Chapter 13: Returning to the Mountain God Temple

Chapter 13: Returning to the Mountain God Temple

"The terrifying Mountain God Temple..."

Zhang Yuanqing leaned back in his chair, transferring the weight of his body to the backrest. He closed his eyes and combined the information from the data with his personal experiences and inspiration gained from playing games to analyze the Mountain God Temple and search for patterns.

"The wailing spirits on the shoulders can be dispelled with candlelight, and there is a fifteen-minute safe period after each dispelling, during which the spirits won't immediately retaliate..."

"Be cautious of the banyan tree in the eastern courtyard, never turn back. Why can't you turn back? Why didn't the information make it clear what happens if you turn back?"

"For now, I can't be sure if the roar is related to the banyan tree; if they are unrelated, the danger increases. The true nature of the red dancing shoes as a prop remains uncertain. Rule-based props, they sound quite high-end."

Now it seemed that the predecessors of the construction team were most likely crushed to death by the red dancing shoes, their bones shattered.

"Although my uncle has taught me some dancing, I can't handle the level one Night Touring God. There's no way a kid like me can manage it... If it were my uncle, he could dance his way into eternity."

These kinds of things should be left to his unreliable uncle; after all, his uncle never did anything serious and just loved to sing, dance, and rap.

Wait a minute! Zhang Yuanqing's eyes suddenly lit up.

According to the information, the fundamental reason the Night Touring God failed was not only the lack of dance experience but, more importantly, the inability to remember the complex and chaotic dance steps. This was probably beyond the limits of ordinary memory.

But he didn't have this problem. As long as he forced himself and triggered his old ailment, causing his brain to enter an overloaded state, everything he saw and heard would be reproduced in his mind. Moreover, in an overloaded state, his brain's control over his body far exceeded that of an average person, and performing high-intensity movements would not be a problem.

"The problem is, non-spiritual realm items cannot be brought in, and my medicine may not be allowed inside. Once the old ailment recurs, without medication to suppress it, I don't know what will happen."

There's no need to ponder over this; he should just ask directly. That's why he joined the official organization. Zhang Yuanqing grabbed his phone and opened the call log, dialing Guan Ya's number.

After a few rings, she picked up. "Finished reading the information?"

Guan Ya was about to rest; she was a woman who valued her beauty regimen and hated being disturbed during her sleep. But her tolerance for Zhang Yuanqing was quite high—how could anyone bear speaking harshly to a boy who didn't have much time left and had a handsome face and a pleasant way of speaking?

"I've finished. There are some parts I don't quite understand," Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What are rule-based props?"

Guan Ya explained, "There are many types of props in the Spiritual Realm, each with different functions. Our official organization categorizes them into three major types: cost-based, rule-based, and another type I'm not clear about since my level isn't high enough to access them."

She added with a smile, "Rule-based and cost-based props are not necessarily superior to each other, as their functions vary, and it's impossible to measure them with a single standard. But there's one universally recognized point: dealing with rule-based props is more troublesome and rare. Each rule-based prop is invaluable."

She paused for a moment and continued, "The method to deal with rule-based props is not a secret within the official organization. It involves finding its pattern and deciphering its rules. The matter of the red dancing shoes inviting you to dance likely aligns with its rule."

"If you can fulfill its invitation, there's a certain probability of subduing this rule-based prop. Of course, it's only a certain probability. It depends on many factors, such as whether it's willing to be tamed and whether it has an owner, and so on."

However, regarding the matter of subduing rule-based props, you should just consider it and not take it too seriously... Guan Ya thought to herself.

Zhang Yuanqing patiently listened and asked, "One more thing, can medicines be brought into the Spiritual Realm?"

"Most things from the real world cannot be brought into the Spiritual Realm except for normal clothing. Medicines can be brought in, but they must be already ingested," Guan Ya replied.

"What if they are kept in the mouth?"

"Well..." Guan Ya couldn't answer that.

It seemed that he would have to try it himself... Zhang Yuanqing said, "I'm good now. Thank you."

Guan Ya responded with an "okay" and smiled, "Take care, little boy. Oh, by the way, today is a lucky day for Scorpios."

Huh? Zhang Yuanqing didn't react in time, and the call was already disconnected.

He put down his phone and glanced at the time; it was already early morning. Tomorrow morning, he would enter the Spiritual Realm again.

...

The next day.

Li Dongze, leaning on his cane and wearing shiny leather shoes, entered the glass building of the police station.

As a leader who didn't have to punch in, he was used to coming in an hour later than usual, sometimes not coming in at all. He enjoyed the benefits while eating the government's food and leisurely fishing, living a carefree life.

