《The King of Curses》 Chapter 1 - 1 1 The Girl Next Door Sister Zhi Zhen ?1: Chapter 1 The Girl Next Door, Sister Zhi Zhen 1: Chapter 1 The Girl Next Door, Sister Zhi Zhen The first decade of the twenty-first century had passed, and for those living back then, it seemed to have happened in the blink of an eye. The height of summer had arrived, the sunlight was scorching, and gusts of hot wind blew through the port, weaving between the streets, alleys, and the glass curtain walls of high-rise buildings in the center of this coastal city, heating the tar roads until they were as hot as a steaming basket. The temperatures in the urban area gradually became unbearable, and pedestrians on the roads sought shade under the eaves of houses and shops as they trudged along. By the time it was nearing noon, the streets were eerily quiet, not a single person in sight. Cen Dongsheng rode a Phoenix-brand bicycle, avoiding the fierce sunlight beating down from above. He weaved left and right and entered a residential community in the heart of Jinjiang City. Casually, he pushed his bike into the shed, locked it up, grabbed the package from the rack, and hurriedly dashed upstairs. ¡°Thump, thump, thump!¡± His sneakers kicked up dust on the stairs, and the young man¡¯s figure quickly vanished into the dark entrance of the residence building. This was a community composed of more than a dozen old residential buildings, all over twenty years old. Each building had a name, such as Reformation Building, Open Building, Common Prosperity Building, etc. The place where Cen Dongsheng lived was called Xiaokang Building. After several renovations, Xiaokang Building no longer resembled its original appearance. It was originally designed as a so-called tube building, a product of a specific period in the domestic housing distribution system, modeled after the Khrushchev Building in the Soviet Union. Such buildings typically had a long corridor on one side, with rows of individual rooms connected on both sides. Xiaokang Building was the largest in volume within the community, with an overall structure resembling the shape of the Chinese character for ¡°return¡±¡ªhallways on all four sides and staircases in the shape of the letter ¡°Z¡± connecting the floors together. In the middle was a spacious courtyard, where someone had planted various flowers and plants and set up sheds for parking bicycles. One feature of the popular tube buildings back then was that the places for washing vegetables and doing the dishes, as well as the toilets, were shared. In the evenings, every household would come out to wash clothes and cook. While the housewives busily tended to household chores, they would chat with each other, creating a bustling scene. The environment of seeing each other often led to a closer relationship between neighbors here than in other places. This mode of coexistence had its pros and cons: The advantage was that in times of difficulty, one could ask for help from the neighbors on either side, and no one would refuse. For instance, working parents would entrust their children to the care of elderly neighbors, and a few families with good relationships became as close as real relatives. The downside was that there was essentially no privacy¡ªat the slightest incident, the news would spread throughout the entire building by the next day, and idle gossip was unavoidable. Each floor had a long corridor that was ventilated from both ends, with some places piled up with luggage, pots, pans, and buckets. Some even hung their wet laundry in the center of the corridor, making the already cramped walkway feel even more confined. The mess was visible everywhere, on first glance making it seem hard to find a foothold; at night, walking through the corridor without turning on the lights, one had to be constantly wary of stumbling over something. From the 90s to the early Millennium, following the renovation of the urban district in Jinjiang City, several buildings in the community began to have separate sanitation systems. The walls had been repainted several times, and externally they no longer looked like dull pigeon cages, but the people living inside barely changed, so the interior environment remained the same. On the peeling handrails of the staircase and the dirty walls, all kinds of small advertisements were stuck¡ªfrom fake certificates and traditional Chinese doctors to desperate pleas for children¡ªno matter how they were torn off, they never came off completely. Some had been directly painted over with white oil paint. It was just after his first year in university that Cen Dongsheng had moved to this place. However, the environment of the welfare home he had been born in wasn¡¯t much better, so he quickly got used to it. Compared to the outside, the temperature inside Xiaokang Building was several degrees cooler, pleasantly cool and shady. As he passed by the corner on the second floor, Cen Dongsheng saw a few elderly men and women lying on chairs, fanning themselves. The old folks greeted him enthusiastically as soon as they saw him, and he stopped to politely respond to each one. In less than two months, Cen Dongsheng had become acquainted with all the dozens of families in the building. Everyone knew him as an enthusiastic good fellow who volunteered at the community center, often taking care of the elderly and children free of charge. Arriving in front of room 303, he took out his keys to open the door. Inside, the furnishings were simple yet exuded a warm feeling of home, and the floors and walls were cleaned meticulously. The glaring sunlight streamed through the window, brightening the entire room. He tossed the package onto the table, poured himself a glass of cold water and drank it down with a ¡°gulp, gulp,¡± then took a long breath and sat down on the sofa to rest. After a while, as if remembering something, he picked up the watering can and went to the balcony to water the potted plants in the shade. In any case, Cen Dongsheng was feeling a little anxious, an unease that even he had not noticed. Even though he had hurried back... He raised his head to look at the wall clock. ¡°Is it still nap time; would I disturb people if I go knocking now?¡± He couldn¡¯t help thinking this as his gaze fell back on the bag. After a while, feeling parched again, he poured himself another glass of water, drained it, and then stood up, slapping his face. ¡°Alright, what am I hesitating for, just deliver this and I can come right back... Let¡¯s go!¡± Cen Dongsheng picked up the bag, intending to leave the room. However, as he was about to reach the door, he suddenly lifted his sleeve to smell his own t-shirt. Chapter 2 - 2 1 The Neighbor Sister Zhi Zhen_2 ?2: Chapter 1: The Neighbor, Sister Zhi Zhen_2 2: Chapter 1: The Neighbor, Sister Zhi Zhen_2 ¡°...Forget it, I¡¯ll take a shower before going.¡± * After changing into new clothes and feeling refreshed, Cen Dongsheng walked along the zigzag corridor towards his destination. Xiaokang Building had nearly twenty households on each floor, which weren¡¯t concentrated on one side. For example, the ¡°316¡± he was heading to was actually right across from ¡°303.¡± He carried a bag to the door of 316 and knocked. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, are you home? I borrowed the book you wanted to see last time from the library.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Dongsheng, thank you. Come on in.¡± A young, clear voice came from inside the door. ¡°The door isn¡¯t closed. I guessed in advance that you were coming, so I opened it beforehand.¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Eh, how did Sister Zhi Zhen guess?¡± ¡°Because I can do divination and prophecy.¡± ¡°Who would use prophecy for such trivial matters...¡± ¡°You have a point. Actually, I don¡¯t even understand it myself, it¡¯s kind of like an intuition. Maybe it¡¯s a kind of telepathy between you and me?¡± The voice inside grew closer, and there was a sound of light footsteps in the room. ¡°...You¡¯re lying, right? Did you actually see me coming from the window?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen always loved to tease, and as he muttered to himself, he put his hand on the doorknob and gently pulled¡ª The door didn¡¯t open. He paused for a moment, then instinctively turned the doorknob forcefully. ...It didn¡¯t budge. ¡°You really are fooling me!¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± A light chuckle came from inside the room, and the door was pushed open from the inside. The woman who opened the door appeared to be about twenty-five years old. She wore a light blue off-shoulder shirt-dress that revealed her dazzlingly white arms in the sunlight; the dress tightened at the waist with a loose knot, outlining her slender abdominal curves, and her feet were clad in a pair of open-toe sandals. ¡°You fell for it?¡± ¡°No, why would you tell such a pointless lie...¡± He complained somewhat helplessly. ¡°Let me think. Hmm~ Maybe it was just to see your puffy expression?¡± Hearing this self-assured response, Cen Dongsheng found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing her in a casual home outfit, different from her usual formal look, his heart was slightly stirred. A breeze blew through the hallway, caressing the faces of the young man and woman inside and outside the door, warm and filled with the laziness of a summer afternoon. Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s shoulder leaned slightly against the door, her black hair split into two smooth strands along the curve of her back, falling behind her. The mole below her eye added a touch of allure to her appearance, standing quietly in the breeze like a water lily swaying on a pond. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there, aren¡¯t you hot?¡± Her dark eyes seemed to be carefully examining his features, then like ripples spreading under a lotus leaf, a smile appeared. Sister Zhi Zhen naturally took the bag from Cen Dongsheng¡¯s hands, placed the slippers at the entrance, and turned to walk deeper into the room. ¡°Come in quickly, I specifically bought some ice cream.¡± ¡°Really? Thanks so much, it¡¯s been terribly hot lately.¡± Cen Dongsheng changed his shoes and walked into the living room, heading straight for the fridge. ¡°Ah, don¡¯t eat both boxes of ice cream, one of them is mine.¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°You can turn on the TV, I even rented some new DVDs yesterday, they¡¯re in the usual place, just take them out yourself. Also, do you like playing games? Recently, Aunt Wang next door gave me her kid¡¯s game console. I¡¯m not too familiar with it, but if you like, I can...¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s chattering voice came from the kitchen. ¡°...Do you think I¡¯m a child?¡± ¡°Hehe, you just started university, right? You¡¯re only a few years older than a child.¡± Cen Dongsheng sighed and squatted down to pull out some DVDs from under the TV cabinet that were placed on top. ¡°Godzilla... Night of the Living Dead... weird thing... and several other horror movies, Sister Zhi Zhen really likes these types of movies.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but feel amazed. ... Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s full name was An Zhizhen, and her profession was a doctor, though she was said to be the kind who stayed in the lab with little clinical work. She was a local from Jinjiang City, and the Xiaokang Building apartment was left to her by her parents. Basically, every summer, she would come here to stay for a while. She became known at Xiaokang Building earlier than Cen Dongsheng, not just because of her stunning appearance, but also because she used her free time to offer free medical treatment to people in the community, and once even saved the life of an elderly man who had suddenly become seriously ill. Both had been volunteers in the community. Over the past few months, his encounters with Sister Zhi Zhen had become more frequent. Since Cen Dongsheng once happened to help her move some items and visited her home, their private relationship had grown close. Actually, due to her stunning demeanor, she initially seemed cold and distant, but once actually acquainted, it was discovered that she was a gentle and approachable elder sister, lively and enthusiastic in his company, and loved to joke... While reminiscing about the past, Cen Dongsheng scooped some ice cream from the container into his mouth, swallowing it in one breath. The cold, sweet sensation made him squint his eyes in delight. Just then, he suddenly heard a ¡°crackling¡± noise coming from the direction of the kitchen. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, what are you doing?¡± Sitting on the living room floor, Cen Dongsheng leaned back and looked towards the kitchen, seeing Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s slim back, now donned with an apron. Chapter 3 - 3 1 The Neighbor Sister Zhi Zhen_3 ?3: Chapter 1: The Neighbor, Sister Zhi Zhen_3 3: Chapter 1: The Neighbor, Sister Zhi Zhen_3 ¡°I¡¯m frying chicken legs and fries. We can eat them while watching the movie... Ow!¡± A woman¡¯s surprised exclamation came from the kitchen. He was startled and quickly stood up, making his way toward the kitchen at a brisk pace. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, are you okay?¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m fine.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen turned around, wiped the cool droplets of water from her face, and answered with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s just a little splash of water. Go back and sit down.¡± The elder sister with long black hair, dressed in an apron, looked even more gentle and virtuous, irresistibly drawing one¡¯s gaze. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, let me help clean up a bit?¡± Dongsheng felt an inexplicable pressure that he couldn¡¯t justify just sitting back and enjoying himself. ¡°I¡¯ll just clean the living room and won¡¯t go into any other rooms.¡± He quickly added another sentence. ¡°Sure, I would appreciate that.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen did not refuse; she seemed very happy with his offer. ... Dongsheng busied himself in the living room while An Zhi Zhen hustled in the kitchen, like a real family. Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s home was already very clean, his task was merely to dust off those corners not easily noticed and to wipe the tables and floor until they shone. When the sunlight on the floor was no longer intense, Dongsheng drew the thick curtains and turned on a small lamp on the table to dispel the dimness, cooling down the room instantly. ¡°Have you picked one?¡± ¡°I have, this ¡®weird thing.¡¯ What do you think?¡± ¡°Not bad, it¡¯s a great film. I¡¯ve watched it several times.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen carried fried chicken and fries from the kitchen to the table and also took two glass bottles of orange soda from the fridge, one for each of them. She untied her apron and naturally took a seat next to Dongsheng. Summer days with ice cream and soda, hiding away in a cool house with the girl next door, eating and talking while enjoying a movie¡ª The most beautiful holiday moments had begun. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s watch the movie together.¡± The fan blades whirred, circulating a gentle breeze within the room, causing the curtains to sway slightly, together creating a tranquil afternoon atmosphere. The room was very quiet, with only the sounds from the TV remaining. Sister Zhi Zhen hugged her knees, concentrating intently on the screen. There was a bamboo mat on the floor; during the movie, she¡¯d take off her shoes and sit barefoot on it, while Dongsheng sat beside her. Just a sidelong glance, and he could see her snow-white shins and brightly polished toes peeking out from under her water-blue dress. Dongsheng always deliberately kept his eyes from wandering in that direction. Whenever he accidentally caught sight, he¡¯d feel as though he¡¯d done something terribly wrong... ¡°Dongsheng, would you like to turn on the AC?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen seemed to notice his restlessness and softly added. Xiaokang Building was a refurbished old building, not every household could afford air conditioning. Dongsheng¡¯s home, for instance, did not have one. Using the AC could be considered an excuse to stay cool. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay!¡± Dongsheng¡¯s face flushed slightly, and he quickly replied loudly. ¡°If you feel hot and want to turn on the AC, just tell me. You don¡¯t have to save on the electricity bill for elder sister.¡± The more she cared for him, the more flustered he became. Fortunately, Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s attention soon returned to the movie playing on the TV screen. Dongsheng breathed a sigh of relief. A young man freshly entered into the ivory tower, a mature and gentle girl-next-door, the wonderful days of summer, an atmosphere of budding romance, as if a vague and innocent emotion was slowly brewing¡ª ... ... ¡ªJust kidding. If he were not a Reincarnator, things might be simpler. He glanced at An Zhi Zhen¡¯s profile, focused on the TV screen, and Dongsheng couldn¡¯t help but sigh. He lowered his head, hiding his facial expressions in the shadows. The slight shyness and tension fitting his age were not feigned; he truly had a fondness for Sister Zhi Zhen. If, if he were not a Reincarnator, if he did not know what this woman would become... But unfortunately, his soul was from eight years in the future, an era when ghosts roamed, the Evil God wrought havoc, and people known as ¡°Forbidden Masters¡± ruled modern society. Chapter 4 - 4 2 The Reincarnators Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support ?4: Chapter 2 The Reincarnator¡¯s Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support 4: Chapter 2 The Reincarnator¡¯s Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support After the sweeping tide that changed the destiny of all humanity arrived, the ghosts that were once confined to horror stories began to roam the world, occupying haunted houses and Evil Lands everywhere. Places filled with supernatural threats emerged like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. They seemed like invaders from another world, possessing various fierce and unbelievable supernatural powers that could easily manipulate minds and overturn physical phenomena. The existing human technology was utterly inadequate against them. However, as if a cosmic rule hid some kind of yin-yang balance, a significant number of humans with supernatural ability also emerged, sufficient to resist, expel, and even conquer these ghosts. In this country, they were called ¡°Forbidden Masters¡± or ¡°Curse Forbidden Masters¡±¡ª Using Qi to control and manipulate people or things, those with profound mana could expand this control to the entire supernatural world. This was termed the ¡°Curse Prohibition Technique,¡± which had existed since ancient times but had never been as potent as today. The social order began to revolve around this long conflict between the Forbidden Masters and ghosts; thus, in the process, the Forbidden Masters naturally became the privileged class of the new society, ruling the world, and the inequality between people was once again laid bare; Furthermore, although a relatively stable order had been established under the strong rule of powerful Forbidden Masters globally eight years later, especially in large cities and communities, the existence of ghosts still threatened the lives of ordinary people in the shadows... It was an era of chaos where both ambitious individuals and madmen rose; for ordinary people, it was a world that was even more cruel. In that era, although Cen Dongsheng luckily escaped the ordinary people¡¯s class, he was only considered mediocre among the Forbidden Masters. Even after fighting desperately, he barely reached the ¡°B-class¡± rating. Putting it positively, he belonged to the ¡°backbone class.¡± Negatively, he was just ¡°mediocre.¡± Since the grade of Curse Prohibition one could use was closely related to one¡¯s inherent ¡°Grade,¡± which involved a concept of Destiny even more elusive than genetic inheritance, the future world seemed so unequal. However, being able to reincarnate into this era depended precisely on his own ¡°Curse Prohibition¡±... Cen Dongsheng subconsciously touched his chest. He did not have a clear impression of ¡°how he reincarnated,¡± unlike the vivid betrayal or murder experiences described in the online novels he read before; Cen Dongsheng only felt as if he had suddenly arrived in this era, and upon regaining his senses, the only thing remaining was a faint burning sensation in his chest. But he quickly found the answer in his confusion: It seemed that his Nameless Life Prohibition had awakened. ¡°Nameless Life Prohibition¡±¡ªa special Curse Prohibition transformed from one¡¯s Birth Horoscope, where only one person in the same era could hold a certain Birth Horoscope. Compared to ordinary Curse Prohibitions, the rating for life prohibitions was above ¡°Class A,¡± and there was no doubt that those who awakened it were the darlings of the era. However, the Birth Horoscope that Cen Dongsheng possessed, just like his life, was neither high nor low. Although it was divined that he had the potential to awaken life prohibitions, he himself vaguely sensed a very special power hidden within, yet he had never been able to touch its entity. In fact, the Forbidden Masters who ¡°had potential but failed to achieve sublimation¡± were the majority, and he had already accepted that his ability would remain at the middle-lower level in this life. ¡°But, who would have thought that the Nameless Life Prohibition within me would turn out to be the most special type... In my previous life, I must have used all my potential and Qi Fortune on this.¡± He had indeed heard that very few special Heavenly Immortal Series Curse Bans involved the power of time and space, but crossing several years of time was unheard of. According to the evaluation standards, it was undoubtedly a ¡°Special Class¡± at the highest level. However, after reincarnation, Cen Dongsheng clearly felt that the hidden power within him had dissipated. In other words, this was a Curse Prohibition that could only be used once in a lifetime... ¡°Dongsheng? What¡¯s wrong?¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s voice came from beside him, as she seemed to have noticed his distraction. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I just wonder if you get tired of watching the same movie. Should we switch to a different disc?¡± Cen Dongsheng quickly raised his head, smiled, and replied. From his expression, no hint of perfunctoriness could be discerned. ¡°No problem, watching with someone feels different. Hehe, this is my first time watching a horror movie with someone else.¡± Cen Dongsheng looked at her gentle face with a slight smile, his feelings complicated and difficult to understand. Perhaps because he personally experienced that cruel era, even with memories of the future, he still lacked confidence in his own abilities. Cen Dongsheng wanted to survive well in this tide. He needed strength, needed to climb upwards. Rarely given a chance to live a second life, even a slightly ambitious person would not settle for mediocrity. But his past self was merely a mediocre Curse Forbidden Master, and entering fields where his past self had no experience would undoubtedly be fraught with peril... Hence, he came here to meet with An Zhizhen. ... The beginning of the movie ¡°Weird Thing¡± told of a helicopter inexplicably chasing a dog into an American Antarctic research station. The researchers took in the dog, but they had no idea it had been infected by a terrifying alien organism. Human bullets were useless against this monster that could wantonly fuse with other organic life and arbitrarily split its body, leaving only the high heat of a flamethrower to be an effective weapon. Chapter 5 - 5 2 The Reincarnators Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support_2 ?5: Chapter 2 The Reincarnator¡¯s Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support_2 5: Chapter 2 The Reincarnator¡¯s Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support_2 The most terrifying part was that these monsters could not only take the form of common animals but even replace human appearances, and neither their intelligence nor their personality was affected, making them indistinguishable under normal circumstances. In the cold, secluded environment of the scientific research station, a group of people had to face not only the monsters but also fell into mutual suspicion of their own companions¡ª ¡°...this is somewhat interesting.¡± Cen Dongsheng gradually became entranced as he watched. However, the reason for his fascination might be different from that of ordinary viewers. While others saw it as a thrilling fictional story, he watching it made his heart stir because of his ¡°past¡± real experiences. Using illusions to carry out spirit manipulation, even infiltrating human bodies to perform ¡°possession¡±... such abilities were not uncommon among ghosts; In fact, in the battles at the Exorcism Ghost House, the classic horror scenario of ¡°getting separated from teammates due to environmental confusion, and when met again, the teammates were no longer the original ones,¡± was something that Cen Dongsheng had encountered more than once. One had to always remain vigilant, even towards companions who they spent days and nights with¡ªif lacking this caution, he would probably have died long ago. And upon reflection, having the luxury of sitting down calmly to watch a film for entertainment was indeed a luxury for him... In the future, Cen Dongsheng was a member of the Governance Bureau of Tiannan District, specifically responsible for conducting exorcism operations in supernatural areas like ghost houses and evil lands within the district, firefighting under the command of his superiors, serving as a crucial component in maintaining the city¡¯s peace and stable order. His days were tough, with hardly any free time, and his job inevitably put his life at risk. Yet, even so, his life was still better off than ordinary people who couldn¡¯t even master basic Cursing Prohibition and could only shiver and hide in shelters, praying not to be killed by ghosts or some unrestrained Forbidden Masters who had fallen into the demon¡¯s path, having completely lost the freedom and rights to decide their own destinies. And... including such movies attempting to mimic fantasies, which had nearly vanished in the future world because the real monsters that lived in this world were far beyond what humans could imagine in terms of alien life forms. A simple documentary of battles from the Ghost House would capture footage more horrifying than any horror film; and the fights between high-grade Forbidden Masters were beyond superhero movies, making one doubt if they were even human anymore. ¡°I¡¯m done watching. Phew~ It¡¯s really good, no matter how many times I watch it, it¡¯s always thrilling.¡± As the film on the screen began to show credits, An Zhizhen stretched and turned to him with a smile. ¡°Yeah... it¡¯s quite realistic.¡± Cen Dongsheng replied. ¡°What?¡± ¡°The monster in the film, it must have been made with props, right?¡± ¡°Exactly! Though it¡¯s all practical effects, it¡¯s cooler than the popular computer CG nowadays... Dongsheng, you have great taste, how about we regularly host movie-watching sessions?¡± ¡°Ahaha...¡± Cen Dongsheng chuckled bitterly. ¡°I might not always have the time, I have to work, you know.¡± ¡°Is that so... By the way, how are your studies? Didn¡¯t fail any courses in your first year, did you?¡± ¡°Huh? I think I did fail. But I guess it¡¯s not something to worry about, isn¡¯t it? Summer vacation just started.¡± Cen Dongsheng tried to recall what he was doing at this time. His current identity was still that of a student in the ivory tower, and thinking about it now indeed felt like a lifetime ago. ¡°My high school teachers all said that once you get to college, you can relax.¡± ¡°They lied to you. The college entrance exam scores are just a stepping stone; what¡¯s most important for personal development is what you learn once you¡¯re through the door, that¡¯s the experience of someone who has been there, like your elder sister.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen pointed with a serious expression, advising earnestly. ¡°Whether nursing a fascination for acquiring knowledge, or caring more about finding a job to earn money, in your college life, it¡¯s better to make this decision early.¡± ¡°...that¡¯s...¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯ve enrolled in psychology? Maybe consider transitioning to cognitive science and neurology later? You know, I am a psychiatrist, and I¡¯ll have my own lab in the future; this way, we might have the chance to work together.¡± She even started pitching her field, seemingly truly hoping someone would join her in academia. Sorry, I can¡¯t understand a word you¡¯re saying. I only chose psychology because that¡¯s where my scores got me... Cen Dongsheng began to admire the ceiling in Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s house, opting to pretend that he hadn¡¯t heard her. After all, in the future world, these things didn¡¯t matter anymore. But the present An Zhizhen probably didn¡¯t understand this yet... However, he soon remembered the purpose of his visit and quickly grabbed the bag he carried. ¡°Oh right, I brought the book you asked for!¡± ¡°Ah, thank you.¡± The book was borrowed from Jinjiang City Library, which wasn¡¯t far from where they lived. For Cen Dongsheng, who loved reading and lacked other forms of entertainment, the library had been the best place to spend his holidays since childhood. Of course, that was in the past. An Zhizhen, too, was a regular at the library, but since there was a limit to the amount of books one could borrow each time, Sister Zhi Zhen had previously asked Cen Dongsheng to use some of his quota. Cen Dongsheng took out the books one by one and handed them to Sister Zhi Zhen. She immediately began to flip through them. He watched her browsing the books with relish. After borrowing them, Cen Dongsheng had naturally flipped through these books, but unfortunately, if they weren¡¯t highly specialized academic theories, he couldn¡¯t understand them at all; or they were thick books full of jargon, all in English, which made his scalp tingle. Chapter 6 - 6 2 The Reincarnators Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support_3 ?6: Chapter 2 The Reincarnator¡¯s Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support_3 6: Chapter 2 The Reincarnator¡¯s Plan to Cling to a Powerful Support_3 ¡°What was this about?¡± ¡°Ah, it¡¯s mainly a treatise on human anatomy and neuroscience.¡± ¡°Huh, hasn¡¯t Sister Zhi Zhen already...¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m interested,¡± Sister Zhi Zhen replied without lifting her head, ¡°Besides, do you think modern medicine has exhausted its exploration of the human body? On the contrary, everything is just beginning. Apart from the complex puzzles of the past remaining unsolved, more mysteries continue to emerge...¡± Indeed. Cen Dongsheng was not an expert in this field, but he knew there were way too many unsolvable mysteries in this world. For example, what were ghosts? How were Forbidden Masters truly born? From where did the mysterious energy called ¡°Qi,¡± which they harnessed, originate? And how did those powerful curses operate¡ª He suddenly remembered that the Governance Bureau, where he was, was probably the force most focused on researching these theories during that era, and he couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°¡®Zhi Zhen¡¯...¡¯Zhi Zhen¡¯... Was it because of this name? It strangely suits you.¡± He even accidentally used a respectful form of address. ¡°It¡¯s not nice to joke about people¡¯s names, you know?¡± Finally, Sister Zhi Zhen lifted her face from the book and gave him a slightly reproachful look, although she didn¡¯t appear genuinely upset. ¡°I¡¯m not joking. Sister Zhi Zhen, you truly possess that aura.¡± ¡°What kind of aura?¡± ¡°Well... I can¡¯t quite say, but I always feel...¡± Cen Dongsheng answered in a playful tone. ¡°¡ªLike you¡¯ll become someone really important...¡± ¡°You sure know how to flatter. Did you learn divination and prophecy already?¡± ¡°I learned it from you.¡± Cen Dongsheng returned the initial jest with a straight face, and Sister Zhi Zhen seemed very pleased by it. ... The atmosphere between them was always so harmonious, making one feel happy. Although there was a difference in age, their personalities matched well, like a real pair of siblings. However, Cen Dongsheng couldn¡¯t help but recall the past, or rather, he couldn¡¯t avoid contemplating the meaning hidden behind it. The life prohibition had sent him back to the past, in a way it was ¡°destined.¡± The timing was perfect. In the forthcoming eight years, this world¡¯s transformational wave was divided into three periods. The current point in time where he found himself was just before the ¡°first wave¡± was about to arrive... Back then, he was just a university student, naive about the world. In the subsequent years, he experienced the terrifying disasters caused by ghosts, which made cities fall. As an ordinary person at the time, he could only flee or hide like most of the population. When he formally engaged with cursing prohibition and became one of the Forbidden Masters, it was at a time when the Tiannan District and several other regions domestically were gradually stabilizing under the rule of the ¡°Ancestor.¡± This caused him to completely miss the most turbulent and hopeful ¡°first wave¡± and ¡°second wave.¡± This time, he wouldn¡¯t be so embarrassed. Whether it was the invasion of ghosts or the rise of Forbidden Masters in human society, there was always a process. At least within this year, the domestic situation should barely maintain itself. ¡°Online rumors are everywhere, and all cities are filled with all sorts of incredible tales, but most of the people who haven¡¯t experienced it still live in peace, filled with doubt...¡± That was his impression of this year. However, the facade of daily life would eventually be broken. Once change began, it would be unstoppable, sweeping over everything. By then, trying to make efforts would already be too late. Therefore, after his reincarnation, Cen Dongsheng thought and formulated a plan, attempting to find that key figure, the one he might indeed be able to rely on¡ª The founder and chief director of the Governance Bureau; in essence, his future big boss, the ruler of the Tiannan District, ranked among the ¡°Ancestor,¡± the top-class Curse Forbidden Master... An Zhizhen. Chapter 7 - 7 3 The King of Ideal Country ?7: Chapter 3: The King of Ideal Country 7: Chapter 3: The King of Ideal Country He, reborn once more, possessed the opportunity to change his own fate, but how to change it still remained a matter for thoughtful consideration. First were those ¡°Ancestors¡± level Curse Forbidden Masters who stood atop the world in the future. Without exception, they all possessed Special Grade Life Prohibitions, a talent they were born with, which could not be taken away by external forces. No one knew their exact awakening times, but if anyone truly attempted to eliminate them early, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if they were instead killed by prematurely stimulating their awakening abilities. After all, these so-called ¡°Ancestors¡± broke their own Birth Horoscope, becoming protagonists of their era. Thus, Cen Dongsheng had never thought of drastically changing the future¡ªhe valued his present more. Even though he had lost his own life prohibition, he still had the opportunity to touch the highest level (Special Class) of curse prohibition; it just required time and waiting. And before then, he first needed to enhance his power, then find potential companions... or, to put it honestly, ¡°cling to a thick enough thigh.¡± Hugging a powerful ally was also an art, one that needed to be done with finesse. In the future, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s identity destined him to not access the world of the higher-level Forbidden Masters, leaving him uninformed of the big figures¡¯ personalities outside of the public view. But the influence of the ¡°Ancestors¡± was just too massive, and they were inherently the rulers of various forces and regions. ¡°A person¡¯s name casts a shadow.¡± His understanding of these people¡¯s way of doing things was, after all, somewhat informed. Some claimed that the future world belonged to those Forbidden Masters, an era of ¡°madmen and ambitious ones,¡± which was by no means an exaggeration. Though it was unclear whether it was the sudden acquisition of immense power from heaven that made people become paranoid, or if the paranoid found it easier to become strong, strong individuals did indeed have peculiar personalities. Some of them held beliefs that completely contradicted past mainstream moral values. It¡¯s said that a person¡¯s life prohibition often reflected their character. The more extreme the person, the more they could exert the power of the cursing prohibition, which was another facet of ¡°the worst of times.¡±¡ª At least, Cen Dongsheng always felt he was too ordinary, touching on the saying ¡°character determines destiny.¡± He naturally held a vast distance from a selfless Saint, but even after enduring relentless struggles, he could not be like some of his colleagues, dealing with matters so ruthlessly as if they were heartless machines or cold-blooded killers. He liked to eliminate evil thoroughly, yet he could never disregard humanity. ¡°The reason I¡¯m not strong enough might be that I¡¯m not crazy enough,¡± Cen Dongsheng would occasionally think. In any case, not everyone among the highest level of Curse Forbidden Masters was suitable to be a boss or superior, let alone a peer. And among these madmen and paranoiacs, his former boss¡ªAn Zhizhen, what kind of person was she exactly? In anyone¡¯s comments, they would think she was a cold and ruthless woman. She once sacrificed thousands of lives to activate Special Grade Curse Prohibitions with harsh conditions; faced with the invasion of the Evil God, she decisively abandoned the victim regions, finally using large-scale thermal weapons and wide-range cursing prohibitions to annihilate all ghosts within the fallen areas, including the survivors. She used virtual network technology and special cursing prohibitions to establish a system known as the ¡°Ideal Country,¡± monitoring every person on the land. Wherever the system covered, the hierarchy was strict, and each resident¡¯s permissions bore rigid distinctions between higher and lower ranks. With resources collected through the ¡°Ideal Country,¡± all rights of allocation were concentrated in her hands, making her a complete dictator. Such was she, such was she in Cen Dongsheng¡¯s eyes... ¡ªIncredibly ¡°gentle.¡± Good and bad were always relative. There was no end to the number of people who loathed the king of the Ideal Country, but the reality was, no one could deny that the Tiannan District had one of the most stable social orders among the districts. Its social class system was indeed stringent, yet rewards and penalties were clear. As long as one contributed, one could be promoted; everyone had the chance to climb upward. As a ruler, An Zhizhen did not have the wicked habit of randomly slaughtering people. Speaking strictly of personal character, she could be considered upright, never engaging in reckless actions to satisfy personal desires. There weren¡¯t even rumors of her having lovers or relatives, a solitary monarch on her throne. Moreover, even amid the myriad unverifiable dark rumors underlying the ¡°Ideal Country,¡± ordinary citizens indeed found shelter amidst the chaos, a cold, emotionless, yet firmly reliable refuge. It might have been because Cen Dongsheng knew her best, but when considering the question of ¡°who to seek first,¡± he indeed first thought of An Zhizhen. Then, just two months ago, Cen Dongsheng moved into Xiaokang Building and officially met An Zhizhen of this era. To this day, his mood was... ¡°I really was surprised. Yes, truly surprised.¡± Cen Dongsheng thought. Even if An Zhizhen¡¯s reputation among the ¡°Ancestors¡± was relatively good, he still hadn¡¯t expected that she used to have such a personality. A woman who loved to laugh and was cheerful, kind to others, and liked taking care of people¡ªonce familiar with someone, she could be described as genuinely gentle and courteous, without quotation marks, in the truest sense of the word. He hadn¡¯t placed much hope in his communication skills. Growing up in a welfare home, his personality turning out not secluded and introverted was already commendable. Expecting him to become a social butterfly would be tough; Cen Dongsheng had been a child who only buried his head in books throughout his life. Chapter 8 - 8 3 The King of Ideal Country_2 ?8: Chapter 3: The King of Ideal Country_2 8: Chapter 3: The King of Ideal Country_2 In the next eight years, Cen Dongsheng made no progress in that area either. Just struggling to survive was challenging enough, leaving little room for other thoughts. The reason he believed he had a chance to cling to a powerful ally was purely because An Zhizhen was a rational person. Before she awakened her life prohibition, he, as a Prophet, could provide some guidance and information without revealing the truth, trusting that she would understand its value. It was a risky gamble. He was well aware of the effects of An Zhizhen¡¯s life prohibition. If he offended her, he might completely lose his freedom. But he thought it was worth the risk to try. In any case, it was merely an exchange of interests. Cen Dongsheng never imagined that the two of them might develop an emotional entanglement. However, it was precisely this unexpected development where he and she, vastly different in status and unconnected in prior lives, inexplicably formed a rather intimate relationship. They could address each other as ¡°siblings,¡± and even visiting her home felt natural now. It seemed a bit different from what he had anticipated... But, well, wasn¡¯t it also a kind of progress? ¡°Alright, let¡¯s look at it tonight.¡± An Zhizhen reluctantly shifted her gaze, set the book down with lingering emotions on her face. ¡°Dongsheng?¡± She noticed him lost in thought again and moved slightly closer. The woman lifted her delicate hand, placed it on his forehead, and asked with a worried expression, ¡°Dongsheng, what¡¯s wrong? You¡¯ve been zoning out several times... Could it be the heat, have you gotten heatstroke?¡± The cool and soft touch of her palm startled Cen Dongsheng. When he snapped back to reality, Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s beautiful face was already too close, and he could catch a whiff of her elegant fragrance. ¡°...¡± He had to honestly face himself. The experiences of the future completely changed and shaped his current mindset. Thus, Cen Dongsheng never thought he¡¯d one day be this close to a famous ¡°Ancestor.¡± It was less of a beautiful dream and more of an absurdly bizarre, shocking dream. Although everyone could clearly see a stunning beauty on the ubiquitous posters and TV programs in the Tiannan Region, the physical appearance was probably the least important aspect of the image that made up ¡°An Zhizhen.¡± No matter what she looked like, it didn¡¯t hinder her personal power and status or the public¡¯s impression of her. The name ¡°An Zhizhen¡± was known to all, and even her followers mostly admired and respected her rather than harbor romantic feelings. But... At least at this moment, Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s closeness made Cen Dongsheng truly feel like he was still that clueless and inexperienced college student. Yes, even as a Reincarnator, his occasional blushing and racing heart were at least half genuine, maybe because he wasn¡¯t that old before his rebirth. This made him reflect on how terrifying a man¡¯s instincts could be. Cen Dongsheng put his hand to his mouth and gave a fake cough. ¡°I¡¯m... I¡¯m fine. I was just thinking about work tonight.¡± ¡°Work? Have you picked up a new part-time job?¡± ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s a newly opened shopping mall a few stops away. I¡¯m working there as a nighttime security guard.¡± ¡°That¡¯s tough.¡± ¡°Haha, without effort, there¡¯s no way to make it. To survive in this competitive society, you have to take action quickly.¡± Cen Dongsheng said. He genuinely meant what he said, the ¡°cruelty¡± in his words was the real deal. ¡°At your age, you¡¯re already thinking about this... Well, since you grew up all alone.¡± An Zhizhen, knowing he was from a welfare institution, looked at him with gentle and sympathetic eyes, seeming to misunderstand him. ¡°Then I won¡¯t hold you up. Take care of yourself out there.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± * Cen Dongsheng said goodbye to Sister Zhi Zhen and returned to his room. He glanced at the sky outside the window. After watching a movie, the intense summer heat gradually dissipated, the sunlight softened, and the clouds clustered, drifting slowly towards twilight. Cen Dongsheng crossed his legs and began to meditate. Over the long past period, he had almost forgotten what kind of entertainment he once enjoyed. For him, snatching a moment of rest amid battles and rushes was enough. At the appointed time, he opened his eyes, stretched his body, grabbed his phone and keys, and prepared to leave. At the doorway, he turned back to take out some cash and stuffed it into his pocket. ¡°Almost forgot, real money is still needed these days.¡± The ¡°part-time job¡± he mentioned to Sister Zhi Zhen wasn¡¯t an excuse; he was indeed going to work the night shift as a security guard. Of course, it wasn¡¯t for the money¡ªfor him, as long as the money was enough for living, any excess was wasteful. This summer, he intended to seize every opportunity to go to many places... Before going out, Cen Dongsheng took a piece of paper from his pocket, read it carefully, memorized its content thoroughly, and then burned it with a lighter. After his rebirth, he immediately summarized valuable intelligence and information into a timeline, memorized them repeatedly, and then destroyed them. He used this method to continuously reinforce his memory until the intel was firmly imprinted in his mind. These pieces of knowledge spanning eras were undoubtedly ¡°priceless treasures.¡± However, the same issue remained¡ªhe was just a Class B Curse Forbidden Master, with limited access to information. Even if he remembered some things, often he lacked an understanding of the underlying truths, which he could only learn through personal experience. Chapter 9 - 9 3 The King of Ideal Country_3 ?9: Chapter 3: The King of Ideal Country_3 9: Chapter 3: The King of Ideal Country_3 Moreover, aside from those sensational incidents that shocked the whole country, the supernatural locations he could recall were primarily concentrated in Tiannan District. Conveniently, there were several such places right in Jinjiang City. Hence, the primary reason Cen Dongsheng had been looking for part-time work recently was for scouting. ¡°Yangming Mountain Zoo... I¡¯ve been a part-time zookeeper since the beginning of June for two weeks, confirming that the ¡®human face mutation¡¯ hasn¡¯t happened yet. Naturally, I can¡¯t get my hands on its Cursing Prohibition, so it looks like it will have to be put off. I¡¯ll find an excuse to resign tomorrow.¡± He mounted his bicycle, leisurely leaving the residential area, and headed towards the place of his part-time job. The initial wave had just begun, and as he predicted, most places had not yet undergone the ¡°ghost house transformation,¡± and consequently, the items within remained hidden. The so-called ¡°scouting¡± was really just getting familiar with the surroundings in advance. Therefore, he didn¡¯t harbor much hope this time either. ... Midway, he stopped at a roadside food stall to fill his belly, then Cen Dongsheng continued cycling. The evening breeze wafted through the trees onto the young man¡¯s face, warm and gentle. As dusk spread, streetlights on either side of the road began to flick on one by one, casting a dim glow on the faces of passersby. The bicycle bell ¡°tring, tring¡± sounded while tires ¡°shush shushed¡± over a layer of soft fallen leaves; houses passed by, beaming with light through the windows, snack stalls with tempting aromas, and shops filled with a dazzling array of goods... He weaved between cars and pedestrians, passing through streets and alleys, appreciating the long-missed human hustle and bustle. City lights twinkled like lighthouses floating on the sea of night. Cen Dongsheng squinted slightly against the oncoming light and breeze, his mind momentarily in a trance: What a peaceful scene, it¡¯s nostalgic. I wonder how much longer it will last? ¡°Here we are.¡± Cen Dongsheng grabbed the brakes, gathering his scattered thoughts. He looked up at the building towering near the intersection ahead. A plain, boxy high-rise, fifteen stories or more, with a parking lot; it seemed to have more than one entrance and exit on the ground floor. Only the bottom three floors had lights on, while the rest were submerged in pitch darkness; the west side was obscured by scaffolding and advertisement banners made of plastic cloth, looking as though it was not fully completed yet. The scheduled interview location was just ahead. He hadn¡¯t walked far before he saw two people standing there. One appeared to be about fifty with a beer belly, wearing a white shirt and smoking; the other, possibly in his mid-thirties, dressed in a security uniform, seemed to be the subordinate of the former. Both their expressions were solemn, and the night breeze carried their hushed conversation to Cen Dongsheng¡¯s ears: ¡°Xiao Qin, did you find someone for the night shift?¡± ¡°Not yet, the guy who came last time only lasted three days before he ran off, claiming he saw a ghost in the bathroom,¡± the man in the security uniform answered with a wry smile. ¡°Another ghost sighting?¡± ¡°Yeah, he said he saw a female ghost in the mirror.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t it a male ghost with a broken leg last time? This building is new; where would all these Lonely Souls and wandering spirits come from? Are these youngsters making it up?¡± ¡°Sigh, I¡¯m not sure... but the guy left without even taking his pay, I guess he was really scared.¡± ¡°Even with an additional one thousand yuan, it didn¡¯t work?¡± ¡°Nope, Uncle Li, no one stays longer than two weeks... If this continues, the part-timers around here will all hear about the hauntings, and they have their own networks. Agencies are starting to refuse to refer people to us.¡± Listening, Cen Dongsheng stopped in his tracks, his lips unwittingly curling into a smile. Haunting? A haunting would be wonderful! He was afraid there wouldn¡¯t be one. This time, maybe there really might be an opportunity... Chapter 10 - 10 4 Haunted Building ?10: Chapter 4: Haunted Building 10: Chapter 4: Haunted Building ¡°Uh, this can¡¯t go on, it doesn¡¯t sound good. If the merchants in the building run away, that¡¯s a real loss.¡± ¡°What should we do?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s slow it down a bit. How about... for the time being, you take over a shift?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Mr. Qin¡¯s face wrinkled into a frown as he hastily shook his head in refusal. ¡°I have to go home to take care of my wife and kids.¡± In reality, everyone knew the rumors. Even if they hadn¡¯t seen it with their own eyes, they were half skeptical about the hauntings. Just hearing about such rumors was enough to keep people away from spending a whole night there. Uncle Li couldn¡¯t force him and thought they could only temporarily lack a position. But if a thief sneaked in, leading to theft in the shops, or if an accident happened when no one was around at night, he couldn¡¯t bear that responsibility either. ¡°Hello there.¡± As Uncle Li and the security guard were contemplating their predicament, they suddenly heard someone talking to them. Turning their heads, they saw a young man pushing a bicycle, smiling cheerfully at them. ¡°I¡¯m here for the part-time job. The night shift security, right?¡± ¡°Are you... a college student?¡± The security guard sized him up with a measure of hesitation. ¡°Yep, just finished my freshman year.¡± Cen Dongsheng smiled naively. ¡°It¡¯s summer vacation now, so I came out to find a part-time job.¡± Uncle Li and Mr. Qin exchanged glances. They were just worrying about being short-staffed, and this young man was a godsend. ¡°I already heard what you two were discussing.¡± Cen Dongsheng said. ¡°Ah, you heard?¡± Mr. Qin was surprised, ¡°Then you...¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m not afraid of all that supernatural stuff.¡± He answered, ¡°I¡¯ve been brave since I was a kid.¡± ¡°Great! That¡¯s perfect!¡± Uncle Li was overjoyed. ¡°That makes sense, you young fellows definitely have strong yang energy, even ghosts would have to avoid you.¡± Cen Dongsheng just smiled, not responding. Indeed there¡¯s such a theory, but unfortunately, most people¡¯s understanding of ghosts is prejudiced and unreliable. Compared to the various knowledge later verified and summarized through scientific methods, the past folk rumors could only count as ¡°knowing the phenomenon but not the reasons behind it.¡± Young people have vigorous blood and qi, symbolizing the vitality of a living organism. Even if ordinary people do not know how to refine and utilize it, they can still unconsciously damage the lowest level of Floating Spirits. However, the opposite is true if they encounter a Fierce Ghost¡ªsince the abundant natural yang energy will be treated like a tempting treat. After a brief chat in the interview, Uncle Li immediately decided without hesitation. ¡°The night shift allowance is very high; you definitely won¡¯t be shortchanged.¡± Uncle Li waved his hand. ¡°Come, Xiao Qin, take him to get familiar with the work.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The security guard looked at Cen Dongsheng with a strange expression and said to him: ¡°Follow me.¡± ... After Uncle Li left, the senior security guard took him to the changing room to get a uniform and briefly introduced the job to him. His working hours were from when the shopping mall closed at eleven at night to when it opened at seven in the morning, after which someone would replace him. The patrol intervals were every 2 hours; he needed to carry a flashlight, walkie-talkie, and other patrol equipment; after finishing the patrol, he had to immediately return to the booth along the route, checking property safety and surrounding environment while also filling out the night patrol log. ¡°The main thing is to check the corridor doors before the shops close, and places like equipment storage areas, temporary electrical boxes, and cables need special attention.¡± Mr. Qin took him around to all the required places. Although it was still daytime, as they passed some unlit corridor sections, a cool, damp air was palpable. Some restrooms, rarely visited, were blocked off with wooden panels, with building materials and paint buckets strewn beside them, and dim light bulbs flickered above the doors. Cen Dongsheng casually asked a question, to which the security guard replied that the building was just renovated, the shops weren¡¯t fully leased yet, and some areas weren¡¯t opened to customers and so were left uncleaned for now. After returning to the guardhouse, Brother Qin prepared to leave for the day. ¡°Xiao Cen, are you really not afraid of ghosts?¡± Before leaving, he couldn¡¯t resist asking. ¡°Yes.¡± Cen Dongsheng said. He thought to himself, it¡¯d actually be good if there were ghosts; he was here to encounter ghosts. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Brother Qin sighed, ¡°Contact me with the walkie-talkie if there¡¯s anything, and there are people on duty in the monitoring room and the parking lot. You can also call if you don¡¯t understand something. Normally, it should be two people per shift, but we¡¯re indeed short-staffed here, so it¡¯s all on you now.¡± ¡°Okay, I understand.¡± * ¡°Click.¡± The wall clock pointed to twelve o¡¯clock. The bustling voices inside the shopping mall gradually subsided. The customers and pedestrians who had come to shop had dispersed, every store closed its doors, and most of the lights in the corridors and passageways were turned off. Occasionally, a car passed by the road outside the building, its horn breaking the quiet night, then silence returned. The ten square meter security booth contained a simple cot, a folding chair, a hot water bottle, and a wardrobe. The table held a radio and a potted plant, and an old, small TV flickered with static. Cen Dongsheng once again opened his eyes from meditation. He put on his cap, picked up the flashlight, and stepped out the door with steady strides. His actions were swift and decisive, which might reveal traces of specialized training to some experienced eyes. The flashlight¡¯s beam, large and small, swung rhythmically back and forth, skimming over the tops of every corner in the corridor. Chapter 11 - 11 4 Haunted Mansion_2 ?11: Chapter 4 Haunted Mansion_2 11: Chapter 4 Haunted Mansion_2 The descending shutter door, the empty passageways, the gloomy and hollow spaces, the quiet atmosphere... Occasionally, one could hear the sound of water droplets falling from nowhere, uncertain if it was a loose tap or merely an auditory illusion. He maintained a relaxed breathing rhythm, consciously accumulating strength within his body. If ¡°luck¡± was on his side, tonight he might encounter his first battle since rebirth... Speaking of battle, the current Cen Dongsheng had not yet mastered any Cursing Prohibitions, and his power was at a low ebb. The good news was, since the mall was operating normally from day to night, he didn¡¯t believe there was any ¡°ghost house transformation¡± here, so it wasn¡¯t too dangerous. In this era, real Ghost Houses were still rare, and once discovered, the government would likely choose to keep it secret. During an era when the war between ghosts and humans had not yet come to the fore, the upper echelons often resorted to information blockades to avoid public panic. He had anticipated this when he decided to scout around. The core that triggered the ¡°ghost house transformation¡±¡ªbe it a certain Cursing Prohibition, a Forbidden Item, or simply strong yin energy¡ªoften resided within the most powerful ghost of the Ghost House. Defeating it could exorcise the Ghost House and yield corresponding spoils of war. This process was all too familiar to Cen Dongsheng. However, although the accumulated yin energy in the building was not enough to warp space, it could still attract lower-class ghosts, which meant something was indeed hidden inside the mall. ...As long as the ¡°haunted¡± rumors were true. As for the ghosts themselves, he could only just about manage to deal with them now. To gain an advantage, one always had to take some risks. ¡°Tap tap tap.¡± Footsteps echoed along the silent corridor. The internal map of the building had been forcibly memorized by Cen Dongsheng during the security guard¡¯s tour. This was a skill honed to instinct for him. Thus, no matter where he walked, he could replay the action in his mind: he had covered about a third of the patrol route, currently, he should be in the northeast area of the third floor, where stores mainly sold men¡¯s and women¡¯s fashion... ¡°Clang.¡± A strange muffled sound abruptly rang in his ear, breaking his train of thought. Cen Dongsheng immediately halted. In an instant, the lengthy and deep corridor became eerily silent. Only the moving beam from the flashlight in his hand remained, slowly turning towards the direction of the sound. Behind the mesh of the shutter door was a glass door, beyond which lay a clothing store, and... Mannequins. A half-bodied mannequin without a face, wearing a wide-brimmed hat on its head. ¡°Clang.¡± Another familiar noise sounded, and Cen Dongsheng felt sure he wasn¡¯t mistaken, the mannequin that should have stood there motionless... really shook slightly. ¡°Clang.¡± The mannequin¡¯s head moved to the side once more, the extent slight yet distinctly visible, definitely not an illusion. As if ¡°it¡± had suddenly come to life, as if ¡°it¡± was ¡°click-clacking¡± its neck joints into action. Without a doubt, it was a terrifying sight that defied common sense. And in the face of sudden unknown fears, people often reveal their truest selves. Some freeze up, scared stiff on the spot, others would wail and scramble away in terror, some would react with violence, their fear turning into anger, charging forth to fight... But Cen Dongsheng¡¯s reaction was none of the above. He did not move, yet he wasn¡¯t frozen. Instead, he tensed his shoulders and slightly crouched, like an athlete poised on the starting line. His eyes stayed fixed on the direction of the mannequin, with vigilance and focus but no fear, like an experienced Snake Catcher facing a hissing snake threatening those around him. This standoff lasted for a few minutes, until the mannequin¡¯s neck turned approximately 90 degrees and stopped moving. A pale figure suddenly vanished behind the model. ¡°...Eh.¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile. Although he kept an eye on the mannequin, his body had already turned back. ¡°A wild cat, huh... I must have been mistaken.¡± Mumbling to himself, he continued walking deeper along the corridor. ¡°Mouthfuls of ¡®wild cat,''¡± he certainly wouldn¡¯t really consider the bizarre event that just happened as the work of a cat. On the contrary, Cen Dongsheng could almost confirm that it was the doing of ghosts, but the way they went about playing tricks suggested they were of a lower grade. Like the Forbidden Masters, ghosts were also classified into four danger levels, namely ¡°A B C D,¡± with those beyond not likely to appear easily in this era. The four types of ghosts not only represented four grades but could also be thought of as four different types: Class A Ghosts often form the core of a ghost house, possessing the basic ability to manipulate the interior space of the house. That was a super-dangerous monster he could not exorcise alone even before his rebirth; Class B Ghosts, also called ¡°Fierce Ghosts,¡± are characterized by having powerful abilities to interfere with the physical world, creating illusions, possessing humans, which are also basics for them; Class C Ghosts, also known as ¡°Lonely Souls,¡± are characterized by having a certain level of intelligence, even capable of communicating with humans, often resembling the deceased in appearance; The lowest-grade Class D Ghosts, also known as ¡°Floating Spirits,¡± are the most uniform in characteristics, almost all ¡°white, emitting a faint glow, faceless¡± in appearance, meaning that the Floating Spirits don¡¯t even have a substantial self-awareness and often appear in groups following instinct. ¡°If there really were Evil Spirits or Fierce Ghost-level entities, I should be running now. Luckily, there aren¡¯t.¡± Cen Dongsheng took a deep breath and continued forward. ¡°The most suspicious place in this building has to be the West Area.¡± The reason being nothing else but that parts of the walls in that direction were still covered with scaffolding and plastic cloth, unfinished, which he had noticed on his way there. If the ¡°Cursing Prohibition¡± he was looking for were hidden in a section of the building already open to customers, then the building wouldn¡¯t be so peaceful, and the victims would not be limited to just a few night patrol security guards. Following the corridor straight on, he eventually stopped at a spot completely obscured by plastic. Cen Dongsheng thought it over and decided not to make too much noise, so he changed direction and walked toward the nearby washroom. He had only approached a few steps when he heard a faint cry coming from the women¡¯s restroom. The sob was soft, mixed with whimpers, full of mournful weeping. No wonder... Cen Dongsheng recalled the experience of the security guard who had come before him. That said, this person was already brave; ordinary people would have broken by now, let alone muster the courage to go in and check things out. Cen Dongsheng thought as much and walked into the women¡¯s restroom without hesitation. He tried to turn on the light, but the bulb overhead only flickered twice before dimming again. He then casually turned on the tap, washed his hands, and bent down to splash his face. When he looked up again, he felt much more refreshed. He shook the water droplets from his hair and, using the dim light, observed his own face. In the mirror, he gazed back at his reflection, and not far behind him, a frail woman in an old white dress stood quietly there. Her long, withered hair fell in front of her, obscuring the woman¡¯s face; her body slightly hunched, standing in the corner. And if one were to turn around at this moment... That corner would be empty. Cen Dongsheng did not speak or cry out; he simply watched her silently. Time seemed to suddenly slow down. After some moments of silence, he suddenly grinned and made a face at ¡°her¡± in the mirror. ¡°...