The forum post stated that the Nightwalker Spirit Realm had recently undergone a massive transformation. Many previously recorded Spirit Realm instances had mutated, their difficulty levels surging to A-Rank or even S-Rank, creating entirely new, un-conquered instances.
Numerous Nightwalkers scheduled to enter the Spirit Realm had been unfortunate enough to be assigned to these mutated instances, resulting in their deaths.
The poster was one of the forum administrators, making this announcement a semi-official notice.
"So many S-Rank and A-Rank Spirit Realms exclusive to Nightwalkers have appeared?" Zhang Yuanqing exclaimed, stunned.
The Spirit Realm operates on a balancing and matching mechanism: Level 1 Walkers receive Level 1 instances, Level 2 Walkers receive Level 2 instances, and so on. Occasionally, a Level 1 Walker might enter a Level 2 instance, but the assigned mission would be simplified.
In essence, while Spirit Realm missions could be exceedingly difficult and carry a high mortality rate, it was unheard of for a Level 1 Walker to receive a Level 3 Walker's mission.
Furthermore, within instances corresponding to one's level, difficulty ratings ranged from S-Rank to D-Rank. S-Rank represented the current pinnacle of difficulty, with terrifyingly high mortality rates but the most substantial rewards.
Zhang Yuanqing later reflected that even without the Red Dancing Shoes, the survival rate for newcomers completing the She Ling Tunnel Trial Mission would have been less than ten percent.
So many uncultivated A-Rank and S-Rank instances have suddenly appeared. How many people are going to die?
Zhang Yuanqing's first thought was: Holy shit, I'm about to enter the Spirit Realm soon! Is it too late to change my class now?!
His second thought was: Oh, I'll probably be entering a Multiplayer Spirit Realm next time. Never mind then.
He breathed a small sigh of relief and scrolled down the post to read the Official Spirit Realm Walkers' opinions on the matter.
The post had caused a massive uproar within the Official Organization. Official Walkers from branches across the country were following the discussion, and the thread was trending heavily, with over a thousand comments.
[ The Future is Long: No wonder I couldn't contact my Nightwalker informant today. ]
[ The Bitter Past: What? You have a Nightwalker informant? You sneaky dog, you've been hiding this well. ]
[ Lawless: Something's off. While Spirit Realm instances aren't fixed and constantly evolve, these changes are usually predictable and gradual. This sudden mutation of the Nightwalker's exclusive Spirit Realm is too abrupt and illogical. ]
[ The Sovereign is Ill: Could this be related to the demon lord's death? I heard from the Taiyi Sect that the demon lord perished recently. ]
[ Green Vine: Who told you about the demon lord's death? Was it Yuan Ting? ]
The Five Elements Alliance's attitude toward the matter was largely one of detached curiosity and gossip. After all, the issue stemmed from a problem within the Nightwalker's exclusive Spirit Realm, which had little direct impact on them.
However, some members were genuinely concerned.
[ Please Call Me Queen: We can't handle cases without the Nightwalkers. Plus, the Eerie Eye Judge just died, and every region is on high alert for Fallen Ones going berserk. Songhai is even tasked with capturing the Black guard of Impermanence. If the Nightwalker's instance is malfunctioning at this critical time, won't it lead to severe manpower shortages? ]
[ Green Vine: That's a valid concern, but not every Nightwalker will enter the instance immediately. ]
Spirit Realm Missions didn't occur frequently enough to warrant fears of mass Nightwalker casualties.
[ Please Call Me Queen: But they'll eventually have to enter the Spirit Realm. With so many un-cleared instances suddenly appearing, the Nightwalker population could plummet in the coming months. ]
Sacrifices were inevitable during Spirit Realm exploration.
The Queen's point was valid. I'll eventually have to enter a Solo Instance, and S-Rank and A-Rank instances are terrifying, especially since I'm using the Demon Sovereign Character Card. Zhang Yuanqing's mood grew heavier as he considered this.
