As the spirit realm prompt tones rang in his ears, Zhang Yuanqing was filled with anticipation for the experience points reward from the S-level Instance.
He had consulted with Guan Ya and Li Dongze. A spirit realm walker who obtained a character card for the first time would typically receive 0–5% experience points after completing a Trial Mission. Afterwards, completing a Multiplayer spirit realm session would yield about 5–10% in experience points rewards.
For a Solo spirit realm session, the experience points would range between 10–15%.
This means that even with a 100% clearance rate, a spirit realm walker would need to go through more than 10 Multiplayer spirit realms or nearly 10 Solo spirit realms to level up.
One can imagine the difficulty of leveling up.
Zhang Yuanqing’s trial spirit realm was S-level, and upon completion, he was rewarded with 20% experience points. Then a Hidden mission was triggered, where he pried a Spirit crystal from the small mouth of the Sandao Mountain’s deity, which added another 22% to his experience points.
One Mountain Deity Temple was worth the experience of four or five Multiplayer spirit realms to others.
“Under normal circumstances, to reach Level 2, I would need to enter the Multiplayer spirit realm at least five times, or the Solo spirit realm three times. I wonder if Jinsui Amusement Park could boost me to Level 2 in one go.”
Zhang Yuanqing was full of hope.
Within the Official organization, Level 1 is the entry-level staff, and reaching Level 2 means entering the elite ranks, with salary and benefits rising significantly, along with enjoying many privileges.
“Reward Calculation in Progress… Obtain Items/Reward Items: Cat King Speaker, Red Bridal Veil”
“Reward Experience Points: 40%”
“Mainline Settlement Completed. Ding, congratulations on completing the Hidden mission, calculating your rewards now”
“Obtain Items/Reward Items: Steadfast Orb”
“Reward Experience Points: 25%”
“Hidden Mission Settlement Completed. Ding, congratulations on advancing to Level 2 Night Wandering Deity”
“Ding! Character card reward activated, Reward Items: Disguise Ring.”
“Settlement Complete! Exiting the spirit realm in five minutes.”
“Even more generous than the rewards from Sheling Tunnel, as expected of the S-level Instance in the Supernatural Realm, 65% experience points, four items, I’ve struck it rich.”
Zhang Yuanqing was dumbstruck, hearing the pounding of his own heart within his chest.
Immediately after, he felt a burning sensation at his brow, knowing that the Black Moon Mark was about to emerge.
“Damn, I can’t let others see the black moon,” he thought with a chill, subconsciously glancing towards Xie Lingxi.
The little girl was staring off into the Void with unfocused pupils, likely reviewing her character panel and mission rewards, paying no attention to her surroundings.
Zhang Yuanqing sighed with relief and turned his back.
Then, the burning Black Moon Mark released a surge of Lunar Power that forcefully swept through his body, merging into every cell and bone with an almost unreasonable force.
He convulsed involuntarily, feeling the essence of his life evolving, his genetic sequence reorganizing.
Three brand new Talents naturally integrated into his instincts.
“Name: Primordial Celestial Lord”
“Race: Human”
“Class: Night Wandering Deity”
“Level: 2”
“Skills: Night Wandering, Soul-Devouring, Lunar Spirit, Roaring Moon, Charm Magic, Spirit Scroll”
“Experience Points: 23%”
“Moral Value: 90”
“Reputation Points: 15”
Roaring Moon (Active): Draw power from the Lunar forces to greatly enhance your own attributes for a quarter of an hour. After the skill ends, you will fall into a state of lethargy for three hours. Note: This skill can only be used at night, and requires the pre-skill action of looking up to the moon and howling.
Charm Magic (Active): Causes the target to experience hallucinations and lose their sense of direction. Note: This is the preferred method of beguilement by specters to enchant mortals.
Spirit Scroll (Active): A unique script belonging to the Night Wandering Deity, capable of crafting Talismans and Formations. Note: Currently, it can only sketch scripts that target Spirit Bodies.
