Ning Zhi thought back to his earlier confrontation with Ding Ji.
The spiritual power that had seemed as towering as a mountain before him was nothing more than a handful of loose sand in front of Qi Quan. With just a casual wave of her hand, that vast spiritual force was utterly routed.
Once again, he clearly recognized her unfathomable depth.
All that remained in his heart was awe.
He Chao was completely dumbfounded.
He never imagined that the bold claims he had just made would be proven wrong in the blink of an eye.
This woman was too terrifying, truly too terrifying.
He promptly admitted defeat, curling up on the ground to kowtow to Qi Quan, tears and mucus streaming down his face as he pleaded, "Master, please spare me! I haven't killed anyone, I really haven't killed anyone!"
"Wei Xu is seriously injured, Yuan Qing is unconscious, and you still have the nerve to say such things?" Chen Feilu was simply speechless. "You bind others' vitality and fortune and still put on an innocent face, why don't you just ascend to heaven? Someone like you deserves the eighteenth level of hell!"
The system felt vindicated: [This kid said exactly what I wanted to scold him for, satisfying!]
Qi Quan also found it pleasing to hear and couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
The young man was decent-looking with a good demeanor, but mainly he was eloquent and more outgoing than someone as reserved as Su Rong.
Chen Feilu keenly sensed her gaze and immediately straightened his posture, his expression turning solemn.
He had been blaming himself for his previous recklessness, which had caused the master to face backlash from netizens, and he felt guilty about it.
Qi Quan shifted her gaze away.
After the hook shattered the restriction, it once again caught hold of that fateful marriage thread. The thread tightly bound the fates of He Chao and Yuan Qing together; as long as Yuan Qing lived for one day, He Chao could remain in the mortal world for one day.
Qi Quan's expression turned slightly cold. With a flick of her fingertips, the slender hook gave a gentle tug, and a crack appeared in the marriage thread.
He Chao's face instantly transformed.
He had originally appeared like a normal person, albeit with a somewhat pale and bluish complexion. Now, with the marriage thread damaged and the supply insufficient, his face became distorted, revealing marks as if he had been run over by a car.
Everyone: "..."
[Oh, system gods!] the system exclaimed in fright.
Qi Quan held no prejudice against someone who died accidentally, nor against disfigured appearances. However, He Chao was truly too malicious and vile. If they were merely facing a ghost who died in a car accident, she believed no one present would show any strange reaction.
The key was He Chao's eyes, filled with resentful venom and bloodshot, paired with his distorted face—it was truly repulsive.
With one final hook, the marriage thread completely snapped.
He Chao let out a piercing scream, reverting to his appearance at the moment of death.
He angrily opened his mouth, but before he could utter any threats, a ball of spiritual fire was stuffed into it.
"Ahhhhhhh—"
The spiritual fire scorched his soul-body. Under the agony that pierced his very soul, he writhed and howled on the ground, unable to speak.
It hurt too much! It really hurt too much!
Qi Quan took out a talisman. The paper floated in the air, choosing the best angle to aim at He Chao on the ground.
"A Recording Talisman!" Ning Zhi exclaimed in surprise.
This was a high-level talisman, commanding an exceedingly high price within the mystic arts community.
He Chao's soul-body was already unstable. After ten minutes of excruciating burning by the spiritual fire, he finally couldn't hold on any longer, dissolving into gray specks of light that dissipated into the air.
Qi Quan handed the Recording Talisman to Ning Zhi.
"Give this to Yuan Qing when she wakes up."
Ning Zhi solemnly accepted it, deeply admiring her thorough and considerate way of handling matters.
The system was indignant: [Letting him 'die' like that was really letting him off easy!]
[Who said he 'died'?]
[Huh? Didn't his soul scatter?]
[No, he just went to where he belongs.]
He Chao hadn't killed anyone, so he could still reincarnate. Just now, he had chosen reincarnation because he could no longer endure the pain.
According to his sins, he could only be reborn into the animal realm.
What awaited him would be the suffering of being abused and slaughtered for several lifetimes.
The moment He Chao disappeared, the jade pendant around Wang Cui's neck suddenly shattered.
She had just arrived at the police station, stepping out of the police car, when she saw the pendant break into pieces. Her mind went blank for an instant as if struck by a heavy blow... then she screamed hysterically, "Chao Chao! My Chao Chao! He Jianshe! They killed Chao Chao! I want revenge! I want revenge!"
He Jianshe was also heartbroken, his eyes hiding a towering rage as he said venomously, "Master Ding left us a talisman paper before. He said if we encountered an emergency, we should tear this talisman, and then a powerful master would come to our aid."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
The police officers nearby: "..."
These two were completely delusional.
Wang Cui hurriedly found the talisman paper, and right in front of the police, the two of them tore it apart together.
The moment the talisman paper was torn, a man who was investigating the cause of Ding Ji's death at the junction of three cities felt a twitch between his eyebrows.
He looked in the direction from which the talisman had been activated—
Longjiang City.
He hadn't found the cause of death at Ding Ji's lair. Coincidentally, the internal communication talisman of the organization had been activated. Perhaps he could find clues over there.
Lakeside Villa.
After Qi Quan dealt with He Chao with a wave of her hand, everyone present, human or ghost, felt a great sense of satisfaction.
During his time in Longjiang City, Ning Zhi had benefited greatly.
He had been raised since childhood as the heir of his family, strictly adhering to family and mystic arts rules. He had always believed that celestial masters and ghosts were opposing forces; that any ghost must be sent to where they belong.
That's why, during his first visit, upon seeing Su Rong, he had acted without hesitation.
But with the occurrences of the "Peach Blossom Mark" and the "Yuan Qing Incident," he came to understand more profoundly that what opposes celestial masters is not ghosts, but evil humans and ghosts.
