Third Anniversary Check-in, Generous Rewards

Deep night.

Inside the Mu Family Manor, a small villa.

The ceiling was fitted with a lavish crystal chandelier, yet it remained unlit, relying instead on the moonlight filtering through the window.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

"That damned Mo Fan—actually an Innate Dual System."

Yu Ang's face twisted with venom, his voice brimming with rage and jealousy.

Struck by Mo Fan's Level Three Lightning Seal, even with a protective magic tool, he was still gravely wounded. After a round of treatment, he barely clung to life.

But the humiliation Mo Fan had dealt him was a stain for life.

"I lost the duel and didn't secure the Earth Sacred Spring spot. The higher-ups will be furious."

Yu Ang couldn't help but shudder, panic creeping in.

This Earth Sacred Spring spot was a critical link in the Black Vatican's plan.

Succeed, and he was a hero.

Fail, and he was a sinner.

He didn't fear life or death—only a fate worse than death.

"Mo Fan!"

Yu Ang ground his teeth, his voice icy.

His hatred for Mo Fan had reached an unprecedented peak. He longed to drink his blood and devour his flesh.

"Hmph, let him revel a little longer. When the Grand Ceremony comes, that's the day you fall!" Yu Ang sneered to himself, the corner of his mouth curling.

"Hoo hoo hoo..."

Just then, a gust of wind swept past the window.

Yu Ang paid it no mind, still nursing his wounds. But as he lay down to rest, he suddenly sensed a very unfamiliar presence.

"It's—"

"Puchi!"

Yu Ang instinctively tried to shout, but before the sound could escape, a spear with a golden head and crimson patterns flew out of the darkness, instantly piercing through his heart.

"..."

Yu Ang's eyes held deep confusion and unwillingness.

In his final moments, he stared hard at the dark spot ahead, trying to see who the 'mysterious figure' was.

But with his heart pierced, he was already a dead man.

His eyes dimmed with resentment, his head drooped, and he was thoroughly dead.

A moment later.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Footsteps echoed from the darkness. Qin Yuan glanced indifferently at Yu Ang's corpse, pulled out his spear, flicked off the blood with disgust, and then stowed it away.

"The Grand Ceremony—you won't see it."

Qin Yuan murmured, then his form melted back into the shadows.

Outside the window, the moon gradually hid behind dark clouds, and the pale light that had fallen on Yu Ang's corpse slowly faded, plunging it into complete darkness.

The next day.

Mo Fan, having won the Earth Sacred Spring spot, was led by Mu Zhuoyun deep into the underground of the Yinmao Building, about to see the 'Bocheng Treasure.'

Along the way, Mu Zhuoyun extended another invitation to Mo Fan, but Mo Fan, by nature free-spirited, politely declined again.

Mu Zhuoyun only felt a twinge of regret, with no great disappointment or resentment.

After all, Qin Yuan was no slouch either.

After sending Mo Fan into the Earth Sacred Spring, Mu Zhuoyun returned to the manor and happened upon a flustered Mu He.

"What's wrong?"

Mu Zhuoyun asked.

"Big Brother." Mu He called out, then hurriedly said, "This morning, a maid cleaning found Yu Ang dead in his room."

"Dead?"

"Didn't we save him yesterday?"

Mu Zhuoyun pressed.

"We did save him yesterday." Mu He replied, then added, "But this morning, we found wounds on Yu Ang's corpse resembling those from a Demon Slaying Tool. Preliminary assessment suggests foul play."

"To dare commit murder in my Mu household... Investigate!"

Mu Zhuoyun's voice turned cold, a chill flashing in his eyes.

Though he cared little for Yu Ang's life or death, the Mu family's honor could not be insulted.

"Seal off the news that Yu Ang was assassinated in the manor. We can't let outsiders see the joke," Mu Zhuoyun said.

"Big Brother, those maidservants..."

Mu He made a throat-slitting gesture.

