He opened his mouth but couldn't get the words out.
To deviate from the mainstream meant being different — unusual.
Before knowing whether that was good or bad, he couldn't just blurt it out anywhere. Besides, the forum had no relevant info, which meant the Black Crescent Moon wasn't something low-level players could grasp.
The higher the tier of something, the more secretive it would be — that was common sense.
Especially since he was still a rookie, lacking the skills and experience to handle emergencies.
Why was the character card given by Brother Bing different from the usual Night Wanderers? That damn guy disappeared and never explained a thing.
Frustrated, Zhang Yuanqing logged out of the post and clicked on the forum's search bar, intending to look up the "San Daoshan Niangniang Temple."
After typing the name, two results popped up: one was a dungeon walkthrough he'd seen before (from the Five Elements Alliance), and the other was an introduction to the temple.
"San Daoshan Niangniang Temple is a shrine located on San Daoshan in Songjiang Prefecture during the early Ming Dynasty. The temple honors the San Daoshan Niangniang, a goddess skilled in praying for rain, exorcising ghosts, alchemy, and healing — bringing blessings to the region. After she ascended to immortality, local officials and villagers funded the temple's construction."
"The temple declined early on, losing many precious research documents — excerpted from the Song Prefecture Library."
Reading those words, Zhang Yuanqing froze, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
The San Daoshan Niangniang Temple actually existed? In real history?
If that was true, did the goddess really exist? Or was she once a real person?
Could a real person appear inside the Spirit Realm?
If she was real, would she climb out of the Spirit Realm to find me...? Zhang Yuanqing shuddered at the thought.
"Guan Ya, I have a question..."
He never pondered things alone when he could ask.
Guan Ya turned back.
Zhang Yuanqing shared his suspicions about the San Daoshan Niangniang.
"Shi Zhang probably told you — the Spirit Realm is a place between reality and illusion," the old senior said, sipping her drink.
"Many Spirit Realm locations are based on real places, like the 'Lingang Reservoir' or 'Xiangshui Amusement Park.' You can find their real-world counterparts, but the Spirit Realm versions don't exist in reality — otherwise, it would be chaos."
So even though the San Daoshan Niangniang really existed, the one Zhang saw was just a Spirit Realm projection? He breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Banzi, just stay in the Spirit Realm, alright.
——
Beijing, North Water Gate Airport.
Yuan Ting sat in the spacious business class seat, lean features framed by neat black hair and dressed sharply in all black—a picture of a business elite.
He gazed out the tiny plane window at the glittering city lights below.
Having just reported the capture of the Sheling Tunnel earlier today, he was to be summoned to the capital this afternoon.
But this trip wasn't about the Sheling Tunnel — it was a call from the Taiyi Sect's master to gather all Night Wanderers nationwide for a meeting.
Such grand meetings usually happened only at year's end, when Night Wanderers reported their work in the capital.
Exceptions meant something serious.
Hope it's not bad news... Yuan Ting's thoughts drifted as the city lights grew nearer.
The plane landed smoothly. Yuan Ting grabbed his luggage and headed to the underground parking, where a chauffeured car awaited.
Forty minutes later, the car pulled up at a five-star hotel. Yuan Ting stored his bags and took the elevator to the top-floor conference hall.
Inside, a banquet was underway. Men and women dressed in black suits, coats, and gowns mingled, drinks in hand, laughter and chatter filling the room.
"Hey, Captain Yuan's here!"
Just as Yuan Ting picked up a glass from a waiter's tray, a man in a black shirt approached — short hair, bright eyes, sharp features, and a classic inverted triangle physique.
"Jian Ji!"
Yuan Ting smiled at his old friend. "Long time no see."
"We've all been waiting for you. Come on, let's say hello."
Jian Ji clapped a hand on Yuan Ting's shoulder, guiding him to a table where six others sat — three men, three women — all Night Wanderers trained with Yuan Ting when they first joined Taiyi.
Now, scattered across the country, all were team leaders.
After brief greetings, Yuan Ting asked:
"Why has the sect master called everyone to Beijing this time?"
Yang Qian, wearing a ponytail and leather outfit, pursed her lips, speaking softly:
"We were just talking about this. The secrecy level's high — even the stewards don't know."
Her figure was graceful yet fierce, no makeup or jewelry, radiating a sharp, commanding presence.
Stewards don't have clearance? Yuan Ting nodded and didn't press further.
