The next day, Zhang Yuanqing received a text message from Guan Ya:
"Wang Qian's identity has been verified. No issues found. Since it was an accident, it doesn't count as illegally creating a Spectral Servant."
"Understood."
"Go to the hospital and have Wang Qian fill out a 'Spirit Realm Walker Profile' and a guarantee form. Bring them back for filing—it's your case, after all."
"Understood."
"Good boy. Here's another tip: you've been with the Official Organization for a while now. It's time to expand your network and connections. The Palace of Ceasing Slaughter is a prominent civilian organization in Songhai. Try recruiting Wang Qian as an informant. You might be able to establish ties with the Palace of Ceasing Slaughter in the future."
"Great idea! That way, my future wife won't have a difficult childbirth."
"Haha, you're so funny. Speaking of which, isn't your second Spirit Realm entry coming up soon?"
"I hope it's not S-Rank again."
"It probably won't be, but statistically, it's not impossible. The Chief and I are both eagerly anticipating your performance in the second Spirit Realm."
"Why?"
"Solo Spirit Realms test individual talent, while Multiplayer Spirit Realms hone teamwork and adaptability. The instance might be less dangerous than solo instances, but you'll encounter other Spirit Realm Walkers, introducing many unpredictable factors. This is where a person's overall capabilities truly shine."
Amidst idle chatter, Zhang Yuanqing finished washing up and sat down at the dining table.
"Who are you chatting with, you little flirt?" Aunt asked, her voice piqued as she leaned in.
"None of your business," Zhang Yuanqing retorted, pressing his hand against her forehead and shoving her away.
Jiang Yu'er, annoyed, challenged him to a fight. Zhang Yuanqing accepted without hesitation, only for both of them to be swiftly subdued by their hot-tempered Grandmother.
After breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing donned a baseball cap and mask before heading out. He hailed a taxi to Pingtai Hospital.
In the outpatient clinic, Zhang Yuanqing observed the young doctor's downcast expression and smiled. "You seem a bit out of sorts."
After a moment of silence, Wang Qian said, his eyes dimming, "He's gone. I can't sense him anymore."
Poor guy, Zhang Yuanqing thought, offering comfort. "He was already stillborn. This separation was inevitable."
Wang Qian's mood remained somber. "He was my sister's first child, and my first nephew. To better care for her, my mother quit her job and had long ago prepared a stroller, pacifiers, and baby clothes. Our whole family was eagerly awaiting his birth, preparing to welcome the next generation."
"After the miscarriage, my sister was devastated, spending her days in tears. My mother would secretly hide away to wipe her own tears, blaming herself for not taking better care of her daughter."
"For the past two weeks, I've been terrified of sensing him in the hospital. It reminds me of my own powerlessness and my family's suffering. Yet I can't help but want to be near him, to keep him company. He's so young, he must be so lonely."
Zhang Yuanqing offered no further comfort, silently listening to Wang Qian's confession.
If you prove yourself worthy in the future, I'll let you see him. But only if you agree to become my informant.
Once Wang Qian had regained his composure, Zhang Yuanqing said:
"I have two matters to discuss with you today. First, you need to fill out a registration form and sign a pledge. From now on, you'll be officially recorded as a Spirit Realm Walker. The authorities won't interfere with you as long as you don't break the law, violate regulations, or use your abilities for evil.
"Second, are you interested in becoming my informant?"
"The first matter is fine. As for the second..." Wang Qian scrutinized him. "I don't become just anyone's informant. Besides, I need to report to my superiors and obtain their approval."
The Palace of Ceasing Slaughter maintained decent relations with the Official Organization. He wouldn't mind being an informant for them, especially if it were for that ruthless woman from yesterday—he'd accept her authority without question.
But this young man before him looked even younger than himself. Wang Qian wasn't convinced.
"That's perfectly acceptable," Zhang Yuanqing nodded.
"What's your Spirit Realm ID? I need to know who you are," Wang Qian asked.
Every time I give my Spirit Realm ID, I'm afraid of getting attacked. Zhang Yuanqing's expression turned solemn as he pronounced each word with deliberate gravity:
"Primordial Heavenly Venerable!"
"Primordial Heavenly Venerable? A grand name, but I've never heard of him," Wang Qian muttered, shaking his head. He casually drafted a message to report the encounter to his superior.
The Palace of Ceasing Slaughter and the Official Organization maintained a cordial but distant relationship, like water and oil. The organization frowned upon its members growing too close to official entities.
Therefore, his superior would never approve this contact.
Besides, even if they needed to liaise with Official Walkers, it should be handled by Captains or Deacon Level members. This young man was clearly a low-ranking operative. If he were a renowned Spirit Realm Walker, Wang Qian would have heard of him.
But the name "Primordial Heavenly Venerable" rang no bells. Wang Qian saw little value in engaging with such an obscure Official Walker.
He refocused on his work, attending to several patients before his phone rang. The caller ID displayed: Infatuated Great Sage.
Wang Qian answered, and a deep male voice boomed from the speaker:
"Holy Hand, you said the person who contacted you called himself Primordial Heavenly Venerable?"
Wang Qian's Spirit Realm ID was "Divine Physician Holy Hand."
"Yes, Team Leader," Wang Qian replied. "I didn't agree to anything. I subtly rejected him."
Wang Qian found it odd. For something like this, a simple text message would have sufficed. Why had the Team Leader called?
"Songhai won't be peaceful lately. We need to monitor the Official Organization's movements closely. Agree to his request," the Infatuated Great Sage instructed.
