Chapter 13: Re-entering the Mountain God Temple

"The terrifying Mountain God Temple..."

Zhang Yuanqing leaned back, letting his weight rest against the chair.

He closed his eyes, analyzing the Mountain God Temple based on the information from the documents, his own experiences, and insights gained from playing games, searching for patterns.

"The Shoulder-Clinging Wraith can be dispelled using candlelight, with fifteen minutes of safety each time it is removed, and it doesn't cause immediate harm after clinging..."

"The eastern courtyard—beware of the banyan tree. Do not turn back. Why can't I turn back? Under what circumstances? What happens if I do? Why isn't this clearly explained in the documents?"

"It's still uncertain whether the roar is related to the banyan tree. If not, that adds another layer of danger. And those red dancing shoes—are they an artifact? A rule-based artifact, that sounds high-level."

It seems likely that the construction team predecessors were trampled to death by the red dancing shoes, crushed until their bones shattered.

"Even though I have some dance training thanks to my uncle, if a Level 1 Night Wanderer couldn't handle it, there's no way a kid like me could... If my uncle encountered the red dancing shoes, he could probably dance forever..."

This should be my unreliable uncle's problem. After all, he spends his life avoiding real work, focusing only on singing, dancing, and rap.

Wait!

Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up.

According to the documents, the Night Wanderer's main failure wasn't just a lack of dance experience, but more importantly, an inability to remember the chaotic and complex dance steps.

This was likely beyond the limit of normal human memory.

But he didn't have that problem. If he pushed himself to the limit, triggering his old illness and forcing his brain into overload mode, everything he saw and heard would replay perfectly in his mind.

Moreover, in overload mode, his brain's control over his body would far exceed normal levels, making high-intensity movements manageable.

"The problem is, non-Lingjing items can't be brought in. My medicine might not make it inside. If my old illness flares up without the medication to suppress it, I don't know what will happen."

There's no need to guess—I should just ask. Otherwise, what's the point of joining the official organization?

Zhang Yuanqing picked up his phone, opened the call log, and redialed Guan Ya's number.

After a few rings, the call connected.

"Finished reading the documents?"

Guan Ya was preparing to rest. She was a woman who valued skincare, avoided staying up late, and hated being disturbed during sleep.

But she was more tolerant of Zhang Yuanqing. Who could bear to speak harshly to a boy with little time left? Besides, he was handsome and spoke well.

"Yes, but I have some questions." Zhang Yuanqing asked, "What is a rule-based artifact?"

Guan Ya explained, "There are many types of artifacts in the Lingjing, each with different functions. Our official organization classifies them into three major categories: cost-based, rule-based, and another category I don't have the clearance to access."

She paused, then added with a playful smile, "Rule-based and cost-based artifacts aren't necessarily ranked above or below each other since their functions vary, making them hard to compare. But one thing is certain—rule-based artifacts are more troublesome to handle and much rarer. Each one is extremely valuable."

She continued, "The key to dealing with rule-based artifacts isn't a secret in our organization—you have to discover their pattern and break their rules. The red dancing shoes inviting someone to dance likely follows its rule."

"If you can complete its invitation, there's a chance to tame this rule-based artifact. But only a chance—it depends on many factors, such as whether it has a master or whether it is willing."

That being said, don't take the idea of taming a rule-based artifact too seriously... she thought.

Zhang Yuanqing listened patiently and then asked, "One more thing—can medicine be brought into the Lingjing?"

"Other than normal clothing, most real-world items can't be brought into the Lingjing. Medicine can, but only if it's already been consumed."

"What about holding it in my mouth?"

"That..." Guan Ya hesitated.

Looks like I'll have to test it myself... Zhang Yuanqing said, "No more questions. Thanks."

Guan Ya hummed in response and smiled, "Take care, little boy. Oh, and today is a lucky day for Scorpios."

Huh? Zhang Yuanqing didn't react in time before she hung up.

He set down his phone and checked the time—it was already past midnight.

Tomorrow morning, he would re-enter the Lingjing.

---

The next day.

Li Dongze, leaning on his cane and wearing polished leather shoes, stepped into the police station's glass building.

As a leader who didn't need to clock in, he was used to arriving an hour late. Sometimes, he didn't come in at all, enjoying the privileges of a government salary while slacking off.

He also didn't manage his subordinates closely, giving them free rein.

First, because, apart from Guan Ya, none of the others belonged to the White Tiger Troop—they followed orders but not leadership.

Second, the fatality rate for Lingjing Wanderers was extremely high. Any mission could be their last.

Life is short—enjoy it while you can.

Li Dongze reached the second floor and instinctively scanned the office area. The desks were mostly empty, except for Guan Ya, diligently working, and Wang Tai, engrossed in researching for his thesis.

"Guan Ya, did you give him the documents?"

"I did."

Li Dongze nodded, said nothing more, and turned to enter his luxurious office.

Guan Ya didn't continue the conversation and simply lowered her head to focus.

Inside the office, Li Dongze walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of vodka, squeezed in some lime juice, and took a deep gulp.

Just then, his phone chimed.

He put down the glass, slouched into his soft chair, and opened the message.

Someone had @ him in a group chat called "Kangyang District Lingjing Wanderer Management Group."

As one of the sixteen districts of Songhai City, Kangyang District had ten Lingjing Wanderer teams, each led by a squad captain.

Li Dongze was the captain of the second team—equivalent to a shichang (squad leader) in the White Tiger Troop.

Above the captains were three executives.

Above the executives were elders—rarely seen and usually uninvolved.

Above the elders were the five supreme leaders of the Five Elements Alliance—the five alliance masters.

These figures were legendary. Li Dongze had never met them but knew that both the White Tiger Troop's Marshal and the Water God Palace's Leader were women.

Privately, the Five Elements Alliance referred to them as the "Peerless Twin Beauties."

There were fourteen members in the "Kangyang District Lingjing Wanderer Management Group."

Ten were captains, three were executives, and one was a Night Wanderer captain from the Taiyi Sect.

Da Jiba: "@Li Dongze, I heard you recruited a Night Wanderer?"

How does he know…? Li Dongze frowned and replied:

"None of your business!"

...

At 10:30 AM, Zhang Yuanqing locked his room, tied his shoelaces, and drank two large glasses of water.

Then, he unscrewed a medicine bottle and placed five small blue pills in his mouth.

Lying on his bed, he quietly waited for the Lingjing to activate.

Minutes passed.

Finally, an icy voice echoed in his mind:

[Lingjing activating…]

[Ding! Lingjing map loaded. Welcome to 'Night Wanderer—She Ling Tunnel,' ID: 0079.]

[Difficulty Level: S]

[Type: Solo (Death-Type)]

[Main Task 1: Survive for Three Hours (Completed).]

[Main Task 2: Explore Lingjing 0079. Current Exploration Progress: 20%.]

[Note: Non-Lingjing items cannot be brought in.]

[Good luck, Primordial Heavenly Venerate!]

The ceiling twisted like rippling water.

When the distortion settled, Zhang Yuanqing found himself standing in the dim candlelight of the temple's main hall.