By their shared understanding, Ling Jun immediately grasped who "he" referred to. The Huagong's expression suddenly twisted, a sudden clarity dawning in his mind—he felt it was indeed so. His jaw muscles bulged as he spoke, each word deliberate: "Was it because my mother discovered the truth that he was a fallen one?" Given the fact that the Star Sovereign had switched allegiance to the evil faction, Ling Jun could only think of this explanation. Zhang Yuanqing shook his head: "With the Star Sovereign's long-standing strategic acumen, and your mother's standing at the time, it would have been impossible for her to uncover his identity as a fallen one. Moreover, the Star Sovereign is not a fallen one—only that his ideals differ from the ones upheld by the Order." Ling Jun was momentarily stunned, rubbing his back molars. "Then why did he kill my mother?" His childhood hardships, the personality flaws he had developed due to a lack of maternal love—these were all caused by his biological father. If it were because his mother had discovered the Star Sovereign's fallen status, Ling Jun could accept that—there would be a clear cause and effect. But he could not accept "This is a point I still can't fully understand." Zhang Yuanqing spoke in a low, steady tone. "You've always been deeply concerned about the truth of your mother's death. That's why, before I faced the Star Sovereign in battle, I wanted to share this with you—so you wouldn't miss the opportunity." "Linjun understood, and sighed with resentment: 'So he raised the difficulty of my mother's quest without her knowing, and she died silently within it.' Zhang Yuanqing nodded: 'I've encountered similar situations myself—including the single-line knight from the Church you mentioned—each of them has faced such fate. However, our strength surpasses that of your mother, which is why they have survived.' 'The Master of the Stars employs many strategies, yet over the past century, he has never displayed them publicly. As a result, I lost the opportunity to complete the solar essence, and had no choice but to initiate the final confrontation prematurely.' 'Linjun, regarding Teng'er and Fengyun, I deeply regret it. Whether or not you forgive me, you are my brother.' With that, he turned and departed. Linjun watched his back, and the anger and fury in his eyes gradually faded, though a lingering bitterness remained. After a moment's hesitation, he couldn't help but call out: 'The one who deserves your apology isn't me—it's them.' Pausing, he added with a sigh: 'You also need to give them some explanation.' Zhang Yuanqing paused for several seconds, saying, "They're also here?" Ling Jun nodded, "Teng'er has been detained in the wooden cottage on the mountain's backside, and my aunt is in the basement." Just as Zhang Yuanqing was about to activate the Star-Drift technique, a voice from behind him whispered, "Wait a moment..." He didn't turn around. A few seconds later, a soft, murmuring voice came to his ears, "We must win!" Zhang Yuanqing smiled and dissolved into starlight, reappearing a few kilometers away at a wooden cottage perched on a steep cliff, offering a splendid view. The cottage, two stories high, was wrapped in lush green vines, its doors and windows sealed tight with no gaps. "What a stubborn old man Master Miao truly is—perhaps it's time to return him to the spiritual realm," Zhang Yuanqing murmured softly as he stepped toward the cottage. The vines encircling the cottage silently faded away, turning into delicate ashes. Pushing open the door, he found a young girl lying on a recliner in the living room, holding a scroll in her hands. She was reading to pass the time, yet her gaze was hollow. Noticing the wooden door open, Miao Teng'er looked up, and their eyes met across the distance of more than ten meters. Though they had only not seen each other for a few months, Zhang Yuanqing felt as though it had been years—like a lifetime spent away, only now finally reuniting with an old friend. The young woman before her had rich brown hair flowing like a waterfall, eyes bright and gentle, like those of a deer in the forest, with a delicate, oval face that combined the purity of youth with the grace of a mature woman. Her appearance remained unchanged, yet she had grown noticeably thinner. Teng'er leapt up from the rocking chair with a sudden, wide motion, her steps unsteady and nearly causing her to stumble. Yet her gaze remained fixed steadily on Zhang Yuanqing, never wavering. She said nothing, simply holding her gaze, bearing the weight of the sun's sovereign pressure. Zhang Yuanqing knew what she wanted to hear, and in his unique, hoarse voice, he whispered softly, "I'm back!" Instantly, Miao Teng'er burst into tears. The glow rose at the