Chapter 1 The Connection to Qinfeng Academy

What does this have to do with Qinfeng Academy? Zhang Yuanqing paused, instinctively looking at the experienced Guan Ya beside him.

Guan Ya stared at the totem for a moment, then looked at the Japanese girl and said casually, "This is a Qin Dynasty totem!"

Asano Ryo, who was still savoring the name "Qinfeng Academy," snapped back to reality and said somewhat awkwardly, "Yes, this is one of the pieces of evidence we found in Chinese history books. Takamagahara is indeed related to the Qin Dynasty..."

It seemed that the connection between Takamagahara and the Qin Dynasty made her feel a bit uneasy.

"Qin Dynasty," Zhang Yuanqing echoed Guan Ya. "So you've seen Zhang Yuanqing in the academy before?" He gave an "oh" sound, then continued, "Xu Fu, right?"

Although he wasn't particularly interested in mythological stories, he had a deep understanding of history.

Back in the old hag's mountain temple, he relied on his profound knowledge of ancient texts and history to understand the temple's chronicle.

Takamagahara, ancient cultivators, Qin Dynasty totems—he immediately thought of the famous Fangshi (alchemist) who sailed overseas to seek medicine.

Asano Ryo nodded and hummed softly.

Then, she stood up abruptly, embodying the spirit of a craftsman, bowed deeply, and said loudly, "Takamagahara is very important to the Chizuru-gumi. Please help us, Yuanshi-jun!"

Zhang Yuanqing didn't respond. He pondered, tapping his finger on the round table, and said, "You can leave first! Guan Ya and I have something to discuss."

"Hai!" Asano Ryo quietly left the screening room and closed the door behind her.

Guan Ya raised her water glass and asked, "That girl Xie Lingxi can monitor the villa. She should be able to hear our conversation here."

Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "I had Blood Rose keep an eye on her."

It wasn't that he didn't want Xie Lingxi to know—after all, the little green tea was on their side—but he had promised Asano Ryo to keep it a secret, so he had to keep his word.

Letting Guan Ya in on it was already the limit!

"Guan Ya-jie, was there anything wrong with what she said just now?"

"She wasn't lying," Guan Ya said.

Zhang Yuanqing leaned back in his chair in a relaxed posture, tapping his finger on the round table for a long while. Then, he said in a deep voice, "This matter isn't simple. I'm wondering if I should get involved."

After a pause, he continued, "You grew up abroad, so your knowledge of Chinese history is limited, but you should have heard of Xu Fu, and know the legends about him."

Guan Ya nodded. "I have some impression. He was the one who went to sea to seek the elixir of immortality for the First Emperor, right?"

Zhang Yuanqing's eyes were deep as he weighed his words. "If the Chizuru-gumi's investigation is accurate, then the ancient cultivators living in Takamagahara are likely to be Xu Fu, along with the boys and girls and ancient cultivators he took with him. The Qin Dynasty totem on the jade plate is the evidence."

"But there's a logical bug here. Xu Fu was a Fangshi, which corresponds to the Scholar profession, specializing in alchemy, forging, Bagua (Eight Trigrams) Feng Shui, and so on!"

"The First Emperor wanted immortality, so why didn't he just have Xu Fu make pills to prolong his life? Why go to sea to find the elixir of immortality? Think about it—spiritual energy was abundant in the Qin Dynasty, with countless capable people and strange experts. But the island country is just a small place, and there were probably very few ancient cultivators."

"Is it reasonable for a wealthy landlord to go to a pauper's house to seek wealth?"

Guan Ya raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ponder. "Are you saying—"

Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Unless, the ancient island country possessed something that even the First Emperor coveted, which is why he sent Xu Fu to sea to find it."

Guan Ya thought it made sense. "In that case, we need to trace back to the history before the Qin Dynasty, back to the age of mythology. But although mythology reflects the history of ancient cultivators to some extent, it contains a lot of false and fabricated information, which may not provide us with useful value."

"That's not important. We just need to know that there's a treasure on the island. We're giving Xu Fu a plausible motive for going to sea." Zhang Yuanqing didn't dwell on the topic and continued, "Xu Fu took the boys and girls to sea, successfully arrived at the island country, and found the treasure that the First Emperor desired. It might be the elixir of immortality, or something else."

"But Xu Fu didn't bring it back to the Central Plains. He became greedy and wanted to take the treasure for himself. So he stayed on the island, established Takamagahara, became a local emperor, and ruled the island along with the Lingjing Xingzhe (spiritual realm walkers) who accompanied him."

