Chapter 171: The Prophecy of the Bright Compass

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Dusk.

Zhang Yuanqing, dragging his weary body, took a taxi back home. After leaving the International Building, he turned towards Fujiawang Villa, handed the cash to Fu Qingyang, the wealthy young man, asking him to transfer it to the account of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign.

He then confessed to his dealings with Mr. Bill. After that, he called Guan Ya, inviting her to come to Fujiawang Villa to practice martial arts.

Every time he faced a crisis, endured beatings, Zhang Yuanqing always managed to summon his stubborn spirit.

Fu Qingyang observed him with meticulous attention.

At the dinner table, while chewing the sweet and slightly sour sweet and sour pork, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Grandmother, did my cousin have to work late again?"

Grandmother, picking up a piece of bamboo shoot, replied calmly, "Your aunt is taking him out for social engagements."

"Oh, really? So my sister-in-law is taking my nephew out for social events?" Aunt spoke with exaggerated tones.

His delicate sister-in-law taking the mature and composed nephew out for social events sounded just like an unreliable big brother embarking on a business venture with his nephew.

Grandmother had a gossipy expression on her face, even though they were at home, she unconsciously lowered her voice and said, "In a few days, there will be some political turmoil in Songhai."

Having said that, she noticed her daughter and grandson both wearing puzzled expressions, and she felt satisfied. She continued, "I heard that many people in the public safety system will suffer. This will create vacancies, and you all know, even though Yuan's been working diligently for these years and achieved quite a bit, it's tough to rise through the ranks in the Songhai government. No matter how many achievements one has, it still depends on seniority. That's why he has been stuck as the captain of the Second Team for so many years."

"Now, here's the opportunity. Your aunt wants to leverage her connections to see if she can help Yuan get a promotion. By the way, it was your grandfather who introduced us to this opportunity."

"Introduced by your grandfather?" Zhang Yuanqing looked at his grandfather.

His grandfather had worked in the public safety system his whole life, and his network was quite extensive. However, he always considered himself principled and never engaged in political wheeling and dealing. Although he knew many people, he never had deep connections.

So why the change now?

Faced with the looks from his grandson and daughter, the principled and stern grandfather cleared his throat. "I was just asking if there might be an opportunity."

Jiang Yueran said, "Oh, how much money is your sister-in-law preparing?"

Grandfather coughed forcefully twice. "I was just asking if there might be an opportunity."

Zhang Yuanqing responded, "Oh, is fifty thousand enough?"

Grandfather couldn't keep his stern expression anymore and said in anger, "Let's eat!"

Zhang Yuanqing and Jiang Yueran ate their meal quietly, restraining their mockery. The old man and the old lady had different ways of getting angry. When the old lady got angry, it was all for show, but it wasn't real.

When the old man got angry, he was quite assertive.

In Kangyang District, the director was pushed down by the "Evil Eye," leaving a vacant position. However, Yuan couldn't make a direct promotion. His hope lay in Shako District. The problem was that this was the time when things were most tense. Making connections now would be too conspicuous.

Cousin had performed well enough to be promoted to the head of a division, but Songhai was notorious for favoring connections and seniority when it came to promotions. Without external help, it was challenging to get promoted. So, I'll ask Guan Ya in a while to see if she has any connections.

I've destroyed the Bronze Sparrow Tower and made significant contributions. This credit hasn't been rewarded yet, so it's a good time to make a request.

Although the Five Elements Union doesn't interfere with matters within the system, there are still rules. Rules can't stop personal relationships.

After dinner, Zhang Yuanqing washed up and returned to his room, quietly putting on the "Silent One" mask.

From now on, except for eating and fighting, the mask cannot be removed.

As soon as he put on the mask, an indescribable fatigue washed over him. His energy and spirit all "degraded" into that of an ordinary person. His spiritual body, physical abilities, and skills were all sealed.

Hmm, the extraordinary items in the Spirit Realm have this ability. The evil professions abroad are a bit scary. I wonder what those professions are called. Zhang Yuanqing was amazed.

However, according to the setting in the Spirit Realm, evil professions abroad might be stronger than orderly professions.

It's just that I don't know if there are peak professions like the Night Wandering God in the orderly professions.

"The Spirit Realm has three major regions, and logically, each region should have evil professions. If each number is three, then the total number of evil professions would be nine. Orderly professions should be even more numerous. I really want to see the professions in the foreign servers."

Lost in thought, Zhang Yuanqing's ears heard the Spirit Realm notification sound:
[Ding! Fu Qingyang invites you to join the White Tiger Guards.]

At the same time, a cyan-colored dialogue box appeared — Accept or Reject.

Huh, did the Centurion finish the meeting? Did the White Tiger Guards agree to have me join?

Zhang Yuanqing clicked "Accept."

[Ding, you have joined the White Tiger Guards. Please read the gang rules carefully. You can check gang benefits in the gang warehouse section.]

