Master of Zhishake Palace… Seeing this woman appear at the underground bar, Tian Lingling’s face paled dramatically, and with a sharp "crack," he shattered his glass cup in his hands. Master of Zhishake Palace? When did she start keeping an eye on me? I’ve had absolutely no interaction with anyone from Zhishake Palace… Li Xianzong looked startled, his mind automatically flashing up the information about Master of Zhishake Palace. Musician Skill, possibly at peak Sage level. She withdrew gracefully during Xiaohou Family’s siege earlier this season and has since been under formal pursuit. “Uncle Tian,” Li Xianzong asked quietly, extending a hand into his trousers pocket and grasping the chalk, “what exactly happened with the Chu family massacre? It seems she came specifically to find you?” “Li Xianzong—you’ve ruined me!” Tian Lingling’s face turned stern. As soon as he heard "Chu family massacre," he knew this woman had come directly for him. Li Xianzong must have been noticed at some point and then gradually led here. "Listen, I’ll hold her off. You go—find a way to get out now." Though Tian Lingling longed to smash Li Xianzong’s head, he made the rational decision to act with calmness. He is Level 5 Fog Master. As an Evil Organization warrior, he can engage in a fair battle against a Level 6 Orderly Profession. Master of Zhishake Palace may be at peak Sage level and thus not capable of overpowering him—but he could certainly keep her occupied for some time. Moreover, there are twenty or thirty Evil Organization members here, each with fiercely eccentric temperaments yet formidable combat prowess. At this moment, the underlings in the underground bar still hadn’t reacted. Several men near the staircase exchanged amused glances and blew soft whistles. "Little sister—coming out so elegantly to enjoy herself? Ah, what a lovely dress—it looks just like an ancient noblewoman’s attire." “Noblewoman,” one joked, “lift up your skirt for us all to see.” Laughter erupted around them. They assumed the girl in red silk gown had come to unwind with fellow patrons. Master of Zhishake Palace turned toward the man who spoke and next moment, a slender thread of crimson rope snapped out—emitting a piercing cry. The man’s embarrassed smile froze on his face, then slowly, his head slid off his neck. The crimson cord wound tightly around the body, rolling it down to the edge of her dress, leaving a trail of blood behind. She lifted one slender, delicate foot and gently stepped on the face of the fallen head, giggling softly with delight: “Is my skirt nice?” The underground bar instantly fell silent. Who in their right mind would act like this? Such intense laughter—so starkly decisive—a far more violent presence than even an Enchantment Demon, more erratic than a usual Illusionist. Tian Lingling barked out: "Everyone be alert! This is Master of Zhishake Palace—the peak Sage-level Musician Skill. We must stand together and eliminate her!" A murmur rippled through the room—everyone stood up, faces serious, eyes fixed on the woman in the crimson dress at the staircase. Several men and women stopped what they were doing; one even released her hand from around a man’s waist, still partially dressed, and quickly formed battle stances. Now it made sense—their own native-born Pilgrim, after all. They naturally knew the standing of Master of Zhishake Palace—an exceptionally strong figure among those below the senior rank of the Council. "Let's draft some plans, Tian Lingling—this is a place where I come to spend money, not to die!" "Fear not! She dares to appear here—we’ll engage in a rotating defense strategy. No one below Master-level will survive this encounter." "Tian Lingling herself is at Sage level—with our support, I believe she can’t possibly be the one who holds us back." Master of Zhishake Palace bent down, lightly dabbed blood from her palm onto her silver mask, smoothing it out to reveal a vivid, somber face. Then, countless fine threads of crimson extended behind her like a blooming red flower—or like twisting, terrifying appendages. The bartender seized a hunting rifle from the drawer and tossed it toward Tian Lingling at the counter. She caught it, aimed directly at Master of Zhishake Palace, and pulled the trigger. "Boom!" Smoke sprayed from the muzzle; the scattered shot spread across the area. Yet the delicate strands of red rope easily deflected each bullet. This single burst of gunfire ignited the battle cry—those seated in the booths with guns drew them out, others fetched their props, while those without any equipment resorted to skills or close combat. Master of Zhishake Palace lifted her snow-white, elegant neck and emitted a clear, resonant melody from deep within her throat. As the song echoed through the space, the underlings began to feel dazed—fear dissolved into calmness; their mental state shifted toward peaceful composure. Musician Skills transmit emotions and influence listeners. The mainstream Musician Skill boasts three core functions: hypnotic effect, calming power, and motivational strength. Seasoned