Starting from the folklore forum, making up town objects

Chapter 298 Rest, Settle Down, and Settle Off
Take a break whenever you want.

Chen Xin really gave himself a short break.

The past month had been so fulfilling that he really felt he needed a rest.

So the day after returning from the Bureau of Investigation, Chen Xin went to Mubei University and met up with his two old classmates, Zhou Lei and Fan Chengdong.

Although they hadn't seen each other for several months, Zhou Lei and Fan Chengdong were still very concerned about Chen Xin, their old classmate who had only attended university for half a year before starting an internship.

Of course, this attention is also related to the increasing training provided by the Bureau of Polling to college students.

The sudden appearance of the polling bureau in the sight of these energetic college students was bound to cause discussion.

As one of the first members to participate in the training, Chen Xin was naturally bombarded with questions from the two curious individuals.

"Chen Xin, what exactly does the Bureau of Investigation do? I've heard it's a place where people with special abilities stay. So, Chen Xin, you also have special abilities?"

Fan Chengdong looked at Chen Xin with curiosity and asked.

Zhou Lei glanced at Fan Chengdong with disdain. Compared to Fan Chengdong, he knew more, after all, Chen Xin had also given him Yang Stones.

Fearing that Chen Xin might not be able to say more due to special circumstances, Zhou Lei interrupted, "Special abilities, huh? Why don't you just say it's the Great Xia Dragon Group?"

Fan Chengdong ignored Zhou Lei's interruption and just stared at Chen Xin.

"It's not much different from what you imagine."

Hearing Chen Xin say this, Zhou Lei also perked up his ears.

"What the hell is that?"

Fan Chengdong asked.

Chen Xin looked at Fan Chengdong and said, "Do you still remember what happened at the postpartum care center?"

"You mean... the Bureau of Investigation is where paranormal events are handled?"

Chen Xin nodded.

"The Bureau of Investigation exists to handle paranormal events that occur within the Great Xia region, and these paranormal events are not as rare as you might imagine."

After thinking about it, Chen Xin decided to say more.

“In the past month, I have encountered eight paranormal events, all of which occurred in and around Mubei City.”

"And there are no fewer than a hundred frontline investigators like me in Mubei City, so can you imagine how many paranormal events happen around you every day?"

Chen Xin's words made Fan Chengdong and Zhou Lei turn pale.

"So many? Why didn't I feel anything at school?"

Zhou Lei nodded in agreement.

Chen Xin smiled.

"It is precisely because you are in school that you are unlikely to encounter these things."

"Remember that escape room place? The owner was killed by a ghost."

Chen Xin then revealed the escape room he had visited with Zhou Lei and the others, which was related to the incident in Sanshan Village.

Seeing their bewildered expressions, Chen Xin added, "And on that cultural street, it's not just that one place that's haunted. Can you guess where the other haunted place is?"

Chen Xin watched with great interest as the two of them held their heads in disbelief.

"More than one place is haunted? Where else?"

Fan Chengdong's eyes widened, and Zhou Lei, after his initial shock, also began to rack his brains.

Suddenly, Zhou Lei paused, as if he had thought of something.

"Is it...that church? I heard that church is still not open to the public. Could it be there?"

Zhou Lei recalled the church he had seen during his previous visits, which was marked as being under repair.

If I had to point out anything different, it would only be the church.

Seeing Chen Xin nod, Zhou Lei and Fan Chengdong both swallowed hard.

"Thank goodness, thank goodness I didn't go in..."

Before the two could finish speaking, Chen Xin continued, "There have also been paranormal events in the neighborhood next to that church."

Chen Xin was referring to the incident where a baby ghost appeared in Ji Mo's house. Although this incident could actually be considered the same as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Chen Xin separated them to make a lasting impression on the two of them.

"Are there... so many?"

Zhou Lei subconsciously touched the yang stone that he had tied with a red rope and placed on his chest.

Meanwhile, Fan Chengdong took out the wooden bead he had obtained earlier and rubbed it back and forth.

As if he had thought of something, Fan Chengdong quickly placed the wooden beads in front of Chen Xin.

"Chen Xin, you're an expert now, can you take a look and see if this bead will be effective?"

Chen Xin smiled and nodded: "Yes, it can block one attack from a wandering spirit when you happen to pass through an area of ​​paranormal events. If you can leave that area during this time, then you'll be fine."

Seeing this, Zhou Lei also took off his yang stone and asked a question.

"Gold, what about this one you gave me? How many times can it stop me?"

Chen Xin looked at the Yang Stone that was wrapped up.

Although Zhou Lei did not condense the power of qi and blood, the qi and blood that naturally overflowed from his body would still be absorbed by the Yang Stone, which slowed down the consumption of the power of qi and blood that he had previously injected into the Yang Stone.

However, by now, this Yang Stone probably only has half of its vital energy left.

Thinking this, Chen Xin reached out and pinched the Yang Stone in his hand.

A faint red light appeared between Chen Xin's fingers and surged into the Yang Stone.