Zhang Yuanqing concentrated his senses and understood the nature of his skills without having to use them.
Roaring Moon and Night Wandering are two incompatible active skills; you cannot use Night Wandering while in the Roaring Moon state and vice versa.
If Night Wandering is considered a top-tier Assassination skill, then Roaring Moon compensates for the Night Wandering Deity’s shortcomings in close combat.
Charm Magic leans more towards Control and Auxiliary Types. Although it doesn’t have direct lethality, it adds diversity to the Night Wandering Deity’s tactics and expands the range of operations.
As for the Spirit Scroll, it can be used to create Talismans and inscribe Formations. Talismans and Formations are not just for restraining Vengeful Spirits; they can also be used to nurture and refine spirits.
“I can finally start to train Little goof further,” Zhang Yuanqing thought happily. He then opened his Inventory to check his Items.
In addition to the Cat King Speaker, the Instance had rewarded him with two items, one of which was a Consumable.
Name: Red Bridal Veil
Type: Ornament (Consumable)
Function: Summon
Introduction: An item from the ghost marriage scene in Jinsui Amusement Park, once blessed by an Indescribable Entity. It is an inseparable part of the Ghost Bride, only obtainable by someone special who can deceive the bride.
Note 1: Putting on the Red Bridal Veil can summon the Ghost Bride, and the item can be used three times.
Note 2: Ha ha ha, I laugh at the empress’s lack of foresight, her failed attempt to steal a chicken only to end up losing her rice.
Note 3: Using the Red Bridal Veil in the spirit realm has a certain chance of attracting the attention of that entity. After reading Note 2, I trust you will use it with caution.
“Yikes, this thing even comes with its own taunt? If the Sandao Mountain’s deity senses it, she’ll be furious,” Zhang Yuanqing gasped, both excited and worried.
He suspected the Ghost Bride was either at the Peak of the Supernatural Realm or had touched the Saint Realm. Such a level of summoned monster could be a lifesaver.
The downside is that to the deity of Sandao Mountain, the item’s insult value is strong, but its harm is minimal. That peerless and formidable deity would likely chase him across the spirit realm.
He must never use it in the spirit realm, he decided secretly.
Name: Steadfast Orb
Type: Bead
Function: Buff, Defense
Introduction: An Item of the Earth Monster class, imbued with the power of the earth to enhance strength and defense.
Note: Solidity comes at a price.
Name: Disguise Ring
Type: Ornament
Function: Disguise
Introduction: A magical ring that can change one’s appearance, allowing for the adjustment of facial features at will.
Note: Don’t you know what you look like?
“The Demon Lord’s character card reward is to get an item every time you enter an instance? Wow, that’s kind of overpowered. The Disguise Ring is straightforward in function, but I’m not so sure about the costs associated with the Steadfast Orb; well, let’s give it a try.”
Zhang Yuanqing pulled out the orb from his Inventory. It was the size of an egg, earthy yellow in color, and felt inexplicably heavy to the touch.
As soon as he held the Steadfast Orb, he felt himself become heavier, stronger, and an unexplained sense of security welled up inside him.
But he also became slower. Moving his arms and legs felt as if a great mountain was pressing down on him, making his actions incredibly slow.
“How am I supposed to fight holding this bead? The pros and cons are clear. This is what a typical item is like. The Demon-suppressing Scepter and Red Dance Shoes are anything but normal.”
As he was pondering, a joyful cheer suddenly burst out:
“Brother Wang Tai, can you imagine? I was rewarded with 35% Experience Points, an item, and a consumable. It’s so generous, the rewards are so good, truly befitting an S-level spirit realm.”
Xie Lingxi tallied up her rewards and was as happy as a little girl who got candy, even hopping on the spot with joy.
“Brother Wang Tai, what rewards did you get? How much Experience Points, did you get any items?”
The young girl blinked her lively eyes, looking on with charm.
She had two items on her, one given by an elder, the other obtained in a Solo spirit realm, and now she had received another. Can you imagine? At such a young age, my collection of items has already reached three!