¡± Alright, as expected, no reaction. Likely the same one trying to scare him earlier with the mannequin. Cen Dongsheng turned off the tap and, pretending not to see, casually walked past the corner where the white-dressed ghost girl was. ... Between the two restrooms, he noticed a collapsed low wall, not yet fully filled in, so he boldly stepped over the barrier and slipped to the other side. No sooner had his feet touched the ground than Cen Dongsheng felt a chill crawl up his spine; at the same time, because of the plastic cloth blocking, no light from the outside could penetrate, enveloping his surroundings in pitch darkness. It was like he was in an endless abyss. However, it was precisely this environment that made Cen Dongsheng involuntarily smile. ¡°Found it.¡± He whispered excitedly. ¡ªThe dense and distinct ¡°Qi¡± emanating from the high-grade Cursing Prohibition without sealed treatment was clearly reflected in his senses. Chapter 12 - 12 5 A Step Away ?12: Chapter 5 A Step Away 12: Chapter 5 A Step Away ¡°Hey kid, we¡¯re from the same hometown, huh.¡± ¡°Uh, yes... I¡¯m from Jinjiang City.¡± ¡°Where do you live?¡± ¡°I¡¯m from a welfare institution, no family, usually just stay at the university. Later went to Tianhai City and escaped with a group from school during one of the Eight Great Disasters, ¡®Yin Soldiers Crossing¡¯...¡± ¡°Hai University?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Haha, then we¡¯re not just from the same hometown, I¡¯m your senior at school too. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll look out for you.¡± ¡°...Thank you.¡± ¡ªCen Dongsheng had a brief encounter with a senior colleague after a departmental meeting when he first joined the Exorcism Department, and this was the short conversation they had. Of course, although the senior said this, they didn¡¯t see each other much afterwards and weren¡¯t even acquaintances who would nod in passing. This senior was a Class A Curse Forbidden Master, unlike himself, an elite capable of tackling haunted buildings alone, holding an important squad leader position. This senior wasn¡¯t well-liked in the Exorcism Department. Cen Dongsheng heard from colleagues that he was arrogant and liked to boast about himself over drinks. He even supposedly claimed, ¡°I¡¯m just one step away from Special Class,¡± but in the hierarchical Ideal Country, you are what you are, and such arrogant and unfounded statements only provoked disdain. ¡°But still, I should say ¡®thank you¡¯ for the information he provided me.¡± Cen Dongsheng thought. ¡°His Cursing Prohibition originated from his days as a security guard in a haunted building,¡± an information revealed by the senior himself when he was drunk at a dinner. In the world of the Forbidden Masters, such frankness was rare, as most rational people would be tight-lipped about the origins of their abilities because such information was a matter of life and death. ¡°It¡¯s said to be a ¡®Human Immortal Series¡¯ curse. Perhaps for this reason, he¡¯s not so careful with managing his information.¡± Human Immortal Series Curse focused on the training and strengthening of the body and soul. Although it lacked the ability to Call the Wind and Summon the Rain or Returning Wind and Fire, making it seem weaker in terms of display of force against enemies, its advantage lay in its ¡®reliability¡¯, allowing the Forbidden Master to easily adapt to any environment and hard to be restrained. As for Cen Dongsheng himself, he didn¡¯t care much about the type of Cursing Prohibition. After all, if that person could use it to become a Class A Forbidden Master, it must be a hundred times stronger than the abilities he once had. He was technically still an ordinary person, full of ambition for the future, yet with a lack of confidence, urgently needing to take the first step. ... Cen Dongsheng moved forward in the darkness, the ground beneath his feet uneven. Occasionally, he kicked some scattered building materials or cans, sending them rolling far away with a ¡°clang¡± that echoed into the distance. The darker it got, the more silent it became, and the sudden noise was all the more terrifying as if some danger lurked in unseen places. But Cen Dongsheng did not stop, his steps becoming larger and faster. After capturing the fleeting ¡®Qi¡¯, he walked unhesitatingly in that direction until a wall blocked his path, realizing he had reached a dead end. ¡°Pop.¡± There was no way forward. Cen Dongsheng turned on his flashlight, the bright beam glimmering with floating dust. He slowly moved the light, reaching out to feel along the wall bit by bit. The youth, tense and excited, controlled his breathing effectively, allowing him to focus entirely on searching for clues. Finally... Lying flat on the ground, Cen Dongsheng suddenly noticed something amiss with the force in his hand. He grabbed a stone brick and pried it off with effort. This triggered a series of chain reactions as the bricks beside it fell, causing a portion of the cement wall to collapse. When the dust settled, it revealed a hidden space behind the wall. ¡°Was something sealed inside here...¡± As the light moved inward, it illuminated a shocking scene. ¡ªIt was a corpse. To be precise, it was a skeleton, with only tattered remnants of clothing on the frame. The skeleton was curled up in this narrow corner. Cen Dongsheng had reason to suspect this skeleton had probably been unearthed midway through construction, but with such severely decomposed bones, clues were likely hard to find; the involved parties probably found it troublesome and just pretended not to see it, sealing the corpse with thick cement. But for some reason, the sealing process was not completed properly, and the unfinished mall had been hastily opened, leaving a loophole. Cen Dongsheng closed his eyes. The fleeting ¡®Qi¡¯, symbolizing the power of Cursing Prohibition, pulsed like tides and ebbs. When he opened his eyes again, he was certain what he wanted was here. The youth raised his hand without hesitation, biting the tip of his finger with his teeth, holding his breath and concentrating, forcing a drop of blood to fall. The blood, infused with his life¡¯s breath, fell into the dust. The space before him seemed to ripple like a stone in water, causing the surrounding yin energy to boil. Like cold water encountering hot oil, the yang energy within living beings and the yin energy of the world of the deceased were two opposing yet entwined forces capable of transformation. Just as a Forbidden Master could defeat ghosts and refine ¡®yin energy¡¯ into ¡®yang energy¡¯ and further refine it into ¡®True Qi¡¯ to enhance strength, for ghosts, this principle was also true, so they craved the blood and flesh of living beings. Chapter 13 - 13 5 A Stones Throw Away_2 ?13: Chapter 5 A Stone¡¯s Throw Away_2 13: Chapter 5 A Stone¡¯s Throw Away_2 Cen Dongsheng followed the method to activate the Cursing Prohibition, dripping essence blood, and focusing his attention, he saw before him countless tadpole-shaped characters trembling and slowly floating upwards, turning from ethereal to solid... That was the Cursing Prohibition. Just as he prepared to absorb these characters into his body, he suddenly felt a chill on his spine. After the Cursing Prohibition was activated, the surrounding yin energy began to fluctuate violently like the tide, attracting all the evil spirits within the building. Cen Dongsheng was certain he heard a commotion behind him... as if a gigantic lizard was rapidly crawling over the ground, ready to bite off his head in one chomp! He turned his head, and indeed it was not an illusion; he saw a pale shadow rapidly approaching him. ¡°That is...¡± Cen Dongsheng recognized her at a glance, she was the female ghost he had seen in the bathroom mirror. Her messy black hair shrouded her face; an old, white dress; dead green skin; like a Monster, she crawled on all fours, clung to the wall like a gecko, then leaped down, lunging at him. ¡°I didn¡¯t even want to take action until just now... was it the fluctuating yin energy around the Cursing Prohibition that attracted her.¡± Looking at her appearance, she should be a Class C Ghost, the ¡°Lonely Soul,¡± also the kind of ghost people understand most easily. Ghosts of this level already had the ability to torment and kill people. They would still be harmed by yang energy but could also erode life; they had a natural craving for living beings, ordinary people simply could not resist, and the best option was to stay away promptly. His thoughts shifted, and the female ghost was already dangerously close to him. Cen Dongsheng finally got a view of the face hidden by the disheveled hair: it was half a rotten visage, the gum exposed outside, the ghastly mouth opened to an alarming degree, the foul stench shot straight to the top of the skull, a row of dark yellow teeth gnawing toward his neck. On the other side, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s reaction was... Before the female ghost closed in, he had already taken a deep breath, holding his breath, causing his chest to bulge like a frog¡¯s vocal sac; And when the female ghost swooped in close, his face showed not a hint of panic, he suddenly opened his mouth: ¡°Back off!¡± A shout erupted from deep within his chest, the sound was thunderously loud, accompanied by a breath forcefully exhaled from Cen Dongsheng¡¯s mouth, like thunder, that exploded in this small, dark space. The female ghost was struck in the face by this breath. What were merely breaths from a human mouth hit the ghost¡¯s face like a fierce flame; the rotten face and messy hair caught fire at the same time! The Lonely Soul screamed in agony, her entire body arched like a shrimp, struggling and twisting as if splashed with sulfuric acid, and within moments she turned tail and scurried away, fleeing the scene like escaping from Cen Dongsheng¡¯s presence. Only then did Cen Dongsheng finally let out a breath, but his face turned deathly pale, the whole person¡¯s spirit deflated, as if he had lost his vital energy. ...Yes, he hadn¡¯t yet mastered any Cursing Prohibitions, but that did not mean he had no way to deal with lower-level ghosts. What Cen Dongsheng had just used was merely the basics of Qi Body Technique, a foundational and elementary Qi Manipulation skill that in the future¡¯s world was known to everyone: gathering all the body¡¯s True Qi at the chest while simultaneously shouting with a thunder sound. However, although the technique was not profound, just the effort to cultivate this modest amount of True Qi took him a full two months; and now, as he exhaled the result of those two months¡¯ work in one breath, Cen Dongsheng felt dizzy and weak. This was why Forbidden Masters could only bluff and bluster for a long period in history, even if someone practiced from the age of eight to eighty, never slacking off a moment, the amount of True Qi refined in a lifetime probably could not match that of the most ordinary modern Forbidden Master¡ª It was not until the start of the first wave that a great number of new Curses appeared in this world along with active ghosts, and Cursing Prohibitions were the foundation of the Forbidden Master¡¯s power, high-level Cursing Prohibitions not only had immense strength but also could greatly expand an individual¡¯s amount of True Qi. ¡°Now is the moment...¡± As the True Qi within his body was expelled, his entire being felt dizzy and his brain swelled. Cen Dongsheng immediately bit his lip, using the pain to stimulate his spirit, striving to maintain a clear consciousness and refocused his attention on the present. Once he had absorbed all the floating text into his body, Cen Dongsheng staggered to his feet and immediately retraced his steps along the path he had come. ... ¡°Whew... whew...¡± Fortunately, he did not encounter any other ghosts on the way. By the time Cen Dongsheng stumbled back to the sentry post, he was drenched in cold sweat, gasping for air, on the verge of fainting at any moment. It wasn¡¯t just because of the consumption of True Qi, but also because the tadpole-shaped text he had just absorbed was causing chaos in his brain, resulting in waves of pain. What he needed to do next was to solve these two problems in one fell swoop. Daring not relax for a moment, Cen Dongsheng immediately immersed his mind upon returning home, sat cross-legged, and entered a state of meditation. This was a peculiar state where the spirit lies somewhere between dreaming and waking, not losing vigilance over the external world, yet beneficial for cultivation and rest, a foundational technique known to all in the future. The tadpole text chaotically swirling in his mind began to take the form of structured chapters, as his focus intensified. Mystical knowledge flooded into his spirit like a tide. ¡°...This is... a Class A Curse... wait, this is¡ª¡± Cen Dongsheng noticed an incredible secret and when he suddenly opened his eyes, he saw a fierce tiger appearing before him! Its hide was pitch-black, like an ink painting, its thick fur dotted with silver-white spots, its outline seemed ethereal, and in its eyes black and white colors swirled; yet the arrogance within its stare, so eager to devour, was so palpably real as if it had the valiant Qi spirit to swallow the whole world¡ª The tiger¡¯s body almost filled the entire room. It lowered its head, baring its fangs as if mocking, then lunged straight at Cen Dongsheng, slamming into the young man¡¯s chest and vanishing without a trace. In that instant, an astonishing vision emerged in his mind: A colossal tiger as vast as mountains, its body iron-blue, stood majestically between heaven and earth. Around it, the sand and stones moved, the fierce winds whipped up a vortex, the terrifying storm blurred the world¡¯s colors, and it roared towards the sun and moon above; ¡ªBut atop this ferocious tiger was clearly an even more enormous figure, standing on its head, a vast shadow that blocked out the sun, with wings extending behind that stretched endlessly like the night sky... Cen Dongsheng¡¯s face turned as white as paper, dripping with sweat; it took him quite a while to regain control of his body. ¡°Could it be...¡± He held his forehead, his eyes reflecting astonishment, joy, disbelief. As they say, plan first, then act. When making plans, he tried to consider all possible contingencies; but at the end of the day, his goal was simple: To master a high-level curse for laying the foundation of his future; once he officially embarked on the path of the Forbidden Master, he would use his foresight to sprint towards the ultimate goal. Thus... he truly hadn¡¯t anticipated ¡°this kind of accident.¡± Cen Dongsheng lowered his eyelids, looked at his trembling hands. ¡ª¡±That person wasn¡¯t just talking big...¡± A senior in his past life once boasted in front of others, ¡°I¡¯m only one step away from Special Class.¡± Everyone thought that the person was just full of themselves, but it wasn¡¯t until Cen Dongsheng, who had lived once before, obtained the curse first, that he realized the other¡¯s words might not have been mere arrogance... Chapter 14 - 14 6 Curse Prohibition Tiger Demon Covering ?14: Chapter 6 Curse Prohibition, Tiger Demon Covering 14: Chapter 6 Curse Prohibition, Tiger Demon Covering Hidden within the building was a Curse Prohibition, its name unknown, its form incomplete; now only a fragment of its power remained, known as ¡°Curse Prohibition, Tiger Demon Cloak.¡± The illusion that had just appeared before Cen Dongsheng was known as the symbol of the ¡°Tiger Demon.¡± The owner of those white bones was likely an ancient Achiever, thus a rare remnant of the Power of Tiger Demon was still lingering, waiting to be absorbed by him. And according to Cen Dongsheng¡¯s own estimation, the power hidden within the Tiger Demon Curse far surpassed his former self, undoubtedly Class A. Up to here, there were no problems; but the issue arose when, during his meditation, as he visualized the Tiger Demon, he saw at the same time another figure above the Tiger Demon, even more gigantic... ¡°His¡± features were blurry, his authority unfathomable; ¡°he¡± stood with one foot on a fierce tiger, with two additional, faceless, bizarre Monster shapes beneath him, like a towering deity. Conclusions drawn from such visualizations often hinted at something predestined. This unknown Curse wanted to tell Cen Dongsheng that there were more strengths like the ¡°Tiger Demon¡¯s¡± force; if he could refine the other two beings known as ¡°Demon,¡± he might glimpse the realm above. ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak¡± was not just any Class A Curse; it was a puzzle piece leading to a higher level¡ª Thinking of this, his heart began to thump wildly. This was the first time he had felt his ambition grow so tangibly; lofty goals seemed within arm¡¯s reach. Drawing a deep breath, Cen Dongsheng calmed himself, phoned someone to resign from his job, and then after hanging up, sat down cross-legged in a corner. Closing his eyes, maintaining the cross-legged position, he continued his meditation, converting the innate yang energy within his body into True Qi. Slowly, the skin covering the young man¡¯s body began to show a color akin to steel-gray, occasionally bulging, as if there were streams of Qi circulating underneath. The Power of Tiger Demon drew upon the body¡¯s True Qi, growing stronger and beginning to transform his body... * Unknowingly, a week had passed since Cen Dongsheng obtained the Curse Prohibition. Room 303 of the Xiaokang Building was draped with thick curtains, blocking all external light to prevent prying eyes, the room dark inside. In the dimness, the young man sans shirt was exercising in a highly difficult posture, maintaining an inverted handstand and performing push-ups. Since he started training ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak,¡± Cen Dongsheng found that not only did his body¡¯s True Qi grow rapidly, almost catching up with his level eight years hence, but his physical condition enhanced visibly to the naked eye. This was a common feature of Human Immortal Series Curses; what was special was the frightening increase in fingertip strength and grip strength provided by the Power of Tiger Demon within his body. At the start, he needed both hands to perform inverted push-ups. One day later, he began to reduce the number of fingers on each hand to three, then to two, and finally, to one finger, ¡°One-finger Zen.¡± Two more days, and he was balancing his body, shaky, on the thumb of his left and then right hand. At this stage, what he accomplished had already surpassed human physiological limits. Even world-class gymnasts or fitness experts couldn¡¯t achieve a one-finger handstand; although some special disciplines may show examples, it¡¯s usually through special techniques rather than pure muscular strength. After all, human physiological structure being what it is, maintaining balance on a single finger isn¡¯t feasible; yet, the young man¡¯s body was indeed gradually shifting towards the ¡°non-human¡± domain in a slow, but sure and unstoppable trend. Another day passed, and he began using his index finger, alternating with middle, ring, and even pinky fingers. As for now... ¡°Hu.¡± He lowered his face close to the floor again and again, bending his arms. Cen Dongsheng placed his left hand behind him, supporting his entire body weight with just the pinky finger of his right hand. His palms were rough and broad, his knuckles distinct. After smoothly completing fifty repetitions, he switched to his left pinky finger, one hundred times per set; after five sets of exercises, Cen Dongsheng placed his feet down and adjusted his stance, moving as agilely as a monkey. Even after completing five hundred repetitions of an exercise unimaginable to most, his body bore only a faint, light sweat. ¡°That counts only as a warm-up.¡± Cen Dongsheng felt a touch of regret; it seemed regular bodyweight exercises no longer had any effect on him. And this was only after a week... He walked into the bathroom, planning to take a shower. The man reflected in the mirror looked almost completely different from his former self. His muscles were lean and powerful, with clear and beautiful lines. Each muscle group naturally displayed its finesse and strength: his arm muscles like sails billowed by inner power, his back muscles broad and robust, the muscles of his lower back tight and flexible, supporting the stability required for complex motions; his leg muscles resembled the deep roots of an ancient tree, with a clear delineation between thigh and calf exhibiting explosive power. Unlike regular fitness enthusiasts or athletes across various fields, who might train only specific muscle groups or lose balance in pursuit of size and aesthetics, Cen Dongsheng maintained an athletically restrained amount of muscle throughout his body. Yet whenever he clenched his fist, one could feel the terrifying power ready to burst forth. Chapter 15 - 15 6 Curse Prohibition Tiger Demon Cloak_2 ?15: Chapter 6 Curse Prohibition, Tiger Demon Cloak_2 15: Chapter 6 Curse Prohibition, Tiger Demon Cloak_2 Originally about six feet tall, he now gained an extra few inches, reaching a height of six-foot-one, yet his limbs and torso remained proportionate, as if his entire skeleton had grown sturdier by a fair margin. And all these changes occurred in just one week, a true transformation that upended everything... Cen Dongsheng looked at himself in the mirror with satisfaction. With his closely cropped hair, the man in the mirror exuded an aura of intimidation just from his build and muscle contours; he gave off a vibe that warned others not to mess with him, like a martial arts expert standing on a dark boxing ring or a mercenary with battle scars; and if he used the powers belonging to a Forbidden Master in this state... Cen Dongsheng focused his thoughts, and the True Qi within his body began to circulate through his meridians. As the True Qi passed through, his muscles swelled to exaggerated proportions, and his already imposing physique seemed to expand even more, but the most significant transformation lay in his skin tone¡ªhis skin shimmered with a blue-gray metallic sheen, the veins in his hands bulging as if forged from steel. He casually picked up a stainless steel washbasin from the bathroom sink and, with a slight exertion, turned it into a soft dough-like mass, kneading it into flat and round shapes. ¡°Hmm, this level is sufficient.¡± ... ¡°It seems the plan needs some adjustments.¡± Cen Dongsheng thought as he took a cold shower. His original strategies were twofold¡ªstrengthening his own power and securing a strong enough backer. The conditions for the former had been temporarily met, and in the coming days, he no longer needed to roam around to enhance his abilities. ¡°A person¡¯s mastery of cursing prohibition is limited by their birth horoscope¡±¡ªhere, the birth horoscope referred to the ¡°Heaven, Earth, and Humanity¡± Three Talents. In short, an ordinary Forbidden Master could only grasp three types of cursing prohibitions suited to them; only the ¡°Ancestor¡± level Curse Forbidden Master at the pinnacle could transcend their horoscope, escaping the limitations of the Three Talents; while with his current horoscope foundation, even supporting a single Class A curse prohibition was quite challenging. Besides, Cen Dongsheng did remember several records regarding high-level cursing prohibitions and Forbidden Items, with some even involving incidents suspected to be of Special Grade, yet there was still some time before reaching that point in the timeline. Strictly speaking, the current world was still in the ¡°beginner¡¯s zone¡± phase. Therefore, from the perspective of enhancing power, what he truly needed to do was focus on boosting the Power of the Tiger Demon and swiftly locating the remaining two so-called ¡°Demons,¡± to see if he could glimpse into the realm of Special Grade Curse Prohibition. It certainly wouldn¡¯t be easy, considering that even the senior from the Exorcism Department hadn¡¯t been able to fulfill the vision, remaining only at the level of lip service. As for his plans regarding the latter... ¡°I need to think about how to explain this to Sister Zhi Zhen.¡± Cen Dongsheng turned off the showerhead, dried his hair, and got dressed. In the mirror, his appearance was less intimidating, still retaining a hint of youthful freshness. His relationship with An Zhi Zhen had reached a certain point; he felt it was time to take another step forward. * In the corridor leading to Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s home, he noticed halfway through that she was right up ahead. The woman with long black hair was pulling a suitcase with some effort, trying to haul it out of the room. ¡°This is...¡± He glanced up at the door number to confirm it was ¡°310¡± and not ¡°316.¡± Cen Dongsheng approached, intending to offer help. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, let me help you.¡± ¡°Ah...!¡± An Zhi Zhen seemed startled, turning her head to see Cen Dongsheng¡¯s face. ¡°This room, too, is rented by Sister Zhi Zhen?¡± He was a bit curious, trying to peek through the gap in the door. Inside was pitch black, with only a faint glimpse of a heap of glass containers on the table. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s just... very messy in there since I don¡¯t usually come by that often.¡± The woman admitted with a hint of embarrassment. Cen Dongsheng then shifted his gaze to her hand-pulled suitcase, which seemed quite heavy. ¡°Where are you planning to go? Let me carry that for you.¡± ¡°...No need, I think I¡¯ll just put it back.¡± An Zhi Zhen attempted to haul the suitcase back into the room, but it got stuck on the threshold momentarily. Eventually, Cen Dongsheng reached out, effortlessly lifting the suitcase with one hand and placing it back inside. Meanwhile, he caught a smell emanating from the suitcase, seemingly undeterred by its thick cover; furthermore, the air within the room carried a pungent odor. ¡°What smell is that?¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s nose twitched faintly, puzzled, ¡°Is it... formaldehyde?¡± It was reminiscent of those found in hospitals or biology labs. Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s shoulders trembled slightly, and she let out a faint sigh, softly explaining, ¡°This house was something I rented many years ago, mainly used for storing a mishmash of items, experimental supplies and such... Please don¡¯t mention it to anyone; it might scare the neighbors.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Hearing her say this and recalling the scent of formaldehyde, Cen Dongsheng figured that specimens might be stored inside the room, and the suitcase likely contained items she intended to dispose of. Considering her profession and hobbies, it wasn¡¯t all that surprising; it just seemed peculiar to use a residential unit as a storage place for them. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not that easily scared.¡± He chuckled. He didn¡¯t fear ghosts nor specters, and encountering corpses was an old tale. Some unfortunate souls had died horrifically and grotesquely due to ghostly antics. Over time, it became a matter of acclimation; at the start of his career, he frequently had nightmares of dead bodies, and eventually, even maintaining a regular sleep schedule became a luxury. When he could finally rest, he slept with a heaviness akin to a log. Chapter 16 - 16 6 Curse Prohibition Tiger Demon Covering_3 ?16: Chapter 6 Curse Prohibition, Tiger Demon Covering_3 16: Chapter 6 Curse Prohibition, Tiger Demon Covering_3 ¡°You... don¡¯t mind?¡± An Zhizhen lifted her ink-dark, jade-like eyes carefully as she asked. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you think I¡¯m some sort of freak?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Cen Dongsheng touched his nose. He must say, the woman who usually prided herself on being a mature and reliable elder sister, suddenly behaving in such a coquettish manner, had made him feel a bit smitten... ...and also a little frightened, considering she was that An Zhizhen. Seeing his affirmative attitude, Sister Zhi Zhen seemed able to accept it. She let out a small sigh of relief, then casually pushed her suitcase into the room and locked the door. ¡°Don¡¯t you need to throw it away?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine, just leave it there for now.¡± After closing the door, An Zhizhen turned around, smiling at her, and then she noticed that the appearance of the boy next door had changed a bit from before. She instinctively stepped back and had to tilt her head up just to meet Cen Dongsheng¡¯s eyes squarely. ¡°Dongsheng, have you...¡± An Zhizhen hesitated, seemingly in disbelief. His muscular physique wasn¡¯t apparent under clothing, especially since Cen Dongsheng had specifically worn a baggy long-sleeve shirt to hide his build before going out; however, the change in his height was hard to conceal; it was hard not to notice someone you used to look down to see but now had to look up to. ¡°Have you gotten taller? And a bit... bulkier?¡± ¡°A little, yes. I¡¯ve been exercising lately, and it¡¯s normal for people to grow during their growth period.¡± Cen Dongsheng mumbled his way through the conversation. As long as he could find a place to explain the situation to An Zhizhen, she would understand. Yes, what was termed ¡°taking it a step further¡± simply meant... he was planning to come clean! From his observations, Sister Zhi Zhen hadn¡¯t shown signs of awakening her powers yet. According to future records, she and her forces would only rise to the world stage about a year later. But Cen Dongsheng felt he could definitely advance that timeline, with their current relationship coupled with some follow-up guidance, he could at least secure the position of Minister of Dragon once An Zhizhen established the Governance Bureau. Of course, that was the fallback plan he had come up with in the past. After unexpectedly getting a lead on the Special Grade Curse Prohibition in his ¡°newbie phase,¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s ambition had begun to ¡°inflate¡± somewhat; he had to admit, he indeed wanted more. The path was exceptionally arduous and the hopes slim. His current starting point was still quite inferior to that of people like An Zhizhen, who naturally had the Special Grade Life Prohibition... But having the chance to live again, if given the opportunity, he still very much wanted to see the view from the summit. However, no matter what, even if Cen Dongsheng had his own goals and pursuits, it was equally necessary to remain on good terms with An Zhizhen. Right when he was about to propose a time and place to come clean, An Zhizhen spoke up first. ¡°Are you here to see me?¡± ¡°Hm? Yes, that¡¯s right...¡± ¡°Then great, let¡¯s go together.¡± Saying this, she turned and left. Cen Dongsheng followed her, a bit puzzled, walking through a cramped corridor stacked with pots, pans, and wet clothing, descending the stairs plastered with small ads, and finally arriving at a room situated in a quiet corner. Rusty iron bars, chipped paint on wooden doors, dry mugwort hanging over the doorframe, and half-peeled Spring Festival couplets drooping down. ¡°Granny Lin, I¡¯m here.¡± An Zhizhen knocked on the door, very politely. After patiently waiting outside for a while, a trembling figure pushed the door open. The old woman with reading glasses squinted and surveyed the two people at the door, finally recognizing An Zhizhen¡¯s face, her wrinkled countenance smoothing out. ¡°Doctor An, you¡¯ve come... I¡¯m so sorry to bother you again.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no problem.¡± Sister Zhen turned her head to him with a smile, saying, ¡°I¡¯m going to give Granny Lin a health checkup. Also, I¡¯ve heard Granny Lin plans to move soon, so I thought I¡¯d help pack some things, is that okay?¡± ¡°...Yeah, sure.¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded slightly. Though it was different from his plan, he had no intention of refusing An Zhizhen¡¯s request. Chapter 17 - 17 7 You are a good person ?17: Chapter 7 ¡°You are a good person. 17: Chapter 7 ¡°You are a good person. Until Cen Dongsheng had moved half the luggage, An Zhizhen learned from him that his original purpose wasn¡¯t to help. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Sister Zhi Zhen apologized hurriedly with her hands clasped together, ¡°Dongsheng, I thought Aunt Wang had sent you...¡± Aunt Wang worked for the neighborhood committee, and Cen Dongsheng was quite familiar with her. She arranged all the volunteer work in the community. He was not a good man with a warm heart, and he had no interest in running errands and doing free labor for others, but if he hadn¡¯t volunteered, he never would have gotten a chance to get close to An Zhizhen. Cen Dongsheng smiled and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I don¡¯t mind. It¡¯s good that I came then I could lend a hand.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± An Zhizhen stared intently at Cen Dongsheng¡¯s face with a serious expression, and after a while, she revealed a pleasant smile, ¡°Dongsheng, you really are a good person.¡± Today, Sister Zhi Zhen was dressed strikingly, a pure white tight sweater outlined her perfect, enticing figure, and the straight mini skirt was paired with black tights and high-top Martin boots that matched her mature elder sister aura while also highlighting a casual metropolitan beauty. ¡°Uh, thank you. But...¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s gaze fell on the teardrop mole under her eye. Faced with An Zhizhen¡¯s praise, he felt somewhat conflicted. In fact, according to his observation, the only real good person here was her. He was aware that, in terms of moral standards and values, he was far from a ¡°good person.¡± At best, he had the minimum decency, but if the day came when he had to give up, he would abandon it without hesitation. ¡°Don¡¯t compliment me, I¡¯ll get embarrassed.¡± After regaining his senses, he replied half-jokingly. ¡°Hehe, I don¡¯t just compliment anyone; you¡¯re just too hard on yourself.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen deliberately used an old-fashioned tone to educate him. ¡°Young men as kindhearted as you are hard to find these days; now it¡¯s an era where everyone only looks out for themselves.¡± Although he was joking, because it was An Zhizhen who said it, Cen Dongsheng couldn¡¯t help but fantasize once again. Yes, times have changed. A society¡¯s moral values could undergo a revolutionary change every decade; just like himself from eight years later, some thoughts seem out of place in this era. ¡°By the way, Dongsheng, since you didn¡¯t come to help, does that mean you actually needed to see me for something?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Cen Dongsheng glanced at the old lady who was cleaning up in the bedroom and replied in a low voice: ¡°Let¡¯s find a place to talk after the hustle and bustle are over. It¡¯s not good if others hear this conversation.¡± ¡°Oh...¡± Sister Zhen stared at him, a light blush emerging on her cheeks as if she had thought of something. ¡°I...I understand, let¡¯s talk later.¡± ... Half an hour later, the packing was almost done. Sister Zhi Zhen was cleaning the room, and Cen Dongsheng stuffed all the unwanted garbage into a burlap sack, planning to throw it away when they went downstairs later. At this moment, he noticed that Granny was still in the inner room and hadn¡¯t come out. He went over to check and found the old lady kneeling on a cushion, holding prayer beads in her hand and chanting with closed eyes. The room was dimly lit, with two large red candles burning on a low table, the flickering faint flames lighting up the furnishings on the table: an incense burner emitting curling, green smoke and a black and white memorial portrait. An Zhizhen walked up next to him and stood shoulder to shoulder with him at the front of the room, whispering. ¡°Granny Lin¡¯s husband passed away earlier this year; she fainted from grief at the funeral, and I was the one who took her to the hospital.¡± ¡°...I see.¡± After the old lady came out, An Zhizhen asked her: ¡°Granny, you said you were moving, where are you planning to go?¡± ¡°What?¡± Granny was a bit hard of hearing and asked several times before she understood the question. ¡°I plan to go to the monastery.¡± ¡°Hadn¡¯t you said before that you were waiting for your grandson to return?¡± ¡°Yes, but he has already come, saying he¡¯s not planning to stay in the city. He and his friends are working elsewhere.¡± ¡°He has already come?¡± An Zhizhen blinked. ¡°Just a week ago. I remember Doctor An was also here. At that time, I forgot to introduce you two...haha, I actually planned to have you meet...¡± The old lady¡¯s gaze fell on Cen Dongsheng and she smiled kindly. ¡°It seems I¡¯m an old lady meddling too much, Doctor An, don¡¯t mind me.¡± ¡°What are you talking about.¡± Sister Zhen chided. ... Finally, once everything_was done, the old lady locked the door, and both of them helped carry the luggage down the stairs. Cen Dongsheng and An Zhizhen accompanied her to the gate of the community where Sister Zhen had already called a taxi waiting there; they saw off the hobbling old lady as she got into the cab and left. As the two stood side by side, Cen Dongsheng looked at Sister Zhen¡¯s profile, her face gentle with an ambiguous smile, making it hard to discern her thoughts. He hesitated for a moment and said: ¡°Sister Zhen, you really do have a good heart...¡± Even to this moment, he found it hard to believe. In his mind, the ruthless big shot had transformed into a beautiful, cheerful, and kind-hearted neighborhood sister, making one wonder if it really was the same person. But it couldn¡¯t be otherwise; after all, it was indeed the same face, and An Zhizhen had never changed her name. ¡°What? Now it¡¯s your turn to compliment me? Should I also learn to be as modest as you?¡± Chapter 18 - 18 7 You are a good person_2 ?18: Chapter 7 ¡°You are a good person.¡±_2 18: Chapter 7 ¡°You are a good person.¡±_2 Sister Zhi Zhen smiled in response. ¡°No, I¡¯m serious. Being a volunteer is quite impressive.¡± ¡°Have you forgotten that you are one too?¡± ...She really had forgotten about it because her volunteerism was solely motivated by her desire to get closer to An Zhizhen. ¡°Actually, this is sort of my dream.¡± ¡°Dream?¡± ¡°Yes. Dongsheng, guess why I wanted to become a doctor?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Actually, the reason is simple. It¡¯s because a family member died when I was young, then, during the last days of that person¡¯s life, I saw firsthand how they were tormented by illness. Since then, I¡¯ve had the idea of becoming a doctor. But my real ideal has never been this...¡± As they walked back to Xiaokang Building, passing by the bicycle parking area and the flower beds, An Zhizhen suddenly stopped. The sunlight falling from the courtyard perfectly illuminated the flowerbed in the center of the building shaped like the letter H. This might be the brightest spot in the entire Xiaokang Building with someone meticulously watering, the flowers and plants thrived. Sister Zhi Zhen bent down, casually plucked a piece of foxtail grass from the flower bed, and twirled it in her hand. After removing a few weeds, she turned her head and asked: ¡°Are you tired?¡± Cen Dongsheng shook his head. With his current monster-like constitution, even ¡°intense physical activity¡± in the eyes of ordinary people for 24 hours would probably not make him feel tired. ¡°What I mean is, I might be tired.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen blinked an eye and showed a mischievous smile. ¡°If you ever have the chance to go shopping with a girl, you can¡¯t always be so straightforward. You have to learn to read between the lines.¡± ¡°Is that so.¡± Cen Dongsheng looked indifferent, ¡°I think if you¡¯re tired, you should just say it; after all, the legs are your own.¡± He hated having to guess ¡°hidden meanings¡± in behavior, especially when sometimes those orders came from irresponsible superiors, making him, a frontline staff member, really feel like punching someone. ¡°That¡¯s true. Well... I¡¯m tired, I want to rest here for a bit.¡± An Zhizhen sat down by the flower bed and patted the spot next to her, inviting with a cheerful smile. ¡°Come, sit here.¡± Cen Dongsheng obediently sat down. ... The daylight was just right, and a warm breeze was blowing. Looking up at the courtyard, with the smell of flowers and soil behind them. The delicate light fell like dandelion fluff, illuminating the bright face beside him. It was mid-afternoon, the quietest time of the day for Xiaokang Building. For a moment, the noise of the building faded from their ears, leaving only the sound of the wind by their side. No one spoke. Cen Dongsheng and An Zhizhen silently maintained the silence, enjoying and immersing themselves in this brief tranquility. It seemed as if they were the only two people in the vast world at that moment. Until someone riding a bicycle ¡°ding-ling-ling¡± passed in front of them, breaking the quiet. An Zhizhen spoke up: ¡°Going back to our earlier topic. About my real ideal, do you remember the essay we studied as children that said ¡®respect the old as we do our own aged parents, care for the young as we do our own children¡¯...¡± ¡°Yes, that was the ancient ideal of a perfect society.¡± ¡°It¡¯s very beautiful.¡± ¡°For the people back then, it was far away. However, for a modern society with advanced productivity and a complete social security system, it¡¯s no longer an unreachable goal.¡± ¡°Yes, because we are living in the best era in human history. But... can it really last?¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s heart trembled. He could not help but glance at An Zhizhen from the corner of his eye, somewhat suspicious. What did she mean by that? Indeed, for some time in the future, the modern social order within cities would collapse, and most people would struggle just to survive. But before his rebirth, in the Tiannan Region, the Governance Bureau had indeed begun to restore and establish a social security system... ¡°Think about it, in case of an accident, like a war, some things we take for granted could be destroyed and may not continue.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct...¡± In the future, there would indeed be a full-scale war between humans and ghosts, he thought. ¡°However, aren¡¯t you thinking too far ahead?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± An Zhizhen placed her hands on her knees. For a moment, her expression looked quite serious. ¡°Simply put, since I was a child, I hoped to become someone who could change society in the future. But this era doesn¡¯t require overly drastic changes, does it? Some things are not achievable by one person alone. That¡¯s why I chose to become a doctor; if I can¡¯t change many people, changing even one is still good.¡± In the future, you really changed society and altered the destinies of countless people, Sister Zhi Zhen. Cen Dongsheng sighed to himself, as long as you awakened the ¡°Special Grade Life Prohibition, Heavenly Leader¡±¡ªthat terrifying power to manipulate others at will. ¡°Dongsheng, did you hear that? What are your thoughts?¡± ¡°Nothing, I think it¡¯s good...but why are we suddenly talking about this?¡± ¡°Ah, your elder sister is sharing her heartfelt thoughts with you, you should listen carefully.¡± Seeing Cen Dongsheng¡¯s perfunctory attitude, An Zhizhen pouted her lips but did not stop, rather she began to ramble on as if she was treating him like a confidant. ¡°However, if something really happens, maybe everyone will have a chance... Anyway, it doesn¡¯t have to be alone...actually, a true partner doesn¡¯t need to be many, just one... People can have a group of like-minded friends or recruit a group of trustworthy subordinates, but for someone to fully trust, one is enough... That way, when doing many things, you won¡¯t feel uncertain in your heart...¡± An Zhizhen probably just wanted to chat with him casually and express her emotions, including those somewhat unfocused words. But to Cen Dongsheng¡¯s ears, they resonated deeply. ¡ªIsn¡¯t this exactly his goal? A partner, yes, he desired a partner who could support each other in the chaotic future. This partner naturally had to be incredibly strong and reliable. Who else could more easily discern this than his future self? ¡°Sister, sometimes I feel lonely when no-one seems willing to listen to me. Do you hear me, Dongsheng? Ah, is talking about human aspirations really so boring...¡± ¡°No, what you said makes a lot of sense!¡± Cen Dongsheng slapped his knee and stood up, his expression serious. ¡°I¡¯m willing to support you, Sister Zhen, no matter what you do, I want to be your partner.¡± ¡°Eh? Why so sudden...¡± Sister Zhen widened her eyes. From her expression, she was clearly taken aback. ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± Cen Dongsheng clenched his fist, standing toweringly before her. ¡°I mentioned earlier I needed to talk to you about something, right? It¡¯s actually about this.¡± ¡°...You mean, you sought me out specifically to tell me you want to be my partner...?¡± The woman stared at him in astonishment. Cen Dongsheng suddenly realized how strange their conversation had been, and he heard Sister Zhen burst into laughter with a ¡°pfft.¡± ¡°I thought it was weird to talk about ideals with others, but I didn¡¯t expect someone to be weirder than me... Dongsheng, you¡¯re really cute.¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± Cen Dongsheng emphasized again. He glanced around, planning to lay out the well-prepared content¡ªof course, he wouldn¡¯t reveal the entire truth, especially not the part about his reborn self, but that wouldn¡¯t stop him from leveraging future knowledge to gain trust. But before he could continue, An Zhizhen interrupted him again. ¡°Okay, I really like your approach. Honestly, if I had to choose a suitable person, it could only be you... But my standards are very high, you know? Dongsheng, even for you, I won¡¯t lower them.¡± She then stood up, as if she had achieved some goal, her whole demeanor appearing casually languid. ¡°We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow, prepare well.¡± ¡°Uh, well...¡± ¡°I¡¯m leaving now. Goodbye, Dongsheng.¡± An Zhizhen waved at him and then coolly turned and left, her long, sleek black hair swaying gently behind her. ... Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t speak again but watched her retreating figure, a hint of puzzlement in his eyes. He touched his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Hmm, the future isn¡¯t urgent. But, can this be considered a step forward...?¡± * That night. Cen Dongsheng suddenly woke up from his sleep, immediately opened his eyes, and sat up in bed. This ¡°Qi¡± is...?! He looked out the window warily, the Xiaokang Building lay quiet under the enveloping pitch-black night. Cen Dongsheng silently regulated his breathing, waiting, then heard a distant, eerie scream. His expression turned grave. Chapter 19 - 19 8 Sudden Mutation ?19: Chapter 8 Sudden Mutation 19: Chapter 8 Sudden Mutation An Zhizhen and Cen Dongsheng parted ways and she walked back to her room. She encountered a young couple near the staircase, hand in hand, looking very affectionate. The wife¡¯s belly was round and bulging, clearly several months into her pregnancy, close to giving birth. An Zhizhen was a celebrity in the neighborhood; many residents knew her and had received her help, including this couple, to whom An Zhizhen had given several pregnancy care tips. The couple saw her next to the elevator and greeted her warmly. ¡°Doctor An, you look quite happy, has something good happened recently?¡± The wife said with a smile. ¡°Eh, has it?¡± ¡°Yes, I see the corners of your mouth have been upturned.¡± Reminded by this, An Zhizhen touched her lips somewhat surprised. ...Indeed, she had unintentionally revealed an uncontrollable smile. Had she been overly happy? The husband turned to his wife and said with a smile: ¡°I saw her and that young man sitting by the flower bed downstairs, chatting the whole afternoon.¡± ¡°How can that be... it¡¯s not that exaggerated.¡± While she said this, the curve of her lips remained unchanged. ¡°I am several years older than him, but I only recently realized that we have quite a lot in common.¡± ¡°When my dear and I first met, we felt like we were from different worlds. It was only after we actually sat down and talked that I felt he was my soulmate.¡± ¡°You two are showing off your love right in front of me, making this single person envious.¡± An Zhizhen casually pushed on the stairway door and found it wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡°You¡¯re joking. With Doctor An¡¯s qualifications, if you really wanted a man, the line of suitors would stretch from the top floor to the ground floor.¡± ¡°Other women I might be jealous of, but Doctor An, you... I can¡¯t even begin to envy,¡± the pregnant wife said as she examined An Zhizhen¡¯s face with indescribable awe, ¡°If I were a man, I would definitely be head over heels for you.¡± ¡°I think you¡¯re almost the same even as a woman, your eyes almost can¡¯t look away.¡± The husband teased on the side. ¡°Ha ha!¡± The three were joking when An Zhizhen pushed the door next to her again, but it still wouldn¡¯t open. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is it locked?¡± An Zhizhen blinked, ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like it, it feels like there¡¯s something blocking the door on the other side.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be done, I remember it had issues before, and we even had someone come fix it. Old complexes always have these kinds of problems... let¡¯s go, dear, we¡¯ll use the other door.¡± The couple left. Leaving An Zhizhen alone, somewhat worried. ¡°I wanted to dispose of the trash in room 310... never mind, I¡¯ll deal with it in a few days.¡± ... Night was falling. An Zhizhen was wearing a snow-white muslin nightgown, lazily sitting on the sofa, chin propped on one hand, flipping through the pages of a book with the other. The room was lit only by a small desk lamp providing a dim halo of light, illuminating her immaculately beautiful face and her graceful figure veiled in light shadows, serene and captivating, like a painting. All was silent except for the ¡°rustle¡± of the book pages, the only sound in the quiet night. After a while, An Zhizhen¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if encountering some intricate puzzle and... The nuisance of being disturbed. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry... so hungry... so hungry...¡± A woman¡¯s hoarse and melancholic voice came faintly from the direction of the hallway, alternating closer and farther, accompanied by the sound of footsteps, as if she was hauntingly pacing in the hallway in front of her door. An Zhizhen sighed, put down the academic book she was halfway through reading, slipped on her slippers, and walked towards the door. The security door had a small window that could be opened. After opening it and seeing no one outside, she shouted loudly: ¡°Miss Zhou, I¡¯ve already told you, although diet control is part of losing weight, excessive fasting can cause severe harm to your body, and ensuring normal sleep habits and duration is equally important. It¡¯s time for you to go to bed now, do you hear me?¡± The staggering footsteps paused for a moment. Then, the owner of the footsteps turned around and quickly approached. The woman¡¯s appearance soon came into her view. ¡°Are you... Miss Zhou?¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s pupils widened slightly. No wonder she almost didn¡¯t recognize her at first glance. The ¡°Miss Zhou¡± standing outside her door was only wearing a dirty nightgown, skeletal and frail, with dry and curly hair and bulging veins on her arms. She looked as if she hadn¡¯t washed in a long time, covered in a sense of dirtiness, and appeared in very poor condition. She remembered seeing Miss Zhou a few weeks ago when she was a rather plump type; how had she changed so drastically in just one week? ¡°It¡¯s so late, aren¡¯t you going home? This will affect the normal daily routines of the neighbors around you.¡± Miss Zhou didn¡¯t answer, her movements stiff and slow as she turned her head, her neck creaking like a rusty machine, An Zhizhen even heard a ¡°crackling¡± sound. Underneath the dirty hair, a pair of pallid eyes filled with blood stared straight at the woman behind the door, the emotions within them undeniably malicious. An Zhizhen unconsciously stepped back. ¡°...Look at you, starving has made your physique abnormal. The hunger from extreme dieting affects your mood, making it easy to become anxious and depressed...¡± Chapter 20 - 20 8 Sudden Mutation_2 ?20: Chapter 8 Sudden Mutation_2 20: Chapter 8 Sudden Mutation_2 Miss Zhou stretched her mouth, showing a row of ghastly white teeth, then suddenly lunged forward and smashed her fist against the door, followed by another heavy punch. ¡°Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!¡± Miss Zhou unapologetically hammered An Zhizhen¡¯s door with her fists, pressing her face tightly against the window, the expression in the glass twisted and deformed, the malice in her pupils almost bursting into flames. ¡°Open the door...open it for me now! I¡¯m so hungry... I¡¯m so hungry! Open up!¡± ¡°...right now you¡¯ve basically turned into someone with manic disorder.¡± An Zhizhen immediately closed the window. ¡°Bang, bang! Bang, bang!¡± But the knocking never stopped, starting with fists smashing against the door and then resorting to body slamming. An Zhizhen even heard a horrifying sound of bones cracking; the woman outside seemed utterly indifferent to her body becoming battered and torn, desperately wanting to break down the door with her bloody flesh. ¡°Open up, open it now! Let me eat, let me eat!¡± With her relentless effort, shallow dents began to appear on the security door. At this rate, the lock would break before the door would. An Zhizhen started to consider whether to take a kitchen knife for defense, so she walked toward the kitchen. ... Miss Zhou¡¯s twisted, shrill screams pierced the deep night, stirring the entire neighborhood. Soon, several lights in the corridor lit up, and startled neighbors came out to check what was happening. ¡°What in the world is that noise so late at night? Can¡¯t people get some sleep?¡± The person closest to the scene was a middle-aged man holding a flashlight, wearing a tight white T-shirt that could not contain his beer belly, shuffling in his slippers and looking irritated. The beam of the flashlight shone on Miss Zhou¡¯s face, and she instinctively covered it with her hand, but her mouth involuntarily opened wide. Saliva uncontrollably drooled from her mouth, indicating how hungry she was now. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry, so hungry... I really want to eat something...¡± ¡°Hey, you, what¡¯s wrong with you...?¡± The man sensed something was off and asked hesitantly. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry, so hungry...¡± Miss Zhou showed no intention of responding, only uttering growls from her throat like a wild beast, staggering toward the man. ¡°Wait...!¡± Before the man could stop her, he saw a shadow swoop rapidly towards his face. He instinctively tried to block with his hand, but the attacker¡¯s movements were too swift¡ª the next moment, he felt a sharp pain shooting through his arm. ¡°Ah, the pain?!¡± He screamed in agony. The flashlight fell in the chaos and pain, illuminating Miss Zhou¡¯s pale face. She bit fiercely into the man¡¯s hand like a mad dog, her ferocious face smeared with blood from her own injuries. In pain, the man instinctively kicked at her, flailed his arms, and smashed her head with his other hand, but Miss Zhou seemed unperturbed, continuing to bite down on the arm, even shaking her cheeks like a real beast and ripping a chunk of flesh right off the arm. ¡°It hurts...?! What the hell... are you crazy, woman...¡± The man clutched his bleeding wound, looking at the large chunk of flesh missing from his arm marked by teeth, retreating backward in a mix of anger and panic. Miss Zhou stood there, calmly eating the flesh from her mouth, swallowing it as if savoring a delicacy. She again opened her mouth wide, wiped the blood from her lips. Watching the middle-aged man turn and try to flee, her pupils glistened with a bloodthirsty gleam. Her back arched, limbs spread, she climbed the wall like a spider, then swiftly pounced out, pinning the running man to the ground. ... The dim corridor was submerged in the night, seemingly extending endlessly into the distance. Under the boundless night sky, Xiaokang Building stood solitary like a square-shaped maze, unconnected to heaven or earth. Screams, cries, weeping, swallowing and chewing... the sounds that occurred in this building flickered like phantoms, ultimately vanishing into the night wind, unheard by the outside world. * An Zhizhen had just returned from the kitchen to the door when she heard the man¡¯s fearful screams. She hesitated, ensuring no one was outside, then carefully opened a slit in the door with the handle of the knife. Then, she witnessed a shocking scene: Miss Zhou had pinned the neighbor to the ground, going straight for his neck with her wide-open mouth, a scene straight out of a horror movie. Blood splattered everywhere, flesh flying; the scene was too horrific to bear. The crushed man struggled a bit at first but lost all his strength after about ten seconds, as a pool of thick blood spread beneath him. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± An Zhizhen closed the door, locked it, and pushed the sofa against it. She enjoyed watching horror movies, which invariably included various zombie films, but she had never expected to witness a ¡°cannibalistic¡± scene in real life. From her perspective as a medical professional and physiological scientist, she found it unbelievable. ¡°She kept saying ¡®I¡¯m so hungry,¡¯ so she started eating people because she was too hungry? No, that doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± An Zhizhen stood behind the door and waited for a while, but heard no other sounds. The hallway had become silent again. The still night enveloped the apartment building, as if nothing had happened. The cruel scene she had just witnessed seemed like a nightmare. There should be other residents in this corridor... Where were they? Had they seen it too and, frightened, hid in their rooms in silence? She tried to call the police on her cell phone, only to find there was no signal. An Zhizhen frowned in thought for a moment, then tried a different number. This time it was Cen Dongsheng, and though the call connected, the signal was very weak. ¡°Dongsheng, I...¡± Before she could continue, she heard hurried footsteps and a young man¡¯s whispered warning through the phone: ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Sister Zhi Zhen... Stay at home, don¡¯t go out... I¡¯m coming to save you right now.¡± ¡°Huh? You¡¯re coming to find me... wait, it¡¯s very dangerous¡ª¡± The communication cut off. When she tried again, she couldn¡¯t connect any calls. An Zhizhen paused for a moment, then quickly walked towards the door. * Miss Zhou was feasting on a corpse with heavy, greedy breaths when she seemed to hear something and alertly lifted her head. The cold light reflecting off the glass faintly illuminated a terrifying face covered with blood and brain matter. Footsteps sounded not far away, steady and unhurried, approaching her. Miss Zhou abruptly lifted her head and jumped onto the nearby stair railing, staring into the dark corridor. ... A young man emerged from the darkness. He looked to be in his early twenties, very young, with a buzz cut and a tall, sturdy build, exuding a formidable air that suggested he was not one to be trifed with, and his expression calmly serious beyond what one would expect from a hot-blooded youth. Even upon seeing the mangled, unrecognizable corpse on the ground, his expression barely changed, and he merely muttered under his breath: ¡°...Possessed?¡± The woman crouched like a fierce beast on the stair railing, bared her teeth at him as if to threaten. From Miss Zhou¡¯s demeanor and actions, no trace of humanity could be discerned. Just then, a door burst open not far behind them, and An Zhizhen poked her head out, urgently shouting at him: ¡°Go back! No... come here, hide inside the room! That woman is too dangerous, she eats people!¡± ¡°Uh-huh, I know.¡± Cen Dongsheng responded briefly. At the same moment, Miss Zhou lunged at him with fierce, wind-carrying movements, incredibly fast. However... ¡°Bang.¡± The young man¡¯s hand, outstretched, perfectly caught the woman¡¯s skull, halting her airborne momentum, her feet swinging off the ground. It looked as if he were holding Miss Zhou¡¯s head in the air with one hand. His palm was broad and thick, fingers large, spread wide, engulfing her face, deeply embedded into the woman¡¯s facial flesh. Miss Zhou still tried to bite, but his fingers, like steel, tightly locked her movements. Then, Cen Dongsheng, holding Miss Zhou¡¯s head, fiercely swung her against the wall. ¡°Boom!¡± The wall was smashed into a crater, with tile fragments flying everywhere, the woman¡¯s head plunging into the spiderweb-like cracks. Chapter 21 - 21 9 Her Dependence His Guidance ?21: Chapter 9 Her Dependence, His Guidance 21: Chapter 9 Her Dependence, His Guidance An Zhizhen originally worried that Cen Dongsheng might get hurt, only hoping he could escape quickly, but ended up witnessing him brutally beating ¡°Miss Zhou.¡± Moreover, it wasn¡¯t even a back-and-forth intense battle, but a one-sided display of violence. Cen Dongsheng, with just one strike, smashed ¡°Miss Zhou¡± into the wall. The scene looked like something out of a comedic cartoon of Tom and Jerry. But this was not a cartoon; it was the real world. If a normal person¡¯s flesh and blood were treated so brutally... ¡°Is she... dead?¡± An Zhizhen cautiously approached two steps closer, staring at the woman whose head was stuck in the wall. Her limbs twitched slightly, and her neck was bent at a bizarre angle. ¡°Soon enough.¡± Cen Dongsheng glanced at her casually. He could still hear the faint breathing emanating from the wall. ¡°Miss Zhou¡± struggled, her hands and feet flailing wildly, crawling on the floor. Despite being so severely injured, she seemed to possess the tenacity of a cockroach and was still alive. ¡°Be careful, Dongsheng...!¡± ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± Cen Dongsheng slowly lifted his foot. ¡°Boom!¡± He mercilessly stomped on ¡°Miss Zhou¡¯s¡± head. This time, he directly crushed through the wall, and the woman¡¯s body was entirely embedded in the hole. Amid the swirling dust, Cen Dongsheng saw that her head¡¯s outline had completely deformed, her skull shattered, and the internal brain matter must have turned into a mush. This time, she truly couldn¡¯t survive. Cen Dongsheng walked towards An Zhizhen, feeling there was no need for her to witness this scene. ¡°Let¡¯s go; it¡¯s temporarily safe now, Sister Zhi Zhen.¡± ¡°Dongsheng...¡± ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the room.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen stared at his face with an incredulous look, then shifted her gaze to a small pile of debris composed of tile fragments and wall wreckage not far away, where ¡°Miss Zhou¡¯s¡± corpse lay buried beneath. ¡°You, you killed her... is it alright?¡± ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, did you notice her hands and feet?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± An Zhizhen nodded. Possibly because her profession was a doctor, she had a better understanding of the human physiological structure, and she loved observing others in her spare time. So when ¡°Miss Zhou¡± attacked the neighbors, she noticed the abnormalities in her at first glance: ¡°Miss Zhou¡¯s¡± hands and feet were bent backward, with strange heavy protrusions growing from the toes to the heels, moving similarly to a bear or gorilla. Her internal bones seemed to have metamorphosed beyond human, including a fleeting glance at her mouth, revealing sharp canine teeth perfect for tearing into flesh, clearly unusual. That, in theory, allowed her to perform bizarre actions like ¡°crawling on the wall¡± or ¡°jumping onto the railing.¡± Typically, there would be a noticeable power gap between untrained ordinary women and adult men, but ¡°Miss Zhou¡± could effortlessly hunt humans because her body structure had become very abnormal. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate; her physical form underwent an irreversible mutation.¡± Cen Dongsheng calmly conveyed his conclusion, ¡°There¡¯s no saving her.¡± Just like the Curse Forbidden Masters, the ghosts also had incredible supernatural powers, with some belonging to the ¡°Common Ability.¡± When he was in the Exorcism Department of the Governance Bureau, the ghost ability he loathed the most was probably ¡°Space Manipulation,¡± a high-level Common Ability of House Owner Level (Class A) ghosts, capable of turning the Ghost House¡¯s interior into a death-trap labyrinth. Meanwhile, ¡°Possession¡± was a Common Ability possessed by Class C and above ghosts, but different levels of ghosts exhibited varying strengths. For instance, the difference between Possession by a Lonely Soul (Class C) and a Fierce Ghost (Class B) was that the former could not escape the flesh once possessing a human, quickly degenerating the victim into a beast acting solely on instinct, a state known as a ¡°cannibal ghost,¡± whereas the latter retained the ability to think and even communicated with others like normal humans, making them more insidiously latent. The transformation into a ¡°cannibal ghost¡± symptom was irreversible. So, in a sense, being possessed by higher-level ghosts was actually advantageous. If a Forbidden Master were willing to intervene, or if the ghost chose to leave for some reason, the victim might have a slight chance of survival. ¡°Is... that so.