Hengxing Wuji—Arrogant Tyrant—was the target of a recent manhunt launched by the spiritual walkers of Kangyang District. A loyal subordinate of Black Impermanence, he was a Level 3 Witch Gu Master.
Inside the business van en route to the meeting site, Li Dongze warned gravely:
"According to the intel we extracted from the spirit of the Witch Gu Master we eliminated earlier, Hengxing Wuji is most likely a Level 3 Gu Master with over 90% experience. He's at the absolute peak of the Transcendent stage."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded, his expression heavy.
Evil-path professions tended to have stronger combat power than the lawful ones. If Hengxing Wuji had over 90% experience at Level 3, then even a fellow Level 3 Night Wanderer without comparable experience would be at a severe disadvantage in a head-on clash.
Guan Ya smiled, "Don't worry. We've got numbers on our side."
The lawful faction boasted an overwhelming number of spiritual walkers. While evil-path jobs were individually powerful, their numbers were far too small to match.
Before long, they arrived at their destination—a secluded private club nestled in a bustling district.
The place was called Green Vine Wellness Pavilion. It specialized in beauty treatments, health regimens, and relaxation. Inside, the decor was pleasant and lush with greenery. Pets—adorable cats and dogs—roamed freely among the grass.
The interior had a traditional Chinese aesthetic: rattan chairs, round tables, wood carvings, ink paintings…
As they walked across the stone-paved garden paths, Zhang Yuanqing took in the serene ambiance. Beside him, Guan Ya commented:
"This place is one of Hundred Flowers Society's properties. It's usually used as a base for small teams. The person in charge here is Team Leader Green Vine."
Seeing Zhang Yuanqing's confused look, she explained with resignation, "The woman in the ink-wash qipao. Big boobs, round ass."
Zhang Yuanqing suddenly realized, "Ah... her."
Knew it. Scorpio. Guan Ya rolled her eyes in her mind.
After a few minutes, they reached a 30-square-meter sunroom.
In the center stood a rugged wooden long table, surrounded by more than a dozen spiritual walkers.
Following his squad leader, Zhang Yuanqing pushed open the door and glanced around. He saw a few familiar faces: White Dragon, the woman in a racing suit; Green Vine, the mature beauty in the qipao; the muscular brute in skintight gear, Big Muscle; and Tang Guoqiang, the middle-aged man still wearing his miner's helmet.
As for the rest, they were unfamiliar.
That helmet's gotta be a magic item, right? What does it do—make your skull bulletproof? Zhang Yuanqing gave Tang Guoqiang another look. Though the construction boss had changed his clothes, he still stubbornly wore that ridiculous hat.
He hadn't thought much of it before, but now he realized: if a spiritual walker insisted on wearing something everywhere, odds were, it was a magical item.
"Yo, our little Night Wanderer is here," White Dragon raised an eyebrow, "How's life with Li Dongze? If it sucks, you can come to my squad. We've got good food, fine wine, and plenty of pretty girls."
Big Muscle laughed, "Yeah, I don't see much future with Li Dongze unless he hands you a girlfriend."
The others at the table looked over with a mix of curiosity, scrutiny, and goodwill. Zhang Yuanqing suddenly became the center of attention.
His brush with fame in the Sheling Tunnel incident was only the beginning. After clearing Goldenwater Amusement Park, the name 'Primordial Heavenly Sovereign' had become a rising star in the Songhai Division.
Li Dongze opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to shield his subordinate from too much scrutiny. But then he thought better of it.
Zhang Yuanqing maintained a solemn expression. "Give it a few more months, and even the squad leader will be working under me."
Everyone froze, then broke into laughter, teasing Li Dongze.
Clearing his throat, Li Dongze led his two subordinates to a seat and said, "Let's get down to business."
The laughter subsided. Green Vine, as the host, took the lead:
"Our informants saw Hengxing Wuji entering a villa community near Runmin Plaza early this morning. We haven't confirmed whether it's his hideout or just a meeting point with allies."
"Hundred Flowers Society's informants are stray animals scattered throughout Songhai," Guan Ya whispered to Zhang Yuanqing.
Stray animals? Oh right, high-level wood sprites were also known as Beast Kings... Zhang Yuanqing nodded subtly.
Tang Guoqiang frowned and said:
"I know that villa complex. It's full of rich folks. If we're going to capture him, we'll need to clear the area."
