At 10 a.m., Zhang Yuanqing arrived at Fu Jiawan by taxi, successively swiping his white and black cards to unlock the gate and enter the villa. As he stopped in front of the brown double-door entrance, he was greeted warmly by the rabbit maids. Fu Qingyang truly enjoyed it—so many rabbit maids taking care of him with meals, daily tasks, and personal attendances. When he became a powerful Realm Walker himself, he would also hire a team of rabbit maids to serve tea, bring clothes, launder linens, and gently massage his back. Zhang Yuanqing thought deeply about this as he knocked on the door of the study. At the very moment his fingertips struck the wooden door, he felt something was off with his thoughts—yet couldn’t quite put his finger on it. "Knock-knock~" The knock sounded twice, and then he pushed open the brown double doors. He didn't wait for a response because Fu Qingyang's study was vast and had excellent sound insulation; inside conversations were completely inaudible from outside. Even if Fu Qingyang shouted until his voice broke, no one would come to see him. Inside the study, Fu Qingyang sat cross-legged at his desk with both hands folded over the surface, while Ling Jun sat on a wooden sofa, quietly preparing tea. Zhang Yuanqing walked along the long red carpet and stopped in front of the desk. "Are you feeling well now?" Fu Qingyang nodded, offering a concerned inquiry to his subordinate. Ling Jun, nearby, smiled gently with half-closed eyes. "Night Wandering Deity is like an indestructible strongman—what could go wrong? Yuan Shi, come and have tea." Zhang Yuanqing glanced at him and asked, "Chief, how is it that this person still remains here?" Ling Jun had come to Ling Hai to assist Fu Qingyang in hunting down the Black Unchanging—one who ended up being a mere observer, achieving little. Every day he drank tea, skimmed his reading, and engaged in deep conversations with the excellent young women from Ling Hai about life aspirations. Fu Qingyang nodded slightly: "Yes, indeed—he should be moved on. I don't keep wasting space for idle members." Ling Jun sighed: "Qingyang, you're now distracted by new interests while neglecting your old ones. Our long-standing friendship doesn’t compare to this young man's persistent flattery?" Fu Qingyang remained silent—this wasn't a mere comic exchange; he was serious. But Zhang Yuanqing, on the other hand, was deeply angered. "You speak in such unkind terms," Zhang Yuanqing said, "you may criticize me, but how can you demean the Chief? Is the Chief someone who thrives on flattery? And I’ve never been overly complimentary to him—my words have always been genuine." "And when you speak, do you ever open your eyes?" Ling Jun exhaled and shook his head with a half-lidded gaze: "Your sense of self-awareness is truly astonishing." Just then, Fu Qingyang timely interrupted their seemingly unproductive exchange, and said formally: "The Council has decided to award you an A-level merit. This includes a cash bonus of two million yuan and two props. Do you have any objections? Should you have any concerns, I’ll relay them upward. "If not, then this will be finalized. The headquarters will issue an official announcement on the website—this is unique to A-level merits." A-level merit? Zhang Yuanqing was surprised. In the Five Elements Alliance’s system, an A-level merit comes with extensive benefits—not only elevated permissions and enhanced status, but also signifies a clear path for his career progression. As long as he improves his level accordingly, promotions to Chief or Officer are assured. Consider that even Master Teng Yan, who holds the rank of Level 4 Sage, still hasn’t been promoted due to insufficient merit—still receiving only elite member benefits. Without the true-eyed Chief currently under medical treatment at home, Zhang Yuanqing would not have secured a single appointment as Chief. The two-million-yuan cash bonus now raises his personal wealth to 2.5 million—seems somewhat auspicious… yet the props perfectly address the gaps in the Divine Object and the Stable Jewel—the two items he previously lacked. Zhang Yuanqing said: "I have no objections!" Fu Qingyang immediately pressed a button at the corner of the desk. Within minutes, ten elegant rabbit maids entered one after another, each holding silver trays. They formed a neat line across the study, standing upright with graceful posture. Fu Qingyang rose from his seat with elegant and steady movement, lifting the red cloth covering the first silver tray. Inside lay a green jade disc—circular, carved with vine-like patterns. "This prop is called 'Recovery Specialist.' It's a Wood Demon specialty. When its owner nears death, it restores them to peak condition. The method is simple: just wear it. However, if killed instantly, the effect will not activate." Fu Qingyang explained. Being revived at critical moments—this is indeed a top-tier prop; having one extra life makes sense for a Wood Demon specialist. Zhang Yuanqing’s eyes brightened: "What is the cost?" Fu Qingyang smiled with a composed expression: "The cost is also called 'Recovery.' It brings about a strong desire to reproduce. Many official Realm Walkers, due to functional decline, have requested to borrow it—many are now rediscovering renewed pleasure in intimacy." Zhang Yuanqing was once again impressed: Wood Demon specialists truly are revival specialists. On one level, this cost is exactly what men often dream of—but it might counteract the effect of the 'Mud-Cart' prop, prompting him to act on his long-held fantasies about being with a pig. Zhang