“Ding ding~” The bell rang for a long, long time before Xiao Yuan—the kind-hearted aunt—finally picked up the phone, her tone sharply impatient: “If you’ve got something to say, just say it!” Ah, how could this sound be so explosive as if she’d swallowed dynamite? Zhang Yuanqing smiled warmly: “Miss Xiao Yuan, it’s been a while—I’ve missed you! I still owe you one ten-thousand-yuan debt. So I was wondering—do you have time now? Would you mind if I came by to pay my respects?” The master of Unseen Steps had previously advised Zhang Yuanqing not to visit the hotel anymore, for the paths of the righteous and the corrupt are divergent; such a move might only lead to self-impairment. Even though Zhang Yuanqing was skilled in social interactions, under the clear directive from the master, he dared not make unscheduled visits on his own. This call thus served as an indirect strategy—a way around—to have Miss Xiao Yuan act as a go-between and probe the master’s sentiments. Miss Xiao Yuan replied with a cold “Hmph!” and then said: “The official Large Health Check-up is about to begin, and it seems that the Place Branch has applied for the Tiger Emblem.” Zhang Yuanqing spoke seriously. “I’d like to hear the master’s thoughts on this.” On the other end of the line, silence lingered for several seconds before Miss Xiao Yuan's tone grew colder: “Are you concerned that our past interactions might create an obstacle—something that could harm your official standing and reputation?” Zhang Yuanqing sensed the emotional undercurrent in her voice—the unmistakable sign of displeasure. At that moment, he heard a young man’s low cry from the other end: “Let go of me! My matters aren’t yours to manage! Who are you talking to? How have you become involved with official personnel?” Then came a dull thud—a sound like something had been knocked over—followed by a muffled groan, as though the young man had been knocked unconscious. “Ah, Miss Xiao Yuan,” Zhang Yuanqing asked cautiously, “did I interrupt you?” “Was that your son?” “Son?” Miss Xiao Yuan’s voice suddenly rose in volume. Zhang Yuanqing heard faint grinding sounds—like teeth rubbing—and managed a polite chuckle: “Could you please pass along my message to the master?” Miss Xiao Yuan was a woman of indeterminate age, with a mature figure and full curves that carried both the grace of an adult woman and the energy of a young one. Her eyes were large and expressive, her skin soft and fair. Yet her overall presence—her demeanor—was far from youthful. So Zhang Yuanqing could not quite gauge her age—possibly in her thirties or forties—with a grown son perhaps not surprising at all. “Wait!” Miss Xiao Yuan replied coldly, then hung up the phone. About ten minutes later, she called back to Zhang Yuanqing: “The master explained that the Tiger Emblem is a rule-type Prop of the Scout Profession—before it, no one can lie; only someone possessing an equivalent level of Prop or power could counteract its influence. The master also suggested rather than trying to suppress the Prop’s effectiveness, one should instead consider who would be in charge of wielding it. Personally, I believe our reputation with the official circles remains solid—your relationship with us is merely ordinary; given your achievements, the Five Elements Alliance won’t sever your career path due to this matter. That’s all—I’ll hang up now if you’re not pressing for anything.” Indeed, Miss Xiao Yuan was clearly upset—so sensitive that even a slight expression of concern from Zhang Yuanqing had caused her to immediately perceive it as an existential threat. A strong sense of self-respect! Zhang Yuanqing cleared his throat and added: “Actually, there’s one more matter—I’ve just received a Club Invitation. Would you be interested in joining my club?” “You… want to invite me into your club?” Miss Xiao Yuan blinked, visibly astonished. She responded gravely: “Have you thought this through? I’m from the Evil Organization—how could you possibly expect such an invitation without considering its consequences? If you haven’t thought it through, then hear this first: You will never be able to invite any official friends into your club—this will damage your professional network. And the wild Scout Professionals, seeing that your club includes members from the Evil Organization, will naturally remain distant—your Club Invitation becomes effectively useless. Moreover, once this matter is revealed, its significance will far surpass what we’ve discussed now. Even with all your achievements and honors, you’ll inevitably fall short of being recognized as a key official figure within the Five Elements Alliance. The official political review