The clean desk reflects the cool, clear glow of the overhead spotlight, while the air conditioner blows a comfortable, refreshing breeze. Outside, the sunset is blood-red, the sky deep blue, with cotton-candy-like clouds holding steady—half golden, half pure white. Zhang Yuanqing sits at the desk, maintaining the posture he adopted when entering the realm, his clothes tattered, thankfully preserved from any accidental exposure thanks to the flowing robes of Yin-Yang magic. "Back!" he stretches, murmuring in satisfaction. Then he turns to see Guan Ya standing by the bed, draped with the silver-tinged Lady Yingyao, who now clings to her neck. The princess wraps her long, slender legs tightly around the older official's waist, and from within her sash, the audio from the "King of Cats" speaker plays: "I was so terrified!!" The tone is cheeky, and slightly familiar—after listening for a moment, Zhang Yuanqing realizes it's a well-known audio clip that went viral a few years ago. He supposes it must have been recorded during their time serving the魔君. "What are you doing?" Zhang Yuanqing asks, looking at the princess. The Princess emitted a deeply displeased, cold huff from her little horn, then dissolved into starlight and returned to her adjacent bedroom. Now Zhang Yuanqing had moved into the Princess's original room, leaving the original bedroom to the Princess's exclusive use. "What's wrong with her?" Zhang Yuanqing was utterly puzzled. "Simply annoyed," said Guan Ya, rolling her eyes, shedding her coat, and pulling up the sleeve of her fitted tank top, revealing her bare, creamy form beneath—only a black lace bra—now fully exposed to her boyfriend. "You didn't bring her when you went on the quest. It was she who reached out and embraced me, and that's how she came back with me." "I saw her near you and knew you'd bring her back," Zhang Yuanqing admired his girlfriend's full figure, remarking, "The Princess has grown increasingly odd in temperament. I still prefer her original reserved, composed demeanor." "Though he had seen her many times, Lady Gusu's figure still held a tremendous appeal for him. Her skin was exceptionally fine and fair, enhanced by the natural softness of a woman's body fat, making her look especially enticing. Her abdomen was flat and firm, with a graceful, sensuous silhouette of both the fish-tail and waist lines." "This Princess is quite heartless—she constantly encourages the Queen and Lingxi to oppose me, yet never considers the consequences of their failures. She's truly a joy to watch, though she remains loyal to you." Guan Ya loosened the belt of her camouflage pants, and the loose trousers slid down her long, elegant legs, revealing the fullness and roundness of her hips and legs. She kept her lace undergarments on, then swayed slightly toward the bathroom. "I'll take a shower." Zhang Yuanqing licked his lips. "Let's go together... together." She quickly shed her clothes and, bare-chested, chased after Guan Ya into the bathroom. … The lotus spout gurgled with hot water, cascading over the two bodies entwined. Guan Yazu’s back pressed against the wall, her fair, slender legs curled around her boyfriend’s waist, her pointed chin resting against his shoulder. As she savored the lingering warmth, she said: “This time we cleared the S-tier dungeon—there’s certainly some luck involved. I don’t recommend you dragging them into another S-tier group dungeon. Besides the Heavenly Convergence of Fire, these people all have their own connections. If they perish in the clan dungeons, their elders might not openly blame you, but wouldn’t they harbor resentment in their hearts? There would surely be lingering grievances. They’re alive, and that makes them far more valuable to you.” Zhang Yuanqing cradled the round buttocks of the elder lady, soft flesh oozing between his fingers, enjoying the grace of his girlfriend and replying, “Got it, got it.” Guan Yazu gave him a gentle tap on the back, scolding, “Don’t be casual.” Zhang Yuanqing smiled, “But once they survive, the benefits are substantial, aren’t they?” The difficulty of the Spirit Realm adjusts according to the strength of the party. Each S-tier challenge is a test that pushes their potential, yet not a certain death blow. In fact, thanks to you, the main storyline mission would likely have fallen apart—otherwise, the clues left by the Magistrate Sect were simply too sparse, consisting only of a few stone steles and the ever-elusive sacred treasure. With Zhang Yuanqing's sharp mind, he would eventually figure it out, but the time provided by the Spirit Realm was limited. Therefore, the key to solving the main storyline mission really lies with Guan Ya. Observation and logical reasoning are the exclusive strengths of a scout. "Ah…" Guan Ya suddenly sighed softly, blushing, "You asked me to rest a bit… Well, in a team-based dungeon, various job types blend together, and I've merely fulfilled my scout role. By the way, it's now early September—this month, you're entering the solo Spirit Realm, aren't you?" "Yes, it's already September!" Zhang Yuanqing murmured. He had only two months to live, according to the oracle's prophecy, and would pass away either at the end of October or the beginning of November. Guan Ya couldn't see her boyfriend's face; otherwise, she would have noticed the seriousness on his face. After bathing, the two changed into fresh, dry clothes and returned to the bedroom. Zhang Yuanqing unlocked his phone screen, joined the "The Return of the Dead" chat group, and typed: 【Master Yuan-Shi: I've just finished bathing and am here to report—there's something urgent!】 