"Crack!" Zhang Yuanqing gently tapped an ancient leather document onto the table, smiling. "Then, let's sign the agreement!" When Lian Sanyue looked closely, she saw a brief contract written in golden script on the leather paper—stating that, effective from today, she would serve as the head of the "Shadow Division" of Wandering Souls, pledged not to betray the organization or kill its members; should she breach the terms, she would instantly return to the spiritual realm. As a master of crafting tools, Lian Sanyue immediately sensed two distinct professional presences upon touching the leather document—one emanating from the realm of the Void, the other steady, dignified, and full of righteous authority, reminiscent of a knight from the First Region. Noticing Lian Sanyue frowning, Zhang Yuanqing smiled. "Isn't it standard practice for new employees to sign a labor contract?" Lian Sanyue scoffed. "Why don't you bring a non-compete agreement as well?" Zhang Yuanqing shook the leather document in his hand. "The Void and the Knight—this contract serves both as a labor agreement and a non-compete agreement." Leather parchment is the tool of a knight's profession, used to formalize agreements. When the terms are personally inscribed by the uncle, it becomes a binding transaction. As long as Lun San-yue signs and seals the parchment, the contract is established, and upon receiving the black iron box, the transaction is complete. His adversary is Ling Tuo—this must not be overlooked. He must remain vigilant, cautious, and vigilant against any potential loopholes. Lun San-yue is currently indecisive, emotionally volatile, and there is no deep personal rapport or enduring bond between them. Vigilance is essential. After a moment's thought, Lun San-yue bit her fingertip and signed the contract. The leather parchment glowed with a pure, bronze light, and the rules quietly took shape. She smiled warmly and took the black iron box, saying, "Master, is there anything else I should do?" "Your next assignment is to gather intelligence on the southern schools—on the extraordinary, the sages, and the sovereigns," Zhang Yuanqing said. Lun San-yue brushed away a few ash particles and smiled, asking, "Just promoted to sovereign status, and already eager to seek revenge on the southern schools?" She sat with a relaxed posture, her gaze sharp and assessing, a cigarette held between her fingers, exuding the confident air of a boss—someone who might have been mistaken for the actual executive. Zhang Yuanqing didn’t hesitate: “What do you suggest?” Lian San Yue gently pressed the cigarette between her full lips, drawing and exhaling, clearly forming a plan. “When two nations are at war, what’s most important?” “Grain supplies, troops, and weapons,” Zhang Yuanqing replied. Lian San Yue smiled slightly. “I’ll host an auction, sending out invitations widely. The strong, whether chaotic or orderly, will naturally gather. Then, you’ll be on-site to screen and identify your targets. Once they leave the Wanan Pavilion, you’ll strike.” Zhang Yuanqing stroked his chin, impressed. “A splendid idea—even if you don’t attract the big fish, you can still work your way up from the smaller ones.” Then, her tone shifted, and she sighed. “Boss, my resources are limited. I simply can’t offer anything impressive enough to draw in the truly strong. I’m truly at a loss here.” "This woman has been siphoning off my resources from the very beginning... Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment, then said, 'I'll provide you with a batch of life essence fluids, mechanical weapons, and mid-to-high-tier materials. By the way, I'll also give you a lower-tier dominion-grade item.' Zhang Yuanqing added, 'You'll take thirty percent of the proceeds from the auction, and the remaining seventy percent will be remitted to the organization.' The life essence fluids can be obtained from the palace mistress—she has a spirit-keeping pot at her side, and the quality of her life essence fluids surpasses even that of the Music Clan. The mechanical weapons will be handled by Xia Hou Ao Tian. The Returning of the Departed is only just established and urgently needs funds; it's completely understandable that they sell off their mechanical weapons to settle debts. Should the Five-Element Alliance wish to hold them accountable, let Fu Qingyang deal with it. As for the materials, simply borrow them directly from Pan Xi, the Vice President. Regarding the dominion-grade item, I'll personally request it from my uncle—what good is all those treasures hanging on the Great Tree of Jewels if they're just displayed? Zhang Yuanqing made