Chapter 2 A Terrifying Mountain God Temple

Zhang Yuanqing leaned back, surrendering his body weight to the chair.

He closed his eyes, combining the information from the documents with his own personal experience, and drawing inspiration from playing games, he analyzed the Mountain God Temple, searching for patterns.

"The shoulder-clinging vengeful spirit can be dispelled with candlelight, each dispel grants fifteen minutes of safety, and there's no immediate harm after being clung to..."

"The eastern courtyard requires caution with the banyan tree. Don't look back, why not look back? Under what circumstances can't you look back? What happens if you do look back? Why isn't this written clearly in the documents?"

"For now, I can't determine if the roar is related to the banyan tree. If they're unrelated, that's another layer of danger. The red dancing shoes are a prop? A rule-based prop, sounds high-class."

From the looks of it, the construction team veterans were likely stomped to death by the red dancing shoes, their bones crushed to pieces.

"Although I learned some dance under my uncle's tutelage, even a level 1 Night Walker couldn't handle it, so a kid like me definitely can't... If my uncle encountered the red dancing shoes, he could probably dance until the end of time..."

This kind of thing should be left to his unreliable uncle. After all, his uncle never does anything serious in his life, all he loves is singing, dancing, and rapping.

Wait!

Zhang Yuanqing's eyes suddenly lit up.

According to the documents, the fundamental reason for the Night Walker's failure, besides lacking dance experience, was that they couldn't remember the complex and chaotic dance steps.

This probably exceeds the limits of an ordinary person's ability to quickly memorize.

But he doesn't have such worries. As long as he pushes himself a little, triggering his old ailment, causing his brain to enter an overloaded state, everything he sees and hears will reappear in his mind.

Moreover, in an overloaded state, the brain's control over the body is far beyond that of ordinary people, making it no problem to perform some high-energy movements.

"The problem is, non-spirit realm items can't be brought in. I might not be able to bring my medicine in. Once my old ailment relapses, without medication to suppress it, I don't know what will happen."

There's no need to rack my brains about this. I'll just ask directly. What's the point of joining an official organization otherwise?

Zhang Yuanqing grabbed his phone, opened his call history, and redialed Guan Ya's number.

After a few rings, the call connected.

"Finished reading the information?"

Guan Ya was just preparing to rest. She's a woman who pays attention to self-care, hates staying up late, and loathes being disturbed when she's about to sleep.

But she has a high tolerance for Zhang Yuanqing. Who could bear to speak harshly to a boy who doesn't have long to live? Besides, he's handsome and speaks so pleasantly.

"I've finished reading it, but there are some things I don't understand." Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What are rule-based props?"

Guan Ya explained, "There are many types of props in the spirit realm, and their functions vary. Our official organization categorizes them into three main types based on their characteristics: cost-based, rule-based, and another type that's unclear. My level isn't high enough to access it."

Here, she added with a smile, "Rule-based and cost-based props are generally considered equal, after all, props have different functions and can't be measured by a single standard. But one thing is universally acknowledged: rule-based props are more troublesome to deal with and rarer. Every rule-based prop is worth a fortune."

She paused for a moment, then continued:

"The method for dealing with rule-based props isn't a secret in the official organization: find its pattern, break its rules. The invitation to dance mentioned in the documents likely aligns with its rules."

"If you can complete its invitation, there's a certain probability of subduing this rule-based prop. Of course, it's just a certain probability. It depends on many factors, such as whether it's willing, whether it's unowned, and so on."

But just think about subduing a rule-based prop, don't take it seriously... she thought to herself.

Zhang Yuanqing listened patiently and then asked, "One more thing, can medicine be brought into the spirit realm?"

"Except for normal clothing, most things from reality can't be brought into the spirit realm. Medicine is allowed, but it must be already consumed."

"What about held in the mouth?"

"This..." Guan Ya couldn't answer.

It seems I can only try it myself... Zhang Yuanqing said:

"I have no more questions, thank you."

Guan Ya hummed and laughed:

"Take care, little boy. Oh, right, today is Scorpio's lucky day."

Huh? Zhang Yuanqing didn't react before the other side hung up.