musicians can perform more refined operations—for instance, by selecting a specific song to emphasize emotional content in both melody and lyrics, evoking corresponding feelings within the audience. The greater the variety of songs, the broader the range of techniques available. While the crowd lost momentum and found themselves reassured, Master of Zhishake Palace’s red cords surged forward—dividing into two groups: one attacking the Evil Organization members at the booths, another targeting Tian Lingling and Li Xianzong at the counter. Pfft… pfft… Six or seven individuals were instantly pierced through head and heart—dying silently. One Illusionist screamed loudly just before death—their voice couldn’t match Master of Zhishake Palace’s melodic tone. Yet it acted like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples across the audience; Tian Lingling, who had been deeply immersed in the song, was startled and momentarily disengaged from its influence. Li Xianzong snapped awake—without hesitation—he summoned an ancient, soiled cloak with foul odors, wrapping it around himself. He closed his eyes and whispered: “Don’t hit me—don’t touch me…” The stream of crimson ropes pierced through Li Xianzong’s abdomen, thighs, and arms—but the attacks aimed at vital points such as head and heart seemed to deflect—some veered upward toward the ceiling, others fell gently onto the floor. He was utilizing the third ability of this peak Sage-level Prop—the "Prayer" function! Curses or depletions of fortune could not shake Master of Zhishake Palace. So instead, he simply focused on enhancing his own fortune and vitality. "Sigh…" Li Xianzong’s face tightened with pain. On the other side, Tian Lingling remained utterly still—her muscles expanded, eventually tearing her outer garments as she stood firm. With a series of sharp "rip" sounds, two ethereal arms emerged from behind her shoulder blades—one held a long blade, the other a short one. She wielded both blades in swift, rhythmic motions—cutting through the streams of red cords that surged toward her. The ropes gently fluttered and fell like gentle raindrops. As she prepared to advance into close combat with Master of Zhishake Palace, she suddenly saw the woman at the staircase raise her snowy wrist and tap once sharply. "Tap!" Each severed crimson cord reanimated—reaching out as tendrils—and wrapped tightly around Tian Lingling, layer upon layer, binding her firmly. The cords gradually contracted and tightened, slowly cutting into the skin of this Level 5 Fog Master. Blood seeped steadily from narrow wounds. “Master?” Tian Lingling’s face changed. Level 5 Fog Masters possess a signature skill—the "Iron-Body" ability—which has long cemented the Enchantment Demon as dominant in close combat. Tian Lingling had always believed her defensive strength was unshakeable—she thought even a peak Sage-level Orderly Profession would find it difficult to breach her defenses. Yet at their very first encounter, this proud iron body had been breached by Master of Zhishake Palace’s red cords. When exactly had she become a Master? The Killing Trial hadn’t even begun… Master? Li Xianzong felt his chest tighten—quickly pulling distance between himself and Tian Lingling—and fled toward the corner of the bar, simultaneously reaching into his trousers for the chalk. Her true target was Tian Lingling—not me. As long as Tian Lingling holds this madwoman off, I can escape… On Tian Lingling’s bare scalp, the intricate patterns of tattoos began to glow—emitting a deep black light, which spiraled and swirled—causing disorientation in minds, distorting vision, and generating phantom sounds. The lines on her head were not mere tattoos—they represented evolution of Enchantment Demon power. In the Elevated Stage phase, sigils are concealed within eyes; at peak Sage level, they gradually spread across the body. At Master-level, these sigils cover the entire form—any lower-ranked Pilgrim who merely sees them will instantly experience mental confusion and be entranced. “Kill her—kill her without hesitation,” Tian Lingling whispered in a low, ethereal tone. Immediately, those Evil Organization members still alive at the booths had their eyes filled with blazing red—and charged forward toward Master of Zhishake Palace regardless of all resistance. Master of Zhishake Palace raised one arm and swept it out powerfully—dense streams of crimson cords burst forth like waterfalls, swirling dramatically across the entire space. A flurry of sounds erupted—the backs of chairs were sliced, counters split with fine fractures, tables severed cleanly in two—with the occupants’ bodies torn apart, heads flying off their shoulders, limbs separated… Li Xianzong managed to avoid most of the attacks through his “Prayer” ability—then suddenly felt a sharp pain at his neck—a single strand of red cord grazed him. He grasped his neck and staggered backward, blood now gushing from his fingers. “Blood—I need blood!” Li Xianzong scanned wildly around. He spotted several meters away, one Evil Organization member whose upper and lower