¡± An Zhizhen sighed, seemingly accepting this explanation, at least for now. But she obviously had numerous other confusions and incomprehensible issues¡ª ¡°But you, just now, she... what on earth happened?¡± Cen Dongsheng quietly observed Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s expression. Her expression and gaze appeared relatively calm, but inwardly, she was likely in turmoil. Currently, Sister Zhi Zhen knew nothing about the information regarding ghosts and Forbidden Masters. Was she indeed in the unawakened state? After all, his arrival at Xiaokang Building was several months before rumors circulated that An Zhizhen acquired her abilities. ¡°Special Grade Life Prohibition, Heavenly Leader¡±¡ªAn Zhizhen¡¯s most renowned ability, simply put, was to make the ¡°crowd¡± revere her leader position. At the same time, as a leader, she could harness the ¡°crowd¡¯s¡± power through curse prohibition. It might sound somewhat abstract, and he was not very clear about this ability¡¯s specific effects, only knowing she could easily utilize other Curse Forbidden Masters. ¡°In his memories,¡± he was just an ordinary, or rather a small fry-level, Class B Curse Forbidden Master, not even qualified to serve anyone, naturally ignorant of what it was like... But he knew, in any case, if An Zhizhen awakened her ability, neither ghosts nor humans of this era could be her match, let alone mere cannibal ghosts. Chapter 22 - 22 9 Her Dependency His Guidance_2 ?22: Chapter 9 Her Dependency, His Guidance_2 22: Chapter 9 Her Dependency, His Guidance_2 ¡°...Dongsheng, do you know something?¡± An Zhizhen slightly tilted her head, gazing at him with a look filled with unease mixed with dependence, as if she couldn¡¯t bear to look away even for a moment. Cen Dongsheng could understand her feelings. Although Sister Zhi Zhen knew nothing, her mind was sharp enough, and her judgment was calm enough that she probably had already sensed the approach of an unprecedented crisis. Considering the current situation, being both a close acquaintance and unexpectedly showing astounding combat ability, he was indeed her only support. But even so, clearly aware of how the world¡¯s future would unfold, Cen Dongsheng still felt complicated under her gaze, also developing a subtle sense of responsibility. Am I really the one to cultivate and guide that An Zhizhen? Me? Is this real or not... Cen Dongsheng took a deep breath, composed himself, and then replied: ¡°Let¡¯s go back to your room first, Sister Zhen Zhen, and I¡¯ll explain further.¡± * Under the dim and hazy lighting of the room, the two sat face-to-face beside a round coffee table. He had visited this room during the day; now the atmosphere was different. The apartment of a single woman was tidy and organized, the arrangement of the furniture exuded a sense of home warmth, and there was a vase of flowers on the table, emitting a light fragrance. An Zhizhen put on a coat and went to the kitchen to make two cups of steaming coffee, placing one in front of him before sitting cross-legged. On the table lay a thick book, half-read. Cen Dongsheng seemed to imagine her sitting alone on the sofa, propping her chin lazily as she read. Unfortunately, this was not the time to savor the atmosphere. Cen Dongsheng had no intention of hiding any information related to ghosts. In fact, during their conversation this afternoon, he had already prepared to explain supernatural matters to An Zhizhen. However, in the information and files he knew, Cen Dongsheng had never heard of the supernatural incident occurring in the Xiaokang Building... There were two possibilities: one being that he was simply unaware due to his limited identity and status, and the other being that his actions in coming to the Xiaokang Building had subsequently triggered a series of changes. Moreover, different possibilities meant different directions for the problems that would follow: For instance, could An Zhizhen¡¯s abilities awaken prematurely? Without him, would she have faced mortal danger? ¡°Dongsheng.¡± An Zhizhen held the teacup with both hands, her lips slightly pursed as she sighed softly, ¡°I¡¯m embarrassed, I was so flustered that I was all over the place.¡± ¡°Is that so? I actually thought you were surprisingly calm.¡± ¡°I tried hard to stay composed, at least half of it was an act. If you hadn¡¯t arrived in time, I might have...¡± ¡°I¡¯m not referring to that,¡± Cen Dongsheng said, ¡°After all, you saw me kill someone with your own eyes.¡± ¡°...I trust my judgment.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s expression was serious. ¡°Dongsheng, I believe you are special and possess such strong power, but you would never kill the innocent or use power for evil, right? I trust you, she really was beyond saving.¡± ¡°Yeah, beyond saving.¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded. He took a sip of coffee, using the rim of the cup to hide his expression. Killing the innocent recklessly? He certainly wouldn¡¯t, mostly because he didn¡¯t want to waste energy on meaningless things. ¡°Miss Zhou... She and I were neighbors. Although not well acquainted, we chatted occasionally when we met. But I believe, she certainly wouldn¡¯t have wanted to live on in such a monstrous form. Since that transformation was irreversible, an early release wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing...¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°But, what exactly turned her into that...?¡± An Zhizhen furrowed her delicate brow tightly, gripping the teacup so hard that her fingertips turned slightly white. ¡°Could it be some kind of virus? Like in horror movies, a virus that turns people into mindless, cannibalistic monsters...¡± ¡°Ah, it¡¯s indeed similar to how it¡¯s portrayed in horror movies. But it¡¯s not a ¡®science fiction horror film¡¯, it¡¯s a supernatural film.¡± Although in the future¡ªwhen humanity had become accustomed to coexisting with ghosts in one world¡ªit might still be treated like aliens or monsters from a parallel dimension, their existence was indeed what people recognized as ghosts, spirits, or peculiar entities. Their time of origin was so ancient it was hard to trace to the source; they had always accompanied humanity in the shadows of long history, leaving hidden traces in various civilizations until the first decade of the 21st century, when they began to invade reality on a large scale. ¡°A supernatural film? You mean... ¡®ghosts¡¯?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen hesitantly drew this conclusion, her expression clearly indicating disbelief. ¡°That¡¯s right, ghosts. Or you could say, collectively¡ª¡¯ghosts¡¯.¡± Cen Dongsheng talked confidently. ¡°What happened to Miss Zhou just now, was a possession by a ghost. The impulses and desires within her would be unleashed, completely losing control, becoming a cannibal ghost. But other than that, real ghosts are a more dangerous existence, residing between illusion and reality, capable of triggering all sorts of supernatural phenomena.¡± ¡°It all feels...¡± Sister Zhi Zhen hesitated. ¡°Hard to believe?¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± The woman slightly nodded, her long, pitch-black hair swaying with her movements as she leaned forward, lowering her voice and asked mysteriously, ¡°And according to this, Dongsheng is a ghost master, like a Taoist or monk?¡± ¡°Pretty much,¡± Cen Dongsheng laughed, ¡°To be precise, it¡¯s called a ¡®Forbidden Master¡¯, or ¡®Curse Forbidden Master¡¯. ¡®Proclaim the Curse Forbidden Master, to use curses to exorcise evil spirits¡¯... Have you heard of this term?¡± An Zhizhen shook her head. ¡°But I feel like you¡¯re not quite like what people usually imagine... Uh, shouldn¡¯t you be chanting, performing rituals, or using talismans? But just now you...¡± She was obviously indicating with her eyes that he had used purely violent means. If Cen Dongsheng claimed to be a hidden martial arts master or a retired military king, it would have made more sense. ¡°For different enemies, you naturally have to use different means.¡± Cen Dongsheng smiled slightly. To deal with a cannibal ghost possessed by a Class C ghost, physical means were indeed the most convenient; after all, once they merged, they couldn¡¯t be separated. In this field, the old era¡¯s police and military still had a role to play. However, for the vast group of ghost species, the past methods still seemed too limited; if one wanted to combat ¡®ghosts¡¯ themselves, only the Forbidden Masters of the new era could. Even without considering curses, just the True Qi used by the Forbidden Masters, that energy which arose from the ¡®yang energy¡¯ within the human body, naturally counteracted the yin energy corporeal forms of ghosts. Incidentally, the so-called ¡®yang energy¡¯, was not merely the heat defined in physics but an extremity within the ethereal balance of yin and yang¡ªeven the forbidding master who could summon winter and create extreme cold, still used sublimated yang energy. ¡°Ghosts or Forbidden Masters, they truly possess powers in certain realms that surpass modern scientific understanding...¡± Before An Zhizhen could respond, Cen Dongsheng raised his hand to stop her. ¡°I know, Sister Zhi Zhen still holds some skepticism about what I¡¯ve said so far. Words alone aren¡¯t proof, but right now, we have a weighty piece of evidence before us.¡± He extended a finger, pointing to the curtain. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, have you noticed? It¡¯s really quiet now.¡± Neither of them spoke again; the room was silent, even the ticking of the wall clock was clearly audible. For this reason, the silence outside became even more eerie. Beyond this room¡ªin the hallway, the stairs, indeed the entire Xiaokang Building¡ªit was like a tomb, not a sound to be heard. ¡°Yeah, it is really quiet.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s tightly furrowed brows never relaxed. ¡°An incident happened in the hallways, people even died, yet the neighbors had no reaction at all... Initially, I thought they all hid themselves, but it seems it isn¡¯t that simple.¡± ¡°Yes, Sister Zhi Zhen, the reason you can¡¯t hear human voices is quite simple.¡± Cen Dongsheng said. ¡°Because you and I now... are already in another space.¡± ¡°...What?¡± ¡°The ¡®ghost house transformation¡¯ phenomenon¡ªtaking a portion of people from a particular area, isolating them in a different space unrelated to the original world. Here, is no longer reality.¡± Cen Dongsheng once again pointed to the curtain. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, then please open the window and see.¡± ... An Zhizhen drew back the curtain and looked down. What met her eyes wasn¡¯t the usual scene. She saw not the buildings shaded by the night and the distant city, but ¡°black¡±¡ªa pure, intense darkness engulfing the sky and earth, like the universe, akin to an abyss, with not a trace of light. The city was gone. No, to be precise, the ¡°real world¡± had disappeared. Her expression shifted from shock and disbelief to enlightenment, as if she comprehended everything in a short span of time. ¡°Turns out, all of this is... true.¡± Chapter 23 - 23 10 Ghost House Transformation Phenomenon ?23: Chapter 10 Ghost House Transformation Phenomenon 23: Chapter 10 Ghost House Transformation Phenomenon ¡°Are you willing to believe now?¡± ¡°...Mm. Witnessing such a shocking sight with my own eyes, even if I didn¡¯t want to believe it, I¡¯d have to admit it.¡± An Zhizhen pulled the curtains shut, blocking the vast darkness outside, and returned to sit by the coffee table. ¡°The entire city disappeared, it was quite a scene.¡± She sighed and took a sip of coffee to calm herself. ¡°To be precise, it was us who disappeared, not the city. The ghost house doesn¡¯t yet have power on this scale,¡± Cen Dongsheng said. A phenomenon like the ¡°ghost house transformation¡± that could cover an entire city would indicate the emergence of a ghost king, something impossible in this era. ¡°But now, Sister Zhi Zhen, you should understand that no one from the outside can help us, and modern technology can¡¯t break through the barriers of the two worlds. In the eyes of the world, we¡¯re just a group of unfortunate souls who vanished without a trace.¡± ¡°Then... what should we do?¡± ¡°We can only rely on ourselves to escape from the inside.¡± In his future world, within a city of a major region with stable order, any occurrence of ghost house transformation would be detected immediately, and the situation would be controlled in a short time. Control agencies would assemble a professional team of curse forbidden masters, sending them into the ghost house to eliminate the core and rescue survivors... This was the job of his Exorcism Department. But in today¡¯s world, lacking a sound alarm mechanism and exorcism process, those who are caught in it can only rely on luck. It was a brutal test with an extremely low survival rate, yet for those naturally gifted, it was an opportunity; a certain unfortunate ghost encounter could transform an ordinary person into a curse forbidden master, ascending from there... In the first two years of the initial wave that swept the world, similar examples were countless. ¡°Dongsheng, do you have a way to escape?¡± An Zhizhen blinked. ¡°Yes, I do.¡± For him, this process was all too familiar. ¡°Then... can I go with you?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± He finally allowed a slight smile. ¡°I came to rescue you.¡± ... Before taking action, Cen Dongsheng glanced at the clock on the wall and said to An Zhizhen: ¡°Let¡¯s rest a bit first, don¡¯t rush. To escape, it¡¯s necessary to conserve energy and rest well.¡± ¡°...What about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m used to it, and as a forbidden master, I have my own way of resting.¡± He waved his hand casually, ¡°No need to worry.¡± Seeing his expression didn¡¯t seem deceptive, An Zhizhen nodded, getting up to return to the bedroom. ¡°Then I¡¯ll go to sleep.¡± Before closing the door, Sister Zhi Zhen turned back, showing only a small part of her face in the doorway, her tone gentle: ¡°Thank you so much for today... Goodnight, Dongsheng.¡± ¡°Mm, goodnight.¡± * Four hours remained until morning. Being in the ghost house meant that even if the ¡°next day¡± came, it likely wouldn¡¯t be daylight. But precisely because of this, regular rest was essential, as a disrupted biological clock might affect combat readiness. Cen Dongsheng sat cross-legged on the sofa, replenishing his energy through meditation while contemplating the next steps. He needed to take An Zhizhen and leave this place together. His abilities hadn¡¯t matured yet, and he couldn¡¯t rely on the hope of someone awakening life prohibition at a critical moment; he could only depend on himself. From his experience, the usual process to exorcise a ghost house revolved around finding the core, which often appeared with the most powerful ghost. Like a game dungeon, defeating the boss earned rewards (the core), clearing the dungeon, though a real ghost house would remain for a while before dissolving naturally, the time depending on its strength. The problem was he wasn¡¯t sure of the opponent¡¯s level. ¡°If it¡¯s a Class A ghost with ¡®space manipulation¡¯ abilities, it could indeed be challenging. The ghost house is their natural domain, hence the term ¡®house owner.''¡± In theory, a mature Class A curse forbidden master with abilities leaning towards combat had a chance to independently eliminate a Class A ghost, but Cen Dongsheng¡¯s problem was that his time was too short. He had obtained the ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak¡± only a week ago, and hadn¡¯t yet awakened the ¡°First Level Superpower,¡± relying only on his strong Human Immortal Series physique and the abundant True Qi from high-level curse prohibitions. What he could achieve was uncertain. ¡°After all, how did this ¡®ghost house transformation¡¯ come to be?¡± For Cen Dongsheng, this development was certainly unexpected. A ghost house transformation didn¡¯t occur without reason, usually due to the accumulation of natural yin energy in an area, leading to a powerful ghost¡¯s appearance; or the presence of certain curse prohibitions or forbidden items creating a magnetic field that attracted large amounts of yin energy. ¡°A quantitative change leads to a qualitative change,¡± a Yin Gathering Land would drag reality into another world. But almost two months had passed since he moved into the Xiaokang Building, and Cen Dongsheng wasn¡¯t an ordinary person. During this time, if either situation existed, he felt he would¡¯ve noticed something. ¡°The possibility of a natural Yin Gathering Land can be ruled out, leaving only... Could an unowned forbidden item have recently entered Xiaokang Building?¡± Cen Dongsheng thought for a moment but found no answer, having to set the matter aside temporarily. ... The night passed without incident. ¡°Ring ring ring!¡± In the morning, the set alarm clock went off. A hurried ¡°thud¡± sound came from the bedroom direction, urged by the sharp, piercing noise. Chapter 24 - 24 10 Ghost House Transformation Phenomenon_2 ?24: Chapter 10 Ghost House Transformation Phenomenon_2 24: Chapter 10 Ghost House Transformation Phenomenon_2 Cen Dongsheng slowly opened his eyes, looked over there, and said in a deep voice, ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, did something happen?¡± ¡°I¡¯m picking clothes and accidentally bumped my foot...¡± Uh, it¡¯s not like we¡¯re going out shopping, he thought. ¡°Sorry, I was too nervous, this is the first time someone stayed overnight at my place... I just got up this morning and wanted to leave the room, then I remembered you¡¯re still here, and I hadn¡¯t even put on proper clothes.¡± There was a hint of shyness in her voice. ¡°Wait a moment, I¡¯ll change into suitable clothes and shoes as quickly as possible.¡± ... Cen Dongsheng turned on the living room light, then heard the bedroom door being opened again. He turned his head, and the sight that met his eyes made his eyes light up. As she herself had said, today Sister Zhi Zhen changed into a sports outfit, a cool sleeveless top and white knitted pants that highlighted her straight legs, with her shiny black hair tied into a long ponytail draped over her back. A departure from her usual urban lady aura, today An Zhizhen looked like an energetic girl, full of youthful spirit, seemingly ageless. ¡°Stunned?¡± Seeing him speechless, An Zhizhen tilted her head slightly and asked with a cheerful smile. ¡°A bit, yeah.¡± Cen Dongsheng honestly nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Great, then it wasn¡¯t in vain picking clothes.¡± ¡°Yeah, I originally thought there¡¯s no sun in the Ghost House...¡± Cen Dongsheng said, ¡°But seeing Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s attire, even without the sun, it already feels so dazzling.¡± ¡°Hahaha, you¡¯re really good with words, no wonder girls like you, it¡¯s giving me goosebumps.¡± Girls? Or the boss! he retorted in his mind. ¡°Flattery never fails,¡± this was the survival law of an office worker, which wasn¡¯t exaggerated at all. After all, in the hierarchy-respecting Curse Forbidden Master society, bosses really had the capability to take the heads off their subordinates. Seeing her mood wasn¡¯t bad this morning, Cen Dongsheng couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°You¡¯ve adapted to the weird occurrences quite quickly, Sister Zhi Zhen.¡± Transitioning from an ordinary person to someone in the know, being able to promptly accept the truth and adapt to survive was also a part of one¡¯s talent. ¡°I can¡¯t let others protect me while I¡¯m crying and make me a joke. I still want to maintain a little dignity as an elder sister.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen smiled and answered. ¡°Dongsheng, take me with you.¡± * They walked out the door, and though it was clearly morning, the corridor outside remained pitch black, as if the world was trapped in an eternal night. This row of rooms was vacant, a reflection of another world. Only the moonlight above faintly illuminated Xiaokang Building. They arrived at the stairwell and walked down the nearby fire exit. After descending a floor, Sister Zhi Zhen seemed to notice something and suddenly grabbed the sleeve of Cen Dongsheng walking in front. ¡°Wait a moment...¡± She pointed downstairs, lowering her voice anxiously. ¡°What are those? Should we hide?¡± Cen Dongsheng silently watched the corridor on that floor. A white shadow floated by gently, glowing faintly under the moonlight. Then another, followed by the next... White shadows swarmed, drifting through the corridor in dense rows, congesting the narrow passage like an office building at closing time. These white shadows were featureless, only roughly distinguishable as men, women, elders, or children by their silhouettes. Some outlines were so faint they almost blended with their surroundings. ¡°Class D ghosts, the lowest grade of Floating Spirits,¡± Cen Dongsheng explained. ¡°They often appear in groups, drawn by yin energy, and while they emit an aura themselves, being surrounded by these things will quickly make one feel weak, since they constantly absorb yang energy from living beings.¡± ¡°...The lowest grade, huh?¡± ¡°Yes, unable to even form their own shape, they actually don¡¯t have the ability to kill. As long as you¡¯re not constantly in their aura, you won¡¯t die. Just leave or avoid them as soon as you see them. Of course, if the elderly or infirm run into them, there¡¯s still a chance something might happen.¡± ¡°You really know this stuff,¡± Sister Zhi Zhen marveled. ¡°Yeah, I read some books Grandpa left. I mentioned it last night.¡± Although he was generous with explaining ghosts and the Forbidden Masters to Sister Zhi Zhen, he didn¡¯t mention anything about the future. Thus, Sister Zhi Zhen might suspect his source of information later... To preemptively tackle this, Cen Dongsheng fabricated a fictional past for himself, claiming that while he was at the welfare home, he had a good relationship with an old man nearby, and before the man passed, he received an ancient book filled with knowledge. During the ¡°first wave,¡± a group of people who inherited the ancient Curse Forbidden Master traditions used the techniques passed down by ancestors to deal with ghosts and had an early advantage; but this advantage quickly disappeared in the Forbidden Master society. Faced with natural powerful birth horoscopes and ever-emerging new curses, tradition became a joke; as for experience in dealing with ghosts, people soon summed up more scientific and effective systematic methods than those recorded in old books. Cen Dongsheng concocted this identity to make his source of ¡°knowledge¡± more reasonable. He looked at the woman clutching his sleeve. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, why don¡¯t you try interacting with them?¡± Certainly, Cen Dongsheng could easily destroy the ghosts blocking the path with True Qi, but he thought it better for Sister Zhi Zhen to start getting used to the presence of ghosts. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Like I said, they don¡¯t have the ability to immediately take or attack human lives. If something goes wrong, I¡¯ll help.¡± Being An Zhizhen¡¯s guide¡ªthinking this way made him a bit proud, which wasn¡¯t good. ¡°...I understand.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen evidently understood his intention and didn¡¯t refuse. ... Standing at the junction of the corridor and stairs, the woman placed her hand on her chest, the rounded outline beneath her palm rising and falling with her breath. An Zhizhen stared at the white shadow less than a meter in front, almost brushing past her eyelids. She overcame a slight sense of discomfort and stepped forward¡ª ¡°...¡± Upon colliding with the white shadow, An Zhizhen¡¯s body passed right through the Floating Spirit. At the moment of contact, she felt as though she were entering a damp and cold mist, soaked all over, her shoulders heavy. There was a sensation of vitality being striped away... but not overwhelming. ¡°Seems like Dongsheng¡¯s knowledge in this aspect is quite accurate,¡± she thought, quickly stepping forward several times, leaving the white shadow behind, and finally returning to her original place. An Zhizhen looked back, and the Floating Spirits continued along their trajectory, paying her no mind. ¡°Oh.¡± Cen Dongsheng clapped his hands beside her, offering encouragement. ¡°Very well done. You¡¯ll slowly begin to get used to it.¡± The woman smiled at his praise. She instinctively touched her ponytail. ¡°...Actually, I still feel uncertain. If only I had the power to fight against ghosts like you, Dongsheng, I wouldn¡¯t be so nervous.¡± ¡°You will.¡± ¡°Really?¡± If An Zhizhen couldn¡¯t become a Forbidden Master, that would be the biggest joke. ¡°Of course. But not right now.¡± ... Continuing down the stairs, they quickly reached the first floor. ¡°I think I hear something... Are there more ghosts?¡± Before stepping out the main entrance, An Zhizhen stopped again. ¡°No, it¡¯s people.¡± Cen Dongsheng looked toward the flowerbed at the central courtyard. Under the unending blanket of night, about a dozen figures gathered there, noise coming from that direction. He didn¡¯t feel any yin energy, they were all alive. ¡°Looks like we weren¡¯t the only ones caught up in the ¡®ghost house.''¡± Cen Dongsheng narrowed his eyes slightly. Chapter 25 - 25 11 Beginnings ?25: Chapter 11 Beginnings 25: Chapter 11 Beginnings ¡°W-what¡¯s going on here?¡± A man dressed in a suit, carrying a briefcase, was pacing in circles, looking extremely anxious, constantly checking the watch on his wrist. ¡°What time is it now? The sun hasn¡¯t risen yet? Could it be a solar eclipse?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way it lasts this long, we still have to go to work.¡± ¡°What work are you talking about now,¡± a young woman who ran down in her pajamas complained, ¡°haven¡¯t you noticed that the neighbors next to you are all gone? What kind of situation is this?¡± ¡°Yes, they¡¯re missing. I thought they had all gone out... You too? Also, I can¡¯t get through on my phone, isn¡¯t this too strange?¡± The few people looked at each other helplessly, all looking puzzled. They had obviously all noticed the unusual nature of the current situation, but still didn¡¯t understand what was happening specifically. Until an old man spoke up shakily: ¡°Didn¡¯t you, didn¡¯t you notice those white shadows...?¡± ¡°What things?¡± ¡°We, we saw them too, a group of white shadows floated past my door...¡± said the husband in a couple, his face pale, still looking shocked, and his pregnant wife beside him was so weak in the legs she could only sit, ¡°my wife and I hid in the house, waited for a long time after they passed before we dared to come out...¡± ¡°I saw it too! Saw it clearly, it wasn¡¯t ghost fire, it was something like a person but not a person...¡± said another person, clutching his hair, still with an incredulous look on his face, ¡°was that a ghost?¡± ... Cen Dongsheng and An Zhizhen stood at the entrance of the stairway not far from the courtyard, observing the reactions of this group of people. Only after a while did Sister Zhi Zhen speak: ¡°I thought it was just the two of us who got caught up in this...¡± ¡°No, at least Miss Zhou was also a victim from the start. She was probably taken over by some ghost shortly after the ¡®ghost house transformation¡¯ began inside Xiaokang Building.¡± ¡°Is that so...¡± An Zhizhen exhaled heavily, turning her head gently to speak: ¡°Dongsheng, can I help them?¡± ¡°Yeah, of course.¡± An unsurprising question. Cen Dongsheng answered straightforwardly and efficiently. ¡°...Wouldn¡¯t it trouble you?¡± ¡°Even if we wanted to leave the Ghost House, it¡¯s not something that can be done in a short time, I originally came down just to see the situation.¡± He shrugged, ¡°If Sister Zhi Zhen can help me settle these people, it will save me some trouble.¡± The reason their Exorcism Department task force had to rescue survivors in the Ghost House was not only out of humanitarian consideration, but also to avoid trouble with the on-site personnel. People who died in bitter resentment and extreme pain, especially in places like the Ghost House where yin energy gathered, would most likely become new ghosts; not to mention high-level ghosts inherently had the ability to transform human souls into their kind; these newborn ghosts could also become obstacles. Of course, compared to the personal safety of frontline members and achieving the core objective of exorcising the Ghost House, the priority was relatively low, only within their ability to save. If not, it was up to fate. ¡°Really? I can help you?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s eyes brightened, and she clasped her hands together, looking delighted. ¡°I thought I could only be protected by you, and felt a bit down. It seems I can still be useful. Dongsheng, you find a way to solve the Ghost House, I¡¯ll gather the remaining people and ensure they don¡¯t wander off and drag you down... How does that sound?¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded, ¡°How do you plan to do it?¡± An Zhizhen thought for a moment, then asked: ¡°How long do you think it will take to get out of here? No need for precision, estimate it!¡± ¡°To find the whereabouts of the Core Ghost in Xiaokang Building, without clues, we¡¯ll only be able to use the clumsy method of going through each floor and room to check...¡± Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t hold back, estimating the time based on experience. ¡°About five days to a week.¡± If there were a ¡°Ghost Immortal Series¡± Curse Forbidden Master present, skilled in reconnaissance, they could greatly enhance search efficiency, which was the value of a team and partners. Unfortunately, he could only rely on himself now. ¡°I understand.¡± An Zhizhen nodded slightly, looking quite confident. Then, she walked alone towards the crowd, clapping her hands and raising her voice, saying: ¡°Everyone! Look this way.¡± ... ¡°Doctor An, you¡¯re here!¡± ¡°Doctor An! So you¡¯re here too, that¡¯s great...¡± Most of the residents of Xiaokang Building gathered here recognized her, as she was well-liked, and several people who had received her help came up to inquire. ¡°Doctor An, do you know what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°The weather is acting strange, and there are weird things in the building, like haunted...¡± ¡°What should we do...¡± The man in the suit looked at the door shrouded in darkness, gritting his teeth. ¡°We can¡¯t just stay here, I want to go out and see what¡¯s happening.¡± ¡°No.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s attitude was unusually calm, and her voice seemed to carry some kind of calming power, making those around her willing to listen. ¡°We can¡¯t get out for now, and no one will come to rescue us.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t get out? What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Did anyone try pushing the door?¡± Several people, including the man in the suit, walked to the door, unwilling to accept this. But no matter how hard they tried, the tightly shut community iron gate didn¡¯t budge an inch, and through the cracks in the gate, what they saw was¡ª Chapter 26 - 26 11 Beginning_2 ?26: Chapter 11 Beginning_2 26: Chapter 11 Beginning_2 Like an abyss, the darkness seemed bottomless. Cen Dongsheng had already warned her that for those inside the Ghost House, its boundaries were nearly impossible to surpass, equivalent to the intersection of two phased spaces, like a deep vortex. Ordinary people stepping into it could face unpredictable dangers... But specifically, what kind of danger? While pondering this question, An Zhizhen walked towards the people, casually picking up a pebble from the lawn beside her, and then threw it outside the iron gate. ¡°...¡± There was no reaction or sound; the stone that fell into the darkness simply disappeared. ¡°See? We are trapped here, and besides, people from outside can¡¯t possibly come to rescue us... at least not ordinary people.¡± Someone swallowed quietly, only able to hear An Zhizhen¡¯s voice quietly resounding in their ears. ¡°What should we do then...¡± Before An Zhizhen could continue, a gust of wind suddenly arose from the darkness. Mournful, like the sound of weeping, white shadows drifted out from the third floor nearby, and groups of Floating Spirits formed a semi-transparent bridge in the air. ¡°What, what is that?¡± Only a few people had seen Ghosts before, and they had doubted their own eyes, but now, after everyone looked up, they all witnessed this eerie scene. There were children and pregnant women among the crowd, and the successive screams immediately arose one after another; the already pervasive panic exploded, with some wanting to run away and some looking for places to hide¡ª ¡°Everyone, calm down first!¡± An Zhizhen was the first to step forward, moving towards the white shadows that were drifting down nearby. Under the watchful eyes of the terrified crowd, she walked right through the Ghosts. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, see? As long as you don¡¯t get too close, these ghosts won¡¯t harm people.¡± She turned her head and explained to the crowd with an unchanged expression. ...She¡¯s getting used to it really quickly, Cen Dongsheng thought to himself as he stood with his arms crossed not far away. ¡°No danger...?¡± ¡°Yes, these white shadows are indeed harmless. However, there are more dangerous things hidden in this building.¡± She raised her voice once again. ¡°It¡¯s no use hiding alone; it would be terrible if you were found! We should unite and take action together, avoiding being alone. Then, we wait for the professionals to handle it.¡± ¡°Handle it...? Didn¡¯t you just say...¡± ¡°Yes, no one from outside will come to save us. But we are in luck! Right here in Xiaokang Building, there happens to be someone who can resolve this supernatural incident.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen waved her hand, pointing towards Cen Dongsheng not far away. Facing everyone¡¯s gaze, the young man casually nodded his head. ... An Zhizhen¡¯s timely actions and speech temporarily controlled the situation; even though the Floating Spirits were drifting close by, nobody left, all subconsciously gathering around her to listen. ¡°Yes, the longest we might have to wait is about a week to a week and a half.¡± ¡°But, but you said... there are ghosts in this house...¡± The one who asked was visibly nervous. ¡°So, the first thing we need to do is calm down and take care of the problems one by one.¡± Although she was also a victim of the Ghost House incident for the first time, in front of everyone, Sister Zhi Zhen appeared to be experienced and reliable; she raised a finger and methodically explained the next plan. ¡°First, those of us gathered here need to bring over necessary items from nearby rooms and set up a temporary camp. For this week, we will have to act collectively from this camp.¡± ¡°Secondly, we organize search teams, patrols, and watch posts. If there are still people left in the building, we should get them to join us here. It¡¯s too dangerous to hide alone.¡± ¡°The third thing is, fortunately, we have a convenience store in our building, so we need to centralize and manage our supplies. However, everyone needn¡¯t worry about going hungry this week, as not everyone has been drawn into this place, and we have more than enough supplies.¡± Then, she clenched her hand into a fist as if cheering on everyone present. ¡°What¡¯s left is just to wait patiently. As long as we all work together, we can get through this tough time.¡± ... Cen Dongsheng watched silently from the side. He had been ready to show a ¡®trick¡¯ and intimidate people if anyone had objections to Sister Zhi Zhen or became troublesome... But Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s ability to reassure everyone with her words proved very effective, and combined with the good impression she had left in the past, she quickly calmed the group of unfortunate residents and had already become their pillar of strength. It should be said that even without the Cursing Prohibition, she still possessed a certain quality, the quality of a leader. It is said that a life prohibition, born from the elevation of one¡¯s Birth Horoscope, can reflect one¡¯s personality traits and the deepest desires of one¡¯s heart¡ª ¡°The Heavenly Leader¡± huh... Cen Dongsheng was lost in thought when he suddenly saw a pale arm wave in front of him. He looked up to see Sister Zhi Zhen staring at him. ¡°Is this alright?¡± ¡°Of course. You did very well.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen, after being praised, immediately showed a happy smile and looked very content. ¡°I¡¯m glad, I was finally able to help you.¡± ¡°Mm. Also, if we get separated and you encounter any danger...¡± Choosing to establish a temporary camp in the courtyard area was a good choice for An Zhizhen. Considering the central structure of Xiaokang Building, if something were to happen, he wouldn¡¯t even need the stairs; he could just jump down and be anywhere within ten seconds. However, one could never be too careful. If there was more than one ghost hidden in the building and they split up to attack, he might get entangled and be unable to get away. ¡°You use this to contact me.¡± Cen Dongsheng handed her a walkie-talkie. ¡°This is...¡± ¡°A walkie-talkie. The signal network doesn¡¯t reach inside the Ghost House, making it impossible to contact the outside world. This gadget is for emergencies.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Seeing An Zhizhen carefully put away the walkie-talkie, Cen Dongsheng hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. ¡°And one more thing,¡± he sighed, ¡°Your life is the most important thing to me, so if you really run into an emergency, please consider your own safety first.¡± He never thought that one day he would be saying such words to that famously cold and rational major figure... But when ordinary people face sudden danger, it¡¯s hard enough just to think about saving themselves, let alone come up with a precise plan to save others in a short time, right? Just like his previous confusion, the real An Zhizhen from history wasn¡¯t quite what he expected, a bit... too kind-hearted. ¡°Most important... Mm! I understand.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen smiled even more brightly, her eyes like crescent moons. Most of the time she seemed very mature, yet occasionally she would show her naive side in front of him. ...So endearing that it was a bit unsettling for him. Cen Dongsheng shook his head and turned to leave. ¡°Alright, as long as you understand. I¡¯m starting the search now, beginning with the first floor here. I¡¯ll let you know when I have anything.¡± ¡°Eh, you¡¯re starting now? Don¡¯t you want to rest first?¡± Cen Dongsheng waved his hand without turning back and headed towards the staircase, his steps unhesitant. Chapter 27 - 27 12 The Strange Curse Prohibition Master ?27: Chapter 12 The Strange Curse Prohibition Master 27: Chapter 12 The Strange Curse Prohibition Master Thus, just like that, Although the ¡°ghost house transformation¡± inside Xiaokang Building was unexpected, due to the clear division of labor between Cen Dongsheng and An Zhizhen, all the residents who were caught up in the incident miraculously survived and passed the first, second, and then the third day safely. Cen Dongsheng, following his past work methods, diligently expanded his search from the east side of the floors to the west, then south... Any ghosts that might harm the temporary camp members he encountered along the way would be casually dealt with by him. So far, besides the Floating Spirit, he hadn¡¯t encountered any other ghosts, which was quite unusual. Since the accumulated yin energy was already enough to warp space, the Ghost House couldn¡¯t possibly only contain low-level ghosts; even if Core Ghosts often chose to hide in the shadows, there should have been other ghosts wandering around, but counting the Lonely Soul that initially possessed Miss Zhou, that was just one case. According to his experience, this counted as ¡°abnormally few.¡± This seemed to confirm his suspicion: this ghost house transformation was indeed a sudden event that occurred in a short time due to some ¡°foreign object¡± entering the building, so there wasn¡¯t enough time for new resident ghosts to be born. And since Sister Zhi Zhen gathered the survivors early on, he only needed to deal with the ghost accompanying the core, which was convenient. As time slowly passed, he finally caught a clue left by the core. ... ¡°This room...¡± Cen Dongsheng stood at the door, staring at the dry mugwort hanging on the door beam, a peeling Spring Festival couplet hanging halfway off the door. It seemed there was a hint of yin energy seeping from the gap beneath the door. It was very faint; only when he approached this closely did he slightly sense it, and he wasn¡¯t even sure. The world inside the Ghost House was undoubtedly a reflection of reality, and although the reflected scenes might not be exactly one-to-one¡ª there could be cases of ¡°incomplete mirroring¡± or changes caused by the unique environment inside the Ghost House¡ª information clues from both worlds could still be exchanged. This was a very important point for someone engaged in exorcism work within ghost houses, as long as he didn¡¯t fall for the deceit of cunning ghosts. Cen Dongsheng placed his hand on the doorknob. Of course, he didn¡¯t have a key, but this problem wasn¡¯t worth dwelling on... ¡°Clang.¡± With a slight twist of his wrist, the doorknob, along with the iron door behind it, was twisted into a swirl-shaped scar by a huge force. Cen Dongsheng kicked the door open. ¡°Come to think of it, this place seems a bit familiar...¡± He tilted his head, recalling carefully, then remembered¡ª Isn¡¯t this Granny Lin¡¯s house? Before the ¡°ghost house transformation,¡± he and Sister Zhi Zhen had been here and helped the old lady move. He walked into the room, pulled open the wooden door on the inside, and the most prominent feature in this dimly lit narrow space was the altar table. On this table, he saw candles burned to the end and a photo shadowed by darkness. Considering the surrounding darkness, with the Ghost House¡¯s perpetual night, this scene indeed looked quite eerie. But Cen Dongsheng¡¯s heart lacked ripples. The only thing that concerned him was the abnormal aura he felt, very faint, thin air... right beneath the altar table. Cen Dongsheng politely put his hands together in front of the mourning portrait as a greeting, then squatted down and reached in to explore for a while. ¡°This is...¡± The thing he brought out seemed to be a wallet. After flipping through it briefly, aside from a few photos, the only thing worth noting was a group photo. In the middle stood a young man about twenty-five or six years old, with slightly long hair parted to the side, with one arm around a man about ten years older than him, both smiling gleefully, maybe the reason being their expressions. At a glance, they seemed ¡°to be two of a kind.¡± And standing at the side was a woman around thirty years old, keeping a certain distance from the two companions. She wore a plain dress, her face bare of makeup, while her hands and neck were adorned with gold and silver jewelry. Although her looks differed significantly from the level of beauty of Sister Zhi Zhen, they were still pleasant to the eye, albeit with an unusually indifferent expression. The background of the three was a shop filled with all sorts of antique accessories. Cen Dongsheng stared at their faces, feeling a subtle sense. After dealing with similar people frequently, sometimes a kind of intuition arises: although it lacks a systematic judgment like Sherlock Holmes deducing a person¡¯s profession from the mud on their shoes, this feeling is equally reliable. Like now, Cen Dongsheng felt these people probably didn¡¯t engage in ordinary professions, possessing a quality incompatible with mainstream society. In other words, they were unsettling dangerous elements, possibly gangsters, mercenaries, assassins, or members of a fraud syndicate. Among them, the woman¡¯s appearance seemed familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before, though he doubted she was the same person... He thought for a moment, finding no answer. Maybe a Curse Forbidden Master seen in a past life, but since there was no deep impression, it couldn¡¯t have been an important figure, probably not even as significant as his current self. However, the atmosphere in this photo, coupled with the remaining aura on the wallet, suggested that this might very well belong to a Curse Forbidden Master, at least a related person. Yet, why was it here? Wasn¡¯t this Granny Lin¡¯s home? Cen Dongsheng recalled something. Chapter 28 - 28 12 The Strange Curse Prohibition Master_2 ?28: Chapter 12: The Strange Curse Prohibition Master_2 28: Chapter 12: The Strange Curse Prohibition Master_2 ... ¡°You said before you were waiting for your grandson to come back, right?¡± ¡°Yeah... it¡¯s just that he came already, and said he¡¯s not planning to stay here, so there¡¯s nothing for me to miss.¡± ¡°He came already?¡± ¡°Just a week ago. I remember back then...¡± ... So that¡¯s how it was. Cen Dongsheng pulled out a photo and thought, finally, there¡¯s a clue. * ¡°Thank you for your hard work, Doctor An.¡± Under the pitch-black darkness where one couldn¡¯t see their hand in front of them, lights dotted the makeshift tent. The pregnant woman sitting inside the camp tent touched her belly, watching An Zhizhen, who was busy at the table calculating and organizing supplies for nearly twenty people. ¡°I¡¯m not the one working hard. There are others who work harder.¡± The woman replied offhandedly without looking up. ¡°The person you¡¯re talking about, is it Brother Cen?¡± The pregnant woman asked curiously, ¡°Can he really deal with the anomaly... ah, don¡¯t get me wrong, I don¡¯t mean I don¡¯t trust him or Doctor An. I¡¯m just curious about who he is. A Taoist? A monk? Or someone sent by the government?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Hey, I thought you were pretty close to him. My husband even saw you two chatting by the flower bed that day...¡± ¡°Men always have their secrets.¡± An Zhizhen exhaled gently, placing her pen down as if her work was done. She smiled at the pregnant woman, ¡°You should go rest. I remember your due date is soon, right?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± The woman began to touch her large, bulging belly again, an unspoken worry in her expression. ¡°I had everything prepared, even my husband took leave. Never thought we¡¯d face this kind of thing...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, it will be resolved within a week.¡± An Zhizhen was comforting her when someone called for her from outside the tent. ¡°Doctor An, come quickly! There¡¯s something happening outside!¡± ... Together with a few residents, she went to the entrance and looked toward where the anomaly was occurring. Her expression became serious. ¡°This is...¡± Outside the gate, calm like the sea, ripples spread in the brewing darkness as if something was changing. ¡°What¡¯s happening, Doctor An?¡± Someone asked worriedly. ¡°We don¡¯t dare get close anymore.¡± ¡°It looks like someone might come in soon.¡± Cen Dongsheng had mentioned to her that under normal circumstances, people trapped inside the Ghost House found it difficult to leave, but entering from outside was relatively easier. There was a way to follow the gathering of yin energy to actively enter, or perhaps a new unlucky person might get pulled in. An Zhizhen took out a walkie-talkie and reported to Cen Dongsheng, then quietly watched. Under many eyes, seconds later, from the ripples in the darkness, two people walked out. A woman in a plain long dress, her face indifferent; a man around thirty-five years old, his hands in his pockets, hair messy like a bird¡¯s nest with a somewhat unkempt look, his eyes scanning the surroundings. When he saw An Zhizhen and the others, he walked over with a broad smile. ¡°Are you the residents living here?¡± He asked. ¡°Yes. And you are...?¡± The man didn¡¯t answer, but walked past her, took a few laps around the makeshift camp, observing and clicking his tongue in appreciation, not treating himself like a stranger. ¡°This camp really looks well put-together.¡± The man turned around and asked, ¡°Did you set this up yourselves?¡± ¡°Sir, who exactly are you...¡± ¡°We both came in from outside. Can¡¯t you guess?¡± The man sighed, pointing upwards. ¡°This place you¡¯re in is called the ¡®Ghost House.¡¯ You¡¯re actually no longer in the real world. I don¡¯t know how long you¡¯ve been trapped, but seeing as you¡¯ve set up camp, you should have noticed you can¡¯t get out...¡± The man¡¯s eyes narrowed as he noticed how, despite their tense expressions, the group before him showed no surprise or shock at his words. ¡°Inside this building, strange things keep happening, you¡¯ve probably felt it. Also, some of you might have experienced a ghost encounter, right? How about telling me about it?¡± The woman in the long dress came over, each hand adorned with several silver bracelets, and her neck adorned with gold, silver, and jade Yingluo clinking softly as she walked. She took over the conversation in a cold tone. ¡°You talk too much. Let¡¯s get down to business. To introduce myself, I¡¯m Kong Yulin, and this is Deng Rong. We¡¯re here to help you leave this place.¡± ¡°Are you here as well?¡± One of the residents couldn¡¯t help but speak up. ¡°¡®As well¡¯? Oh, meaning besides us, there are others?¡± Deng Rong still maintained a smiling face, but a gleam of light flashed through his narrowed eyes. ... The sudden appearance of the two caused a small commotion, but after hearing their purpose, the residents, except for An Zhizhen, were quite pleased. To them, having previously only one person and now two more meant an increased probability of solving the supernatural events. Isn¡¯t that a good thing? Deng Rong and Kong Yulin wandered two laps around the camp, then found a quiet, secluded corner to whisper to each other. ¡°What should we do? There¡¯s quite a crowd.¡± Deng Rong lit a cigarette, smoke swirling around him. ¡°We just need to take down the Core Ghost, right? So, we¡¯ll need you to find out its whereabouts.¡± ¡°You really do want to save people, huh.¡± The woman¡¯s indifferent gaze pierced through the smoke, staring at her companion. ¡°Haha, of course... that¡¯s impossible.¡± Deng Rong replied, chuckling, ¡°We¡¯re here to save our companion, Yu Wentao. The kid suddenly went silent. Who cares about the life and death of ordinary people? Even if some unlucky folks turn into ghosts, we can handle it when needed.¡± Chapter 29 - 29 12 The Strange Curse Prohibition Master_3 ?29: Chapter 12: The Strange Curse Prohibition Master_3 29: Chapter 12: The Strange Curse Prohibition Master_3 Although the man¡¯s words had already been cold enough, Kong Yulin¡¯s response became even colder. ¡°Don¡¯t give yourself too much credit. You don¡¯t care about Yu Wentao¡¯s life or death at all; you just want to get your hands on that Forbidden Item he had.¡± ¡°Hahaha,¡± Deng Rong laughed while smoking, then started coughing violently. ¡°Cough cough... don¡¯t say it like that. The Forbidden Item was something the three of us got together. We were still considering whether to use it ourselves or sell it to a Ghost Market trader. It¡¯s just that the two of us had things to take care of and couldn¡¯t deal with it, so we let him bring the goods back first. Now that this guy has had an accident, don¡¯t we need to find a way to get it back? Return the item to its rightful owner.¡± ¡°An accident, you say...¡± She looked at the residential building casting large shadows on the people underground in the darkness of the night. ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s possible. This Ghost House might have been created because of that Forbidden Item.¡± The Forbidden Item itself attracted yin energy. If refined by a Forbidden Master, it would lose this effect. However, because the item¡¯s effect was unique, they hadn¡¯t decided whether to use it themselves or sell it, so it remained in its original state. There was originally a Forbidden Master watching over it, preventing ¡°ghost house transformation.¡± This person was their youngest companion, but for some reason, he went missing a week ago and has not been in contact since. ¡°Think about it, Yin Lian.¡± Deng Rong flicked the cigarette butt from his hand. ¡°Anyway, if we want to get the thing and leave, we have to do the same thing. Finding the Core Ghost is up to you.¡± Kong Yulin nodded slightly, and a centipede-like long insect quietly crawled out from her sleeve and clung to the woman¡¯s silver bracelet. The insect¡¯s long body writhed as its hundreds of densely packed legs moved, causing chills down one¡¯s spine. Its colorful body radiated a jewel-like multicolored glow, though its outline appeared elusive. The shell of the multicolored centipede opened on both sides like wings. It flapped its wings and vanished into the night at great speed. ¡°By the way...¡± Kong Yulin closed her eyes and said in a deep voice, ¡°According to what these people say, there might be other Forbidden Masters here. What should we do?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s assess the situation first.¡± Deng Rong chuckled and turned his gaze to the woman standing among the crowd. The doctor, An Zhizhen, with her long jet-black hair, stood out with a lotus-like purity and seductive allure, her beauty extraordinary. She was whispering in a corner with a tall young man, their heads almost touching, appearing to be in a close relationship. * ¡°Did you see? It¡¯s them.¡± An Zhizhen gestured in the direction of the two people to Cen Dongsheng. ¡°Are they like you, those... ¡®Forbidden Masters¡¯?¡± ¡°Yes, probably.¡± Cen Dongsheng touched his coat pocket, where the group photo was kept. After receiving a call from Sister Zhi Zhen, he came out of the building immediately and started observing the uninvited guests from a distance. The timing was perfect and quite coincidental indeed. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing? If someone else has the same powers as you, wouldn¡¯t dealing with the ghosts in Xiaokang Building be easier?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen keenly observed his expression. ¡°But, Dongsheng... you don¡¯t seem very happy?¡± ¡°...¡± Was it really a good thing when unfamiliar Forbidden Masters met while exploring the same Ghost House? The society of Forbidden Masters was a world where the weak were prey to the strong. And a Ghost House was not only a dangerous supernatural zone; it was also a resource for becoming stronger. Therefore, the relationship between a few strangers could very well be that of contenders for the same core¡ªa group of individuals wary of each other, perhaps even working against each other. Only in a stable social structure, as part of an organization or group following certain rules to allocate benefits, could such competition be curtailed to some extent. Yet, in the wake of the ¡°First Wave,¡± much of the existing world remained in a state of brutal, primitive competition known as the ¡°No-man¡¯s Land.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention me; I see Sister Zhi Zhen doesn¡¯t seem too happy either.¡± ¡°Ah, it¡¯s just that...¡± The woman blinked, ¡°I¡¯m not brave enough to drop my guard around strangers. I don¡¯t know much about matters between Forbidden Masters, but in the beginning, it was only because the one who saved me, Dongsheng, that I fully trusted what you said.¡± ¡°...In any case, you did the right thing.¡± Cen Dongsheng said. ¡°In fact, there aren¡¯t many people in this world born inherently good or evil. Instead, there are those who indulge their desires and rapidly fall from grace after unexpectedly gaining power. Having discovered they could easily control the lives of ordinary people, they became increasingly lawless. Such examples are common, so don¡¯t let your guard down against the group of Curse Forbidden Masters.¡± ¡°Yes... ¡®fall from grace,¡¯ ¡®lawless,¡¯ is it?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen nodded thoughtfully. ¡°It makes sense and fits human nature.¡± She looked up and asked. ¡°So, what does Dongsheng plan to do?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see.¡± Cen Dongsheng replied. ¡°I believe they have a compelling reason for coming here and stepping into the Ghost House. They will be more anxious than I am and will soon reveal their hand.¡± ... The owner of that photograph, Yu Wentao, Granny Lin¡¯s grandson, most likely was a Curse Forbidden Master. And today, the two uninvited guests who entered the Ghost House... were undoubtedly the two companions in that photograph. Chapter 30 - 30 13 Saint ?30: Chapter 13 Saint? Dictator? 30: Chapter 13 Saint? Dictator? Deng Rong and Kong Yulin... These two unexpected visitors were surprisingly able to endure. After they arrived at the Ghost House, two full days and nights passed, leaving only two days until the ¡°week-long appointment¡± set by Cen Dongsheng and An Zhizhen. During these two days and nights, this mysterious pair of Curse Forbidden Masters, a man and a woman, chose a tent in the camp to settle in. The woman hardly communicated with the residents, while the man occasionally inquired about news to join in the fun. Most of the time, like Cen Dongsheng, they started exploring in a certain direction, looking for the Core Ghost... Or rather, the thing they truly wanted. After seeing the photo and linking the two of them with Granny Lin¡¯s grandson, Cen Dongsheng had a rough guess about the cause of the Ghost House¡¯s birth: Yu Wentao, out of unexplained reasons, brought an unrefined Forbidden Item to this building, which quickly attracted a large amount of yin energy, causing the ¡°ghost house transformation¡± phenomenon. Deng Rong and Kong Yulin probably came here to retrieve this Forbidden Item. As for what this ¡°Forbidden Item¡± was, Cen Dongsheng was naturally quite interested. The power composition of a Forbidden Master was divided into three parts: Forbidden Qi, Forbidden Curse, and Forbidden Items. The first was the basic, the second everyone had, hence Forbidden Masters were also called ¡°Curse Forbidden Masters¡±; but the third¡ªForbidden Items¡ªwere relatively rare. However, high-level Forbidden Items were similarly restricted by the ¡°Three Talents,¡± meaning a Forbidden Master could not simultaneously use more than ¡°3¡± Curse Forbidden or Forbidden Items, so while he was interested, he didn¡¯t particularly care. He was just curious about these people¡¯s backgrounds. In this era when the wave was just rising, the number of Forbidden Masters was neither too many nor too few, but mostly people with hidden identities, acting secretly. Cen Dongsheng was very aware that while he was observing them, these two were also observing him. For them, being in the same place with a stranger Forbidden Master who wanted the same Forbidden Item was undoubtedly an unknown risk. He met them a few times, greeted each other amicably, and even exchanged a few probing words with that man called Deng Rong. The opponent was an experienced veteran, and neither side showed any loopholes. Cen Dongsheng had one advantage, and that was he was a Reincarnator. Although he couldn¡¯t be all-knowing, he still had impressions of those numerous strong individuals; in any case, the good news was that these two weren¡¯t among them. And his disadvantage was... ¡°¡®Superpower.¡¯ Still not working?¡± Cen Dongsheng felt the flow of True Qi within him and sighed slightly. The so-called ¡°superpower¡± was the unique special ability of each curse, compared to something like the ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak¡± that brought passive physical enhancement, each superpower was a truly significant ¡°immortal power,¡± the trump card of Forbidden Masters. The number of superpowers also followed the ¡°Three Talents,¡± once the Triple superpower was mastered, it meant complete mastery of this curse, reaching the level of Entry. The young man¡¯s pace was leisurely as he walked down the deep, deserted corridor. He happened to encounter a white ghost floating past ahead, and he extended his iron-cast hand to grab the Floating Spirit¡¯s shell, crushing it directly with a surge of True Qi. After the Floating Spirit dissipated into a mass of flowing white mist, it was absorbed by Cen Dongsheng¡¯s body. Once the yin energy was refined, the flow of True Qi within him grew even stronger. ¡°Still not working, can¡¯t see an end to this.¡± According to Cen Dongsheng¡¯s personal experience, the awakening of the ¡°First Level Superpower¡± was relatively easy, so he was a bit puzzled now. In the past few days, he had almost refined all the yin energy within the Ghost House, and the amount of True Qi in his body had indeed increased, yet he still couldn¡¯t find the edges of superpower awakening. Was it because the ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak,¡± as part of the Special Class curse, demanded too much True Qi; or was there some special trigger condition? Before confirming this point, Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t want to start any conflicts lightly. * On the morning of the sixth day, something happened in the temporary camp of Xiaokang Building that changed Cen Dongsheng¡¯s thinking. ¡°Ah... ah... so painful...!¡± The sound of agonizing moans drew everyone¡¯s attention, residents emerged from their tents, gathering curiously. They saw a pregnant woman painfully curling up, seemingly about to give birth. Her helpless husband stood next to her, casting a pleading look at everyone. A figure emerged from the crowd, drawing all eyes onto her. ¡°Doctor An, Doctor An, please... save my wife...¡± ¡°I understand.¡± An Zhizhen appeared calm. In times of crisis, the mindset of the leader greatly influenced whether the team could maintain stability, and her performance was impeccable in this regard. ¡°The situation is urgent, and I need to take immediate action. But I¡¯m lacking tools at the moment, so I¡¯ll have to use certain methods to deliver... there will be some risks, but I¡¯ll do my best.¡± ¡°I... I understand, please, Doctor An.¡± The man bowed deeply. The woman nodded slightly. ¡°Come, everyone lend a hand, help her lie flat on the table. Those who are free, please help prepare hot water, clean towels, and scissors.¡± Then, An Zhizhen entered the tent. The anxiously waiting people outside heard her voice from within. ¡°Follow my rhythm, exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale, yes, slower, deep breaths... How is it? Has the pain eased? Don¡¯t worry, your body is ready for the baby¡¯s arrival.¡± Chapter 31 - 31 13 Saint ?31: Chapter 13 Saint? Dictator?_2 31: Chapter 13 Saint? Dictator?_2 Without proper anesthesia, the correct breathing techniques were the key to helping reduce the pain of childbirth. ¡°Hand me the flashlight.¡± An Zhizhen used the flashlight to carefully observe the pregnant woman¡¯s cervical dilation, and after confirming it was fully dilated, she carefully guided the pregnant woman to push. ¡°Can you feel the contractions here? Yes, follow my rhythm, take it slow...¡± Bit by bit, the baby was slowly delivered, she sterilized a pair of clean, sharp scissors with hot water, and carefully attended to the umbilical cord. She checked whether the baby¡¯s airways were clear, gently patted the baby¡¯s back to make sure it would cry out, and concurrently examined the pregnant woman for any signs of further bleeding or complications, ensuring the mother¡¯s condition was stable. After completing all the necessary initial checks and confirming that both mother and child were safe, she again picked up another clean, warm towel to wrap the baby... Not to mention delivering babies, An Zhizhen, who usually spent most of her time in the laboratory, didn¡¯t even have the chance for clinical surgery, relying entirely on textbook knowledge. However, her actions were decisive, showing none of the nervousness one might expect from a novice. ... Dozens of minutes later, An Zhizhen walked out of the tent, handing the baby over to his father. Cheers erupted from the campsite, the newly-made father thanked her profusely, almost wanting to kowtow to her; An Zhizhen smiled, gently shook her head, and instructed him on how to care for his wife and child in the future. Her forehead was covered in glistening sweat, her eyes weary, but more than that, they shone with joy and satisfaction. Cen Dongsheng stood not far away, silently watching everything. From the beginning to the end of the procedure, he had not left. When An Zhizhen came out holding the child, the sky was still pitch dark¡ª But when the dim lights around her fell upon her, he seemed to see a kind of sacred radiance. At that moment, a stone in Cen Dongsheng¡¯s heart loosened. Even after living with An Zhizhen for two months, becoming close enough to address each other as siblings, he still harbored doubts. He didn¡¯t believe that the gentle and approachable elder sister was all there was to An Zhizhen, thinking she must be hiding something. Maybe it was because the image of the lofty dictator An Zhizhen had too strong an impact on him... But seeing her emerge from the tent with the baby, he felt a complex and indescribable, yet very strong emotional impact, almost as if he was witnessing a saint depicted in religious paintings. He believed then, believed that the current An Zhizhen and the one from his memories were truly different. Someone like her, who treated others with respect, loved life, and was trusted and adored by those around her, it was hard to imagine that she would become a cold, heartless dictator in the future. Various thoughts surfaced in Cen Dongsheng¡¯s mind: ¡°the past An Zhizhen¡± and ¡°the An Zhizhen he knew¡± presented two entirely different impressions; ¡°the memories of eight years¡± and ¡°the two months of interaction¡±, scenes flicked back and forth in his mind. Like the sea surface bubbling up with countless bubbles before the waves hit, his thoughts were so chaotically complex that he found them indescribably bewildering. * Stepping away from the gathered crowd, An Zhizhen sighed softly and sat down by herself on a chair nearby, rubbing her temples wearily. ¡°You worked hard.