Zhang Yuanqing quickly opened his character attributes, found the "White Tiger Guards" under the "Gangs" section, and clicked on it. The introduction and gang rules of the White Tiger Guards popped up.

The gang rules of the White Tiger Guards were quite simple: no indiscriminate killing, no bullying the weak, no associating with evil professions, no violating public order and morals, no betraying gang brothers, strictly adhering to order and loyalty to the gang leader's orders.

As for benefits, besides receiving additional compensation comparable to the positions in the Five Elements Union, a house worth 20 million would be allocated in first-tier or second-tier cities. There was also an office dedicated to the White Tiger Guards.

Next, Zhang Yuanqing opened the gang warehouse.
A simple "Wow" escaped his lips.

The gang warehouse had forty slots filled with items and materials, including the seven major orderly professions, three major evil professions, and some foreign profession items he didn't recognize.

Just the items in this warehouse were worth at least several billion.

Zhang Yuanqing silently opened the "Return of the Dead" warehouse and took a look at the Scarecrow and the Endurance Spray. Tears welled up in his heart.

Fu Qingyang had shown him a whole new world.

"Ding dong!"

Zhang Yuanqing's phone rang, indicating a new message.

He closed the gang warehouse and picked up his phone to check the message.

[**Fu Qingyang invites you to join the group chat**]

The newly added group was named "White Tiger Guards," with sixteen members.

Ling Jun: "We have a new member; new member, send a red packet quickly."

Hengsuo Tianxia: "A new member has arrived; send a red packet quickly. It would be even better if you include a photo of you in women's clothing."

Qicilang: "Send the red packet and then go to sleep."

Has this trend of joining groups and sending red packets become widespread worldwide? Even the Spirit Realm practitioners play along with this? Zhang Yuanqing twitched his lips and reluctantly sent a 100 yuan red packet.

Yuan Shi Tianzun: "Gentlemen, a small gift with deep sincerity."

The red packets were all claimed within three seconds.

Ling Jun: "Ten yuan, not bad. Thank you, boss. @Yuan Shi Tianzun, everyone in the group is at the Saint level. Suck up to them well, and if you have any trouble in the future, ask for their help."

Huh? Everyone is at the Saint level? Zhang Yuanqing was surprised.

Although he knew that Fu Qingyang's White Tiger Guards must have high standards, he didn't expect everyone to be at the Saint level.

Fu Qingyang: "Maybe not too long from now, it'll be you they're sucking up to."

Qicilang: "Boss, you've gone too far. Although Yuan Shi Tianzun is naturally gifted, we aren't pushovers."

Xiaonao Fu: "By the way, Yuan Shi Tianzun is a 3rd-level Night Wandering God, right? Boss, do you think he can promote to Saint level in the mid-year massacre instance? But if I remember correctly, you promoted to 3rd level in Yin-Yang Town."

Qicilang: "Is that so? Well, it might be a bit difficult for Yuan Shi Tianzun to rank in the top ten in the mid-year massacre instance. Usually, those who make it into the top ten in the mid-year or year-end massacre instances have experience points close to or exceeding 90%."

Even at the same 3rd level, the difference between 1% and 99% in experience points is significant.

Yuan Shi Tianzun: "If I'm lucky, I might enter the single-player Spirit Realm again before the mid-year major massacre. By the way, does anyone have any experience with the arena battles? Are the rewards from the organizers powerful?"

Xiaonao Fu: "Of course, they're powerful. They're among the best for their respective stages. But winning the first place is very difficult. If the Taiyi Sect participates this year, it will be even tougher."

Ling Jun: "In an unrestricted battle, I think in the official Spirit Realm stages, Yuan Shi Tianzun is definitely one of the strongest. However, the arena battles may have restrictions. Yuan Shi's martial arts skills need improvement."

Zhang Yuanqing chatted casually with them, gradually gaining a preliminary understanding of his gang brothers.

Qicilang had a more carefree and active personality and was good at making jokes. He was a bit of a troublemaker.

Xiaonao Fu leaned towards being steady and spoke in a straightforward manner, giving off a reliable impression.

Hengsuo Tianxia seemed to have an unfortunate family life. In just a short span of ten minutes, he complained several times about his wife disrespecting him and being overbearing.

But everyone collectively ignored him.

As for the others, they didn't engage in the conversation, either because they didn't think the new member at the Saint level was worth a warm welcome or simply because they weren't accustomed to group chats.

Afterward, no one in the group said anything.

It seemed to be a relatively quiet group. Zhang Yuanqing quietly exited the chat app.

The opulent private dining room featured a decor style of dark gold and rose-red, creating a luxurious and majestic atmosphere.

On the dining table, a vintage and exquisite silver candelabrum was placed at the center, with six white candles emitting a soft glow.

The dinner was incredibly lavish, with top-grade steaks, caviar, foie gras, ham slices, pan-seared scallops, lobster au gratin, and rich seafood soup.

