Chapter 1 It's All in Persuasion

If I can't convince them, the team's collapse will be imminent.

Under the scrutinizing gaze of my teammates, I muttered inwardly.

I understood Yunmeng, Hongji Ge, and Xia Shu Zhi Lian's concerns. Everyone had family and friends and didn't want to die. There was no need to risk their lives for someone else's mission.

Besides, we weren't familiar with each other. We were just doing a dungeon together. Maybe after returning to reality, they would complain: 'That idiot played so badly. I hope I don't get matched with teammates like that again.'

Zi You Zhi Ying (Freedom Eagle) was precisely exploiting this mentality, instigating people and causing the team to fall into a stalemate of disbandment. Although cherishing life and fearing death was human nature, such troublemakers who stirred up trouble were very disruptive.

"Let's first analyze the difference in combat power. Yin Ji is Level 6, Xiahou Aotian is Level 5, and the big boss they are dealing with wiped out a Level 4 team of six. Yin Ji Zhishi (Yin Ji Executor), can you do it?" I asked the woman in the black dress.

Actually, it was a team of seven, but I couldn't say that because there was no seventh person in the official records.

Yin Ji shook her head slightly: "It depends on what profession the six people were, what items they had, and the environmental advantages, etc. I might be able to do it, or I might not."

I nodded, retracted my gaze, and looked at everyone:

"In other words, Yin Ji Zhishi (Yin Ji Executor) is definitely not that monster's opponent, and Xiahou Aotian is just a burden."

"Why am I a burden?" Xiahou Aotian looked unconvinced. He was about to argue when he remembered that Yuanshi Tianzun was on his side, so he helplessly endured it: "You continue, you continue."

"Don't deny it. Your 80 million trump card has already been scattered into the sea, and you are a Fangshi (alchemist) who is not good at fighting. If you are not a burden, who is?" I suppressed the protagonist for a moment and swept my gaze over Hongji Ge and the other two:

"The two of them can't possibly defeat the monster."

"Too arbitrary." Zi You Zhi Ying (Freedom Eagle) sneered:

"You believe Xiahou Aotian when he says he has no trump cards? Yin Ji is a high-level Zhishi (Executor) of the Taiyi Sect. Do you think she has no trump cards? How can they not defeat the boss? Without data analysis and comparison, everything is just subjective speculation. And you want to convince us with this?"

"It's not subjective speculation." I wasn't flustered at all. "The Jianghuai branch's Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk) has been found by us, but where is the Xie family's item? Where do you think it is?"

Zi You Zhi Ying (Freedom Eagle) was stunned for a moment, and then his face changed slightly.

Xia Shu Zhi Lian pondered: "You mean the component of that rule-type item is on the boss?"

I nodded: "Where else could it be?"

"Wouldn't that be even more dangerous?" Hongji Ge pondered:

"We should retreat even more. We can't raise our hands for Xia Shu Zhi Lian."

"I... I agree to fight the boss together. That way, at least there's a chance to clear the dungeon." Yunmeng raised her hand to express her opinion.

——She used roots and stems to create a corselet and short skirt that looked like a cosplay of surviving on a deserted island. It was quite cute.

Hongji Ge also raised his hand.

Finally, everyone looked at Zi You Zhi Ying (Freedom Eagle). The slightly chubby woman struggled and hesitated for a long time before reluctantly saying:

"What I pursue is freedom and democracy. Since you have all decided, I will follow the majority."

Xiahou Aotian was overjoyed: "Then let's set off."

This Yuanshi Tianzun is really good. I have to consider bringing him back into the protagonist group.

Yin Ji glanced at Yuanshi Tianzun gratefully and said, "Now is not a good time for a decisive battle. Everyone rest for a while and then board the island at noon."

The battle in the sea had exhausted everyone physically and mentally. Xia Shu Zhi Lian and Xiahou Aotian almost died, Yunmeng died once, and Yin Ji had a high-intensity outburst of Taiyin power.

Even Zi You Zhi Ying (Freedom Eagle) had consumed a lot of spiritual energy. Only Hongji Ge and I were in relatively good condition.

I took the initiative and said, "Yin Ji and I will arrange Yin Shi (corpse puppet) and Ling Pu (spirit servant) to guard."

Yin Ji took the initiative to take on the task: "I'll do it."

Thinking that she had more than a dozen Ling Pu (spirit servants), I didn't try to be brave. Everyone sat cross-legged on the devastated deck and closed their eyes for a nap.

Xiahou Aotian leaned against the railing and didn't immediately fall asleep. He cleared his throat and said:

"Yuanshi Tianzun, you are very good!

