Chapter 10
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Chapter 10: Title
“Did you figure it out from the start?” Zhang Wutong asked.
“I’d heard an unusual number of people reported ghost sightings today—all with credible accounts. We even confirmed the existence of someone matching the descriptions, who coincidentally died two days ago,” Han Jing replied in a low voice, his shoulders lifting in a faint shrug.
One crisis had barely faded before another surged. All supernatural cases now funneled to Zhang Wutong, a blatant assignment leveraging his “expertise.”
“The higher-ups clearly favor you,” Han Jing remarked with a smirk.
“Save the jokes,” Zhang Wutong sighed.
Haunting rumors spiraled, fueling frenzied online debates while insiders exchanged knowing glances.
Early videos of the ghost in red had been debunked, but a deluge of new footage erupted over two days, defying all attempts at suppression.
The next morning, Zhang Wutong arrived at the station after a sleepless night reviewing files, only to find Han Jing approaching with documents.
“Second torture and murder case—nearly identical to yesterday’s.” Han Jing slapped the folder against Zhang Wutong’s chest. “Cause of death: cardiac arrest. Scared to death, essentially.”
Zhang Wutong massaged his temples.
“Moving on. Isn’t there a meeting?” Han Jing nudged him forward before leading the way.
“Why are you joining?” Zhang Wutong paused mid-stride.
“You complained about staffing shortages yesterday. The morgue has other pathologists. Consider me temporary backup,” Han Jing said breezily.
The meeting room held nine personnel, including the newly added Han Jing.
“Xiao Zhou, Li Rui, and Old Wang—cross-reference the victims’ connections.” Zhang Wutong distributed two case files.
“Any updates from Yangzi’s team at the antique market?”
A knock interrupted them. A middle-aged officer peered in.
“Old Zhang—the director wants you.”
“Continue without me.”
Director’s Office
“You needed me, Director?” Zhang Wutong entered, noting two strangers in black suits.
“Wutong, meet our guests from the Special Bureau.”
“They’re here regarding the ghost in red case. I’ll leave you to it.” The director hurried out.
Special Bureau? Zhang Wutong’s brow furrowed at the unfamiliar agency.
“Zhang Wutong,” he introduced himself.
“We’re aware.” The taller man extended his hand. “Cui Ming, Chief of Division 1. This is Jiang Fei. You’ll be working closely with us.”
“No need for confusion. The Special Bureau’s full title is the Special Abnormal Events Investigation Bureau. Established thirty-six hours ago.” Cui Ming produced a black credential from his jacket.
Name: Cui Ming
Position: Special Abnormal Events Investigation Bureau—Division 1 Chief
“Let’s sit and talk.”
“Have you been online these past few days? Did you see those ghost sighting videos circulating?” Cui Ming inquired.
“Haven’t surfed much, but I’ve handled numerous ‘ghost encounter’ reports.”
Cui Ming nodded in understanding—similar cases had been reported not just at Hanzhou City’s police department but nationwide.
“Ghost-related incidents have surged across the country these last two days. Cross-referencing events revealed the first anomaly occurred at No. 3 Middle School in Hanzhou City, where you were reportedly present.”
“We’ve reviewed documentation but need your firsthand account of the incident.”
Zhang Wutong withheld nothing, recounting the full story before hesitantly asking,
“Are those online ghost encounters genuine?”
“Jiang Fei—this is your expertise,” Cui Ming gestured.
“Excluding obvious hoaxes, we’ve confirmed 134 ghosts,” Jiang Fei stated. “76 committed crimes—all homicides.”
“Their motives are straightforward, mostly vengeance. They claim to linger only seven days in the mortal realm before being dragged to the underworld…”
National agencies proved formidable—most spirits were tracked and identified, many negotiating cooperation terms.
Remaining undetected ghosts either stayed low-key or perished in remote areas, though suspicions lingered around several.
Zhongxia’s leadership initially dismissed the ghost in red as isolated, assigning local officers like Zhang Wutong to handle it.
But with hundreds of spirits emerging and dozens of unsolved murders, pressure birthed the Special Bureau.
