Zhang Yuanqing immediately agreed to the request and then dialed Deng Jingguo's phone. The voice prompt indicated that the call could not be connected. Zhang Yuanqing immediately furrowed his brows. "What's wrong?" Fu Qingyang observed his expression, noting the concern and seriousness in his demeanor. "Deng Jingguo has applied to use one of my master-tier items stored in the faction's warehouse," Zhang Yuanqing explained, "he might have encountered danger." Upon finishing, Zhang Yuanqing pulled out the Dali Star Disk and began observing the stars during the day. As Deng Jingguo was his companion, the painting of chaos was one of his items, and both shared deep causal connections with him—plus, there was no significant level gap—so even during the day, he could still use the disk to deduce and observe parts of Deng Jingguo's situation. The Dali Star Disk lit up, and silver stars in the disk's plane formed a "vortex" in the air, flowing into Zhang Yuanqing's mind like an information stream. As the celestial patterns shifted and changed, Zhang Yuanqing gradually clarified a brief, hazy vision of the future.
— That was a row house that had collapsed, its ruins stained with blood. Deng Jingguo’s upper half lay embedded in the rubble, his eyes wide open, his lower body nowhere to be seen. Outside the row house, police vehicles from Xin Yue County had parked along the roadside, establishing a perimeter.
Deng, the Master, has passed away... Zhang Yuanqing suddenly sat up, urgently stating, “I saw Deng Jingguo attacked and killed.”
Fu Qingyang remained calm and immediately said, “Don’t go over there yet. Add a few items for protection, and call upon Winnie Burnt to go rescue the people in the Chinatown.”
Could it be that the evil faction had lured me out with the intention of having Deng Jingguo attacked? Zhang Yuanqing abandoned the idea of using the teleportation jade token, instead storing the “Six-Root-Clear Bamboo” and the “Form-and-Spirit-Extinct Blade” in the guild warehouse.
A companion of master rank deserved such a significant investment—these items, even if lost, would not leave him breathless.
The six roots are clear—bamboo is a staple prop for the illusionist’s craft, while he himself is a refined embodiment of the void. The blade that cleaves form and spirit is powerful, though he possesses several high-damage props as well. Indeed, within just a few seconds, another request from Deng Jingguo was received.
Agreed!
The two then sat quietly in the study, waiting for updates.
About ten minutes later, Zhang Yuanqing heard a soft chime from the side of his ear—notification that Deng Jingguo had deposited his items into the guild’s warehouse.
Only then did he exhale in relief, his expression easing slightly.
“Good news—Deng Jingguo’s ticket to the underworld has been canceled.”
He pulled out his phone and dialed Wei Ni Berlent’s number.
Deng Jingguo’s phone couldn’t be reached—likely damaged during the battle.
A clear, composed female voice came through the speaker: “He was attacked jointly by the Void Sect and the Bio-Alchemy Guild. Three masters in total; he defeated one, while the other two were safely secured when I arrived.”
"Zhang Yuanqing asked, 'Can he take phone calls?'
'He's too severely injured,' said Winnie Burnt calmly. 'I'd like to administer the Life Source Fluid to him, but he refuses.'
'Why?' Zhang Yuanqing was astonished.
'He says the wound brings him joy and keeps him absorbed in it. If he dies as a result, that would be his ideal destination—no treatment should be given,' Winnie added, with a slightly odd tone.
What? Did Deng Jingguo have such a quirk? Zhang Yuanqing was first stunned, then suddenly realized.
It was the price of the Bamboo of Six Pure Roots—the user would develop a fondness for suffering.
He himself was a Day-Wandering Immortal, profoundly strong and yang, with passive abilities that largely protected him from negative impacts. Combined with the Artisan's Ring and the Fantastical Immortal items, he had exceptional resilience and immunity to emotional setbacks.
Thus, the cost of the Bamboo of Six Pure Roots had a minimal effect on him, and he had almost forgotten about it.
'Paralyze him and force the injection,' Zhang Yuanqing said.
Winny Berlent hummed, and then Zhang Yuanqing heard a strained yet joyful moan coming through the speaker. Immediately afterward, Winny hung up the phone.