entrance to the basement. Zhang Yuanqing stood in the corridor, where lush vines grew from the white walls, cascading like a curtain of pearls, shielding the deep black steel security door. Zhang did not lift the seal nor speak a word. He simply stood quietly at the entrance for several minutes. Then, he turned and walked away. The green vines swayed slightly, as if trying to hold him back, before finally drooping helplessly. Hua Du, Wan Bao House! A steady rain fell. Fu Qingyang, dressed in a pristine white suit, walked through the simple alleyways of the old city, his black umbrella casting a shadow as raindrops from the rooftops formed a curtain of beads, mist dampening the moss at the corners of the walls. His white leather shoes remained dry and dust-free, untouched by the rain. Behind him, two young men each held a black umbrella— one in a black fox fur coat, the other in a black windbreaker— both radiating elegance and grace, clearly distinguished by their appearance and stature, each a striking beauty. Behind them, a small round figure in a light-colored dress wore a mask. Under the guidance of Mr. Qian, the four of them wove through a winding, humble alley and stopped in front of a small convenience store. The folding door was closed, bearing a tattered sign that read: "Wanbao House!" Fu Qingyang held his umbrella steadily, moving without pause, and stepped through the folding door. The other three followed in sync, as if stepping through a veil of illusion. Inside the cluttered shop—resembling a hardware store—Lian San Yue, dressed in a black vest paired with a black leather jacket, lounged comfortably in an ergonomic chair, one leg crossed, a cigar held between her fingers. Upon seeing Mr. Qian arrive with his umbrella, Lian San Yue murmured, "When did Mr. Qian make the honor of visiting? Shall I offer you a bow?" Fu Qingyang said nothing at first, cutting straight to the point: "I'd like to borrow your hundred-refined furnace—how many fire stones do you have?" Lian San Yue gently blew on her cigar, exhaled a steady stream of white smoke, and asked, "How many fire stones would you need?" Fu Qingyang replied calmly, "As many as you have." "Yō!" said Lian San Yue, eyes shining with light, "It's nearly New Year. You're here to stock up on supplies. Now, tell me—what kind of artifact would you like to craft?" Zhai Cai stepped forward and placed a fresh, vibrant willow branch on the counter. Lian San Yue stared at it intently, her hand holding a cigar suddenly trembling, exclaiming, "The Pure Branch of the Third Treasure?!" Isn't this one of the rules-based artifacts from the Blossom Assembly's Master Miao? The official ten elders' rules-based artifacts aren't a secret among high-ranking Lingjing cultivators—after all, these ten elders have earned their reputation and status by wielding these very artifacts, defeating rivals of the same level time and again. They are tools of reliance, not hidden reserves. Whether it's evil organizations or noble Lingjing families, such records are well-documented. As the direct heir of the Liu family, Lian San Yue naturally knows of them well. Zhai Cai smiled gently, speaking with calm composure, "It was gifted by the Prime Immortal. We originally didn't want it, but the generosity was too great to refuse." Though he wasn't particularly familiar with the woman, he still spoke these words instinctively. Lian San Yue remained deeply moved, taking several moments to compose herself, then took a deep breath. "It's no wonder you needed Master Qian personally. Melting a nine-tier rule-class item is a matter of great significance." She asked cautiously, "What kind of items?" Xiaohou Aotian smiled lightly, "Each of us has one nine-tier rule-based item." Fu Qingyang said calmly, "I have two!" Lian San Yue loosened her grip, and her cigar dropped onto the table, sending sparks flying. She murmured, "You, how did you acquire your rule-based items?" Zhai Cai chuckled, "The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign settled accounts with the Nine Elders of the Headquarters, taking over all their rule-based items. Honestly, the ones we didn't want—well, we had to at least manage the waste for the Sun Sovereign." How much more waste is there? Can I help with that? Lian San Yue stood there, expressionless. Zhang Yuanqing gazed at the serious, rigid young man and smiled, "Uncle, why bother with such formalities?" Huang Taiqi chuckled, "Please don't tease me." Zhang Yuanqing opened his inventory, took out a stack of yellow paper talismans, "These are the pure yang talismans I've crafted—equivalent to a ninth-level sunrise. They should be enough to keep you safe." Huang Taiqi's expression grew serious as he received them with due respect, "Thank you!" Then, he sighed