As the notification chime from the Spirit Realm echoed in his ears, Zhang Yuanqing looked forward to the XP rewards from the S-level dungeon.
He had already asked Guan Ya and Li Dongze about it. For first-time Spirit Realm Walkers who received their role cards, completing the trial would typically grant between 0–5% experience. Afterward, completing a multiplayer dungeon would give around 5–10% XP.
A solo dungeon, on the other hand, usually rewarded 10–15%.
In other words, even with a 100% clearance rate, a Spirit Realm Walker would have to complete at least 10 multiplayer dungeons or nearly 10 solo ones to level up.
The difficulty of leveling was self-evident.
Zhang Yuanqing's trial had been an S-level dungeon, which granted him a whopping 20% XP on completion. Then he triggered a hidden quest and managed to extract a Spirit Crystal from Three Mountains Empress's mouth, which gave him an additional 22%.
One mountain temple alone was worth four or five regular multiplayer dungeons.
"Normally, I'd need five multiplayer dungeons or three solo ones to reach Level 2. I wonder if Jinshui Amusement Park can push me to Level 2 in one go..."
His hopes were high.
Within the official organization, Level 1 was considered entry-level. Only at Level 2 did one qualify as part of the elite, enjoying higher pay and many benefits.
[Reward Settlement in Progress... Received Item/Tool: Elvis Speaker, Red Veil]
[Experience Reward: 40%]
[Main Quest Settlement Complete... Ding! Congratulations on completing the hidden quest. Settling additional rewards...]
[Received Item/Tool: Pearl of Stability]
[Bonus Experience: 25%]
[Hidden Quest Settlement Complete... Ding! Congratulations, you've reached Level 2 Night Wanderer...]
[Ding! Role card reward activated. Item granted: Disguise Ring.]
[Settlement Complete! You will exit the Spirit Realm in 5 minutes...]
"Even more rewarding than Sheling Tunnel. As expected of a Transcendent-tier S-level dungeon... 65% XP and four items. What a haul..."
Zhang Yuanqing was stunned, hearing his heart pounding inside his chest.
Then he felt a burning sensation in his brow—his black moon mark was about to emerge.
Shit. I can't let anyone see the black full moon... He tensed and instinctively glanced at Xie Lingxi.
The girl's pupils were unfocused, staring into space. She was probably browsing her role panel and reviewing her rewards, completely unaware of her surroundings.
Zhang Yuanqing let out a breath of relief and turned his back to her.
Next came a surge of powerful Taiyin energy from his black moon mark, violently flooding into his body, permeating every cell and bone.
He began to tremble uncontrollably. It felt as if his entire biological makeup was being restructured, his genes rewritten...
Three brand-new innate skills settled into his instincts as naturally as breathing.
[Name: Primordial Supreme]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Night Wanderer]
[Level: 2]
[Skills: Night Travel, Spirit Devour, Spirit of Taiyin, Lunar Howl, Glamour, Spirit Sigil]
[Experience: 23%]
[Virtue: 90]
[Reputation: 15]
[Lunar Howl (Active): Borrow power from the Taiyin. Significantly boosts all physical stats for 15 minutes. After effect ends, the user enters a 3-hour state of fatigue. Note: This skill can only be activated at night. Activation gesture: look up and howl at the moon.]
[Glamour (Active): Induces hallucinations in a target, disorienting their sense of direction. Note: A favorite trick of spirits to seduce mortals.]
[Spirit Sigil (Active): Unique to Night Wanderers. Allows drawing of talismans and formation arrays. Note: Currently limited to sigils targeting spirit entities.]
Zhang Yuanqing quietly sensed the skills. He didn't need to activate them to understand their effects.
Lunar Howl and Night Travel were mutually exclusive actives—one couldn't be used while the other was active.
If Night Travel was the ultimate assassination tool, then Lunar Howl made up for the Night Wanderer's weakness in melee combat.
Glamour leaned toward control and utility—non-lethal, but very versatile and opened up new tactical options.
Spirit Sigil, meanwhile, enabled the crafting of talismans and formation arrays. These weren't just for suppressing spirits, but could also be used to nurture or refine them.
"Finally, I can start training Little Dumbass properly." Zhang Yuanqing thought excitedly as he opened his inventory.
Besides the Elvis Speaker, the dungeon had rewarded him with two items and one consumable.
[Name: Red Veil]
[Type: Decorative (Consumable)]
[Effect: Summoning]
[Description: The veil worn by the ghost bride in the underworld wedding scene at Jinshui Amusement Park. This item has been blessed by an indescribable entity. It was part of the ghost bride's body, only obtainable by deceiving her through special means.]
[Note 1: Wearing this veil can summon the ghost bride. Usable three times.]
[Note 2: Hahaha! I mock that Empress for her folly—trying to steal chickens and ending up losing the rice.
[Note 3: Using this item in the Spirit Realm may draw attention from that indescribable being. After reading Note 2, I trust you'll think twice.]
"Damn... this thing even comes with mockery? If Three Mountains Empress senses this, she'll go berserk..." Zhang Yuanqing winced, both thrilled and annoyed.