Your bragging is practically written all over your face, Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly:
“Not bad!
“My rewards aren’t much, just 65% Experience Points, three items, and a consumable.”
Xie Lingxi was stunned, her little face froze, her mouth slowly opening, her eyes staring blankly at him.
I can definitely sense a bit of jealousy over my wealth! Zhang Yuanqing felt pleased.
Xie Lingxi muttered, “How come… Why are your rewards so much higher than mine? The spirit realm is so unfair!!”
Zhang Yuanqing comforted her, “Perhaps the spirit realm wants you to see the diversity of the world.”
“???” Xie Lingxi looked as if she was about to cry.
If you knew this was only my second time in the spirit realm, the concept of ‘diversity’ would be even more vivid! Zhang Yuanqing didn’t continue to press her, patiently waiting to return.
At the same time, he contemplated the benefits of clearing the instance, having successfully achieved the First kill in an S-level spirit realm. Future walkers who clear it will definitely receive lower Experience Points rewards, and the item rewards can’t be as generous as the first kill.
But the rewards are still higher than those of a regular spirit realm, which is why Strategy is so important.
The Cat King Speaker was left here by Brother Bing, and it seems to know some information. Once back in reality, I’ll have to study this item closely; it might yield some useful information.
Oh, and I still need to take care of the matter entrusted to me by the Regretful Father.
“Brother Wang Tai, why haven’t we seen the River Lord? Can we exchange phone numbers?” Xie Lingxi looked at the countdown, which was about to reset, and suddenly said.
“The River Lord should still be by the roller coaster. Didn’t we already exchange numbers?”
“The number I gave you was fake.”
“Oh, I gave you a real one.”
“No, the one you gave me must also be fake.” Xie Lingxi wrinkled her nose.
Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her and thought to himself that they were just spirit realm walkers who happened to meet in the instance; once it was over, they would each go their separate ways. Why keep in touch? You’re still young now, let’s wait until you are eighteen, and then we can have a more extensive and in-depth exchange.
“Spirit realm walkers are better off not having too much interaction in reality, even if they’re from the same faction,” Zhang Yuanqing said indifferently.
“I will find you!” Xie Lingxi hummed.
As her voice faded, the scenery of the detective reasoning hall, like ripples on water, quickly blurred.
From blurry to clear, Zhang Yuanqing saw the familiar desk, double bed, desk lamp, and TV – he was back in reality.
The room was pitch black and silent; the curtains were tightly drawn, and the soundproof windows kept any noise from outside at bay. The digital clock on the bedside table showed it was five in the morning.
He had been in the spirit realm for five hours, but Zhang Yuanqing felt as if ages had passed.
He opened the curtains, and the sky was a dark blue, with few cars on the street. Sanitation workers slowly passed by on their bicycles pulling garbage trucks.
The breakfast chain store on the street corner had already opened for business, with large puffs of steam densely seeping out.
Zhang Yuanqing turned on the light and stood in front of the full-length mirror by the window, examining his reflection. His skin had become fairer, his features hadn’t changed, but they seemed much more refined, and there was a strange quality in his expression.
After a moment of deep thought, four words flashed through his mind – Sinister Noble!
“I remember Yuan Ting also had this quality. The higher the level of a Night Wandering Deity, the more pronounced the quality.”
Clearly, this was a change brought about by the strong Lunar Power after leveling up.
Someday I too could flash a devilishly charming smile. No, I shouldn’t do that. What if I get entangled by young girls? That would be troublesome. Zhang Yuanqing snickered, then walked over to the bed and fished out his mobile phone from under the cool sheets.
He lit up the screen to see an unread text message:
“Out now, call me immediately, everyone is waiting for you – Guan Ya.”
What if I hadn’t come out? Hmm, I guess she would actively contact me by dawn to confirm whether I died in the spirit realm or not!
Zhang Yuanqing exited the messaging app and dialed Guan Ya’s number.
