Messenger of Catastrophe

Chapter 172: The Five-Day Pact

Before heading out to select the spoils of war, Yan Qing first looked at the messages that popped up from this battle.

「You have freed a *Sinner from the Unending Hell*.」

「In this battle, you successfully freed a *Sinner from the Unending Hell* with a challenge level > 10. Your total contribution was 68%, surpassing the 50% double threshold.」

「You absorbed 2 points of *Calamity Karmic Force*!」

「You comprehended *Secret Technique · Left Curve, Right Sweep*, currently at level 8.」

「You comprehended *Secret Technique · Flying Star*, currently at level 1.」

「Your *Vital Energy and Blood* increased by 2.4.」

「Your *Divine Soul* increased by 1.8.」

「Your *Dexterity* increased by 2.4.」

「You have reached level 27!」Back then, Yan Qing had only invested the *Secret Technique* talent *Left Curve, Right Sweep* into the *Bunny Heroine*, so she was sure that if she were to advance to the Third Job Change, she'd have to comprehend an entirely new set herself. She hadn't expected that after just two battles, all the Secret Techniques would be complete. It seemed that the experience from a Second Job Change against a Third Job Change was indeed bountiful—*Bunny Heroine* might just become the first third-stage alternate character.

「*Flying Star* (Level 1): Consumes 10 points + 2% of maximum HP to increase your next blade or sword attack speed by 50%. Has a cooldown of 10 seconds. If used again during cooldown, HP cost +5, with no cap on accumulation.」

「Evaluation: Swift as a flying star, unseen by any.」

Compared to the functional nature of *Left Curve, Right Sweep*, *Flying Star* was undoubtedly meant for bursts. For an alt, as long as the *Defensive Token* didn’t shatter, the HP bar was simply an energy pool to be used. If she unleashed multiple *Flying Star* bursts during *Thunderstorm Time*, *Bunny Heroine’s* instantaneous damage output would reach a truly staggering level.

Now, even without *Bingzi Pepper Forest*, she could counter-kill a Third Job Change—though she herself was close to reaching that stage too.

Yet Yan Qing had thought *Bunny Heroine’s* battle contribution would hit 100%, given that all the damage output came from her. He hadn’t expected the game to factor in *Si Wuxie’s* attacks from a century ago. It made sense, but there was an indescribable absurdity to it—felt like one of them was a freeloading carry.

In addition, the *Red-Robed Demon* had dropped two items: 「*Earthly Fiend · Wind-Borrowing Leaf*」 and 「*Secret Technique Mastery Manual · Spider Walk*」, but the cost was that the accompanying *White-Robed Demons* had dropped absolutely nothing.

Had they killed the *White-Robed Demons* first before the enhanced *Red-Robed Demon*, perhaps they could’ve maximized the drops—but this hypothesis of Yan Qing's had no chance for testing.

「*Wind-Borrowing Leaf*」

「Grade: *Earthly Fiend*」

「Absorb: Absorbing the *Wind-Borrowing Leaf* grants 50 points of *Divine Soul* and the *Wind-Borrowing Technique*. All your movement speed increases by 10%, and jumping allows temporary aerial suspension, even midair dashes. Loses effect after *Foundation Building*.」

「Infuse: Infuse into a token to enhance movement authority.」

「Reforge: Reforge with a token to acquire more tailored movement authority.」

/

「*Secret Technique Mastery Manual · Spider Walk*」

「Learning Conditions: *Advanced Footwork MAX* / *Advanced Finger Technique MAX*」

「Effect: Grants mastery in *Spider Walk*.」

「*Spider Walk* (Level 10): Allows crawling and walking on walls and eaves. Your legs can adhere without falling. Each step while activated consumes 5 HP. Consecutive use adds +5 HP cost per step, with no cap. Cost resets upon stopping.」

「Evaluation: A secret technique from an eccentric wanderer. Moves on vertical surfaces using finger and toe strength as if on flat ground.」

The *Earthly Fiend* item aside, this technique was too peculiar. Even if Yan Qing could immediately advance to Third Job Change by using it, he wouldn’t want to. Who knew what sort of cursed class such a technique would pollute his job pool with? Better to give it to *Ye Si* or *Jiang Ten*—their Third Job Change had three choices, so the risk of a useless class was lower.

*Bunny Heroine* passed through the *Central Courtyard* into the *Inner Hall*, where everyone was gathered around a treasure chest in the corner. Once she arrived, *Medicine Master Wen* and *Boreuo* began unloading all the chest’s contents.

But unlike the front hall, this chest held only four items and fifty thousand *Spirit Jade*. Clearly, the unlucky last-picker would be left with only the *Spirit Jade*.

Everyone looked toward *Bunny Heroine*, including *Medicine Master Wen*. *Bunny Heroine* didn’t hesitate, reaching out and claiming the most valuable loot: 「*Heavenly Gang · Whip-Mountain-Move-Stone Seal*!」

Like the *Reviving Branch*, absorbing this seal increased *Vital Energy and Blood* by 50, but its granted technique, ‘*Whip-Mountain-Move-Stone Skill*,’ was exceedingly vague—it allowed the *Messenger* to shake stone and mountain-like objects with ease. Literally, it sounded like it gave bonuses against stone, but that was way too niche.

