Chapter 91: Super Doubling
In the vicinity of No Night Street, a residential area that suffered a severe spiritual energy attack last night.
The sunlight gradually intensified, carrying a hint of summer’s characteristic harshness. Amid the damaged residential buildings, a group of Dachunyang Palace Disciples busily worked like diligent ants to mitigate the impact of the spiritual energy attack.
On the narrow street, under the awning of a convenience store, Zhang Hainan sat cross-legged, several broken items exuding a heavy aura of d*ath arranged neatly on a white cloth spread out before him.
He examined the items, picked up a relatively intact dressing mirror, held it in one hand while retrieving a turtle shell and copper coins from his pocket to perform an divination, then gazed at the hexagram formed by the arrangement of the coins, silently sighing.
This was already his fifth attempt using these damaged items to pinpoint the urban legend behind the Secret Society, but the results of the divination were invariably vague and unclear.
This was not due to the urban legend being too deeply hidden or the ability being too strange, but rather because those damaged items had absorbed too much of the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the Spirit Patterns of the Wujia Tianjun.
“Ah, I still went too hard…” Zhang Hainan murmured to himself, putting down the dressing mirror, and just as he was about to select another item to try divination with, Qing Xiazi hurriedly approached from a distance and stopped in front of him.
Qing Xiazi bowed slightly to Zhang Hainan, “Master Qiao, it turns out that Brother Wang really…”
She fell silent halfway, a look of regret appearing on her face.
The disciples sent to investigate Elder Wang had found a badge made based on the mourning owl at his residence, which was enough to prove his connection to the Secret Society.
Qing Xiazi reminisced that years ago, when she first entered Dachunyang Palace, the person responsible for guiding her was that Elder Wang, who had taken good care of her since. She couldn’t help but feel a wave of mixed emotions.
Time had passed, and people had changed…
Sensing Qing Xiazi’s thoughts, Zhang Hainan shook his head gently, “Qingmei, you really don’t need to feel sorry for that kid. He brought this upon himself!”
There was an unmistakable sense of disappointment in his gaze as he spoke.
Among the older disciples, including Qing Xiazi and Elder Wang, which one did not grow under Zhang Hainan’s eyes from a green youth?
Elder Wang was never someone lacking talent. Under the same training conditions and resources, Qing Xiazi, who was slightly less gifted, was only one step away from becoming a Disaster-Class Spiritual Energy Manipulator, while he still remained at the standard of over twenty years ago, which was telling enough.
A little hard work would naturally bring some reward; there was nothing to criticize about that, as it was all a personal choice.
But to lack ambition and then blame insufficient talent, blame inappropriate Spirit Patterns, blame insufficient help from the sect, and when encountering an easy path to gain without effort, to choose without hesitation, resulting in such an outcome, left nothing to feel regret over.
“Master Qiao’s teachings are indeed correct.” Qing Xiazi regained her composure and respectfully responded, “The disciples sent to investigate are still tracing Brother Wang’s whereabouts. Once they find him, I will have them bring him to you immediately.”
“Mm…” Zhang Hainan replied, intending to say something more to Qing Xiazi when his old mobile phone suddenly vibrated, ringing loudly.
He pulled out the phone and glanced at it; it was a call from Lu Yi.
Oh? Has there been progress so soon? Zhang Hainan raised an eyebrow, pressed the call button, and answered.
————
“…”
After receiving Lu Xibei’s call and hearing about the areas potentially endangered by the urban legend behind the Secret Society, Zhang Hainan held the old mobile phone, frowning slightly and calmly said, “What else?”
The powers born from humanity’s negative attitude toward “objects” could at least create a breeding ground for half of humanity.
The range of harm brought by such urban legends, even if it were broader, still fell within his psychological endurance.
“That’s it!” Lu Xibei exclaimed on the other end of the line. “What’s wrong? Isn’t that enough? Seven areas in total, involving more than a dozen organizations, both big and small!”
“Wow, I see you’ve got a knack for causing chaos!”
“Brat, what nonsense are you talking?!” Zhang Hainan, regaining his senses, scolded softly, “Alright, I understand the situation. I will start dealing with it now.”