Big Muscle objected immediately, "No way. If we clear it out, it'll tip him off. We need to hit fast and hit hard—catch him off guard."
He wasn't the type to waste time on over-planning. Action first.
Li Dongze considered for a moment. "Agreed. Clearing the area risks alerting him. I've got two plans: One, we request Centurion Fu's support and try for a swift takedown. Two, we use an item to cut off the villa from the outside world—trap him like a rat."
A grim-looking man at the table frowned. "Centurion Fu is tracking Black Impermanence. He might not have the bandwidth for this. We need to plan our own operation and not rely solely on him."
Zhang Yuanqing sat quietly, listening. The group included fifteen official spiritual walkers: five team leaders and ten elite members, all part of the special task force focused on the Black Impermanence case.
Such a force should be more than enough to take down a Level 3 Witch Gu Master.
"I have a question…" Zhang Yuanqing raised his hand.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"What if Hengxing Wuji, like Ou Xiangrong, is under the control of the Fallen Holy Grail?" he asked.
Ou Xiangrong had managed to escape a siege due to the explosive power of the Fallen Grail. The evil aura meant to destroy him had become a trump card instead.
Big Muscle grinned, "Don't worry. We've got items that counter evil energy."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded, reassured.
Green Vine, dressed in a pale moon-colored qipao today, looked at him with a smile and asked, "Any other thoughts?"
First, unleash the Red Dancing Shoes. Then activate the Elvis Speaker to suppress him. Swap vision using Little Dumbass. Finally, summon the Ghost Bride. That Witch Gu Master will be toast. As for me, I'll just play strategist behind the scenes... Zhang Yuanqing shook his head.
"I'll follow the squad leaders' command."
Though he didn't offer any strategic insights, the leaders appreciated his attitude.
Green Vine continued:
"First, let's contact Centurion Fu and confirm whether we're going with Plan A or Plan B. Regardless, the operation should be conducted at night—to minimize collateral damage and public exposure.
"Also, replace some of the villa district's security personnel with our own. Not all of them—just a few, to avoid suspicion..."
...
In a second-floor villa room, Fu Qingyang—dressed in a crisp white suit and sporting a slick short ponytail—knocked coldly on Lingjun's door.
"What is it?"
In contrast to Fu Qingyang's pristine look, Lingjun yawned, complaining:
"I was up all night playing cards with a girl. Can I sleep a little longer? Don't worry—it wasn't one of your bunny girls. I don't eat the grass by my own nest."
"The Fenghua District Deacon reported spotting Black Impermanence. They're preparing an operation and requested my support," said Fu Qingyang. "You're coming too."
"We found Black Impermanence?" Lingjun's eyes lit up. Instantly energized, he shuffled toward the stairs in slippers. But after two steps, he stopped.
Fu Qingyang thought he was about to say I'll change clothes, but instead, Lingjun said:
"Wait—I need to message the girl I had plans with tonight. Gotta reschedule."
Fu Qingyang's expression turned colder.
...
At midnight, three black business vans pulled into the villa district and parked in a secluded corner.
The doors opened, and the task force members exited silently and efficiently.
A young man in a security uniform emerged from the shadows and approached Green Vine, whispering:
"Captain, Hengxing Wuji is inside. I saw him enter with my own eyes."
Green Vine's lovely face turned solemn. She gently stroked the orange cat in her arms and asked, "Were you spotted?"
The young man shook his head. "I had a mask on and barely glanced at him. My pet sparrow, Little Q, continued the surveillance."
Green Vine nodded and opened her item inventory. From the void, she pulled out a dry, finger-thick, half-foot-long piece of wood.
In her vision, the item's info appeared:
[Name: Mysterious Garden]
[Type: Support]
[Function: Barrier, Seal]
[Description: A chunk of wood teeming with dormant vitality. When placed in soil, it awakens and transforms the area within 100 meters into a sealed garden. The garden is cut off from the outside—entry only, no exit. Duration: 30 minutes.]
[Note: The cost has already been explained in the description—what more do you want me to say?]
Green Vine looked around at her comrades and warned, "We've got only thirty minutes."
She briefly explained the item's drawbacks, then took out a red cord and tied it around the orange cat's body. Stroking its head, she said gently:
"Go!"
The cat leapt gracefully and darted toward the villa standing silently in the dark.