This incredible scene left Zhou Lei and Fan Chengdong speechless, their eyes practically glued to the Yang Stone in Chen Xin's hand.

"What, what, what is this?!"

Fan Chengdong asked, stammering.

"If you can master the second version of the strengthening exercises, you will have the opportunity to develop the power of qi and blood. If you can enter the third version, then the power of qi and blood will be a standard feature."

With that, Chen Xin placed Zhou Lei's Yang Stone back on the table.

"This Yang Stone can probably keep you alive for half an hour to an hour if you encounter a vengeful ghost. As long as you don't trigger the vengeful ghost's kill logic, you'll be fine if you leave the corresponding area during this time."

"Of course, it doesn't matter if it is triggered. Find an opportunity to pounce on it. During the Yang Stone's effect, the vengeful ghost will be more afraid of you. If you destroy it, you can live."

Chen Xin simply said one sentence, as for factors such as the original body, the Yin land, etc., there are too many to explain, and even Zhou Lei might not be able to understand them.

If something really happens, Zhou Lei has a stand-in paper cutout on him, and if that doesn't work, Chen Xin will be there to cover for him.

Fan Chengdong looked at Yangshi and then at his own wooden beads.

It seems that Chen Xin used slightly different words just now.

One is a wandering spirit, the other a vengeful ghost.

Is it possible that wandering spirits are more powerful than vengeful ghosts, which is why the wooden beads lasted for less time?

When Fan Chengdong was puzzled, Zhou Lei took the initiative to ask him what he wanted to know.

"Gold, what are wandering spirits and vengeful ghosts?"

"Even ghosts have different levels: wandering spirits, vengeful ghosts, malevolent spirits... If you encounter a malevolent spirit, try your best to live as long as possible. The longer you live, the greater your chances of being saved."

Fan Chengdong interjected, "So, how long can my wooden beads last against the fierce demon? And how long can Zhou Lei's stone last?"

Chen Xin gave Fan Chengdong a polite smile.

"Wooden beads can last for one encounter with a wandering spirit, and for a moment with a fierce ghost or more. With the Yang Stone on you, a wandering spirit will die upon contact, and you can last for more than half an hour with a fierce ghost. As for malevolent spirits, it's hard to say."

Fan Chengdong's face turned green.

Chen Xin was practically ready to point at his wooden beads and say, "This is garbage."

But Chen Xin has only been with the Bureau of Investigation for a few months?
Why is it even more powerful than the fortune teller that Zhuo Junhao's father consulted?
Fan Chengdong didn't believe it and reached out to take Zhou Lei's Yang Stone in his hand, wanting to compare it with his own wooden beads.

The moment they touched, he heard a crack. The wooden bead had broken!

Zhou Lei looked at Fan Chengdong, who was in a daze, and suppressed a laugh as he took his precious Yang Stone and put it around his neck.

Realizing what was happening, Fan Chengdong looked at Chen Xin, threw down the wooden beads, and grabbed Chen Xin's arms with both hands.

"Gold, for the sake of our old classmates, sell it to me, sell one to me! 100,000! I'll give you 100,000!"

Chen Xin smiled and shook his head, breaking free from Fan Chengdong's hand.

Just as Fan Chengdong was regretting that he hadn't deepened his relationship with Chen Xin during this time, a Yang Stone was placed in front of him.

"We're all friends, why talk about money?"

Fan Chengdong looked at Yang Shi, grabbed it in his hand, and said to Chen Xin with a face full of excitement, "Jinzi, you will be my best friend from now on. Zhou Lei, go to the back!"

Chen Xin smiled and didn't seem to care.

In the afternoon, the three of them went to the University of Science and Technology and met with Li Ruonan and Wu Mengmeng, whom they hadn't seen for a long time.

Upon meeting her, Chen Xin immediately sensed that Li Ruonan was different.

"Your physical training is quite good."

Chen Xin made a compliment.

Li Ruonan raised an eyebrow.

"You could tell that? What version of the exercise routine are you doing?"

Chen Xin smiled but didn't say anything.

"Ruonan's instructor said that Ruonan has great talent and will be able to complete the second version of the physical training exercises by his sophomore year, at which point he will be able to join the Bureau of Investigation."

"Chen Xin, don't forget to help Ruonan when the time comes."

Wu Mengmeng said from the side.

Chen Xin nodded, then took out five bottles from his pocket.

"These four bottles contain Bawei Dihuang Pills, ten pills per bottle. Each of you four should take one bottle. It will be beneficial for your practice of the strengthening exercises."

"Here is another bottle of Shiwei Dihuang Pills. If you can use it, it should speed up your progress on the second version of the strengthening exercises."

Li Ruonan's eyes widened as she looked at the Rehmannia pills on the table.

The other three may not have a clear understanding of the Rehmannia Pill, but she, having participated in the special training, naturally knew its value.

The Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill is very useful for people who are still in the first version of the exercise routine, and it is not useless for her, who is in the second version.