He paused, then added, “By the way, don’t forget what you promised me earlier!”
You better not run off if things get tough… Zhang Hainan silently added.
Lu Xibei, “…”
Is he worried I might flee at a critical moment?
Why does he have that impression of me?
Tsk, it’s probably that b*stard Li Xuan talking behind my back!
“Don’t worry, I won’t run. I’m just waiting to see your performance!”
“…” In silence, Zhang Hainan’s face darkened, and he coldly ended the call.
Putting away his phone, he walked towards the waiting Qing Xiazi, gently calling, “Qingmei…”
“Disciple is here!” Qing Xiazi replied.
“I’m leaving this matter in your hands for now. If there’s anything you can’t handle, go find Bi Xuzi. I need to make a trip to Shengjing and will return in three days,” Zhang Hainan said seriously.
Though he appeared calm during the conversation with Lu Xibei, handling the actual situation was far from easy.
Although Zhang Hainan was one of the top spiritual ability users of this generation, with a significant reputation, he was not in a position to intervene in spiritual energy organizations outside of Z Country unless absolutely necessary.
It was like knowing that the neighbor’s child was about to recklessly endanger themselves; you could warn and advise them, but it wasn’t convenient to intervene directly and take matters into your own hands.
The priests of the Pasupati Temple, the priests of the Spring Day Great Society, and the principal of Matteo Academy were all his old acquaintances, and he could coordinate negotiations personally with them. However, for other locations, he would need to seek help from other guardians.
Among them, there were two areas with active folk spiritual ability organizations that could be handled by the General. He had a past of study trips during his youth and knew quite a few friends “in the community.”
There was also a financial center where he could call upon the God of Wealth. Even if negotiations yielded no results, he could leverage the unique nature of their powers to apply pressure through financial means.
The only particularly troublesome place was the Tulip Society.
That was a stronghold of a spiritual energy organization of a gang-like nature located in Amsterdam, and Zhang Hainan knew very little about their leader, Bruce Ma.
He only knew that he possessed strength close to Disaster-Class and that behind him, there was possibly a terrifying urban legend born from the legends of medieval pirates, emerging from the deep sea.
Although the relationship between this spiritual energy organization and the Siye Society was not hostile, there was certainly no trust involved.
It would be even harder to persuade them to heed the Siye Society’s opinions and take effective action against the urban legend behind the Secret Society.
How to get the Tulip Society to take action would have to wait until he got to Shengjing, gathered the various guardians for brainstorming, and then made plans… Zhang Hainan contemplated.
When Qing Xiazi heard Zhang Hainan mention he was going to Shengjing, she paused for a moment but quickly realized he was going to the Siye Association Headquarters and responded solemnly, “Please rest assured, Master Qiao!”
————
No Night Street, in a certain esports venue.
After detailing the possible dangers posed by the Pink Fluffy Rabbit to Zhang Hainan, Lu Xibei sighed quietly.
In his view, his task was complete once he delivered the intel to Zhang Hainan; the rest was beyond his capability.
The areas mentioned by the Proxy Player Sister involved numerous spiritual energy organizations of varying sizes and natures. Even Zhang Hainan might struggle to deal with them, so what could he do?
Like a stubborn fool, would he go knock on their door and say, “You’re about to face a calamity!”?
If he did, he’d probably be kicked out and beaten to d*ath, then hung at the city gate for three days as a warning!
It was akin to saying at a child’s hundred-day banquet, “This child will definitely d*e in the end!” While it might be the truth, no one wants to hear it.
Lu Xibei thought, gathering his composure, stood up, and left the private room, briskly walking towards the bar in the esports venue. After a brief exchange with the attendant, he successfully acquired a chilled cola.
“Please add more cola and ice. Yes, yes, more ice, don’t be stingy!”
Hearing this, the attendant glanced over at Lu Xibei, twitching his lips, “How about I just give you a 2.5L bottle filled with ice instead?”
“That would be too embarrassing!”
You still care about being embarrassed? The attendant scoffed inwardly.