process is quite rigorous.” Zhang Yuanqing replied: “I know—yet I simply wish to invite Miss Xiao Yuan.” “Ah!” Miss Xiao Yuan reacted instinctively, her tone shifting gently, softening slightly: “Why…?” Zhang Yuanqing paused, then spoke slowly and thoughtfully: “Certainly, the Evil Organization members often face grave charges due to their professional nature—people like me will not hesitate to take strict action against such individuals. Yet I also know that not every member of the Evil Organization is inherently flawed. Take Miss Xiao Yuan—you, for instance—and your role as a devoted father.” Miss Xiao Yuan replied coldly: “You don’t understand my background at all—don’t overstate things so much.” Zhang Yuanqing continued: “I may not know your past history—but I believe anyone who sincerely strives to do good should have the opportunity for redemption. For instance, when you became a father and committed acts of violence, it was entirely out of necessity. This society failed to grant you justice—so you used your sword—to reclaim that very justice. I don’t know your past story—but I see the person you are now, and trust my own judgment.” Miss Xiao Yuan scoffed: “Perhaps one day, you’ll die because of your blind trust in others.” Zhang Yuanqing immediately responded: “Then I shall die with dignity—and without regret.” Silence fell. Zhang Yuanqing spoke earnestly: “I’ve only recently joined the official ranks, yet have witnessed too many actions by the Orderly Professionals that fall short of what’s right. My own sense of good and evil is independent—not bound to the Spirit Realm. Should the Five Elements Alliance decide to sideline me from core power circles, I’ll simply become an independent force—like a party outside the mainstream.” This was not merely an effort to persuade Miss Xiao Yuan to join his club—it also served another purpose: through her voice, he could convey his own vision and philosophy directly to Master Unseen Steps. Master Unseen Steps’ attitude has been clear—drawing a firm boundary between the two. Yet Zhang Yuanqing didn’t wish to let go of this strong connection—he wanted to nurture a solid relationship with both parties in order to secure future stability. Miss Xiao Yuan listened silently, then said: “Since you’ve made up your mind, I’m fine—I don’t need to hear any more explanations. Just go ahead and open the warehouse, click on the search bar at the upper-right corner, enter my Spirit Realm ID—then I’ll receive a notification. By the way, what’s the name of your club?” Her tone now softened considerably—from coldly rigid to remarkably gentle. “Return of the Departed!” “???” Miss Xiao Yuan responded with surprise, then said flatly: “I’m sorry—but we have different paths. Our visions do not align. So please—cancel the invitation.” Zhang Yuanqing listened as the phone line buzzed with busy signals, full of questions in her mind. What a change in personality! This woman is so capricious—just moments ago, she was so composed and certain. Ah well—the situation seems unavoidable—whether one extends or retracts, it’s all the same. Fortunately, I haven’t done anything truly compromising yet… Zhang Yuanqing sighed quietly. …… At the Unseen Steps Hotel, Miss Xiao Yuan set down her phone and shook her head: “What a strange name!” She paused, then picked up her phone again and sent a message to Yuan Shi Tian Zun: “I’ll think about it!” Then she placed the phone on the desk and looked toward the hotel lobby. There, lying motionless on the cool tiled floor was the young man—still unconscious. He was about sixteen years old, pale-faced with thick eyebrows, his eyes bright as stars—a handsome and determined little wolf dog. Now, his expression had grown even more charged—not just angry, but laced with resentment and sorrow: “Miss Xiao Yuan, when did you start forming ties with official personnel? Are you honoring your promises to us? When we all made vows to follow Master Unseen Steps in our training—forgetting the past, seeking self-redemption—and never aligning ourselves with either the Evil Organization or the Orderly Professionals?” As he spoke, his voice grew louder and more passionate—he roared like a young lion. “I want to see Master Unseen Steps!” Miss Xiao Yuan glanced at him and replied calmly: “That man—you’ve just spoken to—is someone whom Master Unseen Steps also knows.” “Oh?” The boy stiffened, then paused—his tone softened with embarrassment. “Ah—I see. Then, it’s all settled…” But soon he began demanding again: “Miss Xiao Yuan, please help me get the anesthesia off!” “You’re angry—I understand—but if you insist on dying for this, I cannot allow that.” Miss Xiao Yuan stepped out from