Café, beneath the awning.
Zhang Yuanqing cradled a steaming cup of coffee, his gaze fixed blankly on the street. The streetlights, car headlights, and shop signs intertwined to create a dazzling, bustling night scene.
After a long moment, he took a deep gulp, then exhaled a sigh-like breath, as if purging all the spiritual pollution from his mind.
"Using Soul Devouring to enhance my power feels like a twisted, unorthodox path."
He finally understood why the Nightwalkers of the Taiyi Sect refused to consume Spectral Entities.
If the world were a sea of suffering, mortals would be like frail boats tossed about by the waves, each burdened by their own misfortunes and pain.
These sufferings would transfer along with the Spectral Entities to the Nightwalkers. Even if only a fraction of the burden remained, the cumulative effect of such spiritual pollution would be terrifying.
Over time, even schizophrenia would be a mild consequence.
Yet the benefits were undeniable and immediate. His current experience points stood at 46%. While the duration of his "Night Roaming" skill remained unchanged at nine seconds, his physical attributes had noticeably improved, with increased vitality and healing capabilities.
These were tangible gains.
"Right, I still don't know how that gay guy died... No, I don't want to know at all."
He took another cautious sip of his coffee, still shaken by the experience.
Early morning, villa.
In the large conference room, capable of seating thirty people, Fu Qingyang's gaze swept across the long table, his eyes calm yet profound, like storm clouds gathering.
His handsome features carried the noble arrogance of a scion of a prominent family. Even when expressionless, his imposing aura exerted immense psychological pressure.
"Five Captains, over a dozen team members, and dozens of Security Officers were deployed, yet the Seductive Demon still escaped," Fu Qingyang said coldly. "I am deeply disappointed in you all."
Seated along the long conference table were the participants of the operation: five Captains and twelve team members, including Li Dongze and Guan Ya.
Faced with criticism from their Deacon Level superior, the Captains lowered their heads, daring not to speak.
Big Muscle hesitated, then couldn't resist speaking in a low voice:
"Centurion Fu, Ou Xiangrong seemed to have been corrupted by some malevolent force, becoming extraordinarily powerful and utterly deranged. That's why we failed. Moreover, the Seductive Demon is a top-tier professional."
Fu Qingyang replied flatly, "Failure is failure. Any excuse is merely a coward's attempt to deny their own defeat."
His sharp gaze swept across the room. None of the Spirit Realm Walkers dared meet his eyes—except for Guan Ya, who was absentmindedly playing with her nails, her mind elsewhere.
Fu Qingyang continued:
"Because of your failure, the situation has escalated. A severely wounded Seductive Demon, tainted by evil energy, could easily lose control completely. Given the Seductive Demon's cruelty, this would inevitably result in massive casualties.
"Every Spirit Realm Walker Team in Songhai City is now participating in the search. If you fail to eliminate Ou Xiangrong within three days, you'll all be sent back to the Training Camp."
Li Dongze, Green Vine, Tang Guoqiang, and the other captains exchanged grim glances.
Fu Qingyang sneered.
"Of course, I've also failed in this matter. I placed misguided expectations on you, overestimating your capabilities. Therefore, for the next three days, I will personally join the hunt. Since Ou Xiangrong is seeking the Roster and the Holy Grail, his targets will undoubtedly shift to Zhao Yingjun's family or women with close ties to him. We'll focus our search along those lines."
After his subordinates nodded, Fu Qingyang glanced at his expensive wristwatch and said, "Your time is running out. Dismissed! Guan Ya, stay behind."
The lengthy meeting finally concluded, well past mealtime.
The Spirit Realm Walkers rose with visible dejection, bowed respectfully at the head of the long table, and filed out of the conference room in orderly fashion.
The five captains led the way. The towering, muscular Big Muscle, standing at 1.9 meters tall, lowered his voice and growled angrily,
"I don't deny my failure, but Centurion Fu is far too arrogant. He wasn't even there and has no idea how powerful Ou Xiangrong is."
The man, clad in a tight-fitting uniform, touched the blood-soaked knife wound on his chest and snorted.
"While we were risking our lives outside, he was lounging on a handcrafted sofa in the villa, sipping fine wine, smoking cigars, and enjoying the company of bunny girls."
As he spoke, three bunny girls entered the conference room, carrying trays of pastries.
The villa's staff consisted entirely of young, attractive bunny girls with tall, slender figures and beautiful faces.
White Dragon lightly patted a bunny girl's shapely rear and whispered, "I heard Centurion Fu is extremely popular within the White Tiger Corps. He's the only one among the Four Young Masters who can rival the young master of the Crimson Fire Gang."
Fu Qingyang had been transferred from Capital City to Songhai at the end of last year, supposedly to gain experience for a few years. Once he accumulated enough qualifications, he would return to the Capital City as a prospective member of the Council of Elders.
Big Muscle scoffed, "Just rumors. Our Young Master is the most outstanding member of the Five Elements Alliance's younger generation."
