Any words could describe Zhang Yuanqing’s current emotions—only one word: grass! Taiyi Gate hasn’t given up searching for the Demon King’s heir. How determined they are! What should I do? Transfer my White Tiger spirit to Xiao Doubi? No—that would be too much for Xiao Doubi; under its overwhelming pressure, he’d vanish right before my eyes… Should I make a final stand and risk Fu Qingyang’s loyalty to me? If Guan Ya were sitting there, that might work. Fu Qingyang should have questioned me as soon as he sensed the imbalance of heaven’s justice—yet he said nothing then, holding back his strength until the Tiger Emblem arrived. But that doesn’t make sense either. With his keen eyesight and access to props, even without the Emblem, he could have forced me to reveal my truth. I hadn’t expected to reach this point—the reality never unfolds as we wish… Zhang Yuanqing trembled violently, like a quivering hen in fear—though deep within, he was facing off against his inner White Tiger deity, striving to resist, despite giving every ounce of effort. His resistance only delayed the moment when truth would emerge. Finally, he opened his mouth and uttered one word: “I…” Large droplets of sweat rolled down from his forehead, pattering onto his clothes. Fu Qingyang stared at him deeply: “What?” In his consciousness, the White Tiger slowly rose to its feet, as if preparing to devour him. Zhang Yuanqing’s inner fear exploded; his spirit shivered. As he prepared to reveal his identity and confirm that he was indeed the Demon King’s heir, suddenly from deep within his mind’s essence—a surge of profound, pure Yin energy erupted like a flood breaking its banks. This force washed over his spiritual body, eventually coalescing into a vast Black Full Moon at the core of his consciousness. Gentle, ethereal light poured down from this moonlike formation, enveloping Zhang Yuanqing’s spirit—feeling immeasurably comfortable and relaxed, like an infant returning to its mother’s womb. Something remarkable had occurred: Zhang Yuanqing turned again toward the White Tiger, which remained sternly majestic and intimidating, yet the soul-shaking pressure it exerted vanished. No—it didn’t vanish at all. It was simply shielded by the luminous radiance of the Black Full Moon. Feeling this light pouring down from above—instinctively guided by Night Wandering Deity’s presence—he suddenly grasped the essence of the Black Full Moon. It symbolized Yin—the hidden, the concealed! Was this the power of his Character Card? Could it counteract prop_type powers? Clearly not just a reward for completing instances—it wasn’t simply incidental that Taiyi Gate has taken such great pains to seek the Demon King’s heir. There must be an unknown story behind this… Zhang Yuanqing was deeply amazed internally. Now, he had completely escaped the impact of the Tiger Emblem—but on the surface, still humble and trembling, as if standing at the edge of a deep abyss. Under Fu Qingyang’s increasingly sharp gaze, Zhang Yuanqing’s voice continued to tremble: “I… am not… the Demon King’s heir.” As he spoke, he scanned inwardly, observing the White Tiger’s response with growing anxiety. It maintained its dignified posture—motionless. Had he succeeded in hiding it? Zhang Yuanqing nearly exhaled a sigh of relief—but then considered that Fu Qingyang hadn’t removed the Tiger Emblem; so he held his breath and pressed on. Fu Qingyang waited for several seconds, noting no anomaly. Then his cold, serious expression softened. He clenched his fingers, and the Tiger Emblem dissolved—disappearing into his inventory. Only then did Zhang Yuanqing gradually lean back, collapsing into the high-backed chair, gasping heavily. Fu Qingyang stood up, walked to the recorder, and turned it off. He returned to his desk and sat down, giving Zhang Yuanqing a full ten minutes of recovery time—waiting until his breathing steadied and his face no longer pale—before speaking: “Now we enter our private conversation space.” “Yuan Shi—I would like to invite you to join the White Tiger Army.” Zhang Yuanqing remained seated in his slumped posture: “The White Tiger Army? The organization founded by Hundred-man Commander?” He recalled what Ling Jun had mentioned. “Yes,” Fu Qingyang nodded, “Currently, the White Tiger Army is a Level 3 organization with capacity for twenty members. I have already recruited fifteen. The sixteenth seat—I would like to offer it to you.” Zhang Yuanqing hesitated. “The White Tiger Army belongs to my own organization and offers its own benefits: monthly salary of one hundred thousand, housing in a prime location in either first or second-tier city—worth no less than twenty million yuan. Additionally, there will be a dedicated club serving exclusively the White Tiger Army; whenever you have any needs—for luxury goods, vehicles, or services requiring credentials—you can contact them. Even your preference for women in black silk stockings—they’ll find you a whole crowd.” Zhang Yuanqing listened with wide eyes—by the time he heard the last sentence, he sensed that Hundred-man Commander’s perception of him was both stubborn and somewhat one-dimensional. Was I really such a romantic by nature? “As for my condition,” Fu Qingyang said calmly, “I require only one thing: My orders shall supersede those of the Five Elements Alliance.” “In ancient terms,” he continued, “the White Tiger Army is both my brotherhood and my private military force. Of course, officially, it remains a subordinate organization under the White Tiger Army’s command.” The offerings were so generous—Zhang Yuanqing no longer hesitated: “I shall die for Hundred-man Commander!” Clearly, Fu Qingyang intended to cultivate him as