All except Sun Miao-miao and Shallow Ryouta responded. After waiting another ten minutes, Sun Miao-miao and Shallow Ryouta joined online one after another. Once everyone was gathered, Zhang Yuanqing sent a message: 【Master Yuan-Shi: There are three boss-level quest instances. We've already cleared one. If you all can hold on, we'll begin the next one tomorrow morning.】 【Zhao City God: No problem!】 【Heaven's Return of Fire: Great!】 The two most ambitious members immediately agreed without hesitation, tasting the sweet rewards. The others hesitated for a few seconds before gradually Though they'd really like to slack off for a few days in reality, adjusting their mindset and enjoying life, the副本 of Mo Zong's Organ City is simply too tempting, visibly strengthening the members of the guild. No one from the Spirit Realm can resist the allure of upgrading. [Yuanshi Tianzun: Good. I'll activate the second guild副本 five minutes from now.] After sending this message, Zhang Yuan opened Shallow Yoko's profile and typed: [The Yashimikagami is stored in the guild warehouse. Please apply to use it when convenient and return it to the Chihaku Group. For the second item, I've chosen the Amaterasu.] [Shallow Yoko: The Amaterasu is kept by the team leader and is said to be extremely cherished—so precious that the leader treats it as if it were a lifeline. No one else is allowed to use or touch it. But since you've requested it, Master Yuanshi, the leader will certainly agree.] Nonsense—how could they possibly disagree? The team leader wouldn't have the courage to breach that commitment. Zhang Yuan gave a slight scoff, then picked up Guan Ya from the bedside and placed her on "Guan Ya, the sword Fu Qingyang sent you has been damaged. The Amaterasu, a master-tier equipment for scouts in the Japanese realm, is valid for only one month. You can use it for now—when I get a chance, I'll send you a top-tier sword." "Hmph, I thought you'd send it to Fu Qingyang," Guan Ya smiled, her face glowing with delight. "Finally, you're starting to act like a proper boyfriend." While chatting, Zhang Yuanqing opened the White Guard's faction warehouse and retrieved his master-tier materials, the Yashima Mirror, and the Five Elements Experience Cards. He placed the Yashima Mirror into the "Wanderers' Return" faction warehouse, and the very next moment, Shianoya Ryō submitted a usage request. Zhang Yuanqing approved it, then opened the faction interface and selected to generate a quest. "Beep! The spiritual realm is being generated, please wait..." "The spiritual realm has been successfully generated." "Designation: 367 — Grassland Shadows." "Difficulty Level: B." "Type: Multiplayer (Non-Death)." "Main Quest: Defeat the Mongol scouting forces." 】 【Note: Non-spirit realm items cannot be brought in.】 【Spirit Realm Introduction No. 367: After the fall of the Jin Dynasty, the Southern Song Dynasty aimed to reclaim its lost territories when the Mongols withdrew. However, due to its military weakness, the Southern Song failed to achieve this goal. The Mongols used this as an excuse and launched their first southern invasion in 1235. During the battles, scouts would advance first. Brave warriors, crush them!】 "Ah, a B-grade quest that isn't death-related—quite fortunate," Zhang Yuanqing smiled. He wasn't disappointed by the B-grade quest, since S-grade quests are only accessible to a few exceptional talents. Most talents, such as the official's four princes, typically enter A-grade quests. Elite figures like Tianxia Guihuo and Zhao Chenghuang often receive B-grade quests, with occasional A-grade ones as well. In the chat group, Yanagi Ryō spoke first: 【Yanagi Ryō: Excellent! I really enjoy this kind of quest—it offers high experience points without the risk of death.】 ] [Sun Miaomiao: Just treat it as leisure after completing an S-tier raid. If you successfully clear a non-fatal B-tier raid, you should gain an additional 8% experience points.] ] [Zhao Chenghuang: Decent.] ] [Xiahou Aotian: Why not S-tier? Right now, I barely bother with raids below A-tier. Hmm, what time are we entering tomorrow?] The team members were slightly disappointed, yet mostly relieved—having to go through another S-tier raid again would surely send them into a panic. A non-fatal B-tier raid offers no life-threatening risks and provides a solid, measurable amount of experience points; what’s not to like, even if you fail, you only lose some experience. ] [Yuan Shishen: We’ll enter at 10 a.m. tomorrow, though I won’t be joining this time.] ] [Sun Miaomiao: Why not?] ] [Yuan Shishen: I’ve never played any raids below A-tier—just not interested.] Everyone: "...” … The Wu-Hen Hotel. In the compact two-bedroom, one-living-room suite, Xiao Yuan sat sideways at the table, her head tilted slightly, long black hair flowing like a waterfall, carefully wiping her hair with a dry towel. A computer lay before her on the table, its screen displaying the chat interface of the "Return of the Departed" guild. She was certain to attend the guild's scheduled dungeon tomorrow—the second-tier guild offered three stages of sacred dungeons, and she intended to participate in all of them, so as to recover her peak condition as swiftly as possible. After the orderly members of the group finished their formal updates, they began enthusiastically discussing the recent harvests from the Mu Sect's Mechanized City, casually mentioning various official anecdotes and minor happenings. Closing her laptop, Xiao Yuan opened the wardrobe, changed into her uniform, and made her way to the main hall on the first floor. It was 6:30 p.m. Kou Beiyue sat at the front desk's lounge chair, skillfully maneuvering her mouse, fully immersed in her game. Since the hotel required staff attention, she had stayed to manage operations and had not gone out to deliver meals today. Upon hearing the familiar sound of high heels approaching, Kou Beiyue looked up in surprise "Xiao Yuan hummed in agreement: 'Let's deliver the meals.' 