Green Vine turned to Li Dongze. "Chief Li, what's your take?"
Li Dongze lit a cigarette and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Money, of course. That's what you're all thinking, right?"
Isn't that obvious? The other captains exchanged glances.
"Fools!" Li Dongze pointed to his head.
"Use your not-so-bright brains for a moment. If things really get as bad as Centurion Fu said, someone will have to take responsibility for such a catastrophic event. Do you think something this massive can be resolved by simply returning to the Training Camp?
"When Centurion Fu told us to 'scram back to the Training Camp,' he meant that if the worst happens, he'll shoulder all the blame. We won't be dismissed or held accountable. We'll just have to stay at the Training Camp for three months, even if we completely screw up this mission."
He pulled out a lighter, lit a cigarette, and shrugged. "Alright, let's get to work. We need to drag that bastard Ou Xiangrong out of hiding sooner rather than later."
In the conference room, Fu Qingyang stared at the woman filing her nails, his brow furrowed.
"Li Dongze said you were injured?"
Guan Ya blew on her nails, then retrieved a compact mirror from her handbag. As she touched up her makeup, she said, "Spit it out. I need to get back to work."
A hint of helplessness crossed Fu Qingyang's stern face. "Aunt called. She wants you to return home next month to meet the fiancé she's arranged for you."
"I made it clear when I came back that I won't marry for the sake of the family. Just because she's willing to be a sacrificial pawn doesn't mean I am."
Guan Ya snapped her compact shut. "The Fu family is so boring," she said. "Qingyang, you need to seize power sooner rather than later. Let the old fogies retire already."
Fu Qingyang replied in a deep voice:
"If you don't want an arranged marriage, then show some results. Stop wasting your talent lazing around all day. The family elders only respect strength—like mine, like hers.
"Here's an idea: I'll transfer you to another team. Third Team in Changtai District is excellent; they earn several Collective Second-Class Merits every year. Get some prestige there, and I'll have a good reason to reject Aunt's proposal.
"Li Dongze's Second Team is short on talent; it's hard to earn merit there."
Guan Ya frowned, then sighed. "Second Team really is disappointing. I can't refuse again... Besides, a new kid joined our team. He's quite interesting. Let me observe him a bit longer."
She tucked away her compact, grabbed her purse, and headed for the door, smiling.
"Worry about yourself first. If Ou Xiangrong goes on a rampage in Songhai, it'll be a permanent stain on your record. They'll do anything to stop you from joining the Elders' Council.
"Bye, cousin!"
Early morning. Zhang Yuanqing, backpack slung over his shoulder, walked toward the Academic Building.
His schedule for the day was simple: morning classes, followed by chatting with the Veteran Driver—no, connecting with colleagues to deepen friendships and expand his social circle.
Small groups of students streamed toward the Academic Building. Just as Zhang Yuanqing reached the entrance, he heard someone calling his name.
Turning around, he saw Li Lesheng and several classmates hurrying toward him.
Li Lesheng, leading a group of boys, caught up with an eager expression. "We're planning a social gathering with some girls this weekend. Want to join? I heard you're from Songhai."
A social gathering? This weekend meant the day after tomorrow. After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Yuanqing replied, "Sure, I'm in."
Li Lesheng and the other boys visibly relaxed, their faces lighting up. "Great! Let's add each other as friends. With you coming, I'm sure the girls will be more willing to join."
"Let's add each other too."
"Me too!" The other male students quickly pulled out their phones.
After exchanging friend requests, the group walked together toward the Academic Building.
Li Lesheng chuckled. "I heard from a girl from our hometown that a Security Officer came to see Xu Yingying yesterday. She ended up crying her eyes out in her dorm."
"A Security Officer? What happened?"
The male students were startled. For university students, Security Officers were an incredibly distant and unfamiliar group.
Li Lesheng explained, "I heard the wealthy man who was keeping Xu Yingying had some trouble. The details are unclear, but the Security Officers were questioning her about him."
"Could he have absconded with the money? With the current economic downturn, there are plenty of cases of wealthy people going bankrupt," someone speculated.
As Zhang Yuanqing listened to his classmates' gossip, his gaze swept over the passing students. Amidst the moderate crowd, he spotted a familiar figure:
A beautiful woman in a long white dress, her black long straight hair cascading down her back, her face adorned with delicate makeup—Xu Yingying, the very subject of their conversation.
She was nestled against a man, clinging to him like a bird seeking shelter. The man wore a mask, his hair cropped short, his eyebrows sparse, and a small scar peeked out from above the mask's edge.
Zhang Yuanqing's pupils constricted sharply.
Ou Xiangrong?!
He looked back at Xu Yingying, scrutinizing her carefully. Only now did he notice the subtle signs:
Her expression was stiff, and though she appeared to be nestled in Ou Xiangrong's arms, it was more like he was holding her shoulder, forcing her to stay close.