Like Su Rong, like Qi Zheng—they were all kind and righteous ghosts. As long as they didn't defy the natural order, what harm was there in them staying in the mortal world?
Thinking of this, he said solemnly, "Senior, after I return, I will definitely apply to higher authorities to form a team of celestial masters."
The mystic arts community was powerful, with too many intertwined interests among its members, leading to excessive delays and pedantry in handling cases.
Both the Peach Blossom Mark and ghost marriages were forbidden arts within the mystic arts community, yet they could run rampant in Longjiang City. This was truly a failure of the mystic arts community.
The Celestial Masters Association was, at best, merely a buffer zone for the major sects and families.
The system sincerely praised: [Young Master Ning is quite bold!]
After all, as the heir of a mystic arts family, Ning Zhi received the full support of his family's cultivation resources. Once he chose to join another faction, he would inevitably face significant upheaval.
The mystic arts community had enjoyed freedom and lack of restraint for many years. Who would willingly submit to control?
His proposal would undoubtedly face obstruction and rejection from most people.
Qi Quan sighed inwardly; she couldn't bear to see talented individuals wither away.
"Let's wait for news from Han Mian's side first." If the authorities were truly intent on pushing this forward, it could certainly be accomplished.
In the face of the state machinery, no one could obstruct it.
Ning Zhi looked convinced. "Understood."
“Um, about that...” Chen Feilu awkwardly scratched the back of his head, hesitantly saying, “Master, can I join?”
He was quite interested in the mystic arts, but his abilities weren't up to par yet.
Qi Quan asked with a smile, "What can you do?"
Chen Feilu's face instantly flushed bright red. Right now, he only knew a little about it, not even enough to call it knowledge. He had already made a fool of himself in front of the master during the "Yuan Qing Jinx" incident.
"My, my university major was computer science," he blurted out, thinking on his feet. "I can filter information, collect data, and build our own team's database. Then we can allocate resources nationwide, maximizing information sharing and resource utilization as much as possible."
System: [Not bad, young man!]
The corners of Qi Quan's lips lifted. "I can't decide if you can join. There will naturally be recruitment criteria then."
"Ah?" Chen Feilu was stunned.
Ning Zhi also said, "Senior, you're the founder of the team. How could it have nothing to do with you?"
Qi Quan was someone who dreaded trouble immensely. In her past life, her master made her the sect's chief disciple. To repay his kindness, she had no choice but to fulfill the duties, toiling diligently for the sect's growth and expansion.
Now that she had transmigrated into another world, she had no desire to keep shouldering responsibilities.
"I just made a suggestion," she said with an innocent look.
Chen Feilu showed an anxious expression. "But besides you, who else is qualified to be the team leader?"
Only someone with overwhelming strength could make the team truly submit.
Qi Quan waved her hand. "I need to cultivate now. You two should head back first."
"......"
The two had no choice but to bid farewell.
Late August. Autumn was about to bid farewell. A slightly warm breeze drifted through the front courtyard, brushing past the delicate and beautiful window lattice, faintly carrying a hint of spiritual energy.
Qi Quan's brow twitched slightly. She pivoted on her heel and headed for the pavilion in the backyard.
The flowers in the backyard were in full bloom.
Ling Sheng, wearing a simple T-shirt and casual pants, was squatting by the pond. He held a thin twig in his hand, teasing the fish swimming in the water.
Spiritual energy from his palm poured unsparingly into the twig. Drawn by instinct, the entire school of fish gathered around the twig's tip, pecking frantically at the spiritual energy concentrated there.
They greedily absorbed it, their scales becoming increasingly glossy and dazzling.
Qi Quan stood beside him, watching for a long moment.
[Is Ling Sheng too lonely, that he can only come here to tease fish?] The system said, heart aching.
Qi Quan: ...
This system was even more of a looks-person than she was.
"Your control of spiritual energy is quite good," she praised with a smile.
Ling Sheng was slightly startled and looked up at her.
He was facing the sun, his fair skin glowing, countless golden rays gathering in his amber pupils, warm and profound.
Even from this angle, he looked so handsome. What a uniquely gifted face.
Qi Quan always had a special leniency towards people with high looks. As long as they didn't cross her bottom line, even if they were "mute," she would be gentle enough.
"But don't overdo it. I don't want to raise a few fish that develop spiritual awareness."
A natural spiritual body was not only beneficial to cultivators but also held certain benefits for all living creatures. If Ling Sheng continuously poured spiritual energy into the fish, one day the fish in the pond might become fish spirits.
Presumably, on the mountain where he was imprisoned, many creatures had already awakened their spiritual awareness.
Playing the pig to eat the tiger—quite clever.
Even without her, he would have eventually turned the tables on Ding Ji and escaped his cage.
Ling Sheng lowered his gaze, withdrawing the spiritual energy back into his body. Deprived of the energy, the fish scattered in a flurry.
He reached out a hand, as if wanting to touch Qi Quan.
"I don't need it," Qi Quan said seriously. "I don't need to plunder spiritual energy from others. You can stay here if you wish, or leave if you want to. Don't feel obligated on my account."
Ling Sheng immediately retracted his hand, lowered his head, and rested his chin on his knees, presenting a pitiful picture.
[Wah wah wah, the poor child is so pitiful.] The system couldn't bear to see good-looking people wronged.
Qi Quan felt a fond pity for its naivety and ruthlessly turned to leave.
She knew Ling Sheng was testing her.
No cultivator who found a person with a natural spiritual body could remain calm. Even if they didn't drain the person dry, it was hard not to be tempted at all.
Perhaps in Ling Sheng's eyes, she was a hypocrite with a well-hidden nature.
He was tempting her. He wanted to see through her disguise.
