Chapter Sixteen: News of Sun Shihe's Death

Boom!

With a thunderous roar, the Immaculate One unleashed a mighty blow upon Fan Tianxing, carrying with it an overwhelming force that seemed to shake the very fabric of space. The impact stirred a vast surge of crimson currents, obscuring everyone’s vision in a tide of red.

Li Juetian stared in terror toward that direction, his body trembling uncontrollably. Was this truly the strike of an A-class anomalous creature from within the Forbidden Zone? It was far beyond anything he could have imagined, surpassing every entity he had ever encountered! For the first time, he felt an immense fear of power.

As the red current gradually dissipated, the crowd witnessed a scene that defied belief. Fan Tianxing had extended two fingers, pressing them lightly against the incoming fist of the Immaculate One. A diminutive human had effortlessly halted the advance of a gigantic and grotesque creature.

Seeing this, a phrase echoed in everyone’s mind: “Four ounces move a thousand pounds!”

Yet what Li Juetian and the others saw was not what the Immaculate One perceived. In the creature’s eyes, Fan Tianxing’s back was enveloped in a radiant holy light, dazzling and pure, as if it could illuminate all darkness in the world. Behind Fan Tianxing, the light formed the silhouette of a towering, formidable figure, like a mountain that would never fall.

“God... God...” the Immaculate One murmured, but before he could finish his words, Fan Tianxing pointed his finger at the hollow on the creature’s face.

“I told you before: Whoever harms the people of Great Xia, no matter how far, shall be punished!”

With that, a brilliant beam shot forth from Fan Tianxing’s fingertip, illuminating the entire Forbidden Zone. All the anomalous creatures present wailed in agony as the light swept over them.

When the Immaculate One tried to flee, he was horrified to find himself enveloped by a strange radiance, rendered completely immobile. He could only lift his head and watch helplessly as the beam separated from Fan Tianxing’s hand and pierced straight into the hollow on his face.

The light entered without resistance, slipping smoothly into the depths of the creature’s visage. Then, from that seemingly bottomless hollow, a faint glow began to emanate.

“The great Demon God of Terror shall ultimately triumph!” the Immaculate One roared one last time.

With that final cry, countless points of light erupted from his body, puncturing him in an instant and riddling him like a honeycomb. The energy within the Immaculate One was dispersed completely by the light, leaving behind nothing but a shell full of holes.

Once the Immaculate One fell, everything around reverted to nothingness, save for the elevator waiting nearby.

Fan Tianxing waved his hand. “All done. Time to leave.”

He tossed his hair with a flourish. “Handsome, wasn’t it?”

No one had yet recovered from the shock. Throughout, they had watched Fan Tianxing crush his foes in ways that defied even the wildest tales. Even the most extravagant action novels dared not write such scenes!

Stunned as they were, Fan Tianxing had achieved his purpose. Now, every combatant understood one thing: the new director was terrifying beyond measure.

They returned to the elevator, pressed the button for the first floor, and miraculously, the doors opened at once.

This time, Li Juetian and the others instinctively stood behind Fan Tianxing, like loyal followers, respectful and deferential.

The attendant who saw them emerge was utterly astounded. Moments ago, he was certain the elevator had been empty—how could they suddenly reappear? It was as if he’d seen a ghost.

Back at the Tianjing City Anomalous Creature Investigation Bureau, Li Juetian received a report.

“Tianjing City Anomalous Creature Investigation Bureau, E-class Ghost Handler Sun Shihe was tragically killed in Qianyou Town…”

Li Juetian could hardly believe his eyes. His hands trembled uncontrollably. He had only been away for a short while—how could his subordinate be… dead?

“Director Fan, a combatant in our bureau has died!”

Fan Tianxing stretched lazily. “If it was a human who did it, send them to prison. If it was an anomalous creature, destroy it. Why are you asking me?”

“That creature might possess a Forbidden Zone. I believe we should eliminate it quickly—if it grows stronger, the consequences could be disastrous!”

“Grow stronger?” Fan Tianxing smiled. “Do you really think it could surpass me?”

With that, he walked away, clearly unwilling to get involved.

A hint of anger flashed across Li Juetian’s face, but he sighed, realizing he would have to avenge his subordinate personally.

“Director Fan, I request permission to undertake a mission in Qianyou Town!”

“To avenge the fallen combatant? Do as you wish,” Fan Tianxing replied dismissively.

Li Juetian didn’t waste any more words, preparing to set out for Qianyou Town alone.

At that moment, something approached him swiftly. He caught it instinctively—a jade token, engraved with incomprehensible symbols. It had heft but emitted no energy.

“This will let you move unaffected within a creature’s Forbidden Zone. Remember to return it to me when you’re done!”

Fan Tianxing’s distant voice echoed across the room.

Watching Fan Tianxing walk farther away, Li Juetian simply nodded, then vanished from the Investigation Bureau.

As he departed, Fan Tianxing frowned. “That Immaculate One still has some tricks—managed to slip away right under my nose.”

He pondered for a moment, then cradled his head, unconcerned. “Well, his power’s been reduced to a tenth; his body’s gone. I’ll just hunt him down and kill him when I get the chance.”

…

Poor Wang Hui spent the night sleeping on the abandoned playground. The place was so deserted that no one discovered him throughout the night.

When morning came, he slowly woke, saw the time, and realized he was nearly late. With no time to dwell on it, he tidied himself quickly and rushed to school.

Fortunately, he wasn’t late. As for yesterday’s events, all he remembered was being beaten up. He had no recollection of being possessed by Xiao Zi afterward.

He only recalled that after the beating, he lost consciousness soon after. So he attributed it to the brutality of his attackers who knocked him out cold.

Back in the classroom, he sank into his seat and soon felt drowsy, eventually laying his head on the desk and falling asleep.

He then dreamed a most bizarre dream…

“Where am I?”

Wang Hui gazed into the surrounding darkness, scratched his backside, utterly confused.

At that moment, he saw a narrow path.

The path seemed dyed in fresh blood, glowing with a strange red light.

Yet in the midst of the endless darkness, this eerie red glow was the only hint of illumination.

Humans instinctively follow the light; Wang Hui was no exception.

After a moment’s hesitation, the boundless darkness seemed to close around his heart, a wave of fear rippling through him, making him shudder.

He watched as the blood-red path stretched endlessly ahead, vanishing into the unseen distance. He swallowed hard, and after much deliberation, decided to move forward.