The entrance to the underground parking garage buzzed with activity.
Li Dongze, leaning on his cane with one hand and gripping a pistol in the other, charged into the garage, his sharp gaze sweeping the scene.
He first noticed the unconscious Xu Yingying, then the faint bloodstains on the floor and several damaged private cars. As a seasoned Scout, Li Dongze immediately recognized the signs of a brief but fierce battle.
Xu Yingying's survival meant the situation hadn't reached its worst.
The other Spirit Realm Walkers also scanned the area with practiced alertness. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows behind a car.
Instinctively, all gun barrels swung toward him.
"Don't shoot! It's me!" Zhang Yuanqing shouted, raising his hands high as he sized up the Spirit Realm Walkers besides Guan Ya and Li Dongze.
A burly man in workout gear, looking like a gym instructor, stood at least 1.9 meters tall, his muscles bulging with raw power. He wore red fingerless gloves.
A middle-aged woman in an ink-wash qipao, her hair styled in a classic updo, possessed a graceful figure. Though her age was evident, her fair, meticulously maintained face remained remarkably smooth and wrinkle-free.
A middle-aged man in a dark brown construction uniform and a miner's helmet had weathered skin and a face etched with the harshness of the elements.
A young woman in a white racing suit stood out with her oval face, fair skin, and striking, sharply angled eyebrows that radiated a fierce, heroic aura. She wielded a long, black blade.
The other two armed figures were unremarkable in appearance and demeanor.
When Zhang Yuanqing emerged from the shadows, Li Dongze and Guan Ya visibly relaxed, their tense expressions easing as if a great weight had been lifted.
After their meeting, they had received a call from Wang Tai, reporting that Primordial had discovered Ou Xiangrong at Songhai University. Ou Xiangrong had kidnapped Xu Yingying, intending to harm her.
Li Dongze and Guan Ya were alarmed and immediately summoned the remaining Captains, rushing to Songhai University.
Li Dongze maintained a grim expression throughout the journey, his heart heavy with worry. He feared Primordial might act rashly, without considering the consequences.
New Spirit Realm Walkers, upon first experiencing their supernatural powers, often become overconfident. Lacking experience and unaware of the true depths of their abilities, they tend to let their emotions cloud their judgment.
Seeing Zhang Yuanqing unharmed, both Li Dongze and Guan Ya breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is he the Nightwalker?" Big Muscle, known for his impatience, first asked Li Dongze. After receiving confirmation, he scanned the underground parking garage and barked in his gruff voice, "Boy, where's Ou Xiangrong? Which way did he run?"
In his view, a Level 3 Seductive Demon was far beyond the capabilities of a Level 1 Nightwalker. After a brief confrontation, Ou Xiangrong had likely fled in panic, fearing the arrival of Official Spirit Realm Walkers.
If Ou Xiangrong hadn't escaped long ago, pursuing him now might still be possible, given the Scouts' tracking abilities.
Li Dongze, Guan Ya, and several Captain-level figures stared at Zhang Yuanqing, awaiting his answer.
"He didn't escape," Zhang Yuanqing said.
Didn't escape? A chill ran through the group. They raised their guns, glancing around in bewildered vigilance.
Then the rookie, fresh out of training, pointed to the shadows behind him and declared, "I took him down."
What did he say? Fire Master Big Muscle nearly dug into his ears, wondering if his hearing was failing him. His temper flared instantly, and he roared in a booming voice, "Don't joke with me! This isn't the time for your humor."
Li Dongze and the others were equally stunned, their brows furrowing as they regarded Zhang Yuanqing with newfound caution.
Why are you being so aggressive? Can't you talk properly? You wouldn't happen to be with the Crimson Fire Gang, would you? Zhang Yuanqing patiently explained:
"I'm not lying. His body's right there at the back of the train. Go see for yourself if you don't believe me."
Big Muscle glanced in that direction. The shadows cast by the protruding pillars and the train car's body obscured the corner from his view.
He immediately moved to investigate.
"Wait," a middle-aged man wearing a miner's helmet stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Yuanqing. "I'll check."
Seeing his colleague's grave expression, as if recalling something, Big Muscle cast a wary glance at Zhang Yuanqing and nodded.
Zhang Yuanqing noticed Li Dongze and Guan Ya's peculiar expressions, while the others' gazes held undisguised suspicion.
At that moment, the middle-aged man in the miner's helmet slowly but steadily approached the rear of the vehicle. He froze, staring blankly at something, his eyes widening as if he had turned to stone.
"Boss Tang?"
Big Muscle's heart tightened as he saw his companion's shocked and bewildered expression. His upper body muscles suddenly tensed, ready to strike.
The captains of Green Vine White Dragon immediately went on alert.
Tang Guoqiang's demeanor eerily resembled his behavior when under the influence of Seduction.
But soon, they saw Tang Guoqiang "recover." He bent down and dragged out a corpse, pulling it into the spotlight and into everyone's view.
The corpse wore loose camouflage pants, a black tank top, and a black jacket. Its face was a bloody mess, the eye sockets hollow, yet the remaining features vaguely identified it as Ou Xiangrong.