Qi Quan shook her head inwardly. She had her own pride and principles.
Anji Hospital.
Du Jiaming personally led the team guarding the special ward, not forgetting to show off in the group chat.
[Du Jiaming: Heh heh heh heh heh.]
[Yang Su: What are you giggling about? Have you taken a fancy to another pretty girl?]
[Du Jiaming: I've already sworn off women, okay? Heh heh heh heh.]
[Zhang Chengyan: Possessed again?]
[Yang Su: Really? Should we go invite a master?]
[Du Jiaming: You're the ones who are possessed! I'm just happy.]
[Yang Su: Happy about what? Spill it so we can be happy too.]
[Du Jiaming: Can't say.]
He knew the injured person was the female celebrity Yuan Qing and guessed there must be something going on. The master told him to protect Yuan Qing strictly, so he couldn't let it slip.
[Zhang Chengyan: Just keep us in suspense then!]
[Zhang Chengyan: Speaking of which, I saw Song Lin today. He seemed to have bumped his head, had a bandage on it.]
[Song Lin: It's fine, a minor thing.]
[Yang Su: That's minor? I heard you've been having a streak of bad luck these past few days, always having accidents. You should be more careful.]
[Qi Lin: Get a master to take a look.]
[Song Lin: ??? Since when do you believe in that stuff?]
[Du Jiaming: Good heavens, is there still someone who doesn't believe in Master Qi? The master already pointed out there's dark energy in the northern suburbs, and you still had to go! And the master turned the tide and saved Qi Yuan's life! Qi Lin saw it with his own eyes, how could he not believe?]
[Song Lin: ...]
Might as well change the group name to "Qi Quan Fan Club." Was it too late for him to leave the group now?
[Du Jiaming: Forget it, not telling you guys anymore. I'm going to check for the update!]
[Yang Su: Oh crap, it's 10 o'clock!]
[Zhang Chengyan: The website is too crappy! It won't load!]
[Qi Lin: Good read.]
[Song Lin: ...]
He touched the wound on his temple and, as if guided by a ghost, opened the Scream APP.
[I know very clearly that I encountered a ghost.
He had a decent appearance, a very young man, yet he passed away in the prime of his youth.
It's truly lamentable.
He had a good character, full of a sense of justice.
He told me he witnessed a family selling their daughter back then.
They traded the girl's birth date and time for the down payment on their son's marital home.
The girl was unwilling and called the police.
When he arrived, he happened to hear the girl's family's ignorant and selfish scolding.
The father said: "A ghost marriage won't affect you at all! We've raised you for so many years, and you won't even do this little thing? What an ingrate!"
The mother pleaded tearfully: "Just help your brother out. It's not like you're really getting married, it's just a formality. A ghost marriage doesn't matter. Be obedient. Later, when you get married, your brother will support you too."
The brother said flippantly: "Sis, it's all fake. It's just that their family lost a son and wants some psychological comfort. Don't take it seriously. Think about it, a ghost marriage can get you 200,000, way more than the bride price you'd get from a real marriage. We're not losing out."
He was furious and tried his utmost to stop this superstitious activity.
But on his way home, he accidentally fell into the water and died.
After hearing his story, my heart felt heavy and uncomfortable.
Such a righteous and kind person died innocently because of others' wickedness.
Yes, he died a wrongful death.
Ghosts who died wrongfully are different from other ghosts. I could see that.
Prompted by his reminder, I suddenly realized: that woman who had acid thrown on her, her marriage fate line was tinged with black!]
A ghost marriage?!
She had entered into a ghost marriage!
No wonder, no wonder accidents kept happening around her.
I've read metaphysics texts; people bound in ghost marriages have their surrounding magnetic fields altered. When the yin energy is too strong, their bad luck multiplies, and people close to them are prone to accidents, especially those who have intimate contact with them.
Thinking carefully, every person who had an accident was someone who had a lot of contact with her, both on and off set.
Everything makes sense now.]
End of new chapter.
Song Lin rubbed his forehead in exasperation. He must have been out of his mind to read such a nonsensical novel.
What a waste of time!
He turned off his phone and went back to work.
The desk lamp illuminated his face. In the corner, where the light didn't reach, a shadowy figure slowly rose.
The comments under "The Diary of a Wealthy Family" were in an uproar.
【Wei Xu's Brother is the Handsomest in the World: What kind of crap is the author writing? Trying to whitewash that bitch now? Trash!】
【Xu Fan Reporting In: The victim is still lying in the hospital, and the perpetrator is shamelessly trying to whitewash herself? What is wrong with this world!】
【Passerby A: Ghost marriage? Bad luck? Is this some new whitewashing tactic?】
【123: Just asking, it's just a novel, what's everyone fighting about in the comments?】
【If You See Me, Tell Me to Go Prepare Lessons: That's terrifying, actually selling one's daughter to... enter a ghost marriage. Just thinking about it gives me chills! It's such a pity about the police officer's sacrifice, what exactly happened?】
【Today is Auspicious: Some people should stop barking in the comments. The master explained it clearly. Haven't you all seen the filming video online? The wire suddenly snapped, it was just bad luck. What does that have to do with the actress he was acting opposite?】
【Today is Profitable: Five hundred deepwater torpedoes!】
【Auspicious and Profitable: Five hundred deepwater torpedoes!】
【A Tree of Red Plum Blossoms Blooms: The author's novels always allude to reality. It feels a bit off to read, especially since the injured person is still in the hospital and the police haven't announced the investigation results yet. I'd advise the author not to speak carelessly.】
【Dying of Laughter: Who would have thought reading a story could tie into the entertainment industry? Interesting.】
【I Just Want Male Virtue Stories: I saw the filming video. A certain male actor kept messing up and getting cut, always hugging waists or holding hands. Serves him right for having an accident.】
【Brother Yuan Tells You to Stop Writing: One hundred deepwater torpedoes!】
Su Nuanuan carefully scrolled through the comments under the story. Suddenly seeing this username, she had a thought, took a screenshot, and sent it to the group chat.
