Hearing the spirit realm's prompt sounds at his ear, Zhang Yuanqing felt excited about the experience point rewards from the S-level instance. He had consulted Guan Ya and Li Dongze before: for a new Realm Walker who first receives their character card, after completing the trial task, they usually earn 0–5% experience points; afterward, each multi-player spirit realm session yields an additional 5–10% reward. A solo spirit realm session earns 10–15% experience points. Thus, even with a 100% completion rate, a Realm Walker must undergo at least ten multi-player instances or nearly ten solo ones to level up. The difficulty of upgrading is truly immense. Zhang Yuanqing's trial realm was S-level: upon completing it, he earned 20% experience points, then triggered a hidden task in which he extracted a spirit crystal from the small mouth of the San Dao Mountain Organizational Leader, adding another 22% experience points. One mountain temple is equivalent to five or six other people’s multi-player instances. "Under normal circumstances, I would need at least five multi-player realms or three solo ones to reach level two," he said. "I'm not sure if the Jin Shui Water Park can help me achieve that all at once." Zhang Yuanqing felt full of anticipation. Within the official organization, Level 1 is considered a base-level staff member, while Level 2 marks entry into the elite ranks—salary and benefits increase significantly, with numerous privileges enjoyed. [Processing rewards... Items/props obtained: Cat King Speaker, Red Veil] [Experience points awarded: 40%] [Main storyline settlement completed... Ding! Congratulations on completing your hidden task. Processing rewards for you...] [Items/props obtained: Stable Holder Pearl] [Experience points awarded: 25%] [Hidden task settlement completed... Ding! Congratulations, you have been promoted to Level Two Night Wandering Deity!] [Ding! Character card reward activated—Reward item: Mask of Transformation.] [Settlement complete. Exit spirit realm in five minutes...] "This is more rewarding than the She Ling Tunnel's offering—indeed an S-level instance from the Transcendent Realm, with 65% experience points and four props. A great return!" Zhang Yuanqing stared in astonishment, hearing his heart pounding inside his chest. Then he noticed a warm sensation at his brow, sensing that the black moon mark was beginning to emerge clearly. Poor, the black full moon cannot be seen by others outside... He felt a sense of alarm and instinctively looked toward Xie Lingxi. The young woman’s pupils were unfocused, gazing into empty space—probably checking her character panel or task rewards—completely unaware of her surroundings. Zhang Yuanqing exhaled in relief and turned around. Then the warm black moon mark surged with a powerful surge of the Power of the Moon, sweeping through his body, flowing into each cell and each bone, almost forcefully. He involuntarily twitched, sensing a transformation in his life essence and gene sequences—changes that were now naturally embedded in his instincts. Three brand-new innate skills had seamlessly integrated themselves into his natural abilities. [Name: Yuan Shi Tian Zun] [Race: Human] [Occupation: Night Wandering Deity] [Level: 2] [Skills: Night Wandering, Spirit Devouring, Power of the Moon, Shout of the Moon, Enchantment, Spirit Scroll] [Experience Points: 23%] [Moral Value: 90] [Reputation Value: 15] [Shout of the Moon (Active): Draws power from the Moon to significantly enhance personal attributes for one hour. After skill ends, a state of three-hour lethargy follows. Note: This skill can only be used at night; pre-action: raise your head and shout.] [Enchantment (Active): Causes the target to experience hallucinations and lose orientation. Note: Ghosts and spirits most frequently use this technique to enchant ordinary people.] [Spirit Scroll (Active): A unique script of the Night Wandering Deity, used for drawing talismans or array techniques. Currently only able to draw scripts targeting spirit forms.] Zhang Yuanqing carefully sensed each skill—without needing to perform them—and immediately understood their nature. The skills "Shout of the Moon" and "Night Wandering" are mutually incompatible as active skills; during a Shout of the Moon state, Night Wandering cannot be used, and vice versa. If Night Wandering is considered an elite assassination technique, then Shout of the Moon fills in the gap for the Night Wandering Deity’s lack of strong close-range combat capabilities. Enchantment leans toward control and support—though it lacks direct damage, it broadens the range of options available to the Night Wandering Deity, increasing operational flexibility. As for Spirit Scroll, it can be used to create talismans or array techniques; these are not merely effective against restless spirits but also capable of nurturing and refining them. "Finally, I can begin to further cultivate Xiao Doubi!" Zhang Yuanqing thought happily, then opened his inventory to check the props. Besides the Cat King Speaker, two additional items were rewarded—of which one is a consumable item. [Name: Red Veil] [Type: Decorative Item (Consumable)] [Function: Summoning] [Introduction: The veil of the ghost bride during the marriage ceremony at Jin Shui Water Park. This item has been blessed by an indescribable entity—originally inseparable from the ghost bride—and can only be obtained by someone who successfully deceives her.] [Note 1: Covering the red veil summons the ghost bride; this item may be used three times.] [Note 2: Haha, I laughed at that lady’s strategy—she didn’t succeed in stealing the chicken and lost her entire investment!] [Note 3: When using the red veil within the spirit realm, there is a chance of drawing the attention of that entity. Having read Note 2, you will surely use it with caution.] "Wow, this item comes with built-in sarcasm? If the San Dao Mountain Organizational Leader senses this, she'll definitely be furious!" Zhang Yuanqing drew in a deep breath—both delighted and slightly stressed. He suspected that the ghost bride was either at the peak of the Transcendent Realm or had reached the Sage level—a level so high that such a summoning item could serve as a life-saving measure. The real problem, however, is that this item is not only mildly insulting but deeply humiliating to the San Dao Mountain Leader—this distinguished leader would likely pursue him throughout the entire spirit realm. He has firmly