Chapter 13: Back into the Mountain God Temple
This mountain goddess temple is terrifying indeed, brooded Zhang Yuanqing.
He leaned back in his chair, letting his full weight rest against it. He closed his eyes and combined the information from the documents with his own firsthand experience, drawing inspiration from his gaming session to analyze the Temple of the Three Paths Mountain Goddess and search for patterns.
The vengeful spirit that clings to the shoulders can be dispelled with candlelight. Each dispelling grants fifteen minutes of safety, and having it latch onto you doesn't seem to cause immediate deadly harm.
Caution is required around the banyan tree in the eastern courtyard. You can't turn your back toward it. But why can't you turn backward? Under what circumstances can't you turn backward? What happens if you do so? Why doesn't the document explain this clearly?
Zhang Yuanqing couldn't come to a conclusion.
Furthermore, I still can't determine if the roaring sound is related to the banyan tree. If they're unrelated, that's one more danger to worry about. Are those Red Dancing Shoes actually an item? A Rule-type item... That sounds incredibly high-level.
From the looks of it, the members of the construction team who had entered before him had most likely been trampled to death by the Red Dancing Shoes, crushed until their bones were completely shattered.
Even though my uncle trained me in some dance moves, there's no way a kid like me could handle something a Level 1 Nocturnal Specter couldn't handle, decided Zhang Yuanqing. If Uncle encounters the Red Dancing Shoes, he probably could dance until the end of time...
This kind of thing was the perfect assignment for his unreliable uncle. After all, Uncle spent his whole life avoiding real work. His only true love was singing, dancing, and rapping.
Zhang Yuanqing's eyes suddenly lit up. Wait!
According to the documents, the fundamental reason that the Nocturnal Specter failed wasn't just a lack of experience in dance. The key issue was that he was unable to memorize the complex and chaotic dance steps, likely because it exceeded the limits of normal human memory.
However, that limit did not apply to him. As long as he pushed himself and let his old illness take over, his brain would enter an overclocked state in which everything he'd seen and heard would replay in his mind.
Moreover, in that overclocked state, his mind's control over his body far exceeded that of normal humans. Performing high intensity movements wouldn't be a problem.
The issue is, non-Spirit Realm items can't be brought in. My medication might not make it through. If I relapse into my old condition without the medication to suppress it, I don't know what might happen to me.
There was no point in overthinking the matter alone. Perhaps it was better to seek answers directly. Otherwise, what was the point of joining the official organization?
Zhang Yuanqing grabbed his phone, opened his call history, and dialed Guan Ya's number.
After a few rings, the call connected.
"Have you finished reading the documents?" asked Guan Ya.
She was already preparing to go to bed. She was a woman who took great care of herself, averse to staying up late, and hated to be disturbed while sleeping, but her tolerance for Zhang Yuanqing was quite high. Who could bear to speak harshly to a boy whose days were numbered? Besides, he was handsome and spoke so pleasantly.
Zhang Yuanqing replied, "I’ve finished reading them, but there are some parts I don't quite understand. What are rule-type items?"
Guan Ya explained, "Items in the Spirit Realm are diverse, with various functions. Our official organization categorizes them into three major types based on their characteristics: cost-type, rule-type, and one more type I'm not clear about, since my level isn't high enough to access it."
She smiled, then added, "Rule-type and cost-type items are generally considered equal in value, since items that have different functions cannot be measured by a single standard. But one thing is universally acknowledged—rule-type items are much rarer and more troublesome to deal with. Every rule-type item is worth a fortune."
She paused, then continued, "The method for dealing with rule-type items isn't a secret within the official organization. You just need to find their pattern and crack their rule. The invitation to dance, extended by the Red Dancing Shoes, is likely aligned with its rule."
"If you accept its invitation and complete its task, there's a certain probability of subduing that Rule-type item. Of course, it's only a probability. The degree of probability depends on many factors, like whether it's willing, whether it has no owner, and so on."
Don't take this seriously, though... For you, subduing rule-type items should remain a dream, she thought to herself.
Zhang Yuanqing listened patiently, then asked, "One more thing. Can medication be brought into the Spirit Realm?"
"Apart from normal clothing, most things from the real world can't be brought into the Spirit Realm," Guan Ya replied. "Medication can be brought in, but only if it's already been consumed."
"What if I just hold it in my mouth?"
"Well..." Guan Ya said, then trailed off. She couldn't provide a clear answer.
Looks like I'll have to try it myself, Zhang Yuanqing thought.
"I don't have any more questions," he said. "Thank you."
"Mmhmm," Guan Ya hummed in acknowledgment, then she smiled. "Take care, little boy. Oh, and today is a lucky day for Scorpios."
Huh?
By the time Zhang Yuanqing thought to react, she had already hung up.
He set down the phone and glanced at the time. It was already past midnight.
Once morning came, he would once again enter the Spirit Realm.
***
The next day...
Li Dongze entered the glass building behind the Public Security Bureau, his polished leather shoes clicking against the floor tiles, accompanied by the tapping of his cane.
As a leader who didn't need to clock in, he habitually arrived an hour late to work. Sometimes he simply didn't come to work at all, enjoying his government salary while freely and casually whiling away his time. He was equally lax in managing the Spirit Realm Walkers under him, letting them do as they pleased.
First, apart from Guan Ya, the others weren't White Tiger Legion members and would obey orders but not proclamations. Second, Spirit Realm Walkers faced an extremely high chance of death in dungeons. No one ever knew which Spirit Realm might be their last.