body had separated—struggling violently but not yet dead. He stepped toward that figure. Meanwhile, Tian Lingling seized the opportunity to cut through her entangled cords and fled toward the back door. As she moved, she pulled out an old black ceramic jar from her inventory, shattering it on the floor. Instantly, layers of twisted illusions filled the entire space. Master of Zhishake Palace’s form suddenly collapsed—transforming into a wave of crimson energy, rushing into the illusions to pursue Tian Lingling. Li Xianzong seized his moment and swiftly drew out his butterfly knife, plunging it into the heart of that Evil Organization member. The Enchantment Demon’s bloodthirsty passive ability was activated. Crimson light flared in Li Xianzong’s pupils—steadily drawing forth the essence from the fallen figure; the wound on his neck began to heal gradually. Then, ignoring the horrifying illusions swirling around him, he knelt down and quickly drew a circle in the ground with his hand. A hazy, yellowish light appeared—a protective aura enveloped him and then vanished completely. At the back entrance of the bar: The floor scattered with arms, legs, torsos—warm organs mixed with blood poured out like streams. Master of Zhishake Palace walked barefoot through the crimson trails, holding Tian Lingling’s head in her hands. She gently reassembled the broken body piece by piece. Then she donned a dark, damp cloak—immediately, deep black and viscous abilities surged within her eyes, connecting with the remnants of her spirit. "Li Lingling—Li Lingling," she murmured again and again, asking: "Which Heavenly King led the assault on the Chu family twenty-one years ago? Where are the rules-type props from the Chu household?" She swallowed down the spirit entirely in one go. ... On the official Forum: #Li Xianzong Attacks Pingtai Hospital with Targeting Yuan Shi Tian Zun# This morning, a post surged to the top of the official Forum, highlighted and prominently featured. ["According to a reliable elder from Taiyi Gate, today’s attack on Pingtai Hospital in Songhai was meticulously planned by Master of the Army, Li Xianzong—a targeted hunt against Yuan Shi Tian Zun."] ["Fortunately, although Yuan Shi Tian Zun sustained serious injuries, he survived. This incident allows us to analyze the gap between both parties’ combat strengths. According to this elder, thick mist enveloped the hospital’s interior—from the moment of attack until it lifted—only lasting two minutes."] ["However, when colleagues from Songhai Branch located Yuan Shi Tian Zun, he was critically ill. This clearly demonstrates that Li Xianzong is exceptionally strong and must be taken seriously."] ["This incident marks the opening phase of the Evil Organization Trial. Please remain vigilant for potential surprise attacks in your respective branches."] ["As for the ongoing developments between Yuan Shi Tian Zun and Li Xianzong, we will continue to update this post—please keep an eye on it."] Over the past period, officials across various regions have remained on high alert—but so far, everything has been relatively calm. Indeed, as described in this post, Li Xianzong’s dramatic events have now formally initiated the Evil Organization Trial. Soon, members of the Evil Organization will surely respond—launching targeted assaults upon their chosen targets. ["For the future: I never thought Yuan Shi Tian Zun couldn’t withstand Li Xianzong for just two minutes."] ["The depth still falls short: Yuan Shi Tian Zun lacks foundational strength. Though strong at the Elevated Stage, he is not yet among the elite—this confrontation has helped us clearly assess his actual capability."] ["Calling me Queen: Why aren’t the two above addressing him as 'Tian Zun'? Don’t want to diminish others’ morale by undermining their own confidence. Yuan Shi Tian Zun has only been a Realm Walker for about one month—and with another six months, I believe he will still not be outmatched by Li Xianzong."] ["Little Pig George: I had anticipated that an Evil Organization would take notice of him—but hadn’t expected it to be Li Xianzong. I hope he can endure through this storm."] 【Jiang Yang: For safety’s sake, I think Yuan Shi Tian Zun should retreat and take cover now.】 【Affectionate Jenny: Old Jiang has once again fallen into his lazy mode—what’s there to hide? He's been actively hunting down Li Xianzong ever since, aiming to eliminate him and claim the reward.】 