ps: I have a cold and a fever, feeling very unwell. I'll update four thousand words.
ps: Brothers, eight thousand characters are missing. I'll make it up on National Day.
As soon as he entered, an old man sitting there with his eyes closed, resting his spirit.
"Huang Jie Town Demon Envoy Ye Xiuchen requests entry into the Scripture Repository."
"Hmm."
The old man slowly opened his sparse eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of blood flashing within them.
In that instant.
Ye Xiuchen felt as if his back was being pricked by a sharp edge, causing his hair to stand on end.
It was like a small boat in a storm, precarious and on the verge of capsizing, with the imminent danger of losing its life.
"Show your token."
"Please, senior, take a look."
"A newly promoted Huang Jie Town Demon Envoy?"
Ye Xiuchen nodded in affirmation.
"A newly promoted Huang Jie Town Demon Envoy is allowed to study three cultivation technique manuals from the Body Refining realm for free. The specific ones can be chosen by yourself. If you wish to study more later, you will need to expend merit points. Do you understand?"
Ye Xiuchen respectfully bowed and replied, "This junior understands."
The old man handed the token to Ye Xiuchen, who received it with both hands.
"Go on, the Body Refining realm cultivation techniques are on the first floor. Don't go to the wrong place," the old man said lazily, then closed his eyes again, appearing to be sound asleep.
Ye Xiuchen bowed again and proceeded towards the bookshelves storing the Body Refining realm cultivation technique manuals.
The Scripture Repository.
It was the place where the entire Town Demon Division collected cultivation techniques.
To deal with demons and monsters, one had to cultivate profound techniques to have the capital to resist.
Originally, the Scripture Repository was freely accessible. However, after development, the Town Demon Division gained more and more experts, and the cultivation techniques also required specialization. This led to the requirement of expending merit points to cultivate them, with merit points being obtained through missions. Ye Xiuchen's promotion to Huang Jie Town Demon Envoy was merely a low-level mission.
The first floor of the Scripture Repository was vast.
When Ye Xiuchen arrived, many people were already there, browsing the books above.
No one noticed Ye Xiuchen; they were all using their limited time to find the martial arts they needed.
Ye Xiuchen had learned beforehand that he could select three cultivation techniques.
When it came to choosing cultivation techniques, Ye Xiuchen already had a plan in mind.
"Fire Fiend Technique," "Divine Movement Hundred Changes," "Divine Gate Thirteen Swords," "Six Harmonies Saber," "Earth Fire Technique"······
There were all sorts of cultivation techniques, making Ye Xiuchen unsure how to choose for a while.
As someone who had experienced the information age, Ye Xiuchen knew very well what he needed.
As a Town Demon Envoy, dealing with demons and monsters was commonplace. Techniques related to fire, yang, or lightning properties would have damage bonuses against them, so Ye Xiuchen was sure to choose those.
Ye Xiuchen's gaze continuously scanned for what he needed. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as a "Fire Fiend Technique" entered his sight.
Ye Xiuchen opened the "Fire Fiend Technique." The cultivation techniques in the Scripture Repository only contained introductions and partial content. The true original texts were held by the administrators of the Scripture Repository. As he continued to flip through, Ye Xiuchen's eyes grew brighter.
This "Fire Fiend Technique," once cultivated to great success, not only strengthened the body but also imbued attacks with fire fiend energy, which would burn enemies and possess a certain toxicity.
Ye Xiuchen then selected a "Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber" and a "Supreme Yang Fist."
After making his selections, he returned to the entrance of the Scripture Repository.
"Senior, I have finished my selections. Please review them." Ye Xiuchen respectfully placed the three manuals and his token on the table in front of the old man.
The old man opened his eyes, glanced at the cultivation techniques Ye Xiuchen had chosen, and asked, "Confirmed?"
"This junior has confirmed."
The old man picked up Ye Xiuchen's token, swiped his finger across it, and three jade slips appeared in his hand. He handed them to Ye Xiuchen and said, "When using them, place them on your forehead to absorb. They can only be used by the owner, only once, and cannot be passed on to others. Discovery of such an act will result in immediate execution. Do you understand?" A chilling killing intent emanated from his words.
Ye Xiuchen's heart tightened, and he quickly replied, "This junior understands."
"Take them."
Ye Xiuchen received them with both hands, bowed, and turned to leave.
Once outside the Scripture Repository's perimeter, Ye Xiuchen breathed a sigh of relief. The old man's authority was too immense, and he felt immense pressure in his presence.
He hadn't expected that even the Town Demon Division in a mere Qingyuan City would have such a powerful expert. This indicated the immense strength of the entire Great Qin Town Demon Division.
