Sun Hang opened his palm, and lying in the center was a jadeite piece shaped like a lotus seed, smooth and round. If you looked closely, you could see dazzling multicolored lights flowing inside the jade.

This was the true content of the transaction; as for having Dragon Rock Fortress leave Shuzhou, that was just an additional condition.

The scientific name for this thing should be "Shariputra," a relic usually appearing only after the cremation of an accomplished monk's body. To Buddhism, it is considered a supreme sacred object.

However, Sun Hang sensed an extremely strong mysterious creature aura in this "Shariputra."

If you were to rank mysterious creatures into different levels, this "Shariputra" would definitely be considered "top level," way above the likes of the Taishou creature.

"Why did Dragon Rock Fortress leave?" Wang Xiyi's voice suddenly rang out. Sun Hang looked up and found her hovering at the cabin door, moving in sync with the helicopter.

"I struck a deal with it," Sun Hang replied. "Dragon Rock Fortress is actually a spirit, to be more accurate, a vengeful ghost."

"The last abbot of Longyan Temple?" Yang Qi mused with a nod. "He didn't die naturally, did he?"

"That's right. He suffered from a rare disease called 'Tree Man Syndrome,' but his disciples mistakenly thought he was infected by a mysterious creature... Lee Yuan killed him with his own hands, destroyed the corpse, and sold off the last assets of the temple... Those assets became his startup capital back then."

"Lee Yuan? That old man they hurried to capture for you?" Wang Xiyi asked, "How did you deal with him?"

"Gave him to the spirit," Sun Hang shrugged. "That's the transaction between us—I help it find the evil-doer from back then, and it spares Tianfu City and leaves Shuzhou. Just as simple as that."

"The main hall of Longyan Temple burned along with Lee Yuan's body," Yang Qi said.

"Doesn't that make it too easy for Lee Yuan?" Wang Xiyi murmured. "That man didn't have long to live anyway, and now it's just quickened his end."

"No... a spirit's methods are far beyond that," Yang Qi shook her head, a trace of fear flickering in her eyes. "From what I understand, they have the ability to extract human consciousness from the body and preserve it in a special form... Though Lee Yuan's body was destroyed with Longyan Temple, the torment his consciousness will endure is likely just beginning."

"Hiss... just thinking about it chills you to the bone..." A hunter sitting to the side drew a sharp breath, "I had a colleague who was reportedly taken away by a spirit, wonder if she's freed now."

"Was your colleague's code name 'Vermilion Bird'?" Yang Qi suddenly asked.

"You know her?" Wang Xiyi looked at Yang Qi and asked.

"Yes... her body is still preserved in the medical pod at Dubhe Tower, all vital signs normal, just can't wake up," Yang Qi said.

Sun Hang: "Just like a vegetable?"

"No, not the same," Yang Qi shook her head. "A vegetable enters a deep coma due to brain damage, but her brain is intact, and the brainwaves detected by instruments are entirely normal..."

"Anyway, I'd definitely not want to face such a mysterious creature," the hunter said apprehensively. "I'd rather end myself quickly than suffer that kind of torment."

"Let's not talk about this," Yang Qi voluntarily ended the topic, turning to Sun Hang, "Just got a message from above, to commend your heroism in this operation, you'll receive a substantial reward and three months off. You can completely skip the task of searching for the source... Of course, from what I understand, they're planning to station you in the construction of that 'Mysterious Creature Research Academy.'

"Can I be a hands-off boss?" Sun Hang grinned, "I don't know a thing about this kind of stuff."

"Responsibilities will be handled by specialists, you just need to show up at a few ceremonies... Honorary Principal, basically a 'mascot,'" Yang Qi said, "From my understanding of the higher-ups, in the coming period, you'll likely be prioritized for Federation's internal propaganda... After all, with the arrival of Eternal Night, they desperately need a few 'heroes' to boost public confidence."

"Can I decline such publicity?" Sun Hang frowned, "People fear fame like pigs fear obesity, big trees invite the wind..."

"Afraid not," Yang Qi sighed, "But this situation is definitely more beneficial than harmful, the Federation will give you the hero treatment, and many of your requests will be unconditionally met. Comparatively, the downsides of fame are negligible."

"Can they grant those requests?" Sun Hang muttered, "Like setting up a harem?"

"You... what's on your mind?" Yang Qi's cheeks suddenly flushed, "Can't you think of something decent?"

"Hahaha, isn't that decent?" The hunter laughed heartily, "We're men... love and desire are natural!"

He gave Sun Hang a thumbs-up: "I get you, brother!"

"If you really want to... the higher-ups might not..." Yang Qi grumbled, "But you must ensure it's voluntary. Forced encounters will still be severely punished by law!"

"Rest assured, buddy, if you become a 'hero' molded by the Federation, the beauties lining up from Chenghua Avenue to Erxian Bridge will be after you... Just thinking about it makes one envious."

"If you're envious, you could try next time," Wang Xiyi laughed, "Like... going solo to..."

"Stop, stop!" The hunter hurriedly said, "I know my limits very well, such tasks are for the capable ones, I'll just stick to supporting the heroes."

Sun Hang suddenly found this guy amusing and asked, "What's your name, brother?"

"Code name 'Three Dots,' came from Jing Chu," the hunter smiled, "Yes, like the three-dot tile in mahjong."

"Why don't you speak to the higher-ups and take the limelight for me?" Sun Hang asked, "Benefits to me, fame to you, how about it?"

"Can't do that, can't do that," Three Dots waved his hands, "Once exposed, the public backlash would be explosive, better let it go."

...

Everyone chatted casually as the helicopter flew over Tianfu City. Looking down, most of the western district had already turned into ruins. Many firefighters in orange uniforms busily scurried through the debris, searching for survivors trapped under the rubble.

In a cleared area beside the ruins, there were two rows of people, one being treated by medical personnel, the other already covered with white sheets.

"Has the death toll been tallied?" Wang Xiyi had reverted to human form, her hands on the edge of the cabin door, her body leaning half out, observing the scene below.

"Not yet... but conservatively estimated, it's probably five figures," Yang Qi sighed, "It happened too suddenly, the residents had no time to evacuate."

"Eternal Night has just begun..." Wang Xiyi lamented, "Sun Hang, do you think we can hold Shuzhou?"

"Don't know." Sun Hang stared coldly at the distant pitch-dark sky, "Maybe, the sun will rise tomorrow."

[P.S. After yesterday's incident, feeling terribly unwell today, headache's killing me, likely just one chapter. Depending on the situation, two chapters could be resumed upon improvement tomorrow.]

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