Forbidden Zone of Deception

Chapter 242 Wake up
Inside the ward, a great battle had ended. Fortunately, the battle had mostly involved attacks from spirits, which did not affect the material world, so the medical equipment remained unharmed.

Jiang Jin walked quickly to the bedside, and the scene before him made his heart tighten.

Ye Xiu lay on the hospital bed, his exposed skin covered with dense, wriggling sores that even oozed disgusting pus!

These festering sores seemed alive, emitting a nauseating stench, and were slowly spreading at a visible rate. Most concerningly, the sores clearly contained the eggs of Gu worms, but these were being suppressed by the aura of incantations and various talismans, preventing the Gu worms from hatching.

This is Lady Pustuca's terrifying poison! Even a level 5 reincarnator can't withstand it!
Ye Xiu's breath was extremely weak; his chest barely rose and fell, clearly on the verge of death. It would be perfectly normal for him to die any second now!
Can't wait any longer!
Without hesitation, Jiang Jin opened the lead box and took out the shard of resentment crystal containing the peculiar power of the rules of Lanruo Temple!

This is a rare, high-quality crystal of resentment with a purity of over 50%!

Normally, absorbing resentment crystal fragments requires the reincarnated individual to absorb them actively, but Ye Xiu's life hangs by a thread, making it impossible for him to actively absorb them. Jiang Jin gritted his teeth, a resolute glint in his eyes!
He took a deep breath, tore open Ye Xiu's hospital gown, and aimed at an area on Ye Xiu's chest that was not yet completely covered by pustules. With a sudden burst of force, he pressed the hard shard of resentment crystal into Ye Xiu's flesh!
"Ugh..." Even in a deep coma, the immense pain still caused Ye Xiu's body to twitch violently, letting out an unconscious groan of agony.

This method is extremely brutal. For ordinary people or even low-level reincarnators, it is tantamount to suicide. The ashes of resentment will instantly pollute their souls, and they will be assimilated by memes if they are not careful.

But Ye Xiu is a top-tier LV5 expert! His soul strength and physical endurance far exceed expectations!
As the shattered crystal entered his body, a cold, obscure energy wave, yet possessing a certain "purifying" quality, rippled out from Ye Xiu's chest and quickly swept across his entire body!
The wriggling sores seemed to have encountered their natural enemy, emitting a faint but sharp hiss. The pus evaporated rapidly, and the sores began to wither, scab, and fall off at a speed visible to the naked eye!
The "pus-blood poison" that invaded his soul and body was fiercely rejected and neutralized by the power of the rules of Lanruo Temple!
The last wisp of remnant soul within Ye Xiu's body, like a star about to be extinguished, suddenly came into contact with this powerful foreign energy of the same origin and was instantly activated!
As the pinnacle of the Soul Reaper class—the LV5 Thousand-Faced Master—Ye Xiu's soul essence had long transcended the mortal realm. Even with only a wisp of his soul remaining, his regenerative power was terrifyingly immense! This wisp of soul, like a ravenous whale, frantically devoured the pure energy and unique rule information provided by the resentment shards, and using this as a foundation, it frantically reorganized, grew stronger, and revived at an unprecedented speed!
On his body, new, healthy skin was rapidly replacing the malignant sores, his ashen complexion regained its color, and his weak breath became strong and powerful... Everything was moving in a positive direction!

Moreover, once he successfully absorbs this rule-contaminated meme entity, it means that he will be immune to the Gu worms in the future!
Of course, this is something that can't be envied. Jiang Jin, a Level 2 Reincarnator, even with the Crimson Jade, couldn't absorb such a high-purity crystal of resentment. If he did absorb it, he might be directly corrupted by the rules and become something like the black-robed monk.

Next, Jiang Jin stared intently at Ye Xiu's changes, his heart filled with anticipation and tension. Success! It seems the resentment shards from Lanruo Temple were indeed effective!

However, at this most crucial moment—

"boom!!"

The specially made door to the ward was violently forced open from the outside, as if it were made of paper!

A figure exuding a strong stench of blood and overwhelming pressure, like a demon god returned from hell, stepped into the ward!