Jian Ji laughed, raising his glass:
"We'll know when the meeting starts. No use guessing now. So, any interesting news lately?"
Yang Qian smirked:
"Actually, yes. Recently, the eldest son of the coastal Xiahou family was crippled by the palace master of the 'Palace of Killing Restraint.' I heard when the elders arrived, the guy was barely alive.
"They saved him with life essence, but his vitality was severely damaged. If there's a Spirit Realm mission soon, he's doomed."
"The Palace of Killing Restraint?" a male companion asked Yuan Ting, puzzled. "If I'm not mistaken, that's a Spirit Realm Walker group in the Songhai region. Why's there trouble with the Xiahou family?"
Yuan Ting shook his head:
"The Palace of Killing Restraint is notorious for radical personalities, especially their palace master — a complete madman. They pick fights with everyone but are somewhat civil toward official groups."
Yang Qian sighed:
"The palace master's a high-level Spirit Realm Walker. Even the stewards aren't her match. As long as she doesn't go too far, we just turn a blind eye."
After chatting a bit, Jian Ji looked around:
"Our Night Wanderer numbers are still too few, always watching other professions steal the spotlight."
"Speaking of which, it's been years since our sect produced a truly outstanding Night Wanderer," said Xia Liang, the cute, round-faced girl, her voice sweet with a hint of flirtation.
Now that topic caught Yuan Ting's interest:
"I have big news related to us Night Wanderers."
Everyone's eyes turned to him, curious.
"Remember the Sheling Tunnel?"
"Yeah, that newbie-level bug-infested Spirit Realm where Jiang Lin and Zhao Kai died," Jian Ji asked confused. "Did someone else get trapped there?"
"From now on, the Sheling Tunnel's first kill is gone — a kid just cleared it."
Yuan Ting's words hit the table like a dud bomb. The Night Wanderers fell silent.
A few seconds later, Jian Ji blinked:
"Really?"
Xia Bing's eyes widened. In her high-pitched voice, she said:
"Yuan Ting, you're not joking, are you?"
Others looked skeptical.
Yuan Ting nodded firmly:
"It's been reported to the sect. You can ask your superiors, but unless they read the walkthrough, the stewards won't tell you."
Skepticism turned to amazement. The Night Wanderers at the table looked stunned and excited.
"This is huge."
"That guy's amazing! How did he do it? Damn, I just want the walkthrough now, not the meeting."
"Wake up, your clearance probably won't reach that far."
Yang Qian glanced around, asking:
"Has this newcomer joined Taiyi? Is he in the capital?"
Yuan Ting seemed more animated, shaking his head regretfully:
"You don't know — that guy was recruited by the Five Elements Alliance. Fu Qingyang personally called Elder Sun to ask for the walkthrough, but Elder Sun refused outright when he heard it was for the Sheling Tunnel trial.
"What's done is done. Sigh, the elder's confused."
"Yeah, really confused."
"Elder Sun, I'm mad about this."
While venting frustration about the lofty elder, Yuan Ting suddenly saw a man in black approach him directly:
"Yuan Ting, Elder Sun said, after the meeting, don't leave. Go see him first."
Yuan Ting's expression stiffened.
The banquet ended quickly. Waiters cleared plates and drinks.
Soft lighting switched to bright conference lights. The room fell silent. Over a hundred Night Wanderers sat at round tables, waiting in absolute quiet.
After a long wait, an elderly man in white training robes entered the room with expectant eyes.
He was nearly two meters tall, majestic and imposing, with no wrinkles on his face and piercing eyes like blades. On his forehead was a golden sun tattoo.
If not for his silver hair, he'd look younger than most.
The Taiyi Sect's Grand Elder. Spirit Realm ID: Scarlet Sun Executioner.
The Night Wanderers sat upright, showing utmost respect to the strongest Night Wanderer under the sect master.
Scarlet Sun Executioner scanned the crowd slowly and spoke:
"Not long ago, the sect master sensed the demon lord's demise. The Taiyi Sect's biggest threat is gone. But the demon lord's character card hasn't returned to the Spirit Realm and is missing.
"From now on, you must search thoroughly for the demon lord's successor.
"This successor carries two unique marks: their class mark is not a crescent moon but a black crescent moon. When clearing Spirit Realm trials, they receive character card rewards unavailable to ordinary Night Wanderers."
If you want me to continue with the next chapters or want me to polish or adjust anything, just say.