¡± A voice came from beside her, a hand holding a steaming towel stretched out to her. An Zhizhen turned her head and after seeing the familiar face of the young man, she smiled gratefully. ¡°Thank you, Dongsheng.¡± She took the towel and wiped the sweat from her face. ¡°At times like this, only you would think of me.¡± ¡°Mhm, because I¡¯ve been watching you.¡± ¡°...¡± Sister Zhi Zhen blushed. She promptly covered her face with the towel to hide from his view, quietly muttered words only she could hear. ¡°It¡¯s like this again, a sudden attack... so sly.¡± ¡°Hm? Did you say something?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s hands dropped down, her back sliding half an inch down the chair she leaned on. The ordinarily graceful woman appeared lazy and lost her form, likely because she was indeed tired. ¡°You worked hard.¡± Cen Dongsheng sat down beside her, holding his knees and looking in the direction where the sun would rise. Six days ago, after it had set, it hadn¡¯t risen again. He reminisced a little about the dawn that hadn¡¯t appeared for nearly a week. ¡°Hey... what have I to be tired about?¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s voice muffled from beneath the towel, ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s had it tough, right? Always busy dealing with ghosts in the building, trying to find ways to get everybody out.¡± It wasn¡¯t ¡°everybody¡±, it was ¡°you and me¡± together. But at this moment, such words were no longer necessary to repeat, as they both clearly understood. He simply said calmly, ¡°Are you anxious? My luck hasn¡¯t been very good, I still haven¡¯t found the ¡®core¡¯ location. However, there are not many unexplored areas left, I think by tomorrow I might be able to...¡± ¡°I¡¯m not in a hurry.¡± An Zhizhen removed the towel, looking earnestly at him. ¡°Even if it¡¯s more than a week, it¡¯s okay, I will explain to everyone. But the truly dangerous person is you, though I¡¯m really reluctant, I can¡¯t help with this... you have to be careful by yourself, don¡¯t overdo it.¡± Cen Dongsheng fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. Chapter 32 - 32 13 Saint ?32: Chapter 13 Saint? Dictator?_3 32: Chapter 13 Saint? Dictator?_3 ¡°Uh-huh, I know.¡± * It was late at night. An Zhizhen lifted her wrist to check her watch, her expression filled with worry. According to their usual routine from the previous days, by this time, Dongsheng would have certainly returned to the campsite to rest. But today, he was several hours late and hadn¡¯t come back... The conversation they had in the morning replayed in her mind. ¡°The unexplored areas are dwindling; I suppose by tomorrow we can finish...¡± that¡¯s what he had said. Could it be because the seventh day was fast approaching, and in order to fulfill the ¡°one-week promise,¡± Dongsheng had decided not to rest and planned to clear the remaining areas in one go? ¡°Really, didn¡¯t I tell him ¡®don¡¯t overdo it, be careful¡¯...?¡± An Zhizhen murmured to herself. No matter how urgent or anxious she was, there was nothing she could do to help with this matter. She couldn¡¯t possibly go back to the building to look for him. If she encountered ghosts, being ¡°an ordinary person¡± would only be a burden to Dongsheng. She paced around the campsite several times. After sighing, she could only helplessly return to her tent. ... This scene was caught by someone with ulterior motives. Deng Rong, crouched in a corner, flicked away the cigarette butt in his hand, a pleased smile spread across his face. He stood up, stretched lazily, and walked towards the campsite. ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Kong Yulin coldly inquired from the side. ¡°Have you found the ¡®core¡¯?¡± he asked with a smile in return. ¡°I found it. I¡¯m ninety percent sure the ¡®core¡¯ is the ¡®thing¡¯ we¡¯re looking for.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. It seems we still need to stay one step ahead. After all, we have your ¡®Flying Gu¡¯.¡± Deng Rong said. ¡°However, now that we¡¯ve found it, we need to figure out what to do with Cen Dongsheng. We can¡¯t just ignore the risk.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°So, I plan to add an extra chip to the mix¡ªsay, ¡®a hostage¡¯.¡± The man grinned, and for a moment, his mouth became sharp and protruding like a beak. ... ¡°Doctor An, Doctor An, I¡¯ve come to you.¡± Standing outside the tent, Deng Rong said with a smile. He was not surprised to hear a gasp of surprise and a wary response from inside. ¡°It¡¯s too late, Mr. Deng, let¡¯s discuss this tomorrow morning.¡± ¡°Ah, but I can¡¯t do that. You see, I¡¯ve got a very urgent matter...¡± Just as Deng Rong was about to pull back the curtain, a voice suddenly came from the side. ¡°What are you trying to do? That¡¯s Doctor An¡¯s tent!¡± Someone noticed the situation and approached, trying to intervene. Deng Rong¡¯s expression suddenly turned cold. ¡°Shut up.¡± He flicked his hand, ¡°What I do is none of your concern, is it?¡± His motions seemed casual, but in the instant his palm swung, a shockwave of air whistled into shape and shot towards someone not far away. The onlooker who came to stop him screamed, falling backward, blood spattering from his chest. The seemingly intangible air turned razor-sharp under his command, as lethal as a blade! By now, other startled people from the campsite had come out, and upon witnessing this scene, they all froze in place, too frightened to move. Deng Rong snorted lightly. His face smiled again as he turned toward the tent and said: ¡°Doctor An, Miss An, your little brother isn¡¯t here right now, is he? Good, I¡¯m afraid he might misunderstand, so let¡¯s you and I have a proper talk.¡± There was a moment when no one dared to come forward to stop him, as the last person who attempted to play the hero lay right before their eyes. ... Deng Rong pulled back the curtain of the tent in one swift move. But what he saw was not the frightened woman he had imagined, but¡ª A fist, howling towards him. A fist so unbelievably vast, carrying a terrifying force, reflected in Deng Rong¡¯s pupils, like an oncoming train bearing down on him. His smile stiffened on his face. The heavy punch was like a cannonball fired point-blank, unrelentingly smashing into the man¡¯s chest. ¡°Crack.¡± Time around seemed to slow down, and he distinctly heard the crisp sound of his bones shattering. The young man ambushing inside the tent slowly stood up. The dim light from behind cast a tall, muscular silhouette onto Deng Rong¡¯s face, compelling him to look up. At that moment, Deng Rong saw, beneath the young man¡¯s black hair, eyes cold and unyielding as iron. Chapter 33 - 33 14 Some Things Will Always Be Yours ?33: Chapter 14 ¡°Some Things Will Always Be Yours 33: Chapter 14 ¡°Some Things Will Always Be Yours ¡°Sigh...¡± The sixth night after the ¡°ghost house transformation¡± of the Xiaokang Building. An Zhizhen sighed as she opened the tent, worried about someone who hadn¡¯t returned to camp yet. Then, she saw a large, dark figure huddled in the corner. Sister Zhi Zhen was initially startled and instinctively wanted to shout until the dim light inside the tent softly illuminated the figure¡¯s face. That face was the very person she had been thinking about. An Zhizhen widened her eyes in surprise. ¡°Dongsheng?! You...¡± ¡°Shh.¡± Cen Dongsheng reached out to cover her mouth, placing a finger to his lips as a gesture for silence. The young man¡¯s large hand pressed against her moist lips, transmitting a rough and burning warmth. An Zhizhen¡¯s body stiffened slightly, then gradually relaxed. After Cen Dongsheng slowly removed his hand, she blushed and whispered. ¡°...What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I want to set a trap and ambush them.¡± Cen Dongsheng replied. ¡°A trap?¡± ¡°Yes. Also, I might have to stay in this tent overnight.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°There¡¯s little left to explore inside the Xiaokang Building. To get you out of the Ghost House, I must fight the Core Ghost. But I can¡¯t leave you alone in the camp; there¡¯s more than just one Curse Forbidden Master around.¡± He asked with a serious tone, ¡°So, Sister Zhi Zhen, will you stay with me during this time? It might be risky during the Exorcism Ghost House, would you come with me?¡± Hearing his words, Sister Zhen¡¯s face turned even redder. ¡°Starting tonight? Is it really necessary... No, I¡¯m not saying I don¡¯t like it, but...¡± ¡°Sister Zhen, you don¡¯t have to worry. This tent is spacious enough,¡± he looked around, ¡°I can rest sitting, and I won¡¯t disturb your sleep.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm...¡± ¡°Also, the trap is just in case. If they don¡¯t have ill intentions, we should be able to leave the Ghost House smoothly tomorrow.¡± Cen Dongsheng thought, though the possibility seemed slim. ¡°...Ill intentions? Deng Rong and Yin Lian?¡± An Zhizhen seemed to have guessed the answer before he explained. She clapped her hands as she realized. ¡°Ah, I understand. Those two might use me as a hostage to threaten you, right? They¡¯ve noticed how close we are.¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded slowly. Honestly, he almost didn¡¯t think of that. Sister Zhen¡¯s mind was sharper than his. The reason he was so cautious from the start was because the man¡¯s eyes gave him a familiar feeling¡ª ¡°After gaining power by luck, he indulged in his desires; realizing he could manipulate and harm ordinary people at will, he became reckless¡±¡ªhe had described to Sister Zhen this type that fit the man perfectly; He could see it at a glance, purely from experience. In his memories, he had encountered such people more than once. Once stable order was established, they became like rats hiding in the shadows under the control of major forces; during chaotic times, they often found space to survive. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s more...¡± ¡°More?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you notice, Sister Zhen? That man has always looked at you lecherously. His intentions towards you are impure.¡± Cen Dongsheng clenched his fist, speaking in a deep voice. ¡°It¡¯s truly displeasing.¡± ¡°I see...¡± Surprisingly, Sister Zhen reacted quite calmly to this. ¡°Didn¡¯t you feel it?¡± ¡°Of course, I did,¡± she said, ¡°Women are sensitive to such looks. Most of the time, they seem to have no reaction, not because the one peeping is hidden enough, but because pointing it out directly is meaningless and only brings trouble later; hence they pretend not to care.¡± An Zhizhen placed her hands on her chest, speaking softly. ¡°Because of my appearance, I often become the focus in a crowd. I¡¯m well aware of this... such stares are never unfamiliar to me. It¡¯s just whether the other party hides it or exhibits it openly.¡± She tilted her head, quietly watching him, with a slight smile playing at her lips. ¡°But your reaction is quite rare, Dongsheng. Are you saying you¡¯ll rush to deal with them one by one just because someone looks at me?¡± ¡°Not to that extent,¡± Cen Dongsheng said with a hint of helplessness, ¡°I can still tell whether someone is just looking or truly harbors ill intentions and wants to make a move.¡± ¡°Is that so,¡± An Zhizhen chuckled softly, ¡°Then, Dongsheng, what about you?¡± ¡°...What?¡± ¡°Have you ever looked at me with eyes full of desire like others?¡± ¡°!¡± Cen Dongsheng felt a small shock. ¡°This... what are you talking about, I definitely haven¡¯t...¡± What he said sounded a bit guilty. When he first met An Zhizhen, he didn¡¯t have those messy thoughts. Influenced by the memory of eight years, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s initial attitude was cautious, reverent, even fearful; but after Sister Zhi Zhen approached him, all barriers collapsed. Not to mention he¡¯s just a college freshman now, even eight years later, he¡¯s a guy under thirty without a girlfriend; both physically and mentally prone to getting fired up, facing the approach of a beautiful, mature neighborly sister, he naturally couldn¡¯t help feeling flustered... He originally thought that occasionally sneaking a glance at her legs wouldn¡¯t be noticed, but hearing Sister Zhen¡¯s words made him a bit uncertain. ¡°Be honest, sister won¡¯t be mad~¡± An Zhizhen suddenly moved closer. The tent was dim, obscuring her expression, leaving only her soft, slightly hoarse voice scratching at his heart, her moist breath occasionally brushing against his cheeks and earlobes. ¡°Actually, for us women, depending on the person casting such a gaze, our mindset naturally varies. Most is unpleasant or indifferent, but occasionally... there¡¯s a situation that brings joy.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen leaned over, bending forward, enveloping him as if about to fall into his arms, yet stopping at a subtle distance; their bodies didn¡¯t touch but felt each other so close, enveloped in her gentle, elegant fragrance. The atmosphere suddenly became ambiguous, Sister Zhen¡¯s voice lingered by his ear. ¡°Don¡¯t want to answer? It¡¯s fine, Dongsheng, just having such thoughts makes me happy.¡± ¡°Sister Zhen, what you said just now... I don¡¯t quite understand. What do you want me to do?¡± ¡°Nothing, really, just do what you think is right, teach that person a good lesson, the more excessive the better, kill him if necessary, prove that something belongs to you and only you forever.¡± Prove... what? Cen Dongsheng¡¯s heart trembled. At that moment, time inside the tent seemed to stretch indefinitely. Until¡ª They heard footsteps approaching in the night. ¡°...They¡¯re here.¡± The young man held her shoulders, gently pushing the woman away. An Zhizhen obediently kept silent, leaving Cen Dongsheng¡¯s arms, but looked at him with a sly glint in her eyes. * Nearer, ever closer. As a fight approached, Cen Dongsheng quickly adjusted his mentality, calming himself. He curled up, hidden in the corner behind the flap, keeping his muscles primed for action like a spring loading slowly. If the opponent had sensory abilities, this lurking would be futile, but he was unsure of their capabilities, so he prepared as best he could. Hearing conflict outside the tent, Cen Dongsheng began deep breathing, focusing his energy, Sister Zhen sat quietly behind him. Even hearing a scream, she remained unruffled, unmoving, breathing steadily. Just as he thought, reliable. True Qi flowed through his body like water, driven by his will, bulging veins appeared on his tense arms. ... Rewind to the moment Deng Rong lifted the tent¡¯s flap. In his pupils, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s appearance reflected as the young man rose with a cold demeanor and swung a fist toward his chest. The powerful punch was like a shell fired, like a speeding train crashing into his chest, shaking his organs until they seemed to flip inside out. Strength equaled speed; this punch heavy and forceful, yet swift as lightning, faster than any world-class jab, but Deng Rong wasn¡¯t ordinary nor a novice, so in that split second¡ª At least he managed to raise his arms to block. Almost simultaneously, he heard a ¡°crack,¡± the sound of bones shattering, emanating from his arm. ¡°Gah!¡± Deng Rong grimaced, vomiting a mouthful of blood mixed with organ fragments. He had no doubt that without instinctively blocking that blow, the fist would have pierced through his chest. This... was definitely abnormal! Even if a Curse Forbidden Master could enhance blows with True Qi, the opponent¡¯s strength surpassed anything flesh and blood should hold, feeling like facing a crane. Is it... the ¡°Human Immortal Series¡± curse prohibition?! And at a high level... Deng Rong¡¯s arms grew limp, but he endured the intense pain, choosing to counterattack immediately, his mouth bulging, protruding forward with a row of sharp teeth like bird¡¯s beaks, pecking fiercely at Cen Dongsheng¡¯s arm. ¡°Snap.¡± However, his move was entirely within Cen Dongsheng¡¯s anticipation. Deng Rong¡¯s wide-open mouth was pinched by the young man¡¯s other hand, veins bulging, True Qi flowing, exuding a metallic steely gray. The restraint¡¯s grip on his hands felt like cast iron, unyielding regardless of his struggles. Before Deng Rong could conceive his next move, the muscular outline of the young man¡¯s clothed arm bulged fiercely. ¡°Rip¡ª¡± Instantly, flesh and blood flew, as Deng Rong¡¯s entire jaw was torn off alive... Chapter 34 - 34 15 The Cruel Warrior ?34: Chapter 15 The Cruel Warrior 34: Chapter 15 The Cruel Warrior ¡°Ugh, ah, ah, ah!¡± Deng Rong clutched his mouth and wailed. As his entire jaw had been ruthlessly torn off by Cen Dongsheng, he couldn¡¯t form complete words, only managing to utter vague sounds while staggering back. The curtain was lifted, and Cen Dongsheng pounced out of the tent like a fierce tiger descending the mountain; his actions showed no hesitation as he swung his right arm in a punch toward the head, his bent left arm driving his elbow toward the opponent¡¯s chest. ¡°...!¡± Cen Dongsheng suddenly felt his right fist punching into a mass of cotton. At this moment, the wind became tangible and substantial, attempting to block his punch¡¯s momentum. ¡°¡®Wind Control¡¯... was this the opponent¡¯s superpower?¡± In a flash of thought, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s fierce fist momentarily halted, then immediately broke through the wind¡¯s obstruction. But this gave Deng Rong a chance to catch his breath and turn his head to dodge... He dodged but couldn¡¯t completely evade it. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s fist grazed past the side of Deng Rong¡¯s head, tearing off a large clump of blood and flesh mixed with hair and scalp, almost exposing the white skull beneath. Under the Power of Tiger Demon, every punch and kick from Cen Dongsheng was like a spinning Meteor Hammer brimming with force, crippling on contact, and causing injury when grazed. Deng Rong let out another painful howl, desperately dodging while condensing the air before him into blades, shooting them toward Cen Dongsheng. However, the young man simply raised his arm to shield his face, showing no intention of dodging, letting the wind blades hit him. Strengthened by the Power of Tiger Demon, his body became akin to steel when infused with Qi. The dozen or so flying blades sparked off Cen Dongsheng¡¯s muscles after tearing through his clothes. ¡°Not bad, you actually have some skill,¡± he said. Upon hearing this, the badly beaten Deng Rong glared at him with malice. However, Cen Dongsheng had no intention of mocking him. Despite such intense pain, being able to maintain Will and launch a counterattack was truly a reaction only a veteran could muster... And his Curse Prohibition Level and superpower were well-trained, a rarity in this era. Although lucky in the ambush, he couldn¡¯t take down his opponent. If it had been the past him, he might have had to consider retreat by now. As for now¡ª The enraged Deng Rong spread his arms wide, feathers sprouting from them, the speed and force of the shooting wind blades increased significantly, enough to turn an armored person into a porcupine; Yet Cen Dongsheng maintained his unflinching stance, small spurts of blood blooming on his arms, his steps never ceased, charging headlong at his opponent. ... On the other side, Deng Rong¡¯s gaze was filled with shock and anger, his heart brimming with panic and regret. Had he known this, he would never have dared to act rashly. Who would have known that Doctor An¡¯s guardian, seemingly a young man not even in his twenties, was actually so terrifying? At the very least, his former companion, Yu Wentao, even though his ability was decent, his character fell far short. Ruthless actions, no regard for human life, facing attacks without dodging, determined to kill with his fists... such things were beyond what ordinary people could do. Where did he cultivate this ruthless desire to kill at any cost?! Having lost the initiative and sustaining serious injuries, he was now barely dodging to survive. He estimated he wouldn¡¯t last more than a few minutes, his only hope resting on his companion¡¯s timely assistance... ... At this moment, everyone in the camp heard the noise and came out, the residents watching the blood-soaked confrontation in silence, some too frightened to move. Cen Dongsheng lunged forward again, his punch shattering Deng Rong¡¯s shoulder, the crisp sound of shattering resonating clearly. In less than a minute of relentless pursuit and attack, the opponent¡¯s body was battered and bloody, close to collapsing, barely able to even moan. But in an instant, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s brow suddenly furrowed, stopping his steps for the first time. An illusory light and shadow flew out from the nearby bushes, pouncing toward his face; Cen Dongsheng unhesitatingly swung his fist in response. ¡°Boom!¡± Amid the roaring wind, the Flying Centipede agilely spiraled, dodging the young man¡¯s fist, flying towards Deng Rong¡¯s direction. ¡°...¡± Another Curse Forbidden Master? Cen Dongsheng turned, seeing the Flying Centipede attempting to lift Deng Rong, but it clearly lacked the strength, barely lifting off the ground in a shaky ascent. He rushed forward with great strides, only to see the centipede spew out a large, dizzying cluster filled with starry dots of Qi, emanating a sickly sweet scent. Cen Dongsheng cautiously dodged, simultaneously swinging his fist fiercely to disperse it with his punch wind. After a few exchanges, as the mist slowly dissipated, he saw Deng Rong¡¯s pale face and his left hand¡¯s thumb lightly touching the tip of his middle finger, the other three fingers naturally raised. ¡°Fei... Lian...!¡± In his indistinct utterance, an unprecedented whirlwind blew in from all directions. This time the opponent was risking his life, blowing both himself and the insect into the sky, while the centipede continuously spewed mist to obscure his vision. ¡°So being able to fly is impressive?¡± Cen Dongsheng sighed. With his experiences, he immediately judged he couldn¡¯t catch up. A pity. Without an awakened superpower, relying only on fists and Qi Manipulation, indeed, he often found himself limited in battle. Moreover, that word Deng Rong shouted earlier, although unclear... it should have been ¡°Fei Lian,¡± right? ¡ªFei Lian, also known as Feilian, was a mythical creature from ancient Han Chinese mythology, as mentioned in ¡°Chu Ci¡¤Li Sao,¡± ¡°Ahead is Wang Shu driving the chariot, while behind is Fei Lian urging the winds.¡± Chapter 35 - 35 15 The Cruel Warrior_2 ?35: Chapter 15 The Cruel Warrior_2 35: Chapter 15 The Cruel Warrior_2 No wonder Deng Rong would reveal a bird¡¯s beak when using the curse prohibition, for Fei Lian in legend had a bird¡¯s head. Fei Lian, also known as the ¡°Marquis of Wind,¡± was the god who controlled the wind. Numerous curse prohibitions were born with Fei Lian as the Divine Image. Although their levels and strengths varied, they all related to ¡°wind,¡± and the curse masters with such powers were known for their speed and adeptness at fleeing, which was precisely what happened. But if that were the case and there was no way to stop him, one could only watch helplessly as he escaped... That had to be a joke. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s gaze turned cold. He had a habit of eradicating evil to the root; if an enemy he offended didn¡¯t die the next day or become a vegetable, he might not sleep well that night. ¡°¡®The more excessive, the better,¡¯ huh... makes sense. Those who dare to have ill intentions towards Sister Zhi Zhen¡ª¡± Seeing that person about to disappear into the night sky, Cen Dongsheng took a deep breath and kicked the chair beside him to pieces. He swiftly bent down, picked up a bent railing, and assumed a discus-throwing posture, his entire body bent like a taut bow. ¡°Think you can escape?¡± He aimed at the target, let out an angry shout, and used skilled force to send the iron railing whirling through the air, shooting toward the figure about to disappear in the sky. As Cen Dongsheng anticipated, Deng Rong, using the Fei Lian curse prohibition to bring himself into the air, had already exhausted his strength and had no resistance to the unexpected attack. ¡°¡ª¡ª?!¡± The Flying Centipede suddenly ascended, trying to drag Deng Rong upward, but before it could, the iron railing struck him directly below the waist, spinning like a high-speed propeller, with blood splattering everywhere, smashing his entire lower body into pulp, an injury that was clearly life-threatening. A harrowing scream echoed in the night sky, and Deng Rong¡¯s figure fell amidst the scattered clouds. ... Cen Dongsheng shook his hand and turned toward the tent, his demeanor as calm as if he had done something trivial. After all, for him, everything was not over yet; the most important thing was still ahead. Besides taking down the Core Ghost, there was also Deng Rong¡¯s companion, the woman named Kong Yulin, to deal with next. And, who knew if this guy had any relatives or friends; if they were unaware, that would be fine, but if they were¡ª Cen Dongsheng¡¯s mind was filled with thoughts considered ¡°cruel¡± to ordinary people. He saw Sister Zhi Zhen emerge from the tent, running over to greet him. ¡°Are you, are you okay?¡± She looked worried. ¡°You look...¡± She didn¡¯t say some words, but he already understood. Cen Dongsheng rubbed his face, trying to make his expression look less ferocious, less intimidating. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he replied. ¡°Then, let me check.¡± An Zhizhen insisted on examining his body, and Cen Dongsheng reluctantly unbuttoned his collar, rolled up his sleeves, and revealed his well-toned muscles. Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh, Dongsheng, Dongsheng, not bad at all~¡± She poked his muscles with her finger, then patted his arm, clicking her tongue, making one think of an aunt picking fresh pork at the morning market... Apparently, the elder sister was very satisfied with his physique. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time to talk about this.¡± Cen Dongsheng felt uncomfortable being touched all over, his face slightly flushed, worried she would say something inappropriate again, so he hurriedly stopped her. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± With that, the woman grabbed his hand and lifted it. ¡°When you fought with him just now, I remember you raised your arm to block...¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s arm didn¡¯t bear the deep wounds she anticipated, instead only showing some faint blood streaks that seemed to heal quickly. The wind blades released by Deng Rong were as sharp as swords, but Cen Dongsheng¡¯s muscles, infused with True Qi, had the toughness of iron and steel. ¡°Truly a superhuman.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen marveled. ¡°Is it that... the ¡®curse prohibition¡¯ power you mentioned?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Truly enviable and intriguing...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sister Zhi Zhen, you¡¯ll have it too.¡± ¡°Yes, I know.¡± ¡°...?¡± An Zhizhen lowered his arm and smiled: ¡°You said before, ¡®One day, I can become a curse master too,¡¯ and I naturally believe you.¡± Her eyes sparkled, shimmering with tears. ¡°Dongsheng needs a partner, right? So do I. Once I become a curse master, I can help you out, and then we can always be together, right?¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s expression became serious, and he nodded firmly. * Returning to his tent, Cen Dongsheng used meditation to adjust his breathing. Half an hour later, he got up and started moving again. The hidden ghost always needed to be dealt with, which was similarly true for the hidden Kong Yulin. She couldn¡¯t leave this Ghost House, so she had to do the same as him; after all, the so-called ¡°core¡± was likely the Forbidden Item they sought. Was the ¡°Ghost House¡± an insurmountable chasm? In the future, it certainly wouldn¡¯t be; after all, it was fundamentally just a spatial distortion phenomenon. A class of Special Class curse prohibitions, known as the ¡°Super Visualization Realm,¡± was inspired by the Ghost House and could imprison adversaries in another world; however, breaking through the Ghost House shouldn¡¯t require something so advanced, merely a ¡°Heavenly Immortal Series¡± curse prohibition or superpower related to space would suffice. From an overall perspective, the number of such Forbidden Masters was rare, and their status was far higher than a person like Cen Dongsheng, yet every major region reserved elite talent in this area, so they were far from uncommon. Of course, today, things naturally weren¡¯t the same... at least, Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t think anyone had that capability. Chapter 36 - 36 15 The Cruel Warrior_3 ?36: Chapter 15 The Cruel Warrior_3 36: Chapter 15 The Cruel Warrior_3 In the cover of night, Cen Dongsheng leapt upward, swiftly climbing to the third floor like a monkey, gripping the railings with his hands as the metal beneath his feet slightly twisted. He squinted his eyes, gazing at the entire row of rooms shrouded in mist and darkness. ...Was it in here? This ghost, which had never shown itself, seemed to no longer be hiding, as an intense burst of yin energy soared into the sky. Or perhaps it had already come into contact with that female Curse Forbidden Master, and was thus in a state of being easily activated at any moment? This speculation was not unfounded; it was highly possible that those two had found the Core Ghost¡¯s location earlier than he did, thus couldn¡¯t wait to take action. Sure enough, like Cen Dongsheng, they too intended to eliminate risks... ¡°Mr. Cen.¡± A cold female voice resounded from not far away. He turned his head to see a gigantic beetle clinging to the gate wall, its back covered in mottled patterns that formed a human face, with the lines twisting as if someone was speaking. ¡°If you wish to leave here, we have something to take, so we can cooperate.¡± Cen Dongsheng sneered. ¡°Ridiculous.¡± The voice belonged to the female Curse Forbidden Master named Yin Lian. Recalling the Flying Centipede capable of spraying mist, Cen Dongsheng speculated in his heart that this person might be a Gu Master from the Ghost Immortal Series. The term ¡°Heavenly God, Earthly Human, Ghost¡± originally referred to five types of immortals; gradually, it became a method to classify different types of Cursing Prohibition. Though somewhat general, it was also the most famous standard. There were no higher or lower levels among the five types of Cursing Prohibition, only differing in nature. Mysterious techniques, Controlling Ghosts and Driving Demons, Round Light Soul Capturing, chashing the underworld... all are part of the Ghost Immortal lineage. Unlike the Human Immortal Series, which gathers great power into oneself, or the Earth Immortal Series, with its Five Elements Escape Technique to Call the Wind and Summon the Rain, it was renowned for its bewildering unpredictable nature, troublesome for opponents and considered the best support if allied. ¡ªHowever, she dared not confront him directly. Even though Cen Dongsheng had not displayed any superpower till now, she still didn¡¯t dare. Just this pretentious demeanor alone let Cen Dongsheng gauge her strength. ¡°You are strong. I do not wish to oppose you.¡± ¡°Too late, your companion did not think so earlier.¡± ¡°I indeed traveled with Deng Rong for a while, but we can¡¯t really be called partners,¡± Yin Lian said. ¡°You¡¯ve already killed him. There is no obstacle to our cooperation anymore.¡± ¡°His life was taken by me personally,¡± he responded coldly. ¡°What does it have to do with you?¡± ¡°...Do you really wish to be obstinate?¡± The woman sighed. ¡°If the Core Ghost inside gets loose, and we are on guard against each other, things will get tricky. Besides, there are still regular people here. Aren¡¯t you afraid they might get hurt?¡± ¡°...¡± Cen Dongsheng remained silent, merely furrowing his brow, as if genuinely considering her offer. Of course, this was a lie. Though he did not enjoy killing innocents, he would certainly assist them in escaping if he could; but if someone were to use the lives of ordinary people as leverage at a critical moment ¡ª he would never compromise. The person he truly wanted to protect was only one. If anything was tough to deal with, it might be consoling Sister Zhi Zhen afterward, depending on whether she would be saddened by the deaths of others. ¡°...Hmph.¡± Yin Lian suddenly snorted coldly. ¡°Deceiver. The so-called Curse Forbidden Masters are indeed a bunch of cold-blooded people.¡± Cen Dongsheng raised his eyebrows. ¡°Stop pretending. You don¡¯t care about others¡¯ lives. Maybe only that Doctor An is dear to you.¡± So it was a test. Since everything was out in the open, Cen Dongsheng chose no longer to conceal anything. ¡°Indeed, there is no difference in our situation... Whether the opponent is a ghost or you, I don¡¯t mind.¡± He stretched his body, standing up from the railing, looking down from above. ¡°Enough talk. Let¡¯s begin, and see who is stronger.¡± Cen Dongsheng no longer suppressed his aura, the yin energy before him surged like tides upon the vigorous blood energy¡¯s stimulation. ¡°Roar¡ª!¡± Suddenly, the door to a room was slammed open from the inside, and a charred figure, covered in flames, roared as it lunged out. Unmistakably, it was the Core Ghost. Cen Dongsheng stood ready. It glanced around, its white ghastly eyes spotting the nearest youth yet not attacking him. Instead, it abruptly twisted and sprinted in another direction, leaving a trail of charred footprints in the corridor. ¡°What...?!¡± Yin Lian¡¯s muffled groan came from the nearby fog, as a woman in a long skirt, somewhat disheveled, emerged from a shadow, dodging the blaze that was coming at her. ¡°Heh.¡± Cen Dongsheng smiled. ¡°Seems luck favored this side. It sought them first.¡± The battle among the Core Ghost, Cen Dongsheng, and Yin Lian had officially begun. Chapter 37 - 37 16 Get back here! ?37: Chapter 16 ¡°Get back here! 37: Chapter 16 ¡°Get back here! The figure that burst through the door was similar in size and shape to a human, but its entire body was severely burned and charred, showing no unblemished flesh. It was hunched and skeletal, with only a pair of cloudy white eyes. No matter how you looked at it, it appeared to be a burnt corpse, yet ¡°its¡± movements seemed unaffected, unusually agile, as it dashed down the corridor with nimble steps. That was the Core Ghost of Xiaokang Building. Cen Dongsheng felt no fear, as he was prepared to confront the entity head-on. However, the burnt corpse evil spirit didn¡¯t look toward the closer target, him. Instead, it ran straight to the other end of the corridor. ¡°Aah, aah, aah¡ª¡± The evil spirit let out a wailing scream unlike any human sound, with its charred body continually shedding, leaving a trail of blackened footprints on the cement floor. Beneath its skin, there were flickering flames bursting forth, like a moving, impending volcanic eruption. As it reached the end of the corridor, the blazing fire within seemed to break free at last, with fierce tongues of flame licking towards the shadows in the corner. A figure emerged from the shadows, flipping over the railing. Upon hearing the panicked shout from the person being targeted by the burnt corpse, the female Curse Forbidden Master named Kong Yulin, Cen Dongsheng quickly understood the reason. ¡°Yu Wentao! You¡¯re dead after all...! The items are with you, aren¡¯t they?... Damn it, you¡¯re already without reason... Still causing trouble in death, you bastard!¡± Beetles and Flying Centipedes appeared simultaneously, attempting to entangle the movements of the burnt corpse. Scorching streams of flame erupted from the corpse¡¯s surface, enveloping the two ¡°Gu Worms,¡± making their outlines instantly blurry. Taking this opportunity, Kong Yulin flipped to the second level, once again hiding in the shadows. The burnt corpse evil spirit looked around blankly, as if realizing it had lost its target, and only then did it focus its attention on Cen Dongsheng. ...So that¡¯s how it is. It seemed that ¡°it¡± was someone Kong Yulin knew in life, the very culprit of Xiaokang Building¡¯s ghost house transformation, who mysteriously disappeared, Yu Wentao. Ordinary people would never recognize the appearance of this burnt corpse. Even if it were a former companion, they would likely have guessed by its pyrokinesis abilities... It seemed that Yu Wentao was truly dead, along with the Forbidden Items he carried, becoming the core of the ghost house. ¡°What on earth happened to this guy? Could it be that another passing Curse Forbidden Master killed him? Or, perhaps he died at the hands of ordinary people, or in an accident...¡± While Cen Dongsheng was contemplating, the burnt corpse evil spirit lunged at him, its steps staggering, running like a beast, yet its movements were extraordinarily quick. ¡°Aah, aah, aah...¡± The burnt corpse¡¯s mouth opened wide when it was close enough, emitting a chilling, pained roar, its entire body exuding an odor of charred flesh. With sharp eyes, Cen Dongsheng noticed that beneath the cheerless blackened surface, pink new flesh was sprouting like buds, while carbonized husks continuously fell away, sputtering with flames... Its bodily tissues repeatedly cycled between growing anew and being scorched by high heat, enduring unimaginable pain. ¡°...!¡± Cen Dongsheng turned his head, dodging the flames emitted from the evil spirit¡¯s mouth, while adroitly seizing its hand. ¡°Ha!¡± The True Qi swelled, and his palm exerted force! He easily twisted off one of the burnt corpse¡¯s arms, then lifted a foot to stomp heavily on it, simultaneously pulling with force in opposite directions¡ª ¡°Boom!¡± Cen Dongsheng tore off an arm from the burnt corpse. What gushed from the wound was not streaming blood, but flames mixed with charcoal ash. The burnt corpse wobbled slightly upon having an arm torn away; transformed into a ghost, it seemed completely devoid of pain, unhesitatingly pouncing at him again. Cen Dongsheng tossed the now spontaneously combusting charred arm aside, retreating quickly. As he evaded the evil spirit¡¯s attacks, he checked his hand. Cen Dongsheng looked at his palm¡ªthe area where he had grabbed the evil spirit¡¯s arm bore a blackened mark. Below the carbonized skin lay bright red muscle, emanating a burning pain. A certain residual negative energy was quietly smoldering. He looked down and found that his right shoe had already burned away, with an unpleasant smell of heated rubber. Indeed... Even though he had merely kicked the opponent, just a moment of contact allowed this power to spread onto him. If an ordinary person dared touch the burnt corpse evil spirit, they would likely catch fire on the spot, experiencing the same full-body charring pain as the evil spirit; as a Curse Forbidden Master, he could dissolve it with True Qi... But it would take time. If the Forbidden Masters¡¯ power originated from ¡°Cursing Prohibition,¡± then that of the ghosts was sheer ¡°Curse,¡± incredibly malevolent, standing in inherent opposition to the living. Cen Dongsheng slightly clenched his fist, then released it. He had battled with ghosts of this level more than once or twice, so he was experienced. Unless possessing some detection ability, there was no universal rule such as ¡°knowing the strength level at first glance¡± in battles among Forbidden Masters or among ghosts. It often required personal experience and knowledge to make judgments. For instance, a ghost capable of using ¡°Space Manipulation¡± inside a ghost house would be classified as Class A; similarly, by observing the time it took a Curse to be dissolved with ¡°True Qi,¡± one could roughly gauge a ghost¡¯s level. Chapter 38 - 38 16 Get back here!_2 ?38: Chapter 16 ¡°Get back here!¡±_2 38: Chapter 16 ¡°Get back here!¡±_2 So, in this short span, he had already understood that the burnt corpse evil spirit before him was B-class, namely a ¡°Fierce Ghost,¡± lacking the house owner level of space manipulation. What made it special was that it was ¡°a ghost transformed from a Curse Forbidden Master after death,¡± a type of being that often inherited part of the power from its lifetime, and the curse on it was likely some variant of Cursing Prohibition, indeed more troublesome than the ghosts of ordinary people after death. And what about Cen Dongsheng? Although he possessed the Power of Tiger Demon, only those who had fully mastered the Triple superpower were qualified to call themselves a Class A Curse Forbidden Master. Thus, with him yet to awaken any superpower, according to future definitions, his strength rank could only be considered B-class, but he had an overwhelming advantage in close combat, allowing him to easily suppress the theoretically same-level Deng Rong as soon as the fight began. ... If he could find an opportunity to engage in close combat with this Fierce Ghost, it seemed barely manageable. One had to fight to know. Cen Dongsheng once again kicked away the pouncing burnt corpse evil spirit, nimbly leaping out of the building. Since this creature initially headed towards Kong Yulin, this could be fully exploited, as he wouldn¡¯t foolishly act as a vanguard for others. * Thus, two humans and one ghost played a game of hide and seek in the Xiaokang Building¡¯s square-shaped hallway. The burnt corpse ran wildly, and he followed, waiting for it to find Kong Yulin; then, as soon as Kong Yulin was forced to reveal herself, he would unleash his full strength, attacking both humans and ghosts together. As the ghost lacked reason, only chasing living people by instinct, and Kong Yulin was not its match, she had to hide miserably all over, allowing Cen Dongsheng to quickly gain the upper hand by leveraging this strategy. During the last brief encounter, the burnt corpse evil spirit swallowed that centipede, and Kong Yulin¡¯s face turned pale instantly, clearly suffering a significant internal injury, taking some time to hide again; in the meantime, the burnt corpse itself had an arm pulled off by him as if uprooting a radish. Now, with the armless burnt corpse running ahead, Cen Dongsheng followed it with unhurried steps. At this rate, Yu Wentao and Deng Rong¡¯s strength were roughly at B-class, and Kong Yulin¡¯s was unknown, but she was obviously not good at frontal combat. It could be said that this civilian team¡¯s strength was still acceptable; even placed in the future, the basic Exorcism Team in which Cen Dongsheng was involved was at this level¡ªgoing further meant having a Class A Curse Forbidden Master leading an elite team capable of independently conquering a Ghost House. But it was clear at a glance; they lacked basic trust, just a group of people barely banding together for shared interests, always at risk of falling out over those interests. For such a team, if the members didn¡¯t hold each other back, it was already considered good; there was no need to think about cooperation. Cen Dongsheng loathed this type of cooperative relationship. The reason he longed for partnership was that he didn¡¯t want to battle ghosts while being wary of a knife in the back. Thus, he was now very thankful that he had already developed feelings with Sister Zhi Zhen... He vaguely realized in his heart that this emotion itself might be more important than ability. While deep in thought, the burnt corpse ahead suddenly stopped in its tracks. It looked around blankly, no longer moving forward, but exhaled a mouthful of scorched smoke. Seeing this situation, Cen Dongsheng immediately heightened his vigilance and readied himself. Don¡¯t be fooled by how easily he tore off this ghost¡¯s two arms; that was because they hadn¡¯t yet reached the point where they were serious. He felt ¡°barely manageable,¡± truly a bit barely. Ghosts were not human, without flesh and blood, thereby lacking the greatest weakness, and couldn¡¯t be resolved by breaking hands and feet to severe injury; True Qi must be used to completely dissipate to nothingness. Moreover, the Ghost House was a place where yin energy gathered, and the scale of energy that ghosts could mobilize often exceeded that of a Forbidden Master. Over these six days, he methodically refined the yin energy in this space to weaken its ability as much as possible. But he could see that the true power source of the ghost still lay hidden within that charcoal-like corpse... ¡°Boom!¡± Standing in the corridor, the burnt corpse suddenly ignited entirely, like a torch, the blazing firelight illuminating the entire dark void. The scorching flames continued to spread, the previously icy building now resembling a house swaying in a raging fire, illuminated with a bright red glow. Realizing it couldn¡¯t find Kong Yulin¡¯s whereabouts, it simply released the curse power within, the blazing light of fire leaping seven or eight meters high, accompanied by billowing black smoke as if intending to ignite the entire Xiaokang Building. The expanding flames resembled a burning snake rapidly enlarging; this giant Fire Snake swiftly slithered through the corridor, from the third-floor aisle, stairs, down to the second floor, lighting up the windows of surrounding rooms. With no shadows in hiding, Kong Yulin, who tried her best to conceal herself, was eventually forced out by the suddenly expanding flames, smoke, and heat. Kong Yulin rolled off the second floor and fell into the atrium area. Cen Dongsheng promptly jumped to a higher position, avoiding the oncoming wave of flames, looking down from above. Even so, his clothes caught fire, and scorch marks spread across his hands, feet, and face, forcing him to speed up the circulation of True Qi within to counteract. He saw the silhouette of the burnt corpse emerging from the vast firelight, its hands completely restored, intact. Kong Yulin, sitting dejectedly on the ground, looked despairing. She knew she was no match for this ghost. She just hadn¡¯t expected her past familiarity with the ghost in life became a death warrant. Chapter 39 - 39 16 Get back here!_3 ?39: Chapter 16 ¡°Get back here!¡±_3 39: Chapter 16 ¡°Get back here!¡±_3 There was no grudge between the two, at least not that she was aware of. Although they weren¡¯t particularly close, there had been no betrayal or harm done to each other. It was purely because this ghost belonged to the kind that lost its sanity. The remnants of memories from its past life made it target its former companions. Normally, the instinct of ghosts would drive them to hunt the Forbidden Masters with strong life energy, followed by vigorous adults, then children and the elderly... There was a hierarchy, and residual memories from their past lives could affect this order. She possessed the obscuring technique, so it was unlikely she¡¯d be the first target. This time, she was simply down on her luck. The burning flames illuminated the woman¡¯s increasingly pale face. ... On the third floor, Cen Dongsheng watched the chaotic scene unfold and couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly. But he did not let his guard down. He crouched on the railing, poised to leap down at any moment, regulating the power within him through deep breaths, ready to strike. The burnt corpse had reached the first floor, and the encroaching flames were nearing the temporary camp. An Zhizhen was still there, so he could not stand idly by. Fortunately, according to the ghosts¡¯ prioritization, after it killed its companion, it would definitely target him next, placing the residents, including Sister Zhi Zhen, last. He planned to act the instant the burnt corpse eliminated Kong Yulin. As long as he could defeat it in the end, this long night would finally come to a close... ¡°Wait.¡± Cen Dongsheng suddenly noticed a slight shift in the burnt corpse evil spirit¡¯s trajectory. An ominous feeling surged within him. It seemed to have found a more worthwhile target. Just as it was about to leap at the female curse Forbidden Master, it suddenly turned around, howling skyward. ¡°Roar¡ª¡± For the first time, the evil spirit exhibited emotions akin to a human¡¯s, striding toward its target, the flames surrounding it growing more intense... * ¡°Everyone, get out of the camp quickly!¡± As the burnt corpse evil spirit unleashed its curse, the Xiaokang Building, previously hidden in the night, was set ablaze and An Zhizhen, witnessing it from afar, immediately understood: This was a battle between Forbidden Masters and ghosts, already at its fiercest stage! To prevent ordinary people from being caught in the crossfire, she immediately rallied everyone in the camp, swiftly directing the residents to retreat toward the gate. The blaze spread like a field of fire, wantonly consuming the spaces between buildings. The crowd watched the intense battle in silence, children curled up in their parents¡¯ arms, couples holding hands, spouses leaning on each other, and elderly men and women sitting down with a tremble. Everyone harbored a strong sense of unease, bewilderment, and fear, as though facing an impending apocalypse. Whoever survived would determine their fate, but win or lose, they were powerless, able only to wait for the battle to conclude... An Zhizhen stood at the forefront of the crowd. She stared at the fiery glow resembling a towering bonfire, her hands subconsciously entwined. She bowed her head, clasping her hands before her chest, whispering a barely audible prayer: ¡°Dongsheng, I hope you¡¯re all right... Please, you must win...¡± Suddenly, she heard frantic shouts behind her: ¡°Run! Doctor An, watch out!¡± She felt a wave of scorching heat rush towards her. An Zhizhen instinctively raised her head, eyes wide open. ... Under the cover of night, roaring flames illuminated the sky, stretching across the east and west sides of Xiaokang Building like a high wall, burning from one end to the other. A charred, unrecognizable blackened head emerged from the flames and met her gaze indifferently. The horrifying burnt corpse opened its mouth wide, flames flickering from its eyes, mouth, and ears. She had no time to dodge, not that there was anywhere to hide... And at that critical moment, another figure emerged from the flames. A large hand reached from behind to firmly grab the scorched head, forcefully pressing it back down. ¡°Get back here!¡± Chapter 40 - 40 17 The Day of Awakening ?40: Chapter 17 The Day of Awakening 40: Chapter 17 The Day of Awakening The burnt corpse evil spirit had actually headed towards the camp¡ª Were the lives of a group of ordinary people more tempting than the Curse Forbidden Master... than its acquaintances in life? Or had some mechanism he hadn¡¯t detected been triggered again? The actions of the ghosts were unexpected, completely disrupting Cen Dongsheng¡¯s plans. He was heavy-hearted, yet his mindset remained largely unaffected. After all, he was used to the ¡°unexpected¡± in this struggle against supernatural powers. There was no time to think. Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t hesitate; he kicked off with both feet, jumping from the tall building towards the burnt corpse. ... ¡°Thud!¡± His feet hit the ground, emitting a dull thud. If he were still an ordinary person, jumping directly from the third floor would have shattered his knees, breaking bones. Only his Tiger Demon Strength enhanced body could bear such recklessness. The flames, as if with a will of their own, surrounded him, blocking his path. Cen Dongsheng squinted his eyes, placed his hand in front, and dashed headlong into the wall of fire. This fire was not the ordinary fire of nature, it flowed with curse power, continuously scorching his entire body. Though True Qi flowed rapidly, and his skin was as hard as steel, over time, he couldn¡¯t avoid being seared by the blazing flames, his flesh singed, peeling away. Seeing the burnt corpse evil spirit walk out of the sea of flames, the first person in its path was Sister Zhi Zhen. Cen Dongsheng immediately quickened his pace and reached out his hand towards its head. ¡°Get back here!¡± ... An Zhizhen looked at the young man engulfed in flames, instinctively wanting to call his name, but saw his figure quickly retreat, taking the terrifying burnt corpse with him, disappearing into the vast sea of fire. His brave, resolute figure, along with the searing heat and the face-illuminating blaze, etched the scene deeply into her retinas and mind. An Zhizhen¡¯s heart pounded, as if rushing blood backfilled her eardrums, her head and ears buzzing. An unprecedented strong emotion surged in her heart. ¡°Doctor An, are you okay?¡± A worried question came from behind. ¡°...Mm, I¡¯m fine.¡± An Zhizhen didn¡¯t even look at who it was, casually brushing off the concern. All her attention was focused on the battle between Cen Dongsheng and the evil spirit. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions while whispering to herself: ¡°Not yet, not now...¡± * Cen Dongsheng clutched the burnt corpse¡¯s head tightly, dragging it backward. In the process, the curse power gushing from all directions in the sea of fire finally eroded the flesh protected by True Qi, beginning to dissolve what lay beneath. After losing its outer layer, the burning nerves tormented his brain with intense pain. Cen Dongsheng gritted his teeth, refusing to utter a shameful cry. Constantly, blood overflowed from his mouth, while sweat streaming down his forehead was swiftly evaporated by the surrounding high temperatures. Fists and feet imbued with mighty power sliced through the air, roaring, burning. The burnt corpse¡¯s limbs were repeatedly torn off, but if they touched the surrounding sea of fire, they would begin to regrow visibly. Core Ghost... such a troublesome existence. Cen Dongsheng endured the severe scorching pain all over his body, twisted the burnt corpse¡¯s neck, stepped on its shoulder, and gripped its head, attempting to wrench out its head along with its spine. The scene was extremely brutal, and after several minutes of back-and-forth struggle, the charred Cen Dongsheng finally held the upper hand, successfully extracting a pitch-black object from the burnt corpse. Finally, the ghost¡¯s remaining remnants disappeared in the fire, surrounding light dimming. Cen Dongsheng panted heavily, momentarily unable to pursue. But he knew the battle was far from over. The curse-laden sea of fire hadn¡¯t vanished, and it would return again. Such is the usual development in direct combat with ghosts¡ªa long, fierce, and brutal grappling fight. Lacking a decisive Cursing Prohibition, one could only steadily deplete with True Qi until the ghost¡¯s forming shell completely vanished, leaving behind defenseless yin energy to be refined and absorbed by the Curse Forbidden Master... That¡¯s when it was truly over. Opposing a ghost and destroying a ghost were two entirely different things. The latter often required a team of multiple Curse Forbidden Masters of the same grade to ensure success. His limbs and body showed large patches of charring, causing pain to twitch his mouth corners. Cen Dongsheng took deep breaths, trying to relieve the pain this way. ¡°It was... it was already the best...¡± He tried to think positively. The power brought by the ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak¡± exceeded expectations. Not only did it make his physique resilient, endowing him with immense strength, but it also enhanced his life essence, granting extraordinary endurance in prolonged combat. In his memory, when grappling with ghosts, he often had to be careful not to get injured, as any slight touch or contact would severely impact the fight, requiring him to find ways to retreat, hide, and treat; True Qi was also a big issue, easily exhausted in fierce battles. To be able to repel a Fierce Ghost with such brute force as now, was already significant progress. Unfortunately... He was the only one capable of fighting at the moment Once he regulated his breathing, the surrounding flames flared up fiercely again The burnt corpse, having mostly reborn its torso, once more attempted to advance toward the camp, only to be hauled back by Cen Dongsheng. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it! Fight me honestly!¡± Chapter 41 - 41 17 The Day of Awakening_2 ?41: Chapter 17 The Day of Awakening_2 41: Chapter 17 The Day of Awakening_2 The battle began to stretch on, becoming prolonged and intense. Ten minutes, dozens of minutes, an hour¡ª Cen Dongsheng gradually started to feel the strain. The power of the Tiger Demon had significantly transformed his body, but ultimately, he was still flesh and blood, not a machine... No, even a machine would easily be damaged under such fierce vibrations. He began to feel exhausted. The onslaught was more intense than expected, the curses more troublesome than imagined, and the ghosts themselves were like unkillable cockroaches. Cen Dongsheng was on his twenty-third attempt of tearing apart the limbs and body of the burnt corpse evil spirit, yet each time, it resurrected from the fire. He was initially wary of Kong Yulin in secret, but possibly due to the intensity of the battle and her fear of getting involved, she hadn¡¯t intervened; and on Cen Dongsheng¡¯s side, he gradually had no time to worry about anything else. A week still felt too short, whether it was the accumulation of True Qi or... Cen Dongsheng thought. If only his superpower could awaken to the First Level Superpower, he wouldn¡¯t be in such a dire situation. He could feel that both he and the burnt corpse evil spirit were weakening, having reached their limit. His fists grew heavier, his steps felt weighed down like they were filled with lead; the flames on the burnt corpse were no longer as fierce as before. The once overwhelming flames that seemed as though they could set the entire Xiaokang Building ablaze had now shrunk to a small circle less than ten meters in range. When Cen Dongsheng twisted the opponent¡¯s neck for the twenty-fourth time, the burnt corpse could no longer resurrect from the fire unscathed. Its half-arm couldn¡¯t regenerate; it was missing half a leg, unable to run, only able to stagger. He found some solace in knowing that as the battle dragged on, the intense pain from the burning of his flesh gradually became less excruciating. Just as Cen Dongsheng realized this, in a moment of distraction, he looked down at his hand... To be precise, there was no hand left. The flesh had been burnt away, leaving only charred bones. Cen Dongsheng was internally shocked. No wonder it didn¡¯t hurt; even the nerves had been completely burned away, leaving only the bone, naturally absolving him from pain. In a daze, he touched his face with his skeletal hand; the rough touch made him realize that half of his face had also been burned away. Cen Dongsheng looked down further, noticing a large hole burnt through his abdomen, his internal organs charred and scattered, leaving nothing but emptiness. Fully immersed in the battle, he hadn¡¯t noticed the miserable state he was in. Come to think of it, the ¡°power of the Tiger Demon¡± seemed almost miraculous, maintaining his fighting ability even in such a state¡ª No, that¡¯s not the point he should be considering right now. The real question is if this continues... Could he really die? Even if he didn¡¯t die in battle, with his body¡¯s current wretched state, once his True Qi was exhausted, would he really survive afterward...? ¡°Bang!¡± Cen Dongsheng punched the burnt corpse¡¯s head once more, shattering half of its skull. But this time, an unavoidable confusion emerged within him. * In fact, what the young man showed as ¡°fighting instinct¡± was merely the accumulation from day-to-day training and real combat. He never truly thought it through, always struggling to survive. So when Cen Dongsheng had the chance to really think, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder: ¡ªHad he just been reborn for less than two months, only to face death once again? He intended to protect An Zhizhen, but he never anticipated that he might have to sacrifice his life. According to his original plan, the initial period of living in this city wasn¡¯t supposed to be too dangerous. Coupled with his ¡°foresight,¡± he thought he could avoid those forbidden zones; on the other hand, once An Zhizhen awakened her ability, he could quite leisurely become a ¡°Minister of Dragon,¡± leading a privileged life. Although he had expanded his ambition after obtaining parts of a Special Grade Curse Prohibition, his personal plan hadn¡¯t changed much. But the unexpected ¡°ghost house transformation¡± of Xiaokang Building, the outsider Curse Forbidden Master, the unknown Forbidden Items... all these unforeseen events disrupted his preparations, coming too abruptly. Was this second chance, hard won and never to be had again, about to end here...?! Gradually, his heart began to grow restless, indescribable emotions surging within him. In truth, Cen Dongsheng, before his rebirth, had been merely a mediocre man. Why would someone with no prior success in life assume that in this lifetime, armed with some foresight, he¡¯d surely succeed? Bearing a Class A curse, he believed that even without awakening his superpower, he could confront a Class B Core Ghost based on his foundational strength. This was a judgment based on his personal experience. Could it be incorrect? Of course, it could. As stated before, he wasn¡¯t a successful man, nor had he ever encountered high-grade curses, so misjudgment was very possible. But right now, if he ran away, there was still time¡ª Was there still time...? Was he really going to abandon An Zhizhen... abandon Sister Zhi Zhen? Even if he fled, with his current body... ... Calm down, calm down. He watched the charred remains fall from his hands, saw the large burnt hole in his abdomen; He observed the dimming firelight all around him, the evil spirit¡¯s regeneration capability edging towards its end. Both sides were nearing their limits. Even without considering what happens next, he had to gamble in this battle, betting on which side would collapse first, determining the loser. Chapter 42 - 42 17 Day of Awakening_3 ?42: Chapter 17 Day of Awakening_3 42: Chapter 17 Day of Awakening_3 The burnt corpse evil spirit slowly drifted past him. No matter how many times it was torn apart by him, it showed no intention of paying him any mind, nor did it prepare for revenge; instead, it continued to move in the direction of the camp. What on earth was there that could make it so persistent? He only knew that if he didn¡¯t take the initiative to stop it, the evil spirit wouldn¡¯t bother with him, then he wouldn¡¯t have to risk his life. Stay calm, stay calm, he told himself again. Cen Dongsheng looked at the stretch of bare bone extending from his arm, and for the first time, he did not immediately rush forward. ... ¡°Is it, over?¡± Someone murmured. The crowd watched the battle from dozens of meters away, feeling every second was torment, like hell. But at last, as if signaling the fight was nearing its end, the roaring flames that lit up the entire residential building gradually went out. ¡°Who won?¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± The person emerging from the darkness¡ª Was it him? ...No, it was it. A charred body, dragging its crippled form, slowly approached the people, with its flames flickering dimly and without luster. The people watched its figure in horror, falling into despair for a moment. This ghost had indeed weakened... but it would take no effort at all to kill a group of ordinary people. The curse power remaining in it was enough to ignite the flesh and blood of everyone, letting them die in despair. The evil spirit dragged its feet, slowly approaching them, leaving a trail of charred footprints on the ground. This short distance of a few dozen meters took several minutes to traverse, until it reached right in front of the people. There was no way back. ... An Zhizhen stood at the forefront, only a few meters away from the evil spirit. It was looking at her; its hollow eyes burn with the embers of persistent rage. But she didn¡¯t care about that. ¡°Dongsheng, where¡¯s Dongsheng?!¡± She tiptoed and looked around, but all was dark and deep, with no one in sight. The bonfire had gone out, and the surrounding area had once again plunged into darkness where you couldn¡¯t see your hand in front of your face, with no sign of anyone. An Zhizhen¡¯s heart sank. Based on previous experiences, Cen Dongsheng should have come out to stop it by now, but after a few minutes had passed... there was still no sign of him. Was he dead? Or was he so injured that he couldn¡¯t move? Or... ¡°Hey.¡± A weary voice sounded not far away. ¡°I was just taking a short rest; you¡¯re in such a hurry.¡± A second figure emerged from the darkness. But when the people behind saw what he looked like, they were surprised and doubtful; they could no longer recognize who this person was. Except for An Zhizhen, in everyone¡¯s eyes, this person looked no different from the terrifying burnt corpse evil spirit, with no human shape to be seen. Even the corpse was better off; at least it had a body to speak of. The second figure seemed to be just a tall skeleton, covered in soot. He reached out with a skeletal hand and once again firmly grabbed the evil spirit¡¯s head, dragging it backward. ¡°Dong, Dongsheng...?!