again, "I'm truly ashamed." Zhang Yuanqing studied him, smiling, "Your grandfather is your grandfather, and you are you. If he doesn't value our friendship, then I won't hold it against you either—let's each pursue our own paths." Huang Taiqi nodded, his voice steady, "I must come back alive." Zhang Yuanqing laughed, "I'll make sure of that. After all, right now I have no elder brother to rely on, nor my uncle to back me up." Huang Taiqi felt unexpectedly moved. After leaving Huang Taiji's office, Zhang Yuanqing visited Jiang Jingwei and Jiang Ju, then returned to Songhai and went to the glass building behind the Kangyang Police Substation—the very first official organization he joined, as the official members put it, the place where the legend began. As Zhang Yuanqing entered the glass building and surveyed the surroundings, most of the clerical staff on the ground floor were still there; a few female employees had disappeared—not through resignations, but because they had died during the previous incident when the merit values vanished. Unnoticed, Zhang Yuanqing walked up the stairs, as if he were completely absorbed in his own thoughts, while the sisters and aunties on the ground floor seemed entirely unaware of his presence, as though they had never seen him. Just as he reached the second floor, he heard Li Dongze's voice: "Oh my God, just now we received a message from headquarters—this year's Spring Festival will not be a holiday; everyone is to remain on duty." "As soon as she finished speaking, the entire office echoed with: 'Oh my God...' Zhang Yuanqing slowly scanned the office and saw mostly unfamiliar faces. Only Wang Tai remained hunched over, quietly tucked in his corner desk, untouched by the surrounding bustle, untouched by the dust. Of the original Kangyang District Team Two, only Li Dongze and Wang Tai remained. Jiang Jingwei, Guan Ya, and the anti-rotation fighter Teng Yuan had all been transferred away. 'How come it's like this?' a girl with neat makeup and brown curls frowned, looking visibly distressed. 'I've been working overtime for two months now, and I'm still expected to work through the Spring Festival. My mom even said she'd introduce a handsome man to me for the holiday.' She sat in the very spot where Zhang Yuanqing had once worked. Li Dongze scoffed. 'Who are you trying to fool, little fairy? Last year you still claimed your ideal partner was the Prime Origin Deity!' The girl shook her head vigorously. 'Last year was last year. Now the Deity has even become a half-divine being. I still have some sense of self-awareness.' "One of the male colleagues burst out laughing, saying, 'You're too small in stature, too narrow in vision. With the Heavenly Sovereign now becoming a half-god, he's bound to build an extensive harem—only then will you, the little magical spirit, have a chance. Otherwise, you won't even be worthy of being recommended to him!' 'Get lost!' the young magical spirit retorted, spitting at him. Li Dongze cleared his throat and said seriously, 'A formal document has been issued by the senior management of the division. The Heavenly Sovereign and the Grand Master of the Taiyuan Sect are set to engage in a decisive battle. To prevent the evil faction from seizing the opportunity and causing disruptions, everyone is expected to work overtime.' After calming the team's spirits, Li Dongze returned to his office to find a sword placed on his desk. With curiosity, he picked up the sword and read its item attributes. Li Dongze stood stunned—he rushed out of the office, scanning the office area left and right, as if searching for something specific. Amid the team's puzzled and astonished gazes, Li Dongze gazed at the otherwise unremarkable office space, feeling deeply disheartened... 'West-North The orphanage was empty. King of the Mystic Eye sat outside the classroom, gazing at the deserted playground through the cracked corridors, lost in thought. After an indeterminate length of time, he turned his head toward the closed doors of the orphanage. The chains melted, the iron gates opened automatically, and a young man covered in golden paint stepped in slowly. Zhang Yuanqing stopped in front of King of the Mystic Eye, opened his inventory, laid out the remaining few nine-tier rule-based items, and smiled. "Choose one. This is your return on investment." King of the Mystic Eye said nothing, neither reached for any item nor made a gesture—only his gaze remained calm and distant. Seeing this, Zhang Yuanqing sighed with a touch of resignation. "It seems you've already learned of the邪神's plans. Indeed, that aligns perfectly with your goal of purifying the world. King of the Mystic Eye, you may also choose to withdraw your investment. You may still take one item from here."