"Sounds reasonable." Guan Ya crossed her arms and rested her chin in her hand, asking curiously, "What do you think the so-called treasure is? Is it really the legendary elixir of immortality?"

"I'm not sure. It might be the elixir of immortality, or maybe going to sea to seek medicine was just a smokescreen to cover the real purpose. However, it must be an invaluable treasure. The First Emperor at the time had unified the world and had countless extraordinary people and strange experts under his command. What kind of treasure didn't he have? For him to mobilize Xu Fu to go to sea to find it, the value of that thing must be higher than we imagine," Zhang Yuanqing said.

"Guan Ya-jie, I plan to take on this task, but I want to increase the reward and request to enter Takamagahara."

"Enter Takamagahara?" Guan Ya frowned.

"Yuanshi, you were able to think of all this in a short time through a totem. The Chizuru-gumi has been investigating Takamagahara for nearly a century. Do you think they haven't thought of it?"

"The three sacred artifacts are probably just a bonus. What they really want is the thing that made Xu Fu betray the First Emperor. That's why the Chizuru-gumi doesn't want the Heavenly Punishment (Tianfa) to know."

"By the same token, they'll never agree to let Fu Qingyang go to Takamagahara. But if you go alone, it's too dangerous."

Her subtext was that if Yuanshi insisted on going to Takamagahara, the Chizuru-gumi might kill to silence him.

Zhang Yuanqing agreed with her assessment and asked, "Then do you think it's better to give up?"

"It would be a pity to give up this opportunity. Let me think..." Guan Ya mumbled. "This requires a game of chess. If Fu Qingyang was here, he could definitely come up with a solution. That kid is best at dirty political struggles."

She furrowed her delicate brows, pondering for a long time. Then, her eyes lit up and she smiled.

"I have an idea. If we insist on going, we definitely can't let any experts go. Otherwise, the Chizuru-gumi will fight to the death and reveal the secret of Takamagahara to the Heavenly Punishment. If the Heavenly Punishment gets involved, we won't even get a sip of soup."

"But going alone is too dangerous. I definitely won't agree to you going. But don't forget, you're a Night Wanderer. You can command Yin corpses or spirit servants to go. Letting 'pets' die while you observe from the sidelines—isn't that the correct way to play as a Night Wanderer?"

"Moreover, the combat power of Yin corpses and spirit servants is limited, after all. They're not as good as their master. The Chizuru-gumi will also relax their guard, making a compromise much more likely."

As she spoke, her thoughts became clearer.

"In addition, they wouldn't dare to kill your Yin corpses or spirit servants to silence them, because that would be meaningless. You can sign an agreement with them and discuss how to distribute the treasures inside, making appropriate concessions. I think the Chizuru-gumi will agree to it."

"Great idea." Zhang Yuanqing cupped Guan Ya's pretty face and kissed her hard.

Although she was a piece of trash handpicked by Young Master Qian, she at least came from a spiritual realm family and was more reliable than his silly, innocent little aunt.

He turned around and walked to the door of the screening room, pulling open the heavy soundproof door and peering out.

He saw Asano Ryo standing stiffly in the living room, her hands clasped in front of her, carrying her handbag, looking like a well-behaved girl.

Xie Lingxi, wearing a little skirt, was pacing around her, scrutinizing her with burning eyes, like a little hunting dog sizing up prey or an enemy.

"Asano Ryo, come in."

Zhang Yuanqing called out and retreated back into the screening room.

Asano Ryo breathed a sigh of relief and quickly escaped the terrifying girl her age, jogging into the screening room.

"Yuanshi-jun, what's your decision?" Asano Ryo stared at him with anticipation and nervousness, saying, "You can name any conditions you want."

Little sister, you don't negotiate a cooperation like that. You're too honest! Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, but said officially, "I have a question for you. You said you found the key to Takamagahara ten years after World War II. Why are you only mentioning it now?"

"Because we haven't found Takamagahara yet," Asano Ryo said in a soft, pleasant voice. "In mythological legends, Takamagahara is described as an island floating on the sea, in the clouds, a world in the sky. No one knows where it is!"

"But not long ago, the Chizuru-gumi finally found the location of Takamagahara. The leader planned to take the cadres to explore Takamagahara, but that traitor, the Edo Swordsman (Edo Ken Gou), stole the key." As she spoke, the JK's face was full of righteous indignation.

"He's been dissatisfied with the leader for a long time and ambitiously wants to replace the leader's position. This time, stealing the key and infiltrating Huaguo (China) is likely to be in contact with an evil organization."

"Where is Takamagahara?" Zhang Yuanqing probed.

