The thumb-thin tree root suddenly burst into golden flames, then quickly turned to charcoal.
The roots crawling all over the cave walls were instantly provoked, coming alive like a dense swarm of snakes slithering up and down.
The locust tree spirit hadn't expected this outsider mortal to be so cunning. Seeing its lies exposed, it gave up pretense and snarled:
"Since you refuse to come over, then die!"
The cave floor cracked with a rumble, chunks of stone rising up as thick roots burst through the earth, twisting like tentacles, lunging toward Zhang Yuanqing.
At this distance, even without the Red Dancing Shoes, Zhang Yuanqing could have escaped.
So it was a trap to lure me closer... Without retreating, Zhang Yuanqing charged forward. Sliding under the roots' grasp, he closed the gap between himself and the tree spirit. Then, springing up several meters high, he narrowly avoided a sweeping strike.
More and more roots broke through the surface, writhing wildly inside the cave.
Zhang Yuanqing danced nimbly among the tentacle-like roots, graceful and evasive—no matter how fiercely they tried, the roots couldn't catch him.
Without the Red Dancing Shoes, and relying solely on the Demon-Subduing Staff, this trial would have been a death sentence for novices.
Thud thud thud... The Red Dancing Shoes darted along the wall, dodging the roots' coils and slaps. With a spring of its knees, it propelled Zhang Yuanqing like an arrow, crashing toward the tree trunk.
Seeing the human charging straight at it, the tree spirit's face twisted with terror.
Boom!
The stone beneath the roots shattered, and more roots erupted like a fountain, forming a wooden wall.
Zhang Yuanqing slammed the Demon-Subduing Staff hard against the wall.
Golden flames spread across the wooden barricade, causing the tree spirit to scream in rage.
Taking advantage of the moment, Zhang Yuanqing smashed through the charred wood and thrust the staff's three-sided spear deep into the tree trunk.
Clang!
The spearhead plunged deep. Suddenly, a blazing sunburst exploded from the pitch-black cave.
The golden light warped the trunk and twisted the tree spirit's face, forcing out a chilling scream as smoke hissed from its body.
In an instant, the souls trapped inside the trunk dissipated as smoky wails.
All the monsters vanished, dissolved by the golden light.
As the glow faded, darkness returned to the cave, but now it was clean and clear.
Zhang Yuanqing didn't check if the tree spirit was dead first. Instead, he immediately took off the Red Dancing Shoes, storing them in his inventory.
From entering the cave until now, nearly five minutes had passed.
With the shoes put away, Zhang Yuanqing shifted his attention to the giant banyan tree—it was withered, its bark cracked and dry, roots scattered around the cave.
A cold voice echoed in his mind:
\[Ding, congratulations on completing the S-Rank trial mission. Character card activated, processing rewards.]
\[Item obtained: Demon-Subduing Staff.]
\[Experience gained: 100%.]
\[You have become a Night Wanderer.]
\[Additional experience gained: 20%.]
\[Character card bonus activated: Reward item—Red Dancing Shoes.]
\[Exiting the spirit realm in five minutes...]
Finally, it was over... Zhang Yuanqing felt utterly drained, as if his entire being was empty.
He'd cleared the Sheling Tunnel, accomplishing what no one had in decades.
With the prompt sounding, the black moon mark on Zhang Yuanqing's forehead glowed sharply. A strange, mysterious force burst from the heated mark, ruthlessly surging into his body.
His skin flushed crimson like a boiled shrimp. The strange power washed through him, merging into his cells, bones, and rapidly healing his arm wounds.
He twitched uncontrollably as two ghostly black moons appeared in his eyes before vanishing.
Pain faded quickly, replaced by a comforting warmth like soaking in a hot spring.
So comfortable... Zhang Yuanqing felt lazily relaxed, ready to stretch. Instinctively, he looked down—and was shocked to see his body standing right there.
Was my soul out of my body?
Panic flared. He immediately focused, willing his soul back—and it sank swiftly, merging back into his flesh.
Now back in control, Zhang Yuanqing realized his body had changed—gained something called a talent.
He accepted this gift naturally, as if it had always been part of him.
At the same time, his body brimmed with boundless energy and strength, as if one punch could shatter a planet.
Opening his character panel, he saw:
\[Name: Yuanshi Tianzun]
\[Race: Human]
\[Class: Night Wanderer]
\[Level: 1]
\[Skills: Night Walk, Soul Devour, Spirit of the Dark Moon]
\[Experience: 20%]
\[Moral Value: 60 (initial value)]
\[Night Walk (Active): Condense the power of the Dark Moon to envelop yourself. While active, briefly invisible, concealing your scent, breath, sound, and heat for six seconds.]
\[Soul Devour (Active): Consume souls to enhance your spiritual power.]
\[Spirit of the Dark Moon (Passive): The Night Wanderer's body is strong, with vigorous vitality and powerful self-healing. At night, all Night Wanderer abilities are greatly amplified.]