Life was short. It was only right to enjoy it while you could.
Li Dongze reached the second floor and scanned the office area out of habit. Only Guan Ya and the ever-dilligent Wang Tai, who was researching materials and writing papers, were present. The other desks were otherwise empty.
"Guan Ya, did you give him the documents?" he asked.
"I did."
Li Dongze nodded without saying anything else and turned to enter his luxurious office.
Guan Ya lowered her head and did not continue the conversation either.
Li Dongze entered his office, walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of vodka, squeezed in some lime juice, and took a hefty gulp.
Just then, his phone chimed. He set down the glass, sank into his soft chair, and tapped his phone awake.
Someone had mentioned him in a chat group called "Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker Management Group."
As a tier one metropolis, Songhai City had a total of sixteen districts. Each district had ten teams of Spirit Realm Walkers led by captain-level figures.
Li Dongze was captain of the second team, which in White Tiger Legion terms made him a Squad Leader.
The captains' direct superiors were Stewards. Kangyang District had three Stewards.
Above the Stewards were Elders. Elders usually didn't involve themselves in management; Spirit Realm Walkers who reached that level were as elusive as dragons.
Above the Council of Elders were the highest-ranking leaders of the Five Elements Alliance, the five Alliance Chiefs.
The five Alliance Chiefs were legendary figures. Li Dongze had never seen them, only knowing that his own White Tiger Legion's Marshal and the Water God Palace's Palace Master were both women.
The Five Elements Alliance privately called these two Alliance Chiefs the Peerless Duo.
The "Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker Management Group" had fourteen people total. Ten captains, three Stewards, and one Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specter captain.
Big Muscle: @Li Dongze, heard you recruited a Nocturnal Specter?
Li Dongze frowned. How did he find out...?
Li Dongze: That's none of your damn business!
In the cycle of five elements, fire overcomes metal. White Tiger Legion Scouts universally disliked Crimson Fire Gang Fire Sages, finding them crude, hot tempered, and thoughtless in speech.
What? Li Dongze recruited a Nocturnal Specter?! The other captains in the group perked up like sharks sensing blood.
Green Vine: Nocturnal Specter? Where did Squad Leader Li go to burn incense and pray lately to actually recruit a Nocturnal Specter? I'm so envious.
White Dragon: In all of Songhai City, excluding freelance practitioners, there probably aren't more than ten official Nocturnal Specters, and they're all from the Taiyi Sect.
Drifter: Li Dongze, what kind of dog shit did you step in to get such luck? I'm dying of jealousy.
Three captain level figures had suddenly popped up.
Tang Guoqiang: Tang Guoqiang sent a red envelope.
The red envelope was instantly claimed.
Li Dongze instinctively grabbed his share and discovered that everyone else had received over a hundred yuan while he got just over one yuan.
Tang Guoqiang: Squad Leader Li's luck is pretty good.
A flood of "Thank you boss" stickers followed.
Tang Guoqiang was also a captain-level Walker, and simultaneously the CEO of a construction company. Wealthy and powerful, he usually didn't talk much but would send red envelopes at the drop of a hat.
The Nocturnal Specter discussion had caused even this big boss to surface.
Boxing King: What kind of memory do you all have? Did you forget the agreement between Five Elements Alliance and Taiyi Sect? Any recruited Nocturnal Specters should be prioritized for absorption into the Taiyi Sect.
White Dragon: Boxing Bro, you're the one with the bad memory. Did you forget our Centurion Fu? With his connections to Taiyi Sect, keeping one Nocturnal Specter won't be a problem.
Boxing King fell silent.
Several of the captains turned green with envy. Nocturnal Specters far exceeded the other classes in terms of their scarcity and their professional potential. If properly cultivated, they could become capable subordinates in the future.
Green Vine: By the way, our Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker team hasn't had a team building activity in a long time. Why don't we set a time for everyone to get together?
White Dragon: Oh my, is that minx from the Hundred Flowers Society trying to seduce people again? Still, I have no objections.
Drifter: I'm not shipping out any time soon, so a get-together works for me. Squad Leader Li, I've been wanting to drink with you for ages. Bring that Nocturnal Specter along too.
Tang Guoqiang: Team building is a good idea. Everyone should get together. Since Li Dongze grabbed my red envelope, I'll consider that your acknowledgment.
Li Dongze's mouth twitched. His mood was already foul, and he typed out an angry message.
Li Dongze: I can see the shamelessness, greed, and the sinister intention to poach talent in your words. I must have been cursed by the Psychic Assembly recently. Bad luck just clings to me.
Big Muscle: Humble bragging?
Drifter: I want that kind of bad luck too.
At this point, the Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specter surfaced.
Yuan Ting: About that Nocturnal Specter. Our Taiyi Sect doesn't want him. Did you all forget? The Qingming Festival just passed recently.
Green Vine: What do you mean?
Yuan Ting: The Nocturnal Specter Li Dongze recruited was given Sheling Tunnel as his trial.
The group instantly fell silent.
Though they weren't Nocturnal Specters, they were all official Spirit Realm Walkers native to Songhai City, and knew something about the infamous Sheling Tunnel.
White Dragon: He can't be that unlucky, right?
Yuan Ting: To save that poor guy, Centurion Fu specifically put in a request for detailed information about Sheling Tunnel to our own Elder Sun.
