As the door to the Scripture Depository opened, an old man sat inside with his eyes closed, seemingly in meditation.
"Ye Xiuchen, Yellow Tier Demon Suppressor, requests entry to the Scripture Depository."
"Hmm."
The elder slowly opened his rheumy eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible flash of blood-red light darting from them.
In that instant, Ye Xiuchen felt as if an edge was upon his back, causing his hairs to stand on end. It was like a lone boat in a storm, tossed precariously, on the verge of capsizing and facing imminent death.
"Show your token."
"Senior, please."
"A newly appointed Yellow Tier Demon Suppressor?"
Ye Xiuchen nodded in affirmation.
"A new Yellow Tier Demon Suppressor may freely learn three body-refinement realm cultivation technique manuals. The specific ones are yours to choose. Any further learning will require merit points. Understand?"
Ye Xiuchen bowed respectfully. "This junior understands."
The elder handed the token to Ye Xiuchen, who received it with both hands.
"Go on. The body-refinement realm techniques are on the first floor. Don't get lost," the elder said lazily, then closed his eyes again, as if falling into a deep sleep.
Ye Xiuchen bowed once more and proceeded towards the shelves housing the body-refinement realm cultivation technique manuals.
The Scripture Depository.
This was where the entire Demon Suppression Bureau stored its cultivation techniques. To confront demons and ghosts, one had to cultivate profound techniques to gain the capital for resistance.
Originally, the Scripture Depository was freely accessible. However, as the Demon Suppression Bureau grew and its experts increased, the need for specialized cultivation techniques arose. Consequently, merit points became necessary to learn them. Merit points were earned through missions, and Ye Xiuchen's promotion to Yellow Tier Demon Suppressor was merely a low-level accomplishment.
The first floor of the Scripture Depository was vast.
Upon Ye Xiuchen's arrival, several people were already present, perusing the books. No one noticed Ye Xiuchen; they were all using their limited time to search for the martial arts they needed.
Ye Xiuchen knew beforehand that he could choose three cultivation techniques. He already had a plan in mind for selecting them.
"Fiery Malice Technique," "Divine Movement Shifting Forms," "Thirteen Swords of the Divine Gate," "Six Harmonies Saber," "Earth Fire Technique".......
A multitude of cultivation techniques were available, leaving Ye Xiuchen momentarily unsure how to choose. As someone who had experienced the information age, Ye Xiuchen understood precisely what he needed. For Demon Suppressors, dealing with demons and ghosts was routine. Techniques related to fire, yang, or lightning attributes would deal bonus damage to such entities, so Ye Xiuchen was determined to select those.
Ye Xiuchen's gaze swept across the shelves, searching for what he required. His eyes lit up as a manual titled "Fiery Malice Technique" entered his sight. He opened it. The techniques in the Scripture Depository only provided introductions and partial content; the true manuals were held by the administrators. As he continued to flip through, Ye Xiuchen's eyes grew brighter. Upon mastery, the "Fiery Malice Technique" not only strengthened the body but also imbued attacks with fiery malice, scorching enemies and possessing a certain toxicity.
Ye Xiuchen then chose a "Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber" and a "Supreme Yang Fist."
After making his selections, he returned to the entrance of the Scripture Depository.
"Senior, I have completed my selections. Please review them." Ye Xiuchen respectfully placed the three manuals and his token on the table before the elder.
The elder opened his eyes, glanced at the techniques Ye Xiuchen had chosen, and asked, "Confirmed?"
"This junior has confirmed."
The elder took Ye Xiuchen's token, a finger flicked, and three jade slips materialized in his hand. He handed them to Ye Xiuchen, saying, "Place them on your forehead to absorb them when using. They are for personal use only, can only be used once, and cannot be passed on to others. Discovery of such an act will result in immediate execution. Do you understand?" His words carried a chilling murderous intent.
Ye Xiuchen's heart tightened. He quickly replied, "This junior understands."
"Take them."
Ye Xiuchen accepted them with both hands, bowed, and turned to leave.
Once outside the Scripture Depository, Ye Xiuchen breathed a sigh of relief. The elder's aura was too formidable, and he felt immense pressure in his presence. He hadn't expected such a master to be present in the Demon Suppression Bureau of Qingyuan City alone. This indicated the immense strength of the Qin Dynasty's entire Demon Suppression Bureau.