As for the Ten-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill, it's even rarer. A family like hers would never use this in their daily cultivation.

Even for her, among her fellow trainees, it wasn't always possible to earn an extra Shiwei Dihuang Pill per week as a reward, yet Chen Xin has now produced a whole bottle.

What exactly has Chen Xin been doing these past few months?

Oh, by the way, Chen Xin has an uncle who works at the Bureau of Investigation.

"Did your uncle give you these?"

Li Ruonan frowned and said that although she wanted it, she would not take the resources that Chen Xin's uncle gave to Chen Xin.

Wu Mengmeng and Fan Chengdong, who were about to reach out, stopped. Only Zhou Lei opened the bottle with a happy expression, smelled the aroma of the Huang Wan, and looked completely intoxicated.

"I redeemed them myself. I'm too talented, and I can't use up all the points the bureau gave me, so I thought I'd bring some back for you guys."

"Consider it an upfront investment. If any of you manage to get into the Bureau of Investigation later, then pay me back double."

As soon as Chen Xin finished speaking, Zhou Lei interrupted.

"What if we can't get in? Then you offer yourself to me?"

Snapped!
Wu Mengmeng slapped Zhou Lei on the back of the head.

Seeing the group making a fuss, Chen Xin just smiled and didn't say anything.

Chen Xin spent the day visiting friends.

The next day, Chen Xin went to his aunt's house again.

While visiting his aunt, Chen Xin also gave her and his uncle several underworld-level talismans to ward off evil spirits. After telling them about the taboos, Chen Xin asked his aunt to bring one to his grandmother when she had time.

As for himself, he went directly to his home in Lingyuan City using a fishing hook and knocked on Uncle Li's door across the street.

After having a meal and discussing Li Ruonan's situation in Mubei City, Chen Xin gave her two more talismans to ward off evil spirits.

As for why Li Ruonan wasn't given money to ward off evil spirits, the main reason was that they were afraid she might come into contact with a Yin-style cultivator and get rid of the ghost inside her, which would be quite amusing.

After finishing everything, Chen Xin returned to his rented room in Mubei City. Having spent two days as a generous benefactor, Chen Xin felt completely at ease.

The only thing that bothered me was the crow in the room.

Even when the Raven Prophet wasn't controlling the crows, this guy would still caw incessantly whenever he saw Chen Xin.

Speaking of the Crow Prophet, Chen Xin not only deployed eighty camera crows in the Gray Sixty-Fourth District, but also scattered the remaining crow feathers to various underworld officials.

The number of underworld officials has increased to twelve within this month.

Of the twelve, seven were Shen Zhihong and his men, and the remaining five were Ji Mo, Bai Yongnian, Ye Chang, Li Gongyang, and Ye Chang's cheap apprentice, Nan Yuke.

Besides the twelve official underworld officials, Shen Zhihong has at least ten more people who can join.

However, Shen Zhihong seemed to sense the restlessness of his subordinates after they obtained the identities of underworld officials, and temporarily stopped recruiting people into the underworld.

What Shen Zhihong didn't know was that although he had stopped pulling people into the underworld, some of the people he had pulled into the underworld were already pulling others into the underworld.

Chen Xin had anticipated this.

When Shen Zhihong dragged his men into the underworld, it meant that Shen Zhihong's mysterious identity was revealed.

After the demystification, Shen Zhihong naturally lost his ability to intimidate his subordinates.

Of course, being unable to control someone doesn't mean they've betrayed you.

These people had all received help from Shen Zhihong during their most desperate times and had found their relatives.

Although some of them developed their own thoughts after gaining power, these thoughts were not directed at Shen Zhihong; they were simply a natural consequence of things developing to a certain point.

Chen Xin did not tell Shen Zhihong about this, because having many people in the underworld was a good thing for him.

Of course, the main reason is that the power to evaluate performance is in one's own hands.

A single paranormal event can essentially reveal a person's character.

No matter how well hidden, with a wave of Huang Ying's mournful staff, no ordinary person could possibly remain hidden in the illusion.

Therefore, the decision of who should join the Underworld rests with Chen Xin.

As for the little bit of information about the town's spirit revealed during the assessment, Chen Xin didn't care.

Of the few protective items given out, only the reed could pose a threat to Yin Sect cultivators.

Compared to dealing with people, Chen Xin felt that those who failed the test would use these talismans to fight ghosts more often.

Moreover, all of this is being monitored by an illusion.

If something really happens, the underworld can always add a department to reward good and punish evil.

In fact, Huan Shen was even busier than Chen Xin. He spent all his time in Sanshan Village doing nothing but holding the "Complete Guide to Town Objects" and going back to the triggers of various town objects to help Chen Xin filter information.

If it weren't for the fact that only one paper-cutting avatar could be effective, Chen Xin would have created several more illusory avatars to help.

Two days of rest flew by.

On the morning of the third day, after Chen Xin arrived at the bureau, he was summoned to the bureau chief's office by Jin Chao.

They are about to set off.

……

(End of this chapter)