As the spirit realm prompt tones rang in his ears, Zhang Yuanqing was filled with anticipation for the experience points reward from the S-level Instance.
He had consulted with Guan Ya and Li Dongze. A spirit realm walker who obtained a character card for the first time would typically receive 0–5% experience points after completing a Trial Mission. Afterwards, completing a Multiplayer spirit realm session would yield about 5–10% in experience points rewards.
For a Solo spirit realm session, the experience points would range between 10–15%.
This means that even with a 100% clearance rate, a spirit realm walker would need to go through more than 10 Multiplayer spirit realms or nearly 10 Solo spirit realms to level up.
One can imagine the difficulty of leveling up.
Zhang Yuanqing’s trial spirit realm was S-level, and upon completion, he was rewarded with 20% experience points. Then a Hidden mission was triggered, where he pried a Spirit crystal from the small mouth of the Sandao Mountain’s deity, which added another 22% to his experience points.
One Mountain Deity Temple was worth the experience of four or five Multiplayer spirit realms to others.
“Under normal circumstances, to reach Level 2, I would need to enter the Multiplayer spirit realm at least five times, or the Solo spirit realm three times. I wonder if Jinsui Amusement Park could boost me to Level 2 in one go.”
Zhang Yuanqing was full of hope.
Within the Official organization, Level 1 is the entry-level staff, and reaching Level 2 means entering the elite ranks, with salary and benefits rising significantly, along with enjoying many privileges.
“Reward Calculation in Progress… Obtain Items/Reward Items: Cat King Speaker, Red Bridal Veil”
“Reward Experience Points: 40%”
“Mainline Settlement Completed. Ding, congratulations on completing the Hidden mission, calculating your rewards now”
“Obtain Items/Reward Items: Steadfast Orb”
“Reward Experience Points: 25%”
“Hidden Mission Settlement Completed. Ding, congratulations on advancing to Level 2 Night Wandering Deity”
“Ding! Character card reward activated, Reward Items: Disguise Ring.”
“Settlement Complete! Exiting the spirit realm in five minutes.”
“Even more generous than the rewards from Sheling Tunnel, as expected of the S-level Instance in the Supernatural Realm, 65% experience points, four items, I’ve struck it rich.”
Zhang Yuanqing was dumbstruck, hearing the pounding of his own heart within his chest.
Immediately after, he felt a burning sensation at his brow, knowing that the Black Moon Mark was about to emerge.
“Damn, I can’t let others see the black moon,” he thought with a chill, subconsciously glancing towards Xie Lingxi.
The little girl was staring off into the Void with unfocused pupils, likely reviewing her character panel and mission rewards, paying no attention to her surroundings.
Zhang Yuanqing sighed with relief and turned his back.
Then, the burning Black Moon Mark released a surge of Lunar Power that forcefully swept through his body, merging into every cell and bone with an almost unreasonable force.
He convulsed involuntarily, feeling the essence of his life evolving, his genetic sequence reorganizing.
Three brand new Talents naturally integrated into his instincts.
“Name: Primordial Celestial Lord”
“Race: Human”
“Class: Night Wandering Deity”
“Level: 2”
“Skills: Night Wandering, Soul-Devouring, Lunar Spirit, Roaring Moon, Charm Magic, Spirit Scroll”
“Experience Points: 23%”
“Moral Value: 90”
“Reputation Points: 15”
Roaring Moon (Active): Draw power from the Lunar forces to greatly enhance your own attributes for a quarter of an hour. After the skill ends, you will fall into a state of lethargy for three hours. Note: This skill can only be used at night, and requires the pre-skill action of looking up to the moon and howling.
Charm Magic (Active): Causes the target to experience hallucinations and lose their sense of direction. Note: This is the preferred method of beguilement by specters to enchant mortals.
Spirit Scroll (Active): A unique script belonging to the Night Wandering Deity, capable of crafting Talismans and Formations. Note: Currently, it can only sketch scripts that target Spirit Bodies.