Exiting the forum, he opened his messaging app and sent a message to Yuan Ting:
"Captain Yuan, I saw the pinned post on the forum. What's going on with the difficulty change in the Nightwalker Spirit Realm instance? I'm willing to pay for a consultation."
For professional matters, it's best to consult professionals.
Yuan Ting replied quickly:
"I don't know either. The official Nightwalker group chat is in chaos. Colleagues who are about to enter the Spirit Realm soon, or will be entering it in the near future, are panicking. After all, S-rank instances aren't something just anyone can clear, and even A-rank instances require luck.
"I'm not entirely sure what happened either. The Elders' Council is collecting data and should release an announcement by tonight at the latest."
Yuan Ting was in a foul mood. A close colleague had entered the Spirit Realm this morning and hadn't returned yet, their fate unknown.
In just half a month, Yuan Ting would face his own Solo Instance, with the actual date varying by no more than a week.
"Understood," Zhang Yuanqing replied, refraining from further questions.
Over the next half-day, Zhang Yuanqing frequently refreshed the Official Forum, monitoring the latest updates. His shopping mood had completely vanished.
As dusk fell, his aunt linked arms with him as they walked home, Zhang Yuanqing carrying bags of shopping.
"Hmm, have you gotten stronger?" Jiang Yu'er asked, pinching her nephew's bicep. "It's rock-hard."
If he were Guan Ya, he would have replied, "My hardness surpasses your imagination" or "I have even harder things." Zhang Yuanqing gave a perfunctory answer:
"A healthy body is the foundation of revolution. I've been working out lately."
After dinner, Zhang Yuanqing returned to his bedroom, locked the door, and waited for the Taiyi Sect's announcement.
He imagined that at that very moment, official Nightwalkers across the country were glued to their phones or computers, just like him, awaiting the organization's bulletin.
Finally, at 9:30 PM, after repeatedly refreshing the forum, he saw a red-highlighted, pinned post:
Recent Spirit Realm Anomalies: Declaration and Bounty Notice
"Recent anomalies have occurred within the Nightwalker Spirit Realm. An investigation by the Elders' Council has confirmed that these disturbances were triggered by the awakening of a high-level BOSS within the Spirit Realm. As of now, intelligence indicates that eight Spirit Realm instances have undergone difficulty level changes:
1. Minghu Town, Instance ID 0128, Difficulty Level S (Nightwalker-Exclusive Spirit Realm)
2. Ming Dynasty Mass Grave, Instance ID 1180, Difficulty Level S (Nightwalker-Exclusive Spirit Realm)
Xinfeng Reservoir, ID: 1910; Difficulty: A (Nightwalker-exclusive Spirit Realm)
Yinshan Ghost School, ID: 0046; Difficulty: A (Nightwalker-exclusive Spirit Realm)
King's Tomb, ID: 0277; Difficulty: A (Nightwalker-exclusive Spirit Realm)
Jinshui Amusement Park, ID: 6203; Difficulty: S (Multiplayer Spirit Realm, Death-type)
Screaming Escape Room, ID: 2097; Difficulty: A (Multiplayer Spirit Realm, Non-Death-type)
Apartment No. 13, ID: 1404; Difficulty: B (Multiplayer Spirit Realm, Non-Death-type)
"As of today, Yinshan Ghost School and Xinfeng Reservoir have been cleared. The remaining six major Spirit Realm instances remain undefeated. The Elders' Council has issued bounties: clearing an S-rank Spirit Realm earns B-Rank Merit Points; clearing an A-rank Spirit Realm earns C-Rank Merit Points; clearing a B-rank Spirit Realm rewards 500,000 credits."
The post was a repost from the Taiyi Sect's official forum.
It's worth noting that within the official Merit Points system, A-Rank Merit Points are typically awarded only to those who sacrifice themselves, benefiting their families. B-Rank Merit Points are usually granted to those who sustain irreparable injuries. C-Rank Merit Points represent the highest achievable reward for ordinary Spirit Realm Walkers, but even these require significant effort, often requiring a team's coordinated efforts to obtain.