These ghosts signaled an ongoing supernatural influx, demanding dedicated management to prevent societal chaos.
“You can combat ghosts?” Zhang Wutong gaped.
“No. Conventional methods fail against willing spirits—we’ve found no alternatives,” Jiang Fei admitted.
The Special Bureau’s current approach focuses on persuasion and cooperation—though dead, ghosts care about living relatives facing repercussions.
Their seven-day mortal window prevents lasting protection.
“Death date comparisons show they’re all recent spirits with identical post-death knowledge.”
“Hanzhou’s ghost in red remains the sole ‘old ghost’—hence our visit,” Cui Ming explained.
Were she not unique, Division 1’s Chief and Deputy Chief wouldn’t personally investigate.
“We’ll remain in Hanzhou City until her reappearance,” Jiang Fei declared.
Their goal: dialogue with this centuries-old spirit—potentially holding crucial insights as the nation’s inaugural supernatural case.
*
[Current Fantasy Points: 226,598]
“Hm? Why this alert?” Ye Linlang muttered.
[All “180 ghosts” videos removed by authorities. Fantasy Points income declining.]
“Finally unleashed the ‘river crabs.’ Took them long enough.”
She smirked, unfazed. As a professional writer, 404 notices were old acquaintances.
“Called it from the start.”
"220,000 Fantasy Points? Does this mean I can initiate the first phase of the Awakening of Spiritual Energy?"
"Not yet. System, you previously stated that Tier One worlds can sustain ghost manifestations. Was that true?" Ye Linlang dismissed her own idea. Activating the spiritual awakening now would undoubtedly plunge the world into ghostly chaos.
The mere release of 180 ghosts had already claimed numerous lives. Any increase could potentially plunge the world’s order into collapse.
—Even now, despite establishing behavioral constraints and warnings, most spirits still breached boundaries to commit murder. Only a handful retained rationality, choosing to deliver their targets to mortal justice. Under such circumstances, she dared not rashly initiate the Awakening of Spiritual Energy.
She couldn’t risk the world being destroyed by humanity’s own folly before the nine-month mark.
[Affirmative. First-tier worlds can sustain souls, preventing postmortem spirits from dispersing across reality.]
"System, you used the term ‘living beings.’ Does this imply ghost transformation applies not just to humans, but all creatures on Blue Star?"
[Correct.]
"Something still feels overlooked…" Ye Linlang’s eyes suddenly widened during her contemplation. "System, when you mentioned 100,000 Fantasy Points enabling world ascension to Tier One – does this refer to the entire cosmos or specifically Blue Star’s domain?"
The latter possibility chilled her to the core.
[Master, 100,000 Fantasy Points only elevates Blue Star to Tier One. Beyond our planet, the universe remains bound by rigid physical laws. Comprehensive universal reconstruction would require significantly more than 100,000 Fantasy Points.]
"What if I insisted? What’s required?"
[Colossal reserves of chaotic divinity. Immeasurable force from the world’s origin. Comprehension and mastery over 90% of spiritual axioms. Control of all extreme archetypes within worldly essence. Apotheosis to supreme deity. Only then could you reshape universal operations through will alone.]
[A single utterance would alter the universe’s underlying rules, enabling ascension.]
Ye Linlang’s scalp prickled. She pinched her cheek to check if she was dreaming – how else could the system make such outrageous claims?
"Don’t tell me these are Tier One ascension requirements."
[Negative.]
Ye Linlang exhaled in relief, her heartbeat gradually steadying.
[Achieving these parameters would make tier seventeen ascension inevitable.]
"So I’m confined to Blue Star’s sandbox, then?" Ye Linlang raised her hands in mock surrender, finally grasping the implication. "Might makes universal dominion, while weakness demands cautious cultivation? Fine. Such ambitions remain distant. Blue Star suffices – no empire’s built in a day."
[Your wisdom shines.]
"The system’s learning flattery now?" Her eyebrow arched. Being praised by this mechanical entity brought ironic amusement rather than pride, prompting an involuntary sigh.
The system maintained its silence, perhaps deliberating over appropriate responses.