part of his personal core team—to rise within the official power hierarchy. As an individual hero, his efforts might seem insignificant. This noble son from a prominent family, though aloof and self-assured, clearly possessed all the skills required. Zhang Yuanqing had formed this impression—but he still asked: “What is the reason behind Hundred-man Commander’s interest in me?” “Long before, I invited you to join the White Tiger Army,” Fu Qingyang replied, “but Dog Elder insisted that you first pass the Large Health Checkup.” “That was my intention too—I have been patiently waiting for the completion of this checkup. You are the most admirable among the talents I’ve observed.” At this point, the son of the Fu family exuded an air of noble dignity—like a young sovereign laying out his vision: “There are many talented individuals in the world—but in my eyes, most are merely ordinary. Ling Jun is brilliant yet indolent—she lacks drive and never rises to the occasion. Guan Ya possesses talent but lacks the spirit of strength; she settles for what comes—and thus, she too is mere common stock. Jiang Jingwei has exceptional potential, yet her entire mind revolves around combat. She practices not because of ambition, but merely because she enjoys fighting—so she remains a commoner. Even the female General of the White Tiger Army possesses talents that are truly astonishing—but her efforts fall far short of matching her ability—and thus, she too is just another ordinary person.” …Zhang Yuanqing listened with growing astonishment—how could Hundred-man Commander say such things? Should they reach the Emperor’s ears, it would indeed be a matter of dismissal. Yet the man seated behind him remained cool and aloof—as if he were truly the supreme ruler. Fu Qingyang continued: “Yuan Shi—you are different from them all. You possess deeper inner strength, greater outward grace, and more diligence than your peers—these are observations I’ve made over time. Two S-level instance reports have revealed that you exhibit resilience under adversity—the very quality that resonates with me.” “That kind of character is more valuable than raw talent itself.” “Comparable to me?” Zhang Yuanqing thought—he couldn’t help but mutter a quiet refrain in his mind: “Thank you, Father, for your generous patronage!” Suddenly he remembered Guan Ya once mentioning that Fu Qingyang had originally struggled with poor academic performance as a youth—lacking recognition from elder family members—and often overlooked by peers. Combined with what he’d just heard and Fu Qingyang’s subsequent rise to prominence, Zhang Yuanqing now understood why this proud young man valued him so deeply. “Thank you for your guidance,” Zhang Yuanqing said gratefully, offering his thanks and praise. … After leaving Tang Family Hospital, Zhang Yuanqing did not take Li Dongze’s car—instead, citing a class he had scheduled, he left on his own. Walking through the bustling streets amid heavy traffic, he repeatedly reflected upon two key questions: First—the Black Full Moon. “I remember Yuan Ting mentioned that when a Spirit Realm Walker passes away, their Character Card is formatted—but for high-level Spirit Realm Walkers, complete formatting is difficult, so certain special features remain.” “But isn’t this power too strong? To resist even high-tier Rule-type Prop powers—it’s clearly an exceptional force. Shouldn’t such power have been lost or diminished over time… Perhaps—this is precisely the reason Taiyi Gate has been searching for so long for the Demon King’s heir?” “Or only part of the reason?” “And this is a good development—bit by bit, uncovering the veil of Character Card powers—better than having nothing at all. Unfortunately, I still can’t control it. Nor do I sense its presence directly—it simply flows from my Night Wandering Deity instinct, symbolizing the origin of Yin and the essence of concealment.” Second—the chronic headache issue. This large health checkup had made him realize that his headaches were far more than ordinary. Previously, he hadn’t taken them seriously—being a typical undergraduate with limited resources and influence. After becoming a Spirit Realm Walker, he had considered whether there was a medical profession within the Spirit Realm—for doctors—but at that time, due to lower rank and authority, and with improved frequency of symptoms, he hadn’t prioritized it much. I need to find out where Mom originally bought these pills… As he thought this, he opened his contact list and dialed the number of his mother—someone he had barely reached out to in over half a year. “Ring-ring…” The call connected quickly. The voice from the speaker was soft yet slightly assertive: “Yuanzi? What is it—I have a meeting shortly.” “What company did you purchase my special medication from?” Zhang Yuanqing asked. “Why now? Have the pills run out?” Though unable to see her, Zhang Yuanqing could easily imagine her frowning expression—slightly impatient. “The pills haven’t been finished,” Zhang Yuanqing said evenly, his tone cold and composed—not as lively or enthusiastic as usual. “They were purchased by me through a business partner abroad—I told you about this back then, didn’t I? The drug was still in research phase, not yet on the market—only because your condition worsened did Mom decide to use it. And now—it’s working.” “Which company?” “It doesn’t matter,” the mother replied impatiently, “You shouldn’t ask so many questions—you mustn’t let this information leak out; it’s a commercial secret.” Then realizing her tone had become too stiff, she softened: “By the way, I’ll be returning to China for the year-end holiday—I’d like to know what gift you’d like?” “No