"Too many props, and the costs are all different—there's often a backfire effect, not to mention the risk of social collapse," Zhang Yuanqing said, shrugging toward Fu Qingyang as he put down the phone.
Fu Qingyang's expression remained stern. "You must remain vigilant. Though Deng Jingguo's assassination may not be a direct plot by Lingtuo, it is certainly a retaliatory move by the forces of evil against you. From now on, your allies, your friends and family will all become targets of their pursuit.
I've arranged the Baihui Guard to move into your residential complex and replaced the property management team with my people. But with the Lingjing Travelers' extensive tactics, it's simply impossible to stay ahead—this aspect, you must pay close attention to."
Zhang Yuanqing replied, "I know. I've stationed a spiritual servant at home, providing 24-hour protection for my grandparents and my aunt."
Pausing, he said, "Before entering the southern estate of the Shu Mountain, I had a thought—quite fittingly, the assassination of Deng Jingguo has made me believe this idea is ready to be implemented right away." ... Song Hai, in the Chao Men district. In a certain older residential neighborhood, two men wearing baseball caps and masks entered a modest, older building without an elevator, walking up the stairs and stopping at the door of a household. One of the men lifted his head, revealing eyes filled with frenzy beneath his cap, and turned to his companion, saying with a hearty tone, "This is it. The homeowner is Yao Yilin, a high school teacher. I obtained the real identity of the Prime Origin Immortal from him—his name, his address, all the details—but I've forgotten them now. 'Now that you've advanced to the eighth rank, and I've regained my sovereign status, we should no longer be affected.'" The other man replied coldly, "I'm eager to learn the true identity of the Prime Origin Immortal. Even more so, I'm looking forward to seeing his reaction once he discovers that his family has been taken by us."
"The visitors were Master Chuyang and Grand Protector of the Night Rose. Initially, Master Chuyang, through relentless efforts, finally uncovered the earthly identity of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, only to become trapped in a strange cycle, which was eventually broken by the Grand Protector. As a result, they agreed that the Night Rose would assist Master Chuyang in restoring his sovereign status, in return for which Master Chuyang would share the details of the Primordial Sovereign with her. Later, when the plan to attack the Unmarked Hotel was initiated, the Primordial Sovereign was so enraged that he and Cai Qinhè perished together—both dead—yet still cared about their identities? That matter was thus put on hold. It wasn't until the Era of Mass Killings arrived and the Primordial Sovereign ascended to the rank of Day-Wandering Deity, making a strong return, that the issue was revisited. Master Chuyang licked his lips and smiled with a grim determination: "I can't wait any longer." The Grand Protector shook her head: "This time, I'll go and inquire—while you remain outside on guard. Though with my standing, the likelihood of me re-entering the cycle is not high
Da Hufa said coldly, "If I were you, I'd calm down right now—chaos won't achieve anything."
"Are you teaching me how to do things?" Pure Yang Master scoffed. "Be careful, I might just eat you alive."
Though he said this, he didn't press further.
Da Hufa raised his hand and tapped the weathered security door, its paint peeling.
"Knock, knock!"
A moment later, an elderly woman with silver hair opened the door, her eyes alert, staring intently at the two visitors—neither of whom looked particularly trustworthy.
"Who are you looking for?" she asked.
"Is Yao Yilin here?" Da Hufa inquired, his pupils swirling with a deep, mesmerizing vortex that sent one's spirit into a state of awe.
The old woman's expression froze, her own pupils going blank. After a few seconds, she spoke in a numb tone:
"Come in."
Pure Yang Master watched as Da Hufa carried the photo of Yuan Shi Tian Zun inside, then stood eagerly outside, waiting.
Just thinking about being able to capture and torment the family of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign makes him feel his heart race and his veins surge with an uncontrollable excitement. With the Master of the Yin, there are a hundred ways to play the young man to death once he gains control over the Primordial Sovereign's family. Just as he was poised and eager, sharpening his blades, the Pure Yang Master suddenly hears the sound of the door opening, and then the Grand Protector steps out of the room. He silently stands beside the Pure Yang Master, his voice cold and composed: "I'm looking forward to discovering the true identity of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, and even more so, to seeing his reaction when he realizes his family has been taken."