【Su Nuanuan: Is this you? @Qi Yuan】
【Qi Yuan: ……】
Su Nuanuan couldn't help but laugh.
【Su Nuanuan: I remember someone who once criticized "The Diary of a Wealthy Family" as utterly worthless, even begrudging spending ten bucks.】
【Qi Yuan: ……】
【Sun Yu: Hey, who knew back then that Sister Qi Quan really had serious skills! By the way, where's that kid Qian Kun? @Qian Kun Where the hell have you gone!】
For Brother Yuan's pride, he had to forcefully change the subject.
However, Qian Kun still didn't make a sound.
What's going on? He hasn't spoken in the group chat since last night, and he's such a chatterbox!
【Sun Yu: What's up? I'll give him a call.】
【Peng Peng: I already called. Didn't get through.】
【Qi Yuan: I just called too. No one answered.】
【Sun Yu: Wow, since when does Brother Yuan care so much about Old Qian? Feels like Brother Yuan has changed.】
【Su Nuanuan: Anyone who walks through the gates of hell would change. It's a good change.】
【Qi Yuan: Mhm.】
Having experienced a life-and-death situation, Qi Yuan had matured a lot compared to before.
【Qi Yuan: I heard you're taking the high-speed train to Longjing City. I'll go with you.】
【Su Nuanuan: Did you buy a ticket?】
【Qi Yuan: ……】
He had been driven around by chauffeurs since childhood, never even taken the subway, and had completely forgotten about buying tickets.
Qi Yuan searched online for how to buy tickets and downloaded the app. Before it finished downloading, he heard movement outside his room.
It was the sound of his mother coming down the stairs and speaking urgently.
He got up and opened the door, asking casually, "What's wrong?"
"Aunt Ma has something going on over there. I'm going to check on her."
Aunt Ma?
That's Qian Kun's mom!
Qi Yuan quickly followed, "I'm coming too!"
At that very moment, Ma Yinglan sat by the hospital bed, crying uncontrollably.
"I'll contact my acquaintances in Longjing City right now, transfer him overnight. I refuse to believe the major hospitals in the capital can't cure him." Qian Kun's father clenched his teeth in frustration.
Ma Yinglan wiped her tears, looked at her son lying unconscious on the bed, and choked out, "But the hospital can't find anything wrong. I think he's been hexed. We should go find a powerful master..."
"Master, master, that's all you know!" Qian Kun's father glared at her with red eyes. "The one you invited today, that Xuan something Feng, cost five hundred thousand. Was it useful? Did your son wake up? If we hadn't wasted this day, I could have transferred him to the capital already!"
Ma Yinglan: "..."
She wanted to say there were masters more powerful than Xuan Feng, but she didn't dare speak up now.
Qian Kun's father went to the corridor to call friends, but hospitals in the capital were already overcrowded. Besides, with Qian Kun's unexplained coma, they didn't even know which specialist department to register for.
He was sweating profusely with anxiety.
After all, the Qian family's connections couldn't compare to the Du or Yang families.
...
A short while later, Gu Qiao and Qi Yuan arrived.
After hearing Ma Yinglan's account, they finally understood what had happened to Qian Kun.
Longjiang University started early. Qian Kun went to register at school yesterday. After tidying up his dorm, he enthusiastically took his out-of-town roommate on a campus tour—being a local, he had visited Longjiang University several times.
Longjiang University is a comprehensive university, and its forestry program is nationally ranked, with very high vegetation coverage.
There's a grove on campus, deep and quiet, considered a forbidden area of the school. They say there are rare tree species inside, and to prevent damage, no one is allowed to enter.
As they passed by the roadside near the grove, Qian Kun had just said a few words when he suddenly felt drowsy and fainted on the spot, scaring his roommates who rushed him to the infirmary. The infirmary couldn't figure it out, so they sent him to Longjiang City Hospital.
The hospital contacted his parents.
"Suddenly fainted?" Gu Qiao frowned. "I always thought little Kun was quite a healthy kid."
"That's right!" Ma Yinglan cried. "Even the doctor said after the check-up that there's nothing physically wrong with him."
"And then?"
"Then I thought, a sudden faint, could it be a hex? I discussed it with Kun's dad, and we invited Master Xuan Feng."
Gu Qiao: "..."
Qi Yuan: "..."
That master who ran at the sight of a ghost, and you still trust him?
"Taoist Priest Xuan Feng performed a ritual, but Kun still didn't wake up." Although Ma Yinglan realized she'd been duped, she was too embarrassed to admit it, only saying, "I think this time, whatever Kun encountered is not simple. Xuan Feng's level of cultivation couldn't suppress it."
"..."
Gu Qiao said, "How about going to a major hospital in the capital first for a look?"
Meanwhile, Qi Yuan stepped out of the ward and briefly sent the information to the group chat.
The group chat fell silent.
【Su Nuanuan: He was very healthy during the college entrance exam physical. It shouldn't be a sudden acute illness. Since the hospital can't find the cause, maybe we should find a master to take a look. This time, I support Aunt Ma.】
【Sun Yu: Suddenly remembered the content of Chapter 7 of "The Diary of a Wealthy Family," which mentioned a young man with a darkening aura at his temples at Nuanuan-jie's birthday banquet. Was that referring to Old Qian? This time, I support Auntie Ma.】
【Peng Peng: I suggest going directly to Qi Quan-jie, don't waste time.】
【Su Nuanuan: But at this hour, Quanquan-jie is probably asleep.】
【Sun Yu: I remember on the day of Nuanuan-jie's birthday banquet, there was a guy who ran out chasing after Qin Ruo. He seemed to be a celestial master too, a good friend of the Chen family's youngest son, said to be from a celestial master family in Longjing City, with decent skills.】
【Qi Yuan: Who has the contact info for the Chen family's youngest son?】
【Sun Yu: I'll ask around.】
【Sun Yu: Got it, sent it to you privately.】
Qi Yuan immediately dialed the number.