On the Forum, official Realm Walkers from various regions actively contribute and engage in discussions. The Forum is always bustling during mid-year and year-end periods—not only lively but also deeply weighty. Perhaps today’s heroes will be tomorrow's fallen ones, victims of attacks by the Evil Organization. While furious at Li Xianzong’s high-profile assault, the official Realm Walkers from different districts feel helpless. After all, it's not within their jurisdiction. They can only offer suggestions—encourage Yuan Shi Tian Zun to step back and hide, drawing on the old adage: "A gentleman seeks revenge after ten years." With patience, a calm moment may follow. Perhaps without direct intervention from Yuan Shi Tian Zun, Li Xianzong will fall victim to a coordinated campaign in due course. At the Lingjing Branch in Songhai, official Realm Walkers from other districts declare with strong conviction their intention to hunt down and eliminate Li Xianzong—constantly implying that the officials of Kangyang District have failed to meet expectations. ... In the underground black market, the Champion leads several team members on rounds of patrols to maintain order across his territory. The Lingjing Realm Walkers from Songhai remain undeterred by factional tensions; in fact, they visit the black market more frequently than ever before. This is due to two key factors: first, during such critical periods, information and intelligence become increasingly vital; secondly, this time of year sees a surge in gambling activities at the black market venues. Gaming reflects human nature’s inherent tendency to bet on uncertainty. One team member standing beside the Champion frequently glances toward the betting tables, murmuring softly: “Sir, the odds for Yuan Shi Tian Zun versus Li Xianzong have now reached 1-to-20. You returned from your meeting just this morning—shouldn’t you have some insights? Would you consider buying a bet on Yuan Shi Tian Zun to win?” The Champion glances at him and replies: “Place a bet for a draw, but don’t bet on Yuan Shi Tian Zun winning.” His team members immediately understand—the Forum posts are indeed accurate. ... Under the deepening night sky, at Huayu Hotel. In the presidential suite, Xie Lingxi sits by the balcony, her brows furrowed, repeatedly scrolling through the official Five Elements Alliance Forum posts. Her assistant stands beside her, reporting: “Already checked with the second team of Kangyang District—Yuan Shi Tian Zun is currently resting at home and in stable condition. However, it’s said that when officials first found him, he was critically ill. ‘Miss, if you’re concerned about Yuan Shi Tian Zun, why didn’t you simply call him yourself?’” Xie Lingxi replies with a scowl: “You haven’t been in love yet—don’t expect me to explain it to you.” And here I am too… the assistant feels unexpectedly challenged. Xie Lingxi gently frowns: “If the Forum posts aren’t exaggerating, the gap between Yuan Shi Tian Zun and Li Xianzong is indeed significant. Honestly, he’s in real danger now—best for him to take cover.” The assistant adds: “After all, he’s one of the top talents trained by the Commander-in-Chief, an outstanding representative among those at the Elevated Stage.” Closing her Computer, Xie Lingxi turns to the assistant and says: “My father used to advise me to pay close attention to Yuan Shi Tian Zun. Now that this incident has occurred, he hasn’t reached out to me. Hm—did he speak privately with you? What did he say?” The assistant hesitates before sharing truthfully: “He didn’t say much. The Head of the House asked me simply to remain observant and to keep a close watch on you, without engaging too closely with Yuan Shi Tian Zun—likely hoping to see whether he can survive.” “Got it—invest wisely—he’s always been that way,” Xie Lingxi says, rolling her eyes. “But I have my own style.” She picks up her Smartphone and sends a delicate voice message: “Yuan Shi Brother, could you come by the hotel tomorrow? I’d like to invite you for dinner.” ... In the bedroom, Zhang Yuanqing lies in bed, closed-eyed and resting, his spirit energy flowing steadily within him, gently nurturing the person_name. He appears somewhat weary—like one who has just recovered from a serious illness. Even the Night Wandering Deity, though robust, requires another two days to fully recover. While tending to the person_name, Zhang Yuanqing reviews and replays his day’s battle scene over and over again. Revising, revising, revising. “No matter how I respond, I see no chance of victory. Without my Divine Object nearby, and with a significant level gap—my most risk-minimized strategy would be to use the Red Mantle to startle off the opponent. “But my Red Mantle has already been used once—and only one instance remains. Moreover, Li Xianzong possesses the 'Transmission' Prop; unlike that time when he displayed 'Unimpeded' dominance, Li Xianzong can launch multiple subsequent attacks. Should he do so even twice more, I’ll be gone. “I must rise to Level 3 as soon as possible…” Though defeated by Li Xianzong, Zhang Yuanqing cannot help but feel demoralized—despite his superior level, they are peers in age and career stage, both at the Elevated Stage. Trying to comfort himself with the argument that he’s simply less experienced in becoming a Realm Walker seems somewhat self-deceptive. Today not only did he suffer serious injuries—but so too did the person_name, nearly losing consciousness. This grudge must be avenged—yet considering the substantial gap in combat strength, Zhang Yuanqing finds himself both disheartened and powerless. At this moment, a soft sound of footsteps is heard at the door. Only from the sound of steps does he know that Aunt has arrived.