“1.5L will do.” Lu Xibei said seriously.
“…”
The attendant’s expression darkened, and he opened his mouth to say something but, upon hearing Lu Xibei’s next words, silently closed it again.
“Not drinking enough cola can lead to sudden d*ath!”
Attendant, “…”
———
Moments later, under the watchful eyes of various customers in the esports venue, Lu Xibei returned to his private room, embracing the bottle of 1.5L cola filled with ice.
“Ahh—! So refreshing~!”
After taking a drink, Lu Xibei couldn’t help but let out a joyful sound.
Cola brings happiness, and chilled cola doubles that joy.
If the chilled cola were free, then it would bring triple happiness.
After gaining triple happiness, if he visited his ancestor, that joy would be super doubled!
In fact, every time he would see Qing Ji, Lu Xibei felt quite happy, as she was one of the few relatives he could still see at any time, and Qing Ji likely felt the same way.
I feel so happy seeing my ancestor again; I suspect my ancestor feels the same when she sees me!
Lu Xibei thought, pulling his hand into his sleeve and gently stroking the broken sword hidden there.
The computer screen’s time froze, and a second seemed to stretch infinitely.
Then…
As time resumed its flow, Lu Xibei was greeted by familiar darkness.
————
As if falling into water, the surroundings were pitch black, and consciousness flowed downward, sinking until his toes touched the ground.
The cold wind, mingled with snowflakes, sliced across his cheek like countless tiny blades, the bone-chilling cold made Lu Xibei shiver involuntarily, and he suddenly opened his eyes, staring at the scene before him, frowning slightly.
The scene shifted from Mudan Street a century ago back to the urban ruins reminiscent of Huacheng.
The sky was filled with ominous dark clouds, seemingly pulled by some force, twisting into a vortex shape; accompanied by thunder, heart-pounding arcs of lightning fell from the sky, violently flooding the ground, leaving scorched ravines behind.
The earth trembled gently, a low rumble echoed throughout the city, and steel frameworks resembling giant beast skeletons shook as if they might rise from the ground at any moment.
In the distance, a black tornado moved like a staggering giant through the crumbling city.
Fluffy snowflakes fell from the sky, and when whipped by the fierce wind, they kicked up a white sandstorm, the dust rising up to dozens of meters high. The snowflakes landed on the ground, melting instantly into water before converging to form a rushing torrent.
Further away, where heaven and earth met, a blazing fire spread across the undulating mountain contours, dyeing the horizon a crimson red.
Thunderstorms, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, forest fires… various natural disasters mingled together, appearing simultaneously above the city’s ruins.
Such a scene seemed to rage with the wrath of heaven and earth, wanting to plunge this place into despair.
What the hell is this? What’s going on? Is this a new skin? Lu Xibei scratched the back of his head in confusion, looking around and softly calling out.
“I’m here to see you, Ancestor! Ancestor…”
Suddenly, he saw a shadow behind him, holding a long sword, with eyes glowing red, slowly walking toward him with an overwhelming sense of pressure, and Lu Xibei’s heart raced, his voice cutting off abruptly.
That figure, just looking at it, gave the impression that its combat power must be in the millions!
As it drew closer, it continuously moved its body as if warming up, accompanied by the cracking sounds of joints that resembled thunder, a terrifying surge of spiritual energy burst forth from its form, making it appear like an evil god, with disheveled hair billowing behind it.
On the rooftop, the wind howled, yet couldn’t drown out the strong heartbeat that thudded like a drum. Its muscles tensed violently, making crisp sounds as if tightening ropes.
At first glance, due to the wind and snow obscuring its face, Lu Xibei did not know its origin and felt as if facing a great enemy, his nerves tightened. When the figure got slightly closer, he finally saw its face and instantly relaxed.
“It’s Ancestor? You startled me!”
Before Lu Xibei could finish his sentence, he noticed Qing Ji twist her neck, slightly bend her body, and take a ready stance as if preparing to charge at the unsuspecting Lu Xibei.
