This entry is suspicious.

In the midst of extreme horror and shock, Zhou Ran almost forgot to breathe.

Shao Yichen is using a fake identity. This guy is actually a Foundation Establishment stage monster, and a member of the demonic path at that!

【The Game Within (Red)】, 【Secret Mind Control (Red)】

[Self-directed and self-acted (Gold)], [Positioning in Qinghe (Red)]

These destiny-related terms transformed into currents of electricity, exploding in Zhou Ran's brain. The previously scattered information was instantly connected, piecing together the truth of the matter.

Boss Wang wanted to enter the local Super Dream studio industry, but other studios were unhappy that the newcomer was taking away their market share, so they tried to sabotage him both openly and secretly. At this time, Shao Yichen... no, Zuo Changsheng secretly made a move against Boss Wang, releasing a Black Super Dream video containing strange powers to create bizarre events and frame other studios for the same reason.

When Boss Wang falls for the trick and is in a terrible predicament, he will reappear as a mysterious expert to solve the problem, thus gaining Boss Wang's trust and connections, and making a name for himself in the industry.

First set a fire, then put it out. From beginning to end, this was all a play directed and acted by Zuo Changsheng, and Boss Wang was just a pawn in it, manipulated at will, completely unaware of what was happening.

Why did Zuo Changsheng direct and act in this whole show?

A guess quickly popped into Zhou Ran's mind—the Super Dream Studio!

At this critical juncture, if Boss Wang were to be ambushed, anyone would assume it was the powerful forces behind those local studios. After all, they had the strongest motive for Boss Wang's attempt to enter the studios and compete for business.

Given this, it's perfectly reasonable for Boss Wang to retaliate afterwards.

The Super Dream Studio is an extremely lucrative business, backed by local powerful forces. Boss Wang's willingness to take on such a challenge shows that he is not afraid of any of these forces. If he is determined to fight against the forces behind the local studio, the underworld of Qinghe City will inevitably be reshuffled.

With the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators secretly manipulating things, it's only a matter of time before they swallow up all the forces. At that time, the entire Super Dream Studio industry in Qinghe City, and even a wider area of ​​the gray market, will fall into Zuo Changsheng's hands.

That is, in the hands of the demonic path.

Zuo Changsheng's true intentions in "setting up a trap for Qinghe" are unknown, but this is probably only part of his plan.

Zhou Ran could guess what the identity "Shao Yichen" would do next—infiltrate the network of relationships in Qinghe City's underworld through Boss Wang, and then spread to more forces.

As for the pretext of connecting with other forces... haven't we already done that? Just stage a few more of these events ourselves. The demonic path doesn't care about public order or good morals.

It must be said that this move was brilliant, killing multiple birds with one stone, with each step interconnected, and on the surface, there were no flaws. If Zhou Ran hadn't possessed the Book of Fate, he wouldn't have been able to know the truth behind it all.

Just as Zhou Ran's thoughts were churning, someone in the lounge asked a question.

"Mr. Shao looks like he's still in high school?"

Everyone was curiously observing the white-robed youth. Without a doubt, he possessed the cultivation level of the seventh stage of the Qi Opening Realm, and combined with his still-childish appearance, he was undoubtedly a high school student.

"I attended No. 3 Middle School and experienced some strange events before, so I'm considered an expert in this field." Shao Yichen still had that faint smile on his lips.

"How did you resolve the strange situation surrounding Boss Wang?" someone asked impatiently.

"Anyone who has heard that lullaby will be attacked by the strange creature, so the key is that melody. So I had the doctor use memory erasure technology to erase the recent memories of the infected, making them completely forget that they had heard the lullaby. As a result, the infected person was not attacked again after falling asleep," Shao Yichen said calmly.

Everyone's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

"Great idea!" someone exclaimed, slapping their thigh. "This anomaly is of the consciousness type, and that lullaby melody is the medium for launching the attack. If a person doesn't remember ever hearing that melody, it's as if they haven't touched the medium, and naturally they won't be attacked by the anomaly."

"Eliminate the medium, huh...?"

[Remember the fastest online novel website: 1 ...

"Yeah, how come I didn't think of that!"

"Mr. Shao has a truly broad perspective; he even thought of this."

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young."

In an instant, the hall was filled with various voices of praise and admiration. People came up to chat, some congratulating Boss Wang on his successful escape, and others praising Shao Yichen as a promising young man.

Zhou Ran and Fang Beichen stood on the periphery of the crowd. They had neither the interest to go up and congratulate them nor the need to join in the fun. After collecting their hard-earned money from someone, they left without looking back.

"What a pity, I didn't expect it to be snatched away by someone else."

Fang Beichen sighed regretfully. In his view, this was a very good opportunity to curry favor with such a powerful figure. There would only be benefits and no drawbacks.

"What is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force."

Zhou Ran shook his head. This is a setup by them; it would be strange if you got involved.

Back at the car, Fang Beichen took a bag from the trunk, unzipped it, and inside were stacks of cash wrapped in kraft paper.

He took out a bundle and handed it to Zhou Ran: "This is the reward I promised you for your hard work."

Zhou Ran accepted it without hesitation. Although it was money from members of the demonic path, cash is very difficult to trace, unlike online transfers which can be easily checked. Especially since this money was earned from fighting in underground arenas, the organizers would be even more cautious. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, no one will know where it came from.

"Don't call me if you need anything in the future. I don't want to get involved in weird events anymore."

Zhou Ran stuffed the cash into her backpack, intending to sever all ties with Fang Beichen.

Because of Boss Wang's matter, he had a vague premonition that a storm was brewing. The demonic forces were plotting something in Qinghe City, and continuing to associate with them was dangerous in every sense.

"I understand, I won't bother you anymore." Fang Beichen nodded.

After getting on the bus.

Zhou Ran suddenly remembered something: "By the way, has Cui Jin's matter been resolved?"

"It's been resolved; he's working for me now."

"Fighting in underground arenas?"

"No, I do some shady stuff," Fang Beichen replied casually.

"I hope you don't drag me into the demonic path..." Zhou Ran thought to himself.

……

arrive home.

Zhou Ran used her connections in the tutoring group to find students from No. 3 Middle School and inquired about Shao Yichen from them.

This is perfectly reasonable behavior. Given tonight's experience, it's only natural that he would be interested in Shao Yichen, and even if the latter knew, he wouldn't suspect anything.

In fact, during this period, there were probably too many people inquiring about Shao Yichen to count.

Soon, Zhou Ran learned that Shao Yichen used to be invisible in the class, but a few months ago he experienced a strange event, and since then he has been completely transformed. His academic performance has improved by leaps and bounds, and he has become more confident.

"This is just like me!" Zhou Ran was greatly shocked. How could they be so similar?

However, judging from the current situation, the real Shao Yichen is dead and has been replaced by Zuo Changsheng.

In addition, Shao Yichen would take a few days off every month, and when asked about it upon his return, he would say that he had gone to deal with strange events, but he would never answer any questions about the specific details, making him very mysterious.

In line with Shao Yichen's persona as a mysterious expert, Zuo Changsheng began his scheme several months ago... no, even earlier?

Zhou Ran lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.

The demonic path must be eradicated, otherwise everyone living in this city will be in danger, including himself.

After a long while, Zhou Ran sat up, considered his words carefully, and then dialed Wei Si's number.

As we all know, when concerned citizens encounter suspicious individuals who may be members of the "demonic sect," the best course of action is to call the police.

It just so happens that Wei Si asked him to keep an eye out for any spies from the demonic sects at school a while ago, so reporting them now wouldn't seem out of place.