The highest rank, S-Rank, had only been achieved by five Alliance Leaders. Even the most exceptional Elders rarely earned A-Rank Merit.
Therefore, the significance of B-Rank Merit was self-evident.
By the time Zhang Yuanqing finished reading the post, it already had over a thousand comments, surpassing the impact of the midday thread.
Official Walkers from the Five Elements Alliance realized this was no longer just gossip. The Mutated Instances identified by the Taiyi Sect included two Multiplayer types.
Multiplayer types meant Spirit Realm Walkers of other classes also had a chance of entering.
[ The Future is Long: Those two 'Multiplayer Spirit Realms' contain supernatural elements, right? My god, even Multiplayer Spirit Realms are affected?! Thank goodness only 'Jinshui Amusement Park' is S-Rank. ]
[ Call Me Queen: First, no one knows how long this chaotic mutation will last. What we're seeing now is just the initial change. If more Multiplayer Dungeons with supernatural elements are affected, we're in serious trouble. Second, even if they're not death-type instances, failing once deducts so much experience that our strength regresses. The cost is too high. ]
[ The Bitter Past: Sigh, I was just enjoying the drama at noon, and now this? What do we do? I have a Multiplayer Spirit Realm Mission coming up soon. I hope I won't be this unlucky, right? ]
[ Little Pig George: If these Spirit Realms aren't conquered soon, the number of official Nightwalkers will plummet within six months, and other professions might be affected too. What kind of boss is so terrifying that it's forcing the Taiyi Sect to issue a bounty? ]
[ Green Vine: Everyone, take note: this bounty has been announced to all Nightwalkers nationwide. If you have any Nightwalker informants or know any wild Nightwalkers, please spread the word. ]
[ White Dragon: Is the person above an idiot? Nightwalker Spirit Realm strategies are their own business. What we should really be focusing on are the Multiplayer Spirit Realm strategies—that's what truly matters for our lives and fortunes. ]
[ The Bitter Past: Exactly! Offering a hefty reward for strategies for "Jinshui Amusement Park," "Screaming Escape Room," and "Apartment No. 13." ]
Multiplayer Spirit Realms are affected too?! Zhang Yuanqing's gaze went blank.
Just then, his phone rang shrilly.
It was Li Dongze calling.
Zhang Yuanqing answered, calling out, "Chief."
Li Dongze's voice was grave. "Have you been on the forum today?"
"If you're referring to the sudden changes in the Nightwalker Spirit Realms, I already know," Zhang Yuanqing sighed.
"Don't worry too much. The sky won't fall on us—the tall ones will hold it up. By the time your Solo Spirit Realm arrives, the Taiyi Sect might have already conquered these high-difficulty instances. Trust the Official Organization," Li Dongze reassured him.
"Trying to lighten the mood, Zhang Yuanqing joked, "Of course, if you're confident in yourself, you could try clearing the dungeon."
But that was far too difficult.
"Did you call to comfort me, Chief?" Zhang Yuanqing asked tentatively.
"Two things. You're entering a dungeon soon, right? Based on past experience, it'll likely be a Multiplayer Dungeon. You know how the level-matching system works. Centurion Fu discovered that 'Jinshui Amusement Park' is a Transcendent Stage Spirit Realm Dungeon. As a precaution, he used his authority to retrieve an old guide for you to reference," Li Dongze said gravely.
"Remember, it's just a reference. The Spirit Realm has mutated. Relying too heavily on old guides will get you killed."
Centurion Fu, who's always busy with bunny girls, actually remembered this lowly grunt like me? Zhang Yuanqing felt a surge of gratitude.
Li Dongze reassured him again, "We're just taking precautions. Don't feel too much pressure. The number of Transcendent Stage Multiplayer Spirit Realms is vast and varied. The chances of being matched with 'Jinshui Amusement Park' are extremely low."
I hope so, Chief. You don't know my Character Card is the demon lord's! Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What's the second thing?"
"The second thing concerns Lei Yibing."