Tian Xia Gui Huo: It's clearly Yuan Shi Tian Zun's fault. We had no choice, so why should our money be docked?

Tone Deaf: Shouldn't Yuan Shi Tian Zun bear all the responsibility?

Qing Songzi: This bastard...

These three comments received the most likes in the comment section.

Coming Days Are Long: Hahaha, I knew there would be a punishment. They did something so outrageous, the officials are bound to penalize them and take a stand.

Bitter Days Ahead: Just a salary deduction and a public reprimand? Looking at the elders' faces this morning, they seemed like they wanted to fire them.

Snowy Milk: They probably did want to fire them at first, but calmed down and couldn't bear to do it (dog head). But seriously, pulling down a Yin Corpse's pants is bad for our image, especially since they are among the top eight contenders, representing the official face to some extent. The headquarters had to make a statement, so a mere salary deduction is just a token punishment.

Passionate Jenny: It's a shame, they keep undressing others but not themselves, especially Yuan Shi Tian Zun. I've been looking forward to it for nothing.

Another salary deduction, damn, aren't we all just working to make money... Zhang Yuanqing gritted his teeth, thinking it's a good thing he has the salary from the White Tiger Soldiers.

Besides, the prize money from the arena competition is also substantial. Although the top three prizes are items, Zhang Yuanqing learned that just making it into the top ten would earn a bonus from the local branch.

After browsing the comments for a few minutes, he exited the post and continued scrolling down, seeing many posts related to today's battle.

#Yuan Shi Tian Zun is so strong, he's my idol after today#

#Discussing Yuan Shi Tian Zun's strategic abilities from the instance competition#

#From pants-pulling to chest-attacking, how wild is Yuan Shi Tian Zun's approach#

#Terrifying tactical talent, Yuan Shi Tian Zun may soon stand alongside the Four Young Masters#

Zhang Yuanqing screenshotted these posts and the flattering comments below and sent them to Xiao Yuan (excluding the chest-attack one).

Yuan Shi Tian Zun: "Now do you believe it, Auntie Xiao Yuan? I'm invincible in the instance."

Magic Auntie Xiao Yuan: "Not bad! [Smile]"

Magic Auntie Xiao Yuan: "Tell me about the match. I'm more curious why someone in the comments wants to see you take off your pants."

Yuan Shi Tian Zun: "Well, about that..."

As he pondered how to deflect, he suddenly remembered something his life coach had said:

Although women always talk about wanting a "mature and reliable" man and use it to push men, they don't actually like mature and steady men; they may disdain smooth talkers, but always fall for charming, humorous bad boys like moths to a flame.

The life coach concluded: Being smooth in trivial matters can win a woman's favor; when you don't know how to answer a question, being smooth can help you breeze through.

Inspired, Zhang Yuanqing replied:

"Didn't I make a bet with Auntie Xiao Yuan last time? If I made it into the top three, Auntie Xiao Yuan would roll in the sheets with me. So, in the instance, I unleashed my power, fighting seven at once, nearly getting eliminated. But thinking of our bet, I tore off my clothes in rage, no longer suppressing my primal power, and finally took down six opponents, leaving Zhao Chenghuang for tomorrow.

"That's probably why those lewd women are looking forward to me taking off my pants."

There was silence on the other end for a long time, then Magic Auntie Xiao Yuan:

"Get lost!!"

Yuan Shi Tian Zun: "Alright, I'll come over to roll in the sheets tonight."

Magic Auntie Xiao Yuan: "Dare to come and I'll kill you!"

Zhang Yuanqing chuckled, sending a string of [flirty] emojis, then focused on browsing the forum.

He quickly found a post predicting tomorrow's battle:

#Ultimate Battle Analysis: Yuan Shi Tian Zun vs Zhao Chenghuang, who will have the last laugh#

The comments below were unexpectedly numerous.

Opening the post, Zhang Yuanqing realized it was by "Wen Yuan Ge Scholar," a forum regular with credibility among official practitioners.

The scholar briefly analyzed the combat strengths of Zhao Chenghuang and Yuan Shi Tian Zun.

"Due to contractual restrictions, we can't list detailed data, but here's a simple analysis of their strengths and weaknesses.

"Firstly, level. Both contestants are level 3, but one is early stage and the other late stage, giving Zhao Chenghuang an advantage. Next, items. As per tradition, in the annual championship battle, the use of items is limited to three.

"Zhao Chenghuang is the great-grandson of Taiyi Sect's Zhao Zhanglao, and I suspect his three items are of very high quality. In contrast, Yuan Shi Tian Zun used two items today that were unknown to the public, very novel and interesting. It's undeniable that he has a rich arsenal of items, worthy of someone who has cleared two S-rank instances, but he seems to lack a trump card item.

"Fortunately, Yuan Shi Tian Zun's own abilities earned him the highest score in the instance rewards, giving him a powerful item for tomorrow, somewhat leveling the playing field.

"Lastly, analyzing their inherent strengths, Zhao Chenghuang has a powerful Yin Corpse and terrifying skills that amplify his own (anyone who saw the match against Jiang Jingwei knows what I mean). The key point is, his spirit servant hasn't appeared yet; don't think that ordinary spirit servant is all Zhao Chenghuang has.

"As far as I know, Zhao Chenghuang has a secret spirit servant, rarely used, which could be the deciding factor tomorrow.

"In contrast, Yuan Shi Tian Zun's talent lies in strategy and instance clearing. If the ultimate battle is still in instance mode, his chances of winning increase. If it's an arena match... then it's just bad luck for Yuan Shi Tian Zun.

"In summary, my personal view is that the odds between Yuan Shi Tian Zun and Zhao Chenghuang are 30 to 70."