Zhang Yuanqing concentrated his senses and understood the nature of his skills without having to use them.
Roaring Moon and Night Wandering are two incompatible active skills; you cannot use Night Wandering while in the Roaring Moon state and vice versa.
If Night Wandering is considered a top-tier Assassination skill, then Roaring Moon compensates for the Night Wandering Deity’s shortcomings in close combat.
Charm Magic leans more towards Control and Auxiliary Types. Although it doesn’t have direct lethality, it adds diversity to the Night Wandering Deity’s tactics and expands the range of operations.
As for the Spirit Scroll, it can be used to create Talismans and inscribe Formations. Talismans and Formations are not just for restraining Vengeful Spirits; they can also be used to nurture and refine spirits.
“I can finally start to train Little goof further,” Zhang Yuanqing thought happily. He then opened his Inventory to check his Items.
In addition to the Cat King Speaker, the Instance had rewarded him with two items, one of which was a Consumable.
Name: Red Bridal Veil
Type: Ornament (Consumable)
Function: Summon
Introduction: An item from the ghost marriage scene in Jinsui Amusement Park, once blessed by an Indescribable Entity. It is an inseparable part of the Ghost Bride, only obtainable by someone special who can deceive the bride.
Note 1: Putting on the Red Bridal Veil can summon the Ghost Bride, and the item can be used three times.
Note 2: Ha ha ha, I laugh at the empress’s lack of foresight, her failed attempt to steal a chicken only to end up losing her rice.
Note 3: Using the Red Bridal Veil in the spirit realm has a certain chance of attracting the attention of that entity. After reading Note 2, I trust you will use it with caution.
“Yikes, this thing even comes with its own taunt? If the Sandao Mountain’s deity senses it, she’ll be furious,” Zhang Yuanqing gasped, both excited and worried.
He suspected the Ghost Bride was either at the Peak of the Supernatural Realm or had touched the Saint Realm. Such a level of summoned monster could be a lifesaver.
The downside is that to the deity of Sandao Mountain, the item’s insult value is strong, but its harm is minimal. That peerless and formidable deity would likely chase him across the spirit realm.
He must never use it in the spirit realm, he decided secretly.
Name: Steadfast Orb
Type: Bead
Function: Buff, Defense
Introduction: An Item of the Earth Monster class, imbued with the power of the earth to enhance strength and defense.
Note: Solidity comes at a price.
Name: Disguise Ring
Type: Ornament
Function: Disguise
Introduction: A magical ring that can change one’s appearance, allowing for the adjustment of facial features at will.
Note: Don’t you know what you look like?
“The Demon Lord’s character card reward is to get an item every time you enter an instance? Wow, that’s kind of overpowered. The Disguise Ring is straightforward in function, but I’m not so sure about the costs associated with the Steadfast Orb; well, let’s give it a try.”
Zhang Yuanqing pulled out the orb from his Inventory. It was the size of an egg, earthy yellow in color, and felt inexplicably heavy to the touch.
As soon as he held the Steadfast Orb, he felt himself become heavier, stronger, and an unexplained sense of security welled up inside him.
But he also became slower. Moving his arms and legs felt as if a great mountain was pressing down on him, making his actions incredibly slow.
“How am I supposed to fight holding this bead? The pros and cons are clear. This is what a typical item is like. The Demon-suppressing Scepter and Red Dance Shoes are anything but normal.”
As he was pondering, a joyful cheer suddenly burst out:
“Brother Wang Tai, can you imagine? I was rewarded with 35% Experience Points, an item, and a consumable. It’s so generous, the rewards are so good, truly befitting an S-level spirit realm.”
Xie Lingxi tallied up her rewards and was as happy as a little girl who got candy, even hopping on the spot with joy.
“Brother Wang Tai, what rewards did you get? How much Experience Points, did you get any items?”
The young girl blinked her lively eyes, looking on with charm.
She had two items on her, one given by an elder, the other obtained in a Solo spirit realm, and now she had received another. Can you imagine? At such a young age, my collection of items has already reached three!