Ye Xiuchen touched the cultivation technique jade slips in his懷 and quickened his pace towards home.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Ye Xiuchen returned to his residence.
Ye Xiuchen did not open the main door; instead, he first checked the small mechanism he had left behind. Finding it undisturbed, he knew that in a world with supernatural powers, caution was paramount.
"Huffs, huffs..."
In the night, a disheveled woman ran frantically through the dim streets. She was wearing a common business suit, her high heels having vanished. Barefoot on the road, she seemed oblivious to the pain in her soles. Her face was contorted with terror, and she kept glancing back as if something horrifying were chasing her.
"Tap, tap, tap, tap..." Footsteps sounded behind her, exceptionally clear in the silent street, yet nothing was visible under the dim streetlights.
Li Lan, an ordinary white-collar worker in a big city, was working overtime, which was a common occurrence. Due to her financial circumstances, she could only afford to rent a place in an older district.
After finishing her overtime work, Li Lan was about to pack up and leave the company. In the somewhat dim corridor outside, she heard footsteps. In a company that was already empty, the sound was exceptionally clear. Li Lan felt a bit scared and loudly asked who was there. The footsteps immediately disappeared.
Li Lan assumed it was someone else working overtime and didn't pay it much mind. She was hungry and tired, only wanting to return to her warm little nest. She quickly packed her belongings and hurried out of the company. While waiting for the elevator, the previous footsteps reappeared. Li Lan wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but the sound seemed clearer than before.
Li Lan was a bit angry. Who would be so bored in the middle of the night to play such a prank? She cursed a few times, and the footsteps vanished again. Li Lan felt vindicated and planned to vent her frustration in the company group chat the next day.
Ding, the elevator doors slowly opened. Li Lan stepped inside and pressed the button for the first floor. The elevator doors slowly closed. Just as the doors were about to shut completely, Li Lan faintly heard those footsteps again.
Ding, Li Lan quickly exited the office building. This was a newly developed high-tech zone, and the infrastructure was not yet complete. Li Lan's rented apartment was nearby, so she decided to walk home.
As she walked, Li Lan became a little frightened to realize that a second set of footsteps was mingling with her own. She quickly looked back, but there was nothing. At this point, Li Lan's scalp began to tingle, and panic flickered in her eyes. All she wanted was to get home quickly.
Her footsteps quickened. The hairs on Li Lan's back stood on end. She could clearly hear the footsteps following her. She frantically looked back again, but there was still nothing.
Li Lan was completely panicked and started to run faster. However, her high heels accidentally tripped, sending her tumbling. She scrambled to her feet and ran forward unsteadily. She sped up, and the footsteps behind her also accelerated. Her pace slowed, and the footsteps also slowed, as if a hunter were leisurely pursuing its prey.
Regardless of her speed, Li Lan could clearly feel the footsteps getting closer. She began to despair. A journey that normally took ten minutes had now taken her seven or eight minutes, and she still hadn't reached her destination, as if she hadn't moved at all.
Li Lan suddenly stopped, her terrified expression frozen on her face. Her eyes were bloodshot, revealing utter despair. Her body couldn't move!
"Help..."
The street returned to its dark and silent state...
Yuanjiang City.
The sun was always so bright, casting its rays upon the world.
"Dinglinglingling..."
The end-of-class bell brought instant vitality to the quiet campus.
"Ahhh~ ha~, finally done," Ye Xiuchen stretched, standing on the roadside of the main campus thoroughfare. His handsome face attracted frequent glances from passing female students.
Ye Xiuchen was a third-year student at Yuanjiang City Experimental High School.
Ye Xiuchen was a transmigrator. He had come to this world three years ago, simply by falling asleep one night and waking up in this new world.
The original host's parents had died in a car accident, a normal traffic collision. The original host, who had been doted on by his parents since childhood, was so grief-stricken by their death that he simply passed away.
Ye Xiuchen was initially excited, but then he discovered that there were no supernatural powers, just like in his previous life.
The original host's parents were very wealthy, leaving him tens of millions in savings and a company worth several hundred million.
"Hello, excuse me, could I add your WeChat?" A junior student, who looked like she was in her first year of high school, with a petite stature and a pure appearance, approached. Ye Xiuchen glanced at her, then looked at a few girls not far away who were looking in their direction. Ye Xiuchen immediately understood and said softly, "No, thank you."