thanks,” Zhang Yuanqing replied. A brief silence followed—then she made an accommodating concession: “I remember that friend will visit the mainland this year to assess market potential—if you truly wish to learn more, just reach out to him—I’ll say it on your behalf.” “Okay!” Zhang Yuanqing responded with a soft sound from his nasal cavity. “Well—then I’ll hang up. I have to attend my meeting now.” She was always like this—always busy, always dissatisfied with inefficient communication; no matter who or what—it mattered little compared to her own career responsibilities. Zhang Yuanqing ended the call. He pocketed his smartphone and walked slowly under a gloomy mood—only for it to ring again shortly thereafter. He immediately reached for his phone—finding it was a call from Xie Lingxi. His hopes instantly dimmed—he answered with irritation: “Give me thirty seconds—I’ve got a whole host of women in black stockings and long legs right here, no room for you to babble on.” “Does Yuanshi Brother like women in black stockings?” asked Xie Lingxi warmly. “I can show them to you.” Zhang Yuanqing thought briefly—then shook his head: “No, not at all—you’d be better suited wearing your sailor uniform… Oh—excuse me—that’s ridiculous—I’m not asking you to wear a sailor outfit; I just want to get to the point!” “The Grand Mistress has returned,” Xie Lingxi said, her tone lowered. “She’s feeling unwell and couldn’t talk on the phone—we’ll meet when you come.” Has she truly returned from her northern trip? It’s been nearly a month now. Zhang Yuanqing paused midway—then called over for a taxi at the roadside. … Inside Tang Family Hospital, Fu Qingyang stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, listening to his phone: “All members of Kangyang District have been thoroughly reviewed—the list includes no Night Wandering Deity members and no individuals influenced or controlled by any evil organization.” Dog Elder responded with a low “mhm”: “Better than yesterday.” Yesterday’s checkup covered residents in Jinjiang District—two members of the Night Wandering Deity were identified and detained on-site. After interrogation, they only revealed that their superiors might be among the official Executive-level personnel—but couldn’t identify exactly who those individuals were. However, prior to this large-scale health screening—the Dog Elder had already convened all officers from the Songhai Branch and conducted full checkups ahead of schedule. All passed successfully. Fu Qingyang mused: “The Night Wandering Deity has a method of evading detection by the Tiger Emblem—this is also an important clue.” Dog Elder again gave a soft “mhm”: "There aren't many means capable of shielding the Tiger Emblem, and the leader of the Dark Night Rose is precisely the Night Wandering Deity. Now I have a clear sense of his level—he's someone who has refined the Power of the Moon to its utmost, standing on par with the five Grand Masters. 'Hmm,' he said, 'the Power of the Moon possesses two core abilities: negative strength and concealment.' These very capabilities have already been evident in the Elevated Stage skills—specifically, Spirit Consumption and Night Wanderer. The Dog Elder then shifted his tone and asked: 'What does Yuan Shi think about this?' Fu Qingyang reported faithfully: 'Sun Elder recommends that we not yet appoint him to any particularly significant posts. He still needs time to mature and truly grasp the essence of a Judge's duties. As for my personal assessment, I learned he has had some contact with the Evil Organization—though it was merely a casual encounter. I believe he is a well-balanced young man with strong principles; this should not be considered any flaw.' The Dog Elder remained silent, then asked: 'With which faction has he been in contact?' Fu Qingyang replied: 'He mentioned someone who calls himself the Master of No Trace.' The Dog Elder's tone noticeably improved: 'Ah, that’s exactly him—then we can rest assured. By the way, did Taiyi Gate entrust you with any specific questions?' Fu Qingyang said: 'No—he is not a descendant of the Demon King lineage.' Finally, the Dog Elder smiled: 'Excellent!' ... At Fu's family village, Lingjun hung up the phone and murmured: 'He isn't actually a Demon King heir at all—yet he displays such extraordinary talent without relying on any inheritance. It seems Sun Elder might be overlooking something…' Regardless of this development, Yuan Shi’s identity is now firmly established. The focus of Taiyi Gate's investigation can shift accordingly. He entered the information and sent a brief notification message to Sun Elder’s assistant. ... At Huayu Hotel. Zhang Yuanqing followed his female assistant into the elevator, which carried them to the floor housing the Presidential Suite. As soon as the doors opened, he saw Xie Lingxi standing patiently at the elevator entrance, waiting for him. 'Mr. Yuanshi!' the young lady in green approached automatically, pushing aside the assistant and linking her arms with his, behaving like a compliant younger sister. 'What is it that the Consort would like to discuss with me?' He asked softly. Xie Lingxi shook her head slightly: 'The Consort has sustained serious injuries. She's currently in her room, saying she must see you immediately. Please go right over.' Serious injuries? I remember the Musician Skill is a nurturing role in the Spirit Realm—capable of producing Life Primordial Fluid. What kind of injury would require such severity? What level of Enchantment Demon must have been responsible? Yet why does she need to see me now, despite being injured... Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly: 'Could you please hand me the room key?'