He put down his phone and looked at the time. It was already midnight.

Tomorrow morning, he will enter the spirit realm again.

.........

The next day.

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

As a leader who doesn't have to clock in, he is used to pushing back work by an hour, sometimes he simply does not go to work, enjoying public funds and slacking off, free and unrestrained.

He also rarely manages the spirit realm walkers under his command, letting them fend for themselves.

First, besides Guan Ya, the others are not White Tiger soldiers, listening to their own tune and not his orders.

Second, the death rate of spirit realm walkers in dungeons is extremely high, and they may never come out after entering the spirit realm.

Life is short, enjoy it while it lasts.

Li Dongze came to the second floor and habitually scanned the office area. Beside the empty desks, only Guan Ya, who was working seriously, and Wang Tai, who was researching and writing a paper, were sitting.

"Guan Ya, did you give him the information?"

"Yes."

Li Dongze nodded, said nothing, and turned to enter his luxurious office.

Guan Ya did not continue the topic and lowered her head.

Li Dongze entered the office, walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of vodka, squeezed some lime juice, and took a big gulp.

Just then, his phone "dinged". He put down his glass and leaned back in his soft chair. Li Dongze opened his phone.

Someone @ him in a chat group called "Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker Management Group".

Songhai City, as a first-tier metropolis, has a total of sixteen districts, each district having ten teams of spirit realm walkers, led by captain-level figures.

Li Dongze is the captain of the second team. In terms of the White Tiger Soldier system, he is a squad leader.

The captains' superiors are the executives. There are three executives in Kangyang District.

Above the executives are the elders. The elders usually do not interfere in matters. Spirit realm walkers of this level are rarely seen.

Above the elders is the Five Elements Alliance's highest leader—the five alliance leaders.

The five alliance leaders are legendary figures. Li Dongze has never met them. He only knows that the marshal of his own White Tiger Soldiers and the palace master of the Water God Palace are both women.

Privately, the Five Elements Alliance praises these two alliance leaders as peerless beauties.

The "Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker Management Group" has a total of fourteen people: ten captains, three executives, and a Night Walker captain from the Taiyi Sect.

Big Muscles: "@Li Dongze, I heard you recruited a Night Walker?"

How did he know...? Li Dongze frowned and replied:

"None of your business!"

Among the five elements, fire counters metal. The scouts of the White Tiger Soldiers generally hate the fire masters of the Crimson Fire Gang, thinking they are rude, irritable, and speak without thinking.

What? Li Dongze recruited a Night Walker?!

The captains in the group were like sharks smelling blood, their spirits lifted.

Green Vine: "Night Walker? Where did Squad Leader Li go to burn incense and worship Buddha recently to recruit a Night Walker? Envy."

White Dragon: "In our entire Songhai City, excluding independent cultivators, the official Night Walkers seem to be no more than ten, right? And they are all from the Taiyi Sect."

Water Strider: "Li Dongze, what dog shit luck did you step in? I'm so jealous."

Three captain-level figures suddenly appeared.

[Tang Guoqiang sent a red envelope]

The red envelope was instantly snatched up.

Li Dongze instinctively grabbed the red envelope and found that everyone else got more than a hundred, while he got a little over one.

Tang Guoqiang: "Squad Leader Li has good luck."

Below was a series of "Thank you, Boss" emoticons.

Tang Guoqiang is also a captain, but he is also the president of a construction team company, rich and generous, usually does not like to talk, and sends red envelopes at the drop of a hat.

Even this big boss popped up because of the Night Walker topic.

Boxing King: "What's wrong with your memories? Have you forgotten the agreement between the Five Elements Alliance and the Taiyi Sect? Recruited Night Walkers should be preferentially absorbed by the Taiyi Sect."

White Dragon: "Brother Quan, you have a bad memory. Have you forgotten our Centurion Fu? With his relationship with the Taiyi Sect, there is no problem leaving a Night Walker."

The Boxing King stopped talking.

Several popping captains were envious. Whether it is the scarcity of Night Walkers or their professional potential, they are much stronger than other professions. If properly cultivated, they will be strong generals in the future.

Green Vine: "By the way, our Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker team has not had a team building activity for a long time. Why not set a time for everyone to get together?"