"No need." Mu Zhuoyun waved his hand and said flatly, "Give them some money and tell them to keep their mouths shut. There's no need to go that far."

To silence a piece of news that would eventually come to light by killing a few innocent maidservants?

Such inhumane, bottom-line-crossing acts were not something Mu Zhuoyun could bring himself to do.

"Alright."

Mu He acknowledged.

Mu Zhuoyun gave a slight nod and left.

Only after Mu Zhuoyun had completely departed did a flicker of gloom cross Mu He's eyes. His voice was low. "This useless waste—fails the mission and still stirs up trouble."

"Fortunately, this little 'trifle' won't affect Salan's plan. It's almost time to start..."

"Brrr brrr brrr!"

Suddenly, the old-fashioned phone in his pocket rang.

"Hm?" Mu He frowned, stepped into a shadowy corner, and answered, "Speak."

"Steward, the Beiling Area has been sealed off by military mages. It seems demons have been appearing frequently, and they're planning a sweep."

A hoarse voice came from the other end of the line.

"..."

Mu He pondered for a moment, then said coldly, "Pay it no mind. Keep an eye on the Earth Sacred Spring's movements, and reopen the demon cave in the Inscription Area."

"Yes, sir!"

The voice on the other end acknowledged before the call ended.

"They've caught on... heh." Mu He let out a cold, disdainful laugh. "The Grand Ceremony has already begun. Realizing it now is too late."

The demon caves in Bocheng weren't limited to just the Beiling Area and the Inscription Area.

He himself had lost count of how many they had dug.

Six days later.

Ruiguang Residential Area.

"System, check in."

Qin Yuan moved his mind.

[Ding, detected that Master has checked in for three full years. Initiating the first check-in of the Third Anniversary.]

"First check-in of the Third Anniversary?" Qin Yuan hummed softly, caught off guard. "Looks like this reward is going to be extremely precious."

Every time a first check-in of some kind was triggered, the reward was incredibly rich. Only afterward would it settle to normal.

Qin Yuan waited in anticipation, silent.

A few minutes later.

[Ding, congratulations Master for obtaining: White Magic Awakening Card X1, Soul-grade Winged Magic Tool Holy Light Wings X1, Soul-grade Winged Magic Tool Magic Shadow Wings X1.]

"White Magic Awakening Card: Upon use, randomly awakens one of the four magic elements: Healing, Blessing, Mind, or Plant. (Master only)"

"Holy Light Wings: Soul Grade Top Quality winged magic tool. Auto-charging. Comes with High-level Third Rank Light Fall Mantle defense. Speed doubles under light."

"Magic Shadow Wings: Soul Grade Top Quality winged magic tool. Auto-charging. Comes with Level Six Shadow Escape skill 'Shadow Bird'. Speed doubles under darkness."

Reading these descriptions, Qin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Whether it was the Magic Awakening Card or the Soul-grade winged magic tools, any one of them was something priceless and unavailable on the open market.

"This check-in reward is insane."

Joy spread across Qin Yuan's brows, impossible to suppress.

"Little Yuan Ge Ge, what did you say?" Ye Xin Xia's sweet voice came from ahead.

"Nothing."

Qin Yuan smiled faintly and continued pushing Ye Xin Xia for a stroll in the park. A card materialized in his hand out of thin air. "Use White Magic Awakening Card."

Whoosh!

The Awakening Card turned into a stream of light, drilling into Qin Yuan's spiritual world. From a tiny point of light, it gradually formed a patch of Star Dust.

A vibrant, life-filled green—Plant Element.

"Plant Element?" Qin Yuan was slightly surprised, a strange look crossing his face. "Looks like it wants me to go further and further down the path of control."

Lightning Element, Ice Element, Plant Element.

Each control ability was more formidable than the last. Could I control them to death?

"Plant Seeds—I'll need to find a good one," Qin Yuan mused.