behind the counter, her eyes never leaving his—she did not even look at him. “Please reflect on what’s happened here. I’ll go see Master Unseen Steps.” She entered the elevator and arrived at the fourth floor, stopping briefly before Room 404. “Knock-knock!” Miss Xiao Yuan lightly tapped the door, her voice low: “Master, it’s me.” Then she turned the doorknob—surrounding scenery swiftly transformed—the hotel hall now revealed itself as a tranquil ancient temple with incense drifting gently through the air. “I’ve invited Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun to join his club,” Miss Xiao Yuan bowed respectfully. Unseen Steps master stood facing away from her, enduring the efforts of his own voice: “You came not only to seek my opinion but also to express interest—this shows your genuine intent. What did he tell you?” Miss Xiao Yuan lowered her head and relayed Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun’s vision. The figure in a light blue robe sat silently, motionless for some time, then finally spoke with a quiet tone: “Did he really say this?” Miss Xiao Yuan nodded gently: “It was all spoken—yet words alone aren’t enough.” “The next step,” Master Unseen Steps said slowly, “is for you to personally verify it yourself.” …… Two days later—at Tang Family Hospital. Tang Family Hospital is a property of the Bǎi Huā Association and ranks among the leading private hospitals in Place Kangyang—it has been chosen as the venue for the Large Health Check-up. An extended version of an elegant business vehicle was parked outside the clinic—its electric doors slid open, and Jing Wei stepped out first, her fiery red hair swirling dynamically like flames. “Jing Wei—slow down a bit, remember elegance—it’s being observed by many colleagues.” Li Dongze stepped down from the car, holding a walking stick. The weather was growing hotter—he still wore his formal attire: black suit, white shirt, dark vest—the only change being that he had removed his jacket. His short beard remained neatly trimmed. Zhang Yuanqing followed out of the vehicle, smiling warmly and turning to offer himself as a gentleman, holding his forearm for support with one hand. “Come now, Miss Guan—hold on to my arm.” Guan Ya looked at him with mild reproach, smiled, and placed her hand gently on the back of Zhang Yuanqing’s hand—helping him step down from the car. In front of them, Li Dongze remained quietly observing this scene—as a Chief (Shi Chang), he was skeptical about “office romance,” though he had no strong objection since he wasn’t an elder. After all, in terms of age, he certainly counted as a senior to Yuan Shi Tian Zun—but Guan Ya, at just twenty-seven years old, would have to call him ‘older brother.’ Ah—how she’s managed to eat such fresh grass! Li Dongze shook his head slightly. Zhang Yuanqing released Guan Ya’s hand and turned to the young man inside the vehicle: “Chief Tengyuan—when will you be returning to work?” Because of the Large Health Check-up, both Jing Wei and Tengyuan had been summoned back—the check-up is mandatory; no leave allowed, unless one is currently in Spirit Realm or has passed away. Tengyuan adjusted his glasses with a look of disinterest—his expression reflecting a lack of enthusiasm for life: “Why work? Life is short—why not fully enjoy it instead of spending finite time chasing money and fighting constantly—even when the goal is to maintain order?” Ah—you’re truly a piece of fish caught in the pond—no salvation in sight. Zhang Yuanqing said no more, following Li Dongze and others into the hospital. As they walked through outpatient and emergency wings, the number of people gradually decreased and the atmosphere grew quieter until finally, the members of Team Two stopped before a small building nestled among trees and gardens. At the entrance stood two officers in formal attire—upright postures, serious expressions. They were official Scout Professionals who had already passed the check-up. Li Dongze led his subordinates close, handed over their credentials—after verification, the group entered the interior of the building. The main hall on the first floor was spacious and welcoming—crowded with about twenty people—all members of the official Scout Teams from Kangyang District—familiar faces to Zhang Yuanqing. Tang Guoqiang, Bai Long, Qing Ting, and the Champion Captain were gathered together in low conversation. Their junior staffs also clustered in small groups, chatting and laughing—female officers occasionally releasing bright laughter. Zhang Yuanqing even overheard a few female colleagues saying: “We’ve heard that Team Two’s Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun will be