White Dragon: "Yo yo, is the slut from the Hundred Flowers Society planning to hook up with people again? But I have no objection."

Water Strider: "I'm not running a ship recently, so getting together is fine. Squad Leader Li, I've been wanting to have a drink with you for a long time. By the way, invite the Night Walker along."

Tang Guoqiang: "The idea of team building is good, everyone get together. Li Dongze snatched my red envelope, so I'll take it as your agreement."

The corner of Li Dongze's mouth twitched, and he was already in a bad mood. He sent a message and cursed:

"I see shamelessness, greed, and insidious intentions to poach from your words. I must have been cursed by the Spirit Energy Society recently, and bad luck is haunting me."

Big Muscles: "Versailles?"

Water Strider: "I want this bad luck too."

At this time, the Night Walker from the Taiyi Sect popped up, Yuan Ting:

"Our Taiyi Sect doesn't want that Night Walker. Have you forgotten that the Qingming Festival just passed a while ago?"

Green Vine: "What do you mean?"

Yuan Ting: "The trial task for the Night Walker recruited by Li Dongze is the Sheling Tunnel."

The group instantly fell silent.

Although they are not Night Walkers, as local official spirit realm walkers in Songhai City, they still know something about the famous Sheling Tunnel.

White Dragon: "It can't be that unlucky, right?"

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

Big Muscles: "Uh... is there still a need to save him? Since the last century, no rookie has been able to clear the Sheling Tunnel. Li Dongze, you are really pitiful. I can imagine the expression on your face when you heard that the trial spirit realm of the person you recruited was the Sheling Tunnel."

Fire masters have always been outspoken.
Do you want to fight?! Li Dongze in front of the desk almost picked up his cane and rushed out of the office to challenge this guy.

He quickly took a deep breath and kept repeating in his mind: Elegance, be elegant...

Water Strider: "I suddenly received an order, and I have to run a ship this month, so let's forget about the team building."

Tang Guoqiang: "What a pity."

Green Vine: "Understood, poor rookie."

The "unrestrained" fire master Big Muscles once again @ Li Dongze:

"Did you get scolded for making Centurion Fu waste a favor?"

Li Dongze: "Shut up, if you babble again, I will go to the gym now and blow up your dog head."

Rubbing salt in the wound.

After all, the Taiyi Sect and the Five Elements Alliance are two organizations, and their intelligence is not shared. Centurion Fu (Executive) has to expend a favor to get information from the Taiyi Sect.

Big Muscles: "You can't beat me anyway."

The other captains did not respond, seemingly no longer caring about the matter.

At this time, Fu Qingyang, one of the three executives, sent a message:

"Are you very idle? Do you need to be thrown back to the training camp for retraining?"

Li Dongze and Big Muscles immediately fell silent.

After a few seconds, Fu Qingyang sent another message:

"Since they have joined the job, they are my soldiers. The White Tiger Soldiers will not give up any colleagues, this is our belief, regardless of value."

Li Dongze sighed. He did mess up this matter. Centurion Fu may not say it, but who knows if he has deducted points in his heart.

.......

At 10:30 a.m., Zhang Yuanqing locked the door of his room, tied his shoelaces, and drank two large glasses of water.

Then, he unscrewed the medicine bottle and held five blue pills in his mouth.

Then, he lay on the bed, silently waiting for the spirit realm to open.

Time passed minute by minute. After about ten minutes, Zhang Yuanqing heard a cold voice in his mind:

[Spirit realm is opening...]

[Ding, the spirit realm map has been opened, welcome to "Night Walker - Sheling Tunnel", number: 0079.]

[Difficulty level: s]

[Type: Single player (death type)]

[Main task 1: Survive for three hours (completed).]

[Main task 2: Explore the 0079 spirit realm, current exploration degree: 20%]

[Note: Non-spirit realm items cannot be brought in.]

[Good luck, Yuanshi Tianzun!] (Celestial Worthy of the Primordial Beginning)

The ceiling twisted, like the surface of water disturbed by the wind. When the picture recovered, Zhang Yuanqing found himself in the dim candlelight of the main hall.