The underground parking garage fell silent as everyone stared dumbfounded at Ou Xiangrong's corpse.
Li Dongze's expression gradually shifted from solemn to bewildered, muttering to himself:
"Oh my god... oh my god..."
Guan Ya glanced at the corpse, then at Zhang Yuanqing, and a realization dawned on her face, her expression thoughtful.
A beautiful woman in a qipao patterned with ink wash paintings strode forward on high heels. She stopped beside the corpse, examined it closely, and pursed her lips.
"It's definitely Ou Xiangrong," she said.
With a complex expression, she glanced up at Zhang Yuanqing.
Big Muscle's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "How did you do it?"
The captains' gazes all focused on Zhang Yuanqing, scrutinizing him repeatedly. How could a mere Level 1 rookie have taken down Ou Xiangrong, even if the man was severely wounded and not at his peak?
This was a major coup for the Second Team. What kind of luck had Li Dongze stumbled upon, recruiting such an exceptional subordinate?
How did I do it? Isn't it obvious? I just had the right shoes, Zhang Yuanqing thought, but he didn't answer. Instead, he looked to his superior.
Li Dongze immediately stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"Primordial, you did an excellent job. You've earned a major commendation. Just moments ago, when we couldn't reach you, we were in the conference room getting chewed out by our superiors."
This remark effectively shifted the attention. The captains' faces relaxed into relieved smiles, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
Zhang Yuanqing shot him a sidelong glance. "Then why were you pointing guns at me just now?"
"A Seductive Demon at the Transcendent Stage can briefly influence the human mind. Given enough time and repeated Seduction, they can deepen their influence and ultimately control their target. We believe it's more likely you were seduced than that you killed Ou Xiangrong." The young woman in the white racing suit approached, carrying a blade, and scrutinized Zhang Yuanqing from head to toe. She nodded in satisfaction.
"We were all wrong. Let me introduce myself: White Dragon, Level 3 Water Ghost."
The female captain exuded an indescribable air of cool confidence. There was no trace of feminine coyness or affectation about her. Her gaze swept across the room with commanding authority, as if everyone else were just a bunch of immature boys.
"Primordial Heavenly Venerable," Zhang Yuanqing replied.
The captains paused, taken aback. "A good name," one of them remarked.
Indeed, it was a name that made you want to punch him on the spot.
White Dragon chuckled. "We'll just call you Primordial then. Good thing. I always thought guys your age would pick some weird, outlandish names."
"Like what?" Zhang Yuanqing asked with a grin, shrugging.
White Dragon blinked, surprised by the young man's easy familiarity. She hadn't expected him to counter her teasing with a question of his own. Shouldn't a normal person facing a superior's banter respond with humility or awkward restraint?
"Like Big Muscle," Guan Ya interjected with a smile, taking over the conversation.
Big Muscle: "The meaning behind my name is 'domineering muscles.'"
"That's exactly what I meant," Guan Ya said with an innocent expression.
Big Muscle was speechless.
As they spoke, several Official Spirit Realm Walkers hurried over, carrying stretchers and body bags.
They had just received a call reporting that the perpetrator had been neutralized and rushed to collect the body. They also carried Xu Yingying out to be taken to the hospital for treatment.
Li Dongze wasted no time. "Primordial, come back with us and examine Ou Xiangrong's memories."
"No, we can't let him come," Tang Guoqiang shook his head. "Ou Xiangrong has been tainted by an evil force. We can't be sure if his Spectral Entity has also been corrupted. Moreover, the Seductive Demon is bloodthirsty and brutal, its Spectral Entity radiating intense negative energy. This is beyond what he can withstand. Yuan Ting will return to Songhai this afternoon; we can hand it over to him then."
Zhang Yuanqing immediately recalled his Soul Devouring encounter at the hospital, feeling a wave of apprehension. But then he considered: if other Nightwalkers witnessed his method of killing Ou Xiangrong, the Red Dancing Shoes would be exposed. While exposure wouldn't necessarily lead to immediate attempts to seize them, maintaining a low profile was still crucial.
"That's not a problem. I'll find a way to neutralize the energy for him," Li Dongze waved his hand dismissively, his tone firm.
"Ou Xiangrong's memories are crucial. The sooner we inquire the soul, the better. We can't determine how much memory a corrupted spectral entity might retain."
Tang Guoqiang considered this and nodded slightly.
He still disapproved of Li Dongze's methods, but since their Second Team had killed the man, they had the right to handle the aftermath.
At that moment, a beautiful woman in a cheongsam approached, asking with concern:
"Are you injured? Do you need medical attention?"
Her voice was gentle, her demeanor warm, as if Zhang Yuanqing were a trusted confidant.
Li Dongze smiled and introduced her:
"This is Captain Green Vine of the Hundred Flowers Association. She's a skilled healer. Within the Five Elements Alliance, Wood Spirits are also known as Recovery Sorcerers. Don't hesitate to tell her about any injuries."
Recovery Sorcerer? Zhang Yuanqing thought. I wonder if this Recovery Sorcerer is legitimate. Will she force me to grasp the future?
