Chapter 60

Listening to the prompts from the spirit realm, Zhang Yuanqing was somewhat looking forward to the experience reward from the S-class instance.

He had consulted Guan Ya and Li Dongze. Spirit realm walkers who received a role card for the first time usually gained 0-5% experience after passing the trial mission. After that, completing a group spirit realm would typically grant 5-10% experience. A single-player spirit realm would yield 10-15% experience.

In other words, even with a 100% success rate, a spirit realm walker would need to experience over ten group spirit realms or nearly ten single-player spirit realms to level up.

The difficulty of leveling up was evident.

Zhang Yuanqing's trial spirit realm was S-class, and after passing it, he received a 20% experience reward. He then triggered a hidden mission, prying a spirit body crystal from the Three Peaks Lady's small mouth, which added another 22% experience.

One mountain god temple was equivalent to four or five group spirit realms for others.

"Under normal circumstances, to reach level 2, I would need to enter five group spirit realms or three single-player spirit realms. I wonder if Jinshui Amusement Park can let me level up to 2 in one go."

Zhang Yuanqing was full of anticipation.

Within the official organization, level 1 was considered a grassroots member, while level 2 marked the entry into the elite tier, with better wages and benefits.

[Reward settlement... Obtained items/props: Cat King speaker, red veil]

[Reward experience: 40%]

[Main mission settlement completed... Ding, congratulations on completing the hidden mission, settling rewards...]

[Obtained items/props: Steady One's Pearl]

[Reward experience: 25%]

[Hidden mission settlement completed... Ding, congratulations on advancing to level 2 Night Walker...]

[Ding! Role card reward activated, reward prop: Disguise Ring.]

[Settlement complete! Exiting the spirit realm in five minutes...]

"The rewards are even richer than 'She Ling Tunnel.' No wonder it's an S-class instance of the Extraordinary Realm. 65% experience, four items, a big win..."

Zhang Yuanqing was stunned, hearing his heart pounding in his chest.

Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation at his brow, knowing the Black Moon Mark was about to become prominent.

Oh no, the black crescent moon must not be seen by others... He felt a chill and instinctively looked at Xie Lingxi.

The little girl's pupils were unfocused, staring at some point in the void, probably checking her role panel and mission rewards, not paying attention to her surroundings.

Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief and turned away.

Immediately, the scorching Black Moon Mark released a powerful Yin force, washing over his body in a nearly brutal manner, merging into his cells and bones.

He involuntarily twitched, feeling a change in his life level and a recombination of his genetic sequence...

Three new innate skills naturally integrated into his instincts.

[Name: Primordial Celestial Venerable]

[Race: Human]

[Occupation: Night Walker]

[Level: 2]

[Skills: Night Walk, Spirit Devour, Yin Spirit, Moon Howl, Enchantment, Spirit Script]

[Experience: 23%]

[Morality: 90]

[Reputation: 15]

[Moon Howl (Active): Borrow power from the Yin, significantly enhancing personal attributes for fifteen minutes. After the skill ends, enter a three-hour weakened state. Note: This skill can only be used at night. Skill activation: Raise head and howl at the moon.]

[Enchantment (Active): Can make the target hallucinate and lose direction. Note: Ghosts often use this skill to enchant mortals.]

[Spirit Script (Active): Unique spirit script of the Night Walker, can draw talismans and formations. Note: Currently can only draw spirit scripts targeting spirit bodies.]

Zhang Yuanqing focused and sensed the nature of the skills without needing to use them.

Moon Howl and Night Walk are incompatible active skills. In the Moon Howl state, Night Walk cannot be used, and vice versa.

If Night Walk is a top-tier assassination skill, then Moon Howl compensates for the Night Walker's weakness in close combat.

Enchantment is more of a control and support skill. Although it lacks direct lethality, it increases the Night Walker's versatility and operational space.

As for Spirit Script, it can be used to create talismans and draw formations, which are not just for restraining resentful spirits but also for nurturing and refining spirits.

"Finally, I can further cultivate Little Dopey." Zhang Yuanqing thought happily, then opened his item inventory to check the props.

In addition to the Cat King speaker, the instance rewarded two items, one of which was a consumable.

[Name: Red Veil]

[Type: Decorative (Consumable)]

[Function: Summon]

[Description: The red veil of the ghost bride in the Jinshui Amusement Park, a scene of a ghost marriage. An item blessed by an indescribable existence, it is an inseparable part of the ghost bride. Only a special person who successfully deceives the ghost bride can obtain it.]

[Note 1: Wearing the red veil can summon the ghost bride. This item can be used three times.]

[Note 2: Haha, I laugh at the lady's lack of strategy, her attempt to steal a chicken backfired.]

[Note 3: Using the red veil in the spirit realm has a chance to attract the attention of that existence. After reading Note 2, you will use it cautiously.]

"Whew, this thing has a built-in taunt? If the Three Peaks Lady senses it, she'll be furious..." Zhang Yuanqing drew a cold breath, feeling both surprised and pained.

