giving him their full attention. "His final words as a father—that's what brought him here. He knew that being a father was an evil profession, that his companions were also in such a role, yet he still chose to take such significant risks simply because he believed a father could be a good person." Xiao Yuan said calmly, "From the very first time I met him, I knew he was a good person." "He helped avenge Bei Yue's grievances, and he personally coordinated the official clearance of the police department's not guilty report. He saved Bei Yue twice—after the first rescue, he helped her settle her major grievances; after the second rescue, he helped her advance to the rank of Saint." "He acknowledges the Master of Unseen Footprints' philosophy, believing that profession is not the sole measure of human character, and that the harm caused by corrupt, greedy lawful individuals is no less significant than that of evil practitioners." "He willingly defied official protocols and executed the grandson of Zhang Su, not out of a penchant for killing, but because he could not bear the injustice to Zhang Su. He knew the hotel was struggling financially and often sought my assistance, using those opportunities to receive payments." As Xiao Yuan spoke with quiet detail, the evil practitioners at the table either expressed astonishment, nodded in agreement, murmured in admiration, showed genuine warmth, or remained impassive. Yet, each of them silently reshaped their image of the Primordial Celestial Sovereign, and simultaneously revised their perception of Xiao Yuan toward the Primordial Celestial Sovereign. ——As Xiao Yuan, the high-minded and reserved senior disciple of the Master of Unseen Footprints, had never before recounted a man's life with such care and thoroughness. Indeed, she detailed every action he had taken, without omission. In her description, Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun is nothing short of the most perfect man imaginable—exceptionally talented, lively in personality, deeply principled and morally grounded. Beyond his contributions to the team, Xiao Yuan provided detailed accounts of Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun’s official duties: assisting senior elders in hunting down greedy generals, managing the Holy Cup incident, and imprisoning the King of the Magician’s Eye. Even though Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun is known for his steadfast resolve, the King of the Magician’s Eye, the commander of the Military Headquarters, holds him in high regard, treats him as a true peer. Everyone knows that the King of the Magician’s Eye is often called the "Proud Youth King"—someone who cannot tolerate even the smallest imperfections, such as a child's candy bar being taken, and demands that you apologize and pay for it. The fact that Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun is recognized as a peer by this demanding figure speaks volumes about his high moral standards. Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun’s image in the hearts of the others has steadily risen, now glowing with a sense of sanctity. "Indeed, a most interesting young man," said General Lin Chong, running a firm hand over his short, After Xiao Yuan's introduction, everyone became deeply interested in Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn. Kou Beiyue checked her watch and said, "He should be arriving soon." Indeed, her phone rang right away—the caller was Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he quickly answered the call, and the voice coming through the speaker was concise and direct: "Come down and collect your things." Kou Beiyue immediately leapt up from her chair, excitedly rushing out of the large suite. The plain middle-aged man pushed his glasses up and remarked, "He doesn't seem to be hostile toward Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn at all." The vibrant young woman chuckled, "It's just like a child going through adolescence—who knows?" The elderly man with white hair spoke softly, "The more rebellious a child is, the more patience you need. You can't rely solely on discipline, but you also can't neglect it entirely." "Yang Uncle," said the elegant man with soft features and a light makeup, twirling his fingers with a look of disdain, "you've retired now—don't go on about all that educational theory!" He then took hold of the bank teller known as "Sweet Red Mage," his voice sharp and his tone exaggerated: "Oh my, what beautiful manicure has Red Mage done! So lovely—after I've heard the lecture, I'll definitely bring my sister to get one too." After waiting for over fifteen minutes, the suite door finally opened, and Kou Beiyue entered, pushing a food cart, followed by a young man whose features were quite good—though not quite a handsome, radiant prince with a face like a crown and eyes like stars, he still