Ye Xiuchen touched the cultivation technique jade slips in his怀, and quickened his pace towards home.
In what felt like mere moments, Ye Xiuchen returned to his residence. He didn't open the main door immediately but first checked the small mechanism he had set up. Finding it undisturbed, he realized the necessity of caution in a world with supernatural elements.
"Pant, pant..."
In the darkness of the night, a woman with disheveled hair ran frantically down a dimly lit street. She wore a common business suit, but her high heels were gone. Barefoot, she ran as if her soles felt no pain, her face a mask of terror. She kept glancing back, as if something horrifying was pursuing her.
"Tap, tap, tap, tap..." Footsteps echoed behind her, unnervingly clear in the silent street, yet nothing was visible under the dim lampposts.
Li Lan, an ordinary white-collar worker from a large city, was one of many who worked overtime today. Due to her financial situation, she could only afford to rent a place in an old district. After finishing her overtime work, as Li Lan was about to pack up and leave the company, she heard footsteps in the dimly lit corridor outside. The sound was exceptionally clear in the deserted company building, and Li Lan, feeling a bit scared, called out loudly, asking who was there. The footsteps immediately vanished.
Li Lan assumed it was someone else working overtime and didn't pay it much mind. She was hungry and tired, and just wanted to return to her cozy little nest. She quickly packed her belongings and hurried out of the company. While waiting for the elevator, the previous footsteps reappeared. Whether it was Li Lan's imagination or not, the sound seemed clearer than the last time. Li Lan felt a surge of anger. Who would be so bored late at night to play pranks? After cursing them soundly, the footsteps disappeared again. Li Lan felt a sense of satisfaction and planned to vent her frustration in the company group chat tomorrow.
Ding. The elevator door slowly opened. Li Lan walked in and pressed the button for the first floor. The elevator door began to close, and just as it was about to shut, 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 fully developed. Li Lan's rented accommodation was nearby, so she decided to walk home. As she walked, Li Lan became somewhat frightened as she realized that another set of footsteps was mixed with her own. She quickly looked back, but there was nothing. At this point, Li Lan's scalp began to tingle, and a look of panic flickered in her eyes. All she wanted was to get home quickly.
Her steps began to quicken. The hairs on Li Lan's back stood on end. She clearly heard the footsteps following behind her. She frantically looked back again, but still saw nothing. Li Lan was completely flustered and started to speed up. However, her high heels tripped her, and she fell to the ground. She scrambled to her feet and ran forward unsteadily. As she sped up, the footsteps behind her also accelerated. When her speed slowed, the footsteps also slowed, as if a hunter was leisurely pursuing its prey.
Regardless of her speed, Li Lan could clearly feel the footsteps getting closer. She began to despair. A path that usually took only ten minutes to walk had now taken her seven or eight minutes, yet she hadn't reached her destination. It was as if she was running in place.
Li Lan suddenly stopped, her terrified expression frozen on her face. Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with despair. Her body could not move!
"Help..."
The street returned to its dark and silent state...
Yuanjiang City.
The sunlight was always bright, casting its rays upon the human world.
"Ring, ring, ring..." The end-of-class bell instantly brought life to the quiet campus.
"Ah~ ha~, it's finally over," Ye Xiuchen yawned, standing by the roadside on the main campus thoroughfare. His handsome face drew frequent glances from passing female students.
Ye Xiuchen was a third-year student at Yuanjiang City Experimental High School.
Ye Xiuchen was a transmigrator. Three years ago, he had arrived in this world after simply falling asleep. Upon waking, he found himself in a new reality. The original Ye Xiuchen's parents had died in a car accident, a normal traffic incident. The original Ye Xiuchen, who had been doted on by his parents since childhood, was so overcome with grief that he died of a sudden illness. Ye Xiuchen was initially thrilled, but he soon discovered that this world was no different from his previous life, with no supernatural powers.
The original Ye Xiuchen's parents were wealthy, leaving him tens of millions in savings and a company valued at several hundred million.