The newcomer wore a dark red robe embroidered with eerie and twisted curse runes in gold thread.

His face was sinister, his eyes were sunken, and he was surrounded by a visible, nauseating scarlet aura of bloodlust.

It is none other than Mo Xiu, the former deputy leader of the Yongmeng team and now its actual controller!
Level 4 Sorcerer - Blood Sorcerer!

He has recently gone into seclusion multiple times, and by controlling all the team's resources, he has repeatedly attempted to break through to the supreme realm of a sorcerer—LV5 Bone Bodhisattva! Now, he has already touched the threshold, and it can be said that he has one foot in the LV5 realm, making him a near-LV5 powerhouse!
He was absolutely confident that he would succeed in advancing within the next few days after only two or three more attempts! At that time, he would not be afraid even if Long Mingzhang came in person!

As soon as he entered, his cold gaze swept across the ward, and he immediately saw the resentment crystal shards emitting a ghostly light on Ye Xiu's chest and his rapidly improving condition, as well as Jiang Jin standing by the bed!
"You little beast! How dare you harm Captain Ye Xiu!"

Mo Xiu knew perfectly well that Ye Xiu was about to be healed. A flash of surprise and anger crossed his eyes, and he immediately turned the tables, letting out a thunderous roar!

The terrifying pressure of the near-LV5 was like a solid mountain, crashing down on Jiang Jin!
Jiang Jin felt an irresistible force coming at him, as if his internal organs were about to be crushed. He felt a sweet taste in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood. He was pinned to the spot and could not even move a finger!

The absolute difference in their levels was on full display at this moment!

"Mo Xiu! How dare you!" At this moment, Li Hao and Yu Tianlun, who had been restrained, were also pushed and shoved in by Mo Xiu's men. Seeing this, Li Hao's eyes widened in fury, and he shouted angrily, "I am a reincarnator from the Holy Temple team, sent by Minister Long to treat Commander Ye! How dare you obstruct me?! How dare you injure someone?!"

Mo Xiu snorted coldly, strode up to Ye Xiu, pulled out the shard of resentment, and then swept his crimson eyes over Li Hao, his tone chilling: "Envoy Li Hao, you represent Minister Long, so naturally I wouldn't dare touch you. But—"

His tone shifted abruptly, and he pointed sharply at the subdued Jiang Jin and Yu Tianlun standing to the side: "These two traitors, under the guise of providing medical treatment, actually plotted to assassinate you! They attempted to completely extinguish Commander Ye's life! Their intentions are despicable! Today, I, Mo Xiu, will send you two traitors from the insect nest to your deaths!"

He didn't give them a chance to explain; he wanted to pin the blame for the assassination on Jiang Jin and Yu Tianlun and take the opportunity to silence them completely!
"You're spouting nonsense!" Yu Tianlun struggled and roared, but the Blood Descendant's suppression made him unable to resist.

Li Hao trembled with rage: "Mo Xiu! You've twisted the truth! Minister Long will never let you get away with this!"

"I will explain to Minister Long myself! But these two murderers must be executed immediately!"

Mo Xiu understood Long Mingzhang's pragmatic nature. One was the deceased Ye Xiu, and the other was him, now alive and at LV5. Furthermore, Long Mingzhang had already taken control of the entire Yongmeng faction. Naturally, Mo Xiu would continue to serve Long Mingzhang in the future. After all, he was well aware of the many shady dealings Long Mingzhang had. Besides, they would both be LV5 by then; who was afraid of whom? Could Long Mingzhang possibly kill him?
He wasn't a spy; letting Bai Miya in to seduce him was a kind of "tacit understanding" between them.

Mo Xiu revealed a cruel smile as he walked step by step toward Jiang Jin, who was suppressed and unable to move. He raised his hand, and a churning, roaring curse composed of countless blood souls wailing in pain condensed in his palm!

"You little bastard, in your next life, open your eyes wider!" Mo Xiu's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and the Blood Soul Death Curse, which was enough to instantly kill a LV3 expert, slammed down hard towards Jiang Jin's crown!