He was equally lax in managing the Spiritual Realm practitioners under his command, letting them do as they pleased.

First, because apart from Guan Ya, the others were not part of the Baihu Troop and wouldn't listen to orders.

Second, the death rate of the Spiritual Realm practitioners in the instances was extremely high. They might not come out alive after entering the Spiritual Realm one time.

Life was short; it was better to enjoy it while it lasted.

Li Dongze arrived on the second floor and habitually scanned the office area. There were only Guan Ya, who was diligently working at her desk, and Wang Tai, who was researching and writing his paper, sitting at the empty desks.

"Guan Ya, have you given him the information?"

"I have."

Li Dongze nodded and didn't say anything else. He turned and entered his luxurious office.

Guan Ya didn't continue that topic either and lowered her head.

In the office, Li Dongze went to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of vodka, added some lime juice, and gulped it down.

At that moment, his phone pinged, and he put down the glass, lounging in his chair as he checked his phone.

Someone had mentioned him in the chat group titled "Kangyang District Spiritual Realm Practitioners Management Group."

As a metropolitan city, Songhai City had a total of sixteen districts, each with ten teams of Spiritual Realm practitioners led by team captains. Li Dongze was the captain of the second team, which, following the Baihu Troop system, was equivalent to a platoon leader.

The team captains' immediate superiors were the executive officers, and Kangyang District had three of them.

Above the executive officers were the elders, who usually didn't interfere in affairs. These high-ranking Spiritual Realm practitioners were elusive figures.

Above the Elder Council were the five leaders of the Five Elements Alliance—the five Alliance Masters.

The five Alliance Masters were legendary figures. Li Dongze had never seen them, but he knew that the Marshal of his Baihu Troop and the Palace Master of the Water God Palace were both female.

Privately, the Five Elements Alliance hailed these two Alliance Masters as the "Unmatched Twin Beauties."

"In the Kangyang District Spiritual Realm Practitioners Management Group," there were a total of fourteen members, including ten team captains, three executive officers, and one Night Touring God team captain from the Taiyi Sect.

MuscleBro: "@Li Dongze, I heard you recruited a Night Touring God?"

How did he find out... Li Dongze frowned and replied, "None of your business!"

The Fire element restrains the Metal element, and the scouts of the Baihu Troop generally disliked the fire practitioners of the Chi Fire Gang, finding them rude and impulsive in their speech.

What? Li Dongze recruited a Night Touring God?!

The team captains in the group became alert like sharks sensing blood.

Qingteng: "Night Touring God? Li Shichang, have you been praying and worshipping, to actually recruit a Night Touring God? I'm envious."

Bailong: "In the entire Songhai City, excluding the wandering practitioners, there seem to be no more than ten official Night Touring Gods. Moreover, they are all from the Taiyi Sect."

Shuishangpiao: "Li Dongze, what kind of luck are you having? I'm so jealous."

Suddenly, three team captains responded.

[Tang Guoqiang sent a red envelope]

The red envelope was instantly snatched up.

Li Dongze instinctively grabbed a red envelope and found that others received over a hundred, while he got just a bit over one.

Tang Guoqiang: "Li Shichang, you have good luck."

There were numerous "Thank you, boss" emojis below.

Tang Guoqiang was also a team captain but also the CEO of a construction company. He was wealthy and usually didn't talk much, but he would often give out red envelopes.

Even this big boss couldn't resist talking about the Night Touring God topic.

Quan Wang: "What's with your memory? Have you forgotten the agreement between the Five Elements Alliance and the Taiyi Sect? When recruiting a Night Touring God, priority should be given to the Taiyi Sect."

Bailong: "Brother Quan, your memory is not good either. Have you forgotten our Fu Bai, the Centurion? With his connection to the Taiyi Sect, it's no problem to keep one Night Touring God."

Quan Wang fell silent.

Several team captains became envious. Whether it was because of the rarity of Night Touring Gods or their career potential, they were far superior to other professions. If cultivated well, they would become powerful assets in the future.

Qingteng: "By the way, it's been a long time since our Kangyang District Spiritual Realm practitioners had a team-building event. How about setting a date and getting together?"

Bailong: "Oh, oh, the flirty person from the Hundred Flowers Society is trying to hook people again? But I have no objections."

Shuishangpiao: "I'm not running ships recently, so I'm available for a gathering. Li Shichang, my brother, I've wanted to drink with you for a long time. Invite that Night Touring God too."