It was already late at night, but young people are often night owls. Chen Feilu hadn't rested yet; he had just finished reading the new chapter of "The Diary of a Wealthy Family" and was currently sparring with people on Weibo.
Those fans who love to stir up trouble had deliberately posted the new chapter on Weibo, painting "White Water Real Person" as a marketing account trying to whitewash Yuan Qing.
Chen Feilu, using the handle "Soaring Feilu," was in the thick of arguing with the haters.
His phone suddenly rang.
He put it on speakerphone, his hands still not leaving the keyboard, and asked casually, "Who is this?"
"Is this Chen Feilu?"
"Yeah, who are you?"
"I'm Qi Yuan. Can I ask for your help?"
Chen Feilu: ???
He lifted his fingers from the keyboard, surprised, "Qi Yuan? Qi the Master's younger brother?"
Qi Yuan: "...Yeah."
In the past, people always referred to him as "Chairman Qi's youngest son" or "Elder Brother Qi's younger brother." Being called "Qi the Master's younger brother" was a first.
It felt novel.
He no longer resisted the sibling relationship with Qi Quan.
"What can I do for you?" Chen Feilu asked politely.
He had heard that Master Qi didn't have good relationships with the Qi family members, and her relationship with Qi Yuan was especially poor.
Qi Yuan: "My friend is in trouble. I'd like to ask your celestial master friend to take a look, is that possible? The fee won't be short."
Chen Feilu: "Now?"
"Yeah."
"Let me ask." Chen Feilu walked to Ning Zhi's room door and knocked, "Ning-ge, someone's asking for your help. Will you go?"
"Who?"
"Master Qi's younger brother."
The door swung open instantly. Ning Zhi looked solemn, "I'll go."
In the hospital, Qian Kun's father was still desperately trying to contact people in the capital. Gu Qiao was keeping Ma Yinglan company.
Qi Yuan sat on a bench in the corridor, head bowed, looking at his phone.
In the past, he never imagined he would ever benefit from Qi Quan's reputation. Just now, using the banner of "Master Qi's younger brother" to ask someone to save a life, the mere thought made him feel quite ashamed.
He used to bully her, and now he was borrowing her influence. He looked down on himself.
But with Qian Kun lying here in this unclear state, he couldn't just stand by.
Ning Zhi and Chen Feilu arrived quickly.
"Hey, wait, who are you?" Qian's father stopped the two who were about to enter the ward.
To avoid complications, Qi Yuan told a white lie, "Uncle Qian, they're Qian Kun's friends, here to see him."
Both looked like college students, young. Qian's father didn't suspect anything and let them in.
As soon as Ning Zhi entered the ward, he saw the dark aura over Qian Kun's temples, and moreover...
Frowning, he walked to the bedside and, right in front of Ma Yinglan, took out a small, ancient-looking mirror and shone it on Qian Kun's face.
The mirror showed no reaction.
"Young man, what are you...?" Ma Yinglan was a bit confused.
Ning Zhi's expression was grave, "His soul is missing."
His bodily functions are intact, but lacking a soul, of course he can't be woken up.
Ma Yinglan: ???
She looked at Qi Yuan; this person was brought by him.
"Madam, hello, this is Master Ning," Chen Feilu introduced with a smile, "He is a Level Four Celestial Master certified by the Celestial Masters Association. Mr. Qi Yuan invited us here."
Ma Yinglan: "..."
So young, can he really handle it?
She had heard before that Qi Yuan was near death in the hospital and was saved by the Qi family's biological daughter using mystical methods. At the time, she was quite dismissive.
What profound skills could a young girl from the countryside possibly have? It might just be the Qi family putting on a show to build up their biological daughter's reputation.
Who in their circles doesn't know that celestial masters make good money?
Ma Yinglan had previously harbored some minor resentment, feeling that Gu Qiao superficially looked down on the Mystic Wind Taoist Priest she favored, yet unrealistically promoted her own daughter's fame, which displeased her.
But now that her son was in trouble, she realized Mystic Wind was just a fraud.
Seeing how concerned Gu Qiao and Qi Yuan were about her and her son, she felt deeply guilty and uneasy inside.
However, the celestial master Qi Yuan found was indeed too young. She still didn't quite dare to believe.
"What happens if a soul is missing?" Gu Qiao asked, "Can it be retrieved?"
Having witnessed Qi Quan's methods firsthand, she had come to believe in the mystical arts a bit more.
Ning Zhi gathered spiritual energy at his fingertip and pressed it on Qian Kun's temples, completely occupied and unable to answer the question.
"Generally speaking, if a soul has been missing for no more than three days and hasn't been harmed, it can be retrieved," Chen Feilu pointed at Qian Kun, "How long has he been like this?"
Hearing this, Ma Yinglan felt a surge of hope and hurriedly said, "It started yesterday afternoon at four! It hasn't been three days yet!"
She just didn't know if the soul had been injured outside.
Ning Zhi closed his eyes to sense the location of Qian Kun's soul. An invisible tether stretched far into the southwest direction.
He withdrew his hand, opened his eyes, and asked, "Where exactly did he faint?"
"At the university!" Ma Yinglan choked up, "He was walking fine on the road and suddenly collapsed."