Time seems to freeze at this moment!
Li Hao and Yu Tianlun's exclamations were stuck in their throats!
Jiang Jin's pupils dilated; the shadow of death had completely enveloped him!

At this critical moment——

On the hospital bed, those eyes, which had been closed for who knows how long, suddenly opened!

"Humph!"

A soft hum, seemingly coming from the depths of the netherworld, yet echoing deep within everyone's soul!

Mo Xiu's determined and ruthless Blood Soul Death Curse vanished the instant this soft hum rang out, turning into a sky full of foul-smelling blood mist that swept back!

Mo Xiu himself was struck as if by a heavy blow, letting out a muffled groan as he staggered backward uncontrollably, his face filled with disbelief and horror!
The oppressive force that had been suppressing Jiang Jin and Yu Tianlun vanished instantly!
All eyes, filled with utter shock, were focused on the hospital bed!

Ye Xiu slowly sat up. His skin was now smooth and new, and all the sores had disappeared without a trace.

His aura was unfathomable, his gaze calm yet sharp enough to see through everything, as he slowly swept over everyone in the ward.

Finally, his gaze settled on Mo Xiu, whose face was pale and filled with doubt and uncertainty.

"Old ghost Mo," Ye Xiu said, his voice steady yet carrying a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine, "what... are you trying to do?"

Mo Xiu's heart pounded, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat. But he was a cunning old fox, and he suppressed his fear, quickly bowing and trying to explain, "Commander...Commander! You're awake! That's wonderful! You don't know, while you were unconscious, these two thieves..."

He pointed at Jiang Jin and Yu Tianlun, "They used the guise of treating you to collude with the insect lairs, actually using evil creatures to plot against you! It seems they are in cahoots with that beast Li Yuanxiu! I was just about to kill him to avenge you!"

"Bullshit!" Li Hao immediately retorted loudly, "Commander Ye! It was Minister Long who sent us to deliver the resentment crystal fragments from Lanruo Temple to detoxify you! It was Mo Xiu who led his men to stop you and even tried to kill you to silence you!"

"Commander Ye! Mo Xiu harbors wolfish ambitions, colluding with the insect nest to try and kill you!" Yu Tianlun immediately added.

"You're talking nonsense!" Mo Xiu shouted angrily, trying to intimidate them with his imposing manner. "Captain! Don't listen to their instigation! I am loyal to you and to the Eternal Dream team! It's these two scoundrels who have deceived the Temple team..."

Ye Xiu listened quietly, his face expressionless, until they finished arguing, then slowly raised his hand.

The ward fell silent instantly.

Ye Xiu's gaze fell on Mo Xiu again, a gaze that seemed to penetrate his skin and look directly into his filthy soul.

"Mo Xiu," Ye Xiu's voice remained calm, yet it sent a chill down Mo Xiu's spine, "Did you think that just because I was unconscious, I didn't know anything?"

Mo Xiu's body stiffened abruptly.

"When I was unconscious, a remnant of my soul still remained. I know exactly what happened. You're too cowardly to kill me directly, isn't it because you're afraid of the resentment I might bring back?"

After the Achilles' tortoise debuff dissipates, assassinating Ye Xiu won't trigger a backlash of resentment. However, entering a near-death state will unlock the restrictions on his class skills. At this point, anyone who dares to kill him directly will suffer a level 5 backlash of resentment, which, even if it doesn't kill him, will severely pollute his soul, possibly causing him to lose a level. Therefore, Bai Mia can only use her gourd to absorb souls, ensuring that all the resentment ashes within him are completely absorbed.

"You think that having a 'Blood Puppet Avatar' hidden in the Annihilation Layer makes you truly immortal?" For the first time, a cold, almost cruel smile appeared on Ye Xiu's face. "It seems you've forgotten what a 'Soul Stealer' does."

Mo Xiu's face drained of all color instantly, and boundless fear gripped his heart like a giant, icy hand!
His greatest reliance proved utterly insignificant in front of Ye Xiu! Ye Xiu was right; he had forgotten, completely forgotten! Soul Seducers were the ancestors of those who manipulated souls! They were one of the ultimate nemesis of all souls, incarnations, and curses in the world! Ye Xiu could have easily spared his life and directly extracted and refined his soul!
"Commander! Spare me! I was wrong! Spare me..."