Yuanqing paused for several seconds and then shook his head: "I’d like to see more." Fu Qingyang then unfolded the red cloth over the second tray—revealing a deep-green vine ring. "This is 'Forest Whisper,' a Musician Skill prop. It allows people to communicate with trees and animals, understanding their thoughts and receiving instructions from them. Though it lacks strong offensive power, its utility in certain areas—such as tracking—is more effective than weapon-based props. For instance, maintaining contact over distance." "The cost of using this prop is that you become an extreme advocate for plant and animal conservation." Zhang Yuanqing mentally visualized a blurry man gently stroking a pig, asking it if it felt comfortable—and the pig responding warmly to his questions. Oh my! Zhang Yuanqing’s face grew grave as he shook his head: "I’ll have to see more." Fu Qingyang glanced at him, puzzled—why had Yuan Shi suddenly grown so serious? Was he disappointed with the quality of the props? Then Fu Qingyang approached the third tray and lifted the red cloth, revealing a pink cartoon hairband. "This is 'Adorable Hairpin,' a Musician Skill prop. Wearing it gives one universal charm—everyone will hesitate to act against you. The cost is that your personality becomes increasingly feminine." Zhang Yuanqing looked at the soft, pastel hairband and questioned: "Why is this here? Do the Council members not know my gender?" Fu Qingyang answered: "It was personally selected by the Dog Elder for you." "I see," Zhang Yuanqing said after a moment of reflection. "I still would like to take another look." He already had one red veil and one divine object—the addition of yet another hairpin felt rather incongruous. Then Fu Qingyang introduced the remaining seven props—some belonging to Earth Oddities, Fire Masters, Scholars, Night Wandering Deities, and Scouts. Zhang Yuanqing was overwhelmed by the variety and asked: "Chief, what do you recommend?" Fu Qingyang seemed ready for this question—he immediately replied: "The Night Wandering Deity excels in close combat, but your fighting ability is merely average—this significantly limits your effectiveness, especially when facing opponents like Guan Ya, who specializes in combat techniques. A surprise attack may very well result in a serious setback." "Therefore, you need a remote-attack prop. I recommend the 'Explosive Pistol.'" Pausing for a moment, he added: "I understand you’re hesitant about your shooting skills—no problem at all. For your second prop, choose the 'Eye of Insight.' It allows you to see through obstacles and detect hidden enemies, enhancing your visual perception so that you can predict the motion trajectories of objects. Together, these two props will enable even someone who has never held a gun to become an expert within a short time." The Eye of Insight is a black-framed glasses with strong scholarly appeal; the Explosive Pistol is a large-diameter, deep-red-bodied handgun—so powerful that its recoil can cause fractures in ordinary users. Zhang Yuanqing thought for several seconds and concluded: "That sounds ideal. Then it’s settled." He took both props from Fu Qingyang’s hands, and their information instantly appeared on screen: [Name: Eye of Insight] [Type: Glasses] [Function: Insight, Super Vision] [Introduction: A skilled detective requires sharp eyes to capture subtle details. An excellent swordsman must possess the ability to perceive an opponent's moves—this is a keen mind and a keen eye—the words are taken from an indescribable swordsman.] [Note: Sometimes excessive intelligence isn’t always beneficial—life is rarely about being perfectly clear.] ... [Name: Explosive Pistol] [Type: Weapon] [Function: Penetration, Explosion] [Introduction: This pistol embodies the will of a powerful Fire Master. Its bullets possess an inherent explosion effect, capable of penetrating armor and serving as an effective counter to defensive structures. Each bullet also has a mild purification quality.] [Note: Please manage your temper.] It’s worth noting that the cost of the Eye of Insight is that once worn, you will instinctively observe others—analyzing their inner thoughts. Seeing the hidden flaws in friends or family members, or discovering that your spouse no longer loves you—or even making them adopt green-friendly lifestyles. As for the cost of the Explosive Pistol—the message is straightforward and clear. Zhang Yuanqing was satisfied with the props and said: "Chief, I have two requests." Fu Qingyang waved his hands to have the rabbit maids step away as he returned to his desk and nodded: "What are they?" Zhang Yuanqing first summoned the red dance shoes, which were now covered in gray and faded, and explained: "This prop has been contaminated by the Black Unchanging. It currently cannot be used—I’d like the Chief to help purify it." Fu Qingyang took the shoes and examined them carefully—his face showed no surprise or hesitation. "I’ll personally take care of this and hand it over to the Dog Elder, who will then entrust it to a Taiyi Gate elder for purification. Within three to five days, I’ll return it to you." Zhang Yuanqing thought for a few seconds—"That works." With his current merit level and strength, he no longer needed to hide or guard such items from organizational members—unlike during his early days when such concerns were frequent. And given the seniority of the Council elders, they wouldn’t appropriate an A-level merit holder simply because of a medium-level rule-type prop. Next, he produced the Muddy Man—a battle trophy he had defeated the Black Unchanging