The Pure Yang Master's expression, his wildness, instantly freezes.
...
Late at night. In a meeting hall styled after the medieval European tradition, figures appear before the elegant long table. They are the Sovereign of the Return of the Departed, the Sovereign of the Society for Healing the World, and Deng Jingguo, the leader of the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance. Half an hour earlier, they had received the invitation from the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign to conven
It was clearly the chairman who acted as a courier, personally delivering the jade scroll to them, despite knowing that the Prime Sovereign was a key supported figure backed by the Merchant Guild and the Beauty Association. Yet, no one—nor even Magi-Eye—could understand why the chairman treated the Prime Sovereign so favorably. No father could treat his son this way. At least, none of them could. Except Magi-Eye. Because he was an orphan.
The five Masters of Ji Shi Society were first astonished by Deng Jingguo's joining the "Return of the Dead" faction, then deeply moved by the young master's generosity. Offering three Master-tier items as aid—just by saying so—was something no official organization could match. Typically, Master-tier items required applications for use, and unless one had prior preparations, one was often caught off guard during sudden attacks or ambushes, leaving no time to respond. This gave them a sense of security and belonging, highlighting the strength of the organization's welfare offerings. The sea-creature, the small, impetuous spider of Ji Shi Society, erupted in frustration, slamming her table: "Shall we draft a plan tonight to strike back at the evil faction? After all, they dared attack us—those clumsy fellows deserve to see what the Return of the Dead is truly capable of!" "No!" Zhang Yuanqing shook her head. "We must avoid unnecessary battles. Blind engagements risk placing everyone in the enemy's traps. Tonight, we're gathering everyone not to launch an attack, but to collect blood rich in spiritual essence." "Blood rich in spiritual essence?" Sophia frowned immediately.
In the world of Lingjing Xingzhe, blood tissue is highly sensitive—offering blood rich in spiritual essence is equivalent to surrendering half one's life. Others likewise express resistance, frowning. Only the Sovereigns who have returned from the realm of the departed remain composed. Having faced life-and-death trials with the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign countless times, they have long since reached the point where they can trust in each other's lives and deaths. Zhang Yuanqing explained: "I will request the Master of Zhishi Palace to create duplicates of each of your bloods. Should any of you unexpectedly return to the spiritual realm in the future, the Mother Goddess's Womb will be able to revive you once. Of course, the Mother Goddess's Womb is currently located at the headquarters of the Army Sovereign's Academy, and with our present organizational strength, we cannot yet reach it. "Yet, it is essential to leave this revival contingency in place—what if we succeed one day?" Beyond the Sovereigns gathered at the conference table, Zhang Yuanqing also intends to collect blood samples from all the people he knows, entrusting the Palace Master to use the Immortal Pot to create duplicates. Over time, the concentrated source liquid within the
The duplicate can serve as a sacrifice on behalf of the descendants. Thus, both descendants and spiritually rich blood are secured, enabling revival as long as the mother goddess's womb is obtained. Unfortunately, ordinary people cannot utilize the mother goddess's womb, since the vessel requires "spiritually rich" blood—available only to the spiritual realm travelers. Otherwise, Zhang Yuanqing would have drawn blood from Chen Shu, her maternal aunt, her cousin, and her grandparents. Hearing of such an extraordinary benefit, Deng Jingguo and the leaders of Ji Shi Society no longer hesitated—they even became proactive. With prepared ceramic jars, they collected blood from each person and sealed it. Then Zhang Yuanqing said, "Let Xiu Hou Ao Tian stay here; the others may return now." The leaders at the conference table gradually faded away, returning to reality. Zhang Yuanqing turned to Xiu Hou Ao Tian, "Have you developed a method for rapid advancement?"
Xiaohou Aotian immediately straightened his legs and held his chin high: "I've only reviewed the materials for one day and have already developed a plan. If more details can be added, then I'm confident we can even challenge the general's myth." Zhang Yuancheng's eyes sparkled: "No wonder you're the protagonist!