"I don't know," Asano Ryo shook her head.

That's right. If you knew, your leader wouldn't have sent you here. Because if Yuanshi Tianzun was a ruthless person, you would already be dead.

Zhang Yuanqing said, "I can help, but the reward must be increased to 500 million yen. Also, after it's done, I want to enter Takamagahara. But don't worry, I'll send a Yin corpse in. You can pick the treasures inside first!"

What that meant was: I want a share! Asano Ryo immediately showed a troubled expression.

She was very willing to share the spoils with Yuanshi-jun, because this man was her savior, a partner with whom she had shared life and death. Her becoming a Saint and having her current status was all thanks to Yuanshi-jun.

But the Chizuru-gumi wasn't her to decide!

With the leader and the cadres' determination to obtain Takamagahara and their desire for the rise of spiritual realm walkers in the island country, they would never willingly share it with outsiders.

Seeing the JK's expression, Zhang Yuanqing knew what she was worried about and smiled.

"Tell the Chizuru-gumi's higher-ups that if the Edo Swordsman is really in contact with an evil organization, the longer they delay, the less hope the Chizuru-gumi has and they'll have to compromise with the Heavenly Punishment."

"And I can retrieve the jade plate within two days. By the way, did you bring the Edo Swordsman's DNA?"

"I brought it," Asano Ryo nodded. "The Edo Swordsman was injured in the Chizuru-gumi cadres' encirclement. I brought his blood."

"Then there's no problem!" Zhang Yuanqing nodded.

"Contact your organization. Guan Ya and I will step aside. We will definitely not eavesdrop."

After saying that, he left with the experienced driver.

After the heavy soundproof door closed, Asano Ryo called the leader, Kambe Ichiro.

"Ryo-chan, how did it go?" A deep, thick voice came from the phone. "The Chizuru-gumi's great cause is at stake. If you mess it up, we'll all have to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) to apologize."

【In other words, the app that I am currently using for reading and listening to books, Yeguo Reading, .yeguoyuedu, install the latest version.】

Asano Ryo unconsciously bowed and softly relayed Yuanshi Tianzun's conditions to Kambe Ichiro.

"Baga (idiot)!" An uncontrollable curse came from the phone. "Takamagahara belongs only to the Chizuru-gumi. No one can touch it. Ryo-chan, is that how you negotiate?"

Asano Ryo instinctively apologized repeatedly. Then, remembering Yuanshi Tianzun's reason, she said softly, "But leader, Yuanshi-jun said that he can retrieve the key within two days!"

There was silence on the other end of the phone. After a moment, the leader's voice softened a lot.

"If Yuanshi Tianzun can do it, then I can agree. But he must keep his promise and only let a Yin body or spirit servant enter Takamagahara."

Asano Ryo was relieved, and a smile bloomed on her face.

"Yuanshi-jun is a virtuous samurai and will definitely keep his promise."

If she knew the nickname "Rascal Celestial Venerable," she probably wouldn't think that way.

Hanging up the phone, Asano Ryo pushed open the heavy soundproof door in a good mood and saw Yuanshi Tianzun, Guan Ya, and that beautiful girl of the same age sitting in the living room without saying a word.

Yuanshi Tianzun was wearing a delicate, high-tech headset on his head.

"Judging by your expression, the Chizuru-gumi agreed?" Zhang Yuanqing asked with a smile.

"Yes, the leader said that as long as Yuanshi-jun can retrieve the key and keep his promise, he can let you—" Asano Ryo glanced at Xie Lingxi and quickly shut her mouth, awkwardly changing the subject.

"Yuanshi-jun, your headset is so beautiful."

Xie Lingxi chuckled.

After getting the Edo Swordsman's photos, information, and bloodstains from Asano Ryo, Zhang Yuanqing returned to his room, took out the Grand Dao Star Disc, and deduced the actions to hunt down the Edo Swordsman.

As the power of the stars entered, the silver stars on the surface of the black disc lit up one by one, projecting a dazzling Milky Way in the room.

The Milky Way rotated at high speed, forming a vortex that suddenly poured into Zhang Yuanqing's brow.

A scene suddenly appeared in his mind: a gaunt middle-aged man holding a katana (Japanese sword), rising up with a hideous expression, making a chopping motion.

The gleaming blade condensed with sharp, unparalleled sword energy.

A few seconds later, the scene changed. This time, it was a burly man with bulging muscles, containing terrifying power.

His eyes were fierce, and his eyebrows revealed a bloodthirsty fighting intent. His face was covered with twisted, blood-red runes!