¡± An Zhizhen could no longer contain her emotions. As she was about to approach, she saw the ¡°skeleton¡± make a stopping gesture. He stopped his footsteps, seeming to hesitate for a moment¡ª Then, she heard him speak, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sister Zhi Zhen, this will all be over soon, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± With that, he left without looking back. ... When Cen Dongsheng had dragged the burnt corpse evil spirit halfway, it suddenly began to struggle. The last of the fire on its body ¡°pfft¡± lit up and then went out, and then lit up again. This should have been the weakest moment for the adversary; however, at this instant, it felt like a resurgence, a fierce high temperature hidden beneath the dying embers, the power of the curse emanating from within the body, more ferocious than ever before. ¡°Ready to fight to the death?¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s voice was hoarse, as if flames were about to erupt from his parched throat. He revealed a sinister smile. ¡°Good, so am I.¡± If one aspires to climb ever upward, until beholding the summit views of this world, what does he truly need? Cen Dongsheng never thought he¡¯d have the chance to face this day; the Cen Dongsheng of the past didn¡¯t have the luxury to ponder, only to draw answers from his own cognition and wisdom. For example, reliable comrades, formidable power. That¡¯s why he took the initiative to connect with An Zhizhen; That¡¯s why he went in search of powerful Cursing Prohibitions. A month after rebirth, he made considerable gains in both respects. But is that truly enough? Until a few minutes ago, in a fleeting moment, when he finally awoke from his hesitation, determined to stake his life to fulfill his promise to Sister Zhi Zhen, he suddenly realized¡ª To become powerful, external strength is certainly vital; but a heart that matches such strength is just as indispensable. The prerequisite to being extraordinary is to hold a heart that refuses mediocrity. Throughout the long eight years, in a time when the future looked bleak and dark, when the whole world was plunged into unprecedented turmoil and chaos, he fought desperately to survive. He did survive, but he lived a mediocre and cautious life, dulling the sharpness of his heart. Those famed powerhouses often have obsessions matching their strength, and he once mocked himself, thinking, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m too normal, not crazy enough in the head, that I can¡¯t become strong.¡± But while those individuals truly are mad; on the other hand, they have shown the world the possibility of unprecedented paths. Every person who reaches the pinnacle is trying to make the whole world revolve around their will. Such arrogance, such audacity. Such... desirability. ¡ªHe now knew what he was lacking. ¡°I should have realized it sooner...¡± The bonfire tainted with curses rose once again, accompanied by billowing black smoke. In the surging flames, resembling tidal waves, the man¡¯s flesh had completely disappeared, his bones blackened by the smoke. No living being could survive in such conditions. Yet he remained ¡°alive¡±; not only alive, but he could still fight. ¡°Heh...¡± Cen Dongsheng laughed deeply. In the glow of the firelight, his bones flashed with a dull golden radiance, akin to some precious metal artifact. ¡ªIndeed, the ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak¡¯s¡± First Level Superpower had already awakened within him. It simply needed a catalyst, an opportunity to break the confines of external flesh, before its bearer recognized it. Just as Cen Dongsheng had surmised, the trigger condition was, in fact, quite ¡°stringent¡± for his former self; but conversely, if he had maintained his composure during the recent brush with death, he should have noticed it sooner. Fortunately, it was not too late. Now that he harbored ambitions to scale the highest peak, what the once mediocre Cen Dong truly lacked... Was the dauntless heart of fierce and courageous progress. Cen Dongsheng stretched out his hands, tightly embracing the burnt corpse evil spirit. A dense True Qi spread from the dark golden bones, clashing with the fire controlled by the burnt corpse, the two energies vying to consume and annihilate one another. Water and fire incompatible, each attempting to snuff out the other, the burnt corpse¡¯s shell finally began to lose its shape, gradually vanishing like ash. The ghosts began their final struggle, ferocious flames burrowed up from below, converging from all sides as if in volcanic magma, resolved to reduce Cen Dongsheng to ashes¡ª ¡°Heh heh... Hahaha...¡± Yet his laughter was unstoppable. He had never felt death so close; and it wasn¡¯t forced upon him, but rather he was the one who approached death willingly. For the old Cen Dongsheng, this would have been inconceivable; but on the other hand, he experienced an unprecedented sense of exhilaration¡ª ¡°Heh heh... Hehehehahahahaha!¡± A person who can dismiss life and death at a critical moment, that is when they seize control of their destiny in their own hands. Amid the raging inferno, he laughed heartily. Chapter 43 - 43 18 The End of the Long Night ?43: Chapter 18: The End of the Long Night 43: Chapter 18: The End of the Long Night ¡°¡±¡± ¡°Snap.¡± Several seconds later, Xiaokang Building returned to silence once more, shrouded in darkness. Cen Dongsheng released his hand, and the last remnants of the burnt corpse evil spirit crumbled to ash, scattering across the ground. After the ghost perished, its body shattered, leaving behind pure yin energy as the spoils of war. As Cen Dongsheng absorbed and refined the yin energy, he squatted down, picking up a blood-red orb from the ashes. This, he supposed, was the ¡°forbidden object¡± Kong Yulin and the others desired, the culprit behind the ¡°ghost house transformation.¡± He had no time to think about its purpose for now and casually tucked it into his skeleton since he was currently ¡°empty.¡± What¡¯s most important right now... Cen Dongsheng closely examined his body. With the replenishment from refining the yin energy, the previously exhausted True Qi began running at full speed, and the power of the Tiger Demon spread throughout his body. After waiting a moment, he saw a milky film start to envelop the skeleton, which would later become the meridians, muscles, organs, skin... He exhaled a long sigh of relief. Finally... He would not truly die. After all, courage and diligence were one thing, recklessly charging in without regard for life was another entirely... It was precisely because Cen Dongsheng sensed an ability hidden within him that he decided to gamble his life against the evil spirit. He was not truly meant to die; he just needed to face death directly. ¡ªThe First Level Superpower of the ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak,¡± the ¡°Undying Bone.¡± It allowed a Curse Forbidden Master to survive in critical situations where it was impossible to live on, even if they lost all flesh, organs, and internal structures, continuing to fight even when turned into a skeleton. Once the superpower was triggered, the Curse Forbidden Master¡¯s soul temporarily resided within the ¡°tiger bone.¡± As long as the tiger bone remained, the light would not extinguish. However, this state could not last forever. Cen Dongsheng estimated that it might last less than five minutes. Beyond that, and the soul attached to the skeleton would dissipate, and it would truly become a pile of dead bones. Additionally, once the ¡°Undying Bone¡± state ended, considerable True Qi was needed to restore the body; otherwise, the Curse Forbidden Master would eventually die without sufficient rest. And naturally, the ¡°Undying Bone¡± could not be used repeatedly in a short time frame, serving as a last resort when pushed to the brink. Yet, this was already a rather remarkable ability. Cen Dongsheng had never heard of any Class A curse granting immortality, especially as a first superpower¡ªregardless of the limitations, it still reversed life and death, overturning yin and yang¡¯s mighty power. ¡°Rather than call it ¡®Class A¡¯ for a first superpower, it would be more fitting to say it¡¯s part one of ¡®Special Class¡¯... As expected, the highest level of curses and the idea of ¡®A B C D¡¯ are fundamentally different concepts.¡± He reflected internally for a moment. According to the universal ¡°Three Talents¡± pattern within the Forbidden Master¡¯s world, along with the imagery from his initial meditative contact, completing mastery over this unknown Special Class Curse Prohibition indeed required two additional ¡°Demons.¡± The path was long, but that was a consideration for the future. Having personally eliminated the enemy and claimed the spoils, he naturally needed some recovery time next... Cen Dongsheng suddenly heard footsteps. He looked up to see two figures approaching in the darkness. Kong Yulin¡¯s face was cold and pale, clearly indicating severe injuries. In her hand was a short knife pressed against another person¡¯s neck. ¡°Dongsheng...¡± ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen.¡± After a long and anxious night, Cen Dongsheng and An Zhizhen were finally able to speak face to face once more. * ¡°Sigh.¡± Cen Dongsheng let out a long sigh. He subconsciously scratched his face, feeling an itch on his cheek; it turned out new flesh was beginning to grow there. Half of his face was exposed skull, the other half sprouting new muscle; his current appearance must have been terrifying, the kind that would give children nightmares. He initially worried about leaving Sister Zhi Zhen with psychological scars, but as he noticed her staring without blinking, eyes shining brightly, her expression showing no disgust or fear... It seemed there was no issue. Doctors were different, he thought. Although the situation was dire, Cen Dongsheng was no longer his former self; not only was he not very tense, but he even had the leisure to let his mind wander. ¡°Mr. Cen, can we have a proper conversation now?¡± Kong Yulin said, gesturing the dagger at An Zhizhen¡¯s neck, using it as a threat. Cen Dongsheng ignored her, his gaze fixated straight at the person she held hostage¡ª ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sister Zhi Zhen, I will get you out of this.¡± ¡°Mm, I know.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen calmly responded. She seemed unaffected by the cold blade at her throat, gazing at Cen Dongsheng with trust-filled eyes. She was soon once again restrained by Kong Yulin, her arms pinned tightly behind her. Perhaps due to feeling ignored, Kong Yulin¡¯s tone became even cooler. ¡°Whether you can rescue her depends on your decision, Mr. Cen. Hand over the item, and I will return her to you, and we can part on good terms.¡± ¡°...You do know how to pick your moments.¡± Cen Dongsheng finally turned his attention to her, his tone dripping with undisguised sarcasm. Of course, Kong Yulin making a move was anticipated; she was here for the ¡°forbidden object.¡± At first, he feared she would intervene in his intense fight with the Core Ghost, so he remained on guard; but as the battle dragged on and he resolved to stake everything, he set aside those concerns completely, abandoning all reservations. ¡°¡±¡± Chapter 44 - 44 18 The End of the Long Night_2 ?44: Chapter 18: The End of the Long Night_2 44: Chapter 18: The End of the Long Night_2 Although, even at the final moment, Kong Yulin had not appeared. She chose instead to kidnap An Zhizhen, who was just an ordinary person, hoping to reap the benefits after the fight ended. I had to admit, she calculated her move quite well. Had she acted prematurely upon seeing him grow weaker from the fight with the ghosts, the burnt corpse evil spirit¡¯s last desperate struggle would surely have crushed her. ¡°I was naturally not your match, but that Forbidden Item originally belonged to me, and to return it to its rightful owner, I had to resort to this.¡± Cen Dongsheng let out a snort. In fact, he was indeed very weak now, his entire state at rock bottom. All his True Qi was used to drive the ¡°Undying Bone¡± superpower to repair his body, leaving him with no strength to resist. Once he and Kong Yulin clashed, the fragile cycle within him would be broken. He wouldn¡¯t even need her to kill him; he would be done for by himself. He was now like a reed swayed by the wind, so fragile he would fall with a single blow. Yet, from Cen Dongsheng¡¯s aura and expression, there was no hint of his vulnerability, displaying an aloof and indifferent demeanor, as if telling her: ¡°If you want it back, then come.¡± Kong Yulin realized this, but couldn¡¯t decipher the man¡¯s condition, her face tense. ¡°I suppose... you do care about this Doctor An, don¡¯t you? You two didn¡¯t bother hiding it from others. Is she your woman?¡± Having witnessed the previous battle and watching him now standing there with a semi-human, semi-ghost stance, Kong Yulin had no intention of clashing with this terrifying young man, so she could only approach the hostage angle. Cen Dongsheng chuckled and replied: ¡°She¡¯s my partner.¡± To be precise, she was a woman who could become a powerhouse in the future. His feelings towards Sister Zhi Zhen exceeded fondness, bordering on reverence. ¡°...Partner?¡± This answer seemed to have surprised Kong Yulin somewhat. She took a closer look at An Zhizhen¡¯s face, the woman she was controlling. Even though this woman could remain calm with a knife at her throat, she indeed didn¡¯t seem ordinary... but she clearly wasn¡¯t a Curse Forbidden Master, utterly incapable of resistance when being kidnapped. It was hard to imagine this frail woman being the companion of this man in front of her. Wasn¡¯t this equivalent to exposing his weakness? Refining True Qi required the most basic aptitude, almost entirely determined by talent. It was hard to say whether the woman could become a Curse Forbidden Master unless someone could foresee the future... that was impossible. Kong Yulin didn¡¯t think much of it and shook her head, saying: ¡°Anyhow, you care about her deeply.¡± ¡°Yes, I do care.¡± Cen Dongsheng raised a finger, a smile still on his face. ¡°Therefore, I give you only one choice. Return her to me now, and then get lost immediately, and I will let you go for once.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°The Forbidden Item is my trophy, forget it, you ain¡¯t taking it.¡± He spread his hands arrogantly and wildly. ¡°I managed to survive being burnt to bones, I¡¯m quite curious if you have such skills.¡± Kong Yulin¡¯s face grew dark, a drop of water seemed about to drip. ¡°No response? Then I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± He stepped towards the two without hesitation, once, then twice. Kong Yulin¡¯s pupils contracted sharply. He truly seemed indifferent to her threat, walking towards them with a smile, that sinister face combined with an imposing presence. On the other side, An Zhizhen showed a happy smile, eagerly looking at the man approaching her, as if ready to reach out and embrace him. She never once glanced at her captor throughout it all. ... What was with this man and woman? Did they not care about their lives? Kong Yulin clenched her teeth tightly, naturally hesitant, watching him approach, with hardly any time left to hesitate, she had to make an immediate decision. She had no idea if he was bluffing. If so, should she attack now? But she dared not. The thought of combat with him brought to mind the image of him punching her face, breaking her head into pieces ¡ª After such a fierce battle, he really showed no sign of compromise, as if everything was under his control. Kong Yulin had been observing in secret. She had to admit, witnessing firsthand the scene during the fight of this young Curse Forbidden Master had given her a tremendous shock. The burnt corpse evil spirit was of B-class, but was definitely among the strongest of Fierce Ghosts. If not for an external yin energy forming this Ghost House in such a short time, it would soon transform into a higher-level ¡°house owner.¡± Or, the strength of the burnt corpse evil spirit was originally only a step away from Class A. Yu Wentao, a Curse Forbidden Master during his human lifetime, had acquired firepower far beyond his past after transforming into a ghost. Kong Yulin, who was once a teammate, knew well that if Yu Wentao unleashed his full power regardless of the consequences, he might reach that same magnitude... but the out-of-control Cursing Prohibition would scorch his own flesh, and his survival instinct would prevent him from doing so, which was why he could never go all out. The Fierce Ghost was different, it feared neither injury nor death, allowing it to exert peak power at any time. Moreover, until its yin energy was exhausted, it could even resurrect repeatedly from the flames, making it far more vexing than a living person. Even she, Deng Rong, and Yu Wentao combined as a team, under the premise of being in good condition, weren¡¯t its match. They would only be wiped out by this unusual ghost, reduced to charred corpses. Yet, such a dangerous evil spirit was defeated by this man single-handedly, meeting it head-on without falling behind. Chapter 45 - 45 18 The End of the Long Night_3 ?45: Chapter 18: The End of the Long Night_3 45: Chapter 18: The End of the Long Night_3 ¡°If the fierce ghost¡¯s ferocious firepower and resurrection ability made Kong Yulin feel troubled and fearful, then the scene of this man dismembering evil spirits dozens of times relentlessly, even continuing to fight when reduced to a skeleton, left her with only one impression: shock. Kong Yulin had never witnessed this level of superpower; she couldn¡¯t perceive the limits of this man at all, only feeling that if he could still fight, she saw no possibility of escaping from his hands. She had no resurrection ability, nor was she unkillable; she was just an ordinary Curse Forbidden Master. ... She didn¡¯t dare to gamble. Kong Yulin understood, so she threw away the dagger and slowly backed away, raising her hands simultaneously. ¡°I understand, Mr. Cen, there is about half a day left until the Ghost House disappears. During this time, I won¡¯t appear in front of you two. Once the spatial isolation disappears, I will leave immediately.¡± Cen Dongsheng had lost the interest in paying attention to her. He walked over to An Zhizhen and extended his hand to her. Then his hand was tightly grasped by the woman. Kong Yulin watched the hand-holding couple, realizing these two had completely dismissed her presence, thus breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly turned around to leave. ... An Zhizhen was about to speak when Cen Dongsheng winked at her and whispered urgently: ¡°I... can¡¯t hold on much longer, need to rest.¡± Though he showed contempt for the opponent earlier in demeanor, deep down, he paid close attention to Kong Yulin¡¯s every move. The reason he didn¡¯t retreat was that, the more critical the moment, the less weakness should be shown. If his true condition were discovered, given the greedy nature of some Curse Forbidden Masters, they probably would not just leave with what they wanted. In fact, if she really dared to gamble, he would definitely be the loser. His and Sister Zhen¡¯s lives actually hung in Kong Yulin¡¯s mind. Sister Zhen nodded, silently supporting the young man¡¯s weight with her shoulder. With An Zhizhen¡¯s help, he managed to stand firm, squinting into the distance to ensure the opponent had completely vanished from sight. ... After walking to a corner, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s body suddenly wobbled, then he collapsed as if he were exhausted. ¡°Dongsheng?!¡± Sister Zhen¡¯s voice, filled with surprise and worry, reached his ears. ¡°I¡¯m, I¡¯m alright...¡± He slid down the wall, sitting on the ground and mumbling; his eyelids began to droop, his shoulders felt tremendously heavy, sagging along with them. ¡°Just let me, let me rest for a while...¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s consciousness was gradually drifting away. It seemed that the exhaustion brought by activating the ¡°Undying Bone¡± for the first time exceeded his original capacity, causing an unsuitable condition... Once his spirit relaxed slightly, waves of fatigue surged from every corner of his body, swiftly dragging his consciousness into the ocean of slumber. At the very last moment before losing consciousness, he felt a soft embrace. That feeling was as warm as spring, wrapping him in an endless darkness that brought peace of mind. ... ¡°You did very well, Dongsheng.¡± In a secluded corner of the hallway, only she and the unconscious young man were present. An Zhizhen held the young man¡¯s head in her lap. Her eyes lowered, she whispered softly in Cen Dongsheng¡¯s ear. ¡°Really well, well done... exceeded my expectations, truly remarkable.¡± Like a mother praising her child, her tone was filled with tenderness, her slender fingers gently caressing his cheek. ... Outside, the endless night shrouding Xiaokang Building began to retreat slowly, with faint daylight seeping through the shattered spatial gaps. The residents, who had been hiding scared in the camp, began to calm down and step out of their tents when no further terrifying commotions came from inside the building. As they noticed the surrounding world and the sky brightening up, even those mostly oblivious to the situation over the past week started to realize that this sudden turmoil seemed about to end. With the core removed, the spatial isolation effect caused by the ¡°ghost house transformation¡± began to dissipate. All the chaotic order returned to normal, and they were about to return from the supernatural zone to the Human World. Fear and confusion no longer marked people¡¯s expressions, their nerves, tightly wound for survival, relaxed a bit. They felt tired and sleepy, involuntarily closing their eyes, some even dropping down to sleep soundly on the ground without regard for manners. Undoubtedly, it would be the calmest sleep they¡¯ve had in their whole lives...¡± Chapter 46 - 46 19 Let me become your slave ?46: Chapter 19 ¡°Let me become your slave. 46: Chapter 19 ¡°Let me become your slave. The spacious and clean bedroom was tidied up neatly, its furniture arrangement exuded a sense of warmth, indicating the meticulous care of its owner. The light gauze curtain was drawn halfway, brilliant sunlight cast elliptical golden spots on the red solid wood flooring, and the breeze, like the gentle hand of a woman, occasionally flicked a corner of the curtain. The breeze and sunlight together created a bright and comfortable atmosphere. Although the various details suggested that this was a girl¡¯s bedroom, lying quietly on the soft and comfortable big bed in the center of the room was a young man. The youth¡¯s eyes were tightly shut, his expression peaceful, as he was immersed in a deep slumber. After a while, it was unknown whether it was the sound of the wind or a sigh¡ª ¡°Haah...¡± Cen Dongsheng opened his eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling above him. His experience accumulated during his time as an Exorcism Department official had honed a certain instinct in him. Driven by this instinct, his first reaction upon regaining consciousness was not to think, but to check the state of his body. True Qi was flowing... unimpeded, but on the physical level... He quickly recalled the previous events, including the awakening of his ¡°Undying Bone¡± and the end of the battle. His head was slightly groggy, it seemed the aftereffects had not yet passed, he was not in top condition; but after a long rest, he had regained his combat capabilities, and that was enough. During his Inner Vision, True Qi flowed; beneath the covering of organs and flesh, the diamond-hard skeleton was clear at a glance. Cen Dongsheng had a peculiar feeling, as if he was no longer a being of flesh and bone, but a Terminator robot instead. Undoubtedly, he had become stronger. Cen Dongsheng sat up in bed and found himself wearing pajamas. He clenched and unclenched his fist, checking for injuries on his body. The wounds had been carefully treated and disinfected, but no bandages or plaster had been applied. Considering the condition he was in before falling unconscious and the room he was currently in, the person who had tended to his wounds must have been Sister Zhi Zhen. She must have noticed that his body was regenerating at an abnormal rate during the recovery process. Treating him as a normal injured person would have inhibited the growth, so that¡¯s why she did what she did. ¡°Right, where¡¯s Sister Zhi Zhen...?¡± Cen Dongsheng looked around, thinking of getting out of bed and leaving the room to find her, when he discovered that the blanket covering him seemed to be pressed down by something¡ª Looking down, he saw the very person he wanted to meet sprawled at the side of the bed, probably too tired from watching over him and had simply fallen asleep. Her dense black hair covered her face, the splendid sunlight shone on the woman¡¯s hands and neck, her skin as white as early snow sparkled in the morning light, looking so serene and beautiful. He sighed in relief, let his guard down completely, and couldn¡¯t help but reveal a smile. ... An Zhizhen heard the laughter and woke up. Her shoulders twitched, then she slowly lifted her face. Her hair, matted from being pressed down, stuck messily on a face still groggy from sleep, somewhat dazed. It had to be said, she was quite cute. An Zhizhen saw him first, her gaze quickly refocused and landed on Cen Dongsheng. The woman¡¯s eyes were clear and bright, like pools of autumn water reflecting his silhouette, as if her whole world contained only him. ¡°You¡¯re awake, that¡¯s wonderful.¡± After her surprise, she, like Cen Dongsheng, revealed a relieved smile. ¡°Thank you for taking care of me.¡± ¡°It was my duty.¡± ¡°My body feels very clean, and even my clothes have been changed...¡± He made a joke. ¡°So, did Sister Zhi Zhen help with the underwear as well?¡± ¡°Deliberately asking, how annoying.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen playfully slapped his thigh, then said seriously, ¡°I am a doctor, you know. It¡¯s normal to look after a patient, don¡¯t get any weird ideas.¡± ¡°You said yourself that you¡¯re more like an experimenter than a doctor... Honestly, you¡¯ve never actually taken care of a patient before, have you?¡± ¡°Really, you should not expose me like that!¡± ... ¡°By the way, how long have I slept?¡± After making a joke, Cen Dongsheng began to inquire about the main issue. ¡°Including that night, a total of one day and two nights.¡± An Zhizhen described to Cen Dongsheng the situation at Xiaokang Building after he fell unconscious. After the Ghost House disappeared, they were back in their own rooms, as if nothing had happened. ¡°There¡¯s something I find strange, though, which is that before the collective return, all the residents were asleep. At first, I thought it was due to exhaustion, but then I realized there was not a single person awake...¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s actually normal.¡± A Ghost House is a place where yin energy gathers, for ordinary people without True Qi, just living in such a place is a burden; if one is unable to leave for a long time, they might even die from the dissipation of their vitality. During the process of the Ghost House disappearing and returning to the Human World, the human body would automatically produce a stress response. To replenish energy, the usual response is profound sleep, waking up to eat and drink heartily afterward. ¡°Will they... remember it?¡± ¡°They may consider it a nightmare. Of course, some will remember more clearly, but that¡¯s not our concern.¡± The human subconscious will process supernatural events as dreams; however, when intelligence about ghosts and Forbidden Masters surfaces, such interpretations cease to occur, because by then, people¡¯s subconscious has accepted the existence of supernatural phenomena, so they retain clearer memories. ¡°That means, Sister Zhi Zhen, you still remember everything?¡± ¡°...Eh?¡± For some reason, she seemed to hesitate for a moment, but in the end, she nodded. Chapter 47 - 47 19 Let Me Be Your Slave_2 ?47: Chapter 19 ¡°Let Me Be Your Slave.¡±_2 47: Chapter 19 ¡°Let Me Be Your Slave.¡±_2 ¡°Uh-huh, I remember it very clearly.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Cen Dongsheng crossed his arms, nodding slightly with a thoughtful look on his face. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± She blinked and cautiously asked. ¡°No, it¡¯s good news.¡± He smiled. ¡°Since the internal environment of the ghost house doesn¡¯t affect you much, it means your body is gradually adapting, and you might soon become a Forbidden Master.¡± For ordinary people, it¡¯s not easy, even if they have the aptitude to refine True Qi, they must also acquire a Curse Prohibition¡ªhowever, as a future Ancestor, Sister Zhi Zhen was probably not far from awakening her own Destiny, he added in his heart. ¡°Really? That¡¯s great!¡± Sister Zhi Zhen clapped her hands joyfully. ¡°It¡¯s really frustrating and annoying to watch you fight, Dongsheng, while not being able to help from the sidelines.¡± Cen Dongsheng just smiled. I suppose in the future, I¡¯ll be clinging to your coattails. A single protection can exchange for a great future, there¡¯s no better deal to be had¡ª However, he still wanted to solidify this relationship. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, do you remember a week ago, the afternoon before the ghost house transformation, when we were chatting by the flowerbed?¡± ¡°Yeah! You mentioned... the need for like-minded partners, right?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of ¡®partner¡¯ you need, but I think with Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s wisdom, it should be evident that if things like those happening in Xiaokang Building become widespread, it would bring an enormous change to human society.¡± As he spoke, Sister Zhi Zhen nodded continuously, clearly agreeing with his words. ¡°Most people are still in the dark; but sooner or later, the truth will out. By then, the world order will be turned upside down... a storm is coming.¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°I hope, in the future, we can become partners.¡± He said. Not just partners in collaboration, but teammates who can fight side by side, able to rely on and trust each other even in dire straits. ¡°A lifelong... the only one kind of?¡± Cen Dongsheng was taken aback for a moment, but upon seeing the expectant look in Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s eyes, he slowly nodded. ¡°Would you be willing?¡± ¡°Of course I would!¡± she replied cheerfully, ¡°Rather, I¡¯m relieved to know I can rely on you in the future.¡± ...I am the one who should truly feel relieved. Although he had anticipated this, Cen Dongsheng at this moment still felt as if a heavy stone had finally settled in his heart. Finally¡ª He finally had some tangible feeling, couldn¡¯t help but clench his fist, as if holding his future in the palm of his hand. ¡ªEver since being reborn, he had the real sense of changing his own Destiny, even changing the entire world. He did not hide this excitement. Seeing the young man¡¯s joyful and lively appearance, so different from the calm and brave warrior of the past week, An Zhizhen couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°You seem even happier than I am, how strange, I am the one being taken care of.¡± She cupped one cheek in her hand, murmuring softly. ¡°Being with me is worth that much joy...¡± An Zhizhen covered her flushed face with her hand. At that moment, she suddenly seemed to remember something and took out a small item wrapped in a handkerchief. ¡°Oh, right! There¡¯s also this item. Since I didn¡¯t know what effect it had, I didn¡¯t dare to touch it; I just hid it.¡± When she uncovered it, there lay a small red orb. ¡°It fell from you.¡± ¡°This is...¡± It was the forbidden item that Kong Yulin and Deng Rong had been desperately seeking. Cen Dongsheng placed the red orb, his trophy, in his hand and closed his eyes to feel it for a moment. As True Qi flowed in, the forbidden item immediately reacted, its surface blooming with fine, neat cracks, then unfurled in segments like a small lotus blooming in his palm. His expression turned peculiar. ¡°...It turned out to be this thing.¡± In the past, Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t even have a forbidden item of his own, let alone any designation as a ¡°forbidden item expert,¡± he was just like any other ordinary person, hearing tales of those famous items in the world of Forbidden Masters. But he didn¡¯t know whether to say, ¡°It¡¯s a strange coincidence,¡± as this was one such item. In fact, compared to those Special Class forbidden items with great abilities, it was not renowned for its power, but for the anecdotes associated with it. This item was named ¡°Blood Contract Medium,¡± as the name implied, it served as a spell medium to establish a covenant between people through flesh and blood, unique in the world. ¡°Unexpectedly, in this lifetime it landed in my hands...¡± The contract required mutual consent; once established, neither party could harm the other, yet there still existed a ¡°master and slave¡± distinction, with the user as the master and the other as the slave. While the master couldn¡¯t kill the slave, they could give commands that the slave had to absolutely obey. Disobedience would result in immense pain. And as everyone knew, whether it was Curse Prohibition or Prohibition of Objects, there existed Level Suppression¡ªa lower-ranked supernatural power would be greatly diminished when facing a higher-ranked one, seen as a ¡°Birth Horoscope¡± disparity. But what made the Blood Contract Medium special was that it acted upon the body, representing a ritual involving the ancient and primal ¡°blood and spirit¡± relationship in human history. This ¡°primality¡± granted it unique properties. Once, one of its holders, a Class B Curse Forbidden Master, used the ¡°Blood Contract Medium¡± on a lover of theirs who was just an ordinary person at the time. Chapter 48 - 48 19 Let me be your slave_3 ?48: Chapter 19 ¡°Let me be your slave.¡±_3 48: Chapter 19 ¡°Let me be your slave.¡±_3 The person later had another stroke of luck and unexpectedly became a Class A3 elite curse Forbidden Master, far surpassing his former master. However, the Blood Contract Medium still continued to have an effect and did not fail due to the difference in rank. The master was of a rather terrible character and did not retract after the lover became prominent, but instead further humiliated him, feeling smug for having such a powerful and useful slave, attempting to exhaust him completely... Of course, this slave of the Blood Contract Medium eventually killed his former master, but he paid a heavy price himself, leaving him permanently disabled. It was evident that this was different from typical contract-type curse prohibitions. If a low-level Curse Forbidden Master directly used it on a high-level Curse Forbidden Master, it naturally could not be effective; but if it was planted before the latter grew, there was a chance to use the weak against the strong. Some even speculated whether those Special Grade Curse Forbidden Masters, who were also ordinary people before their birth horoscopes awakened, could be affected by the Blood Contract Medium ¡ª such fantasies were the indulgent imaginations of low-level Curse Forbidden Masters toward those lofty beings. Consider the numerous issues, such as that there was only one Blood Contract Medium, and later it only appeared a few times in private transactions not open to the public, impossible for a typical Curse Forbidden Master to access. Furthermore, for this Forbidden Item to take effect, ¡°both parties must consent,¡± even if the user had ulterior motives, they could only resort to deception. Unless one truly wished to use the weak against the strong, without the ability to predict the future or appraise qualifications, how could it be achieved? Given the rarity of this item, using it on someone weaker than oneself clearly was a waste, unless the person was very important. And this often was not due to strength but stemmed from emotion, so the Blood Contract Medium had another name, also known as the ¡°Lover¡¯s Contract.¡± At least, excluding the initial exception mentioned, the cases of the Lover¡¯s Contract¡¯s later uses were all from high-level to low-level, the only way to ensure absolute non-betrayal. But no one would have imagined that someone would genuinely have the chance to live life over again. Because An Zhizhen stood right in front of him, with the ¡°Lover¡¯s Contract¡± in his hand, he naturally associated it with past rumors ¡ª which is why Cen Dongsheng¡¯s expression became so colorful. Yes, in his past life, he was indeed one of those who had fantasized about the utility of the Blood Contract Medium. Although he had never even seen the thing, who cared about fantasies anyway? After being reborn, it had never occurred to him, not to mention whether it had value; mainly, he didn¡¯t even know where this thing first appeared. Yet, such was the coincidence of life; the item landed in his hands. Could it really be that there was some so-called ¡°Destiny¡± guiding him in the unseen... He couldn¡¯t help glancing at the woman by the bed. An Zhizhen widened her eyes, a pair of bright eyes filled with curiosity, still waiting for his answer. In them, he saw a strong sense of trust. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s breath slightly hitched, and even he couldn¡¯t help but laugh. The person in front of him was his Sister Zhi Zhen, and more importantly, the one who would ascend to the peak in the future. To think something could control such a character with just an item underestimated the world too much. The Blood Contract Medium could not even completely control a Class A Curse Forbidden Master, and between Class A and Special Grade or even the ¡°Ancestor,¡± there was an insurmountable chasm¡ª Moreover, everyone had a [Birth Horoscope], yet there was no [Destiny] in the world. This was common knowledge to Curse Forbidden Masters. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen stared at him. ¡°You¡¯ve been zoning out for a while, do you recognize this thing?¡± ¡°...Yes, I do.¡± Cen Dongsheng composed himself and answered with a smile. ¡°This item is called ¡®Blood Contract Medium,¡¯ a Forbidden Item for forming spell contracts between people through blood relations. The contract requires mutual consent, but there¡¯s a distinction between master and slave...¡± He openly explained it once through. ¡°Oh, then can you use it, Dongsheng?¡± ¡°...What?¡± Cen Dongsheng was immediately dumbfounded, seeing An Zhizhen smilingly point to herself. ¡°¡ªFor instance, use it on me, to make me your slave.¡± Chapter 49 - 49 20 An·Zhi·Zhen ?49: Chapter 20 An¡¤Zhi¡¤Zhen 49: Chapter 20 An¡¤Zhi¡¤Zhen ¡°Did you, did you hear what I just said clearly?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s words were truly shocking. Cen Dongsheng widened his eyes, thinking that he must have misheard. ¡°Clearly, Dongsheng means that once you use that, we¡¯ll be more closely connected...¡± Sister Zhi Zhen blinked her innocent big eyes. ¡°What kind of connection? It¡¯s a master-slave relationship, you would become my slave, understand?¡± ¡°I understand, didn¡¯t I say that? As long as it¡¯s voluntary, I have no problem with it.¡± She looked as serious as a little student answering a teacher¡¯s question in class. ¡°...¡± Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t know how to react at that moment. He covered his face with his hand and began sighing heavily, feeling that all his previous struggles and worries were now a joke. ... He liked Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s current personality, and their time together had been quite pleasant. But in his view, if he really used deceitful means, once she realized it, such a relationship could no longer be sustained. However, the emotional issues could even be set aside, for now¡ª He had personally experienced the highest level of Special Grade Curse Prohibition, and even in his incomplete form, it was beyond what ¡°A B C D¡± could handle. Future An Zhizhen was not a common Special Grade Curse Forbidden Master but was above it as an ¡°Ancestor.¡± Even those at the ¡°Class A3¡± level could violate the contract and kill the master. Such a person could never willingly hand over their weaknesses to others, even at a certain cost. If he did something wrong... at that time, he couldn¡¯t even imagine what his fate would be, probably not something as simple as death. Even if he somehow survived, he didn¡¯t want to dig a big pit for his future just for a little profit, running and hiding in constant fear under the shadow of a dreadful enemy. He had thought about a lot, a lot, but... He never imagined that someone would completely not care about this matter, as if she didn¡¯t mind her personal dignity or freedom being taken away at all. ¡°...Sigh.¡± He had made his judgment after careful thought and decision-making, but An Zhizhen¡¯s response was so pure that he was deeply shaken. Even a fool wouldn¡¯t easily say such a thing. Sister Zhi Zhen was not a fool; she just trusted him wholeheartedly. However... Wasn¡¯t this emotion a bit too heavy? From the moment they agreed to be partners and she mentioned ¡°only one for a lifetime,¡± he already found it strange. A lifetime was no big deal, but ¡°only one¡± wasn¡¯t certain. Holding onto multiple opportunities wasn¡¯t a bad thing, after all. Cen Dongsheng gathered his thoughts and shook his head. ¡°No.¡± ¡°No? I thought it was a great opportunity...¡± Sister Zhi Zhen seemed genuinely regretful. Cen Dongsheng suppressed the urge to complain and explained earnestly: ¡°We are partners, right? Not just any random relationship. How could I use it on you?¡± She hesitated, then said: ¡°Okay, we can discuss it more in the future...¡± Why is this not over yet? ¡°There is no future for this.¡± Cen Dongsheng emphasized. ¡°I believe the foundation of a partnership is equality. If one side can completely control the other in a master-slave relationship, it can¡¯t be called equal.¡± ¡°¡ª¡± An Zhizhen blinked, not immediately responding, but instead plunged into some sort of long contemplation. ¡°Equality... equality, huh...¡± ¡°Your turn to be dazed?¡± Cen Dongsheng waited for a while and, seeing she didn¡¯t speak, asked. ¡°Yeah, I was thinking about some things...¡± An Zhizhen looked thoughtful. However, she quickly returned to normal, smiling and asking. ¡°So, how do you plan to deal with this thing?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep it with me.¡± Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t hesitate to refine it with True Qi for his own use. Refining it didn¡¯t mean he had to use it. Using it might even affect the ¡°Three Talents,¡± occupying a position before breaking through his birth horoscope. But after all, it was a unique and peculiar item in the world, who knew when it might come in handy? ¡°Huh, not planning to use it on me but putting it away... are you planning to use it on someone else?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s tone was strange. ¡°I don¡¯t have such a target.¡± Cen Dongsheng replied casually. At that moment, a subtle thought suddenly arose in his mind. ¡ªCome to think of it, the Blood Contract was somewhat similar to the ¡°Heavenly Leader.¡± But judging from the effects, it was countless times more powerful and domineering than the Blood Contract, with the scale of the people it could control and influence being incomparable... Although he wasn¡¯t sure what kind of ability the so-called ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± entailed, at least the name gave no real insight, making him quite curious. However, since their relationship was already so close, maybe one day he could see it for himself...? He shook his head, temporarily casting the thought aside; it wasn¡¯t the time for such things now. Cen Dongsheng began discussing with Sister Zhi Zhen about the preparations ahead, mostly about how to refine True Qi and lay the foundation for becoming a Curse Forbidden Master, which would help her awaken her birth horoscope. After chatting for a while, An Zhizhen noticed he looked a bit tired and said: ¡°You just woke up; your body hasn¡¯t adapted yet. Rest a bit longer... oh, and I made some soup for you, I¡¯ll bring it over soon.¡± ¡°Wait, I have one more question. That Curse Forbidden Master, Kong Yulin, where did she go?¡± Chapter 50 - 50 20 An Zhi Zhen_2 ?50: Chapter 20 An Zhi Zhen_2 50: Chapter 20 An Zhi Zhen_2 ¡°Eh, you don¡¯t know? I don¡¯t seem to have seen her, she might have left this place already.¡± ¡°Left?¡± Cen Dongsheng furrowed his brow. ¡°Where did she go?¡± He subconsciously tried to rise, but his strength suddenly drained, and he fell back onto the bed. ¡°There, there, look at you, such a worrier.¡± An Zhizhen soothed with a gentle tone. ¡°You should rest first, leave the rest to me.¡± Leave it to you? It¡¯s still not the time to leave it to you... Despite this, under Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s soothing, he obediently lay down. * Half an hour later, An Zhizhen watched as Cen Dongsheng slept on the bed. She rested her chin in her hand, admiring the youth¡¯s sleeping face up close, her lips involuntarily curving upwards. For her, this was a marvelously new experience in life, simply watching someone¡¯s face filled her with pleasant emotions, even doing nothing felt meaningful. Every day, she discovered new wonders in life and experienced emotions she had never felt before. The complexities of the human heart were revealed... This was the change that man had brought to her. ¡°Alright, I have things to do; I can¡¯t get too immersed in this leisure time.¡± Reluctantly, An Zhizhen got up and took the soup bowl with her before leaving the room. There had been a time-consuming process of feeding him spoonfuls of soup. Cen Dongsheng had been reluctant, of course, but in the end couldn¡¯t win against her and had to obediently sit and wait to be fed. This consumed another half an hour. Fortunately, the work she had to do wasn¡¯t troublesome, just a trivial matter. She hummed a cheerful tune, washing the dishes at the washstand, watching the cold water rush down the drain. An Zhizhen lifted her wet hands, shading her eyes from the direct sunlight coming from the window. Her hands, covered with water droplets, shone like jade, and she couldn¡¯t help but recall the conversation she had with Cen Dongsheng. ¡°The foundation of a partnership is equality... haha, that¡¯s well said.¡± It was as if the answer to a question that had long puzzled her was solved, and she felt completely satisfied. ¡°I had almost forgotten about this. Although, real equality isn¡¯t easy.¡± With high spirits, An Zhizhen greeted people on her way, nodding and smiling politely in return. ¡ªUntil those two people appeared before her. The smile slowly faded from her face. Kong Yulin pushed a wheelchair covered with a white cloth in front of her. * ¡°Doctor An... we meet again.¡± The man who looked almost dwarfish under the white cloth, curled up in the wheelchair, ¡°shrunk¡± by nearly half in size and presenting a pitiful sight, spoke with a muddy voice. His legs were gone, and his upper body was wrapped in bandages. Since his entire jaw was torn open, his gums writhed in the air as he spoke, an unsettling sight. ¡°You¡¯re still alive?¡± ¡°Yes, I am alive... although at a heavy price... to end up like this...¡± Kong Yulin beside him was pale, clearly not yet fully recovered from her injuries. Both were in an extremely weakened state, yet they still came, indicating their obsession with that particular item. An Zhizhen furrowed her delicate brows, about to say something, but Deng Rong cut her off. ¡°Your man was also seriously injured in that battle... He was unconscious for a full day and two nights, wasn¡¯t he? Yin Lian is just too cautious. If she could have made sure of that guy¡¯s real state, we wouldn¡¯t have had to retreat in such a disgrace, just to come back.¡± Deng Rong spoke, unable to stop the blood from trickling down his lower body and face. The repeatedly soiled bandages were dirty and smelly. ¡°Your man, Cen Dongsheng, I know his name now. That bastard... I will never let him go...¡± He had started speaking as if joking, but soon his voice became laden with venom, conveying a sense of utter loathing. ¡°You¡¯re too agitated. This is a hallway; there are other people around. You¡¯re going to expose all our information.¡± Kong Yulin¡¯s voice was cold, her brow furrowed in displeasure. As they stood in the hallway talking, some passing neighbors cast curious glances their way. If a conflict arose, surely someone would call the police, and things would no longer be kept under wraps. Deng Yinlian still didn¡¯t want to attract too much attention. ¡°What¡¯s the point...!¡± Deng Rong gripped the wheelchair armrest fiercely, letting out a low roar, ¡°Do you think I look like this... turned into this ghostly figure, that I¡¯d care about others?! I wish I could kill everyone...¡± ¡°Doctor An, you don¡¯t have to bother with him. He has lost all power, and if he makes any rude moves, I will stop him.¡± Kong Yulin said, ¡°The important thing is, I came to negotiate with Mr. Cen. For that item, we are willing to trade, whether it¡¯s money, information, objects or resources related to Cursing Prohibition, or anything else, it¡¯s negotiable...¡± ¡°¡ªNo need.¡± Again, a perfect smile appeared on An Zhizhen¡¯s face. ¡°Dongsheng is resting; I don¡¯t want anyone to disturb him.¡± ¡°Do you not understand the situation? Is this somewhere you can call the shots?¡± Deng Rong interrupted her once more, his entire demeanor agitated. ¡°Bastard... I will get my revenge...¡± He jerked his head up, his bloodshot eyes fixed intently on An Zhizhen. ¡°You damned woman, it¡¯s all your fault, you caused this... I will torture you, make you wish you were dead...¡± Chapter 51 - 51 20 An Zhi Zhen_3 ?51: Chapter 20 An Zhi Zhen_3 51: Chapter 20 An Zhi Zhen_3 Kong Yulin regretted bringing Deng Rong with her. Before leaving, she took a lap around the building to avoid future troubles and unexpectedly encountered him. Lucky or unlucky, Deng Rong¡¯s lower body was crushed and he was scorched by the fallout of a brutal battle, yet he was still stubbornly clinging to life, showing an impressively tenacious will to survive... However, he ultimately lacked any powerful ¡°Cursing Prohibition¡± or Forbidden Items that could reverse life and death, and his injuries were beyond recovery; it was hard to say how long he could hold on. Although she could understand his emotions, after all, even if he did survive, he would be nothing more than a cripple for the rest of his life, with a future so bleak as to be negligible. But in the end, the tragedy was a result of his own doing. Now, the man had turned into a mad dog, biting anyone he saw. To avoid trouble he might cause, and since he persistently insisted, Kong Yulin, too lazy to argue, had picked him up and kept him by her side for better management. As for whether to dispose of him or to have someone throw him away later, that depended on the circumstances. If only she had known¡ª Kong Yulin¡¯s expression turned cold. Though they had been companions for a time, it was difficult to say there was any affection between them. Since Deng Rong was hellbent on causing her problems, well, she couldn¡¯t be blamed... she wouldn¡¯t hold back... mercy? Mercy...? Her thoughts suddenly stuttered. ...Eh? What... is... happening? Her mental state suddenly felt strange, like a radio with a poor signal, with a background of noisy interference, ideas jumping out one after the other uncontrollably, but unable to logically connect them together. Then, something truly incomprehensible happened to Kong Yulin: Deng Rong, who had been about to further threaten her, suddenly shut his mouth. His head drooped, and he began to make a ¡°heh heh¡± sobbing sound, before breaking into loud wailing cries that drew the attention of passersby. When he lifted his head, his face was blank, the anger and malice in his pupils gone, his face smeared with blood and tears, crying like a child. Then, Kong Yulin heard the girl speaking to her, her voice clear. ¡°Really now... his trial has ended. You¡¯re just temps, yet you¡¯re still clinging to the stage, refusing to leave. Don¡¯t you feel ashamed?¡± ¡°What are... are you... talking about ¡®trials¡¯?¡± Kong Yulin¡¯s brain couldn¡¯t function normally, she could only struggle to repeat the other¡¯s words, even... She realized in terror that her linguistic instincts were also rapidly deteriorating. If this continued, she would soon lose all knowledge, wisdom, everything that made a human ¡°human¡±¡ª An Zhizhen did not answer the question, but looked at the man and woman before her with a smile, her gaze wandering over their faces as if she were picking out items. ¡°However, like Dongsheng, I never intended to let you go. It¡¯s convenient that you came to me. I¡¯m in a good mood now, although it¡¯s a bit annoying to be disturbed by a bunch of light bulbs, but two specimens are enough... Hmm, two will do, right?¡± Two... specimens...? What... two...? Kong Yulin blankly thought. A muffled thud came from beside her, a wheelchair was overturned. Deng Rong, revealing his broken body, slid onto the ground like a lump of mud, then, he struggled to assume a prostrate position. In the man¡¯s eyes, Kong Yulin saw the brand of a cross star, shining brightly; And in the reflection of those pupils, she saw her own eyes¡ª There too, a cross star was emerging. Some immense terror was eroding her consciousness, soul, and spirit. ¡°That thing¡± was slowly surfacing in her spiritual world, its volume and mass so colossal that its whole shape was indiscernible. She knew she could not resist, could not think, she could only sweat profusely, gasping for air, while desperately waiting for everything that belonged to her¡ªthe human persona called ¡°Kong Yulin¡±¡ªto be crushed to dust, disappearing from this world. Worldview, outlook on life, values, under the gravitational pull of the monstrous being in the spiritual world, were all shattered to extinction, leaving nothing but a void. Void, void, void. Void... void. Only void. ¡°Ah... ah... ah...¡± Kong Yulin burst into tears. All the experiences, the happenstances, the memories, everything that constituted the person Kong Yulin had accumulated, had all vanished; at this moment, she became a being purer and more ignorant than even an infant. This terror, far more terrifying than death¡ªmore so than being in Hell, even more so than being imprisoned for life in a dark, solitary dungeon filled with loneliness. Kong Yulin knelt on the ground, her limbs curling unconsciously, as though she had returned to the fetal position within her mother¡¯s womb. Nothing left... nothing at all... Her spirit turned into a boundless wilderness, And then, she saw¡ª A colossal star rising slowly from one end of the wilderness. It radiated dazzling light, casting a vast shadow, and thus every corner of the soul was thoroughly covered, leaving no space to accommodate anything else. My vision, my spirit, my everything¡ªwere filled by the ¡°star.¡± ... Kong Yulin and Deng Rong, the two of them like devout followers, prostrated themselves in worship before the revered deity. At the same time, the whole corridor¡ªincluding the entire Xiaokang Building¡ªbecame silent, as quiet as a tomb. Apart from a man who was in deep sleep in a certain room, everyone else, regardless of age or gender, had halted their activities, their conversations, their steps at that moment, even their facial expressions frozen on their faces. The wife cutting vegetables on the chopping board sliced off her own fingers; The husband carrying dishes to the living room dropped the bowl, shattering it on the ground; The person riding a bicycle fell, the one walking on the stairs tumbled down. In their pupils simultaneously emerged the image of a cross-star. In that instant, the consciousness of all was linked to one person, manipulated by her. In An Zhizhen¡¯s pupils also appeared a light. But it was not the cross-star, the mark seen in the eyes of the people, it was nothing more than the reflection of a massive star in the spirit world¡ª As the owner of this power, what was reflected in her eyes was another world, a sun from the abyss of humanity¡¯s spirit. It shone brilliantly, its light more intense than the sun in the sky. ¡°Forget everything related to me and Cen Dongsheng from the past week; and from now on, ignore my actions, their existence.¡± An Zhizhen lifted her hand and snapped her fingers crisply. The next moment, people resumed normalcy, continuing their usual actions. ¡°Ouch... ouch, that hurts...¡± ¡°Peace and safety, peace and safety...¡± ¡°Did the tire burst?¡± ¡°Who, who tripped me?¡± ... Nobody noticed that their lives were tampered with, manipulated in a fleeting moment¡ªthis subtle abnormality lurking in everyone¡¯s daily routine, like gears squeaking after rusting. Just like now. No matter who it was, when passing by An Zhizhen in the corridor, they would all detour around her, as though coming upon a wall made of air. Yet, nobody would notice this anomaly. ¡°So, as I said...¡± The woman looked down from above at the man and woman who were knelt on the ground, curled up like dogs. There was a hint of lament in her tone, as though it was also mixed with pity. ¡°¡ªTrue equality is a very difficult thing indeed.¡± Chapter 52 - 52 21 Heavenly Leader ?52: Chapter 21 ¡°Heavenly Leader 52: Chapter 21 ¡°Heavenly Leader (After finishing the last chapter, I finally feel able to create a character card for Sister Zhi Zhen... By the way, I¡¯m chasing readers. I¡¯m somewhat confident in the plot I¡¯ve written, but the editor said my reader-chasing efforts aren¡¯t strong enough, and there are less than ten days left on the new book list, so I hope I can climb up a bit.) * The woman opened her eyes and felt as if she had just experienced a lengthy nightmare. However, when she tried to recall it, she found that after looking back, there was nothing there; her mind was a complete blank. Intense, unbearable stabbing pains were coming from deep within her brain. ¡°I... who am I?¡± She realized she couldn¡¯t remember her own name. Including her past experiences, her family, friends, occupation, identity, hometown... she couldn¡¯t remember a single thing. Memories and thoughts had turned into clusters of floating matter, with the connections between them broken, leaving only fragmented snippets whirling around in the void of her mind. The woman felt like an infant... no, more like an alien experiencing this planet for the first time. She looked around blankly, finding herself on a rooftop. The generous sunlight made her squint unconsciously. The spacious and empty area was tranquil, and the breeze that greeted her was refreshing... She took a deep breath of fresh air, then suddenly noticed a strange, possibly human or ghostly, form from which filthy blood stains were flowing below. ¡°It¡± was trembling slightly in the corner, moving like a large insect, both disgusting and pitiful. The woman felt slightly uncomfortable, then turned her gaze away to look elsewhere. ¡ªSuddenly, she found she couldn¡¯t look away. In the center of the rooftop, a tall figure was sitting on a chair, a white knitted shirt outlining beautiful curves, legs crossed beneath the hem of the skirt, clad in black tights, long flowing black hair gently swaying in the wind, and a teardrop mole beneath her eye enchanting the heart. She was looking down, flipping through a book on her lap, pushing aside the hair at her ear with one hand while turning the pages with the other, every movement exuding elegance. Although she too was a woman, the amnesiac found all her attention irresistibly drawn to her, nothing else could affect her. That person¡¯s beauty was so dazzling it almost outshone the sun... A feeling of adoration, awe, and love¡ªevery positive emotion¡ªsurged from the depths of the woman¡¯s soul, fervent and fervid, directed at that person, mesmerizing her to the point where she couldn¡¯t even divert her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± Noticing the woman awake, the black-haired woman looked up with a faint smile. ¡°It wasn¡¯t my misunderstanding; you have the capability.¡± ¡°... ¡± The amnesiac woman was eager to speak, to express her emotions. However, when she opened her mouth, she found she had forgotten how to speak. Anxious, she tried to grasp the fleeting thoughts in her mind but could never quite manage. This made her feel utterly humiliated in front of that person, even thinking she should have jumped off the rooftop earlier. ¡°It might be interesting to observe humans learning language from scratch. Unfortunately, I¡¯m a bit pressed for time.¡± The black-haired woman put down her book and snapped her fingers. ¡°Here, let me help you.¡± The amnesiac woman froze. Her empty, chaotic brain was suddenly illuminated by a lightning flash; countless fragments of memory and knowledge, under some unknown force, started coming together. Yes... right! I am... my name is... Kong... Yulin...! Kong Yulin¡¯s pupils dilated, her body trembling, the emotions within her eyes shifting from confusion to fear, then to profound disbelief. Several minutes later, having barely pieced her personality back together, she finally understood what had happened. ¡°Was it... brainwashing? Spirit manipulation...? What did you do to me...?!¡± Her speech was still staggered, the intense pain deep in her brain hadn¡¯t subsided, and she knelt on the ground, holding her forehead. ¡°Um... more or less, you could understand it that way.¡± An Zhizhen simply smiled. The truth was actually a far cry, but she didn¡¯t see the necessity of explaining to someone like Kong Yulin. In later generations, the ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± was considered the pinnacle of ¡°Spiritual Interference Cursing Prohibition¡±, but what was called ¡°brainwashing¡± was merely a byproduct of the ability¡ª even in the future, few knew this. The battle between heaven and earth, the supreme in the human world, the true meaning of ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± was a metaphor for An Zhizhen¡¯s soul, transforming into a massive stellar consciousness on the day of the awakening of her Birth Horoscope. When it manifested in the spirit of others, or reflected in the worlds of other minds, it exhibited overwhelming scale and mass. If anyone tried using Spirit Manipulation on An Zhizhen, expecting to shake her will, instead, the caster¡¯s own will would be instantly crushed by the ¡°enormous gravity.¡± And the active spirit interference ability displayed by An Zhizhen followed the same premise; before her star-like vast soul, fragile and minute human consciousnesses barely counted for anything, naturally, they were crushed into powder. Afterward, when a human¡¯s worldview and values collapsed, nothing but a blank remained, covered by the shadow of a star, leaving indelible marks. This is the ¡°Heavenly Leader¡±, different in operating principles from any spirit manipulation-related spells or supernatural abilities ever seen in human history¡ª Chapter 53 - 53 21 Heavenly Leader _2 ?53: Chapter 21 ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± _2 53: Chapter 21 ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± _2 ¡°¡±¡± In short, it wasn¡¯t even on the same scale. It was an extremely peculiar phenomenon that could only appear in this era, on a person like An Zhizhen. From An Zhizhen¡¯s own perspective, she didn¡¯t actually have the concept of ¡°using her ability to manipulate others.¡± Instead, she manifested her consciousness into the mental worlds of others, with the limitation being her own human brain. Even without using cursing prohibition, the surpassing quality of An Zhizhen¡¯s consciousness would unconsciously draw everyone who encountered her toward her, making her the center of the crowd like stars circling the moon, a born leader. This influence had long transcended the realm of personality charisma, becoming almost an eternal truth, an unbreakable law¡ªjust like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, with phenomena in the material world following the law of universal gravitation. ¡°Your consciousness has been completely shattered. That was your state a few minutes ago. Unfortunately, you couldn¡¯t resist my power.¡± She said. ¡°But indeed, there are a very few individuals who, if their will is strong and not overly biased, can piece together their self after their consciousness has been crushed once, through the inertia of the remaining fragments. In my view, such people are the ¡®qualified¡¯ type. This has nothing to do with whether or not you are a Curse Forbidden Master, but only with the quality of your spirit.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s gaze shifted to a corner of the rooftop. ¡°As for those unqualified... well, they would end up like that, turning into idiots.¡± Kong Yulin followed the direction of her pointing finger and saw a strange creature in the corner, writhing like a snail without its shell, continuously leaking filthy blood and grime. She recognized it now as her former companion, Deng Rong, Curse Forbidden Master. But now he bore no semblance to a human being, either in spirit or in body. Kong Yulin could only feel a chill crawling up her spine, an unstoppable cold dread. She didn¡¯t like this man, but seeing him reduced to such a monstrous state, neither human nor ghost, filled her with an indescribable horror. ¡°Of course, I did lend you a small hand in recovering so quickly. Otherwise, in the state you were when you woke, it could have taken you years of being a foolish woman to recover slowly, with the side effects of mental disorder and memory fractures lingering still.