I remember Sun Miaomiao mentioning that Zhao Chenghuang has a secret spirit servant, and this Wen Yuan Ge Scholar says the same... Zhang Yuanqing thought about it and, to be prepared, sent a message to Yuan Ting:

"Captain Yuan, do you know what Zhao Chenghuang's secret spirit servant is?"

No response came after a long time.

Zhang Yuanqing decided to call, only to hear that the phone was turned off.

Captain Yuan hasn't been silenced, has he... he muttered nervously.

Zhang Yuanqing opened the chat app and asked in the White Tiger Soldiers group.

Yuan Shi Tian Zun: Do the big shots know what Zhao Chenghuang's secret spirit servant is?

Phoenix Arrival: Don't know.

Ling Jun: Not interested.

Seven Times Lang: Why do you think we'd care about a Transcendent Night Touring Ghost?

Almost forgot, average White Tiger Soldier is at the Saint realm... Zhang Yuanqing silently facepalmed.

Little Brain Axe: I can help you investigate, but there's not enough time. The ultimate battle is tomorrow.

Yuan Shi Tian Zun: @Little Brain Axe, no need, thank you.

Little Brain Axe is more mature and reliable, yeah, I'm not a woman, I really like mature and reliable men... Just as Zhang Yuanqing was about to exit the group chat, he saw Ling Jun @ him.

Ling Jun: Do what you can in tomorrow's match, second place is very good, don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Phoenix Arrival: I think the Illusionist's items are no worse than the Hou Tu Boots, second place is fine.

Everyone wasn't pushing too hard, instead comforting Yuan Shi Tian Zun, encouraging him to maintain a good mindset for tomorrow's battle.

Yuan Shi Tian Zun: Thanks everyone, thanks to the centurion.

Phoenix Arrival: Why thank the gang leader, he didn't even come out to encourage you.

Ling Jun: This kid is good at sucking up, favored by the gang leader because of his flattery, look how he arranged the gang leader in the instance, even the surname Fu tolerated it.

Seven Times Lang: hetui~

This isn't flattery, it's networking... Zhang Yuanqing closed the chat group, took out a notebook from the drawer, picked up a pen from the pen holder, and began writing a plan for tomorrow's battle.

The three-item limit was more of an advantage than a disadvantage for him because when it came to items, he was mostly outmatched by Zhao Chenghuang, who had a Dominator realm ancestor.

"These three items must counter Zhao Chenghuang's strengths. I'm not as strong as him, that's a fact, so I need to use tactics well."

He opened the notebook and wrote vigorously.

...

In the capital city, within a peaceful quadrangle courtyard, Zhao Zhanglao, dressed in black robes with his hair pinned by a wooden hairpin, sat under a locust tree sipping tea.

Zhao Zhanglao was one of the first spiritual realm practitioners, a figure from the Republic of China era, ranking even above Sun Zhanglao in seniority and, of course, stronger in power.

"Tomorrow's ultimate battle is an arena match, which is to your advantage. Do you have the confidence to win the championship?" Zhao Zhanglao asked calmly, sipping his tea.

Zhao Chenghuang sat upright across the tea table, stating firmly, "Yes!"

Zhao Zhanglao showed a pleased expression, "You've reached the limit in accumulating the power of Taiyin. After this arena match, you'll enter the Slaughter instance and ascend to a Star Officer. Before entering the Slaughter instance, having Yuan Shi Tian Zun as your whetstone isn't bad. But remember the path you've walked, with Taiyin as your foundation, this is very important, understand?"

Zhao Chenghuang nodded, his stern face flashing with confusion, "Grandfather, can you tell me now why I need to linger in the Transcendent stage and refine Taiyin?"

He had wanted to ascend to the Saint realm long ago, but it was his grandfather who pressed him down.

To read the uncut version, go to [pawread.com].

Zhao Zhanglao said solemnly, "The Night Touring Ghost profession is different from others. Taiyin, Star Officer, Taiyang, these three powers share the same origin yet are distinct. In the Dominator realm, you must choose one as your foundation to have the possibility of advancing further."

Advancing further from the Dominator realm meant reaching the level of the sect leader... Zhao Chenghuang said solemnly, "I understand."

He still didn't grasp the core principle, but understanding the reason was enough.

...

The next day, at 9 a.m.

Zhang Yuanqing, dressed neatly, pressed his hand on the shoulder of the Yin Corpse, with a blue pill in his pocket, and heard the spiritual realm notification:

[Ding! Instance opening, this match is — the Ultimate Battle.]

[Entering the spiritual realm in 30 seconds, your spiritual realm is "Life and Death Arena," number: 3371]

[Difficulty Level: Unknown]

[Type: Multiplayer (non-death type)]

[Main Mission: Defeat the enemy fairly on the arena, spar and stop at the point of contact.]

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

[Introduction to 3371 Spiritual Realm: This instance belongs to the "White Tiger Soldiers" faction, and has been cleared.]

Zhang Yuanqing's vision blurred, then sharpened, revealing a blue sky and rows of spectator seats, along with the audience sitting there.

He was back at the arena, but this time, he appeared directly on the stage, with Zhao Chenghuang, dressed in black, standing cold and handsome about ten meters away.

There are a lot of spectators for the match, even more than the previous days... Zhang Yuanqing looked around, barely seeing any empty seats, apart from some official practitioners on duty, almost everyone who could come did.

Many from the major spiritual realm families were present, as well as members of civilian organizations (affiliates) with close ties to the officials.

Nearly twenty elders sat in the elder seats, up from just over ten originally.

The five alliance leaders were still absent.

As soon as the two appeared, the audience erupted in cheers.

...

PS: Will correct typos later...