Your bragging is practically written all over your face, Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly:
“Not bad!
“My rewards aren’t much, just 65% Experience Points, three items, and a consumable.”
Xie Lingxi was stunned, her little face froze, her mouth slowly opening, her eyes staring blankly at him.
I can definitely sense a bit of jealousy over my wealth! Zhang Yuanqing felt pleased.
Xie Lingxi muttered, “How come… Why are your rewards so much higher than mine? The spirit realm is so unfair!!”
Zhang Yuanqing comforted her, “Perhaps the spirit realm wants you to see the diversity of the world.”
“???” Xie Lingxi looked as if she was about to cry.
If you knew this was only my second time in the spirit realm, the concept of ‘diversity’ would be even more vivid! Zhang Yuanqing didn’t continue to press her, patiently waiting to return.
At the same time, he contemplated the benefits of clearing the instance, having successfully achieved the First kill in an S-level spirit realm. Future walkers who clear it will definitely receive lower Experience Points rewards, and the item rewards can’t be as generous as the first kill.
But the rewards are still higher than those of a regular spirit realm, which is why Strategy is so important.
The Cat King Speaker was left here by Brother Bing, and it seems to know some information. Once back in reality, I’ll have to study this item closely; it might yield some useful information.
Oh, and I still need to take care of the matter entrusted to me by the Regretful Father.
“Brother Wang Tai, why haven’t we seen the River Lord? Can we exchange phone numbers?” Xie Lingxi looked at the countdown, which was about to reset, and suddenly said.
“The River Lord should still be by the roller coaster. Didn’t we already exchange numbers?”
“The number I gave you was fake.”
“Oh, I gave you a real one.”
“No, the one you gave me must also be fake.” Xie Lingxi wrinkled her nose.
Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her and thought to himself that they were just spirit realm walkers who happened to meet in the instance; once it was over, they would each go their separate ways. Why keep in touch? You’re still young now, let’s wait until you are eighteen, and then we can have a more extensive and in-depth exchange.
“Spirit realm walkers are better off not having too much interaction in reality, even if they’re from the same faction,” Zhang Yuanqing said indifferently.
“I will find you!” Xie Lingxi hummed.
As her voice faded, the scenery of the detective reasoning hall, like ripples on water, quickly blurred.
From blurry to clear, Zhang Yuanqing saw the familiar desk, double bed, desk lamp, and TV – he was back in reality.
The room was pitch black and silent; the curtains were tightly drawn, and the soundproof windows kept any noise from outside at bay. The digital clock on the bedside table showed it was five in the morning.
He had been in the spirit realm for five hours, but Zhang Yuanqing felt as if ages had passed.
He opened the curtains, and the sky was a dark blue, with few cars on the street. Sanitation workers slowly passed by on their bicycles pulling garbage trucks.
The breakfast chain store on the street corner had already opened for business, with large puffs of steam densely seeping out.
Zhang Yuanqing turned on the light and stood in front of the full-length mirror by the window, examining his reflection. His skin had become fairer, his features hadn’t changed, but they seemed much more refined, and there was a strange quality in his expression.
After a moment of deep thought, four words flashed through his mind – Sinister Noble!
“I remember Yuan Ting also had this quality. The higher the level of a Night Wandering Deity, the more pronounced the quality.”
Clearly, this was a change brought about by the strong Lunar Power after leveling up.
Someday I too could flash a devilishly charming smile. No, I shouldn’t do that. What if I get entangled by young girls? That would be troublesome. Zhang Yuanqing snickered, then walked over to the bed and fished out his mobile phone from under the cool sheets.
He lit up the screen to see an unread text message:
“Out now, call me immediately, everyone is waiting for you – Guan Ya.”
What if I hadn’t come out? Hmm, I guess she would actively contact me by dawn to confirm whether I died in the spirit realm or not!
Zhang Yuanqing exited the messaging app and dialed Guan Ya’s number.