attending.” “Can’t wait! The Forum Queen said he has such an elegant appearance—and our Qing Ting Captain also thought him very impressive.” In addition to the check-up participants, there were about fifteen officers in formal attire stationed at key positions—blocking windows, stairways, and main doors. This clearly signaled their intention—to catch any insider leaks immediately upon discovery… Zhang Yuanqing murmured with quiet apprehension. “Ah! Our great hero, Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun has arrived!” Da Ji Ba sensed someone approaching and turned to see Yuan Shi Tian Zun, instantly brightening with a cheerful smile. Yuan Shi Tian Zun? The hearty voice of the Fire Master echoed through the entire first-floor hall. In the previously bustling room, silence fell like a curtain. Everyone swiftly turned their heads toward the entrance. For a moment, Zhang Yuanqing felt an array of eyes upon himself—judging, observing, delighted, satisfied… Could they have recognized me so quickly? Was I that striking, that noticeable? Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the bearded Chief beside him, then at Guan Ya, who was wearing glasses and seemed slightly dazed, and also at Wang Tai, whose gaze remained fixed and distant. Ah—thanks entirely to the company of my colleagues. "Indeed quite handsome, not too old—like a young puppy," said someone. "Only in his early twenties? That’s wonderful. Men of that age have such vibrant energy." In murmurs, Qing Ting turned and gave her female subordinates a pointed stare. A bunch of fussy, eager ones. Wood Demons are among the most complex in terms of personality—often noble, aloof, gentle, warm—and some are particularly lively with strong reproductive tendencies, especially during springtime. Combined with their typically graceful appearance and elegant posture, many female Wood Demons become well-known socialites within the organization. In earlier years, there were even official Realm Walkers who fought fiercely over these socialites—competing for attention—leading to a less-than-stellar reputation for Wood Demon practitioners in the Five Elements Alliance. After delivering her eye warnings to the female staff members, Qing Ting turned toward the members of Organization Two and smiled politely. "Yuan Shi, you’re now an idol in the hearts of the girls at our Shanghai Branch." Bai Long examined Yuan Shi Tian Zun carefully and remarked, "I heard you’ve reached level three? I’m guessing you’ve already become too valuable for us to keep you here—I think it’s time you joined my team. I’ll gladly step down as captain." To the side, Li Dongze couldn’t help but be struck by how things had changed—just a month ago, these very people were quietly plotting to poach talent from their ranks; now, they were begging to have him take over as leader. "Thank you, Bai Long Chief, for the kind words," Zhang Yuanqing responded with humility. "But my experience is still quite limited—I don’t think I’m ready to serve as captain." Da Ji Ba gave his shoulder a firm thump and declared with confidence: "Li Xianzong has already been taken care of by you—what could possibly be hard about being captain? You’ve truly brought honor to our Shanghai Branch!" As they were speaking, the door of the examination room on the left opened, and an older man stepped out with a rather pale complexion. "Looks like he’s not feeling well," said his colleague as they approached. "No need to ask—no need at all!" the man waved off hurriedly, clearly hesitant to share details. Nearby, Guan Ya whispered into Zhang Yuanqing’s ear: "He has kidney deficiency…" A warm, fragrant breath brushed against his earlobe, leaving a delightful tingling sensation. Zhang Yuanqing rubbed his ears and murmured softly, "How do you know? Oh—wait—you're the scout. Guan Ya, sister, we don’t seem to have much equipment here—how exactly is one supposed to conduct a physical examination?" The first stage of the Large Health Checkup assesses overall health status. Even Realm Walkers are prone to illness since they remain carbon-based life forms. Guan Ya explained: "Our Shanghai Branch’s physical examinations require only one instrument—the 'Divine Physician Detector,' an advanced prop used by the Musician Skill category. By scanning the body with special light beams, it can identify any health condition—any disease. And even conditions controlled by unique abilities are detectable." "Controlled by a special ability…" Zhang Yuanqing suddenly understood. "That’s why Demon King said he couldn’t pass the checkup—the power of the Fallen Cup is so powerful and terrible that it lacks subtlety—it simply can’t go unnoticed." And