decided he will never use it within the spirit realm. [Name: Stable Holder Pearl] [Type: Pearl] [Function: Enhancement, Defense] [Introduction: A prop of the Earth Oddity occupation, gathering the power of the earth to strengthen physical strength and defense.] [Note: The weightiness comes at a cost.] ... [Name: Mask of Transformation] [Type: Accessory] [Function: Change Appearance] [Introduction: A magical ring capable of changing one's facial features at will, allowing free adjustment of facial characteristics.] [Note: Does the person even know what their own appearance is like?] "The character card reward from the Demon King—once per instance, a prop awarded? That’s incredible! The Mask of Transformation functions simply and clearly; however, I find the cost associated with the Stable Holder Pearl less reliable—definitely worth trying." Zhang Yuanqing took out the pearl from his inventory—it was egg-sized, earth-yellow in color, and when held, it felt unusually heavy. Holding the Stable Holder Pearl, he sensed himself becoming heavier, stronger, and filled with an unexpected sense of security. Yet, he also moved more slowly—his every gesture seemed as though a large mountain were pressing down on him, making his actions remarkably slow. "How can I fight with this pearl? The advantages and disadvantages are clearly evident—it’s such a standard prop. The artifacts—the Demon Staff and the Red Dance Shoes—are quite out of the ordinary." Just then, he heard an excited cheer: "Wang Tai Brother! Can you imagine? I earned 35% experience points—along with one item and one consumable. That's truly excellent! Truly outstanding! This is definitely a worthy S-level instance!" Xie Lingxi calculated her own rewards and was as delighted as a child who had just received a lollipop, jumping around in place. "Wang Tai Brother, what did you earn? How many experience points? Do you have any props?" The girl blinked with lively eyes, looking at him earnestly. She now has three props—two inherited from elders and one earned during her solo instance—so by her young age, she already possesses three items. You’d never believe it! Her boastful expression is practically written on her face. Zhang Yuanqing nodded gently: "That’s good indeed. My rewards are modest—65% experience points, three props, and one consumable item." Xie Lingxi was stunned—her face stiffened, her mouth slightly open, eyes wide with wonder at him. I clearly sensed a strong sense of resentment toward being less privileged from you! Zhang Yuanqing felt pleased. Xie Lingxi murmured: "How could that be? Why is my reward so much lower than yours? The spirit realm seems unfair!" Zhang Yuanqing reassured her: "Perhaps the spirit realm wants to show you how varied and different things can be." "????" Xie Lingxi cried, almost in tears. If only I knew I was only on my second visit to the spirit realm—the sense of variation would have been even more vivid! Zhang Yuanqing decided not to push her further and simply waited for her return. In reflecting upon his own future rewards after completing this instance, he realized that while experience point bonuses for subsequent entries would gradually decrease and prop rewards would no longer match the first-time bonus, they would still remain above standard levels—making strategic planning essential. The Cat King Speaker is left behind by Brother Bing—he seems to hold some information; upon returning to reality, Zhang Yuanqing plans to study this item carefully, hoping to gain useful insights. And there’s also that matter—the final tasks he has inherited from his father as a man now in charge of being a parent—waiting to be addressed. "Wang Tai Brother, where is Brother He? Can we exchange phone numbers?" Xie Lingxi asked suddenly, noticing the countdown was nearing zero. "He should still be at the roller coaster area, right?" "I gave you a false number!" "Oh, I gave you a real one." "No, your number must also have been false," Xie Lingxi wrinkled her nose. Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her—thinking that they were merely spirit realm acquaintances who would part ways after the instance; there was no need to maintain contact now. She is still young—perhaps in a few years when she turns eighteen, they could have deeper conversations. "Realm Walkers should ideally not have too much interaction in real life—even if they are from the same faction," Zhang Yuanqing remarked casually. "I'll find you!" Xie Lingxi declared with confidence. As soon as she finished speaking, the scenery at the Detective Investigation House began to blur—like ripples on a lake—then gradually clarified. ... The scene now became clear again: Zhang Yuanqing saw his familiar desk, double bed, lamp, and television—all returning to reality. The room was dark and quiet, curtains drawn tightly; the electronic alarm clock on the bedside table read 5 a.m. Though he had only spent five hours in the spirit realm, Zhang Yuanqing felt as though he had undergone a complete transformation—like traveling from one world to another. Pulling back the curtains, he saw the sky clear and serene—the streets were quiet with only slow-moving workers on bicycles and garbage trucks passing by. The breakfast chain stores near the street were now open, radiating warm steam from their outlets. Zhang Yuanqing turned on the light and stood before the full-length mirror at the window, observing himself—his skin had grown whiter, his facial features unchanged yet somehow more refined, with a strange elegance emerging in his expression. After thinking deeply, he recalled four words that suddenly came to mind—unearthly grace and dignity! "I remember Yuan Ting also has this same air—the higher the level of a Night Wandering Deity, the more prominent this quality becomes," he said. Clearly, this transformation was brought about by the rich infusion of the Power of the Moon after his promotion. In the future, I could also make that elegant smile—no, not yet! If only to avoid being pursued by young ladies, I must be cautious!" Zhang Yuanqing chuckled, walked over to the bed, and reached for his phone in the cool sheets. The screen lit up with an unread message: "Out now—please call me immediately—we’re all waiting for you—Guan Ya." What if I don’t make it out? Well, by morning light, she will surely reach out to confirm whether I’ve passed away during the spirit realm journey! Zhang Yuanqing exited his email inbox and dialed Guan Ya’s number.