"Alright. I'll reply to him," Wang Qian agreed solemnly.
"While you're at it, keep an eye on him too—I mean Primordial Heavenly Venerable."
"Huh? Why?" Wang Qian was taken aback. Primordial Heavenly Venerable was just an ordinary Official Walker.
"I learned through a stealth channel that a newcomer recently cleared the She Ling Tunnel, breaking the record. Just a few days ago, he also killed a Level 3 Seductive Demon."
"Could it be..."
"His Spirit Realm ID is Primordial Heavenly Venerable."
Primordial Heavenly Venerable. Wang Qian recalled the young man's expression when he had announced his ID.
Profound respect!
The full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silvery light upon the desolate Ancient Temple.
A beautiful woman in ancient robes stood proudly on the roof of the Main Hall, gazing at the moon.
Her face was delicately oval, her eyes like autumn pools, her brows like distant mountains, and her lips full and sensual, radiating a cold yet captivating radiance.
"This isn't the Great Ming. Who dragged me into this Microcosm while I was sleeping?"
She furrowed her delicate brows, muttering to herself.
After a moment's contemplation, her gaze fixed on the full moon.
Two brilliant golden beams shot from her beautiful eyes, striking the Taiyin in the sky.
Buzz!
The entire space trembled violently as the golden light collided with an invisible barrier, scattering dazzling golden sparks that bathed the world in a magnificent, gilded glow.
The two beams of golden light persisted for a quarter of an hour before slowly fading away.
Scarlet blood trickled from the Goddess of Sandaoshan's eyes, tracing paths down her pale cheeks.
"Without retrieving the other half of my Yang Soul, I cannot break free from this place."
She raised a slender hand to gently wipe away the bloodstains, then snorted coldly. "If I cannot return, then I shall wreak havoc upon this world."
The Goddess of Sandaoshan swiftly formed hand seals, her fingers forming a sword gesture as she abruptly pointed skyward.
Swoosh!
A terrifying surge of sword qi erupted from her fingertips, piercing the heavens and melting a collapsing hole in the sky.
The Goddess of Sandaoshan transformed into a golden beam and vanished into the celestial rift.
Capital City, Courtyard House.
Beneath the locust tree, Elder Sun lay comfortably in his rocking chair, the radio on the tea table playing Peking Opera.
Suddenly, a golden blazing sun materialized between his eyebrows, trembling violently and radiating scorching heat. A tremendous pressure emanated from the sun-shaped mark.
This... Elder Sun abruptly sat up, his expression grave.
At that moment, a ethereal and majestic voice echoed in his mind:
"The Nightwalker Spirit Realm is undergoing changes. Notify disciples in all regions that recent missions may be affected. Report any anomalies immediately."
"Understood, Sect Lord."
Mu Qiu was a Level 2 Nightwalker of the Taiyi Sect. As a top-tier combat class, his combat prowess rivaled that of Level 3 practitioners of other classes, even without considering equipment.
This made him the captain-level figure in Hangzhou's Liusha District.
"Captain, the Hangzhou branch of the Five Elements Alliance has sent an email. Please check it." His assistant brought over a laptop.
Mu Qiu glanced at the screen and said indifferently, "Reply and tell them to contact Nightwalkers from other districts."
The email requested him to "Inquire the Soul." Recently, the Five Elements Alliance's branches had been frantically arresting and interrogating Wild Spirit Realm Walkers, screening for potential Fallen Ones.
For stubborn resistance fighters, they were authorized to execute them on the spot.
Of the Wild Spirit Realm Walkers killed, nine out of ten deserved their fate. Law-abiding Wild Spirit Realm Walkers with clear consciences had no reason to resist contact with Official Organizations.
They simply chose not to join the official ranks, preferring to avoid the constraints.
Only those with criminal records feared being "invited for tea."
Mu Qiu refused to Inquire the Soul not out of fear of Soul Devouring's aftereffects. He was a man of principle, believing in fulfilling his duties. Having accepted this path, he understood the corresponding responsibilities.
But these past few days were impossible. His solo Spirit Realm instance was about to activate, any moment now.
Clearing this instance would allow him to advance to Level 3, reaching the pinnacle of the Transcendent Stage.
In preparation, he had applied for numerous Level 2 to 3 solo Spirit Realm instances. Though the Spirit Realm evolved in real-time, it followed cyclical patterns. The Taiyi Sect's strategy compilation speed outpaced these changes, making their guides invaluable for significantly improving clearance rates.
Just then, Mu Qiu heard the familiar Spirit Realm notification tone:
[ Ding! Spirit Realm map loading. Entry in three minutes. This instance is "Nightwalker—Minghu Town," ID: 0128. ]
[ Difficulty Level: S ]
[ Type: Solo (Death-Type) ]
[ Main Mission: Investigate the cause of the villagers' mysterious deaths. ]
[ Note: Non-Spirit Realm items are prohibited. ]
[ Spirit Realm #0128 Introduction: ]
[ Since an unknown time, the villagers of Minghu Town have been dying one after another, with no one knowing the cause. Some say it's because fishermen dredged up a coffin from the lake; others claim it's due to owls hanging from the locust tree at the village entrance; still others whisper of a monstrous snake with a woman's face appearing in the mountains behind the village; and some even say it's because the village widow has mysteriously become pregnant. ]
[ Hush, don't speak, don't speak—they're coming. ]
Mu Qiu's face was as pale as paper, his eyes filled with despair and confusion.
When did Minghu Town become an S-Rank Mission?