Li Dongze continued the introductions, gesturing to the burly man and the miner's helmet:
"Big Muscle of the Crimson Fire Gang, and Tang Guoqiang of the Central Court. Both captains are highly experienced Spirit Realm Walkers."
So they really are from the Crimson Fire Gang, Zhang Yuanqing thought. He immediately greeted them: "Greetings, Captains. I look forward to working with you."
Big Muscle nodded approvingly:
"Want to add each other as friends?"
"Sounds good!" Green Vine and White Dragon agreed.
Tang Guoqiang, though quiet, was the first to pull out his phone.
Li Dongze's lips twitched.
After Zhang Yuanqing exchanged friend requests with the captains, Li Dongze said:
"We'll send the body back first. The rest of the team will stay here and assist the Security Officers in clearing the scene. Primordial, you ride back to headquarters with Guan Ya and write up a report."
Moments later, Official Spirit Realm Walkers drove a van and a blue sports car into the underground parking garage.
"Chief, can I ride in your van?" Zhang Yuanqing wanted to speak privately with Li Dongze, perhaps to ask him to delete the surveillance footage.
"No, you're too dirty right now, not elegant enough," Li Dongze replied, shaking his head. He turned to the captains. "Let's head back together."
Zhang Yuanqing opened his mouth to protest, but stopped himself. He watched helplessly as Li Dongze and the captains drove off in the van.
Guan Ya's eyes flickered as she glanced at him, a smile playing on her lips. "The Chief took all the nuisances with him. Come on, I'll take you to delete the surveillance footage."
Zhang Yuanqing kept his gaze fixed downward, focusing on his own thoughts.
The blue sports car sped down the wide streets. Guan Ya, wearing sunglasses, gripped the steering wheel and hummed a tune, her mood seemingly buoyant.
She clicked her tongue. "You're one lucky bastard. Getting a Rule Item right after becoming a Spirit Realm Walker."
She felt lucky; just when she needed Merit Points, they came her way.
"Did you guys know about this all along?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, completely unfazed, even flattering her: "The Scout profession truly is the most perfect."
As a skilled socializer, he could easily adjust his mindset.
"We only suspected it earlier. Remember, Insight is a Scout's innate talent," Guan Ya said with a smile. "The fact that you understood my hints and concealed the Rule Item shows you're not entirely clueless."
Zhang Yuanqing immediately probed indirectly:
"The organization won't force me to hand over the item, will they?"
"We won't compel you, but if you voluntarily surrender it, the organization will gladly accept it and reward you with Merit Points and money. However, human nature is complex. If word gets out that a rookie like you possesses a Rule Item, it will inevitably attract some desperate individuals willing to take extreme risks."
Guan Ya advised earnestly, "Your Chief can protect you for a while, but not forever. You should consider finding a powerful patron, like your Superior's Superior."
Can that Centurion really protect me? Zhang Yuanqing wondered. How can you guarantee that even his Superior won't be tempted by the treasure?
"That guy comes from a wealthy family, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He's arrogant and proud. I can't vouch for the other Deacons, but I can vouch for his character," Guan Ya said with a smile.
"Besides, he always claims to win people over with virtue, but in reality, he just throws money around. He's a real spendthrift. A Rule Item wouldn't shake his pride.
"Still, he has high standards and looks down on ordinary people. He prefers elite talent."
Zhang Yuanqing hummed in acknowledgment, neither agreeing nor refusing, and quickly changed the subject.
Guan Ya snorted twice.
"You really stole the show today. Once word of your exploits spreads, the Five Elements Alliance will definitely try to recruit you, openly or covertly. Watch out for honey traps—there have been cases of seduction before. Those two female Captains seemed quite interested in you."
Zhang Yuanqing declared righteously, "I'm completely loyal to the Second Team and would never fall for a honey trap."
Unless I can't help myself! he added silently.
"But you're a Scorpio," Guan Ya said, pursing her lips.
"Huh? What does that have to do with being a Scorpio?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, his face blank with confusion.
"Ever heard the astrological saying: 'Pisces men are dogs you wouldn't touch, but Scorpio men will bang anything, even dogs'?"
"..."
Inside the black business car, Li Dongze personally drove, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"Oops, I accidentally finished everyone's work," he said cheerfully. "As a team member, I'm really out of line. Sorry, everyone, for not leaving any credit for you all."
What are you so smug about? The four captains' faces darkened.
"When the bonuses come in, I'll treat everyone to dinner," Li Dongze chuckled. "Don't be envious—it was all just a coincidence. This kid just happened to clear the She Ling Tunnel and happened to take down Ou Xiangrong. Nothing special."
"The way you're talking makes me want to punch you," Big Muscle growled.
"Let's keep it classy, shall we? No need to be so hot-tempered. I'll report to Centurion Fu first."
Under the captains' murderous glares, he pulled out his phone and dialed Centurion Fu's number.
During the Ou Xiangrong incident, Centurion Fu had taken considerable risks due to their mistakes. Now that Ou Xiangrong had been eliminated, Li Dongze, as his subordinate, needed to report the news immediately.
That kid Primordial Heavenly Venerable really made me look good.