Still, this meant Yan Qing now had one *Heavenly Gang* and two *Earthly Fiend* items. Disregarding *Path Foundation* compatibility, he was already equipped to attempt *Foundation Building*!

*Blood Minister* took the 「*Earthly Fiend · Mountain-Bearing Bamboo*」, his eyes sharp as he stared at *Bunny Heroine*. No need to guess what he was thinking—clearly trying to get that *Heavenly Gang* item. Just from the names, *Whip-Mountain-Move-Stone Seal* and *Mountain-Bearing Bamboo* were a clear combo to form a specific *Path Foundation*. If he could obtain the seal, he’d attempt *Foundation Building* tonight.

The third to pick was *Medicine Master Wen*, who had already locked onto her target: a handwritten copy of *Path Foundation Explained*. But before she could reach it, *Bunny Heroine* blocked her and shook her head.

Though puzzled, *Medicine Master Wen* trusted her and took the 「*Secret Technique Research Book*」 instead. *Beiyou* then took the *Path Foundation Explained*, leaving *Boreuo* with the fifty thousand *Spirit Jade* consolation prize.

With the spoils divided, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Except for *Boreuo*, all were eager to return and assess their gains, yet none stepped out first. Five people. Ten eyes. Locked in a standoff like intersecting swords and spears. The *Inner Hall* was thick with an unspoken tension and helplessness.

Beyond the *Inner Hall* lay the *Back Forest*—home to the *Demon Lord*.

If *Si Wuxie* or his spirit beast was hiding in the *Secret Realm*, this was the only place left.

Think deeper—was there really a *Demon Lord* in the *Back Forest*? Could *Si Wuxie* have already slain it, leaving only his spirit beast behind?

If so, the fighting in this *Secret Realm* was over. They’d only need to enter and claim *Si Wuxie’s* legacy. At worst, they’d deal with a Third Job spirit beast.

But how to divide the *Foundation Legacy*?

*Heavenly Gang* and *Earthly Fiend* items could be split. They enhanced your chances, but weren’t essential—*Foundation Building* was still possible without them. The worst case? You just didn’t get a desirable *Path Foundation*.

But *Foundation Pills* were critical. Without one, even with a full set of *Heavenly Gang* and *Earthly Fiend* items, the chance of success was just 30%. With one? That jumped to 60%.

So how many *Foundation Pills* could *Si Wuxie’s* legacy contain?

One? Maybe none.

Very few *Secret Realms* produced them—only hidden realms like *Divine Marquis Estate* could. And even those were nearly inaccessible to *Foundation Messengers*.

So even if *Si Wuxie* had one, it was something he must have gotten in his youth. How many could he possibly have? Surely not enough to go around.

More likely, there were none. Just his Fourth-Stage Tokens, logs, *Heavenly Gang*, *Earthly Fiend* items, etc. Even that would be a stunning windfall—no one would willingly give it up.

Thus, the awkward deadlock.

After two battles, the *Three Guardians* already knew that *Medicine Master Wen* and *Bunny Heroine* were close to their strength—even without the girls using their trump cards. But who believed they didn’t have any? In a true fight, at least one Guardian might die, and the girls could flee using their trump cards.

And could the *Three Guardians* really remain united in the face of *Si Wuxie’s* legacy? *Boreuo* and *Blood Minister* had already claimed *Heavenly Gang* and *Earthly Fiend* items. *Beiyou* had no *Foundation Spirit Item* yet. Could he really be content?

No one had a guarantee of victory.

No one dared to start a fight.

No one was willing to leave.

「Let’s take a look inside.」 *Beiyou* broke the silence. 「Standing here won’t change anything.」

Everyone nodded silently and moved from the *Inner Hall* to the *Back Forest*. In the desolate grove of deadwood stood a colossal *Corpse King*, seated cross-legged with head bowed. From afar, it looked like a mountain of corpses.

At the sight, even through the screen, Yan Qing felt the collective sigh of relief.

Was it relief or disappointment? *Si Wuxie* hadn’t slain the *Demon Lord*—this was the final trial he left behind a hundred years ago. And it conveniently delayed the eruption of conflict.

「*Wolf Demoness*, *Benefactor Bunny*.」 *Boreuo* suddenly spoke. 「This humble monk has a proposal.」

「Five days. We have five days to defeat this *Corpse King*. We’ve ruled *Shu Mountain* for years; surely some leniency is due. If we can’t beat it in five days, we’ll share the legacy with you.」

*Medicine Master Wen* replied, 「How will you divide it? Any division you propose means nothing here. Even if you’ve honored every past promise, *Foundation Legacy* is enough to betray all worldly virtues.」

「Then let’s speak plainly.」 *Beiyou* said coolly. 「Divide by strength. If your side dominates by then, take the lion’s share. If we outlive you, we’ll claim it. So these five days are worth your wait—who knows? *Blood Minister* might trip and get stomped to death by the *Demon Lord*.」

*Medicine Master Wen* and *Bunny Heroine* exchanged a glance and said to the *Three Guardians*:

「Five days.」

「Deal!」