He turned and walked away. He could hear comforting voices behind him. Ye Xiuchen didn't care. He had experienced this too many times in the past two years. From initial delight to eventual numbness, he had become accustomed to it. After all, even from a male perspective, this body was undeniably handsome, with a fair and clear complexion, sharp eyebrows, and a prominent nose bridge.
Ye Xiuchen lived very cautiously. After all, arriving in an unfamiliar world, no one would adapt quickly. Caution was necessary.
Ye Xiuchen walked to the parking lot outside the school and approached a motorcycle. He put on his helmet, swung his leg over, and the roar of the engine drew the attention of the surrounding students. With a twist of the throttle, he rode onto the main road.
He had just obtained his motorcycle license this year. Ye Xiuchen learned everything quickly now, which he speculated might be due to the fusion of two souls.
Ye Xiuchen rode to the entrance of a villa complex. The security guard opened the gate as soon as he saw Ye Xiuchen's motorcycle and smiled, saying, "Little Ye, you're done with school."
"Yes, Brother Wang," Ye Xiuchen replied, taking off his helmet. He then asked, "Is it your shift today, Brother Wang?"
"It wasn't originally. A colleague had a last-minute issue, so I'm covering for him." Brother Wang smiled and asked, "Little Ye, are you graduating today?"
"Yes, I graduated today, and the college entrance exam is also finished."
"Ah, the college entrance exam is over. I remember the first time I saw you, you were in your first year of high school. In the blink of an eye, you've graduated. How was your college entrance exam?" Brother Wang sighed about the passage of time and then asked with a smile.
"The college entrance exam went pretty well. Getting into Linjiang University shouldn't be a problem."
"Not bad, you kid. Alright, hurry home. I still need to patrol, so I'll be going now." Brother Wang praised Ye Xiuchen, waved, and went on patrol with his baton.
Security guard Brother Wang was the first person Ye Xiuchen met in this world. Knowing that Ye Xiuchen was an orphan, he took good care of him, and thus, Ye Xiuchen had a very good relationship with him.
His house was located in the northeastern corner of the complex, deep inside. Although it was a bit far, it was quiet.
He used facial recognition to enter the villa. The motorcycle was parked in the courtyard. The villas were spaced far apart, ensuring excellent privacy.
The courtyard was spacious, with not many flowers or trees, except for a small pavilion for relaxation. After parking the motorcycle and unlocking it with the password, he entered the villa. He was greeted by a large living room decorated in a minimalist European style, with a large flat-screen TV and a sofa facing it.
Ye Xiuchen lived alone in a very spacious and quiet house. Even though he lived alone, the rooms were kept meticulously tidy and clean.
He changed into slippers, placed his schoolbag on the sofa, and then sat down himself.
Ye Xiuchen's college entrance exam, while not aiming for a top-tier national university, was at least enough to get into Linjiang University, a first-class university in the Tianxia nation.
He got up and walked to the second floor. The second floor consisted of two rooms, a bathroom, and a study. Ye Xiuchen entered the study. In front of him was a huge floor-to-ceiling window offering a view of the wetland park behind, facing a lake. It was noon, and the lake's surface shimmered beautifully under the sun.
He sat at the desk and opened the computer. After booting up, he skillfully navigated to a forum website. This was a website Ye Xiuchen had stumbled upon, filled with shared accounts of supernatural phenomena that ordinary people couldn't access. There were also many skilled hackers there. Although Ye Xiuchen remained somewhat skeptical of the content, he found it more credible than other sources. Thus, he bookmarked it.
After all, he had been exposed to atheism since childhood, but transmigration had happened to him. If supernatural powers truly existed, Ye Xiuchen could accept it easily. Posts related to supernatural phenomena were rare, and many were foreign news articles. He had once accidentally stumbled upon a post about the supernatural, which was taken down before he could finish reading it. This indicated the domestic attitude towards supernatural phenomena. Thinking of this, Ye Xiuchen couldn't help but sigh.
Just then, a post appeared on his computer screen:
"Quick Look!! Everyone in a residential area in the United States died mysteriously, all their blood vanished, turning into mummies!!"
The eye-catching title immediately drew Ye Xiuchen's attention, and he clicked on it. A picture of a mummy appeared on the screen. Ye Xiuchen was no longer surprised by this.
Ye Xiuchen carefully examined the mummy's photo. According to the post, this was the corpse of one of the victims at the crime scene. It was a typical foreign face, with its mouth agape as if it had witnessed something incredibly terrifying.
The post mentioned that forensic examination revealed the body's fluids had been expelled in a very short period. Moreover, the death toll exceeded one hundred people, who all died almost simultaneously. This was incredible – hundreds of people turned into mummies, their blood completely gone, dying at nearly the same time...