Although you have had conflicts with the Xiahou family, this protagonist greatly appreciates you and is willing to disobey the family for talents like you. How about this, acknowledge me as your boss and I will take care of you in the future."

"No problem! Thank you for the protagonist's appreciation." I said with a smile, "I've established a gang. I'll invite you later!"

So sensible! Xiahou Aotian's face also showed more smiles, "Okay, you are a smart person who knows that a good bird chooses a tree... Eh, wait a minute, how is it that I'm joining your gang? Wouldn't that make you my boss and me your little brother?"

"Then do you have a gang order?"

"No."

"Then shut your trap."

Seeing the protagonist Aotian speechless, I ignored him and summoned the Ghost Bride to stand guard on both sides of the ship's railing with Xue Qiangwei (Blood Rose). Then, I took out the Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk).

It was finally time to take a look at the item information of this item.

The Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk), the size of a washbasin, was made of an unknown material, neither gold nor jade nor stone, but more like some kind of high composite plastic. The red pointer shimmered with a metallic luster in the morning sun.

I put the Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk) on my lap. After a few seconds, the item information popped up:

【Name: Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk)】
【Type: Toy】
【Function: Gui Xu (Return to Emptiness), Feng Jin (Seal)】
【Introduction: Once upon a time, there was an outstanding craftsman who discerned the secrets of the five orthodox professions of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. He used the top materials of the five professions as the foundation and the spirit of a scholar as the core to create a powerful and wise item called Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk). Once, this outstanding craftsman went abroad to collect materials and mistakenly entered a brothel opened by the Lust profession. He fell deeply in love with the girls inside. In order to pay for his prostitution, he gave away the Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk). The brothel owner hung it on the front desk wall as a treasure to ward off evil spirits. It has been hanging for many years.】
【Note 1: Hehehe, I have heard countless dirty jokes, and with my wisdom and knowledge, I can derive countless more. Are you ready to accept my test?】
【Note 2: Only a rogue can restrain a rogue.】

What the hell, only a rogue can restrain a rogue? The corners of my mouth twitched. I understood why the Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk) was called the Rogue Disk, and I also understood why an item liked to ask questions.

It should have been a knowledgeable scholar, but because it was trapped in a brothel, it was polluted by vulgar dirty jokes.

On second thought, if the questions asked by the Yin Yang Zhuanpan (Yin Yang Disk) were about "quantum mechanics", "calculus", "materials science", "pharmacology", etc., then the great Yuanshi Tianzun and his teammates would have been wiped out in the sea.

Oh no, with Xiahou Aotian around, it wouldn't be a total wipeout, but this item would most likely become Xiahou Aotian's trophy.

Dirty jokes worked!

After putting the Zhuanpan (Disk) back into my inventory, I was in good spirits and couldn't fall asleep immediately. I suddenly thought that spiritual energy was exhausted in reality, but there was spiritual energy in Lingjing.

Could I cultivate the "Chun Yang Xi Shen Lu (Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record)" in the dungeon? The Vajra Pestle was about to be returned to the old hag, but my Chun Yang Xi Shen Lu (Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record) had just started to improve and would face stagnation.

If I could cultivate in the dungeon in the future, I could cultivate every month to improve my physical fitness and increase my poison resistance and magic resistance. This method of cultivation was both precious and practical.

Thinking of this, I turned my body to face the morning sun, adjusted my breathing, and began to breathe in the sunlight.

At first, there was nothing unusual. I didn't breathe in the power of the sun. After half an hour, the sunlight gradually became intense, and strands of sunlight visible to the naked eye gathered and poured into my nostrils.

The light on the deck suddenly brightened, as if it were noon, and the temperature was constantly rising, causing the air to distort.

The dutiful spirit servants fled in terror, either flying out of the chariot or flying towards Yin Ji to seek the protection of their master.

The power of the sun was the nemesis of Wraith Spirits and Yin Shi (corpse puppets).

Yin Ji suddenly opened her eyes, her eyes sharp. When she saw that the abnormality originated from Yuanshi Tianzun, her expression softened, and then a look of shock appeared in her beautiful eyes.

The aura on his body was upright and domineering. Although it was very weak, it was indeed the power of the sun.

But how could a Xing Guan (Star Official) condense the power of the sun? This was the power that only a Ri You Shen (Day Wandering God) could control.

Hongji Ge felt the change in temperature and opened his eyes in confusion: "Is it noon? I feel like I just fell asleep. I'm going, Yuanshi Tianzun, what is he doing?"