carried a pleasant, bright charm. His demeanor combined the eerie, regal grace of a night-wanderer with the ethereal, mysterious aura of a star official. The young man also pushed a food cart, laden with premium ingredients and a variety of fine wines. "What's all this now? Today is the day for the master's lecture, not a wine-tasting gathering!" the stern, shadowed aunt said coldly, eyeing the official prodigy with some displeasure. Zhang Yuan closed the door, glanced at the group gathered at the table, and finally settled his gaze on Xiao Yuan. Xiao Yuan began introducing the guests, one by one, starting from Zhang Yuanqing moved smoothly past the table, shaking hands with each member, giving flirtatious glances to the elegant lady, gently touching the top of a junior high school girl's head, and telling the graceful, sensual man, "You're absolutely beautiful, sister." He radiated a natural ease that made everyone feel rather uncomfortable. "Listening to the teachings doesn't take away from our meal, does it?" Zhang Yuanqing pushed a box of premium green tea toward "Pot Auntie." "This tea is cultivated personally by the Shé family's ancestral elder. Fang Auntie, please try it. Bei Yue, hurry and boil some water—use the snow mountain spring water I brought." Fang Auntie's eyes lit up, her expression hesitated slightly, and she silently opened the bronze box, lightly inhaling the fragrant aroma of the tea. Zhang Yuanqing then presented a fine wine to the head trainer Lin Chong, offered premium desserts to the young middle school girl, presented limited-edition beauty and skincare gift sets to "Sweet Heart Red Mage" and "Dashing Consort," and gifted exquisite cigars to the silver-haired Yang Bo... In fact, Kou Beiyue had already compiled all the team members' spiritual realm IDs, nicknames, profiles, personalities, and hobbies into a document and shared it with Zhang Yuanqing. This time, Zhang Yuanqing came well-prepared—just as one would when meeting a girlfriend's family or relatives for the first time—having thoughtfully arranged gifts that were hard to refuse for each person. The recipients were indeed very pleased. "From now on, we're all family. Here's my business card—you can reach out to me anytime in the future," Zhang Yuanqing said, handing out his business card to each member present. Taking this opportunity, Kou Beiyue pulled out her chair to sit back down beside Xiao Yuan, but Zhang Yuanqing moved swiftly, grabbing his collar and pulling him gently toward the door. "Come on, come on—bring up the hot pot from the ground floor, and bring the electric stove and the cast-iron pot as Zhang Yuanqing sat down smoothly, lowering his head to murmur softly into Xiao Yuan's ear, "It's okay." Xiao Yuan glanced at him. In his gaze, Zhang saw tenderness. Kou Beiyue quickly went out and returned, soon after a fragrant mist filled the suite. Premium ingredients swam and sank in the hot pot broth, while Kou Beiyue held a military knife, slicing vegetables at the workbench. The plump man stood by the electric stove, frying steaks in a flat pan. Zhang Yuanqing and Lin Chong leaned on each other, drinking heartily, and even shared a toast with the "Sweet Heart Red Mage." He didn't overlook the two extraordinary-stage members either, lavishly praising them and offering to make them informants. At first, everyone was somewhat resistant, but Yuan Shishen's mastery of language was exceptional—he discussed combat with Lin Chong, luxury goods with the Sweet Heart Red Mage, cosmetics with the "Dashing Hero and His Consort," education with Yang Bo, and tea with the pot lady—no, the elegant lady, Fang Yi. After a few cups of wine, the atmosphere warmed and became lively. The elder guests sipped tea and enjoyed the In front of Xiao Yuan, a plate held half a ribeye steak, and she clutched her wine glass, watching the bustling, animated Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun among the crowd. Her usually reserved face gradually softened into a smile. She wasn't one for lively gatherings, but their team truly needed some excitement. Each year, the meetings were marked by deep-seated grievances—past experiences had left lasting scars, like wounds that never fully healed. The long, arduous journey toward healing had been both persistent and bitter, leaving most of them without much joy on their faces. So, simply smiling was already a great achievement. Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun had become a kind of elixir of joy, infusing warmth into the team. After three rounds of wine, the chief instructor Lin Chong, with a strong flow of wine from his mouth, gripped Zhang Yuanqing's shoulder and exclaimed, "I heard you defeated the greedy general! I've never been afraid of anyone during my Saint phase. Come on, everyone—our ranks are equal. Let's have a match and see who's truly the standout!" The moment he spoke, everyone at the table furrowed their brows. The Lady Fang said coldly, "Lin Chong, have you forgotten how you were first pursued?" Zhang Yuanqing promptly recalled the profile of this "Tiger Head"—a man who had once been idle and impetuous, hot-tempered and fiercely combative, who, in a sudden incident, had killed someone and thus become a fugitive. As for whom he had killed, the information provided by Kou Beiyue did not specify—only that it was a particularly aggressive and uncompromising individual, one who fought with great intensity and no regard for the circumstances. "Our journey as the Spirit Pilgrims of Lingjing depends on constant conflict," Lin Chong replied, not listening to her. How could a man of such sturdy nature be persuaded? He simply pulled Zhang Yuanqing and started walking toward the door. "Such a man, once he drinks, becomes completely uncontrollable," the graceful and alluring "King of the Chariot" remarked, frowning. Everyone else lowered their chopsticks, their brows furrowed. Only a few minutes remained before the master began his lecture—there was no time to allow him to act out his frustrations, and they also feared he might injure the Prime Heavenly Sovere Zhang Yuanqing glanced at Xiao Yuan, who furrowed her brow and shook her head. So he kept waving his hands: "No need to hit, no need to hit..." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun was indeed rational—he knew he couldn't fight a powerful wine-drinker head-on. The first three Yin corpses alone sent the crowd's brows furrowing. Among the ten Yin corpses, three were at the sixth level, the rest were Sages. Then, Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn gently exhaled, and instantly, a howling wind swept through the suite, accompanied by faint ghost wails. A powerful Yin energy enveloped everyone, even silencing the boiling hot pot. General Lin Chong stared blankly at Zhang Yuanqing. So did Yang Bo and the others. Was this the expected configuration for a newly promoted sixth-level Star Official? While such a lineup might not be able to single-handedly match their team, it would certainly suffice to handle a sixth-level Mist Master—without even needing Zhang Yuanqing to step in personally. "Let's go—let's spar," Zhang Yuanqing said, pulling Lin Chong's hand. But Lin Chong suddenly pulled his hand back, his wine suddenly clear in his eyes, "I don't want to fight. I don't think a sparring match is necessary." The gathering continued, yet everyone's expressions toward Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn had subtly shifted. He is indeed a newcomer, yet in just half a year, he has covered the ground that others take years—some even decades—to traverse. He is more formidable and powerful than the rumors suggest. He is a rising star, yet one who deserves to be looked at levelly, if not with admiration. Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn's contributions to Wú Hén Hotel have earned their recognition, and now, his demonstrated strength has won their genuine respect. The slighter, rounder man and Kou Beiyue exchanged glances; the latter admired Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn's interpersonal grace—he always commands attention, no matter where he is. Xiao Yuan helped cut a portion of steak and placed it before Zhang Yuanqing. Then, glancing at the lady's wristwatch, she said, "There are still five minutes. Before we enter the hall, I'd like to share with you the rules and procedures. During the master's lecture, please refrain from interrupting, speaking, or dozing off. However, you are welcome to cry." After the lecture, everyone has the opportunity to reflect and make sincere apologies. If you feel a strong urge to do so, don't suppress your inner thoughts—speak it out loud. This will be more effective in releasing your emotions." I'm here to have the Master reflect and apologize! Zhang Yuan thought with determination. "When you enter the hall, the Master will set up a mirror of revelation before the Buddha. This mirror will project the most authentic version of yourself. Each person will have to gaze into it. The mirror is a master-level artifact—normally, you'd never get a chance to use it." Xiao Yuan patiently explained. The mirror of revelation—showing the most authentic version of oneself? Zhang Yuan felt a spark of insight. The elderly Yang, with a kind smile, said, "That mirror is meant for us, the miscreants. You're a disciplined professional and a good child—whether you look into it or not, it won't make much difference." "I hope my anger isn't so intense this year; otherwise, all my efforts in the past year will have been for nothing," said the overall commander Lin Chong, full of hope yet filled with anticipation. As they spoke, Xiao Yuan glanced at her watch "Say that, and with the crowd's spines suddenly straightening, she shattered the jade tablet."