Tang Guoqiang: "The idea of a team-building event is not bad. Let's all get together. Since Li Dongze took my red envelope, consider it a promise."

Li Dongze's mouth twitched, and in a bad mood, he sent a furious message:

"I see shamelessness, greed, and sinister intentions in between your lines. I must have been cursed by the Spiritual Energy Association recently, plagued by bad luck."

Dajiba: "Are you 'Versailles-ing' us?"

Shuishangpiao: "I'd like to have that bad luck too."

At this moment, the Night Touring God from the Taiyi Sect spoke up, Yuan Ting:

"That Night Touring God, we in the Taiyi Sect don't want him. Have you all forgotten? He just went through the Sheling Tunnel during the Qingming period not long ago."

Qingteng: "What do you mean?"

Yuan Ting: "The Night Touring God recruited by Li Dongze is tasked with the Sheling Tunnel trial."

The group fell silent instantly.

Though they were not Night Touring Gods themselves, as native official Spiritual Realm practitioners in Songhai City, they knew something about the renowned Sheling Tunnel.

Bailong: "Can it be that unlucky?"

Yuan Ting: "To save that poor guy, Fu Centurion specially asked our Elder Sun for detailed information on the Sheling Tunnel yesterday."

Dajiba: "Um... is there a need to save him? Since the last century, no newcomer has been able to clear the Sheling Tunnel. Li Dongze, my boy, I can imagine the expression on your face when you heard that the trial location was the Sheling Tunnel."

The Fire practitioners were always straightforward.

Do you want to fight?! Li Dongze, in front of his desk, almost grabbed his cane and charged out of his office to challenge this guy to a duel.

Hastily taking a deep breath, he kept reminding himself: Be elegant, be elegant...

Shuishangpiao: "I just received an order, and this month, I have to run ships. Let's forget about the team-building event."

Tang Guoqiang: "What a pity."

Qingteng: "Understood, poor newcomer."

The blunt Fire practitioner, Dajiba, once again mentioned Li Dongze: "You caused Fu Centurion to waste a favor, did you get scolded?"

Li Dongze: "Shut up. One more word, and I'll beat your head in at the gym right now."

Which pot is he opening? As Li Dongze repeated this in his mind, he tried to maintain his composure.

Shuishangpiao: "Suddenly received an order, I have to run ships this month, so let's forget about the team-building event."

Tang Guoqiang: "Such a shame."

Qingteng: "I see, poor newcomer."

Then, one of the three executive officers, Fu Qingyang, sent a message:

"Do you have too much free time? Do I need to send you back to the training camp for a refresher?"

Li Dongze and Dajiba immediately fell silent.

After a few seconds, Fu Qingyang sent another message:

"Now that you've joined, you're under my command. 

The Taiyi Sect and the Five Elements Alliance are two different organizations, and they do not share intelligence with each other. When Fu Baifu (the Senior Officer) requested information from the Taiyi Sect, it cost him a favor.

Big Muscle Boss: "You still can't beat me."

The other captains did not respond, seemingly no longer interested in the matter.

At this moment, one of the three Senior Officers, Fu Qingyang, sent a message:

"Are you guys idle? Do you need to be sent back to the training camp for retraining?"

Li Dongze and Big Muscle Boss immediately fell silent.

After a few seconds, Fu Qingyang sent another message:

"Now that you have joined, you are under my command. The White Tiger Soldiers will not abandon any fellow comrade; this is our belief, regardless of their value."

Li Dongze sighed, realizing that he had mishandled the situation. While Fu Baifu wouldn't say it out loud, who knew if he was upset deep down?

...

At half-past ten in the morning, Zhang Yuanqing locked the door to his room, tied his shoelaces, and drank two large glasses of water.

Then, he twisted open a medicine bottle and placed five blue pills in his mouth.

Afterward, he lay on the bed, silently waiting for the Spiritual Realm to open.

Time ticked by, and after about ten minutes, Zhang Yuanqing heard a cold voice in his mind:

【Spiritual Realm opening in progress...】

【Ding, Spiritual Realm map opened. Welcome to "Night Touring God - Sheling Tunnel," code: 0079.】

【Difficulty level: S】

【Type: Solo (Death Type)】

【Main Mission 1: Survive for three hours (completed).】

【Main Mission 2: Explore the Sheling Tunnel, current exploration progress: 20%】

【Note: Non-Spiritual Realm items cannot be brought in.】

【Wishing you good luck, the Primordial Celestial!】

The ceiling twisted as if it were the surface of water disturbed by the wind. When the image stabilized again, Zhang Yuanqing found himself standing in the dimly lit candlelight of the main hall.