Chapter 1 A Meeting

A medieval-style council chamber.

Zhang Yuanqing appeared at the head of the table, watching as figures materialized around him—the Rulers of the organization.

Demon Eye Heavenly King and Palace Master Zhisha; all the Rulers instinctively glanced at Apple Pie, the heavily made-up Western woman with black hair and brown eyes. Her eyeliner was thick, her lipstick bright, and her foundation a bit heavy—the standard look of a nightclub queen.

Even Xiahou Aotian, who believed that "women don't need too much personality; they should just obediently join my harem," couldn't help but drool, staring at her dreamily.

An Grade Eight Ruler of Lust; even with thick makeup, she could captivate a large number of men.

Apple Pie curled her lips into a warm, ambiguous smile. "Guild Leader, should I excuse myself?"

Before Zhang Yuanqing could respond, Palace Master Zhisha said coolly, "No need."

Her voice was soft and pleasant, yet it resonated in everyone's ears like the morning bell, dispelling any amorous thoughts.

Xiahou Aotian sized up Apple Pie and asked with feigned modesty, "Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Apple Pie's smile widened. "Although I don't like younger men, if it's a young genius, I wouldn't mind having a pleasant and enjoyable experience."

She wouldn't actively flirt with a Ruler from the same organization; after all, office romances shouldn't be encouraged. But if someone offered themselves, she would gladly accept.

The Lust profession governed the world with sleep and cultivated connections with charm. Xiahou Aotian nodded, stroking his chin as he muttered, "Although I don't have a virginity complex, she's too flamboyant, and her profession isn't ideal. But she's definitely prettier than any woman I've ever seen. Hmm, if I were to add her to my harem, her position should be as a mistress, not a confidante or the primary wife."

"What are you saying?" The Rulers were bewildered.

Zhang Yuanqing "coughed" to interrupt Xiahou Aotian's rambling. "Enough idle talk. It's meeting time. Everyone, everyone, the first joint operation for the Returned from the Dead is about to begin."

The Rulers of the Jishi Society, along with Deng Jingguo and Xiahou Aotian, all looked at him with questioning eyes.

They didn't know Zhang Yuanqing's plan. After receiving the message about the meeting tonight, they used the directional teleportation jade charm given by Mr. Chairman to come to the dungeon.

Zhang Yuanqing said, "I plan to hunt down the higher-ups of the Southern Branch of the Nihilism Church."

As soon as he said this, the Rulers of the Second District revealed expressions of astonishment. Only Xiahou Aotian's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Excellent! This is our first step to make a name for the Returned from the Dead. Not bad, not bad, Yuan Shi Tianzun, your execution is very satisfying to me. Even if you didn't say it, I was planning to suggest you stir up some trouble."

The Rulers of the Second District immediately cast admiring glances at him. Only a genius who had berated a Demigod would possess such strong aggression and confidence.

Deng Jingguo was somewhat tempted. If his mission to hunt down a Ruler succeeded, the rewards would be enormous. He considered, "The Nihilism Church is a large organization. To hunt down a high-ranking member, we must be prepared to be besieged by high-level Rulers, or even have peak Rulers participate in the battle. Guild Leader, are you confident?"

"I can't guarantee anything, because our enemy is the Nihilism Church, the most elusive Illusionists. And behind the Southern Branch, there might be an even higher level of power at play."

Zhang Yuanqing subtly hinted at Ling Tuo, without saying it explicitly. He looked around at the Rulers at the table. "Today's meeting is to formulate a plan. You are all experienced Rulers. If you think it's feasible, you can choose to participate. If you think it's too risky, you can withdraw."

The Rulers of the Jishi Society nodded secretly. It was fair; he wasn't forcing them to participate!

Zhang Yuanqing said, "Our targets are the Third Elder and Ninth Elder of the Southern Branch, corresponding to Grade Eight and Grade Seven respectively. According to the habits of the Southern Branch's high-level members, they spend most of their time hiding in their own dream worlds."

"Dream worlds are very hidden, almost impossible to find. Only an Illusionist holding a specific item, chanting a mantra, and pouring in spiritual energy can open a dream world."

Hearing this, Chen Shu's personal bodyguard, Sofia, spoke up, "In that case, how do we find the Third Elder and Ninth Elder of the Southern Branch? Even if you have a way to control the members of the Southern Branch and enter the dream world, it would be like a moth flying into a flame."

Deng Jingguo nodded in agreement. "Fighting a Southern Branch Ruler in a dream world is indeed suicidal."

Zhang Yuanqing smiled. "Yes, there's no need to worry about that. I have a way to expel them from the dream world. What you need to do is to cooperate with me to encircle and kill the Southern Branch Elder after he leaves the dream world, or to stop the high-level members of the Southern Branch who come to rescue him."

"As for the Demigod aspect, don't worry. We have Void Demigod, White Tiger Demigod, and Enchanting Beauty Demigod."

He almost said "Succubus." Succubus was the nickname his uncle gave to that beauty goddess.

According to his uncle, Succubus was an existence that even Demigods of the evil alignment feared, because even evil professions found it difficult to resist extreme beauty and temptation, so they didn't dare to provoke Succubus.

However, Succubus's own attack power was low, and she couldn't force herself on those evil Demigod overlords. In the past ten years, the only one who dared to press himself on Succubus was Demon Lord.

Demon Lord had already given up anyway. The cause and effect had been produced, and the Holy Grail had corroded him. One more Succubus made no difference.