He suspected the ghost bride was either at the peak of the Extraordinary Realm or had touched the Saint Realm. Such a level of summoned creature could serve as a life-saving measure.

The problem was that for the Three Peaks Lady, the red veil was more insulting than harmful. The magnificent lady would likely chase him throughout the spirit realm.

He decided never to use it in the spirit realm.

[Name: Steady One's Pearl]

[Type: Pearl]

[Function: Buff, Defense]

[Description: A prop for the Earth Monster occupation, condensed with the power of the earth, enhancing strength and defense.]

[Note: Heaviness comes at a cost.]

...

[Name: Disguise Ring]

[Type: Accessory]

[Function: Disguise]

[Description: A magical ring that can change one's appearance, allowing free adjustment of facial features.]

[Note: Don't you know what you look like?]

"The reward for the Demon Lord's role card is to grant an item for each instance entry? Holy crap, this is a bit overpowered... The function of the Disguise Ring is simple and straightforward, but the cost of the Steady One's Pearl seems unreliable. Well, let's try it..."

Zhang Yuanqing took out the pearl from his item inventory. It was the size of an egg, with a yellowish-brown color, and felt heavy to the touch.

After holding the Steady One's Pearl, he felt heavier and stronger, with a strong sense of security. However, he also became slower, as if a mountain was pressing down on him, making his movements extremely slow.

"How can I fight with this pearl? The pros and cons are clear; this is a regular item. The Demon Slaying Staff and Red Dance Shoes are abnormal."

As he thought, he suddenly heard a joyful cheer:

"Brother Wang Tai, can you imagine? I got 35% experience, one item, and one consumable. The rewards are so rich, fitting for an S-class spirit realm."

Xie Lingxi, after checking her rewards, seemed like a little girl who had just received a lollipop, bouncing on the spot.

"Brother Wang Tai, what rewards did you get? How much experience, and any items?"

The little girl blinked her lively eyes, looking at him.

She had two items, one given by an elder and one obtained in a single-player spirit realm. Now, with another one, she had three items at a young age. Can you imagine?

Your smug expression is almost written on your face... Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly:

"Not bad!

"My rewards are not many, 65% experience, three items, and one consumable."

Xie Lingxi was stunned, her face stiffening, her mouth slowly opening, and her eyes staring blankly at him.

I can clearly sense your envy! Zhang Yuanqing felt pleased.

Xie Lingxi murmured, "How... Why are your rewards so much higher? The spirit realm is unfair!!"

Zhang Yuanqing comforted her, "Maybe the spirit realm wants you to see the disparity in the world."

"???" Xie Lingxi was on the verge of tears.

If you knew this was only my second time in the spirit realm, the disparity would be even more apparent! Zhang Yuanqing did not continue to pressure her, patiently waiting for the return.

At the same time, he thought about the subsequent benefits after passing the instance. Successfully getting the first kill of an S-class spirit realm, the experience rewards for future passers would definitely decrease, and the item rewards would not be as rich as the first kill.

But the rewards would still be higher than ordinary spirit realms, so the strategy was crucial.

The Cat King speaker was left by Soldier, who seemed to know some information. After returning to reality, he would study this item to see if he could get useful information.

Also, I need to take care of the matter entrusted by the dying father...

"Brother Wang Tai, why can't I see He Bo? Can we exchange phone numbers?" Xie Lingxi suddenly said, looking at the countdown that was almost zero.

"He Bo is still at the roller coaster. We already exchanged numbers."

"The number I gave you is fake."

"Oh, the one I gave you is real."

"No, the one you gave me is definitely fake." Xie Lingxi wrinkled her nose.

Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her, thinking they were just spirit realm netizens who would go their separate ways after the instance. Why would they need to stay in touch? You're still young; we can have a deeper conversation when you turn eighteen.

"Spirit realm walkers should not have too much interaction in reality, even within the same faction," Zhang Yuanqing said calmly.

"I will find you!" Xie Lingxi huffed.

As she spoke, the scenery of the detective reasoning hall rippled and quickly became blurry.

...

The scene turned from blurry to clear. Zhang Yuanqing saw his familiar desk, double bed, lamp, and TV... He had returned to reality.

The room was pitch black and quiet, with the curtains tightly drawn and soundproof glass blocking the outside noise. The digital alarm clock on the bedside table showed it was 5:00 AM.

He had spent five hours in the spirit realm, but Zhang Yuanqing felt a sense of vast change.

Pulling back the curtains, the sky was a deep blue, with few vehicles on the street. A sanitation worker slowly rode a garbage truck past.

The breakfast chain store on the street was already open, with thick steam rising.

Zhang Yuanqing turned on the light, stood in front of the full-length mirror by the window, and examined himself. His skin had become whiter, his facial features unchanged but more refined, with a strange aura in his eyes.

After a moment of thought, four words flashed in his mind—Evil and Noble!

"I remember Yuan Ting had this aura too. The higher the level of the Night Walker, the more pronounced the aura..."

Clearly, this was a change brought by the intense Yin force after leveling up.

In the future, I can give an evil smile, but no, I can't do