¡± ¡°Originally, you might have been wandering the streets or sent to a welfare center... That would be quite leisurely, surely better than being a harmful Curse Forbidden Master, right?¡± she said. Kong Yulin found her words as sweet as honey, even took pleasure in them, regardless of whether they were an insult or mockery. Even now, Kong Yulin remained kneeling on the ground, without feeling the slightest humiliation, instead finding it perfectly normal. But, even so... The Curse Forbidden Master forced herself to suppress the peculiar surge of happiness within her and said, ¡°So, so... your power can still be resisted... right?¡± ¡°Resist?¡± An Zhizhen seemed to hear an amusing joke, and once again, a pleased smile appeared on her face. ¡°I command you, try and see if you can kill me.¡± K...ki...kill... Kong Yulin couldn¡¯t comprehend it at all. Because the connection between this word and the woman before her had disappeared from her mind. Furthermore, including words like chop, slice, stab, cut, carve, among others associated with harm, she remembered their meanings, but as soon as they were connected to An Zhizhen, they immediately severed. This logical disarray brought about an unbearably intense pain, as if her brain was being scooped out bit by bit with an iron spoon, causing her entire body to be in such agony that it ceased functioning. ¡°Ha... ah... I¡¯m... I¡¯m sorry... please forgive me... my audacity... please allow me not to think...¡± Kong Yulin¡¯s face was twisted, her snot and tears mixed together. She pressed her face deeply against the rough ground, rubbing hard until her forehead was a bloody mess. ¡°It¡¯s impossible to have murderous intent or hostility toward me, right? Rather, you now have immense respect and admiration for me.¡± An Zhizhen stood up and walked slowly to stand in front of Kong Yulin. ¡°So, you are already my slave. How do you feel about this fact?¡± ¡°I... feel genuinely happy... and unprecedented joy...¡± ¡°Mm, well answered.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s clear voice descended from overhead to echo in Kong Yulin¡¯s ears, somewhat muddled, as if from a deity above the clouds. In both words and actions, everything was so natural, as if from the beginning, An Zhizhen was accustomed to such a transcendent perspective, overlooking the world. After possessing such a surpassing consciousness scale, she naturally became indifferent to human nature¡ª Or, perhaps it was precisely because her nature was inherently cold that such an extreme power manifested within her. Ultimately, which was the cause, and which was the effect, no one knew the answer but herself. ... ¡°Alright, as I said before, I need two test subjects, that means two.¡± An Zhizhen clapped her hands, signaling Kong Yulin to stand up from the ground. ¡°So congratulations, Kong Yulin, you¡¯ve survived for now.¡± ¡°Yes, it is my honor to be of assistance to you.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s start the experiment.¡± An Zhizhen handed a camera to Kong Yulin. ¡°Film thoroughly, you were once companions after all.¡± She turned to look at that ¡°creature¡± in the corner. ¡°In life, he was scum, a pest of society. But on the scales of value, every person¡¯s life is equal, each having the chance to create value for this world.¡± ¡°Just like his companions. Whether the traces he left at the end of his life can contribute to humanity¡¯s future, that¡¯s up to you.¡± ... Kong Yulin silently powered on the camera, focused it, and aimed the lens at Deng Rong. ¡°June 25th, 2010... The second experiment of superpower overdevelopment... Three, two, one, begin.¡± The creature squirming in the corner suddenly began to struggle violently, twisting and gasping in pain. She remembered that Deng Rong¡¯s ability was between the Human Immortal and Earth Immortal Series, a cursing prohibition with origins in the ancient wind deity Fei Lian. The Human Immortal side of him was such that parts of his body morphed nearly into that of a bird, with hollow bones suitable for high-speed movement or even flight, along with growing talons and fangs; the Earth Immortal side was the ability to manipulate airflow, namely ¡°Wind Power.¡± Under An Zhizhen¡¯s command, Deng Rong was exerting all his might to channel True Qi, employing his cursing prohibition regardless of losing control. Typically, the Human Immortal Series of cursing prohibition would confer a certain degree of regenerative capability, although it was hard to reach the unheard-of extent of ¡°Undying Bone,¡± it indeed offered more advantages compared to typical masters. Deng Rong¡¯s cursing prohibition, with its dual characteristics, never yielded significant power from both sides, necessitating recovery over time of minor flesh wounds, but now was showing results clearly exceeding its original capability range. The body, already grievously injured, was miraculously beginning to sustain itself, with malformed flesh filling the wounds. But simultaneously, ¡°he¡±¡ªor rather ¡°it¡±¡ªbegan growing jet-black feathers all over, while the limbs being reborn were abnormally slender, many hunched awkwardly outside. Deng Rong... was becoming a monster in the truest sense. Kong Yulin pressed her lips tightly. ¡°Continue.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s calm voice came from behind her, though it was unclear if the command was for Deng Rong or herself. In general, such a situation was impossible. When he still retained his sanity, Deng Rong had naturally thought of using cursing prohibition to relieve his injuries, thinking so much he nearly went mad; but he couldn¡¯t do it, precisely because his human instinct held him back from committing the taboo¡ªusing cursing prohibition without restraint to transform his body. This was a fundamental terror, humanity¡¯s intrinsic terror embedded in collective racial memory, which made the Curse Forbidden Masters believe the consequences of such rampant overdevelopment were more frightening than mere death. But this taboo, which should have been left unbroken, was of no consequence to that woman. She used an even greater terror to crush human instinct, orchestrating all of this to happen. ... In the end, Deng Rong transformed into a deformed giant bird, covered in wet crow feathers. It opened its beak, filled with fangs, issuing several heartbreaking cries, while numerous twisted limbs attempted to prop up its body, only to buckle under the strain and break. It collapsed onto the ground, the head of the monster hanging low, the rampant use of cursing prohibition leading to excessive exhaustion, its life force quickly waning, black eyes wide open, gradually clouding, dying with regrets. It died. ¡°...Experiment concluded, subject deceased.¡± An Zhizhen wrote down the final line of her record, set down the pen, closed the journal, nodding with satisfaction. ¡°Alright, clean this up here, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°¡±¡± Chapter 54 - 54 22 You never willingly listen to elder sisters words ?54: Chapter 22 ¡°You never willingly listen to elder sister¡¯s words... 54: Chapter 22 ¡°You never willingly listen to elder sister¡¯s words... Kong Yulin tidied up the corpse of her former teammate, placed it into a large black plastic bag, and then stood still, waiting for the next command. ¡°I think you¡¯ve already guessed, there¡¯s actually another deceased specimen stored in this building. I intended to deal with it early on, but the timing wasn¡¯t quite right then, so it was postponed to today.¡± An Zhizhen brought along her books and experiment notes, ready to leave the rooftop. Following behind, Kong Yulin nodded silently. Before the two left, the woman seemed to remember something and spoke to her in a casual manner, ¡°You are lucky to have the qualifications I need. Is your cursing prohibition some kind of ¡®Gu Technique¡¯? Your skills are quite comprehensive, but the upper limit is too low, limited potential. According to the A B C D classification, you¡¯re probably only a ¡®B-class,¡¯ right? However, under the influence of the ¡®Heavenly Leader,¡¯ you can become stronger.¡± Kong Yulin suddenly lifted her head, surprised that she thought she misheard. If a Curse Forbidden Master wanted to obtain more powerful cursing prohibitions, they had to rely on serendipity, struggle, and sacrifice something to gain something else. But her implication was not to replace the cursing prohibition, but to make the ¡°original cursing prohibition¡± stronger. Could it really be done, this kind of thing that defies common sense¡ª ...No, if it were her, she indeed could do it. She could crush a person¡¯s spirit and personality and then completely reshape it, a vast power that surpassed Kong Yulin¡¯s understanding of ¡°cursing prohibition,¡± breaking the barriers between different grades of cursing prohibitions would be no challenge for someone like her. ¡°And I happen to be lacking an assistant by my side. If you were any later, you¡¯d have missed the opportunity to work for me; this is the second lucky encounter you¡¯ve had.¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± Kong Yulin lowered her head respectfully. Under the circumstances where her own soul was entirely controlled by the other party, to be tempted by benefits... Although the other party¡¯s aim was nothing more than to make her willingly work for them, rather than feeling powerless to resist and giving up, following such a mysterious and powerful boss didn¡¯t seem like the worst scenario¡ª For the moment, at least, she thought. Because up until now, in the depths of Kong Yulin¡¯s heart, she had not given up the intention to escape or resist. ¡°And then, there¡¯s one more thing.¡± In the dark eyes of the woman reflected the expression of Kong Yulin at this moment, the curve of her lips slightly rising in amusement, ¡°Please feel free to command.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s smile was as gentle as ever, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. ¡°Although you are already my subordinate, the matters of the past should be overlooked, but that¡¯s from my perspective. You were, after all, once an enemy of Dongsheng, weren¡¯t you? He even said he wanted to kill you. If I were to let you go so easily, he¡¯d definitely complain if he found out later.¡± Her gaze lingered on Kong Yulin. ¡°So, I¡¯ve decided to give you a punishment... but how should I execute it to seem fair? It¡¯s quite the conundrum.¡± The black-haired woman tapped her chin thoughtfully. Kong Yulin was stunned for a moment and instinctively spoke, ¡°Do you... still need to consider his opinion? He¡¯s just your lover, um...¡± She had held this belief before. However, at the time, Kong Yulin thought it was Curse Forbidden Master Cen Dongsheng who was supporting Doctor An; but now it seemed their relationship was probably reversed. Thinking back carefully, though they spent all that time together back then, she only saw the man¡¯s battles. An Zhizhen never took action, even when someone held a knife to her throat, she could act like a weak and helpless ordinary girl. So much so that even when she returned to Xiaokang Building for the Forbidden Items, she didn¡¯t know that this woman was actually the one behind it all... She felt completely misled, clearly possessing such terrifying abilities, and yet letting her subordinates toil desperately. Such a deeply calculating nature. As Kong Yulin thought this, she couldn¡¯t help but reflect on it in her heart. ¡ªThis sentence wasn¡¯t malicious, coming from a place of sincerity, so it didn¡¯t trigger the influence of the ¡°Heavenly Leader.¡± Indeed, Kong Yulin didn¡¯t understand the relationship between the two, didn¡¯t know that An Zhizhen hadn¡¯t yet revealed her true self in front of Cen Dongsheng. But after hearing this, the smile on An Zhizhen¡¯s face became even clearer, the faint smile spreading like a water lotus swaying in the breeze. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve decided,¡± she said. ¡°What you said is quite unpleasant to hear, interpreting the relationship between Dongsheng and me as so filthy and cheap, really annoying. As punishment, you can remain mute for life.¡± The black-haired woman spoke lightly, casually tossing back the dagger that belonged to Kong Yulin. ¡°Settle it yourself.¡± Kong Yulin¡¯s complexion turned pale, frozen in place. This was... without a doubt, the short knife she once used to threaten An Zhizhen. Kong Yulin¡¯s actions were shaky, picking up the dagger, while uncontrollably sticking out her tongue, one hand pulling it tight as the blade moved slowly towards the tongue¡¯s tip. She couldn¡¯t resist An Zhizhen¡¯s order. Cold sweat poured down, soaking the fabric on her back, her mind in turmoil, only able to watch helplessly as the sharp edge neared her soft tongue. She could even taste a bit of the cold metal by now. Then there was a sigh. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Kong Yulin¡¯s self-destructive action paused halfway, and her heart hadn¡¯t even dropped with her hands when she heard An Zhizhen continue: Chapter 55 - 55 22 You never willingly listen to elder sisters words_2 ?55: Chapter 22 ¡°You never willingly listen to elder sister¡¯s words...¡±_2 55: Chapter 22 ¡°You never willingly listen to elder sister¡¯s words...¡±_2 ¡°¡±¡± ¡°Miss Kong, I¡¯m telling you, are you being too lenient with yourself? I said to make yourself mute, not to cut off your tongue. Think carefully for me.¡± An Zhizhen placed her hand on her throat, smiling as she made a slicing gesture. ¡°¡ªSlice open the neck, then cut out the vocal cords inside, that is the correct way to make yourself mute, right? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here. As long as you find the right spot, you won¡¯t die.¡± Kong Yulin felt as if her eyelashes weighed a thousand pounds, and the sweat dripped from her forehead continuously, yet her hands moved unwaveringly. An Zhizhen¡¯s voice sounded as pleasant as her appearance, clear yet mature, but at this moment, to Kong Yulin¡¯s ears, it was like a whisper of evil... evil... The word eluded her completely, All the slander, malice, and attacks related to An Zhizhen had been erased from her mind. To Kong Yulin, it was as if she heard the Emperor¡¯s decree, the voice of a deity... This was perhaps the saddest thing, being so twisted in will, unable to even muster hate, could only comply meekly. The woman¡¯s arm trembled as she placed the knife against her throat. ... As An Zhizhen herself had said, the people she needed, those ¡°gifted,¡± were those who, even after facing the ¡°Heavenly Leader,¡± could still reclaim their sense of self; this in itself meant that these individuals had an exceptional mind. This method allowed her to easily select those with strong will from the crowd. These individuals, aided by her abilities, would naturally have a bright future; however, on the flip side, truly making them hers required some thought. Although, for An Zhizhen, none of these were real problems. In a pair of abyss-black eyes, it seemed as if she could clearly reflect the other person¡¯s every move and thought. ¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡± ¡ªUntil the knocking sounded. These eyes blinked and then turned toward the direction of the sound. There was only one door leading to the rooftop. Now, it had someone knocking. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, are you on the rooftop?¡± The voice from the other side of the door was a little muffled, sounding as though recovering from a severe illness. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± An Zhizhen replied. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°...Why do you ask?¡± ¡°I just noticed some sort of Cursing Prohibition seemed to launch... Maybe I was mistaken.¡± ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯m fine.¡± An Zhizhen walked over and opened the door. Several steps down, Cen Dongsheng leaned against the wall in the corridor, looking up at her with some concern. ¡°Really okay?¡± ¡°Truly okay.¡± An Zhizhen spun around in place, even spreading her arms towards him with a cheerful smile. ¡°If you¡¯re not at ease, come check for yourself.¡± Outside, the dazzling sunlight illuminated half of the woman¡¯s figure from the backlight. Cen Dongsheng raised his head, and at this height, he caught a glimpse of the plump legs wrapped in stockings under the hemline. ¡°...Saying strange things again.¡± He thought his gaze seemed a bit ambiguous, inadvertently seeing it, but still withdrew his eyes. ¡°You started it.¡± An Zhizhen laughed with her eyes bent and descended the steps, proactively hugging his arm. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go back. Don¡¯t run around before your injury heals, you don¡¯t take care of your body, it really worries people.¡± ... After they left, the rooftop door was blown by the wind and slowly closed. Kong Yulin, left alone, knelt on the ground, panting heavily, drenched in sweat. An Zhizhen¡¯s words echoed in her ear. ¡°You¡¯ve met the ¡®third luck¡¯... three times is the limit, Kong Yulin, you¡¯re someone blessed by fortune.¡± With a clang, the dagger in the woman¡¯s hand fell to the ground. Even though the person was no longer present, she kept her head bowed, maintaining respect. ¡°...Yes, I¡¯m a lucky person.¡± She said. She said it with her mouth; yet Kong Yulin felt a deep confusion within her heart. She had originally thought Cen Dongsheng, like herself, was a Curse Forbidden Master controlled by the ¡°Heavenly Leader,¡± but just now An Zhizhen¡¯s unusual intimacy made her realize that her guess was completely wrong. Cen Dongsheng clearly had a special status in An Zhizhen¡¯s heart and had not been manipulated at all¡ªhis situation was entirely different from hers. So... why did An Zhizhen in the past not help? If she had shown her true strength, that young man wouldn¡¯t have needed to continue fighting after being burned to a skeleton. The more Kong Yulin thought, the more bewildered she became; her mind started to drift without direction. Could it be that everything that happened in the Ghost House before was some kind of bizarre play of theirs? * Under An Zhizhen¡¯s persuasion, Cen Dongsheng dragged his exhausted body back to sleep. But he never rested well. On one hand, the fast-growing muscles brought a tingling sensation, almost like ants crawling on his bones, hard to endure... The main issue was still the mood. He always felt that something didn¡¯t add up in the series of events he encountered recently, Cen Dongsheng tossed and turned in bed for a long while before closing his eyes; just as he began to feel drowsy, he suddenly jolted awake. He gazed at the white ceiling and the warmly glowing chandelier, his brows creased tightly. In the room, on the bed, there lingered a pleasant scent... identical to the elegant fragrance from Sister Zhen. Enveloped in this fragrance, Cen Dongsheng thought he would feel calm and serene. Apparently, that was not the case. ¡°¡±¡± Chapter 56 - 56 22 You never willingly listen to elder sisters words_3 ?56: Chapter 22 ¡°You never willingly listen to elder sister¡¯s words...¡±_3 56: Chapter 22 ¡°You never willingly listen to elder sister¡¯s words...¡±_3 ¡ª¡ªBecause he had developed doubts about the current situation. When exactly did it begin? The cause of the ¡°ghost house transformation¡± was the Forbidden Object¡ªthe Blood Contract Medium, which had not yet been refined and was brought to Xiaokang Building by the Curse Forbidden Master, Yu Wentao. But the crucial question was, where did Yu Wentao himself go? He initially thought Yu Wentao left later due to unforeseen circumstances. But unexpectedly, the Core Ghost he encountered later, judging by Kong Yulin¡¯s reaction, was Yu Wentao himself. In other words, it was very likely that he died in Xiaokang Building and was transformed into a ghost after the yin energy gathered. He hadn¡¯t been able to think about these things during the fight, but now that the dust had settled, he could no longer ignore these irrationalities... Cen Dongsheng rubbed his temples. Moreover, today he distinctly felt that a Curse Forbidden Master had entered this Xiaokang Building. Cen Dongsheng was not skilled at detecting perceptions; he could feel it purely because the other party had already taken action, but after asking around, none of the neighbors had witnessed any unusual phenomena... He felt he couldn¡¯t just leave it be. ... Stepping out of Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s house, Cen Dongsheng saw that the sky had already darkened. The night fell heavily, and the silent twilight surged from all directions. The cicadas chirped in waves, and the mildly intoxicated evening breeze caressed the face, intoxicating. He breathed the fresh air for a while and then proceeded along the corridor. As he was about to pass a certain room, he looked up at the door plate, ¡°310.¡± It seemed familiar. The last time he passed by, something happened... Just as this thought flashed through his mind, the room door was pushed open. The person who came out was an acquaintance. Kong Yulin was laboriously dragging a suitcase out, just in time to meet his gaze. ¡°You are really here.¡± Not willing to give up that Forbidden Object? Cen Dongsheng felt a stir in his heart, but his body¡¯s instinctive reaction was even quicker; True Qi circulated throughout his body, already ready for battle. Although not fully recovered yet, he had enough strength to smash someone¡¯s head with his fists, and that was enough. ¡°You...¡± When Kong Yulin saw him, the indifferent expression on her face also showed a slightly surprised look. For some reason, her instinctive reaction was to turn her head and look behind her. Cen Dongsheng, without hesitation, lifted his foot and kicked the suitcase she was guarding. ¡°What exactly did you bring here? This¡ª¡± Caught off guard, Kong Yulin dodged backward, the suitcase kicked over and crashing heavily to the ground. The suitcase contained no secret weapon but another acquaintance. It was a truly ¡°well-ripened¡± kind. ¡°...¡± Cen Dongsheng stood silently, watching the corner of a plastic bag slide out from the suitcase. Wrapped inside was a body, with bluish-white skin and charred carbonized parts visible everywhere. The head portion wrapped inside was already burnt beyond recognition, while the remaining limbs showed signs of having been cut, all stuffed into a semi-transparent body bag. This scene was indeed somewhat horrific. ¡°You...¡± Cen Dongsheng squinted his eyes. ¡°Came here specifically to destroy the evidence of the body?¡± Kong Yulin retracted her hand, standing by the door, responding to his question in silence. ¡°...Creaaak.¡± Under Cen Dongsheng¡¯s scrutiny, room 316¡¯s door was pushed open from the inside. A face with a charming smile peeked out from behind¡ª It was someone he had already anticipated in his heart, but when he truly saw her, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh. ... ¡°You always refuse to obediently listen to your elder sister, Dongsheng.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen stepped into the twilight with her hands clasped behind her back, walking lightly and gazing at him with a beaming smile. ¡°Those overly perceptive get by tough at times. Yet, if the one I chose was a fool, it would also be troublesome...¡± ¡°In this world, there really are no perfect solutions to everything.¡± Chapter 57 - 57 23 The True in An Zhizhen ?57: Chapter 23: The ¡®True¡¯ in An Zhizhen 57: Chapter 23: The ¡®True¡¯ in An Zhizhen The city was enveloped in twilight. A few scattered stars dotted the night sky, with a crescent moon hanging high, cool and clear. From the roadside not far away came the sound of a car horn, which quickly receded and vanished into the silent summer night. The dense night seeped through the courtyard, and dim lights flickered on, like lighthouses on a dark sea. At this hour, every household was at rest. On the silent corridor, only a few people remained in confrontation. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s probing gaze contained complex emotions that were hard to decipher, yet he didn¡¯t speak but waited for the other to speak first. ¡°You go first.¡± An Zhizhen said. ¡°Yes.¡± Kong Yulin nodded respectfully, turned, and left. Cen Dongsheng noticed her demeanor, which was a stark contrast to her previous apathy; it didn¡¯t quite describe her as a subordinate of Sister Zhi Zhen, more like a servant and master relationship. If the two of them hadn¡¯t known each other before and were acting this out from the beginning¡ªthen the only remaining possibility was ¡°that.¡± To be honest, from a certain perspective, Cen Dongsheng would rather believe that Sister Zhi Zhen had been deceiving him all this time. The former might make him feel sad and angry, but the latter... candidly speaking, should make him feel fear. Now, just standing in front of Sister Zhi Zhen, with nothing having happened, and her face still wearing the usual smile, he felt tense, his muscles tight. ¡ª¡±Heavenly Leader.¡± He was not yet clear on the specifics of this Special Grade Life Prohibition¡¯s operation, only knowing that An Zhizhen could manipulate others with it; and gather all the controlled individuals¡¯ strength, alone achieving a scale far exceeding normal large-scale Cursing Prohibition. Yet he knew that those brought under ¡°Heavenly Leader¡¯s¡± control could have even their thoughts and ideas grasped by An Zhizhen, losing all freedom, and until he was reborn, there had been no instance of someone breaking free or betraying. Cen Dongsheng did not understand how those people viewed themselves, but he would never allow himself to be manipulated for life. He didn¡¯t want to give up his life, nor lose his freedom, if he were to live life over and become someone else¡¯s puppet, he might as well not be reborn. Even if that person was Sister Zhi Zhen... it still wouldn¡¯t do. However, he didn¡¯t turn and flee; he still wanted to hear what Sister Zhi Zhen had to say because he felt that if he truly panicked and chose to escape, worse things would surely happen. Cen Dongsheng worried, yet it wasn¡¯t without any ability to resist. Before, it had been mentioned that there was a strict grade gap between Cursing Prohibitions; lower-grade ones would have significantly diminished effects on holders of higher-grade ones, and within the same grade, there might be a phenomenon of ¡°neutralization.¡± The effect of ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± was indeed terrifying, but if An Zhizhen could easily manipulate other ¡°Ancestors¡± and Special Grade Curse Forbidden Masters, she would have unified the world in her previous life. The Director of the Governance Bureau, known to the world as the ¡°Philosopher King,¡± could be considered one of those few closest to the throne of the king of the world¡ªbut ultimately could not eliminate other contenders. In other words, those holding the highest-grade Cursing Prohibition might resist the control effect of ¡°Heavenly Leader.¡± But the issue with Cen Dongsheng was that the Special Grade Cursing Prohibition he held was not complete; whether he could counteract the already awakened Special Grade Life Prohibition, honestly, he had no confidence at all. If he were his past self, knowing that An Zhizhen had long awakened Life Prohibition, he would absolutely not have come to contact her on his own initiative. He feared death, and even more feared losing his freedom. But now, the situation was ultimately different. Cen Dongsheng had found the courage to face the strongest; at the same time, he wanted more to confirm the relationship and feelings between him and Sister Zhi Zhen. The time over the past two months had changed him significantly. ... Standing aside, An Zhizhen noticed the young man¡¯s complex expression, his gaze continuously on Kong Yulin¡¯s retreating figure, so she spoke. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t have time to inform you beforehand, but Kong Yulin can be considered my subordinate now... Of course, if you want to take revenge, you can do whatever you want to her, even if it means killing her, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Kong Yulin, who had reached the stairway entrance, stumbled, almost tumbling down entirely. ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± Cen Dongsheng snapped back to reality, shook his head, and said. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t care?¡± An Zhizhen looked at him in surprise, eyes wide. ¡°Then why were you staring at her... Oh, could it be that you fancy that type? But the age difference between you two is too large, right? Though Miss Kong doesn¡¯t look bad, she¡¯s over thirty, if you like older women, someone six or seven years older would be more suitable, I think...¡± With her interruption, the previously oppressive atmosphere nearly dissipated, and he replied irritably, ¡°No, other people¡¯s matters, whatever.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Sister Zhen clapped her hands, repeated his words, and seemed to blossom into laughter. ¡°For the two of us, ¡®other people¡¯s¡¯ matters don¡¯t really matter at all.¡± ¡°...¡± Cen Dongsheng finally shifted his gaze and met An Zhizhen¡¯s eyes, asking earnestly, ¡°The body Kong Yulin dragged out of the room just now, was that the missing Curse Forbidden Master Yu Wentao?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± Sister Zhen nodded without the slightest intent of concealment. ¡°...This room was rented by Sister Zhi Zhen, right?¡± ¡°Yes, used to store some old experimental materials and instruments,¡± she answered candidly, ¡°I stored Yu Wentao¡¯s body there.¡± Chapter 58 - 58 23 An Zhizhens True _2 ?58: Chapter 23 An Zhizhen¡¯s ¡®True¡¯ _2 58: Chapter 23 An Zhizhen¡¯s ¡®True¡¯ _2 ¡±...So that¡¯s how it was.¡± He remembered room ¡°310.¡± The day before the ¡°ghost house transformation¡± occurred in Xiaokang Building, he had run into Sister Zhi Zhen, who was pulling a suitcase and planning to go out, right in front of this door. An Zhizhen did not want him to see the scene inside the room. He had also smelled the scent of formaldehyde... In other words, Sister Zhi Zhen intended to handle a corpse at the time, but she happened to bump into him, just as she had today. What a coincidence. ¡°In this room, I performed a dissection experiment on Wentao.¡± ¡±Oh.¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded slightly, his demeanor calm. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask why?¡± ¡±Wentao is that Granny Lin¡¯s grandson, right? He came to the Xiaokang Building a week ago and even met with you. I¡¯m afraid he harbored ill intentions toward you, Sister Zhi Zhen, at that time.¡± ¡±Exactly.¡± An Zhizhen playfully winked at him, as if saying, ¡°See? I¡¯m quite charming, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡±...Sigh, I understand now, it¡¯s all because Sister Zhi Zhen is too beautiful.¡± Cen Dongsheng remarked knowingly. ¡°You really understand.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen chuckled, looking pleased with his reaction. ¡°He¡¯s just like that Deng Rong. How could I allow such scum, which would corrupt society, to continue living in this world?¡± That said, in modern society, even performing surgery on a criminal guilty of a serious crime and using them as an experimental subject is undoubtedly inhumane; it can only be done secretly. But discussing this with An Zhizhen ¡ª a ¡°Forbidden Master¡± ¡ª was obviously meaningless. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s moral standards were not that high either. Anyone daring to covet Sister Zhi Zhen deserved to die. If they appeared before him, he certainly would find a way to kill them, just like with Deng Rong at that time. ¡°Isn¡¯t it frightening?¡± ¡±What¡¯s there to be frightened of?¡± Cen Dongsheng replied, ¡°I fully support you.¡± ¡±That¡¯s not what I¡¯m talking about. I mean, as a woman, conducting human experiments in my own home, this kind of behavior akin to a mad scientist, would make people think I¡¯m unapproachable, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ...Isn¡¯t that obvious? Cen Dongsheng responded with a perplexed look as if to say, ¡°What are you talking about.¡± Whether an action is right or wrong and whether the person doing it will be viewed differently are two separate matters. An Zhizhen¡¯s actions were clearly unconnected to ¡°female charm.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen puffed her cheeks, expressing dissatisfaction this time. However, she didn¡¯t delve deeper into the topic and continued speaking. ¡°...But, even the lives of sinners are equal on the scale of value. So, first, I made Wentao bear the consequences of overusing the Cursing Prohibition; then, I wanted to confirm the physiological mechanism of the Cursing Prohibition. He happened to be the kind of Forbidden Master whose physical body wouldn¡¯t mutate...¡± ¡±Despite being limited by environmental and equipment conditions to reach only preliminary conclusions, I can confirm that his organ test results were similar to ordinary people. In other words, the implementation of the Cursing Prohibition was not achieved through any specific organ.¡± Not only did she not conceal the fact that she killed Wentao and conducted human experiments, but Sister Zhi Zhen also had no intention of hiding the experimental conclusions from him. Seeing her speak endlessly, Cen Dongsheng couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of amazement. Some conclusions she mentioned might be known as ¡°common knowledge¡± in the future Forbidden Master society ¡ª But so-called common knowledge, people¡¯s familiar understanding of the world, was originally pieced together by researchers like An Zhizhen, who pursued the truth bit by bit. An Zhizhen always had this color about her. She was not merely a ruler and politician but also held the identity of a researcher, serving as both the head of the Governance Bureau and the top advisor of the technical department. Among the various theoretical constructs about the future human society form, there is a type of rule by experts known as ¡°technocracy¡± ¡ª scientists being not only explorers of truth but also rulers of human society. This idea is, in a sense, a continuation of the ¡°Philosopher King¡± in the minds of Ancient Greece philosophers, and the operation mode of the Tiannan Region¡¯s political system was similar to it... ...That was quite the digression. Cen Dongsheng reined back his thoughts. Based on what Sister Zhi Zhen had frankly stated, some long-standing questions that perplexed him were finally resolved. ¡°¡ªAnd then, the Wentao you killed turned into a ghost. So, it was due to overusing the Cursing Prohibition... The reason it appeared as a burnt corpse was because he was burned to death by his own Cursing Prohibition.¡± So-called ¡°overdevelopment¡± for a Forbidden Master was one of the taboos, causing irreversible changes to a person¡¯s mind and body, leading ultimately to death or becoming non-human. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡±So, this means the reason Xiaokang Building turned into a ¡®Ghost House¡¯ was also because of you, Sister Zhi Zhen...¡± ¡±That¡¯s correct. The Blood Contract Medium became the center that attracted yin energy, and Wentao became a ghost. This was also an experiment. The process of ¡®ghost house transformation¡¯ went more smoothly than I had imagined.¡± The truth had been revealed. Everything that had happened in the past ten days was all the doing of An Zhizhen herself; she was the culprit behind all the upheavals. Why did the burnt corpse evil spirit obsess over An Zhizhen so much? And, although there might have been significant oversights in his past intelligence, in some aspects, it had not ¡ª The ghost house transformation of Xiaokang Building did not originally exist in the historical timeline. Without his presence, Wentao, Deng Rong, and Yulin, the three of them, might have been manipulated once An Zhizhen noticed them. Cen Dongsheng knew nothing of all this. Therefore, inherently... there was deception and concealment. The atmosphere between the two fell into a temporary silence. ¡°Why do it?¡± Cen Dongsheng locked eyes with Sister Zhi Zhen. ¡°You¡¯ve already guessed, Dongsheng, haven¡¯t you?¡± An Zhizhen did not avoid his gaze. ¡°...Because of what I said?¡± ¡±Yes.¡± She answered. ¡°You once told me, ¡®I am willing to support you, Sister Zhi Zhen. No matter what you do, I want to be your partner.¡¯ You might not realize how happy I was to hear that...¡± ¡±And then, I replied, ¡®I have high expectations of you. If I must choose a suitable partner, it can only be you. However, my requirements are quite high, so prepare well¡¯¡ª¡± Before the ¡°ghost house transformation,¡± he and An Zhizhen had once sat by the flowerbed downstairs talking, during which Sister Zhi Zhen spoke of her ideals, and Cen Dongsheng wanted to seize that chance to achieve his goal. Those words and her figure from that day slowly overlapped with what was in his ears, in front of his eyes. ¡°This is a trial, Dongsheng,¡± she said. ... Yes, he had certainly guessed it. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s execution of the plan was based on the time people speculated An Zhizhen awakened her abilities according to her active period in later years. He was initially hesitant to easily accept this piece of intelligence and had tested it more than once; But until today, every word and action, every move by Sister Zhi Zhen, perfectly portrayed someone who knew nothing about the Forbidden Master world... Perfect to a fault. Therefore, he gradually began to genuinely believe. If at the outset An Zhizhen was unwilling to reveal her abilities due to caution, continuing to pretend to be an ordinary person even after the ghost house transformation could only be deliberate¡ª All along, she had been observing him. Cen Dongsheng was unsure of the kind of mentality he should adopt towards the ¡°trial¡± she spoke of. If placed in a memory of a certain era, after passing a test, being able to follow An Zhizhen herself would indeed excite most people, eager to follow, much like the so-called ¡°the greatest honor is to be the dog of a Philosopher King¡±... As for the concealment and deceit during the process, those indeed were inconsequential matters. However, the current relationship between him and An Zhizhen was not like that. They had feelings; their relationship was not one of superior and subordinate but equal partners; this was a promise personally made by her. Therefore, he needed to respond. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, I am hurt,¡± Cen Dongsheng sincerely told her, ¡°Emotionally... very hurt.¡± ¡±Yes, I know. It¡¯s all my fault.¡± In the night, An Zhizhen¡¯s eyes reflected the dazzling starlight in the sky. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I deceived you.¡± Chapter 59 - 59 24 Commitment ?59: Chapter 24 Commitment 59: Chapter 24 Commitment ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, I¡¯m hurt. Emotionally, it hurts a lot.¡± ¡±Mm, I know, it¡¯s all my fault. I¡¯m sorry, I deceived you.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s eyes glistened with tears as she opened her arms, her expression affectionate. ¡°If you feel sad, come to your elder sister¡¯s embrace for comfort.¡± ¡ªIt was you who deceived me, not some other woman! However, what I just said did sound like I was deliberately seeking comfort, somewhat sappy... He felt he was quite sincere, indeed, still not very articulate, a sign of poor social skills. Sensing Cen Dongsheng¡¯s awkwardness, she smiled and said, ¡±I am sincerely apologizing because you are earnest about our relationship, so I¡¯m earnest too!¡± Cen Dongsheng sighed and said, ¡±So now, Sister Zhi Zhen, there shouldn¡¯t be anything left you¡¯re hiding from me, right?¡± ¡±Of course, after all, you¡¯ve passed the trial.¡± An Zhizhen still held her arms slightly open, trying to tempt Cen Dongsheng into her embrace, but was completely ignored by someone who was oblivious to such gestures. He had no mood for romance right now. ¡°So... Sister Zhi Zhen, are you a Curse Forbidden Master?¡± ¡±Yes.¡± She regretfully lowered her hands. ¡°You were that way before meeting me, right? From when did you start awakening your abilities?¡± ¡±Uh...¡± An Zhizhen tapped her chin with her finger, showing a reminiscing expression. ¡°Dongsheng, you came to Xiaokang Building two months ago, right? So, figuring it out, I¡¯ve been a Curse Forbidden Master for exactly a hundred days before that.¡± That was too early, Cen Dongsheng thought. Calculating from the time An Zhizhen became active, the nodes speculated by the outside world were actually conservative; no one could have predicted she would hide so deeply. And judging by Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s character, the preparations she made before officially stepping onto the world stage were likely larger and more complex than anyone imagined¡ª ¡±What is your ability, can you tell me?¡± He asked seriously once more. And Sister Zhen also kept her promise from earlier, not hiding anything. ¡°My curse is called ¡®Heavenly Leader,¡¯ simply put, it has the effect of manipulating others¡¯ will...¡± Cen Dongsheng felt a complicated mix of emotions as he listened. He was glad that Sister Zhi Zhen did not hide her ability from him. Honestly, this alone relieved him¡ªthis was his test. Curses involving ¡°spirit manipulation¡± were the most feared and detested by other curse masters in the past. Those with such abilities often chose to hide it unless they had strong backing or strong abilities themselves. Though Cen Dongsheng¡¯s probe was based on his own experience, Sister Zhi Zhen would certainly recognize the same issue. But on the other hand, he realized that deep down, he truly felt a sense of apprehension. He could no longer casually treat Sister Zhi Zhen as ¡°just an ordinary person¡± without any mental burden. ¡°I thought you would be scared. Don¡¯t you think my ability is frightening, especially when you¡¯ve just realized I deceived you?¡± ... She indeed realized it. ¡°Because you¡¯ve deceived me before, I feel it¡¯s okay,¡± he replied. ¡°Even without using your ability, Sister Zhi Zhen could still deceive me, right?¡± ¡±What a cunning answer.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s eyes curved into a happy smile. What was it in that sentence that made her happy? Cen Dongsheng sometimes found it incomprehensible, unsure if it was because he didn¡¯t understand the complex psychology of women or if it was simply because An Zhizhen was a difficult person to understand... ... Following this, Cen Dongsheng, to a certain extent, fulfilled his wish: through Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s description, he learned the essence of ¡®Heavenly Leader¡¯ for the first time. He was astounded, realizing that the curse that stood at the pinnacle was truly unique. While it possessed the traits of general spirit manipulation abilities, it was on a vastly different scale. ¡°Hope you can keep it a secret.¡± She placed her finger on her lips, making a silencing gesture. ¡°I understand,¡± Cen Dongsheng responded, ¡°I won¡¯t tell anyone.¡± ¡±Also, you don¡¯t need to be too tense,¡± An Zhizhen said. ¡°When it¡¯s time for others to know, they will naturally find out.¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded. The ¡°time¡± she referred to was probably the era that awaited the birth of the first ¡°Ancestor,¡± an era where the balance of power, the birth of the Forbidden Master society, and stability were nearing. Unlike someone who had seen the future, Sister Zhi Zhen was uncertain of the specifics of the new era, but she seemed to foresee that this day would eventually come. ¡°I have one last doubt.¡± Most of the questions were understood, with only one remaining... Cen Dongsheng cleared his throat, taking out a small red orb from his pocket. ¡°This is the Blood Contract Medium. Sister Zhi Zhen, you actually know its effect, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡±Yes, I got it out of Yu Wentao¡¯s mouth before his death.¡± ¡±... Was this also a part of the trial?¡± If at that time, he really chose to use words to deceive, trying to plant the Blood Contract Medium on An Zhizhen, what would have happened? The mere thought was terrifying. ¡°Sort of.¡± An Zhizhen answered with a cheerful smile. ¡°But at that time, the trial was almost over, and I actually wanted to believe in you more... Didn¡¯t I even instigate you to quickly use that forbidden item on me?¡± ¡±... So it wasn¡¯t just a test, there was sincerity in it?¡± Truly wanting to become someone¡¯s slave, wasn¡¯t that just having a mental issue? Thinking the answer wasn¡¯t that simple, Cen Dongsheng quietly waited for the other to tell the truth. ¡°You later said, ¡®The foundation of partnership is equality,¡¯ that phrase really resonated with me. In my view, if you were willing to use the ¡®Blood Contract Medium¡¯ on me, I could use ¡®Heavenly Leader¡¯ on you. It¡¯s also a form of equality.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen spoke as she placed her hand on her ample chest, leaning forward. Her words resembled the evening breeze, with a tone that was indescribable¡ªwhether it was deep affection or subtle ambiguity. Unknowingly, she narrowed the distance between them, her delicate face close enough that the surrounding dim light accentuated the blush on her cheeks. ¡°I can feel your thoughts and feelings, and in exchange, my body belongs to you... Doesn¡¯t this kind of relationship feel intimate and beautiful?¡± ¡±...¡± Cen Dongsheng was stunned once again. A completely unexpected idea. My consciousness is under Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s control, while her body is under my control... It sounded almost erotic. ¡ªNo, no, I¡¯m the one at a disadvantage, right?! ¡°So... what about now?¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s tone became slightly intricate. ¡°Have you abandoned this idea?¡± ¡±I can tell you¡¯re unwilling, Dongsheng.¡± An Zhizhen stood up straight again, answering regretfully, ¡°So I won¡¯t do it.¡± ¡±... Is that so.¡± ¡±The past two days, I intended as a buffer period, thinking I should wait until you heal before telling you everything. But, before that, you had already noticed the truth. So...¡± She didn¡¯t continue. ... The evening breeze blew gently as the night enveloped the land. The two walked side by side in the corridor, finally reaching a corner, gazing at the distant lights of the human world, tiny and scattered. A usual summer night, an originally unmemorable day. An Zhizhen placed her hand on the railing, the wind gusting in disheveling her jet-black hair. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve said all there is about me. You now know everything about me.¡± She turned sideways, suddenly extending her hand toward him. Cen Dongsheng stared at her hand, as white as jade. Initially, he didn¡¯t grasp her intention, but his instinct was more honest, subconsciously reaching out to hold it. ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s finally my turn to ask you something, Dongsheng.¡± From within the palm came a slight tremor, and he saw the woman¡¯s lips pressed tightly together. ¡°Is the promise between us... still valid?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s demeanor exuded a strong sense of unease, having him hold her hand seemingly so he could feel her quickening heartbeat due to nervousness. The two heartbeats synchronized in the night breeze, as if merging into one. ¡ªSo, at this very moment, was she acting or was she sincere? Cen Dongsheng thought it didn¡¯t matter. ¡°I already promised you, Sister Zhi Zhen. This was something I initiated.¡± No matter what, this was the goal he had worked towards for two months, with no reason to give up. Even with this disruption, it only confirmed ¡°An Zhizhen is still the same An Zhizhen...¡± and made him laugh at his naive thought of ¡°maybe past An Zhizhen wasn¡¯t like this...¡± He and Sister Zhi Zhen were not related by blood, they were strangers; It was his wish to get closer, and she offered the chance, as well as the test. It was still fair. ¡°Really? We¡¯re going to be lifelong, sole partners, are you sure you won¡¯t regret it?¡± Don¡¯t casually tie me down with such heavy words. ¡°Really, all true.¡± Cen Dongsheng said slightly exasperated, ¡°Do I need to prove it somehow?¡± ¡±Uh... But you initially said you were emotionally hurt, so I¡¯m worried that you¡¯re unhappy inside?¡± ¡±In that case, compensate me. Comfort my wounded soul.¡± He replied casually. ¡°... Alright.¡± An Zhizhen considered for a moment, appearing to ponder seriously, then leaned toward him, speaking quietly, ¡±But it¡¯s late now, let¡¯s go home first.¡± ¡±?¡± Cen Dongsheng blinked, ¡°What home?¡± ¡±Of course...¡± Sister Zhi Zhen blushed again, her voice softened, she whispered. ¡°To my house. Even if you¡¯re almost healed, you can continue staying...¡± ¡±...¡± This woman, could she be up to something strange again? Cen Dongsheng felt he mustn¡¯t be fooled, absolutely not. So¡ª ¡±Alright, let¡¯s go home,¡± he said. Chapter 60 - 60 25 An Unusual Morning ?60: Chapter 25 An Unusual Morning 60: Chapter 25 An Unusual Morning Although the experience of that night was shocking enough to make Cen Dongsheng¡¯s feelings towards An Zhizhen extremely complex, in terms of the outcome, he obediently went to sleep in Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s house that day. His injuries had not fully recovered. The ¡°Undying Bone¡± superpower took the young man several hours to revert from a skeleton back to human form and what remained was the time for natural healing. For Cen Dongsheng, during a fight, as long as the injuries didn¡¯t affect high-intensity actions, it was as though he wasn¡¯t injured; but during the recovery period, he needed to eat and sleep a lot to heal. This was the experience he had gained from past battles. Therefore, even though he knew he was sleeping under the same roof as a mature and beautiful elder sister, he was still able to sleep soundly without any psychological barriers as soon as his head hit the pillow. Lying on the soft memory foam bed surrounded by a familiar, faint fragrance, Cen Dongsheng did indeed dream that night, which made him toss and turn for a while. Regrettably, it wasn¡¯t a lascivious dream, but a terribly frightening nightmare¡ª In the dream, he finally couldn¡¯t control his long-suppressed urges. Having coveted them for a long time, he reached out his thieving hands towards Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s generously curvaceous thighs enveloped in pantyhose. To his surprise, she shyly lowered her head with no intention of resisting. Elated with audacity, he took the liberty of groping her, and was even about to engage in more excessive actions... But the next second, he found himself unable to move, lying on an operating table, his entire True Qi bound by a Cursing Prohibition. At that moment, Sister Zhi Zhen, dressed in a white lab coat, walked in, holding a scalpel. She wore her usual smile, but the words she spoke sent chills down his spine: ¡°Since you aspire to be my peer, how can you continue to harbor such lowly desires... Say goodbye to your little brother~ Dongsheng.¡± Cen Dongsheng was startled awake; he abruptly sat up from the pillow, his head covered in cold sweat, gasping for air as he looked around the dark, empty room. He had encountered countless demons and ghosts, faced various terrifying scenarios¡ªwhether real or hallucinated, he was quite experienced, but the fear induced by that dream was indeed unmatched. Although the content of the dream, if spoken of, might seem quite laughable, it¡¯s said that a person¡¯s dreams are a reflection of their subconscious. In that short dream, several noteworthy details had occurred. ¡°...¡± Cen Dongsheng took off his sweat-soaked t-shirt, tossed it aside, and, holding his forehead, began to frown in thought. First was the Cursing Prohibition. In his dream, he was completely powerless, bound by An Zhizhen, and the truth was¡ª He subconsciously feared his interactions with An Zhizhen. ¡°Since you are unwilling, Dongsheng, I won¡¯t force it¡±¡ªalthough Sister Zhi Zhen had reassured him, and he wanted to believe she meant her words, last night¡¯s conversation had actually gone quite well... But he still felt apprehension, even fear, emotions that were difficult to dispel in a short time. Next was the dream¡¯s conclusion: getting his genitals cut off... Well, that¡¯s something any man would fear, right? Most importantly, gruesome real-life examples had unfolded before him. Men who had lusted after Sister Zhi Zhen met terrible fates. Both individuals were killed, their bodies used for dissection experiments. He had witnessed Yu Wentao¡¯s fate firsthand, while the other was rendered unrecognizable. ...But back to the point, he probably had an idea about the above two concerns¡ªthe real problem lay in the opening sequence of the dream. His ability to conjure up the first part of the dream only meant he indeed had... unsurprising thoughts about Sister Zhi Zhen. Even for a woman as terrifying in personality and abilities, the heart would wander where it willed¡ªit was difficult not to feel attracted to An Zhizhen based on looks alone¡ª But Cen Dongsheng still admired his own restraint; indeed, men are visual creatures. He couldn¡¯t help but think about his usual behavior. During the nearly two months he¡¯d been interacting with Sister Zhi Zhen, she was playing dumb while he, increasingly convinced that An Zhizhen was still an ordinary person, began to harbor some male-female attraction, sometimes becoming careless in his speech and actions. Certainly not, he thought. He¡¯d just watched secretly; not touching surely didn¡¯t count...? Cen Dongsheng swallowed and shook his head vigorously. It was actually Sister Zhi Zhen who moved first! Just last night during their conversation, she suddenly embraced him, and she usually lacked a sense of distance, her closeness making his heart pound uncontrollably¡ª He looked at the room submerged in tranquil night colors, exhaling softly. ¡°...Having dreams is a good thing.¡± Cen Dongsheng reclined back, staring blankly at the ceiling. ¡°Better go back to sleep.¡± The night passed without incident. * This morning, as the dawn was just breaking, Cen Dongsheng had barely opened his eyes when An Zhizhen pulled him up from the bed. ¡°...I¡¯m a patient, can I rest a little longer?¡± Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t wake up immediately upon hearing the voice but rolled over, yawned, and rubbed his sleepy eyes. Not until the curtain was swiftly drawn, and warm sunlight scattered across the floor and bed like a field of shattered gold. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s face brightened up, and his eyebrows furrowed. ¡°No. Are you just trying to sleep in?¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s voice came from nearby, tugging at his ear. ...What¡¯s wrong with sleeping in? Are you the mom telling kids not to laze around on weekends? Chapter 61 - 61 25 An Unusual Morning_2 ?61: Chapter 25 An Unusual Morning_2 61: Chapter 25 An Unusual Morning_2 Cen Dongsheng sighed and had no choice but to get out of bed and stretch lazily. He had to admit, living under the same roof with someone else did indeed give a peculiar feeling... At least until today, he had never experienced the luxury of being woken up by someone else. The morning breeze brushed against his bare skin, bringing a slight cool and refreshing sensation. Only then did he realize he wasn¡¯t wearing a shirt, his upper body was bare. ¡°Oh my, oh my, Dongsheng... So you have a habit of sleeping naked.¡± An Zhizhen lightly covered her lips with her slender hand, feigning surprise. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, I didn¡¯t know.¡± Though the woman said ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she showed no intention of leaving the room or turning her head, boldly using her eyes to examine his body up and down. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s well-developed and smooth muscle lines weren¡¯t surprising to be admired. However, he always felt that Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s gaze was somewhat intimidating... Rather than passion or admiration, it was more of curiosity, the gaze of a researcher. ¡°By the way, what about below? It¡¯s not bare too, is it?¡± ¡°...Do you want to check?¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± An Zhizhen chuckled twice, clearly indicating her good mood. She turned around and gracefully left the bedroom, her steps light like a fluttering butterfly. ¡°Get dressed and come downstairs. I¡¯ve already prepared breakfast.¡± ¡°This woman...¡± Cen Dongsheng scratched his head, feeling a bit troubled. Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s personality was such that she always naturally gained the upper hand in interactions. Although her incredible charm and speaking skills made being with her feel like a spring breeze, often going unnoticed, she was actually a very assertive person. During the period after the ghost house transformation, Cen Dongsheng used to think she was an ordinary person, relying on him as a protector and guide, appearing weak¡ªunfortunately, that was all an act and didn¡¯t count. The only time he saw Sister Zhi Zhen at a disadvantage might have been last night when she apologized to him; after he accepted, she returned to her usual self. So... should I be more assertive on my side? Sister Zhi Zhen hadn¡¯t yet reached the state of ¡°Ancestor.¡± She was Special Class, but wasn¡¯t he too? Although not completely. Yet thinking back to the dream last night, Cen Dongsheng felt a sense of cowardice. ... Cen Dongsheng went downstairs and finished washing up, then saw breakfast already placed on the table. Freshly baked toast, steaming sausages, crispy golden fried eggs, and a cup of milk. Sister Zhi Zhen seemed to have gotten up early to prepare, as she was already made up. Today, she wore a cream-colored knitted soft top paired with a gray skirt. Her long pitch-black hair flowed smoothly down her back, complemented by crystal earrings, revealing a slender bracelet when she raised her hand, exuding a soft but luxurious aura. Cen Dongsheng sat at the dining table, admiring her beauty while unceremoniously feasting. An Zhizhen rested her chin on one hand, watching him with a cheerful smile. A few minutes passed like this, and neither of them spoke. It was a quiet morning. The sunlight was bright, the breeze just right, and the atmosphere between them comfortable. They had struck a deal last night, and the mutual understanding between them was evident, with a serene beauty flowing through the air. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to eat?¡± Cen Dongsheng bit into the bacon and bread, his cheeks bulging as he mumbled. After gulping down the milk beside him, he caught his breath and asked her. ¡°I¡¯ve already eaten.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen said, suddenly reaching out a finger to touch his lips. Cen Dongsheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but she merely helped him remove the crumbs clinging to his mouth. ¡°...Thanks.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± An Zhizhen said, handing him a napkin, ¡°Your injury has healed quite a bit, right? Let¡¯s go out together later.¡± Cen Dongsheng wiped his mouth with the napkin, pondering silently for a moment. Last night, Sister Zhi Zhen said she wanted to share with him the preparations she had made so far, and that ¡°it¡¯s all to fulfill her dream.¡± Though he still had no idea what that dream entailed, given she was the future ruler of the Tiannan District, it likely held the potential to change the societal structure of Curse Forbidden Masters, possibly even the world. Only now did Cen Dongsheng truly feel the sense of ¡°being part of a legendary story,¡± which was something unimaginable for his former self. ¡°Looking at your expression...¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s gaze never left his face, her brows gracefully arched with a smile, ¡°Are you excited?¡± ¡°Yes, very much so.¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded earnestly. * The two left the neighborhood and arrived at the parking area. An Zhizhen¡¯s car was a sapphire blue sedan. Although he wasn¡¯t particularly knowledgeable about car models, he could still recognize the Bentley emblem. ¡°People driving this kind of car always seem a bit out of place with Xiaokang Building.¡± Cen Dongsheng suddenly thought of this question. ¡°Speaking of which, why did Sister Zhi Zhen decide to live there?¡± He had spent considerable effort finding her initially. ¡°Actually, I was planning to sell the house here this year, but then I decided it was nice to live there myself. What do you think caused this change?¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Of course, it was because of you, silly.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s tone was affectionate. ¡°Uh, that¡¯s a bit cheesy.¡± ¡°Haha, I¡¯m serious.¡± After getting in the car, the driver was also Sister Zhi Zhen. Cen Dongsheng sat in the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and placed his hands thoughtfully on his knees. He felt something was off, the feeling was a bit subtle... The car drove all the way to the bustling city center, stopping beside an office building at an intersection. He got out from the passenger seat and waited for Sister Zhi Zhen to get off. It was then that he noticed the astonished looks from the passersby, and had an epiphany: ¡ªIn the eyes of others, did he look like he was being kept by a rich woman? ... Taking the elevator all the way up, An Zhizhen led Cen Dongsheng to an automatic door. Through the door, he could see neatly arranged desks and employees sitting in front of computers. It seemed the entire floor belonged to this company. He glanced at the sign. ¡°Dufeng Technical Service Co., Ltd.¡± The receptionist at the front counter, upon seeing Sister Zhi Zhen, approached with a bright smile. Under her guidance, the two walked along the hallway toward the company¡¯s interior. From the direction of the work area came the rustling sound of dozens of curious eyes focused on them, with some people lowering their heads to discuss with others nearby. Once Cen Dongsheng¡¯s gaze swept over them, they quickly averted their eyes. ¡°Is this Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s company?¡± ¡°It is.¡± The rich woman admitted candidly. ¡°She is really wealthy,¡± he marveled, ¡°And you said you¡¯re just a researcher.¡± ¡°Setting up this company is just for convenience. Besides, does money really still hold significance for us?¡± ...She was right. Money is the foundation for measuring and exchanging individual and group benefits in modern society, but with the shift in value systems, such ¡°exchangeable items¡± naturally follow suit. Cen Dongsheng had witnessed the future firsthand, and An Zhizhen had foreseen the future. And that future becoming what it would be naturally couldn¡¯t exclude her personal interference and influence. This wasn¡¯t just a premonition, but also because he knew full well that Sister Zhi Zhen was, in fact, the darling of the new era, the most prominent and top-tier powerhouse. And now, the renowned Philosopher King was about to personally unveil the truth to him. ... ¡°This is...¡± In a spacious and bright room with upscale decoration, a massive floor-to-ceiling window overlooked the bustling intersection below. This was An Zhizhen¡¯s office. Sitting on the sofa, Cen Dongsheng widened his eyes, staring at the webpage on the computer. ¡°This is the main business of this company, a new emerging online community. Do you recognize it?¡± Of course, he recognized it. Cen Dongsheng stared at the cross-shaped logo on the webpage. ¡ªWorld Forum. Considering that An Zhizhen¡¯s awakening to life prohibition was much earlier than expected, Cen Dongsheng had speculated last night, ¡°Before formally stepping onto the world stage, her preparations might be more vast and complex than anyone could have imagined.¡± That speculation had now come true. ¡°This forum, about to become the largest online gathering place for Curse Forbidden Masters, was actually founded single-handedly by Sister Zhi Zhen...