a double-entendre remark and then added, "That three-tenth profit isn't given to you for nothing—I have a task for you." As he spoke, he produced the "Master Craftsman's Ring" and placed it on the table. "Work on elevating this item to the Dominant level. By nature, it's a top-tier artifact of the Saint stage, and since you share the same profession, it shouldn't be too difficult." He possessed many Dominant-level artifacts, each one carrying a tremendous cost, and the Master Craftsman's Ring—capable of reducing the cost of using such artifacts—was truly a divine treasure. Yet, despite its Saint-tier quality, it could not reduce the cost of Dominant-level artifacts. Even after three months had passed, Li Zhi straightened up, picked up the ring, and examined its attributes before nodding. "No problem," she said. "But I can only refine it into a lower-quality Dominant artifact. Anything of mid-to-high quality is out of reach—I simply can't achieve that, and the success rate is quite low. The material costs alone could force you into a bare-borrowing situation." Imagine my Master, the Primordial Cele Zhang Yuanqing made a self-deprecating remark, "That's enough. When will it be completed?" "It's a tool for a bachelor's profession. I have all the materials. With overtime work, three days should be sufficient," Li San-yue said. Zhang Yuanqing nodded, folded the leather sheet, and with a crisp snap of his fingers, departed into the rising starlight. "Looks like you're not very old. The Tongzhou Association is the second-largest civilian organization in the region, founded during the War of Resistance. After the establishment of the Xinhua State, it quietly disappeared. According to Yuan Shishen, many of the senior leaders in the lawful-ordered organizations—especially the first generation of Lingjing Travelers—are former members of Tongzhou. By age, you should call me an elder." JOJO lady heard that the Dog Elder was unfamiliar with Tongzhou Association and immediately stiffened. The Dog Elder automatically ignored the last remark and asked thoughtfully, "What are you investigating about Tongzhou Association?" Currently, the youngest among the surviving first-generation Lingjing Travelers are at the minimum level of Eight, and a few have even attained semi-divine status. "I'm investigating an old story." "Ms. JOJO got straight to the point: 'My former master's husband once intended to return to his home country to establish an official organization, so that the second-largest region's spiritual travelers could gain institutional support sooner. He engaged in three rounds of communication with the government, and on his fourth attempt, the Chinese government agreed. However, en route to China, he was attacked and nearly died...' She immediately shared this account with the Dog Elder. The Dog Elder listened intently, then emitted a series of soft 'sshhhs,' and said, 'Your former master suspects the Tongzhou Association was behind the attack on Huo Zhengkui? If so, what benefit does the Tongzhou Association gain?' If the Tongzhou Association indeed sought to become the official body in the second-largest region, then the motive for targeting Huo Zhengkui would be clear. Yet in reality, it was the Wu-Xing Alliance and the Taiyuan Gate that achieved official recognition. 'I'm not sure,' Ms. JOJO replied. 'So I need to investigate.' The Dog Elder sighed, 'My instinct tells me this is a move that risks everything. I can assist, but only to the extent of my support.'" "Ms. JOJO nodded: 'I didn't expect you to uncover the truth—just having you assist would be sufficient. Also, I'm a member of the Departed-Returners, responsible for gathering intelligence, so most of the time I won't be helping you. Unless you're in danger, or you need to enter the realm.' The Dog Elder furrowed his brow. Ms. JOJO observed carefully, 'The Prime Immortal said you're his father's uncle—someone trustworthy.' ...The Dog Elder sighed, 'Alright.' … At 10 a.m., the official account of the Five Elements Alliance posted a thread on the forum: #List of Saint-Level Characters Killed in This Current Campaign: Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun, Huang Tai-qi, Jiang Ju, Yin Ji, Xia Hou Ao-Tian, Xiao Yuan# The post briefly explained the phenomenon of two major regions' campaign zones merging due to a spiritual realm system failure, with a strong emphasis on the announcement that Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun had returned to life. The post author stated that after Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun returned to the spiritual realm during the Judgment