Lu Xibei frowned, “What are you…”
Qing Ji suddenly moved, her form becoming a blur as she rapidly approached, the fierce wind blew towards him, followed by the long sword releasing a thunderous sound as it swung.
A terrifying sword aura dragged a silver-white trail, sweeping across the city ruins. The fierce wind, drifting snow, and even the lightning in the sky reacted to the disruption, twisting in waves.
At the moment the arc of light struck him, Lu Xibei felt an overwhelming force flood into his body, filling every limb and bone, and the violent power crushed every fragment of his flesh and every single cell…
A single strike felt as if his entire being was shattered, leaving only his soul behind. Lu Xibei lost all sensation, and illusions danced before his eyes.
The earth trembled, the sky split open, and meteorites fell like torrential rain from the rift, plummeting into the deep sea, where monstrous waves arose, and all things in the world returned to a silent cycle.
Without any damage to his body, Lu Xibei stood there like a statue, devoid of any signs of life.
Then, a gust of wind blew, turning him into tiny black particles, merging into the swirling snowflakes, carried off by the wind to destinations unknown.
————
Adrift in boundless darkness, waiting to reappear on that rooftop, recalling Qing Ji’s recent sword strike, Lu Xibei felt as though his body still carried the phantom pain.
What on earth, has Ancestor turned dark?
Even the ruler’s ruler could possibly shatter; the broken sword may not resist?
Lu Xibei pondered, realizing something felt off after a moment of thought.
The poem says: “The hall is filled with flowers, intoxicating three thousand guests; a sword brings frostiness across fourteen states.”
Lu Xibei used to think that was merely an exaggerated rhetorical device by ancient poets, but after witnessing Qing Ji’s sword, he suddenly felt it might very well have been a realistic description.
From that astonishing sword strike, he faintly captured something different.
Earlier, when Qing Ji struck, it seemed like just an unremarkable thrust, but it discreetly concealed a sword technique.
That was a sword technique Lu Xibei had never seen before.
“…”
I get it, I completely understand, that was a new technique! Ancestor is showing me a new technique!
Isn’t this how it always goes when learning new techniques?
Although this time it came more fiercely than before, I’ve also improved quite a bit, so it’s reasonable for Ancestor to apply some pressure!
The more Lu Xibei thought about it, the more excited he became, secretly preparing to seriously “listen” to Ancestor’s teachings the moment he reappeared on the rooftop.
————
“Hmph! You wicked spawn!”
Watching Lu Xibei’s figure dissipate, Qing Ji snorted coldly, gently shaking the long sword in his hand to shed the excess snow.
That sword strike was indeed, as Lu Xibei had thought, a new technique—one he had created in his later years, integrating the spiritual energy fluctuation destruction method of the Hundred-Armed Giant’s power.
Previously, due to the incompleteness of Ling Tai Purification, he completely lacked the memories of his later years. It was perhaps because the broken sword made contact with the ruler’s ruler, producing a resonance that recalled many things.
That sword technique was one of them.
Standing in the wind and snow, Qing Ji held the long sword, quietly awaiting Lu Xibei’s reappearance.
Although he had many questions for Lu Xibei, he wouldn’t feel settled until he had killed her thousands of times first.
However, whether it was due to the sheer power of the earlier sword or not, it seemed to take much longer than usual for Lu Xibei to reappear this time.
Did I go a bit too hard? Qing Ji thought, softening a little.
After waiting for a long time, just as Qing Ji began to doubt whether Lu Xibei had hidden away in fear of punishment, a fierce wind suddenly struck from behind him.
He then felt a chill at his back, the familiar voice ringing in his ears.
“Ancestor, you… were careless!”
Qing Ji looked down to see a broken sword piercing through his back, twisting forcefully.
Qing Ji, “???”
In that moment, a rather subtle emotion quietly rose in his heart, and his anger intensified.
That feeling was akin to “the enemy not only refuses to surrender, but dares to strike back at me!”
Wicked spawn, you’ve completely turned the tables!
That earlier sword was just the beginning; I remember plenty of things now!
Today, I will not easily spare you! Qing Ji thought fiercely.
Thus, the torment would be super duper doubled…