But Ye Xiu no longer gave him a chance.

Ye Xiu slowly raised his right hand, his fingers slightly spread, and made a grasping motion towards Mo Xiu. "Ughh ...

Mo Xiu let out a bloodcurdling scream! A blurry, distorted phantom, filled with endless pain and fear, was forcibly ripped from the top of his head! It was the very essence of his soul!
His body, as if all support had been removed, collapsed limply to the ground, instantly losing all vitality.

The extracted soul struggled and wailed wildly in Ye Xiu's palm, but could not break free even a fraction.

Ye Xiu opened his mouth and gently inhaled at the wisp of soul.

Like a whale sucking in water, Mo Xiu's soul transformed into a stream of light and was swallowed by Ye Xiu!

He even chewed it once, as if savoring its "flavor," before slowly swallowing it.

The ward was deathly silent.

All the Eternal Dream Reincarnators who followed Mo Xiu were already terrified and collapsed to the ground.

The soul imprints that Ye Xiu had planted within them were now fully awakened, sensing their master's boundless rage and absolute control!
"Commander, spare my life!"

"Commander! We were all forced into this by Mo Xiu!"

"Please, Commander, have mercy!"

A group of people kowtowed repeatedly, their bodies trembling like leaves in the wind.

Ye Xiu didn't even glance at them. His gaze shifted to Jiang Jin, and his cold eyes instantly softened with gratitude.

“Jiang Jin,” Ye Xiu’s voice returned to calm, “I will never forget your life-saving grace. From this day forward, you are my benefactor, Ye Xiu, and the eternal benefactor of the Eternal Dream team! The Eternal Dream team will be the Nirvana team’s strongest and most reliable ally! Anyone who opposes Nirvana is opposing me, Ye Xiu, and the entire Eternal Dream team!”

These words, like a thunderclap, heralded the formation of a new order throughout the entire cycle of reincarnation!
Looking at the newly reborn, overwhelmingly powerful Level 5 expert before him, Jiang Jin was filled with immense excitement. All the adventures and sacrifices had been worthwhile at this moment!

Those reincarnated beings on the ground, upon hearing these words, looked at Jiang Jin with a mixture of awe and lingering fear.

Just then, Yu Tianlun's phone rang.

"Commander Yu, you can answer it," Ye Xiu said.

"Well, that's good..."

Yu Tianlun took out his phone, looked at the caller ID, walked outside the ward, and answered the call.

"Hello, Mr. Wang?"

“I wasn’t home earlier, and my wife answered the phone. She asked me, ‘You want to buy intelligence?’”

"Yes, I want to purchase some information about the current situation in Edo, especially the latest intelligence related to the activities of the 'Old Core' organization."

"Sure. One price, four Abomination Bottle Caps. You can transfer the money to me directly through the Reincarnation System's exchange function."

"Okay, deal."

Shortly after hanging up the phone, he received an email in his inbox.

At noon, Jiang Jin and Yu Tianlun arrived at the hospital rooftop.

"The situation in Edo is worse than we thought; the old core is active there. We must be prepared. Japanese horror memes are extremely unique and have a strong ability to spread and distort reality. Once they get out of control and spread completely, they could lead to a chain reaction of meme contamination on a global scale. At that time, it's not impossible for us to encounter Sadako and Kayako in the real world."

He recalled the past with lingering fear: "Back then, the [Night Parade of One Hundred Demons] instance almost became a meme leaked into the real world. That kind of omnipresent resentment and rules were impossible to guard against."

Jiang Jin frowned: "Then next time we choose a dungeon, we should try to avoid Japanese horror dungeons?"

Yu Tianlun pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Not necessarily. Risks often come with opportunities. Although the Japanese-style horror instance is dangerous, some of the special items or information it produces may help us better understand or even combat the memetic contamination that is about to appear in reality. Moreover, with the old core causing trouble there, we cannot completely stay out of it. Specifically... we will have to wait and see the information that Boss Wang brings from Japan, as well as the overall development of the situation, before making a decision."