Ning Zhi: "Is the university in the southwest direction?"
Qi Yuan nodded, "Correct."
"Let's go to the university."
"Wait," Qi Yuan stopped him, "It's so late, the university won't let anyone in."
Ning Zhi: "..."
Chen Feilu explained with a smile, "Well, that... school gates can't stop... Master Ning."
Mystical methods are numerous; a simple invisibility talisman would do the trick. As for school walls and gates, they were no obstacle for a Level Four Celestial Master.
Qi Yuan: "..."
Ning Zhi hurriedly left the hospital, activated a swift movement talisman, and soon arrived at Longjiang University.
The campus lights were out, pitch dark.
Standing at the main gate, he took out a compass. The needle slowly pointed in a direction. He applied an invisibility talisman, jumped over the wall into the campus, and headed towards the area gathering Yin energy.
It was a dense grove of trees, somewhat eerie.
Ning Zhi concentrated spiritual energy in his eyes. A few streams of light flashed in his pupils. Looking at the grove again, he couldn't help but be greatly shocked.
Such thick Yin energy!
He pondered for a moment, not daring to act rashly, and left Longjiang University under the cover of night.
After he left, a dark shadow suddenly appeared within the grove. Blood-red eyes watched the direction he had gone, then slowly faded back into the darkness.
The next day, Lakeside Villa.
Qi Quan leisurely enjoyed the delicious breakfast made by Su Rong and went through the routine question, "How is Ling Sheng's coursework coming along?"
Asking daily had become a habit.
Su Rong respectfully replied, "He's already reached the third-grade level."
"Too slow, speed it up," Qi Quan glanced at the young man playing the fool.
Ling Sheng: "..."
"With just video lessons, the effect might not be ideal," Su Rong said, "Should we hire a tutor?"
Qi Quan: "Tutor fees are very expensive these days."
Su Rong: "..."
Master, do you know how much assets you have now?
Of course, he wouldn't defy Qi Quan, so he just said, "I will supervise Ling Sheng's studies."
"Mm." Qi Quan put down her bowl and chopsticks. "Also, Ling Sheng studies all day, which is rather monotonous. You can arrange some appropriate tasks for him."
Before, she pitied him for suffering over a decade, but now that his health is fully restored, he can't just eat and live here for free.
She glanced at Ling Sheng and said nonchalantly, "Since your spiritual power has nowhere to go, why not learn to draw some Dust-Cleaning Talismans? Steward Su works hard doing housework every day."
Ling Sheng's eating speed involuntarily slowed down.
Qi Zheng, sitting to the side, kept his head down the whole time, not daring to get involved.
Su Rong suppressed a laugh but couldn't hold it back, letting out a soft chuckle before casually changing the subject. "Master, Nuanuan is going to Longjing City today. I'll see her off at the station."
"Go ahead."
He went to make a call but returned a moment later.
"Nuanuan says she rescheduled for tomorrow."
Registration lasts for two days, so going tomorrow is possible, though it would be a bit rushed.
Qi Quan asked, "What happened?"
"She says her friend is unconscious, so she's staying to check on the situation first."
"Oh." Qi Quan didn't inquire further.
As soon as she finished speaking, someone came to visit outside the villa.
Su Rong floated to the courtyard gate and, seeing it was Ning Zhi and Chen Feilu, let them in.
Ning Zhi hadn't slept all night and hadn't eaten breakfast. He arrived right on time, and the aroma of food wafting from the dining room made his stomach growl twice.
His face instantly flushed red with embarrassment.
Qi Quan noticed the urgency in his eyes and asked, "What is it?"
Ling Sheng put down his bowl and chopsticks and came over to observe as well.
This was his first appearance before others, and his face was simply a devastatingly handsome weapon.
Chen Feilu's eyes widened in shock.
Steward Su was already handsome enough, but he never expected the Master to take in another peerless handsome man.
Respect.
Ling Sheng stood quietly to the side, his gaze drifting to the osmanthus tree outside the window. A small insect flew from a leaf to the windowsill, greedily trying to squeeze into the house through a crack in the window.
He flicked his finger slightly. His spiritual power transformed into an extremely fine thread, wrapped around the insect's body, and flung it far away.
Ning Zhi abruptly looked towards the windowsill.
He had just sensed a fluctuation of spiritual power, but now it was gone again.
Qi Quan swept a glance at Ling Sheng.
He's really getting bold, even in front of others...
Daring to reveal spiritual power, isn't he afraid of people finding out he's a Natural Spiritual Body?
Ling Sheng lowered his head, assuming a well-behaved and obedient demeanor.
The atmosphere in the living room became somewhat subtle.
Su Rong smiled and broke the silence. "Master Ning?"
Ning Zhi snapped back to attention, his expression turning serious. "Last night, I went to the woods at Longjiang University. The forest was heavy with yin energy, seemingly harboring a vengeful ghost of no low level. Qian Kun's soul is trapped in the woods. I didn't dare act recklessly."
"Qian Kun?" Qi Quan didn't recognize the name.
"He's a friend of Mr. Qi Yuan," Chen Feilu explained. "Mr. Qi Yuan sought Master Ning's help last night."
Qi Quan asked, "How many days has the soul been separated from the body?"
"Today is the third day."
She lowered her eyes in silence.
System: [Big shot, are you reluctant to go out again?]
Qi Quan: [Mm.]
[It's not like you have to walk yourself.]
[It's not about walking.]
It's about dealing with people and ghosts.
She looked at the two expectant faces before her and irresponsibly pondered: if she could cultivate talent capable of handling things independently, wouldn't she not need to personally intervene in everything anymore?
But personally cultivating them is still troublesome.
Outwardly calm and collected but inwardly utterly world-weary, she stood up and instructed Ning Zhi, "Contact Han Mian. We'll go to Longjiang University together."