Council, the headquarters, moved by his injustice and tragic death, decided to secretly revive him. The specific method of revival was not detailed in the post. Upon his revival, Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun coincided with the outbreak of the faction war in the first major region. As a result, the headquarters asked him to reposition and journey far afield to confront the evil faction. Indeed, Yuan-Shi Tian-Zun fulfilled his expectations, achieving notable victories in the New Covenant Province, where he single-handedly defeated several peak Saint-level leaders from the second major region's evil faction. Then, he utterly eliminated the holy sages of the evil faction within the slaughter realm, securing spots for Jiang Ju, Huang Taiqi, and others, and achieving the status of Sovereign. At this point, the official members of the Wu-Xing Alliance were already in a frenzy. The heroic figures who had died and returned to life—long celebrated—were none other than the Sage Ju Mang, the savior of the second region, who had been hailed as a true champion. Yet, the most explosive revelation came next: after official investigation and verification, it was confirmed that it was the Prime Origin Immortal who truly resolved the issue of the vanishing moral value. However, the Wu-Xing Alliance had not disclosed the specific method by which this was accomplished. This news acted like pouring oil on fire, instantly elevating the topic to a peak of excitement, with the official forums, work groups, and private chat groups of the Wu-Xing Alliance all actively discussing the Prime Origin Immortal. The official forum of the first region reposted the Wu-Xing Alliance’s post, sparking equally heated discussions. Instead of dampening the morale of the Lawful-aligned spiritual travelers, two news reports struck with profound impact, resonating deeply and significantly lifting spirits, easing the anxieties and uncertainties among mid- and lower-level travelers. In times of upheaval, heroes and role models are more needed than ever—something the Five-Element Alliance has mastered. Zhang Yuanqing stepped into the public spotlight alongside official travelers at Songhai, having his photo and video captured to verify the official announcements. "The Ghost Blade Emperor, dressed like an old man from the northwest, agreed. Between them stood a folding table, laden with grilled meats, and beneath it two crates of beer. Four chairs sat at the table's side, with the Silver Moon Emperor having summoned the Mage-Eye. "After the return of the Yin, both half-deities of the Night-Wanderer profession are on guard against each other, waiting for the Sun's instance to open. They're likely too busy to handle Yuan-Shi Tian Zun," said the Ghost Blade Emperor, his face troubled. "How can we get Yuan-Shi Tian Zun to proactively send us a battle invitation?" "If he won't send you one, then send him one yourself," said the King of Fear. "I'd rather have others come challenge me..." As he spoke, a figure soared into the air and crashed down onto the viewing platform—none other than the Silver Moon, who had gone to fetch the Mage-Eye for a drink. He was furious, clutching a piece of paper, and slammed it onto the table, roaring, "Fear! That useless Mage-Eye has defected!" "King Fear and King Ghost-Blade exchanged serious glances, their eyes settling on the scroll, where a flowing, elegant script read: 'I've joined Yuan-Shi Tianzun now and will be serving Robo-Devil—there's no future for me here. Next time we meet, I'll eliminate you both.' King Fear studied it for several seconds before lifting his gaze: 'Let's have a drink. Let's have a drink.' Silver Moon General erupted in anger: 'A drink? Do you even have the strength to drink? Didn't you promise to lead us in pursuit of the Eye of Darkness?' 'His decision to leave is his own,' King Fear said with calm indifference. 'The members of the Commander's Academy are free. If they wish to join, I welcome them. If they wish to leave, I won't stop them.' Silver Moon General's temples bulged with fury: 'I've had enough of your endless praise of Robo-Devil!' King Ghost-Blade sighed impatiently. Silver Moon General: '...' ... At 6 p.m., Zhang Yuanqing, wearing a mask and a baseball cap, arrived at his grandmother's home via elevator. 'Ding-ding...' He entered his Opening the door, a familiar, rich aroma of cooked food drifted into his nostrils. Inhaling this scent, he felt a deep sense of peace and contentment—like being at harbor, his heart calm and at ease. Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath and roared, "Grandmother! I'm back!"