Bill Tarantino sat attentively at the table, slicing the steak on the silver platter.

Across from him was a man dressed in a deep blue suit, wearing a silver mask.

The mask covered his nose and didn't hinder him from enjoying the meal.

"I came here because of this grand feast, but let's not talk about going to the West with you," the man said as he scooped some caviar and spoke between bites, "Do you know that I'm a native of the mainland? My family, my friends, they are all here. Why should I go to the West and become what? The head just because I have the highest level in the Void profession?"

Bill Tarantino put down his knife and fork and spoke sincerely, "We can help your family immigrate. Why don't you go for better opportunities? The West offers a broader sky, and someone with your extraordinary talents should be soaring there."

He glanced at the dining table and smiled, "For someone like me, a dinner like this is just a meal. But you are an existence a hundred times more noble than me. You are destined to control that vast business empire and become the leader of all 'merchants.'"

"No interest!" the man replied.

Bill Tarantino had a bellyful of words stuck in his throat. Finally, he sighed gently.

Over the past hundred years since the Spirit Realm opened, many talents emerged in the merchant profession, aspiring to reach that unique pinnacle. However, many geniuses and predecessors fell in their ascent.

In the end, it was seized by a guy from a foreign land. Oh no, in Chinese, that word has a negative connotation. It should be said "won."

The Merchant Guild was initially very excited. The merchant profession had finally produced someone who could rival the Supreme Beings of various Spirit Realm organizations worldwide.

But they didn't expect that this new guild leader would be so stubborn. He not only rejected the olive branch extended by the guild but also threatened the guild not to disturb his mundane life.

Over the years, after the relentless efforts of the guild, the present strongest merchant had slightly relaxed his stance.

The guild planned to seize the opportunity to bring back their guild leader.

That's how Bill Tarantino's visit to the mainland came about.

The man wolfed down his foie gras and caviar, then lay back contentedly on the high-back chair and sighed in satisfaction, saying, "If you want me to join the guild and become your leader, it's not impossible, but..."

"But what?" Bill Tarantino asked.

"Wait!" the man said.

"Wait for what?"

"Wait for the Demon Lord!" the man slowly replied.

Bill Tarantino was puzzled at first, but after a few seconds, he finally recalled related information about this figure and said, "I heard from Anne that the Demon Lord is already dead. The President of the Goddess Association informed her of this. Could the intelligence be wrong?"

As a Spirit Realm practitioner from across the ocean, he didn't know much about the Demon Lord, but he did know one thing: the Merchant Guild had very close ties with the Goddess Association, and that Demon Lord seemed to be the favorite lover of the President of the Goddess Association.

After Anne became his female assistant, she had privately lamented several times, saying that after the Demon Lord's death, the guild leader's temperament had changed drastically, often punishing association members without reason.

His anger had persisted for several months.

"No, I've witnessed it myself. The Demon Lord is dead, body and soul. You know the prophecy of the Light Compass?" the man said as he raised a highball glass, tasting the sour wine, and continued, "What I'm waiting for is the new Demon Lord. Bill, do you know the prophecy of the Light Compass?"

Bill Tarantino furrowed his brow and shook his head.

"Well, it's understandable. There are no more than ten people in the world who know this prophecy, and they are all supreme beings," the man said, placing the highball glass down and taking a deep breath, enunciating each word:

"When the stars of the day and the moon return to their positions, the slumbering gods in the chaos will awaken. The king seated on the divine throne will lead the gods to restart the war, and the world will enter a new cycle."

Bill Tarantino fell into thought.

After a while, he hesitantly asked, "The gods slumbering in the chaos, are you referring to the unopened major region?"

It was well known that the Spirit Realm had three major regions, but a region with Spirit Realm practitioners had yet to emerge. Currently, there were only two Spirit Realm major regions in the world. Organizations were aware of the existence of a third major region because they found items in Spirit Realm dungeons that didn't belong to any of the two major region professions.

For example, the Perfect Human Skin, with its unique abilities, had no match within any of the current professions.

There were many similar items.

"That's right. On the day the stars and moon return to their positions is when that major region will reopen, and at that time, the Spirit Realm will reveal its original form."

"What does this have to do with the Demon Lord?"

"It has nothing to do with the Demon Lord, but it is related to the Night Wanderer. The Demon Lord has touched the essence of the Night Wanderer, and he left that secret within the character card."

"I understand."

In the deep night, Zhang Yuanqing was awakened by a crackling electric sound.

Half-squinting his eyes, he instinctively pushed aside the blanket, put on his slippers, sat at the desk, opened a drawer, and took out his Elvis Presley speaker.

The next moment, a woman's passionate moans and the relentless collision of bodies resounded throughout the room.

"What the heck!" Zhang Yuanqing's drowsiness vanished in an instant. He quickly removed the "Silencer" mask, grasped the Elvis Presley speaker, and entered the Night Wanderer mode.

(End of this chapter)

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