Han Mian, who received the call: ???
The application to superiors hasn't even been approved yet, and we're collaborating again already?
The campus was bustling with the flow of people during the enrollment season.
Han Mian parked the car in a spot near the school and met up with Qi Quan and the others with his junior officer.
To avoid attracting attention from teachers and students, they wore plain clothes and entered the campus with the crowd, heading towards the woods.
There were fewer people near the woods. As Han Mian turned a corner, he saw Qi Quan under a camphor tree by the roadside.
She wore a set of lightweight, breathable sportswear, her hair tied up in a bun at the back. A few strands fell casually by her temples, accentuating her delicate and beautiful features, giving off a youthful and energetic vibe.
She was idly playing on her phone, while her handsome and dashing butler diligently held an umbrella, shielding her from the blazing sun and the admiring glances of passersby.
Ning Zhi and Chen Feilu beside her, however, were miserably baking under the scorching sun.
Ning Zhi, possessing spiritual energy, wasn't bothered by the heat, but Chen Feilu was just an ordinary person, his face already sunburned red.
"How did you get here?" Han Mian asked.
Chen Feilu: "I drove."
"Mm." Han Mian turned to Qi Quan. "Is there a problem here?"
Qi Quan pointed at the "No Entry" sign not far away and asked Han Mian, "Can we go in?"
"..."
Since they were on campus, they had to follow the rules. If it said "No Entry," they certainly couldn't barge in.
Han Mian said helplessly, "You need to tell me what happened first, so I can communicate with the school administration."
Qi Quan glanced at Chen Feilu.
Chen Feilu's radar picked up the signal, and he briefly explained Qian Kun's situation to Han Mian, concluding, "I'm not sure what exactly is in the woods."
But since the police were called, it was likely related to a homicide.
Han Mian thought the same and walked aside to make a call.
Qi Quan continued playing on her phone.
[Big shot, 'Brother Yuan Says Stop Writing' threw a thousand Deep Waters, 'Book Famine is Deadly' threw a thousand Deep Waters. Probably both were for Qian Kun.]
[Mm.]
[And there's more good news!]
[What?]
[Congratulations, Big Shot, for reaching the top of the site's Newcomer Rankings! Reward: Ten days of lifespan.]
As a writer's system, such an achievement was enough to make it pleasantly surprised. It never expected the big shot's unconventional approach to yield such excellent results.
[Calculations show your currently accumulated reputation value is 3,140,522, which converts to approximately 3,141 days of lifespan, that's over eight years!]
In just these few days, she earned eight years of life!
Even someone as composed as...
Qi Quan couldn't help but feel joy. In her previous life, she only lived to twenty-two. This life, she could actually aim for thirty.
She chuckled and said, "Well done."
System: [Hehe.]
Qi Quan asked again: [Is this top of the Newcomer Rankings also a phased goal? You didn't mention it before?]
System: [Just wanted to give you a surprise.]
[What's the next goal?]
[Getting on the first official chart.]
Qi Quan was puzzled: [What chart?]
[The manually curated charts. Once you reach the required word count, you can apply for listing, and then the editor arranges the rankings.]
[Oh.]
Han Mian hung up the phone and came back to tell Qi Quan, "The school will send an administrator to accompany us."
"Mm."
"I submitted yesterday's video and wrote the application report."
"Mm."
Han Mian was used to her terseness. He smiled and then cautiously asked, "What will happen to... Qi Zheng?"
"Once you dismantle that business chain."
Qi Zheng died because he tried to stop the ghost marriage. If the authorities can uncover this case and bring those involved to justice, he can successfully go for reincarnation.
"We will." Han Mian stated solemnly.
The school administrator arrived quickly—a portly middle-aged man of average height with a slightly receding hairline.
After he and Han Mian introduced themselves, he led the group into the woods.
"This grove was planted thirty years ago when the school was expanded. Not many people usually come here." Director Sun struggled through the weeds and dead branches, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Officer Han, is there a particular reason for coming into the woods?"
Officer Han: "..."
Could he say he was here to check because he sensed ghostly energy?
Chen Feilu deftly changed the subject: "Director Sun, how long have you worked at the school?"
The dense canopy blocked the sunlight. The further they went, the darker and more shadowy the environment became. There were no other sounds around, only heavy breathing and the rustling of branches and leaves.
Director Sun felt an inexplicable sense of unease but maintained a cheerful expression. "Eighteen years."
"Since you're in management, you must be quite familiar with school affairs, right?"
"Fairly."
Chen Feilu keenly sensed the chill around them intensifying and boldly continued, "Then, have there been any missing persons at the school?"
"Missing?" Director Sun sensed something was off and stopped walking. "Officer Han, what exactly is the purpose of your visit today?"
Han Mian: "Official business."
"We really can't go any further. The bushes are blocking the way." Director Sun showed some resistance.
As a school administrator, he naturally didn't want any problems for the school.
Qi Quan suddenly stopped, gazing into the deep woods ahead, and said, "Ten o'clock direction, sixty meters."
In the eyes of a Taoist master, that spot gathered the most concentrated ghostly energy, the source of the gloom in the entire grove. It was highly likely that a corpse was buried there.
Dumping a body in an uninhabited woods was not an uncommon occurrence.
Han Mian was stunned for a second, then immediately led the officers over. They had brought equipment for excavation.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Director Sun hurriedly followed, sweating profusely. "You can't just dig here randomly. Some of these are rare species; they mustn't be damaged."
Chen Feilu and Ning Zhi both joined the digging team.
Suddenly, all the leaves became still.
Thick, viscous black energy surged from all sides, carrying a bone-chilling cold. It was like a sky-blotting beast, blocking all light and trapping the group in this small, dense patch of forest.