"He is cultivating. This is the skill of ancient cultivators. There's nothing to be surprised about. Ancient cultivators progressed slowly. Yuanshi Tianzun's few years of cultivation are probably equivalent to our next dungeon." Zi You Zhi Ying (Freedom Eagle) was also awakened by the abnormality. As an executive of the Tianfa (Punishment of Heaven) organization, her knowledge reserve was deeper than Hongji Ge's.

The Tianfa (Punishment of Heaven) organization had collected some of this method of absorbing the energy of heaven and earth to upgrade in dungeons, but it was not much and no one cared about it.

One was that it was too slow. The benefits of a Lingjing Xingzhe (Lingjing Wanderer) in the next dungeon outweighed the benefits of several years of ancient cultivation. Second, they couldn't absorb the energy of heaven and earth in reality. Everyone was busy fighting dungeons in Lingjing. Where did they find the time to cultivate, and the benefits were very small.

"This is the power of a Ruler-level. Although the benefits are small, they are of infinite benefit." Yin Ji said.

"The power of a Ruler-level?" Zi You Zhi Ying (Freedom Eagle) raised her eyebrows and immediately showed envy.

If it was the power of a Ruler-level, then that would be another matter.

Envy was envy, but the professions were different. At most, they would watch the excitement. Hongji Ge turned around and continued to rest.

But Yin Ji couldn't sleep. She was very envious, very eager, and wanted to possess Yuanshi Tianzun's cultivation method.

If she had this skill in the killing dungeon of the Saint-level that day, maybe she would have been one of the three spots.

If she learned the method of breathing in the power of the sun, her chances of winning the killing dungeon at the end of the year would be greatly increased.

The difference between a Saint and a Ruler was like heaven and earth.

Yin Ji sighed softly and put the spirit servants back into her body, her gaze resting.

"The power of the sun in the dungeon is very gentle. I can keep breathing it in without worrying about the burden on my body, but the purity and concentration are much worse. In the future, I will breathe it in for a few hours every time I enter the dungeon and strive to refine the Chun Yang Xi Shen Lu (Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record) to a small success in the Saint-level." I felt the power of the sun settling and accumulating in my body, feeling satisfied.

I didn't know how long it had passed before I was awakened by Xia Shu Zhi Lian.

I opened my eyes and the sun was high in the sky, the water shimmering.

The chariot had been pushed by the waves to Yai Shan Island, less than twenty meters from the shore.

After resting for five or six hours, everyone was refreshed, but their expressions were full of solemnity as they looked at the lush green island.

"Let's go ashore!"

My body disintegrated into dreamlike starlight and reunited on the shore.

Everyone used their respective means to go ashore and drilled into the forest full of bushes and hanging vines under the leadership of Yin Ji.

The sun was scorching in the sky, the light and shadow in the forest were mottled, and the humid air was filled with the smell of decaying leaves.

It was quiet all around. There were no animals and no insects. It didn't look like a vibrant island forest at all.

But this was a characteristic of Lingjing, and everyone was already used to it.

After unhurriedly traveling through the dense forest for more than ten minutes, Hongji Ge sighed:

"This island is really big."

Xiahou Aotian took the opportunity to popularize and show off his knowledge: "The *Xinhui County Gazetteer* describes Yai Shan as more than forty Zhang (approximately 133 meters) high and stretching for about eighty Li (approximately 40 kilometers). Can it not be big?"

"Alright, alright, this is where our soup province is located. How could I not know? I even came here to play when I was a kid, but Yai Shan is not an island at all." Hongji Ge said.

Xiahou Aotian stepped on the soft mud and swung his knife to chop at the vines and bushes: "It used to be an island. Yai Shan Island can both fish and farm. It can develop military and civilian economy internally and resist strong enemies externally. The Yuan Dynasty is not good at naval warfare. It should be a Feng Shui treasure land. Those literati of the Southern Song Dynasty have some vision."

"It's a pity that this dynasty was rotten. The combat effectiveness of the army was so low that its demise was inevitable."

Hongji Ge felt that he had reached his area of expertise when he heard this topic and sighed regretfully:

"It's all because of Zhao Kuangyin, who emphasized civil affairs over military affairs. The ending was doomed from the beginning of the founding of the country. Therefore, if you want a stable country, you must promote military power."

Xiahou Aotian shook his head: "Wrong, wrong. First of all, Zhao Kuangyin's emphasis on civil affairs over military affairs has historical reasons. Secondly, the inherent concept of ordinary people about the army is to defend the country, but the army has always been a tumor, especially in times of peace and prosperity. Let me tell you..."

"I don't listen, I don't listen."