¡± Chapter 62 - 62 26 Becoming Sublime ?62: Chapter 26: Becoming Sublime 62: Chapter 26: Becoming Sublime World Forum¡ª A name both familiar and strange. In the two to three years before the major districts were established during the ghost wave that swept the world, the society of Curse Forbidden Masters was in a state of chaos and confusion. Organizations and groups fought each other, contending for control over territories and resources, while many more people struggled desperately for survival and strength. In those days, the World Forum was renowned across the land, known by everyone. Curse Forbidden Masters could hide their identities or recruit companions openly on it, sharing information, posting commissions, and organizing regular gatherings... During the first wave, the World Forum was the most important online platform, until the Ancestors began dividing their spheres of influence and setting up their own information network channels, after which it gradually declined. At least in Cen Dongsheng¡¯s time, although conspiracy theories always circulated, most believed the World Forum was jointly established by a group of early awakened Curse Forbidden Masters, thus maintaining neutrality¡ªthis ¡°neutrality¡± was precisely its appeal. He had met many predecessors who reminisced about that dangerous, chaotic, yet opportunity-and-challenge-filled wilderness era, with the World Forum being one of the symbols of that time. Now, the true answer lay before him. It turned out that the so-called neutral organization, the ¡°World Forum,¡± from the very beginning, was the property of Philosopher King An Zhizhen. This information was not made public afterward, probably because Sister Zhi Zhen had sealed the related intelligence. This would have been quite simple for the Heavenly Leader. ... The sun was at its peak. The window was clear and clean, in the spacious and bright office; the gradually intense sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, casting light-and-shadow-divided bars on the red wooden floor. The summer breeze, weaving through the city skyscrapers, lifted the curtains and gently swayed the woman¡¯s long hair. An Zhizhen sat on the sofa chair, holding a cup of black tea with both hands, her posture upright, as elegantly as ever. She watched the young man sitting at the computer with a smile, capturing every subtle aspect of his gaze, expressions, and subconscious reactions. An Zhizhen squinted thoughtfully, then she spoke: ¡°You seem to be entranced by what you¡¯re seeing. Is it really that fascinating?¡± ¡°Yes, because I¡¯m a user of this forum.¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s eyes never left the webpage, scrolling down with the mouse. He wasn¡¯t lying, although that was ¡°eight years later.¡± By then, times had changed, and the World Forum had long since declined, no longer the largest online gathering place for Curse Forbidden Masters. He had logged in out of curiosity and frequently saw predecessors on the forum reminiscing about the past. Such changes brought by the passage of time could easily evoke nostalgia... especially since he had been reborn at the point where it all began. ¡°...Is that so? What a coincidence.¡± An Zhizhen took a sip of black tea. ¡°Yes, quite a coincidence.¡± ¡°Then I might as well help the product manager with some research. As a university student, which section do you like to read the most?¡± Cen Dongsheng finally looked away from the computer screen, replying somewhat helplessly. ¡°I think you can probably guess, Sister Zhi Zhen. Incidentally, it has nothing to do with being a university student.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Of course, it¡¯s ¡®You Mountain Strange Tales.''¡± He opened one of the sub-sections. Judging by the number of online users, it was also one of the most popular channels on the World Forum. The first content that entered the eyes of Curse Forbidden Masters in the World Forum was the You Mountain Strange Tales section. As the name suggests, it was a place dedicated to telling ghost stories. Not uncommon in itself, but with the arrival of the ¡°First Wave,¡± weird occurrences around the world emerged like mushrooms after rain, and some forum users began sharing their ghost encounters here, forming a trend. In this era, where the truth had not yet surfaced and everything remained in the ¡°undercurrent¡± stage, the subtle changes in the world could be vaguely glimpsed from the corners of the internet. Cen Dongsheng glanced at the posts on the forum. From his experience, most of the content was fictitious, but among dozens of posts, there were always one or two suspicious entries, especially those asking for help, which might be the ¡°real deal.¡± The ¡°You Mountain Strange Tales¡± channel would become a source of copious firsthand information in the coming days. Ordinary people needed to avoid the suspicious locations mentioned above; Whereas some ambitious Curse Forbidden Masters, wanting to conquer ghost houses and kill ghosts to become stronger, would have to venture through these tiger mountains. ¡°Do you like ghost stories? Or are you collecting information on it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. By the way, Sister Zhi Zhen, is the purpose of setting up the forum any different from mine?¡± ¡°Well...¡± An Zhizhen tapped her lips, ¡°To be precise, it¡¯s just one of the reasons.¡± As they were talking, a knock came from the office door. ¡°Come in.¡± A young woman wearing a suit and a ponytail walked in, holding a tray of teapot and cups, which she placed on the coffee table. ¡°Please have some tea.¡± Cen Dongsheng observed her expression, seeing genuine respect and admiration toward An Zhizhen, not feigned, suggesting that the company had excellent treatment. ¡°Xiao Min, how is your father¡¯s health lately? The post-surgery recovery is going well, I hope?¡± ¡°Yes... yes! Thank you for recommending the hospital to us, boss! And for letting me stay at the company... Without you, I really wouldn¡¯t have known what to do back then...¡± Chapter 63 - 63 26 Becoming Sublime_2 ?63: Chapter 26 Becoming Sublime_2 63: Chapter 26 Becoming Sublime_2 ¡°Don¡¯t mind it, I just happen to have a bit of an edge, which came in handy,¡± An Zhizhen answered with a smile, ¡°Besides, while taking care of your father, make sure not to fall behind in your studies. Didn¡¯t you get a scholarship last time? Keep it up.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to remember something like that, boss...¡± The person was emotional, their face flushed red. ¡°Yes, I will definitely study hard and work diligently after graduation, to repay your kindness!¡± ...So that¡¯s how it is, he thought. To this girl, Sister Zhi Zhen was not just an employer; she was her savior. After the other person left the office, An Zhizhen turned her head to Cen Dongsheng and said, ¡°She, like you, is a university student doing work-study here.¡± ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, you truly are a good person,¡± Cen Dongsheng said, taking a sip of tea. ¡°I really do enjoy caring for others.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just her. Your subordinates all respect you, I can see that.¡± ¡°I hope they can all work well, so the company offers generous benefits. Of course, that alone cannot guarantee everyone will be dedicated...¡± She covered her mouth slightly, jokingly. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, the rest must be credited to my personal charm.¡± ...Her smile truly was charming. The young man was silent for a moment, and finally couldn¡¯t help but ask the question¡ª ¡°Are there some people here working under your power of manipulation?¡± Once the words were out, the atmosphere in the office suddenly became subtle, sinking into some kind of silence. ¡°Can you guess?¡± But in reality, the only person with a serious expression was Cen Dongsheng; Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change at all, as if she really didn¡¯t care about this issue. ¡°I guess,¡± Cen Dongsheng sighed, ¡°I guess there isn¡¯t a single one.¡± ¡°How can you be so sure?¡± ¡°Because you don¡¯t need to.¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± An Zhizhen held her cheek, her demeanor satisfied, not sure if it was because of the tea or the young man¡¯s answer¡ª ¡°To want to control someone long-term is an additional burden on my ability, so I need to choose someone worth doing it for; or if I don¡¯t want it exposed later, I have to deal with it quietly, and that¡¯s somewhat wasteful of resources.¡± The smiling woman¡¯s words were chilling. ¡°Just a bunch of ordinary people, not worth that much to me.¡± ¡°...I see.¡± Cen Dongsheng felt a mix of emotions. It wasn¡¯t because he was upset about Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s cruel nature, theoretically, when he was reborn two months ago and decided to attach himself to her, he was already mentally prepared. He just felt unable to comprehend An Zhizhen as a person, still unable to understand her, and the longer he spent with her, the closer he got to her true self, the more complex it seemed. Just like earlier, when she said she ¡°enjoys caring for others,¡± her expression seemed sincere, even taking care of a temporary employee in the company with dedication, like helping her neighbors in Xiaokang Building, earning trust and respect from those around... If she truly were cold and unfeeling, she wouldn¡¯t be able to do these things. Someone might deliberately pretend to be warm-hearted to achieve their goals. But he didn¡¯t think An Zhizhen was that kind of person, because she didn¡¯t need to pretend, having achieved everything with her ability. However, when talking about value, she could, without hesitation, include human life in a cold calculation. The former was the gentle Sister Zhi Zhen he¡¯d known for the last two months, while the latter was the rationalist he knew, considered to lack human emotion, the Philosopher King. Cen Dongsheng couldn¡¯t help but think of that day when the Ghost House welcomed another sunless morning, with An Zhizhen carrying a newborn out of the tent after performing a delivery. Her forehead was covered in shimmering sweat, her eyes filled with fatigue, but more with joy and satisfaction. The sky was still pitch-black, but when the yellowish light of the campfire-like lamps bathed her in the crowd, it was as if he saw some sort of divine radiance... He had never completely let down his guard, always harboring doubts about the disparity between An Zhizhen¡¯s appearance and his impression, until that day. In short, in just a few days, his impression of Sister Zhi Zhen had been overturned twice. Trying to figure out what kind of person An Zhizhen really was might not affect their cooperation or the plans he had since being reborn. But he just wanted to know, really wanted to know... He couldn¡¯t deceive himself. His feelings for An Zhizhen were complex and difficult to explain, filled with admiration and respect, yet also fear and distance. Even if this woman¡¯s true nature was an abyss, he had no choice but to walk with the abyss. Driven by such thoughts, Cen Dongsheng instinctively asked. ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen, do you like children?¡± ¡°Children?¡± ¡°Ah, to be precise, infants.¡± ¡°...Eh? Isn¡¯t that a bit sudden?¡± An Zhizhen blushed, and then Cen Dongsheng realized how abrupt his question was and blushed as well. However, Sister Zhi Zhen was faking it as she stifled a laugh, saying, ¡°Dongsheng, aren¡¯t you easy to tease?¡± ¡°...Aren¡¯t you the one who likes to say strange things to people?¡± ¡°Yes, I do like it. Only to you, though.¡± Then An Zhizhen unsurprisingly saw a shy side of the young man. She squinted her eyes, speaking with deeper meaning. ¡°Sometimes, I really don¡¯t understand you, Dongsheng. Clearly, when fighting or interacting with others, you have a maturity and experience beyond your years. Yet in some ways, you¡¯re exceptionally green, which feels a bit odd...¡± The woman moved her chair closer to him, adopting an intimate posture, nearly face to face. She grabbed the young man¡¯s arm, feeling the stiffness and tension of his muscles. An Zhizhen asked softly. ¡°What did you do in the past? You weren¡¯t an ordinary student, were you?¡± ¡°...Didn¡¯t I mention it? It was an old grandfather I knew...¡± Cen Dongsheng was caught off guard by the question. He was indeed nervous, not even daring to meet her eyes. ¡°No, not how you became a Curse Forbidden Master. But a person¡¯s character is limited by experience. At your age, to act like a battle-hardened warrior, you couldn¡¯t possibly have been a child soldier, right?¡± After waiting for a while without hearing an answer, only heavier breathing from the young man, An Zhizhen chuckled softly, letting go of his hand. ¡°Never mind, a man with secrets is always more charismatic...¡± An Zhizhen straightened her back, folding her hands gracefully on her lap, returning to her original elegant demeanor. ¡°Back to the previous question, Dongsheng. Why did you suddenly bring up infants?¡± ¡°I just suddenly thought of that day you assisted with a delivery.¡± Cen Dongsheng recalled the scene at the time. ¡°When you walked out of the tent, there was a moment that I felt... like I¡¯d witnessed a Saint firsthand, and it moved me a little.¡± He laughed. ¡°It just came to mind, so I casually asked. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s eyes widened for a moment. Showing surprise, she seemed pleased and clapped her hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that, in your heart, Dongsheng, I hold such an exalted image. It really makes me happy.¡± ¡°I told you not to worry about it,¡± Cen Dongsheng sighed, ¡°I already know what kind of person you are, so I won¡¯t hold you in too much reverence.¡± ¡°No, although I don¡¯t need to maintain an elevated attitude in front of you, Dongsheng, otherwise, as partners, we wouldn¡¯t be able to be close.¡± An Zhizhen rested her chin on her hand, casting her gaze at the cityscape outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the steel forest stretching into the distance. At the horizon¡¯s end, a sun rose over the skyline, suspended high in the sky. Her pupils seemed unafraid of the blaring sun, shining brightly in the light. ¡°But what you said is my dream.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I hope... to become exalted.¡± Chapter 64 - 64 27 Is this what it feels like to be kept ?64: Chapter 27 ¡°Is this what it feels like to be kept... 64: Chapter 27 ¡°Is this what it feels like to be kept... Becoming sublime... Cen Dongsheng followed the woman¡¯s gaze out the floor-to-ceiling window, where a colossal sun was slowly setting at the edge of the city, orange and dazzling, spreading its brilliant rays over the Human World. He instinctively squinted his eyes. What did this mean? ¡°Ah, it¡¯s a bit hard to understand, isn¡¯t it?¡± An Zhizhen rested her chin on her hand, her posture relaxed and her face smiling. ¡°It¡¯s not the literal meaning, but a category in aesthetics. It makes people feel shocked, solemn, reverent, and worshipful... This is the ¡®sublime.''¡± ¡°Still, it¡¯s a bit abstract and hard to understand.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s put it this way, Dongsheng, if I asked you, do you like humans or hate humans, and you had to choose one of the two, what would your first reaction be?¡± Cen Dongsheng thought silently, unable to come to a conclusion. In this world, there are those he liked, admired, and respected, and naturally, there also are those he hated, despised, and resented. His emotions could only be directed at specific people, or at least groups and organizations with some similar characteristics¡ª But the word ¡°humans¡± was just too vague, too vast, so vast that it became meaningless. An Zhizhen waited for a while, not hearing his answer. She didn¡¯t mind, smiling as she continued: ¡°If someone asked me, I could confidently answer, I like humans.¡± ¡°The people living in this world are like colorful flowers in a garden. Although fragile, when they bloom, there¡¯s always unique beauty and brilliance; their urge to grow towards the sun and survive moves people.¡± ¡°I thought you would hate humans after becoming a Curse Forbidden Master.¡± Cen Dongsheng sighed. ¡°Sometimes, I do kind of hate it, because the people I deal with often include arrogant, reckless bastards, or twisted lunatics, like those we¡¯ve encountered recently, none of them are good.¡± ¡°Haha, Sister¡¯s thoughts won¡¯t be shaken by these people.¡± An Zhizhen answered with a laugh. ¡°Besides, getting rid of pests and weeds is the only way to make flowers grow more lavishly. A carefully tended, truly healthy-developing garden will give those beautiful flowers more room to thrive.¡± ¡°I see.¡± He nodded, ¡°Is Zhi Zhen sister considering herself the gardener of this world?¡± ¡°No, I am the sun.¡± Truly... without hesitation. ¡°...¡± An absurdly ridiculous answer. But coming from Sister Zhi Zhen, for some reason, it didn¡¯t seem surprising at all, and he couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Dongsheng, I always feel like I say weird things, please forgive me if I left you with a strange impression.¡± An Zhizhen murmured softly. ¡°It¡¯s hard for me to hide my thoughts in front of you.¡± ¡°...No, thanks to your explanation, Sister Zhi Zhen.¡± Cen Dongsheng sighed, ¡°I think I kind of... kind of understand you now.¡± About the previous question, about the gentle Sister Zhi Zhen in his heart, about the rational cold ruler in his memory... Various complex images began to merge into a fuzzy silhouette. He seemed to finally understand a bit. An Zhizhen had never changed; it was himself who had changed. ¡°Eh, really?¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°I really didn¡¯t misjudge, Dongsheng is someone who can understand me.¡± ¡°In any case, Sister Zhi Zhen was just talking about her ideal, right?¡± Cen Dongsheng scratched his head and answered tentatively. ¡°Although it was vague, I already had a vague guess, it must be a grand and impressive dream.¡± ¡°Yes, so grand that if I said it out loud, people would think I¡¯m out of my mind.¡± No worries, those words themselves were already quite crazy, he thought. Besides, Cen Dongsheng had long known that An Zhizhen was a person with a mental problem¡ª She was very smart, very powerful, but this didn¡¯t conflict with ¡®being out of her mind.¡¯ The Curse Forbidden Masters who reached the Ancestor Realm were all obsessed lunatics, their personalities different from ordinary people, and most frighteningly, they often possessed the terrifying power and amazing execution to realize their dreams. In the eyes of an ordinary person like Cen Dongsheng, every ¡°Ancestor¡± could be called mad. Compared to that, the ideal of the Philosopher King, at least for those living in this world, wasn¡¯t so hard to accept. ¡°So, Dongsheng, isn¡¯t it your turn now?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Of course, your dream.¡± An Zhizhen pointed to herself and then to his chest, ¡°Isn¡¯t this our heart-to-heart moment?¡± ¡°...Me?¡± At the beginning, all he wanted was to survive. After being reborn, the first feeling Cen Dongsheng experienced wasn¡¯t joy, but a weighty sense of urgency, as if some monstrous entity was chasing after him. That was the worry about the future chaotic world. He knew well his own mediocrity, and without the life prohibition, he had to rely on his own hands to fight anew; he couldn¡¯t do it with ease, so he placed his hopes on others. Later, after spending time with Sister Zhi Zhen and using foresight to reach realms previously unattainable, his thoughts changed somewhat. He was no longer content with mediocrity and wanted to fight to climb higher. If he could make more changes, he might have a chance to catch a glimpse of the peak scenery... Cen Dongsheng remained silent for a while, subconsciously acting the same way as An Zhizhen: looking toward the sun at the edge of the city. As if, in that overwhelming light, he glimpsed a bit of destiny. Chapter 65 - 65 27 Is This What It Feels Like to Be Kept_2 ?65: Chapter 27 ¡°Is This What It Feels Like to Be Kept...¡±_2 65: Chapter 27 ¡°Is This What It Feels Like to Be Kept...¡±_2 ¡°I didn¡¯t have a clear goal like Sister Zhi Zhen. If I have to say... I want to become stronger. Only those who are strong enough have the right to grasp their own future and realize the ideals they want to achieve.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s nice. Although pure, it¡¯s not simple, and it¡¯s down-to-earth, which fits your personality well, Dongsheng.¡± An Zhizhen rested her chin on her hand, looking at him with great interest. ¡°Then, let¡¯s set the ideal as ¡®becoming the strongest in the world,¡¯ how about that?¡± ¡°Hey, what do you mean by ¡®let¡¯s¡¯? The difficulty just skyrocketed, didn¡¯t it?¡± he couldn¡¯t help but retort. Every time, it¡¯s so exaggerated, saying that partners have to be lifelong, saying that becoming strong means becoming the strongest in the world, this way of thinking is a bit too extreme¡ª ¡°You are the person meant to stand by my side, Dongsheng.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen said. ¡°People¡¯s dreams, being ambitious isn¡¯t a bad thing.¡± ¡°Maybe...¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s response was somewhat muddled. Besides, his initial goal was just to cling to a powerful person, not to become one himself... ¡°I believe you can do it.¡± The woman gazed at him, her pupils reflecting a strange purple under the sunlight, sometimes reminiscent of clear gemstones, other times like a pool of autumn water under the sunset. Just like now, An Zhizhen¡¯s eyes were sparkling with the anticipation she had for him. ¡°Is that so.¡± The strange thing was, upon hearing this, a subtle sense of reassurance rose in Cen Dongsheng¡¯s heart, and he truly felt a slight bit of confidence... Even Cen Dongsheng himself wondered if he was too easy to deal with. This was probably influenced by memories of the future, after all? When he worked under this big BOSS, he never heard of any wrong judgments she made. The most criticized aspect of An Zhizhen in the future was her cold ruthlessness; however, history always tended to show that she was the one on the correct side. ¡°Back to the main topic.¡± Cen Dongsheng came back to his senses and cleared his throat. ¡°We¡¯ve finished talking about ideals. Now, should you explain the purpose of bringing me here? What should we do next?¡± ¡°Next, of course, is to let us move step by step towards our respective dreams.¡± An Zhizhen pointed at the computer screen. ¡°After looking at this World Forum, what do you think?¡± Cen Dongsheng answered based on his experience: ¡°I think it¡¯s a network community with great potential. As the size of Curse Forbidden Masters among people increases, and supernatural events occur frequently around the world, if we can seize the opportunity, this place might become their gathering hub. One day, it will be able to provide a vast intelligence network and interpersonal resources.¡± ¡°Indeed. The rise of any network community hinges on seizing the first-mover advantage, and... the community operator needs to provide a sense of identity to the audience, making them feel a sense of belonging.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s words hit the nail on the head. Apparently, she already had thoughts on this matter. ¡°I¡¯m planning to hold an offline gathering soon.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°The invitees are forum users I suspect might be Forbidden Masters or insiders who are certain of the existence of ghosts and Forbidden Masters. This has been in the works for a while, actually. Some sharp-minded users have already had private contact. It was after confirming this that I felt the time is ripe.¡± ¡°How many people?¡± ¡°The first batch of participants is between fifty and eighty people.¡± That was quite a number, Cen Dongsheng thought deeply. This wasn¡¯t eight years later, when qualified people could learn how to refine True Qi and awaken Cursing Prohibition under the guidance of local departments or Forbidden Master groups; in this era of savage growth, Curse Forbidden Masters who could awaken using their abilities often experienced more than one dangerous and thrilling supernatural event. He looked up, gazed at Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s perfect smile, and asked: ¡°Are you planning to use your abilities on them?¡± ¡°That would depend on the situation.¡± She replied with a smile. ¡°Depending on whether these people are worth it.¡± An unsurprising answer. ¡°Exactly.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen nodded, ¡°Additionally, I¡¯ve noticed that Curse Forbidden Masters exhibit significantly stronger resistance to my abilities compared to ordinary people. Dongsheng, based on your experience, what do you think I should be careful about?¡± Would this be considered aiding a tyrant? Actually helping an ambitious Great Demon King... Though he thought thusly, Cen Dongsheng still naturally began to offer strategies to An Zhizhen. To walk alongside the abyss, he was prepared to let go of certain things. ¡°Firstly, the most important thing, as Sister Zhi Zhen said earlier, there¡¯s a ¡®cancellation¡¯ between curses. Although most Curse Forbidden Masters aren¡¯t your match, if you happen to encounter one at the same level... that is, the highest Special Class Cursing Prohibition, it might likely not take effect.¡± ¡°¡®Special Class¡¯... is it.¡± ¡°Precisely. It completely surpasses the old divisions of ¡®A B C D,¡¯ and is above them, disturbing the rules of all things and natural fates. Each one possesses either unfathomable might or unimaginable mystical effects.¡± He spoke solemnly. ¡°Of course, people with such curse prohibitions are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, so it¡¯s just a reminder. I believe in Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s prudence.¡± Moreover, the so-called manipulation of hearts by the ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± was actually just a ¡°byproduct.¡± Its true effects were far beyond this¡ªAn Zhizhen surely understood this better than he did. ¡°Thank you for your trust.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen smiled. ¡°But if destiny really exists in this world, people like that would meet sooner or later, right? Just like you and me.¡± Cen Dongsheng was taken aback. Maybe... ¡°By the way, you are indeed very experienced.¡± She quickly changed the topic, ¡°Some things, I¡¯m hearing from you for the first time.¡± ¡°...I can record my knowledge and give it to you.¡± This was originally the bargaining chip he intended to use to establish a connection with An Zhizhen. ¡°That would be wonderful, thank you so much!¡± An Zhizhen clasped her hands together, beaming with joy. ¡°Then, I should also find a way to repay you. Resources and information you want, I¡¯ll provide. Additionally... Oh, Dongsheng, are you interested in becoming a celebrity?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Becoming a widely recognized expert among the Curse Forbidden Masters.¡± She pointed to the webpage on the computer screen, ¡°With this forum, it can be easily achieved.¡± ¡°If I do that, I would become a target of public criticism, wouldn¡¯t I?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t like it¡ª¡± ¡°No problem, I don¡¯t mind. Go ahead with your plan, Sister Zhi Zhen.¡± ¡°Wow, Dongsheng, you are quite indulgent...¡± ¡°After all, we still have a long road ahead.¡± Cen Dongsheng looked at her. ¡°Next, Sister Zhi Zhen plans to leave this city, right?¡± ¡°Yes, my work has been transferred to Tianhai. I will be based there for a long period.¡± As expected, in the previous life, it was the same with An Zhizhen. ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to study at Tianhai University. We¡¯ll still be together...¡± His fists clenched instinctively. A hard-earned opportunity, a chance to change the future, alter the ordinary, and seize destiny firmly in his own hands¡ª ¡°Of course. We¡¯ll always be together.¡± An Zhizhen nodded. She took out a bunch of keys from her handbag and handed them to him, her actions seeming well-prepared. Cen Dongsheng was slightly stunned. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°Keys. Car keys and house keys are all ready for you. The car is newly bought, go pick it up yourself. The house is a small villa near Zhongshan Road in Tianhai City. The owner was eager to sell, and after I saw it, I bought it. It¡¯s very close to Tianhai University, you know?¡± ¡°Uh...¡± ¡°When you get there, I¡¯ll call a moving company to help. After some time, when we¡¯re both settled, I¡¯ll come visit.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen rattled off a string of words, arranging his residence without considering his thoughts at all. Cen Dongsheng was still a bit unresponsive. He looked down at the car badge on the key and felt a mix of emotions, both amusing and frustrating. ¡ªSo... does this mean I¡¯m really being kept? Chapter 66 - 66 28 Destiny Favors Her ?66: Chapter 28 Destiny Favors Her 66: Chapter 28 Destiny Favors Her An Zhizhen was a strange person. She knew this very well but never considered it to be a defect of any kind. This was not an innate physiological shortcoming, but a subtle deviation that had arisen between her personal cognition and societal common sense. If society was like a massive machine, thunderously churning, there were always a few gears, mismatched in size or excessively worn, that did not fit. Some saw this as a dysfunction or imbalance that needed correction, like a disease that required treatment; but in her eyes, since common sense was not a natural state but a man-made construct, potentially shifting with each era, there was really no such thing as inviolable sanctity. But after all, most people ultimately lived on this side of life, and those black sheep among the flock of sheep, in order not to be cast off to drift on the Fool¡¯s Ship, had no choice but to keep silent. Those lacking ambition would lie low, either having their edges worn away or eventually losing control and being shunned, ostracized, or even imprisoned... But she did not want this. All these signs began with the passing of her relatives. An Zhizhen grew up in an affluent, upper-class family; her father was a businessman, and her mother was a pianist. Though theirs was a marriage lacking in affection, they were respectful to each other, albeit often apart due to the father¡¯s business trips and the mother¡¯s world tours... Since elementary school, she had been taken care of by her retired official grandfather. Until the day her grandfather died of illness. That was the first time An Zhizhen witnessed someone¡¯s passing up close. The old man, once talkative and ruddy, lay on the hospital bed, skin and bones, hunched over like a skeleton. With sunken eyes and an odd scent to his body, his frail, hoarse voice calling her name as he looked at her was terrifying to the young girl. Regardless of what kind of wealth, status, or reputation one had, no matter how happy and fulfilling a life one lived, at that moment, all beauty lost its meaning, all meaning dissipated into nothingness. Children are often afraid of unclear things, most of which they gradually forget as they grow up; but An Zhizhen was different, for after the fear, she thought about how to overcome it. She wanted to take control of her own destiny, and her interest in biological science, in medicine, perhaps began at that moment. But the power of an individual was so weak, while the world they faced was so vast and immeasurable. Against the currents of the times, one could capsize at any moment. She wanted to find that dream. ¡ªSo, to become a politician? It was the organizational power of human beings that allowed the creation of a brilliant civilization; it was only after becoming ¡°a kind¡± that they could turn into monsters. Yet even if one climbed to the brain of this monster, one still could not manipulate it at will. Not only was there the risk of backlash, but the impotence of the individual remained unchanged. ¡ªSo, to become a scientist? If she could truly make an astonishing discovery that would upend the modern industrial system and the order of the scientific community, she might find the answer she sought. But that hope was undoubtedly elusive. It was from that time that An Zhizhen realized the abnormality of her own personality; she found that her thoughts were ludicrous and wildly imaginative, the kind of thinking only the great villains in fictional works had; and since everyone was ordinary with no superpowers or magic, such fantasies would always remain just that. But whether it was fortunate or not, aside from her way of thinking so distinctly different from others¡¯, An Zhizhen was also very smart and precocious, so she had always managed to keep this contradiction between herself and the group well hidden. In others¡¯ eyes, everything about An Zhizhen was perfect; she had a good background, stunning looks, elegant speech, a warm personality, was popular, intelligent, talented in studies and art, and trusted by teachers, parents, and classmates. After graduating from a prestigious university, she smoothly embarked on an academic path. Everything had gone so predictably. An Zhizhen thought that unless there was some astronomical probability effect so minute as to be nearly imperceptible, she would never find the answer she sought. So, this masquerade might continue for a lifetime, even if she married, had children, and grew old¡ªshe was mentally prepared for this. Until the arrival of the Curse Power. An Zhizhen hadn¡¯t encountered or experienced anything particular; she simply awakened naturally and immediately realized its function. Now, ¡°whether it was her inherent personality that attracted the dreadful power of the Heavenly Leader to her,¡± or ¡°it was the latent power within her to manipulate others that twisted her personality¡±...no longer mattered. That one-in-billions chance had come true; she had found her answer, and her repressed ambition swelled dramatically¡ª Most people, after all, lived on this side. Those black sheep among the flock of sheep, in order not to be cast off to drift on the Fool¡¯s Ship, could only remain silent. But she didn¡¯t want this. What she wanted even more was to hold the power to decide right from wrong, good from evil, in her own hands; she wished to build a giant ship for all the people of the world, then herd them aboard. Only by facing the stormy seas again could a stagnant human society regain the spirit of adventure. Chapter 67 - 67 28 Destiny Favors Her_2 ?67: Chapter 28 Destiny Favors Her_2 67: Chapter 28 Destiny Favors Her_2 An Zhizhen thought this way, and now, she had the ability to turn ambition into reality. However, during this process, she discovered a problem: That was... she was too lonely. In An Zhizhen¡¯s original plan, she never factored others in, including her own family; she was always alone. This affected her mental health on one hand; on the other hand, those who exalt themselves above all others cannot discern right from wrong. If she wanted to break this state, she must find someone she could open her heart to, share her secrets and ideals with, someone she could trust wholeheartedly... But how to choose such a person? Even An Zhizhen herself couldn¡¯t come up with a satisfactory standard. Until Cen Dongsheng appeared. Even now, An Zhizhen felt this person seemed to have fallen from the sky. At the very beginning, he seemed like a simple and kind young man, but she quickly and keenly sensed that he was approaching her while hiding some sort of secret. Thus, she naturally put on a disguise, and the relationship between them gradually became familiar and close... Until she could savor the sweet joy from this false relationship... Then, An Zhizhen decided to set a trial, and watching him fight to protect her filled her heart with uncontrollable delight... ¡°You did very well, Dongsheng.¡± In the dark corner of a hallway before dawn, there were only her and the unconscious young man. An Zhizhen held the young man¡¯s head in her arms, resting it on her knees. Her eyelids drooped as she whispered in Cen Dongsheng¡¯s ear. ¡°Really well, really... exceeded my expectations, truly remarkable.¡± Like a mother praising her child, her tone was filled with kindness; her slender fingers gently caressed his cheek. But, would you be that person? At that time, An Zhizhen still could not make up her mind. Until he refused the blood contract medium, saying, ¡°I believe the foundation of a partnership is equality. If one side can completely control the master-slave relationship with the other, it can¡¯t be considered equal,¡± then she finally confirmed¡ª Ah, it really was you. * ¡°...So, am I being kept?¡± ¡°Hehe, if you think of it that way, I gladly welcome it. Let this elder sister take care of you for a lifetime!¡± After Cen Dongsheng left, An Zhizhen stood at the office door, her eyes following the young man as he departed without blinking. Not until his figure had completely vanished in the hallway did she reluctantly withdraw her gaze and turn back into the office. Next, she turned on her phone. To avoid anyone disturbing her while connecting with Dongsheng, An Zhizhen had specifically cut off all communication this morning. As soon as she turned it on, several calls came in impatiently. An Zhizhen opened messages and emails, replying to each systematically and calmly. ¡°Okay, I understand, I¡¯ll check it tomorrow. First, keep all the researchers under control... Yes, find a reason to keep them in the institute for a day. Don¡¯t hold back at critical moments; I allow you to mobilize the security department, just don¡¯t hurt them. This is the first month the research institute was established, and rules need to be set.¡± ¡°Is there progress on your side? Very good, I didn¡¯t misjudge you, keep up the good work. Serving me, you¡¯ll get what you desire, be it money or fame... Want to become a Curse Forbidden Master? Hehe, it¡¯s a cinch.¡± ¡°Have you made contact? Hmm, I¡¯ll go meet that intermediary gentleman. Prepared for negotiations? Intelligence is necessary; bargaining chips, not so much, that¡¯s the least needed.¡± ... Putting down her phone, An Zhizhen walked around the office, drew the heavy curtains to block out the sunlight, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became quiet. With a flick, she turned on the vinyl record player, and as the classical music flowed, the woman sat in her office chair, closed her eyes, and gracefully folded her hands on her lap, even her resting posture was elegant. She seemed to be resting her mind, but in reality, her brain was operating at high speed. One pressing issue after another emerged in her mind, each was realistic and complex, and couldn¡¯t be solved just by relying on the Curse Forbidden Art. On one hand, her ability had an endurance limit, making it currently difficult to control large crowds for a prolonged period, and on the other hand... some people, if left free, might generate more value than those willing to comply. Countless people lived in this world, constructing a system to measure social value. The responsibility of those in the upper ranks was to let them effectively play their abilities accordingly. ¡°The lab has completed its initial preparation, yet the talent pool is still far from sufficient. Those educated, possessing the knowledge and experience to undertake research and experimental work, and who also have an in-depth understanding of cursing prohibitions and ghosts, and can engage in this work without prejudice... such people are hard to find; for now, I still need to take the lead.¡± ¡°Contact with the government and professional institutions has already laid the groundwork...¡± ¡°Research on the ghost house phenomenon has just begun. Since it involves space-time structures, it may even impact basic science... Knowledge progress stems from sharing; we need to find a way for the cloistered ones to realize this.¡± The companies and online forums An Zhizhen brought Cen Dongsheng to visit today, although part of her key agenda for expanding manpower, could be merely considered a ¡°tip of the iceberg¡± in her overall preparations. Since her ability awakened, she felt as if she¡¯d anticipated this day since she was young, contemplating how to act once it arrived, and so she¡¯s been executing her plan swiftly and methodically. A large-scale plan, primarily aimed at constructing her power base, setting the groundwork for her ambition and dreams. Before the opportune moment arrived, all was preparatory time for An Zhizhen to step onto the world stage. The ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± ability was too convenient, too powerful, but important was... the current world still belonged to the ordinary. Countless people lived each day in a daze, unaware of the undercurrents already stirring on the world¡¯s other side. Though Forbidden Masters couldn¡¯t resist her power, they could still potentially sense her presence, but ordinary people were different. Bureaucrats, the rich, elite... these individuals who still grasped a wealth of social resources were the best entry points, insuperable. This opportunity was brief; before the existing societal power relations and organizational structure were overthrown, An Zhizhen seized this lead and was rapidly expanding her influence and influence. ¡ªShe didn¡¯t intend to hide any of this from Cen Dongsheng; all would be revealed in due time. An Zhizhen eagerly anticipated seeing the surprised expression on Cen Dongsheng¡¯s face, the respect mixed with trust in his gaze, hearing him call her ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen,¡± all of which would bring her immense satisfaction. This is what¡¯s called an emotional value, yet due to her arrogance, the criteria of what she wanted were pretty demanding, attainable only by someone she recognized. And... Occasionally, Dongsheng would also express his views, insights as if perceiving the future¡ªexactly what she currently needed. Her thoughts paused, An Zhizhen finally opened her eyes. She stood up, stretched her arms luxuriously, showcasing her graceful physique. ¡°Oh, I am quite busy indeed... Is this the cost of aspiring to be a great figure?¡± She looked toward the sun once more, a smile gracing her lips. She couldn¡¯t help but reach toward the sunlight, as if to hold that unattainable colossal star in her hand¡ª ¡°Hmph-hmph... hehehe...¡± Recalling the agreement from last night and the conversation in the office just now, An Zhizhen couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°Really, ¡®Special Grade Curse Prohibition¡¯... an existence of the same level as me? I heard some intriguing things from Dongsheng again.¡± Whether it was what Cen Dongsheng said inside the Ghost House or his understanding of ghosts and cursing prohibitions demonstrated in his articulation, it all benefited her greatly. Not merely trivial reminders, the mystery-shrouded young man spoke with a foresight that seemed capable of predicting the future, holding vast value. While others might not easily discern the secrets within, they were sufficient to provide the highly gifted woman a correct research direction. This reaffirmed An Zhizhen¡¯s belief that choosing him to be that person was indeed destiny. This was the second time after awakening the ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± ability that she couldn¡¯t suppress such a thought¡ª Fate seemed to favor her. ¡°The future of this world is really something to look forward to...¡± Chapter 68 - 68 29 The Self-Cultivation of a Driver ?68: Chapter 29: The Self-Cultivation of a Driver 68: Chapter 29: The Self-Cultivation of a Driver A few days later. As night fell. People at the company began to leave work one after another. An Zhizhen walked out of the office, and along the way, greeted employees warmly, responding politely to each one. Arriving at the underground parking lot, her chauffeur was already waiting. ¡°Thank you for your hard work.¡± She tapped on the car window and opened the back door. ¡°...Boss, are we heading to the hotel?¡± The woman sitting in the driver¡¯s seat asked, a slight tension in her voice. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s drive.¡± The car engine started, and it slowly moved out of the underground garage, navigating smoothly between the neon lights and the bustling traffic, heading toward the destination. The city streets after nightfall were bathed in the glow from the commercial buildings and streetlights, scenes flashed by in a blur as they sped into the distance. An Zhizhen rolled down the car window, the night breeze blowing her hair across her forehead. She admired the night scenery for a moment and then spoke with a smile. ¡°Your driving skills are quite good, Yin Lian.¡± ¡°Thank you for your compliment.¡± The chauffeur seated in the driver¡¯s seat replied. ¡°I¡¯m used to working alone, so some skills get honed over time. It¡¯s my honor to serve you.¡± ¡°Haha, you¡¯re becoming more and more eloquent.¡± Kong Yulin gripped the steering wheel, the silver bracelet on her wrist jingling with a ¡°ding-ling.¡± She pressed her lips tightly, maintaining a neutral expression, though she thought to herself: If I don¡¯t learn to please the boss, my throat might get cut, and I¡¯d have to do it with my own hands. ¡°Thank you for your hard work these past few days.¡± ¡°It hasn¡¯t been hard...¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s voice, tinged with laughter, came from the back. ¡°Some tasks can only be done by you. You have certain skills, and with your experience, you¡¯re indeed the best choice. These days you¡¯ve been acting as a secretary, a chauffeur, and running around on assignments. But don¡¯t worry, after tonight, you¡¯ll likely have a few more colleagues, so it won¡¯t be all on you.¡± ¡°...Thank you for understanding.¡± Kong Yulin still didn¡¯t know what expression to make, looking at her own stiff face in the rearview mirror. Her emotions were already complex, unsure whether to feel compassion for others being manipulated, with their dignity and free will taken away; or to feel schadenfreude, feeling at least the Demon King behind her wouldn¡¯t only be ordering her around... ¡°Speaking of which, Yin Lian, you have some experience as a mercenary, knowing a few Forbidden Masters worldwide, and understanding a fair bit about the circles, right?¡± ¡°Just a little,¡± Kong Yulin replied. ¡°Besides, my activities mainly revolved around Hong Kong, Taiwan, the mainland, and Japan and South Korea. I don¡¯t know much about other places...¡± ¡°Alright, you¡¯re really quite cautious.¡± ¡°...If the boss wants to know anything, I¡¯ll do my best to provide answers. If I truly don¡¯t know, I¡¯ll find ways to inquire through various channels.¡± ¡°So humble. By the way, since you know some people and can hope they answer questions, why not introduce them directly to me? These connections might be ¡®useful¡¯ for me in the future.¡± ¡°...Uh.¡± Kong Yulin was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond at the moment. Were Cen Dongsheng present, seeing Kong Yulin¡¯s current reaction, he would surely be filled with emotion; they were both encountering similar problems, except he was much more decisive in his judgments. Perhaps because someone was already accustomed to it, considering that in the future, it wouldn¡¯t even be a choice worth mentioning. If an Ideal Country citizen were to evaluate it, they¡¯d say enviously: Serving a Philosopher King as a dog is your greatest honor, what¡¯s there to hesitate about¡ª ¡°Okay, getting back to the main topic.¡± An Zhizhen wasn¡¯t bothered by her hesitation. ¡°Forbidden Masters, ghosts, and cursing prohibitions are divided into the categories ¡®A, B, C, D,¡¯ this is generally accepted as a classification, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Kong Yulin replied. ¡°Since the Republic, in the Forbidden Master community in the Great China Area, it¡¯s the more mainstream and common perspective. Actually, even the term ¡®Forbidden Master¡¯ and the division of cursing prohibitions into ¡®Heavenly God, Earthly Human, Ghost¡¯ follow this...¡± The term cursing prohibition is just a catch-all phrase, as folk religions have always been complex with varied cultures across regions. Especially in recent times, the majority expands focusing on natural Forbidden Masters, leading some to mistakenly view it as a superpower without guidance, causing chaos in the entire circle. Nonetheless, because of this, some broad categorization standards gradually become common knowledge amidst such fusion and clashes. ¡°¡ªThen, have you heard of ¡®Special Grade Curse Prohibition?''¡± Kong Yulin paused, instinctively asking: ¡°...Something stronger than ¡®A, B, C, D¡¯?¡± ¡°Yes, have you heard of it?¡± ¡°A, B, C, D is indeed a very rough classification, but its purpose is to encompass all the cultivation methods passed down through various disciplines since ancient times. To transcend this category, it could only be the mythical power of gods... Ultimately, the goal of the ancients refining Qi and cultivation was to become immortal or divine, transcending the mortal coil. Despite tales of ascension throughout history, the legend remains just that. ¡°If one truly mastered such magical abilities, calling them land immortals would not be an exaggeration... ah.¡± Kong Yulin suddenly remembered that just behind her, there might be such a candidate. Speaking of ¡°spirit manipulation,¡± Soul Capture, and Round Light Illusion Technique, these practices have existed since ancient times, but these techniques are incomparable to An Zhizhen¡¯s power. Chapter 69 - 69 29 Drivers Self-Cultivation_2 ?69: Chapter 29 Driver¡¯s Self-Cultivation_2 69: Chapter 29 Driver¡¯s Self-Cultivation_2 The enormous energy within her was unimaginable until Kong Yulin experienced it herself. It might have surpassed any Cursing Forbidden Master in history. ¡°I must say, perhaps in this world, only you, Boss...¡± Kong Yulin complimented again, but this time it was sincere. ¡°I truly am.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s response was even more straightforward as she said calmly. ¡°So, is this a level you specifically set apart to distinguish yourself from other Cursing Forbidden Masters, Boss?¡± ¡°No, someone told me about this term.¡± The other party replied with a smile. ¡°If I were that arrogant, I would call myself the ¡®King of Curse¡¯ by now. The fact that ¡®Special Class¡¯ was divided means there is more than one person wielding such power.¡± Upon hearing this, Kong Yulin was shocked beyond words. ¡°That person also warned me to be careful. Every Special Grade Curse Prohibition possesses rules-disrupting and world-defying powers... Yin Lian, what¡¯s your first reaction to these words?¡± ¡°This, is this true? No, I¡¯m not doubting you, but after all...¡± ¡°Rather than trusting me, you can trust him more.¡± The woman¡¯s tone was calm but with an undeniable firmness. ¡°So, what do you think?¡± The question was repeated again. ¡°...¡± If Kong Yulin had to say what thought popped first into her mind, it was naturally... the future of this world was truly worrying. There was more than one such monster. Without doubt, figures like An Zhizhen, every single one of them had the capability to cause worldwide destruction and chaos. Could ordinary people really survive in such a world? Until this moment, Kong Yulin never thought she had a bit of a heart for the country and its people¡ª ¡°...Ah.¡± She suddenly felt a chill. Did she just call her Boss a ¡°monster¡±? However, she didn¡¯t seem to receive any punishment... Kong Yulin couldn¡¯t help but glance at the rearview mirror, where her boss was still smiling in the back seat, not angry at all. It meant that this term wasn¡¯t in the forbidden vocabulary, and she didn¡¯t oppose being called a monster. The boss¡¯s self-assessment was... how to say, quite self-aware... ¡°Was it Mr. Cen Dongsheng who said that?¡± ¡°Oh, you could guess?¡± ¡°The only one the boss could trust this much is probably him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s quite right,¡± An Zhizhen said, ¡°Anyway, my first reaction was, ¡®how did he know?¡¯ You would think that too, right?¡± ¡°... Mr. Cen knew about Special Grade Curse Prohibition before meeting the boss.¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s even possible he himself is a holder of Special Grade Curse Prohibition.¡± Kong Yulin thought about it, though it wasn¡¯t as terrifying as when An Zhizhen used her power, the experience of being crushed to dust by a whole star, bringing a soul-level shock. However, the man being burned to a skeleton in battle and still resurrecting was indeed exaggerated, and she was equally shocked at the time. Moreover, maybe that wasn¡¯t even his full power. ¡°It¡¯s said that anyone who wields Special Grade Curse Prohibition can resist my ¡®Heavenly Leader,¡¯ so actually, I have a way to get answers...¡± An Zhizhen sighed. ¡°Unfortunately, I already promised Dongsheng not to use my abilities on him. It sure makes me feel a bit itchy.¡± Kong Yulin stayed silent. Both of them were monsters, big monsters and small monsters, monster women, and monster men... it suited them well. She already knew these two had a very close relationship, akin to lovers, and if possible, she really wished to be spared from hearing her boss¡¯s ramblings about that young man again. But apparently, Kong Yulin¡¯s thoughts did not reach An Zhizhen¡¯s ears, and the woman¡¯s questions were not yet over. ¡°Based on this, I thought of something else.¡± The woman sighed gently. ¡°I think I have hidden my abilities well enough not to attract attention. If Dongsheng approached me because of the Special Grade Curse Prohibition on me, how did he notice? If not for that, then why did he intentionally approach me?¡± Kong Yulin was shocked. Could it be that her boss developed suspicions about Cen Dongsheng? No, her boss had just said she ¡°trusted him the most,¡± and now suddenly she flipped? I really can¡¯t follow this person¡¯s pace... ¡°Boss, are you having doubts about Mr. Cen¡ª¡± ¡°I have suspected he had ulterior motives for a long time. A month ago, I started investigating Dongsheng¡¯s past. According to him, he grew up in an orphanage and later encountered an old man by chance, learning the knowledge of a Cursing Forbidden Master from that person... none of that is strange, but I have investigated all the records since his birth, checked all the found video and photo records, and confirmed that until college, he was just a kid who stayed in school studying every day. But you¡¯ve seen his skills and fought him; you must have noticed he has rich combat experience, which is not something a student could achieve, right?¡± ¡°...¡± Facing her boss¡¯s torrents of words, Kong Yulin was speechless. How scary, she began to feel sympathy for that young man... is it really necessary to continue associating with such a woman? ¡°Sigh, I couldn¡¯t help it. I intended to turn a blind eye, but Dongsheng was too deliberate at first. It seems he didn¡¯t have experience in dealing with girls, and his intent was quite obvious... hehe, since you¡¯re here, help me analyze.¡± An Zhizhen rested her chin in her hand, smiling brightly as she posed the question again, ¡°Yin Lian, what do you think?¡± ¡ªCould you please stop asking me for my opinion! Kong Yulin was nearly breaking out in a cold sweat. Listening to her boss complain about her private life and even suspecting a lover... it¡¯s the worst topic in the world. No matter what side her response stood on, a subordinate like her would not fare well, and would be remembered for it afterward. Her ¡°job¡± was truly unusual, filled with danger at every turn. ¡°Why, is this question that hard to answer?¡± Her boss wouldn¡¯t let her go, continuing to press. Kong Yulin began to wonder if this person was deliberately making fun of her... While racking her brains on how to respond, she suddenly recalled the experience where she almost slit her throat¡ª ¡°To understand my relationship with Dongsheng as so sordid and cheap is really unpleasant; as punishment, you¡¯ll become mute for life.¡± She remembered her boss saying something like that, indicating she didn¡¯t care about Cen Dongsheng¡¯s deliberate approach from the beginning. Moreover, Kong Yulin herself benefitted from his presence to escape jeopardy, and from then on, she learned to be cautious in words and actions. ¡°¡ª¡ªMaybe, perhaps... Mr. Cen was just smitten with admiration upon meeting you, Boss, smitten at first sight, without much reason...¡± She replied awkwardly, not daring to turn her head back. Inside the car, a tense silence lingered for several seconds, during which Kong Yulin glanced at the woman in the rearview mirror, who clapped her hands together, her smile blooming like flowers. ¡°Ah! You explained it well. I think that¡¯s exactly it!¡± An Zhizhen praised her cheerfully. ¡°Thanks for your answer, Yin Lian. I overthought it. Dongsheng probably approached me because he was smitten at first sight, and there¡¯s nothing strange about that. Although being a bit obsessed with appearances isn¡¯t great, maybe he¡¯d fall for another pretty woman later... but after all, boys at this age can be forgiven.¡± Finally... Finally got through this! Kong Yulin let out a long sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, entirely uninterested in attending to her boss¡¯s chattering from the back. She wished she could make time fly tenfold faster and step on the gas pedal to the floor. In stark contrast to Kong Yulin, sitting in the back seat was An Zhizhen, who was speaking to someone on the phone¡ªwith her radiant smile, it was clear that the person on the other end was none other than the Cen Dongsheng they had been discussing. Up ahead, traffic flowed, streetlights flickered, and Kong Yulin anxiously tapped on the steering wheel. The road to the destination seemed so long... Chapter 70 - 70 30 The Prelude to a New Era ?70: Chapter 30: The Prelude to a New Era 70: Chapter 30: The Prelude to a New Era At the same time, in another city hundreds of kilometers away, Tianhai City, As the nation¡¯s most important economic center and a port city, an internationally renowned metropolis, Tianhai City was undoubtedly a city that never slept. Under the veil of night, artificial lights flourished brilliantly, embellishing the cold steel forest into a massive bonfire. The reflection of the city standing by the sea spread across the pitch-black water surface. Accompanied by the surge of dark tides, the waves shimmered, and the sound of ship horns could be heard from not far off the dock, resounding melodiously into the night. Cen Dongsheng took the high-speed train from Jinjiang City to Tianhai City; he didn¡¯t head directly to his destination by taxi but leisurely explored along the way using the subway and bus while gathering online information. His hometown was Jinjiang City, while the place he spent the most time in as an adult was Tianhai City, where he felt the deepest emotions for these two cities. Cen Dongsheng studied at Tianhai University. Later, towards the end of the ¡°First Wave,¡± it encountered ¡°Yin Soldiers Crossing,¡± one of the ¡°Eight Great Disasters,¡± forcing him to flee this city. After wandering elsewhere for a year, struggling to survive until the ¡°Second Wave¡± was about to end¡ªwhich was around the time ¡°The First Ancestor¡± emerged¡ªat that time, An Zhizhen had already officially stepped onto the historical stage. Under her leadership, the Governance Bureau settled the entire order of the Tiannan District, making it one of the safest places in the world, only then did he finally manage to return to Tianhai City. Afterward, he went through selection, becoming one of the Curse Forbidden Masters, joining the Exorcism Department, working on the front line, leading a busy and tiring yet somewhat stable life until his rebirth. ... Cen Dongsheng stood at the noisy crossroads, gazing at the neon lights woven into a sea, recalling everything he experienced before his rebirth, unavoidably feeling a sense of nostalgia as if in a different lifetime. He didn¡¯t feel much about the prosperity of a city. Coastal cities¡¯ economies were generally more developed; for him back then, Tianhai City might have been a larger-sized Jinjiang City. But from today¡¯s perspective, this city, no matter in the past or the future, carried too much, bore too much. ¡°Really, there¡¯re people everywhere...¡± While he was reflecting heartfeltly, he suddenly received a call from An Zhizhen. ¡°...It¡¯s time to visit my new home.¡± Cen Dongsheng thought as he opened his phone, greeted by a barrage of questions. ¡°Have you arrived? Why didn¡¯t you call me when you arrived?¡± ¡°Just got here, didn¡¯t want to disturb you. Is Sister Zhi Zhen busy with work?¡± ¡°As long as it¡¯s your call, I¡¯m always free... I mean it!¡± Sister Zhi Zhen emphasized from the other side of the phone. ¡°You must remember to call me, okay? If I don¡¯t hear from you for some time, I¡¯ll worry, although we agreed before...¡± ¡°We just agreed to keep in touch regularly, not necessarily to call every day, right? Sister Zhi Zhen, you worry too much, do you really see me as a child?¡± ¡°To me, you are a child.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not okay.¡± Cen Dongsheng replied, ¡°We are companions, not a mother-and-son duo.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care!... What¡¯s decided is decided, I just want to hear your voice every day, we made a deal, there¡¯s no backing out.¡± Rarely did Sister Zhi Zhen start being stubborn. Rather, she seemed more like a child now. ¡°Alright, alright, I understand.¡± Cen Dongsheng replied, somewhat helplessly, ¡°I promise you, okay?¡± After hanging up the phone, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh. ...What a troublesome woman. Though he admitted he lacked in some aspects, growing up in a welfare home wasn¡¯t without benefits. Even in the future, he was still struggling alone, surviving with no friends, no lover, a lone wolf¡ªthis sounded somewhat pitiful, yet he was never wanting in the ability to live independently. He believed he could take care of himself, but there was a kind of concern in this world, called ¡°An Zhizhen thinks you can¡¯t live without her...¡± Fortunately, his acceptance capacity was strong, and his mental expectations were low. This level of ¡°quirkiness¡± on the future Philosopher King seemed harmless, even somewhat cute. Only after making another promise of ¡°speaking with her every day¡± did Sister Zhi Zhen finally let him go, bidding each other goodnight. Hanging up, Cen Dongsheng did not feel like continuing his sightseeing, he took a ride to find his new home following the address given by Sister Zhi Zhen. ¡°This is the place...¡± Cen Dongsheng stood under the streetlight, gazing at the iron fence in front of him. Behind the fence was a three-story villa, with a pointed roof arching upward, the second floor featured a ribbon balcony, the third floor had several semi-circular arches; the exterior was in red brick, with a fairly spacious lawn and fountain, and pebble-paved paths leading to the main entrance. The whole building had a minimalist yet elegant art deco style. Even though it was late at night, one could still see that it was a beautiful house; in the daylight, it must look even more splendid. Alongside the villa, there was a row of tall and robust sycamore trees that seemed to have been planted for some years. In the height of summer, the trees were lush and verdant, forming a continuous stretch of shade, like a series of giant umbrellas. The dim streetlight filtered through the gaps, casting scatterings of light on the asphalt road. ¡°I¡¯m going to live here for the foreseeable future. This is my new home? Not bad at all.¡± The space appeared not small at all, somewhat extravagant for one person, enough to accommodate four or five more people at least. Considering its proximity to Tianhai University, the location near the city center, the price of this detached villa was indeed beyond the imagination of the average small-town resident... Luckily, he was well taken care of by a wealthy patron. Cen Dongsheng had already accepted this fact in his heart, thanks to his strong acceptance ability as a Curse Forbidden Master, not needing any psychological work. He used the key to open the gate and walked along the pebble path inside. Pushing open the door, the wind chimes hanging from the eaves rang with a crisp and pleasant sound, welcoming the arrival of the new owner. Entering the interior, the redwood floor beneath his feet was clean and shiny, reflecting his face; carpets stretched inside, a crystal chandelier hung in the living room, the furniture setup was classic and luxurious, a spiral staircase rose upward, the corner walls adorned with staggered classic frames, featuring landscapes, portraits, and a mirror reflecting the chandelier¡ªas if a beauty in a cheongsam from a Republic-era film might descend from the stairs at any moment. ¡°Very good, very good...¡± Seeing good things naturally put one in a good mood. It appeared that before his arrival, Sister Zhi Zhen had already arranged for someone to clean and organize. Cen Dongsheng stretched lazily, surveying the surrounding furnishings, nodding with satisfaction. ¡°My new life is about to begin.¡± * Simultaneously, elsewhere in Jinjiang City. A car slowly arrived at the location. Kong Yulin opened the car door, quietly following behind as the boss, An Zhizhen, got off. ¡°Have you reviewed the list?¡± An Zhizhen asked. ¡°Mm, as per your instructions, I¡¯ve gathered those selected people in a hall.¡± She replied in a low voice. ¡°Very well.¡± Under the concierge¡¯s guidance, the two headed towards the banquet hall. Tonight, this place was exclusively reserved for the first gathering of the You Mountain Strange Tales forum members. Judging by ¡°offline gathering¡± standards, it seemed somewhat extravagant. But both the hosts and the invited guests were well aware that their identities were anything but ordinary. ... Before the arrival of An Zhizhen, who was the host, most guests were already present, divided into several halls, each seated. Just as Cen Dongsheng thought, in this era, becoming a Curse Forbidden Master and having this awareness was rare. They often had their own secrets, each having gone through uncommon pasts, truly outstanding among the rest. The number of people in Hall One was the smallest, only a dozen or so. These individuals sat in small groups by the tables, harboring vigilant thoughts, cautiously watching and observing the others. Some acquaintances came together, whispering and conversing softly. They were awaiting the individual responsible for initiating this offline gathering to appear. He (or she) was very likely the person behind the World Forum, naturally sparking curiosity among everyone for someone who could actively summon such a group of diverse Curse Forbidden Masters to assemble. The World Forum had only sent invitations to a selected group of users who shared ¡°common traits¡±¡ªanyone with a bit of wit would have gathered this information. No one knew if this would be a feast of treachery, so those willing to attend were skilled and daring, confident in their abilities. Judging by the staff arrangement onsite, they were all sharp and proficient, hardly resembling mere service workers, more like those in the security field, making it evident that the organizers were no ordinary ones either... Then, when the clock hands pointed to nine, the banquet hall¡¯s door was pushed open¡ª In a gathering of people, An Zhizhen slowly walked into the hall. She did not speak; her expression was a gentle smile, her gaze sweeping around. This silent demeanor already captured everyone¡¯s attention. This woman naturally possessed an overwhelming aura, beauty, charisma... they formed a part but seemed not the entirety. It was an allure emanating from the depths of the soul, compelling people to gravitate toward her, bewitching their hearts. The Curse Forbidden Masters¡¯ gazes all landed on her, and the hushed whispers within the hall suddenly ceased, leaving only silence. ¡°Good evening, everyone.