"Hello, excuse me, could I add you on WeChat?" A girl who looked like a first-year student, petite and pure in appearance, asked. Ye Xiuchen glanced at her, then at a few girls not far away who were looking in their direction. Ye Xiuchen immediately understood and softly replied, "No, thank you." He turned and walked away. He heard comforting sounds behind him. Ye Xiuchen paid them no mind. 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 indeed handsome, with a fair and clear complexion, sharp eyebrows, and a well-defined nose.
Ye Xiuchen lived his life 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 the seat, and the engine roared to life, attracting the attention of students around him. He twisted the throttle and drove onto the main road.
He had obtained his motorcycle license this year. Ye Xiuchen learned everything quickly now. He suspected it was due to the fusion of two souls.
Ye Xiuchen rode his motorcycle to the entrance of a villa complex. The security guard, upon seeing Ye Xiuchen's motorcycle, opened the gate and smiled, "Xiao Ye, you're off school."
"Yes, Brother Wang," Ye Xiuchen replied, removing his helmet. Then he asked, "Is it your shift today, Brother Wang?"
"It wasn't supposed to be. A colleague had an emergency, so I'm filling in for him," Brother Wang said with a smile, then asked, "Xiao Ye, are you graduating today?"
"Yes, I just graduated today, and my college entrance exams are also finished."
"Ah, so the college entrance exams are 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 were your exams?" Brother Wang mused about the passage of time and then asked with a smile.
"The exams were alright. I should be able to get into Linjiang University, at least."
"That's great, you kid. Alright, hurry home. I have to patrol. I'm off," Brother Wang praised Ye Xiuchen, waved goodbye, and left with his baton to begin his patrol.
Security guard Brother Wang was the first person Ye Xiuchen met in this world. Knowing Ye Xiuchen was an orphan, he had taken good care of him, and thus, Ye Xiuchen had a good relationship with him. His home was at the far northeast corner of the complex, deep inside, but it was quiet.
After a facial recognition scan, Ye Xiuchen entered the villa. He parked his motorcycle in the yard. The villas were widely spaced, ensuring excellent privacy. The yard was spacious, with few flowers and trees, save for a small pavilion for relaxation. After parking the motorcycle and unlocking the door with the password, he entered the villa. Facing him was a large living room, decorated in a minimalist European style, with a large LCD TV and a sofa facing it. Ye Xiuchen lived alone in a vast, quiet space. Despite living by himself, he kept his rooms meticulously tidy and clean.
He changed into slippers, placed his backpack on the sofa, and sat down himself. For his college entrance exams, Ye Xiuchen wasn't aiming for a top national university, but at least the local Linjiang University in Linjiang City, which was considered a first-class university in the Tianxia nation.
He rose and walked to the second floor. The second floor consisted of two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a study. Ye Xiuchen entered the study. Before him was a large floor-to-ceiling window offering a view of the wetland park behind and a lake in front. It was midday, and the lake's surface shimmered with sunlight, a beautiful sight.
He sat down at the desk and turned on the computer. After it booted up, he skillfully opened a forum website. This was a website Ye Xiuchen had stumbled upon, filled with shared accounts of supernatural phenomena that ordinary people wouldn't encounter, as well as many skilled hackers. Although Ye Xiuchen maintained a degree of skepticism about the content, it was far more credible than other sources. Thus, Ye Xiuchen followed it. After all, he had been raised with atheism, but with transmigration happening to him, he could easily accept the existence of supernatural powers. Posts related to supernatural phenomena were rare, mostly featuring foreign news. Domestic news was scarce. Once, he inadvertently stumbled upon a paranormal post, which was quickly censored before he could finish reading. 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 found inexplicably dead, all their blood gone, turned into mummified corpses!!"
The eye-catching title immediately drew Ye Xiuchen's attention, and he moved his mouse to click on it. A picture of a mummified corpse appeared on the screen. Ye Xiuchen was no longer surprised by such things. Ye Xiuchen carefully observed the mummified corpse in the photo. According to the post, this was the body of one of the victims at the crime scene. It was a typical foreign face, with its mouth agape as if witnessing something utterly terrifying. The post mentioned that forensic examinations revealed the bodies had been drained of blood extremely rapidly, and over a hundred people had died, almost simultaneously. This was incredibly bizarre: hundreds of people turned into mummified corpses, all their blood gone, dying almost at the same time...