Chapter 123: Peeking into the Palace

****

In a suburban villa,

On the ground floor in the living room, Li Xianzong sat on a high-backed chair.

Lying lazily on the plush sofa was a mature and knowledgeable woman, wearing black-framed glasses. Her features were cold and stern, and her demeanor resembled that of a strict teacher.

But beneath the sheer attire, her graceful figure presented a striking contrast to her austere disposition.

For ordinary men, such a seductive beauty would make their mouths dry and hearts race. Even among their peers, countless would willingly fall under her charm.

Yet, Li Xianzong remained unmoved by her beauty as he stated his purpose for the visit: "I need an item that can restrain high-level spiritual beings, at least at the level of a Saint."

Iceman Mei lay on her side, supporting her head with her snow-white arm, her voice cold. "Twenty million in cash, or an equivalent item or materials of the same level."

Li Xianzong smirked, "I don't have the money."

If we don't consider moral values, the quickest way for enchanters like him to make money is by establishing a "cult," where they can manipulate the masses and gather offerings, accumulating a large amount of cash in a short time.

A more reliable path is to enchant the masses, gather followers, and then establish a company to make money through legal means.

However, this approach carries the risk of being discovered by the authorities, and it's likely that years of effort could go to waste. Furthermore, most enchanters lack the energy, interest, or ability to run a company.

Iceman Mei had foreseen this and sneered, "Among the three major professions, your Warrior Bishops are the poorest, always focused on killing and destruction."

She reached into her cleavage in front of Li Xianzong and pulled out a small box containing three jet-black needles, saying, "I suggest you go for consumables. Three Soul-Breaking Needles, three million in cash, or you can exchange them for equivalent items and materials. These can severely harm Level 4 spiritual beings, and even Level 5 beings will suffer significant damage. As for Level 6..."

She chuckled, "I believe you have a brain; you won't provoke enemies of that level."

"Deal, I'll get them to you within three days," Li Xianzong replied.

"No, no, no," Iceman Mei shook her finger, "You still owe me ten strong Law-Abiding Warriors, as you promised. Once you bring me those Law-Abiding Warriors, I can proceed with the next trade."

"To protect you from Fu Qingyang, I suffered some injuries. Fu Qingyang is truly one of the strongest among the younger generation of the Five Elements Alliance."

She blushed as she spoke, her face turning red, and she tightly crossed her legs, lost in her obsession, "His sword techniques are unstoppable, like a mountain collapsing, like a tsunami. It's exhilarating; this is the ultimate experience."

Li Xianzong, looking at her twisted expression, cursed inwardly: "Pervert!"

"Alright, I'll get you ten Law-Abiding Warriors within half a month."

He had to obtain an item to deal with high-level spiritual beings, even if it was consumable. Only then could he face the trump card of the Primordial Supreme. 

Before the large-scale slaughter instance began, he had to improve himself as much as possible.

Hunting the Primordial Supreme not only honed his skills but also promised a lucrative reward in terms of bonuses and items. Plus, that guy had plenty of valuable items – he was practically a goldmine.

Even without this trial mission, Li Xianzong would attempt to hunt down the Primordial Supreme.

Hua Yu Hotel.

In the open-air balcony café, under the shade of an umbrella, Xie Lingxi gently stirred her coffee with a silver spoon, and the ice cubes chimed crisply against the cup.

"Yuan Shi gege, it's been so long since you contacted me," Xie Lingxi pouted, sounding somewhat aggrieved. "I stayed in Songhai for you, but why have you been ignoring me?"

Sitting across from her, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly realized, "So that's it. I was wrong. I shouldn't have neglected you. Come, I'll take you back to the room, and you'll know how warm your brother can be."

"Stop it~" Xie Lingxi chuckled, covering her mouth. Then she wrinkled her nose and said, "Yuan Shi gege, you don't look handsome at all like this. I prefer your original appearance."

Zhang Yuanqing transformed back into Wang Tai, with ordinary features and an introverted demeanor.

"Be careful; you should know that Li Xianzong is after me." Zhang Yuanqing took a sip of his coffee.

Xie Lingxi replied, "Yuan Shi gege, I heard that you single-handedly stormed the hospital yesterday, defeated the criminals, and kept Li Xianzong occupied, making a significant contribution to the authorities in rescuing the hostages. You're amazing."

See, that's the benefit of having a green tea! Zhang Yuanqing sighed, "Regardless, I still got a lesson. The gap between me and Li Xianzong is significant."

"Because Yuan Shi gege hasn't reached Level 3 yet. Once you come out of the Spiritual Realm next time, you'll easily defeat Li Xianzong." Xie Lingxi rested her chin on her hand, stirring her coffee with her other hand, her long eyelashes revealing bright, watery eyes. "I've always believed in Yuan Shi gege."

Zhang Yuanqing felt unexpectedly relieved, "Did you use Soothe on me?"

"Of course not; I'm speaking from the heart~"

With Xie Lingxi's flattery, Zhang Yuanqing's mindset had fully recovered. He no longer felt disheartened or heavy.

At this moment, Xie Lingxi picked up her delicate handbag from the table and unzipped it, taking out a black jade pendant that shimmered with a dreamy light from within.

"Yuan Shi gege, this is my gift."

Zhang Yuanqing paused, "Are you giving it to me?"

"Anyway, I don't need it," Xie Lingxi smiled sweetly. "I'm just a delicate and lovely girl, far from the conflicts. Holding onto this jade pendant would be a waste. It's better to give it to my brother."

This gift was quite valuable. While Zhang Yuanqing had sneakily considered how to get her jade pendant, he had never seriously intended to do so.

It seems she's also concerned that I might be assassinated by Li Xianzong. No matter what she says, the real gap exists.