'This isn't urgent,' Kou Beiyue said, 'How many experience points do you have now? Have you reached Level 5?' Xiao Yuan nodded, 'Level 5 at 22%.' Kou Beiyue paused, 'Why so much?' He knew Xiao Yuan had full Level 4 experience, so what kind of quest could boost experience by 22% in one go? After all, even he, Kou Beiyue himself, only had 32% at Level 4—accumulated over three quests. 'S-tier quest!' 'S-tier?' Kou Beiyue's eyes widened in shock, then a wave of relief washed over him—S-tier quests meant Xiao Yuan had fought for his life multiple times today. 'I'll be entering the guild quest again tomorrow,' Xiao Yuan explained, 'this time it's a B-tier non-death quest, though I might stay for several days.' 'While I'm away, please take care of the inn,' Xiao Yuan added, 'and if there's any issue, reach out to Master Wuhen.' "On second thought," Kou Beiyue exclaimed, tapping her head, "I almost forgot to tell you—Master Wuhen entered the realm today. He conveyed his message to me through a dream before he left." "Today, huh?" Xiao Yuan nodded, suddenly realizing. Master Wuhen had informed them that he would be entering the Spiritual Realm in the near future, with an uncertain return date. As a master of such caliber, it sometimes took him a full month—or even longer—to complete a single realm journey. "Got it," Xiao Yuan said as she walked to the front desk, turned off Kou Beiyue's game, and spoke calmly. "For any matters, find the Primordial Sovereign. Otherwise, just stay here and take care of the shop. I'll be delivering meals now." "Pushing it to the crystal now…" Kou Beiyue mumbled, picking up the helmet from the table under her mother's stern gaze, and hurried out of the hotel door. ... Taodan Temple. Zhao Chenghuang left the courtyard, mounted his electric bike parked at the entrance, and sped through the winding, old alleyways, heading one kilometer to his grandfather's residence. In this historic urban district, the senior leaders of Taigongmen reside, each family living in a traditional quadrangle courtyard—built with dark tiles, red-painted gates, and two small stone lions at the entrance. Since the founding of the People's Republic, Taigongmen's headquarters has been located here, with senior elders living in large courtyards and officers in smaller ones. Zhao Chenghuang and Sun Miao grew up here, playing freely through the alleys like the wind, visiting different elders to learn martial arts one day and attend rituals the next. Throughout their journeys, they were always accompanied by their shadowy servants, the Yin Shi Ling Pu. As the economy flourished, Taigongmen established a new headquarters, and the traditional courtyards evolved into modern, spacious apartments. The residents gradually moved to these newer, upscale residential communities. Yet the older elders still reside in the alleys, in the historically rich quadrangle courtyards. They have lived here for nearly a century—just as timeless and weathered as the courtyards themselves. The four-in-one courtyard arrived. Zhao Chenguang braked the electric scooter, parked it at the entrance, and rang the courtyard door. *Click~* The gate opened automatically, and a spirit servant standing behind it bowed to Zhao Chenguang. As night fell, the old courtyard exuded the charm of the 1980s. Zhao the Elder sat under a tree, playing chess with another elderly man of white hair. "Grandfather!" Zhao Chenguang bowed respectfully. Zhao the Elder nodded once: "Old Qian, go back to your room first." The elderly man with white hair slightly inclined his head, then drifted into a stream of green smoke toward the room. Zhao the Elder gestured toward the opposite side, indicating he should sit down, yet his gaze remained fixed on the chessboard. "You've returned?" Zhao Chenguang nodded: "I've gathered quite a few materials. I'd like Grandfather to help me prepare the supplies—I'm going to forge a Level 5 Yin Shi." "What kind of quest?" "An S-level one!" "Old Zhao finally lifted his head and smiled, "For you, the S-rank dungeon is still quite dangerous. But if you follow the Primordial Sovereign inside, it becomes manageable. And by mingling with the prodigy, you'll absorb some of the spirit of the beasts." In the past, when Grandfather praised the Primordial Sovereign this way, Old Zhao would have felt deeply不服. But over time, he had grown used to it—perhaps simply accustomed, or perhaps due to deepening ties—so now he no longer felt jealous. "...Don't spend so much time with the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign!" said Master Sun, scolding from under the holly tree. Holding a little girl in her arms and holding her phone in the other hand, Sun Miaomiao replied to her grandfather while chatting, "You don't need to interfere at all."