¡± Upon confirming the identities and capabilities of those present, facing the attention from the crowd, the corners of An Zhizhen¡¯s mouth slightly curved upwards. In her pupils, a radiant brightness akin to stars rose gradually. ¡°Nice to meet you, I am An Zhizhen.¡± That light reflected in each person¡¯s eyes, leaving deep cross-shaped imprints. ¡°I won¡¯t introduce myself any further. Because, in the coming days, you¡¯ll remember this name for a lifetime...¡± Thus, the curtain of the new era was drawn. Chapter 71 - 71 31 Thigh and Teammates ?71: Chapter 31: Thigh and Teammates 71: Chapter 31: Thigh and Teammates Tianhai City. On this day, the summer heat was scorching, and the sky was a clear expanse of blue. The azure dome was vast and boundless, a perfect day for going out. Cen Dongsheng got out of the taxi and glanced at the plaque hanging next to the automatic door. He looked up to see several residential buildings standing side by side. The community was lush with greenery, flanked by verdant shrubs and trees, with a few winding paths faintly visible, stretching inward. ¡°Golden Sunshine Estate... Hmm, this is the place.¡± He walked to the security office, registering as a visitor under the wary gaze of the security guard. He then turned and walked along the path. Along the way, he encountered several residents of the community, and upon noticing his approach, all of them involuntarily reacted the same way as the guard at the gate: a mix of wariness and fear. A woman with a child, upon seeing him, held her child tightly and circumvented him entirely. Cen Dongsheng thought to himself that he now seemed too intimidating for ordinary people, reminiscent of the ¡°ancient generals who could stop children from crying¡± of old. He didn¡¯t like dealing with people anyway, so it didn¡¯t matter much to him. In fact, Curse Forbidden Masters gave ordinary people this kind of feeling naturally. Regardless of whether they underwent physical changes, their souls had transcended the mundane, resulting in a distinctive aura that set them apart from common folk. Particularly, Cen Dongsheng, who possessed the Power of Tiger Demon, stood out in this regard... In some ways, he was as noticeable as Sister Zhi Zhen herself. He looked decent, but not in a pretty boy, handsome way. He was more like a cool guy with a stern disposition; coupled with his tall, strong build, his buzz cut, and his usual indifferent expression, he easily reminded people of a menacing figure. ... Cen Dongsheng walked into one of the residential buildings and took the elevator up. In the narrow, enclosed space, the intimidation emanating from this man became even more palpable, weighing heavily on those around him. It caused a middle-aged man getting on the elevator midway to instinctively move to the corner, shoulders hunched, looking quite pitiable. Finally, he arrived at his destination and knocked on the door. A small window on the door opened, and a young woman in casual home attire, wearing glasses, looked at the silent visitor standing at her door. Her expression predictably turned to fear and caution. She glanced warily to either side of Cen Dongsheng and cautiously asked, ¡°May I ask, who are you...¡± ¡°I¡¯m ¡®Dongsheng.''¡± His response was straightforward and firm. ¡°We agreed to meet.¡± ¡°Eh? So you are...¡± The hostess was taken aback, clearly not expecting it. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m the one who contacted you in the forum. You¡¯re ¡®Pearl Little Radish,¡¯ right?¡± Cen Dongsheng had come this time to help someone catch ghosts. For a while, the You Mountain Strange Tales board on the World Forum would become increasingly lively with the rise of the ¡°first wave.¡± Compared to fictional ghost stories, real supernatural experiences, and help-seeking posts began to emerge frequently on the board. Coupled with the deliberate guidance of the website itself, this soon became a hub for communication between ordinary people and Curse Forbidden Masters. Simply put, some people encountered ghosts and were powerless; meanwhile, some Curse Forbidden Masters, needing to improve by refining yin energy and prohibition, hunted ghosts to enhance their abilities. Naturally, both parties would hit it off, with Curse Forbidden Masters often also receiving worldly rewards, achieving multiple gains with one effort. In the early days, those Curse Forbidden Masters who belonged to the Order Camp usually had this kind of part-time job. This was the value of the World Forum for many people who couldn¡¯t do without it. Cen Dongsheng had now become one of them. Sister Zhi Zhen wanted him to become famous quickly, known among the Curse Forbidden Master community. The forum was the most convenient medium to achieve this. Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t mind becoming famous. He wasn¡¯t one to hide his talents and live secretly, regardless of how powerful he became, only to be looked down upon wherever he went... That would be too pathetic, and he didn¡¯t like proving his strength in such a fishing-like way. As for how to become famous, he only needed to prove himself with actions and leave the rest to Sister Zhi Zhen. She was adept at manipulating people¡¯s hearts and was the mastermind behind the World Forum, making it easy for anyone to stand out. Back to the main point¡ª Before the summer vacation ended, Cen Dongsheng had moved to his new home in Tianhai City. In the following weeks, he completed over a dozen supernatural-related commissions in the city. Some of them were instances where the people involved had ghosts in their hearts, a false alarm; the remaining ten were all genuinely haunted cases. The probability was a bit higher than expected. Although the commissions Sister Zhi Zhen gave him were specially selected, the frequency of occurrences said quite a lot. ¡°Dark undercurrents are surging.¡± As Cen Dongsheng completed his commissions, he gained clearer insights and deeper understanding of the current global trends and developments. Before this, although he had the ability to ¡°foresee the future,¡± most of his knowledge came from hearsay after becoming a Curse Forbidden Master. Some things could only be fully comprehended through personal involvement. Since, at this time in his past life, he really was just an ordinary college student. ¡°There were a few times when someone accidentally witnessed a mass of Floating Spirits passing by in places with concentrated yin energy like graveyards and unfinished buildings; the rest were Lonely Souls inhabiting people¡¯s homes.¡± Chapter 72 - 72 31 Thigh and Teammates_2 ?72: Chapter 31: Thigh and Teammates_2 72: Chapter 31: Thigh and Teammates_2 ¡°Although we haven¡¯t encountered a real Ghost House, nor found any signs of ¡®ghost house transformation,¡¯ the frequent occurrences of lingering human souls that can transform into ghosts even without being in a place of concentrated yin energy indicate a shift in the balance of Yin and Yang in the world. This is an unprecedented change in a thousand years...¡± This was what people referred to as the ¡°first wave.¡± Fortunately, Cen Dongsheng was no longer the same as before. Since his rebirth, he had acted according to plan and gained far more than expected¡ªsetting that aside, the mere fact that he successfully aligned himself with the Philosopher King was enough to provide peace of mind. Wasn¡¯t that enough? Cen Dongsheng thought it was. In the future, An Zhizhen would be one of the most influential individuals in the world. Although there were indeed others on her level, those people were either difficult to get along with or their beliefs didn¡¯t align with his... Of course, in his previous life, he would have never missed the opportunity to join under one person¡¯s tutelage because he had no choice. Moreover, even if he served under someone, as the saying went, ¡°One minister does not serve two masters,¡± he could only have one choice, or else he¡¯d be a traitor. It was the same now. Although he and Sister Zhi Zhen were not in a superior-subordinate relationship but rather equal partners, he also believed he couldn¡¯t effortlessly balance the relationships between two ¡°Ancestor¡±-level curse forbidden masters. This was because ¡°Ancestors¡± often had intense conflicts of interest and ideological disagreements. No one liked someone who was indecisive, and the closer the relationship, the less acceptable it was. He knew this well. ¡°But usually, I wouldn¡¯t encounter other ¡®Ancestors,¡¯ would I? They each have their own spheres of influence, and I¡¯ll be staying in Tianhai City for some time, surely I won¡¯t meet any...¡± Cen Dongsheng thought to himself. ¡°As long as it¡¯s not at this level, it¡¯s possible. I know a few individuals who may not have reached the ¡®Ancestor¡¯ level but possess the potential to become special grade curse forbidden masters in the future. Such people can be recruited, whether as teammates or friends, and it¡¯s good to get to know them in advance... Thus, if there¡¯s a chance, I should take a tour around the country.¡± He felt he was better at handling specific tasks. Whether it was exploring adventures or exorcising demons and ghosts, he had battle experience and knowledge that could be considered a dimensional reduction attack in this era¡ªCen Dongsheng intended to summarize this and share it with Sister Zhi Zhen. Only, at this stage, he still needed teammates. During the ghost house transformation battle at Xiaokang Building, Cen Dongsheng had already noticed the drawbacks of acting alone. For example, to find the hidden core, he had to resort to a laborious method of carpet searching... If he had a teammate proficient in sensing, he wouldn¡¯t face such difficulties. Couldn¡¯t possibly have Sister Zhi Zhen accompany him every time there was an exorcism in a Ghost House, right? Calling for outside support occasionally wouldn¡¯t bother An Zhizhen, he believed. However, if she really followed him around for every battle and adventure, even he would consider it a waste. She was destined to stand above billions and should spend her time and energy developing her own influence. Therefore, after finding strong support, Cen Dongsheng felt he still needed to find suitable teammates. However, his standards had risen a bit now, and he thought his teammates should also be among the future¡¯s strongest, ideally future special grade curse forbidden masters. Having one top-level cursed prohibition would grant resistance to other special grade cursed prohibitions, even against ¡®Ancestors,¡¯ ensuring they wouldn¡¯t be completely helpless¡ª Though if it came to a real fight, they¡¯d definitely still be crushed, but at least they wouldn¡¯t be killed instantly without even a chance to struggle. Because ¡°Ancestors¡± were beyond the ordinary realm, not adhering to worldly rules, they were, strictly speaking, the strongest in the curse forbidden master hierarchy. Most importantly, even though the phrase ¡°the more extreme a person is, the stronger they are¡± was popular in the past, mainly because several ¡°Ancestors¡± fit this description, not every special grade curse forbidden master had to be a lunatic or a fanatic. It¡¯s said the ideological battles among ¡°Ancestors¡± were so intense because they were pursuing their own great paths, aiming to glimpse an unprecedented ultimate realm... That is unknown. Perhaps after Sister Zhi Zhen truly became an ¡°Ancestor,¡± he would have a chance to find out. ¡°In this way, Sister Zhi Zhen wouldn¡¯t have any objections, right... Maybe, hopefully?¡± Of course, he knew that leaving other people¡¯s opinions aside, the real challenge lay in how to find suitable teammates. Even with future knowledge, it wasn¡¯t an easy task. Even eight years later, the association recorded only twenty-five living special grade curse forbidden masters, and finding them among billions of people was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Overseas? He was even less familiar with that. Cen Dongsheng was contemplating these things when the lady inside was still hesitating whether to open the door to welcome a guest. ¡°So you¡¯re that Dongsheng.¡± The lady looked at him, and besides fear, there was a curiosity reflected in her eyes. Incidentally, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s forum username was precisely ¡°Dongsheng¡±¡ªyes, he was the type to use his real name online. ¡°Oh, I...¡± She still seemed hesitant. ¡°Do you want to solve the problem or not? If you¡¯re unwilling to let me in, I¡¯ll leave now.¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s tone was indifferent, not having the patience to help people while enduring their attitudes. Chapter 73 - 73 31 Thigh and Teammates_3 ?73: Chapter 31: Thigh and Teammates_3 73: Chapter 31: Thigh and Teammates_3 ¡°I know, I know! Please come in!¡± Once he mentioned leaving, the other party hurriedly opened the door and respectfully handed over a pair of slippers. Dongsheng Cen walked into the room and, as he moved further inside, he looked around while casually asking, ¡°What do I call you?¡± ¡°Just call me Xiao Chen,¡± she replied. Miss Chen didn¡¯t close the door and kept a certain distance as she followed him, her attitude somewhat timid. Dongsheng Cen glanced at her face. The dark circles under her eyes were heavy, and her face was marked with an indescribable fatigue. It seemed like she hadn¡¯t rested for a while. ¡°Miss Chen, haven¡¯t you been sleeping well recently?¡± ¡°...Yes, ever since... ever since the house became haunted, I haven¡¯t been able to sleep at night.¡± She answered with a bitter smile. According to Miss Chen, she had rented the apartment. The landlord was nice, the location was close to her office, and the facilities nearby were well-equipped. She thought she had found a perfect place to live, but just two months after moving in, trouble began. ¡°I signed a contract. If I leave before three months are up, I can¡¯t get my deposit back. When I mentioned the haunting, the landlord wouldn¡¯t believe me and even thought I was trying to scam him. He almost called the police.¡± Miss Chen rambled on. ¡°I was planning to endure for another two weeks before moving out, but recently it¡¯s been too chaotic. I can¡¯t even go to work properly...¡± Dongsheng Cen pondered thoughtfully. Miss Chen¡¯s statements were fragmented, which wasn¡¯t surprising, as she was an ordinary person who didn¡¯t know much, but someone experienced like him could quickly grasp the critical information. For instance¡ª The threat posed by the ghosts. The fact that she was thinking of ¡°leaving in two weeks¡± rather than fleeing immediately, the biggest concern being ¡°too chaotic¡±... This indicated that Miss Chen was somewhat thick-skinned, and it also implied that the ghosts hidden in this apartment had no intention to kill. Moreover, he could see that besides the deficiency of yang energy, there were no other obvious abnormalities on her¡ªthis could be due to the influence of the ghosts, or simply because she hadn¡¯t been resting well, which had led to a decline in her physical condition. ¡°So, you turned to online forums for help?¡± ¡°Yes, I heard about it from a former classmate of mine. He was saved by someone he met on the forum... After experiencing it myself, I had no choice but to believe.¡± ¡°I remember you said it was in the bathroom?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, when I was showering... sometimes I would see them, and once while I was cooking in the kitchen, under the sink, I could see... what seemed like human eyes, staring at me.¡± As she spoke about this, fear finally appeared on Miss Chen¡¯s face. It was clear that the incident had left a deep psychological scar. ¡°You could still not move out after that?¡± ¡°I had no choice, I¡¯m on my own out here, without much money and my family can¡¯t help either...¡± Miss Chen gave an embarrassed laugh. ¡°I still hope to get the deposit back...¡± ¡°I see.¡± Dongsheng Cen nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s prepare to start then.¡± ¡°Start, start now? Are we starting right now?¡± ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll check the bathroom first.¡± Miss Chen couldn¡¯t help but widen her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t we need to prepare anything?¡± When she saw him arrive alone and empty-handed, she already found it strange. In her mind, a Taoist would bring talismans, and a Monk would carry a wooden fish, and there would be setting up altars or such. She¡¯d seen witches and wizards in her village perform soul summoning sessions, and exorcism always seemed to involve a grand display. Even western priests would bring a cross or something, right? But he had come with nothing but casual clothing. And now, the man who announced he was about to begin the exorcism had only prepared by... Stretching his body, rubbing his fists, and cracking his knuckles loudly. Is... is he really here to catch ghosts, or was he planning to beat someone up?! Considering the aura of the young man in front of her, he indeed seemed more like a hitman from gangster movies or some kind of retired military officer rather than an exorcist... Miss Chen swallowed, now genuinely considering the idea of fleeing from the apartment. ¡°Preparation? Not necessary.¡± The young man replied coldly. ¡°It¡¯s just a small fry.¡± Chapter 74 - 74 32 The Ghost in the Bathroom ?74: Chapter 32 The Ghost in the Bathroom 74: Chapter 32 The Ghost in the Bathroom Cen Dongsheng stretched his limbs, then took big strides forward, opening the bathroom door in front of him. ¡°I, should I step aside...?¡± Behind him hid Miss Chen, a forum user from You Mountain Strange Tales Area known as ¡°Pearl Little Radish¡±, her expression pale and stiff, her body trembling slightly. ¡°No need. You don¡¯t have to do anything; like I said, it¡¯s just a small fry.¡± Cen Dongsheng replied. He casually shut the door behind him, his sharp gaze sweeping around the bathroom, but he didn¡¯t spot any sign of ghosts haunting the place. He did smell a faint trace of yin energy, but it was very thin. His Cursing Prohibition skills were not particularly adept at tracking and seeking enemies, so he could only sense their presence or lack thereof, not pinpoint their exact location. ¡°...Hiding and not coming out?¡± Cen Dongsheng narrowed his eyes. He then thought of Miss Chen¡¯s description¡ª ¡°Ah, I see, it could also be a ghost that acts upon certain trigger conditions. For example... only when the scene is completely recreated will it appear?¡± He pondered for a moment then stepped out of the bathroom and saw Miss Chen hiding in a corner, peeking out. She even jumped, startled by his appearance. ¡°Do you always see it when you take a shower?¡± ¡°Uh... yes, basically.¡± Miss Chen steadied herself, starting to recall. ¡°At first, it was on the glass door. I thought it was steam, but the more I looked, the more wrong it seemed. It felt like a man¡¯s face; I even wondered if I was being hypersensitive.¡± ¡°Later, when I showered, I could see his figure in the mirror, a middle-aged uncle wearing a tank top, slightly overweight, but with a very ethereal body contour... like, as if he didn¡¯t exist in this world. That¡¯s when I was convinced I had really encountered a ghost.¡± ¡°Did he appear every time you showered after that?¡± ¡°I stopped showering at home after that.¡± Miss Chen offered a wry smile. ¡°I usually go to a nearby public bath or find a cheap hourly rate room to rest...¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Cen Dongsheng nodded. ¡°Then take another shower.¡± Miss Chen stared at him, eyes wide in astonishment. ¡°What, what did you say...?¡± ¡°I told you to shower again. Right now.¡± His tone was very matter-of-fact. ¡°The ghost is hiding; we need to lure it out.¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Miss Chen was stunned. She had never heard such an odd request... no, not a request, given the man¡¯s commanding tone, it was an outright demand that she take a shower. There was no room for doubt now; the thought that he was going to such lengths just to catch a ghost seemed less likely compared to her newfound wariness of the dangerous aura emanating from him, which sparked wild conjectures¡ª Was he looking for an excuse to... have his way with her? But as this thought crossed her mind, besides fear and dread, she paradoxically felt a tingling thrill. There was no denying that when she first laid eyes on Cen Dongsheng, she felt frightened, as he was not easily approachable; but after she mustered the courage to sneak a few glances at him, she quickly realized the man was quite handsome and had an excellent physique, which gave him a certain... presence. She even started to fantasize, picturing him as one of those dangerously irresistible, abstinent hunks from female-oriented online fiction. To some readers, a good-looking face made even criminals not entirely untenable. Seeing her standing there, motionless, her expression and eyes changing constantly, Cen Dongsheng had no idea what was running through her mind. Naturally, he couldn¡¯t guess that she was entertaining all kinds of naughty thoughts. He frowned slightly and spoke again: ¡°What, didn¡¯t you hear me?¡± ¡°Oh, oh... I heard...¡± Miss Chen¡¯s face turned red and white by turns, looking down. ¡°Do I, do I really have to take a shower...?¡± Cen Dongsheng blinked. It suddenly occurred to him that his request might seem bizarre to an ordinary person. Moreover, she was a single woman living alone, and he was a stranger who had just arrived at her doorstep. It would only be natural for a person with even a slightly higher sense of caution to find it unacceptable. Sister Zhi Zhen was right; he really didn¡¯t understand these matters, which was certainly a weakness of his. Yet, his decision wouldn¡¯t change. If she was unwilling, he would simply leave, not indulging anyone. ¡°You don¡¯t have to undress. To avoid trouble, just heat the water. When it appears, immediately shout or make some noise. I¡¯ll be waiting outside the door; I won¡¯t come in.¡± Cen Dongsheng said, fixing his gaze on the woman in front of him. ¡°Will you do it? Give me an answer.¡± Miss Chen gaped, looking somewhat shocked, and after a little while, she hesitantly nodded. ¡°I... I understand...¡± ... Perhaps survival instincts prevailed, for Miss Chen ultimately did as told, holding a pile of clothing as she entered the bathroom and started heating the water. Cen Dongsheng stood outside the door, watching as the glass gradually became fogged by steam, the white mist obscuring the scene within. He waited quietly until¡ª ¡°Yaaah¡ª!¡± A scream full of panic emanated from the woman inside. Without hesitation, Cen Dongsheng lifted his foot and kicked the bathroom door open. As he expected, the recoil from the door panel confirmed one thing: the door, which initially hadn¡¯t been locked, was sealed by an unknown force. This was a common method used by ghosts to interfere with reality. Especially those who linger in haunted houses, they like to lure humans in and then unexpectedly lock all the doors and windows with an unseen force, delighting in watching their prey, the Bloody Meals, show regret, cry out in frenzy, desperately banging on the doors and windows, trying to escape the pitiful situation, only to die in the cold despair of disillusionment... Chapter 75 - 75 32 The Ghost in the Bathroom_2 ?75: Chapter 32 The Ghost in the Bathroom_2 75: Chapter 32 The Ghost in the Bathroom_2 But the tricks of low-level ghosts, after all, were only this level. Whether using yin energy or material, this method of sealing doors and windows needed to rely on the strength of actual objects, and this strength certainly couldn¡¯t compare to the ¡°spatial isolation¡± of a haunted house. The latter was a bit troublesome; besides using the highest-level cursing prohibition to violently break it, you¡¯d need a Forbidden Master with spatial interference abilities. For Cen Dongsheng, even if there was a steel alloy security door in front of him, it couldn¡¯t stop the force of his kick. After he kicked the door open, the white mist in reality, along with the invisible, intangible yin energy in the space, rushed toward Cen Dongsheng¡¯s face simultaneously. He didn¡¯t even blink, reached out with one hand to grab Miss Chen, who was trembling while holding her head, by the neck, and directly threw her outside the door, while the other hand reached directly into the center of the yin energy. ¡°¡ªCaught you.¡± Cen Dongsheng¡¯s mouth curled up, revealing a smile that seemed quite sinister to others. ¡°Trying to hide when you see I¡¯m here? It seems you¡¯re among the more intelligent types of your kind... Too bad, as a ghost, you still can¡¯t resist your instincts.¡± His iron-like hand firmly grasped the opponent¡¯s neck¡ª As Miss Chen described, this was a ghost resembling a middle-aged man, with a vague body outline, but you could still see his outfit and appearance; plump, a bit of a receding hairline, with a sleazy look in his face. And now, his neck was firmly held by Cen Dongsheng, and the ghost man¡¯s face showed a human-like pain, struggling desperately with both arms and legs, his body outline violently oscillating, with a bizarre distortion occurring. The yin energy emanating from it expanded as if tangible, spreading over the bathroom tiles, sink, floor... all of them appearing as though neglected for decades, becoming yellowed, with dirty mold-like colors spreading. This yin energy seemed to possess some kind of corrosive ability, even causing Cen Dongsheng¡¯s clothing to start showing signs of decay. If ordinary people stood here, their strength would be instantly sapped away, yang energy drained from their bodies, simultaneously exhibiting signs of decay as if struck by severe illness. Except... The corrosion of yin energy halted upon contact with his skin. The body, fortified by the Power of Tiger Demon, surged with True Qi within, rendering him impervious to evil. ¡°Hmph.¡± Cen Dongsheng let out a cold snort, directly grabbing the other¡¯s throat and slamming it against the nearby wall. ¡°Boom!¡± Intense True Qi erupted with the power in his hand, dispersing the yin energy filling the room in an instant. ¡°Lonely Soul...¡± Although expected, he still sighed. Even refining such a level of ghost wouldn¡¯t yield much. Nevertheless, it was an assignment, and he did have some sense of responsibility for his work. ¡°Might as well clean it up, it won¡¯t take much effort after all.¡± ... Miss Chen hid outside the door, still recovering from her shock, when she suddenly heard a startling, heavy thud from the bathroom, scaring her so much that her whole body trembled. Looking in that direction, she saw cracks appearing on the wall, plaster falling like dust; the man inside, it seemed as though a single punch could collapse the entire house... Miss Chen gulped with difficulty, the only thought emerging in her mind was: Could she really get her deposit back? Or would she end up owing the landlord for repairs? But she didn¡¯t dare stop him, or even voice a single opinion. The next second, a spectral entity flew from the bathroom, crashing into the wall; the man exuding murderous aura followed at a leisurely pace. He reached out, grabbed the ghost again, clenched his fist the size of a sandbag, and slammed it fiercely into its face, directly caving in the ghost¡¯s head. If it were a living person, there¡¯d be no doubt; they¡¯d be dead for sure, with their skull cracked and brains splattered. The ghost lacked a physical body, so it could still cling weakly to life, though its silhouette became increasingly blurred; but this was not a good thing, as it meant enduring more violent torment... Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t stop, rather, he swung his fists again with simple yet direct force, hammering down. Like a heavy iron hammer, striking repeatedly, driving the ghost¡¯s head into its neck like a nail being hammered into a wall. The yin energy constituting its body began to dissipate, unable to support its outline, transforming its shape from human to gaseous. Against this storm-like overwhelming violence, the Lonely Soul could do nothing but scream and struggle in agony. As a bystander, Miss Chen¡¯s face was pale, body rigid, unable to move; she found the ghost of the middle-aged man haunting her for weeks now seemed somewhat pitiful... ... Once the ghost completely lost its ability to resist, no longer human-shaped, on the verge of vanishing, Cen Dongsheng finally let go of his grip. The ghost slid to the floor, writhing like a mollusk. At the brink of turning into nothingness, its final instinct led it crawling towards Miss Chen, seated on the floor, like a moth drawn to flame. ¡°Interesting.¡± Witnessing this, Cen Dongsheng laughed. ¡°Is this the reason you linger in the human world, unwilling to leave?¡± Although real ghosts differed in nature from commonly perceived spirits, there were still shared traits. For example, spirits that turned into ghosts often related to both the concentration of local yin energy and the ¡°obsession of the deceased.¡± Ghosts typically acted on instinct, driven by a desire for the flesh and blood of the living, rooted in their own obsessions. This middle-aged ghost even managed to restrain its urge to kill and absorb life yang energy, all for the obsession of watching a girl shower... truly an extreme sex ghost. Unfortunately, Cen Dongsheng showed no mercy towards ghosts. He casually walked to the nearly faded ghost in front of Miss Chen, under her frozen gaze, the man lifted his foot, stepping down on its neck with force. ¡°Crunch.¡± It was the sound of the floor easily cracking under his step. The ghost, having its neck crushed yet again, finally dispersed into nothing. ¡°Done.¡± Cen Dongsheng withdrew his foot, looking down at Miss Chen. ¡°It¡¯s over now, Miss Chen.¡± ¡°Uh... Ah, yes, thank you, thank you very much...¡± Miss Chen tried to rise from the ground, but her body remained stiff, almost causing her to fall halfway up. ¡°Hmm. I¡¯m leaving.¡± Saying this, he turned around and left, without a hint of hesitation. Watching his departing figure, the woman stared blankly for a while, only feeling her emotions growing complicated. After the fear and chaos, regaining her composure, from that man¡¯s silhouette, she perceived a kind of nonchalance. After the exorcism, he really left just like that. ¡°Wait, I haven¡¯t paid you yet¡ª¡± Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t look back, merely waved a hand behind him. ¡°No need.¡± He disappeared down the corridor... * With nothing holding him back, Cen Dongsheng hummed a tune as he descended the stairs. He also clenched his fist, sensing what he had gained from refining the ghost earlier. As expected, not enough. Killing several more of these low-level ghostly nuisances wouldn¡¯t significantly increase the amount of True Qi within him. Reality wasn¡¯t a video game; defeating creatures didn¡¯t grant experience, accumulating bit by bit to become the ¡°Ten Miles Slope Sword God.¡± For a Forbidden Master, increasing True Qi wasn¡¯t something achieved just by repeatedly refining yin energy; each stage had its limits. Therefore, the most crucial aspect was enhancing one¡¯s ¡°Grade,¡± namely breaking the limits within the body. Fighting formidable ghosts, mastering dangerous Forbidden Items and curses were methods to elevate one¡¯s ¡°Birth Horoscope.¡± Those content with mediocrity would remain stuck in mediocrity; the path of cultivation required aggressive and courageous advancement. At Cen Dongsheng¡¯s current level, to further strengthen and continue mastering the second and third trio of supernatural powers of the Tiger Demon, he needed to confront those ferocious Fierce Ghosts, or even¡ª ¡°House Owner¡± level Class A ghosts. As he pondered, a ringtone sounded from his pants pocket. Opening his phone, seeing the familiar number on the screen, Cen Dongsheng¡¯s mouth involuntarily curled up. ¡°Speak of the devil, I hope Sister Zhi Zhen brings good news this time.¡± Chapter 76 - 76 33 Preliminary Preparations ?76: Chapter 33: Preliminary Preparations 76: Chapter 33: Preliminary Preparations What level was Cen Dongsheng at now? After all, he was an experienced Reincarnator; though he had never eaten pork, he had seen pigs run. Therefore, unlike the mainstream Curse Forbidden Masters of today who felt confused about the future destiny, he had a deep understanding of his own strength and a clear plan for ¡°how to become stronger.¡± According to the mainstream evaluation standard based on the volume of True Qi, he was now slightly stronger than a typical Class B Curse Forbidden Master, but his strength was limited... Don¡¯t get me wrong, the ¡°Tiger Demon Cloak¡± naturally had a level comparable to or even surpassing that of a typical Class A Curse Forbidden Master. But, in the strictest sense, only those who reached the ¡°Entry¡± level¡ªthose who mastered the Triple superpower¡ªcould count as Class A Curse Forbidden Masters; before that, they could only be considered reserves. So, using the ¡°Class B¡± level as an example, there were actually two situations: one was the Forbidden Master who fully mastered the Class B Curses, and the other was the Forbidden Master who could not completely grasp the Class A Curses. As for who was stronger, that was difficult to say. Generally, the latter was considered to have a greater chance of winning, but there was no overwhelming advantage. This was the standard measure for each level. But there was an exception to this rule¡ª That was the life prohibition. ¡°Some people must work hard to achieve a breakthrough, while others do not need to put in any effort at all...¡± He sighed slightly. It was impossible not to envy. Those with life prohibition abilities were naturally above others in the Curse Forbidden Master community, unlocking the full version upon awakening. Take Sister Zhi Zhen, for example. She was born with Special Grade Life Prohibition and, in fact, was already genuinely a ¡°Special Grade Curse Forbidden Master.¡± Compared to her future self, who became the ¡°Ancestor,¡± now An Zhizhen only differed in terms of True Qi volume and proficiency¡ªa disparity that could be vast depending on the person. But she could fully wield the terrifying power of the ¡°Heavenly Leader¡± to manipulate minds without needing to increase her ¡°Grade¡± to unlock superpowers. So-called life prohibition was said to be a special form of Curse Prohibition, but it was more akin to an innate talent. Therefore, it did not require step-by-step cultivation; rather, it naturally came with use and slowly became mastered by its owner. Actually, it was the same for Cen Dongsheng. His Reincarnation Life Prohibition activated the instant he realized it, driven by instinct. Before that, he had no opportunity to train or practice it. Besides, within the ordinary classification of ¡°A B C D,¡± life prohibitions were superior to Curse Prohibitions in terms of hard strength. For instance, among Class A Curse Forbidden Masters, those with life prohibitions were stronger than regular Curse Forbidden Masters¡ª But once it escalated to Special Class, the situation changed. Cursing Prohibitions rated as ¡°Special Class¡± all transcended historical and real-world boundaries, comprising forbidden powers that could disturb all-natural rules and destinies. Since everyone boasted these unreasonable, exaggerated powers, who won or lost could only be determined by confrontation. Therefore, Cen Dongsheng, who possessed a seed of Special Grade Cursing Prohibition, was indeed qualified to resist the control of the ¡°Heavenly Leader¡±; if it were the full version, he might even confront it head-on. The premise was that Sister Zhi Zhen was still just a ¡°Special Grade Curse Forbidden Master¡± at that time... ¡°Sister Zhi Zhen said she hoped my dream was to ¡®become the strongest in the world,¡¯ but looking at the foreseeable future, the biggest obstacle on this path, in truth, was her.¡± Cen Dongsheng thought to himself. To ascend to the pinnacle of the world, to become the supreme figure. So-called ¡°Ancestor¡± referred to someone who mastered multiple Special Grade Cursing Prohibitions, who broke the unreasonable bonds of the Heavenly Dao through these irrational powers, to entirely abandon ¡°destiny,¡± ¡°birth horoscope,¡± and from then on become an unreasonably strong person¡ª That concept was too transcendent and divine, incredibly distant for Cen Dongsheng. ¡°Better not to think about these things beyond reach and focus on the present.¡± Overall, he wanted to continue getting stronger, and there were clearly two paths before him: Quickly mastering the second and even third superpower of the Power of the Tiger Demon, reaching the Entry stage to become a true Class A Curse Forbidden Master. This required him to challenge stronger ghosts; The other was to gather the Three Demons Power to obtain the complete Special Grade Cursing Prohibition... This depended even more on luck. After all, the senior whose opportunity he stole was certainly ambitious too, but until his reincarnation, that person had not succeeded. Cen Dongsheng roughly knew what ¡°demon¡± was, but it was precisely because of this knowledge that he felt troubled. ¡°Ghost¡± was a general term; the supernatural threats Curse Forbidden Masters faced were never just ¡°ghosts¡± formed from human deaths but also ¡°monsters,¡± which were ¡°strange, odd things¡±¡ª Some oddities were born without any connection to humanity, naturally coming into being. ¡°Demon¡± was a kind of ¡°monster,¡± but this concept was similarly vague. Some demons were humans who, as Curse Forbidden Masters, fell into ruin; others were imaginary beings created by people¡¯s imagination, born from worship, belief, and even fear; sometimes, they were closer to rural folk gods. These things were hard to find, requiring support from large organizational intelligence to be discovered. Luckily, he had someone reliable he could depend on. ... After leaving the neighborhood, Cen Dongsheng received a call from Sister Zhi Zhen. He answered immediately. ¡°Hello, Dongsheng, how are you? Did I disturb you?¡± ¡°Hmm, the commission is just resolved. It was a small fry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about strength, haha. Such a trivial ghost, given Dongsheng¡¯s power, you could certainly handle it easily. But weren¡¯t you commissioned by a young girl? I even found her photo...¡± Chapter 77 - 77 33 Early Preparation_2 ?77: Chapter 33 Early Preparation_2 77: Chapter 33 Early Preparation_2 ¡°Really? You actually care about things like this?¡± Cen Dongsheng initially found it amusing, but by the end of the sentence, he felt a chill. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m just joking, really no sense of humor.¡± He could almost imagine Sister Zhi Zhen on the other end of the line puffing her cheeks. ¡°Don¡¯t you think a girl who isn¡¯t jealous of you is adorable?¡± ¡°Maybe, but some might find it a hassle. By the way, what you did just now wasn¡¯t a hassle, it was neurotic.¡± ¡°Ah, you¡¯re so blunt when you talk!¡± Sister Zhi Zhen said, but she couldn¡¯t help but laugh herself. After chatting idly for a while, the other party finally got to the point: she invited Cen Dongsheng to visit a molecular neuroscience laboratory. ¡°A laboratory? Is it under your name, Sister Zhi Zhen?¡± ¡°Yes. Although not in name, at the current stage, I don¡¯t want to stand out too much in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, but I have complete control over that place.¡± Cen Dongsheng wasn¡¯t surprised. Since several weeks ago, when Sister Zhi Zhen personally revealed to him that she was the mastermind behind the World Forum, she had also successively shown him several projects that were either in preparation or already bearing fruit, identifying him as a ¡°partner.¡± Cen Dongsheng could see that some of the things... were probably being prepared even before An Zhizhen awakened as the ¡°Heavenly Leader,¡± otherwise, the efficiency wouldn¡¯t be so extraordinary. At that time, Sister Zhi Zhen, of course, didn¡¯t know she would one day gain such a terrifying power that felt like cheating, but that didn¡¯t stop her from investing time and effort into a dream that was illusory, not knowing when it would arrive. Some things might truly be destined¡ª Cen Dongsheng¡¯s initial reaction was shock; he hadn¡¯t expected An Zhizhen to have prepared so much behind the scenes. Eventually, he became somewhat numb. ¡°So, how about it, want to visit?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m quite interested in what Sister Zhi Zhen is busy with and passionate about.¡± He wasn¡¯t actually that interested, but after all, it was something An Zhizhen wanted to share with him; he had no reason to refuse. ¡°Then please look forward to it, some things will surprise you. With your insight, Dongsheng, you can definitely see the value within.¡± An Zhizhen, on the other side of the phone, sounded very happy. ¡°When the time comes, I¡¯ll have Yin Lian pick you up.¡± Yin Lian... that¡¯s Kong Yulin, a Ghost Immortal Series Forbidden Master who can use various Gu Techniques. Speaking of which, when he first met Kong Yulin, she looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn¡¯t quite recall who she was. It wasn¡¯t until recently, after seeing her a few times around An Zhizhen, that he realized: A female Forbidden Master with the surname Kong¡ªwasn¡¯t she a member of the Governance Bureau¡¯s secretariat? Although he hadn¡¯t interacted with her due to his rank, he often encountered her outside the Exorcism Department¡¯s leadership office; sometimes she would come to deliver the director¡¯s highest orders personally. It¡¯s just that her future self and her current self looked slightly different; he heard that she wrapped herself in black gauze from head to neck, dressing every day as if attending a funeral. It seemed she used a mechanical device to speak due to a large scar on her throat. It sounded quite distinctive. So seeing her in person for the first time, Cen Dongsheng found it hard to associate her with that person. From the day she revealed her true self, she was manipulated by Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s abilities and became a loyal follower. An Zhizhen even specifically explained this to him. Cen Dongsheng didn¡¯t mind. Since she was obedient, she wasn¡¯t an enemy. In his view, Kong Yulin indeed was a suitable candidate; her future identity also proved this point. But still... ¡°I think you did the right thing. For you, the person by your side should preferably be female.¡± He had said at the time. And An Zhizhen¡¯s response to that was¡ª ¡°Dongsheng, are you jealous? So cute~¡± Cen Dongsheng felt helpless about this; he was genuinely serious. An Zhizhen¡¯s innate beauty coupled with the ¡°side effects¡± of the Heavenly Leader ability enhances her allure to a dangerous and alluring level, seemingly eroding one¡¯s resolve, a fact Cen Dongsheng herself experienced deeply. Even if she had the power to manipulate people and feared no betrayal, the risk was still better minimized. If she were female and preferred the opposite sex, this wouldn¡¯t be a concern. ¡°Alright, alright, no problem, I¡¯ll agree to it.¡± But no matter how he explained it, this woman insisted on interpreting it in a peculiar way... Overall, since Sister Zhi Zhen often sent her to work, he and Kong Yulin were at least half-acquainted. ¡°I thought you would switch to another follower.¡± Cen Dongsheng said. ¡°The first forum member gathering of ¡®You Mountain Strange Tales¡¯ wasn¡¯t very successful? There should be quite a few suitable subordinates now.¡± ¡°No choice, I¡¯m a nostalgic person. Plus, her capabilities, while not exceptionally strong, are comprehensive; she used to be a mercenary and has quite a few connections in the circle, she¡¯s clever and discreet... she¡¯s very easy to use.¡± ¡°I see. She must be working hard.¡± ¡°Haha, I think she must really like me as a boss, right? After all, I even helped enhance her capabilities.¡± That¡¯s debatable, thought Cen Dongsheng. ¡°So, let¡¯s talk about the matter you asked me for.¡± When he heard this, Cen Dongsheng perked up. ¡°Do you have results already?¡± ¡°Results... it depends on what you think, Dongsheng.¡± An Zhizhen said with a cheerful tone. ¡°What you hope is to find the whereabouts of the ¡®Demon,¡¯ right?¡± ¡°Yes. The knowledge about the ¡®Demon¡¯...¡± ¡°I know, thanks for sharing. I must admit, these are even more enigmatic supernatural existences than ¡®ghosts,¡¯ sparking my intense curiosity.¡± ¡°They¡¯re harder to find than ordinary ghosts.¡± ¡°But not untraceable.¡± An Zhizhen analyzed. ¡°If ghosts exist in the supernatural stories on the forum, in distress calls and posts from victims, then the existence of ¡®Demons¡¯ is more hidden, more prolonged. You need to look for those folktales passed down orally, in bizarre rumors that have circulated for decades in a certain place; there might be their presence.¡± Correct. Cen Dongsheng thought, investigators specifically tasked with tracking down the whereabouts of ¡°Demons¡± often needed to travel locally, go through historical archives, early news and local chronicles, visit local elders, interview and record, sifting through old documents and nursery rhymes for clues¡ª It was somewhat like conducting a sociological field investigation, with a slight element of luck involved. It wasn¡¯t surprising that Sister Zhi Zhen thought of this, considering who she was. But nonetheless... ¡°You need time and manpower.¡± He said. ¡°I know, I¡¯ve already set it in motion, and eventually, specific groups and organizations may be established to handle the investigation. I¡¯m very interested in the existence of ¡®Demons,¡¯ so rest assured.¡± Then, An Zhizhen shifted the topic. ¡°However, although there are no leads on the whereabouts of ¡®Demons¡¯ for now, ¡®ghosts¡¯ are still quite common. Recently, it¡¯s getting worse and worse, like you¡¯ve said, Dongsheng; this world is about to undergo massive changes... the current era is like the night before a great storm.¡± ¡°Any targets?¡± ¡°Yes, a minor issue.¡± Cen Dongsheng was originally just asking casually, but he didn¡¯t expect this answer, and his expression turned serious. ¡°Is there a ¡®Ghost House¡¯ appearance? Right within the city?¡± ¡°A suspected Ghost House, and it happened at a school in the city center. Ever since the news broke, it¡¯s caused an uproar on the forum, becoming one of the topics Curse Forbidden Masters are keenly discussing.¡± She said. ¡°Moreover, it happened here in Tianhai City. Many people think whether it will be hard to keep under wraps if it causes too much commotion.¡± Was it really that serious? Cen Dongsheng furrowed his brow. In his memory, Tianhai City during this era hadn¡¯t experienced any event significant enough to cause public panic and sensation... at least not by the end of this year. Was it solved and then covered up afterward? Or was it some change unknown to him? ¡°I¡¯ll check the forum later.¡± ¡°I have more detailed first-hand information, let¡¯s talk tonight.¡± ¡°Tonight?¡± ¡°Yes.... Ah, Dongsheng, I mentioned two days ago that I¡¯m visiting your home tonight, you wouldn¡¯t have forgotten, right?¡± The woman¡¯s voice on the other end turned melancholic. A bead of sweat trickled down Cen Dongsheng¡¯s forehead. ¡°Of course not! Uh, I remember clearly, I¡¯ve prepared everything for tonight! Actually, I¡¯m quite good at cooking.¡± ¡°Oh, there¡¯s no need to be so formal, given our relationship, there¡¯s no need to prepare. However, I¡¯m looking forward to tasting Dongsheng¡¯s cooking skills.¡± Trust you. Upon hearing Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s voice suddenly soar, Cen Dongsheng couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly, thinking there probably wouldn¡¯t be time for practice after going back later... He really had to prepare well. Chapter 78 - 78 34 A Beauty Under the Moonlight as if in a Painting ?78: Chapter 34 A Beauty Under the Moonlight as if in a Painting 78: Chapter 34 A Beauty Under the Moonlight as if in a Painting World Forum ¨C You Mountain Strange Tales This post was created on 2010-06-28 Title: Big trouble! Ghosts at Cai Xin Middle School in Nanyang District! Posted at: 15:30 [soft fire slow cooking]15:32 Has everyone heard? Something happened at Cai Xin Middle School! The school is haunted and has been sealed off. Several people have disappeared, and after the parents learned about this, they have been causing a huge stir everywhere! [User 177798cf]15:35 The original poster is making a mountain out of a molehill, aren¡¯t they? What place doesn¡¯t have ghost stories these days? [soft fire slow cooking]15:36 That¡¯s not the same thing. Haunting a house or a graveyard in the wilds is one thing, but a school haunting? Those are students inside, and it¡¯s right in the center of Tianhai City! [Mr. Yang Liu]15:36 Is that true, and can this even be kept a secret? If it can¡¯t, how is this situation going to be resolved once it blows up? [Temple Repairer ac123]15:40 What does it matter whether it can be kept secret or not? You¡¯re too impatient. [Mr. Yang Liu]15:41 The future belongs to us, Anyone with half a brain can see that. At least the government and the police are useless with supernatural events, only we can handle them. [Mr. Yang Liu]15:41 This ID of yours... I remember you @[Temple Repairer ac123] Did you go to that meetup? [Temple Repairer ac123]15:45 I did go. You agreed to come but then didn¡¯t show. It¡¯s a pity, you missed the chance to change your destiny. [Mr. Yang Liu]15:48 What¡¯s with all the mystical mumbo-jumbo? Got an illness? It was just a meetup, how could it be that important? [My wife, Li Hua]15:55 +1. I know a few forum members who went to the meetup, and they all seemed a bit off afterward. [Layman Lian]16:00 You haven¡¯t met that person, so naturally, you don¡¯t understand. [Temple Repairer ac123]16:00 You haven¡¯t met that person, so naturally, you don¡¯t understand. [User 155566]16:00 You haven¡¯t met that person, so naturally, you don¡¯t understand. [User 133379a]16:01 You haven¡¯t met that person, so naturally, you don¡¯t understand. [My wife, Li Hua]16:03 What¡¯s going on above? A robot making posts? [Mr. Yang Liu]16:03 Ignore them, they¡¯re delusional. [soft fire slow cooking]16:05 Let¡¯s not derail the topic, everyone. Can anyone guess how this will be dealt with? [Pearl Little Radish]16:05 I went out of my way to check, and there¡¯s nothing on the newspapers or news. OP, how did you know? [soft fire slow cooking]16:08 @[Pearl Little Radish], bro has his own channels. This is definitely true, can¡¯t be fake. I¡¯ve heard there are many experts in this forum, so I came here to ask, some people don¡¯t understand these things, don¡¯t know if it¡¯s Taoist priests, monks, wizards and the like. I heard that some even help forum friends with exorcisms. [Mr. Yang Liu]16:11 Rather than saying there are many experts here, it¡¯s more like this place is the headquarters for some... Heh, there¡¯s no point explaining to you ordinary people. [Brother Qiusheng]16:12 How arrogant you are. [Mr. Yang Liu]16:13 I¡¯m simply stating the truth. [soft fire slow cooking]16:16 I don¡¯t understand, since you seem to know so much, do you know who might be able to solve this? Like that person named Dongsheng. [soft fire slow cooking]16:18 I¡¯ve seen him in several recent help threads. Although he barely speaks, only leaving one or two-line responses, judging by the reactions of those who posted the threads, they are all extremely grateful. What do you think is going on? [My wife, Li Hua]16:21 Exactly, I¡¯ve also seen several threads, some quite tricky ones. Many others went and there was no word from them, but he just handled it in no time. This guy¡¯s responses really have that master vibe. Every help thread, he just replies ¡°Contact me, I¡¯ll handle it¡± or ¡°I¡¯ll go have a look¡±, then a couple of days later ¡°The issue has been dealt with¡±. And he always delivers, it¡¯s so admirable. [soft fire slow cooking]16:21 If this is true... I¡¯m kind of curious to meet him in person. Does anyone know how to contact him? I can offer a reward. [User 177798cf]16:22 @[Dongsheng], tag him yourself then, I also kind of want to meet him. [Mr. Yang Liu]16:22 Just some self-promoter. [Pearl Little Radish]16:22 Right, I know him, he is formidable! [Pearl Little Radish]16:22 He doesn¡¯t even ask for money! Although I still had to pay a lot because my house got damaged... [Pearl Little Radish]16:23 @Mr. Yang Liu What nonsense are you spouting? I think you¡¯re the least capable around here, always so sarcastic! [Mr. Yang Liu]16:25 People are easily deceived by illusions. He always pops up in the hottest threads of the forum, somehow resolves things in a short period, and each thread owner is so thankful to him afterward. Could all these be coincidences? I¡¯ve looked at his registration date, it was just the beginning of June. He¡¯s rarely active, and yet in just a few weeks, everyone on the forum knows him. I don¡¯t believe for a second there¡¯s not something fishy going on. [soft fire slow cooking]16:26 Maybe he¡¯s just that skilled? The events getting resolved is true, isn¡¯t it? [Mr. Yang Liu]16:26 Who knows? Maybe they¡¯re all shills. I even suspect someone in the forum is manipulating public opinion. Didn¡¯t he start helping people as soon as he registered? Would a normal person do that? [Pearl Little Radish]16:27 You¡¯re the shill, your whole family are shills! Go drop dead! @[Mr. Yang Liu] [Pearl Little Radish]16:27 Idiot, I¡¯m someone who asked for help here, don¡¯t I know who he is? @[Mr. Yang Liu] [My wife, Li Hua]16:27 You¡¯ve run into the person in question now. [Mr. Yang Liu]16:28 Looks like we¡¯ve got a star-struck fan here. [Pearl Little Radish]16:28 @[Mr. Yang Liu] Dumbass reply. [Mr. Yang Liu]16:29 I¡¯m out. Screeching hag. [Pearl Little Radish]16:29 Don¡¯t run away @[Mr. Yang Liu]! Come back and face off if you dare! Running won¡¯t help! @[Mr. Yang Liu] I¡¯ll curse you out in a private message! [Pearl Little Radish]16:30 @[Mr. Yang Liu] @[Mr. Yang Liu] @[Mr. Yang Liu] [soft fire slow cooking]16:41 Chapter 79 - 79 34 A Beauty Under the Moonlight as if in a Painting_2 ?79: Chapter 34 A Beauty Under the Moonlight as if in a Painting_2 79: Chapter 34 A Beauty Under the Moonlight as if in a Painting_2 ¡°¡±¡± Sis, calm down, the person has already left. So, is anyone going to reply to me? I¡¯ve exposed insider information, can¡¯t anyone think of a way? Heard there are still students inside. [Soft Fire Slow Cooking] 16:50 No one¡¯s talking? Can anyone answer the question? Or if you¡¯re really capable, can you find out about the situation? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Soft Fire Slow Cooking] 17:37 Really, no one¡¯s left? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Dongsheng] 18:50 I¡¯ll go take a look. * Cen Dongsheng typed out a brief response on the forum, then closed the screen of his laptop. After thinking for a while, he opened it again, tapped on the keyboard, and began searching for information online. Including news related to this matter and information about Cai Xin Middle School in the Nanyang District. ¡°Hmm... so that¡¯s how it is.¡± He absentmindedly tapped on the desk, lost in thought. Indeed, he couldn¡¯t find any relevant reports on official media, but in online communities like ¡°World Forum,¡± it had already become a topic hot enough to ignite the passion of netizens, even beyond the You Mountain Strange Tales section where Curse Forbidden Masters gathered. Users from other sections were also discussing the matter. The truth of the matter was subject to various interpretations, and rumors were swirling. Additionally, he found two potentially relevant records on foreign social media, the account owners seemed to be friends or relatives of Cai Xin Middle School students, posted recently, but they were just brief chat records with no concrete information. What he just read was merely the less eye-catching post among many related ones. In Cen Dongsheng¡¯s view, if the person [Soft Fire Slow Cooking] who posted on the forum was true about having ¡°their own intelligence channels,¡± some of their words were worth paying attention to. ¡ª¡ªFor instance, the fact that more than one student was still confined inside the campus. ¡°If not handled properly, this could be very tricky. But...¡± Cen Dongsheng recalled who told him about this matter, An Zhizhen, and couldn¡¯t help but shake his head. ¡°The premise is that Sister Zhi Zhen isn¡¯t involved.¡± As the saying goes, paper can¡¯t wrap fire, there are no secrets in the world, the premise being that An Zhizhen isn¡¯t involved. Otherwise, if she mind-controlled someone, there really would be no way to argue reason. If she wished, some secrets could indeed stay hidden in darkness, never to be discovered in a lifetime. Only a Special Grade Curse Forbidden Master could possibly resist the interference of the ¡°Heavenly Leader.¡± He knew there were some ¡°strong-willed¡± individuals who could regain consciousness after being controlled, but it often took years to accomplish. During this process, one could only hope An Zhizhen wouldn¡¯t target that victim again¡ªotherwise, they¡¯d still be doomed, never able to recover in a lifetime. Although he had reminded Sister Zhi Zhen to be cautious, he didn¡¯t believe anyone posed a threat to her at this stage... ¡°So, the key to this question lies in what Sister Zhi Zhen plans to do. Maybe I didn¡¯t hear about this matter in my past life simply because Sister Zhi Zhen resolved it quietly.¡± Cen Dongsheng was pondering, then he heard the hum of the pressure cooker from the kitchen. ¡°Oh, the meat is done.¡± He snapped out of his reverie, glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, and realized the time he had agreed on with Sister Zhi Zhen was fast approaching, so he got up and headed to the kitchen. ... The kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of meat, and he brought out the beef cooked in the pressure cooker, started the fire, and began preparing dishes. The vegetables were washed and chopped in advance, and Cen Dongsheng¡¯s movements were nimble, with precise handling of spices, the style of stir-frying resembled a professional chef, clearly someone who often cooked. When Cen Dongsheng said he could cook, he wasn¡¯t lying. After all, he had been single in his past life, had few hobbies to spend time on, and after each mission, returning home to cook a good meal for himself was a rare enjoyment in his life. Over time, he honed his culinary skills, but he was the only one who could enjoy it. He didn¡¯t intend to dwell on this, but now that he thought about it, Sister Zhi Zhen was the first woman he invited to his home for reception in his two lifetimes. To say it¡¯s special, perhaps it is quite special... As he was lost in these thoughts, the rice cooker clicked, and at the same time, the sound of wind chimes came from outside. Cen Dongsheng carried the four dishes and a soup he had prepared to the table, wiped his hands, and went to open the door. The woman outside was carrying a small bag, the dim glow of the streetlights gently illuminating their faces; she stood elegantly in the night, smiling brightly. ¡°Zhi Zhen... sister...¡± Cen Dongsheng was taken aback, unable to complete his sentence. Even though the two had spent quite some time together, and the other party frequently changed hairstyles and outfits, always looking fashionable and graceful, he thought he was almost used to Sister Zhi Zhen¡¯s beauty¡ª But in the first moment he saw her tonight, he still felt his heart take a hard hit, pounding intensely. The woman was bathed in the cool and gentle moonlight, with her smooth black hair styled in a high bun, her sapphire blue dress looked elegant and graceful in the hazy light. The long hem flowed like mercury on the steps, the cinched waist made her figure appear breathtakingly stunning; the bodice was adorned with silver-white patterns, crystal earrings swayed, reflecting the light from the lamp at the door. An Zhizhen¡¯s skin was fairer than snow, her eyes and brows were striking to the point of being unreal, her lips like rose petals, tender and inviting. Cen Dongsheng, at this moment, had a thought: This woman, even without using her abilities, possessed the charm to captivate crowds. ¡°Are you... going to a banquet?¡± ¡°¡±¡± Chapter 80 - 80 34 The Beauty under the Moon is like a Painting_3 ?80: Chapter 34 The Beauty under the Moon is like a Painting_3 80: Chapter 34 The Beauty under the Moon is like a Painting_3 Cen Dongsheng took a while to come back to his senses and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°This stunning look, of course, comes from careful dressing up. Only a blind man would fail to see that.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± An Zhizhen smiled happily, seemingly very satisfied with his reaction. ¡°I came to attend your banquet.¡± ¡°My banquet?¡± Cen Dongsheng scratched his head, somewhat distressed. ¡°I remember I just invited you to my house for dinner; it¡¯s just a family gathering. You said yourself there¡¯s no need to be formal, but now...¡± ¡°Can¡¯t help it, anything related to you, no matter what, is very important to me.¡± She picked up the hem of her dress and twirled on the spot. The wide skirt fluttered like butterfly wings, briefly revealing her snow-white, crystal-strap high-heeled feet beneath. ¡°Just bought these clothes and hadn¡¯t had a chance to wear them, so I wore them for you first. Do you like them?¡± An Zhizhen cocked her head slightly, looking at him with eyes full of anticipation. ¡°Beautiful,¡± Cen Dongsheng honestly replied, ¡°so beautiful I was stunned just now.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really good at giving compliments.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen laughed, extending her hand to him with graceful poise. ¡°It¡¯s just... not quite suitable to wear for this kind of occasion. This is an evening gown, right?¡± Cen Dongsheng conscientiously held her soft hand. As he led An Zhizhen into the room, he sighed and said, ¡°It feels like you really came for a dinner party, while all I¡¯ve prepared are some home-cooked dishes...¡± ¡°That¡¯s great! I love warm and hot food.¡± Sister Zhi Zhen elegantly took off her high heels and stepped onto the carpet. Her delicate nose twitched as she smelled the delicious scent coming from the kitchen direction, and her eyes instantly lit up. ¡°Wow, what a delicious smell! Looks like Dongsheng, you weren¡¯t boasting when you said you were good at cooking.¡± Cen Dongsheng lightly gripped her hand, never letting go, afraid that she might fall... ...although he knew that Sister Zhi Zhen, who always paid attention to etiquette, wouldn¡¯t let that happen. The young man looked around and felt that the entire room seemed to glow because of the beauty¡¯s arrival. After moving in, he hadn¡¯t altered the furniture arrangement inside, only adding some of his own daily necessities. Mainly, he thought it already looked good. Although he didn¡¯t understand beauty, he could still feel the designer¡¯s taste and style; in this house brimming with classical beauty, even a small-scale banquet would be appropriate. If he were living alone, he would definitely choose a cheap and convenient rental house, and then hosting Sister Zhi Zhen in her attire tonight would really seem out of place. However, upon closer thought, this house was also bought for him by Sister Zhi Zhen... ¡°Why do you sigh?¡± An Zhizhen noticed his hesitation and asked curiously. ¡°Nothing, I was just thinking...¡± He pointed at the gorgeous long dress on the woman. ¡°The gown looks nice, but it¡¯s not suitable for eating. It can get stained with grease, and that would be difficult to handle.¡± ¡°Eh, clothes can be thrown away after they¡¯ve been worn, right? After all, it¡¯s already fulfilled its purpose.¡± An Zhizhen¡¯s tone was very natural. ¡°Uh...¡± Cen Dongsheng was at a loss for words. ¡°But frugality is a good habit.¡± She revealed a sly smile, touched her finger to her lips, and leaned in closer, lowering her voice: ¡°In this house, you¡¯ve kept a room for me, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°...¡± Cen Dongsheng silently nodded. Although Sister Zhen put it ambiguously, he indeed had kept one. Of course, he had no ulterior motives; after all, she had mentioned coming over to visit before, and since the house was a gift from her, it made sense to keep a room for her. Besides, the house was indeed too big; he only needed one bedroom to live in, not to mention the spare bedroom, there were four guest rooms still vacant. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± An Zhizhen clapped her hands together, smiling broadly. ¡°I actually brought a change of clothes in my car. I¡¯ll just change into them later.¡± ...She really did come thoroughly prepared.