So far, whether it's the authorities, friends, or unrelated rogue adventurers, none of them believe that he's a match for Li Xianzong. They all think that Yuan Shi Tianzun, being targeted by Li Xianzong, is in big trouble.

"Keep it for yourself; I haven't reached the point of destitution yet."

Zhang Yuanqing pushed the jade pendant back. He was afraid that if he got the pendant, he might lose the determination and perseverance to practice martial arts with everything he had.

Xie Lingxi didn't continue to persuade and took back the jade pendant. She whispered, "Yuan Shi gege, Palace Mistress sister is also in the hotel. She wants to see you."

"Hmm? Is that wildly beautiful sister also at the hotel?"

Zhang Yuanqing was taken aback and thought, "Thank goodness I came here with Wang Tai's face. If I had revealed my true identity, that eccentric Palace Mistress might have taken me captive for who knows what purpose."

Xie Lingxi stood up, linked her arm with Yuan Shi gege's, and left the café, heading back to the room.

Outside the presidential suite, Xie Lingxi handed the room key card to Zhang Yuanqing and whispered, "You go in."

Zhang Yuanqing, seeing that she had no intention of joining him, asked, "Aren't you coming in?"

Xie Lingxi shook her head repeatedly and stepped back.

Poor girl, she makes me feel oddly uneasy. Zhang Yuanqing watched as Little Green Tea hurriedly left, and instead of immediately swiping the card, he took out the "Eye of Insight."

He had never had the opportunity to use this item to peer into the inner thoughts of a big shot.

Now was a perfect time to test the attitude of the Palace Mistress towards him and how deep her madness truly went.

With sunglasses on, Zhang Yuanqing swiped open the door.

"Beep~"

The door opened, and in the foyer, behind the desk facing the door, he saw the Palace Mistress in a long red traditional dress, adorned with cloud and dragon patterns in gold thread on her chest and sleeves.

Elegant and charming.

"Palace Mistress wishes to see me?" Zhang Yuanqing nodded in acknowledgment.

Under her silver mask, her bright, expressive eyes appraised him, and she chuckled, "You got a good beating from Li Xianzong but maintained your composure. I thought you would be downcast for a few days."

"Isn't that why I came for psychological treatment from Xie Lingxi?" Zhang Yuanqing replied, "The little girl is very good at comforting people, and being with her always brings me unexplained joy."

Having said that, he observed her keenly and noticed some details: her gaze told him that she wasn't very pleased, and her emotions seemed directed at him. I didn't do anything to provoke her.

The Palace Mistress sat upright behind the table, playing with her sleeve, and said softly, "I'm leaving Songhai soon, heading north for business. Before I go, do you want me to take care of Li Xianzong for you? I don't want to return to Songhai and hear that you've died at the hands of Li Xianzong, especially since you're my designated Face Chief.

"Xie Lingxi is a little sister I like very much; you should be closer to her in your daily life."

Her concern was genuine, not mocking, but it carried some complex emotions. It seemed she didn't want me to agree to her request to bring me closer to Xie Lingxi, but her tone and gaze contained a hint of warning.

"You're willing to help me?" Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up.

The Palace Mistress nodded slightly, "Five million, and I'll take care of him for you."

Five million? I couldn't earn that even if I sold myself. Why did I feel a sense of revenge when she said five million? Zhang Yuanqing scrutinized her and deduced her new thoughts: She kept staring at my glasses, and her gaze is getting more dangerous. Uh-oh, she wants to beat me up; she has sensed that I was prying into her.

Zhang Yuanqing was startled and calmly removed his glasses, saying, "No need, I'll handle my own troubles."

Upon hearing this, the Palace Mistress's eyes curved with satisfaction. She seemed very pleased with his response and said, "To become a strong and independent leader, relying solely on external assistance won't cut it. The path to the top must be walked step by step. Li Xianzong is a formidable opponent, but not an unbeatable one.

"If you become fearful because of your dismal defeat at the hospital and agree to my deal, I will be very disappointed."

She was indeed testing me earlier. The Palace Mistress continued, "You can go now, and please bring that dead girl here."

Her "malicious" intent was clear, and poor Little Green Tea. Zhang Yuanqing nodded and left the room.

As he exited the hotel, he put on a peaked cap and mask, glanced left and right to ensure no one was following him, and then walked along the street.

In the afternoon, he planned to meet Guan Ya to learn martial arts, as they had agreed earlier.

The training location was in Fuhuwan, where there was a dedicated area for practicing martial arts. Moreover, it was safe from assassination and ambushes under the watchful eye of the Centurion.

He dared not go to the Security Bureau at the moment.

Zhang Yuanqing was confident that with his physical attributes, mastering martial arts fundamentals wouldn't be difficult. With the guidance of the so-called martial arts genius, Lao Siju, he could rapidly improve his hand-to-hand combat abilities in the short term.

As long as he was willing to put in the hard work.

"After elevating my combat skills, the next goal is to wait for the opening of the Spiritual Realm."

Just as he was thinking this, his mobile phone in his pocket rang, and it was a call from Fu Qingyang.

"Centurion, I was just about to come over," Zhang Yuanqing answered.

Fu Qingyang said, "Elder Gou has returned from the capital. Come to my place immediately."

"Is my item issue resolved?" Zhang Yuanqing was delighted.

Fu Qingyang replied with an odd tone, "Yes, come over as soon as possible. Don't keep Elder Gou waiting."

Don't keep Elder Gou waiting? What does that mean? Zhang Yuanqing didn't quite understand. Did such a trivial matter require Elder Gou's personal attention?

(End of this long chapter)

-------

PS. Happy reading my dear Patrons! ❤