In a way, Demon Lord was very successful in getting a free ride from Succubus.

Hearing Yuan Shi Tianzun's words, the Rulers of the First District were immediately relieved. Deng Jingguo raised his hand. "I'll participate!"

The seductive woman "Apple Pie" thought for a moment and smiled, shaking her head. "Illusionists restrain my charm, so I won't participate."

"I'm not very interested in participating in land-based matters." The young and handsome Little Zhi Zhu shook his head. He was a Sea Demon and was not good at land-based battles, nor did he have any means to restrain Illusionists.

Since Schindler was a Lightning Mage, overlapping with Deng Jingguo's profession, there was no need to mobilize so many people to hunt down a Nihilist on land, so he didn't participate.

After confirming the participants, Zhang Yuanqing arranged the work: "Palace Master, Demon Eye, Little Yuan, you will act with my clone. Ms. Jojo will be responsible for support and vigilance."

"Xiahou Aotian, Sofia, Deng Jingguo, you will act with my main body. Later, I will ask the Chairman to send you teleportation jade charms. Meet at the Fu Family Bay in Songhai at midnight tonight."

He originally wanted to wait a little longer, because neither You Qing nor his uncle had collected the materials and props. But then he thought, under normal circumstances, four against one, he could win with his eyes closed. There was no need to wait any longer.

Moreover, collecting materials and props had too much uncertainty. What if he could never collect them? He couldn't keep waiting forever.

Deng Jingguo thought for a moment and asked, "How will the spoils be distributed?"

"Distributed according to contribution," Zhang Yuanqing said.

Deng Jingguo nodded slightly, seeing that no one else was speaking.

Zhang Yuanqing announced, "Meeting adjourned!"

In Yu Rong City, Fujian Province, "Brainstorm," returning from the black market, escorted a beautiful, curvaceous woman back to his apartment.

Brainstorm was already over fifty years old, but as a Dream Weaver, he could change his appearance at will. His current image was that of a handsome young man, with delicate features. Wearing overalls and holding a basketball, he could directly start dancing.

Relying on his handsome face, he could bring beautiful women home every now and then, without spending money or resorting to violence. The beauties were willing to go to bed with him, so there was no seduction or rape, and his moral value remained intact.

"Baby, there's a surprise tonight!" Brainstorm put his arm around the woman's slender waist and entered the bedroom, picking up a gift box on the desk. "This is a designer handbag, a new winter model."

The young woman's eyes lit up. She hugged the exquisite gift box and said coquettishly, "Thank you, darling!"

In fact, they had only met twice. Tonight was the third time. They were just casual partners.

Brainstorm raised his head and smiled mischievously. "Thanks aren't just said with the mouth; they're done with the mouth!"

As he spoke, he pushed the woman's shoulders down. In fact, he had always adhered to the principle of getting things for free and was rarely willing to spend money on women. However, at the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction a few days ago, he successfully bid for a Ruler-grade item for the Ninth Elder, and he received a huge cash reward and a small amount of Illusionist professional materials as a result.

He had been frequenting the black market these days to exchange the cash in his hand for materials. With plenty of cash and a good mood, he bought the bag.

It was good to occasionally feed a woman. This way, he could enjoy king-like treatment in bed.

After a flurry of pampering, "Brainstorm," unable to wait any longer, pulled the woman up and pressed her against the edge of the bed, beginning their joyful gallop.

In the friction that sparked the light of life, in the most sincere collision between people, he felt a shiver down his spine, a feeling of numbness rushing from his tailbone to the top of his head.

At that moment, his body stiffened, and a terrifying shadow in a red wedding dress appeared behind him, clinging tightly to his back. He was possessed.

At the same time, in front of him, a faint starlight rose, and a beautiful woman with bewitching red pupils inlaid in her dark eye sockets emerged from the starlight, holding a golden pocket watch in her hand.

With a click, the cover of the pocket watch sprang open. The red-eyed woman pinched the watch chain and gently shook it, hypnotizing the possessed Brainstorm.

Brainstorm couldn't resist or evade. He felt his consciousness start to spin, and his mental strength inevitably dissipated, becoming difficult to concentrate.

A dozen seconds later, the hypnosis was successful. Brainstorm's pupils became dull, and he stood there blankly.

The woman lying on the edge of the bed had already fainted. Princess Yinyao in front of him put away the pocket watch and took out a small speaker from her small bag. "You are now going to see the Ninth Elder."

After saying this several times, Brainstorm, with a dull expression, opened his inventory and took out a brass compass. The surface of the compass was covered with mysterious and ancient runes.

"Tell me the incantation to open the compass," Princess Yinyao asked again.

Brainstorm truthfully spoke the incantation.

Princess Yinyao contentedly put away the small speaker and took the luxury handbag on the table.

She forced the weak Yu Li woman to possess and avoid being discovered.

A hand reached out from the void and grabbed the compass. The owner of the hand came out of stealth and slowly emerged.

Throughout the entire process, he was in night travel mode, keeping himself hidden to prevent being discovered by the Lord of the Moon Palace halfway through the operation.

Zhang Yuanqing, his face covered with vine-like patterns, took out the Little Red Riding Hood and recalled Princess Yinyao and the Ghost Bride. Immediately, he simulated the Illusionist's spiritual power, chanted the incantation, and opened the dream world.

"I'll take a gamble. If I'm greeted by a Southern Branch Demigod in the dream world, then my uncle's guess is true."

His figure disappeared into the bedroom.