with—and presented it to Fu Qingyang: "This is my prize from defeating the Black Unchanging—I’d like to submit this to the organization." Fu Qingyang paused slightly, placed down the red dance shoes, and took the Muddy Man in hand—then gently set it aside as if it were too hot. "I’ll hold onto this for now," he said, "and report it to higher-ups. The Council will evaluate its value. Adding or removing one item from the collection requires a formal process." He glanced at the plain, slightly awkward Muddy Man. "If the Council finds that the cost is excessive or the return on investment poor, you may have to offer a discount." The cost isn’t too great—only a shift in species orientation. Zhang Yuanqing sighed and nodded—though he wished to negotiate, he couldn't see any of the elders. ... At Huayu Hotel. On an empty outdoor balcony, glass tables, Shě Lingxi curled up in a single sofa, sipping juice while enjoying the gentle breeze and warm sunlight. Opposite her sat the Master of Zhishake Palace, wearing a red dress and donning a mask that covered only her nose—revealing vibrant, sensuous lips. "I’ve personally investigated," Shě Lingxi said with a knowing smile. "The Saint’s Cup event is now concluded. Guess who killed the Black Unchanging?" The Master of Zhishake Palace gave her a neutral glance. Shě Lingxi immediately said: "It was Yuan Shi Brother." The Master’s eyes flickered with interest: "He?" "Indeed—he's amazing! I truly thought he had passed away recently." Shě Lingxi grew animated when mentioning Yuan Shi Tian Zun. "My father is also very interested in him—plans to cultivate him as a key member of the She family, and wants me to spend more time with him." For a spiritual lineage family, investing in and nurturing a promising official member is routine. The Master of Zhishake Palace scoffed: "Isn’t it simpler to develop him into your daughter-in-law?" Shě Lingxi blushed: "He’s still young." The Master sighed: "The She family has many daughters—your cousins and aunts are plentiful." Shě Lingxi smiled: "Those girls have such refined, self-important airs—they only marry off to men who truly seek to align with the She family. The real talents tend to prefer sisters who genuinely care for their brothers." The Master of Zhishake Palace stood up and walked to the balcony edge, hands resting on the railing, speaking softly: "He’s growing so quickly…" ... In a modest old apartment building in the historic downtown district, basement level. Here is the evil organization’s hub, where a small round aunt in a long coat and mask passes identity checks and proceeds down the stairs to reach the basement level. The air is thick—heavy with sweat and smoke—pressing against her senses as she enters. The basement space is vast; its outer perimeter has been transformed into a bar, offering food, beverages, fruit, and various special services. In the afternoon, the number of guests at booths and counters is modest. It only begins to flourish in the evening. Surveying the scene with her eyes, the small round aunt moves directly toward the counter and sits beside a bald man. She asks: “Do you have any updates recently?” The bald man appears fierce—his face and scalp adorned with bold, intricate tattoos that seem to overwhelm and disorient anyone who looks at him. “What exactly would you like to know?” he sets down his glass, runs a hand over his head, and smiles widely. He is the one responsible for managing this venue and providing protection—the man in charge here, a Sage-level Enchantment Demon with the Spirit Realm ID “Tian Ling Ling.” The small round aunt pulls out ten banknotes and places them on the counter, pushing them toward him: “Just take anything you’d like.” Tian Ling Ling accepts the money with satisfaction. “A major killing instance trial is being launched—the one scheduled in Longhai,” she says. For Spirit Realm Pilgrims, such large-scale killing instances represent a grand clash between the Orderly and Evil Organizations—a once-a-year opportunity for career advancement. Pilgrims at Level 3 Elevated or Level 6 Sage must participate to progress into higher ranks. At these pivotal moments, various organizations of the Evil Organization gather promising young talents and dispatch them to key cities—assigning them to hunt down Orderly Organization Pilgrims—to build momentum for launching the instance. They also aim to give both sides’ emerging talents a chance to assess each other’s strength so that when the trial begins, they can understand their opponents thoroughly. Of course, this is primarily the Evil Organization's initiative—the Orderly side maintains its own “match-up tournaments.” “But he didn’t go to the Capital City—instead, he selected Longhai?” The small round aunt is surprised. The Capital City is the ultimate ambition for every ambitious member of the Evil Organization—it’s where both the Five Elements Alliance and Taiyi Gate headquarters are located. Only by hunting down the brilliant Pilgrims stationed at headquarters can one truly feel a sense of accomplishment. The bald man smiles, but says nothing. The small round aunt draws out another ten banknotes. The man continues: “I’ve heard that the list of rewards for Elevated Stage Pilgrims is being revised—the Yuan Shi Tian Zun from Longhai’s Branch might enter the top five. But I’m unsure whether Li Xianzong has come specifically to target him.” How could the Yuan Shi Tian Zun suddenly rise to such prominence? The small round aunt pauses on that point and adds another ten notes: “Has Black Wuzheng passed away? Could you please tell me more details?”