Amid the incessant voices of the two, Yin Ji endured for a long time and finally couldn't help but say: "Yuanshi Tianzun, what kind of magic were you cultivating just now?"

"Call me Yuanshi." I made an excessive request.

Yin Ji pursed her lips and looked at me silently.

Her temperament is really boring and can't stand teasing. My Guan Ya-jie is more interesting. I didn't force it and said with a smile, "Chun Yang Xi Shen Lu (Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record)."

I briefly described the function of the mental technique.

After hearing this, Yin Ji's deep, quiet, and bright eyes suddenly lit up.

She didn't hide her desire: "I want to buy the Chun Yang Xi Shen Lu (Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record). What do you think is a suitable price?"

If it were the Demon Lord, he would probably say, "That depends on how well you serve me tonight." However, I am a gentleman. I pondered:

"A Saint-level item is not necessarily a top-quality one, but it must have special uses or functions. In addition, you need to find at least a Ruler-level Knight profession item and sign a contract with me that you will not pass the Chun Yang Xi Shen Lu (Pure Yang Body Cleansing Record) to anyone."

Yin Ji breathed a slight sigh of relief and was in a good mood: "Okay! I will contact you after I leave the dungeon."

"This Yuanshi seems to have a strong interest in teasing Yin Ji, but it's not like he likes Yin Ji. Instead, it's based on some special reason and carries a bit of mischievousness." Xia Shu Zhi Lian watched the conversation between the two.

After walking for about half an hour, a small town finally appeared in everyone's sight after passing through the dense forest. The scale could not be determined. They were all typical ancient brick and tile wood structures.

Black tiles, white walls, and a single-line roof ridge.

This small town was deserted. The houses were arranged in an orderly manner but were dilapidated. There were many loopholes in the roof tiles. The cobblestone streets were crisscrossed and scattered with withered grass and dust.

Xiahou Aotian sighed: "The *Yai Shan Zhi* (Yai Shan Record) records: 'Cut down trees to build palaces, and establish the main hall called Ci Yuan to house Empress Dowager Yang. Outside, establish a temporary market for the imperial court. All officials and departments build more than 3,000 military houses, and tens of thousands of soldiers each have their own settlements.'"

"Each has its own settlement refers to settling down, so the houses are by no means simple. I didn't believe it at first because the remnant army of the Southern Song Dynasty arrived in Yai Shan in June 1278, and the Southern Song Dynasty was destroyed in early 1279."

"How can long-term settlements be established in less than a year? I didn't expect it to be true."

"Stop showing off your knowledge. Don't you see that everyone is nervous?" I coughed to prevent Xiahou Aotian from continuing to popularize science and said, "The palace should be deep in the town. Let's go."

After cautiously walking for another ten minutes, a palace hidden among the lush greenery appeared in front of us.

The scale was not large and slightly crude, but the red walls and golden tiles were different from the surrounding small town houses. This was probably the final stubbornness of the remnant army of the Southern Song Dynasty.

"The boss is inside."

My face and Yin Ji's face were heavy. In their perception, the palace was surrounded by Yin Qi, which was so strong that it was chilling.

The little emperor in the palace, no, the monster, was probably at the top level of the Saint stage.

Yin Ji pondered for a few seconds and said, "I will send Ling Pu (spirit servants) in to investigate and determine the monster's location first. Please wait patiently."

At this time, the advantages of the Night Wandering God were fully displayed.

Immediately, Yin Ji exhaled a mouthful of Taiyin power, turning it into a female ghost with a pale face and floating into the palace.

I lowered my voice: "After Yin Ji Zhishi (Yin Ji Executor) confirms the monster's location, we will take action, but it is necessary to formulate tactics before that. Hongji Ge, do you still have the bombs you used at the bottom of the sea?"

Hongji Ge said: "There are three explosive packs left. The other six will be refreshed after 10 hours."

"I saw it. It's in the Ci Yuan Palace. It seems to be sleeping. Maybe it's an opportunity." Yin Ji suddenly said.

"Could it be sleeping during the day? Hongji Ge, quickly install them at the gate of the palace. When Yin Ji Zhishi (Yin Ji Executor) lures it out, you immediately detonate them." I pushed Hongji Ge's shoulder and pushed him out.

Then, I looked at the others: "Do you have any trap-type items? If not, we will enter the palace after Hongji Ge installs the bombs and attack it while it is sleeping."

"It would be great if my cannon hadn't been used up." Xiahou Aotian said something useless.

At this time, Yin Ji said urgently:

"Come back quickly, I can't see it anymore."