He had officially become a Night Wanderer, with 20% experience already. Coupled with the item rewards, the gains from this trial were impressive.
Opening his inventory, Zhang Yuanqing saw the Red Dancing Shoes resting quietly in the first slot—the half-hour countdown had disappeared.
He was now the true owner of the Red Dancing Shoes.
Two minutes later, his body fully adapted. The wounds on his arms were completely healed.
Then, Zhang Yuanqing's eyes shifted to the stone coffin.
Mission complete meant 100% exploration, so the coffin should be empty, right?
"Looks like the locust tree spirit was just the temple caretaker. So all the characters have appeared. How did he turn into a tree spirit? Is the coffin his real body?"
Thinking this, Zhang Yuanqing approached the coffin, planning to loot it—maybe there'd be treasures buried inside.
With just over two minutes left before exiting the spirit realm, time was sufficient.
To be safe, he summoned the Red Dancing Shoes again, switching to wear mode.
The coffin was wrapped in dry roots, which Zhang Yuanqing sliced through with the Demon-Subduing Staff, revealing the full coffin.
About two meters long, covered in delicate carvings, the lid dusted with a thin layer of ash.
"Creak..."
He slowly pushed the lid open, peering inside. As a Night Wanderer, even without the staff's power, he could easily see in the darkness.
Inside lay a female corpse, dressed in ancient tattered silk robes. Her arms crossed delicately over a flat belly, waist slender as a willow, body graceful and uncorrupted.
Her face was stunning—perfectly sculpted cheeks, a delicate aquiline nose, pale but sensual lips, thick lashes crossing closed eyes.
A breathtaking beauty.
Zhang Yuanqing took several steps back in shock, his mind racing with one thought:
Could this really be the San Dao Mountain Goddess?!
Compared to the temple's statues, this corpse was less kind, more cold and elegant; less plump, more slender in youth.
But the facial features matched at least seventy to eighty percent.
"Could the locust tree spirit have been telling the truth? The disappearances at the temple started with the San Dao Mountain Goddess?"
Suddenly, he was filled with dread and uncertainty. If his guess was wrong, it could mean serious trouble.
"No, no, my mission is complete, so my theory must be right. Then this coffin lady must be a hidden quest."
Immediately, Zhang Yuanqing regretted opening the coffin.
Since the San Dao Mountain Goddess lay inside, the temple must hide deeper secrets.
This could easily trigger a chain of bad events—like hidden quests.
He was about to close the lid when a glint of dark light caught his eye on the corpse's lips.
Something there?
Hesitating briefly, he gently pried open the full, sensual lips and examined the dark gleam.
It was a jet-black pearl.
\[Name: Spirit Crystal]
\[Type: Consumable]
\[Effect: None]
\[Description: A purified soul crystal blessed by the power of the Sun God, containing immense spiritual energy. The most coveted tonic for Night Wanderers.]
\[Note: The San Dao Mountain Goddess has purified all impurities from this crystal; safe to consume.]
Zhang Yuanqing pinched the pearl between two fingers.
The pearl quickly dissolved into a sticky energy that surged into his forehead.
\[Ding, you gained 22% experience.]
His strength surged again, the sensation of punching a planet returning in full force.
He felt noticeably stronger, no need to check his stats to sense the skill upgrades.
The Night Walk invisibility duration extended by three seconds—from six to nine.
Unexpectedly stronger. Rest in peace, Goddess... Zhang Yuanqing silently closed the coffin lid, pretending he never opened it.
During the remaining countdown, Zhang Yuanqing grew restless and anxious, afraid of any bad surprises—like triggering hidden quests or interruptions that might prevent his return.
Luckily, nothing happened. He watched the glowing blue timer count down:
5... 4... 3...
Suddenly, a long breath echoed through the silent cave.
Zhang Yuanqing: "..."
The coffin lid was pushed open from within, and a pale, delicate hand grasped the edge. The beautiful corpse sat up.
Her deep, dark eyes swept across the cave, locking with Zhang Yuanqing's stiff expression.
She stared at him for several seconds before curling the corner of her mouth into a smile.
That smile nearly scared Zhang Yuanqing to death.
Then, the scene shattered like a reflection ripped by the wind as the countdown ended.
The world blurred.
Moments later, the image stabilized—a bright, white spotlight shining down from above.
White walls, a desk, computer, TV, double bed...
Curtains swayed in the breeze; outside, birds chirped crisply.
He had returned to the mortal world.