While in Hollywood, I used Taoist magic to quell American terrorism.

"Master Cao, that's what I heard them call you." The newcomer greeted Cao Kun.

"Who are you?" Cao Kun looked the newcomer up and down. He felt a sense of familiarity, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.

"You can call me Elise. I am a medium," she introduced herself.

"Elise." Cao Kun immediately remembered who she was.

In the TV series "Lurking", it was she who helped Josh's family.

However, he was later killed by the ghost bride who possessed Josh.

Now, thanks to Cao Kun's appearance, she has survived.

In a way, Cao Kun unwittingly became her savior.

"I sensed a powerful evil aura emanating from Josh's location and prepared to come and take a look."

It turns out you've solved the problem perfectly.

She looked at Cao Kun with admiration in her eyes.

"You are truly amazing. You are the most powerful person I have ever met in the field of metaphysics, without exception."

Cao Kun smiled and said, "It's not completely resolved yet. There are still dozens of pure women's souls imprisoned in that foreign land."

And as time goes on, this number will only increase.

"What?"

Elise gasped, "Dozens... Good heavens... Are they insane?"

Suddenly, Elise seemed to realize something, and her expression changed drastically:

"This is a ceremony of the 'Abyss Advent' level!"

A vast number of pure souls are needed as coordinates and sacrifices.

Only then can beings at that level project their power or even their physical form into the mortal world!

If successful, Hollywood… no, the whole world will fall!

Cao Kun: "What suggestions do you have?"

Elise gave a wry smile: "A medium of my level can't do anything."

Cao Kun: "You can leave me your phone number so I can be notified immediately if there's any news."

Elise: "Okay."

After exchanging contact information, Cao Kun got into his car and drove away quickly.

After watching Cao Kun leave, Elise also retreated back into the darkness.

When Cao Kun drove back to his villa in Beverly Hills, it was almost dawn.

The eastern sky was beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn, but the streets remained quiet.

He parked his car in the garage and walked into the living room, looking slightly tired.

"Chris!"

Cao Kun took out his phone and called out.

A pink halo swirled around, and Chris's figure appeared in the living room.

She seemed to have changed into a more alluring "skin" today, with her curves faintly visible under the semi-transparent tulle.

But Cao Kun was not in the mood to appreciate it at the moment.

"Chris, pull up all the information you've gathered about 'Otherworld,' 'Red-Faced Demon,' 'Gongyang Cult,' and 'Lord Gongyang.'" Cao Kun slumped onto the sofa, rubbed his temples, and got straight to the point.

"Yes, Master!"

Seeing Cao Kun's serious tone, Chris didn't joke around as usual.

He replied, "Searching local and cloud databases..."

Well, as I understand it, these concepts you mentioned need to be considered separately.

"First and foremost, it's about 'another world'."

Chris explained, "This concept has been mentioned in my basic knowledge base and in some scattered paranormal materials."

It usually refers to a spiritual or soul dimension that overlaps with the present world but is completely different from it.

It is neither hell nor heaven in the traditional sense.

It's more like a collective unconscious, a strong obsession, unresolved karma, and...

Yes, a 'middle ground' formed by certain ancient rules.

The souls of the living may mistakenly enter under special circumstances, and the souls of the dead may also linger there.

It has no fixed form and changes according to the fluctuations of the entrant's consciousness, making it full of uncertainty.

She paused, then added, "However, Master, my existence is fundamentally different from that of such places."

So although I know the concept, I don't understand it deeply and I've never been there.

The signal probably won't be good even if you go there.

Cao Kun nodded slightly; this was roughly in line with his understanding.

"Then comes the 'Red-Faced Demon'."

Chris's tone carried a hint of doubt.

"There is no direct match for this name in my database."

However, considering your experience tonight and the keyword "exotic land".

I retrieved some folk tales and some encrypted exorcism files.

Some scattered accounts mention certain ancient incidents involving soul abduction or dream invasion.

An image of a "burning red face" or a "red-skinned gatekeeper" will appear.

It is usually associated with imprisoning the soul and creating fear.

But this is more like a symbol, or a title for a specific evil spirit, rather than a widely recognized fixed demonic name.

It's very likely that the "red-faced devil" you've encountered is...

It is a powerful vengeful spirit leader that is naturally conceived in a certain region of the "other world" or is influenced by some kind of force.

Even… guards created by humans.

"Manufactured guards?" Cao Kun opened his eyes.

"Just speculation."

Chris said, "What if a certain area of ​​the 'Otherworld' is occupied or transformed by a powerful being?"

It is entirely possible for it to create 'managers' that meet its own needs.

Like... well, like how I can create some simple virtual assistants in the online world.

The only difference is that their levels and strengths are worlds apart.

Cao Kun seemed to understand something: "So, after this red-faced demon dies, there will be a new red-faced demon?"

Chris: "If I'm not mistaken."

Cao Kun: "The probability is very high."

"Next up is the 'Gongyang School'."

Chris's voice turned serious.

"This part has a bit more information..."

Chris said a lot, but not much of it was useful information.

She concluded, "Master, that's all I know."

The Gongyang School is like a venomous snake lurking in the deep sea of ​​the internet and in the shadows of reality.

I know they exist, and I can even occasionally catch a glimpse of them as they pass by.

But it's hard to find anything truly useful.

Cao Kun fell silent.

He wasn't surprised by any of this.

If the cult of the Rams were so easy to find and destroy, then the Conjuring universe wouldn't exist.

Cao Kun: "Keep an eye on Anne-Hathaway and Li Fu's activities. If there's any news, let me know immediately."

Succubus: "Yes, Master!"

Let the succubus do her own thing, and Cao Kun returned to his room.

Upon entering the system, Cao Kun smiled.

Merit points: 31995700.

Upon seeing the eight-figure merit points, Cao Kun could no longer suppress the smirk on his face.

His cultivation, which had stagnated for a long time, was finally ready to level up again.

Cao Kun clicked the button without hesitation.

"upgrade!"

A familiar and powerful force rose from within him once more.

Cao Kun could clearly feel that he was becoming stronger.

About ten minutes later.

Cultivation level: Rank 8 Junior Celestial Master

Merit points: 30715700

"continue!"

Cultivation level: Ninth-rank Junior Celestial Master

Merit points: 28155700

"Again!"

Cultivation level: Junior Celestial Master (Perfect)

Merit points: 23035700

Having reached the pinnacle of his junior mastery, Cao Kun felt an unprecedented surge of power.

He felt that the power in all aspects had become much stronger.

The next step is above the Junior Celestial Master, something Cao Kun is quite looking forward to.

He took a deep breath and pressed the button.