The black energy churned, and the faint silhouette of a woman flickered within.
"Who are you? What do you want?" A hoarse, unpleasant voice came from all directions, like surround sound.
Qi Quan: That's a neat trick.
[Ahhhhhh, a ghost!] The system screamed in fright.
It wasn't that it had never seen a ghost before; it was just that Su Rong, Qi Zheng, and the others were all handsome and well-kept in appearance. But this ghost in front of them didn't have a single intact part on her body. Her head, limbs, and torso seemed stitched together with thread, looking utterly terrifying...
Ning Zhi's expression turned grave. "A fifth-level red ghost."
Higher level than him.
Chen Feilu frowned. "Doesn't that mean she's harmed many people?"
"Doesn't seem like it." Ning Zhi shook his head. "The strength is indeed fifth-level, but she doesn't carry the karma of murder."
"Huh? I thought after the third level, they all had to have killed someone?" Chen Feilu was puzzled.
Ning Zhi was also confused inside.
Hearing their conversation, the system asked Qi Quan.
[Generally, that's how ghost levels are categorized, but there are exceptions to everything.]
As Qi Quan spoke, her spiritual power transformed into a slender rope that whooshed through the female ghost's black energy barrier. The black energy instantly cracked like dominoes, the fissures spreading outward before vanishing completely.
Only then did everyone see clearly that behind the female ghost was a listless living soul, currently drooping its eyes, looking drowsy.
"It's Qian Kun!" Chen Feilu exclaimed in surprise.
Seeing her black energy dissipate, the female ghost didn't become agitated. Instead, she glanced at Han Mian and the officers still digging, then turned her sharp, cold gaze to Qi Quan and asked again:
"Who are you people? Why have you come here?"
System: [Wow, she's very lucid.]
Qi Quan: [She hasn't harmed anyone, so of course she's not a mindless evil spirit.]
"This... sister," Chen Feilu replied bravely, "we're here looking for someone."
The female ghost pulled Qian Kun's living soul forward. "You mean him?"
"Yes. We'd appreciate it if you could be accommodating."
The female ghost shook her head disdainfully. "That won't do."
"Sister, you clearly have a kind heart. If he doesn't go back soon, something bad will happen! If you really like him, how about letting him come visit you in the woods more often later?"
Everyone: "..."
Is that even an option?
Female Ghost: "I don't need his company."
Chen Feilu: "Then what do you need?"
"His attitude isn't right, and his foundation is poor. I'm giving him some extra tutoring. I'll send him back when the time comes."
Everyone: ???
"We found something!" a young officer exclaimed.
In the ground lay scattered white bones, clearly chopped into several pieces with a sharp tool—the result of murder and dismemberment.
Han Mian's brow furrowed tightly. "Little Li, notify the station immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
The female ghost was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise, "You're the police?"
Trapped here for so many years, waiting for so long, she had long given up hope of being discovered. She never imagined that just casually luring a living soul would bring the police.
Qi Quan had no patience for further talk.
Since the remains had been unearthed, the next steps were the police's business. She just needed to take the female ghost away.
She quickly produced a peach wood talisman. Before the female ghost could react, she was abruptly sucked into the talisman's space.
"Ning Zhi, take the living soul back."
"Yes, Master."
Qi Quan pocketed the peach wood talisman, ignoring the female ghost's shouts, and turned to walk out of the woods.
"Master, what about him..." Chen Feilu pointed at Director Sun, who had fainted from fright on the ground.
Qi Quan: "Leave him to the police."
"Oh, okay."
The system asked: [Master, why not just let the police question the female ghost directly? Wouldn't that make solving the case more efficient?]
[And what if the victim in the next case hasn't become a ghost?]
[Good point.]
Just as Qi Quan got into the car, she received a call from Du Jiaming.
"Master, she's awake!"
At Anji Hospital, Yuan Qing felt as if she had had a very long dream, a dream where she was stuck in quicksand, and the whole world was filled with darkness and cruelty.
She opened her eyes. A ray of sunlight met her gaze.
The smell of disinfectant and the pure white color reminded her she was in a hospital.
Back in the hospital again?
She curled her lips in a self-mocking smile.
The door suddenly opened. Yuan Qing didn't turn her head, still staring out the window.
It was undoubtedly someone from the He family...
She didn't want to see them.
"You're awake." Du Jiaming tried to soften his voice as much as possible. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Should I get you some water?"
Yuan Qing frowned. She hadn't heard this voice before.
She instinctively turned her neck and met Du Jiaming's kind yet awkward gaze, slightly taken aback.
She recognized this face—the famous playboy from the Du family.
What was going on?
"Well, you're at Anji Hospital now. Don't worry, it's very safe here. Just focus on recovering. We can discuss the details once the police arrive."
"The police?"
"Yeah." Du Jiaming nodded. "Your injury report is out, and it's quite serious. You were rescued from a secret room in the He family, so they'll need to ask about the specifics."
Yuan Qing felt no emotional stir inside.
Could the police handle a ghost marriage? Could they sever the connection between her and He Chao—
Wait!
She suddenly straightened up, frantically shaking her head. After a few seconds of shock, she let out a sharp cry: "He Chao, go to hell!"
Du Jiaming: ???
He took a frightened step back.
Yuan Qing waited a moment, then proceeded to curse He Chao's ancestors for eighteen generations. Still unable to "provoke" He Chao into showing himself, she burst into wild, hysterical laughter.
She could feel it—the tether that had connected her to He Chao was gone!
She was free!
It was as if a chronic, heavy illness had suddenly lifted, and her whole being radiated with new vitality.
She turned to Du Jiaming, her eyes blazing with excitement.
"When will the police arrive? I want to report a crime!"