now, with growing eagerness, he could hardly wait to experience this very step himself. His chronic headaches had always been a persistent worry. Before becoming a Realm Walker, he feared constantly—afraid one day the special medication might fail and leave him behind. Moreover, his mother, a strong-willed woman, had taken him through numerous hospitals, yet no definitive diagnosis had ever been found. As time passed, official Realm Walkers one after another stepped out of the examination room and walked up to the second floor for the next phase. "Li Dongze!" A call echoed from within the examination room. Now it was Organization Two’s turn. With a walking cane, Li Dongze looked at his subordinates and offered an elegant smile: "Not at all inconvenient—why don’t we all enter together? I believe a shared physical check-up will help us get to know one another better. As Chief, I also feel it's my duty to be aware of each of your health conditions. "Of course, this isn't mandatory. If you value privacy, you may stay outside." He then stepped into the examination room with his cane in hand. Curious, Zhang Yuanqing immediately followed—Jiang Jingwei came along without hesitation. Guan Ya frowned slightly, hesitated a moment, and then joined them as well. As for Ting Yuan and Wang Tai, they remained unbothered, content to go with the flow. Inside the examination room, Zhang Yuanqing saw the "Divine Physician Detector"—a semi-human-tall cylindrical instrument, similar in shape to an enlarged charging station. Its white metal base and body were polished, with a screen displaying information on its curved surface. A cable connected the machine’s body to a T-shaped scanner at the other end. A female doctor wearing a white coat sat behind a desk, scanning the newcomers with a calm gaze before asking: "Li Dongze—could you please state your name?" With his cane resting neatly against the desk, Li Dongze seated himself and said simply: "That’s me." The doctor nodded curtly, without looking at Zhang Yuanqing or anyone else. She picked up the scanner and gently aligned it with Li Dongze's forehead. "Beep… beep…" The yellow warning lights lit up on the scanner and emitted red linear beams that illuminated his forehead. The machine then emitted an electronic tone: ["Beginning diagnosis... Diagnosed: chronic gastritis. Recommendations: maintain regular eating habits, avoid alcohol, limit spicy foods... Diagnosis complete!"] Li Dongze rose from his seat and sighed, "Gastritis has always been a long-standing issue of mine—but avoiding alcohol? That’s proven to be quite difficult." The doctor glanced at the Computer screen. "Jiang Jingwei!" The list was compiled in order of hiring. "I—I—I..." Jiang Jingwei pushed past Li Dongze and sat down beside the desk. The doctor raised the scanner toward her forehead: ["Beginning diagnosis... No disease detected. Slight enlargement of the stomach, slightly lower intelligence quotient. Recommendations: avoid overeating... Diagnosis complete!"] Everyone exchanged a collective breath—stunned. So low in intelligence? Wasn’t that precisely what one would expect for someone with a below-average intellect? Zhang Yuanqing nearly burst out laughing. The doctor looked sympathetically at Jiang Jingwei and offered gentle reassurance, "You’re very healthy overall. Your stomach is naturally enlarged—a common trait among Fire Masters. Next, Guan Ya." Zhang Yuanqing immediately sat up alert. ["Beginning diagnosis... No disease detected. Your physical condition is well-maintained—please continue to maintain it... Diagnosis complete!"] Guan Ya glanced at Zhang Yuanqing and smiled confidently. A young Realm Walker typically enjoys excellent health. Now it was Ting Yuan’s turn—the elder, known for his steady demeanor, had a solid constitution but suffered from severe nearsightedness. Wang Tai’s condition, however, was more varied—diagnosed with fatty liver, hemorrhoids, endocrine disorders, and so on. The physical enhancement benefits offered to Scholars at the Elevated Stage are notably low. In general human populations, Wang Tai is a strong performer—but in the Realm Walker group, he appears quite ordinary. "Yuan Shi, it’s your turn!" Li Dongze said. Zhang Yuanqing remained still at his original spot, took a deep breath, and felt a certain tension settle over him. "Hurry up," Jiang Jingwei urged. "Let me see if you’ve got any illness." Guan Ya smiled gently. "Don’t worry—your kidney deficiency is unlikely. I have good eyes for such things." Zhang Yuanqing approached the desk, sat down, and straightened his posture. The white-coated doctor repeated the same procedure, lifting the scanner toward his forehead. ...