He suspected the ghost bride was either peak Transcendent or had reached the Saint realm. As a summonable monster, she was easily a top-tier lifesaving trump card.
But the problem was, it was essentially a slap in the face to the Empress. She'd probably chase him through the whole Spirit Realm just to settle the score.
Definitely not using this thing in a dungeon... he vowed silently.
[Name: Pearl of Stability]
[Type: Gemstone]
[Effect: Buff/Defense]
[Description: A totem of the Earth Elemental class. Contains the power of the land, boosting strength and defense.]
[Note: Heaviness always comes at a price.]
[Name: Disguise Ring]
[Type: Accessory]
[Effect: Disguise]
[Description: A magical ring that allows the wearer to alter their facial features at will.]
[Note: Don't you even know what you look like?]
"So every dungeon cleared with the Demon Monarch role grants a new item? That's broken..." Zhang Yuanqing muttered. The ring's function was straightforward, but the Pearl's drawbacks made him suspicious.
He pulled out the Pearl from his inventory—it was the size of an egg, earth-toned, and exuded a heavy aura.
Grasping it made him feel heavier, stronger, and deeply grounded. But it also slowed his movements, as though he was carrying a mountain on his back.
"How the hell do you fight like this? The pros and cons are obvious—this is what a normal item looks like. Unlike the Vajra Pestle and Red Dancing Shoes..."
Just then, he heard a cheerful voice.
"Brother Wang Tai, can you believe it? I got 35% XP, an item, and a consumable! So generous! S-level dungeons are insane!"
Xie Lingxi jumped with excitement like a child who had just gotten a lollipop.
"What did you get, Brother Wang Tai? How much XP? Any items?"
Her sparkling eyes blinked at him. She now had three items—one from a family elder, one from a solo dungeon, and one just now.
You're basically writing "I'm showing off" on your face... Zhang Yuanqing nodded lightly:
"Not bad."
"I only got 65% XP, three items, and one consumable."
Xie Lingxi froze. Her little face stiffened, jaw slowly dropping as she stared blankly at him.
I can literally see the envy burning in your eyes. Zhang Yuanqing felt quite satisfied.
"How is this possible... Why did you get so much more than me? The Spirit Realm is unfair!!" she murmured.
Zhang Yuanqing comforted her:
"Maybe the Spirit Realm just wanted to show you the disparity of the world."
"???" Xie Lingxi looked like she might cry.
If only you knew this was just my second dungeon, the gap would feel even more real. Zhang Yuanqing didn't press further and patiently waited to return.
Meanwhile, he considered the implications of his victory. He had secured the first clear of an S-level dungeon—future challengers wouldn't get the same rewards. XP and loot would inevitably be reduced.
Still, S-levels always paid more than regular dungeons. Strategy would be key going forward.
The Elvis Speaker had been left behind by Brother Bing. It clearly held some information. Once back in reality, he'd study it closely—it might offer useful intel.
Also... he still had to carry out the dying wish of "Ashamed to Be a Father"...
"Brother Wang Tai, I didn't see the River God. Can we exchange numbers?" Xie Lingxi suddenly asked as the timer counted down.
"He's probably still by the rollercoaster. Didn't we already exchange?"
"The number I gave you was fake."
"Oh, I gave you a real one."
"No way. Yours had to be fake too." She wrinkled her nose.
He glanced at her. We're just Spirit Realm buddies—we'll go our separate ways after this. Why keep in touch? Wait till you're eighteen, then we'll 'explore' deeper connections.
"It's best for Spirit Realm Walkers to keep their distance in real life, even if they're on the same team," he said flatly.
"I'll find you!" Xie Lingxi declared.
As soon as the words left her mouth, the scenery around them—Detective Mystery Hall—rippled like water and began to blur.
The blur shifted to clarity. Zhang Yuanqing saw his familiar desk, double bed, lamp, TV...
He was back in reality.
The room was dark and silent. The curtains were drawn, and the soundproof windows shut out the world. The clock on the nightstand showed 5:00 AM.
He had spent five hours in the Spirit Realm, yet it felt like years had passed.
Pulling open the curtains, he saw a dim, blue dawn. Few cars on the road. A sanitation worker pedaled by on a garbage bike.
A nearby breakfast joint was already steaming, churning out clouds of hot vapor.
Zhang Yuanqing turned on the light, stepped before the full-length mirror, and studied himself. His skin had grown fairer. His facial features hadn't changed, but they seemed more refined now. His expression carried an odd aura.
He searched for the right words, then it came to him—sinister nobility.
"I remember Yuan Ting had this vibe too... The higher the Night Wanderer's level, the stronger the aura."
Clearly, this was the result of the intense Taiyin energy from his level-up.
One day, I'll be able to smirk like a villain too... No, I better not. Getting hounded by young girls would be a pain. He chuckled and grabbed his phone from the cold sheets.
A text message blinked on the screen:
"Call me the moment you're out. Everyone's waiting — Guan Ya."
If I hadn't made it out... she probably would've reached out after sunrise to confirm if I'd died in the dungeon. Zhang Yuanqing closed the message and dialed Guan Ya's number.