Two pairs of illusory arms extended from his ribs.

The scene ended, and the deduction was over.

Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes and frowned. "The Soldiers of Cataclysm (Bing Zhu Jiao)..."

There was no doubt that the Edo Swordsman had indeed hooked up with a local evil organization, and it was the Soldiers of Cataclysm, the most notorious of the three major evil organizations.

"The one just now should be a Mist Master (Wu Zhu). If it was a Dominator (Zhu Zai), the enchantment runes should have covered his whole body instead of just his face. Being able to condense two pairs of illusory arms means that the other party is level 5. If he was level 6, then it would be three pairs of arms."

Although the Three Heads and Eight Arms skill is at the Dominator level, a Mist Master at the Saint stage can condense an illusion of arms. In the Dominator Realm, they will solidify, become real flesh and blood, and grow two heads.

Zhang Yuanqing opened his computer, logged into the Yuanshi Tianzun account, and searched for "Soldiers of Cataclysm level 5 Mist Master."

He searched out nineteen characters. These were all wanted criminals officially wanted and included in the database.

He clicked on the spiritual realm ID one by one to view their personal information.

Zhang Yuanqing quickly found the Mist Master he saw in the picture.

【Spiritual Realm ID: Blood-Drinking Mad Blade, Level 5 Mist Master, active in the Changchun area of Jilin Province, brutal and bloodthirsty, once—】

Below were the cases that "Blood-Drinking Mad Blade" had committed.

Zhang Yuanqing scanned roughly, committing all kinds of evils, including raping and plundering. He had violated and killed more than forty female official walkers and ordinary women.

He was the protector of many local underworld forces, but because of moral constraints, he was not the leader.

He controlled many businessmen, helping them to clear obstacles and amass wealth.

The Changchun branch had encircled and suppressed this thief many times. The most recent was two years ago, almost killing him. After escaping, Blood-Drinking Mad Blade went into hiding and had not been heard from since.

"The Northwest is the territory of the Soldiers of Cataclysm. The Northern Sect of the Void Sect is also very active. Without seeking assistance from the Changchun branch, I need to fight quickly and not engage in a protracted war."

"A level 5 swordsman, plus a level 5 Mist Master... it's a bit difficult to deal with. Just Guan Ya and I aren't enough. I need to bring in another helper."

Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but fall into trouble.

He didn't lack helpers. Official members had no shortage of helpers. But who should he look for?

Whether it was Fu Qingyang or Ling Jun, once they intervened in this matter, the matter of Takamagahara would be difficult to hide.

He had to find a trustworthy helper who wasn't interested in this matter.

Two people appeared in Zhang Yuanqing's mind: Jiang Jingwei and Xiao Yuan.

According to Guan Ya, Jiang Jingwei had already entered the dungeon a few days ago, and her experience points had increased a lot. In addition, with the characteristics of the Fire Demon, even facing a level 5 Saint, she could fight.

Moreover, Jingwei had a simple mind and would never actively explore secrets. Even if the secrets were placed in front of her, she would laugh it off. She was a partner who could be completely trusted.

"But from a stable point of view, Xiao Yuan is the best choice. She is level 5 and is also an evil profession with extremely high combat power, stronger than Jingwei. It's just that Xiao Yuan and I are quite ambiguous. Is it not good to let her meet Guan Ya?"

"And Guan Ya is a scout. She will definitely be able to see the ambiguity between me and Xiao Yuan. Should I choose Jingwei after all?"

He could face the relationship between the Queen and Xie Lingxi calmly and wasn't afraid of Guan Ya being jealous, but he couldn't be clear in his conscience in front of Xiao Yuan!

Before pursuing Guan Ya, Zhang Yuanqing was indeed full of longing for this aunt and still yearned for her.

So, he chose to call Jiang Jingwei's phone.

The ringtone rang for a long time before it was finally connected. A gentle and mature female voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Yuanshi Tianzun? I'm Jingwei's mother."

"Auntie, hello. Is Jingwei there? The patrol team has a mission," Zhang Yuanqing said.

"I'm sorry, Jingwei has entered the spiritual realm," Jiang's mother said apologetically.

"Didn't she go to a dungeon a few days ago?" Zhang Yuanqing was stunned.

"It's the Red Fire Gang's gang dungeon. Jingwei is receiving special training from her brother in the spiritual realm. Sorry, she can't participate in this mission."

What special training? It's just fighting, fighting, fighting! Zhang Yuanqing slandered in his heart and hung up the phone in disappointment!

Alas, I have to find Xiao Yuan. Life is often unsatisfactory.