Both of them turned their gazes to the window, as if they could see the distant island nation struggling in terror, and the even greater storm brewing within it that could sweep across the globe.

……

Takamiya Yui was slumped down next to a pile of garbage in a dirty alley, still wearing the clothes that had been soiled at Lanruo Temple.

He recalled a few days ago...

At that time, he finally escaped death and returned to Shinjuku Kabukicho from the replica of Ranruo Temple.

The sight before him made him instantly suffocate, and his blood almost froze!
The once towering skyscrapers are now just twisted steel skeletons, and the streets are littered with the wreckage of burned vehicles.

Further away, a massive, iconic iron tower structure snapped in half—that was Tokyo Tower! Even Tokyo Tower collapsed!
Most of the signs in Kabukicho are broken, and the various entertainment venues are unrecognizable.

In the deathly silence, the occasional distant explosions and faint cries added to the desolation.

A squad of soldiers wearing familiar standard military uniforms with dragon patterns on their armbands are patrolling the ruins, setting up roadblocks and checkpoints—it's the Dragon Soaring Army!
They looked solemn, their eyes were alert, and their guns were always pointed in the direction of any potential threat.

Takamiya Yui stumbled towards a checkpoint, her voice hoarse as she asked a man who appeared to be an officer, "What...what happened here? How did Edo...become like this?"

The officer glanced at him, his eyes filled with weariness and a hint of pity: "Are you a survivor who has just awakened?"

He sighed, his tone heavy, "The meme contamination in Edo went completely out of control, plunging into a state of chaos we can't comprehend."

"About a week ago, all sorts of impossible 'historical ghost' memes began to materialize, attacking the city relentlessly." The officer pointed into the distance. "Look over there in the direction of the harbor... The Yamato battleship, which should have sunk in Kyushu in 1941, appeared like a ghost, bombarding the port and the city with its 460mm guns! And from the sky too!"

He pointed to the gray, ashes-strewn sky: "Every now and then, swarms of B-29 Ghost bombers suddenly appear! The bombs they drop are real! Although the Self-Defense Forces fought back desperately and shot down some, the losses were too heavy, and we have no idea where they will come from next. Edo now... it's no exaggeration to call it hell on earth."

Gao Gongwei felt as if struck by lightning and staggered towards his home.

After traversing ruins and scorched earth, he finally found the neighborhood he remembered.

However, all that remained was a pile of rubble scorched by fire, and the apartment buildings next to it were also destroyed.

A neighbor, his face covered in soot and his eyes vacant, recognized him and cried out, “Mr. Takamiya! You…you’re back…It’s all…it’s all over…The bombing came so suddenly that day…Mrs. Takamiya…she didn’t escape…she was…she was burned to a crisp…This is all we found…”

The neighbor trembled as he handed over a burnt and warped makeup mirror box that could still be vaguely identified as a woman's usual cosmetic mirror box.

Takamiya Yui took the box, her vision went black, and she immediately knelt down, letting out a heart-wrenching, inhuman wail!
My wife... she's gone just like that?! I didn't even get to see her one last time!
After the deepest grief comes a raging fire!

"The old core! Was it them?!" he roared, his eyes bloodshot.

"Yes, everyone...everyone says it's the work of that terrorist organization called 'Old Core'!" the neighbor whispered fearfully. "It's their meme contamination...that turned Edo into this!"

"Old Core!!!" Takamiya Yui engraved this name in her heart, every syllable filled with deep-seated hatred!
He swore that as long as he lived, he would tear every single member of the Old Core Organization to pieces! He would slaughter these beasts!
The changes in Edo have shocked the world.

Now... countries around the world are very clear that people will no longer believe the claim that so-called meme pollution is just a hallucination caused by mental illness!
The secret of the reincarnators cannot be kept for much longer.

And many more people are aware that... Japan may very well become the first country to disappear from this planet in the era of meme pollution!

(End of this chapter)