My bizarre resurgence: My price is the ability to trade everything.

Things I shouldn't have seen...

I was stunned.

"What is that?"

"She didn't say," Zhao Tiezhu shook his head, "but when she did, her expression was strange."

"What kind of expression is that?"

"It's like she's recalling something terrifying." Zhao Tiezhu looked at me. "Do you know what she saw?"

"I...I don't know." I was telling the truth.

I did trigger something strange during a video call last night.

The "fake Su Mingyue" said that she was "another me deep within the scales".

Then my balance was awakened.

But as for what I remember...

I really don't know.

"Perhaps it's my deeper personality?" I murmured.

"A deeper personality?" Zhao Tiezhu frowned. "You also have multiple personality disorder?"

"Also?" I seized on that word. "Who else has a dual personality?"

Zhao Tiezhu remained silent for a while.

"It wasn't me," he said, "but I know someone else is."

"who?"

"Director Chen."

Chen Xuan?

"Does he also have a split personality?"

"That's said," Zhao Tiezhu said. "His deep personality is very powerful; sometimes it takes over his body and does some...strange things."

"What's wrong?"

"Nobody knows," Zhao Tiezhu shook his head. "But every time the deeper personality takes over, Director Chen disappears for several hours. When he returns, his expression and tone are different from before."

I fell into deep thought.

Chen Xuan also has a dual personality...

Is this also a characteristic of the "balancer"?

"Don't overthink it," Zhao Tiezhu patted my shoulder. "You'll find out about these things later."

"But--"

"No buts." Zhao Tiezhu interrupted me. "The most important thing now is that you learn to control your power. Otherwise, your deeper personality will take over sooner or later."

I swallowed hard.

"How do you control it?"

"The Breath Concealing Technique," Zhao Tiezhu said. "You should know this, right?"

"I know a little," I said, "but not very well."

"Then let's practice hard today," Zhao Tiezhu said. "Although I'm not a balancer, I've studied the Breath Concealment Technique. After all, it's helpful for martial arts cultivation."

"You know the Breath Concealment Technique?"

"I know a little," Zhao Tiezhu said, "but my Breath Concealment Technique is the martial arts version, which is quite different from the Balancer version."

"What's the difference?"

"The martial arts version of the Breath Concealment Technique is mainly for hiding one's aura so that the opponent cannot sense it," Zhao Tiezhu explained. "But the Balancer version of the Breath Concealment Technique not only hides the aura but also conceals CP fluctuations."

"CP fluctuations?"

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said. "Each Balancer's body contains a large amount of CP. These CP emit a unique fluctuation that ordinary people can't sense, but the Strange can."

"So I need to learn to hide these fluctuations?"

"Yes." Zhao Tiezhu nodded. "This is the core of the Concealing Breath Technique."

"So how exactly do you do it?"

Zhao Tiezhu gestured for me to sit down.

"First, adjust your breathing," he said. "What breathing technique did Director Chen teach you?"

"Inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds."

"Yes." Zhao Tiezhu nodded. "That's the foundation. But that alone isn't enough."

"What else do you need?"

"Consciousness," Zhao Tiezhu said, "The Breath Concentration Technique isn't just about adjusting your breathing; it's also about adjusting your consciousness."

"Adjusting consciousness?"

"Yes." Zhao Tiezhu sat down cross-legged. "Come on, follow me."

I sat down next to him and closed my eyes.

"Now, focus on your breathing," Zhao Tiezhu's voice came from beside me. "Inhale... hold your breath... exhale..."

I breathed in rhythm with him.

Four—Seven—Eight...

breathe......

"Okay," Zhao Tiezhu said. "Now, I want you to try 'closing yourself off' while you breathe."

"Closed off?"

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said. "Imagine your body is a container. CP is the water inside the container. Your task is to seal the container and prevent the water from overflowing."

I tried to imagine it.

Body......

container......

seal......

"I can't do it," I said. "I don't know how to 'close myself off'."

"Let's use a different analogy," Zhao Tiezhu said. "Imagine your body is a house. CP is the light in the room. Your task is to close all the windows and doors so that the light can't leak out."

Windows and doors...

I tried to imagine it.

The body's various "exits"—pores, respiration, sweat glands...

Are they all leaking CP (Content/Content) information?

"It's not just a physical outlet," Zhao Tiezhu seemed to read my mind, "it's also an outlet of consciousness."

"A mental escape?"

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said, "your emotions, thoughts, desires... all of these emit CP fluctuations. Anger reveals more, fear reveals even more."

"So... I have to suppress my emotions?"

"It's not suppression," Zhao Tiezhu shook his head, "it's 'taking it easy'."

"Take it easy?"

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said. "When you have a strong emotional reaction to something, your CP fluctuations increase dramatically. But if you can 'take it easy' and not let it affect your mind, the fluctuations will decrease."

"This..." I hesitated, "I'm not a monk, how can I be completely emotionless?"

"You don't need to be completely devoid of emotions," Zhao Tiezhu said. "You just need to 'see through' them."

"See through it all?"

"Yes." Zhao Tiezhu's voice deepened. "For example, you're very nervous right now because you're afraid of dying. But if you can 'see through' death—recognize that death is part of life, not the end, but the beginning of another form—you won't be afraid anymore."

I was silent.

Seeing through death...

It's easier said than done.

"Have you ever experienced death?" I asked.

"I've been through it," Zhao Tiezhu said.

"What?"

"Three years ago, I participated in handling an A-level paranormal incident," Zhao Tiezhu's voice became somewhat low. "In that battle, six of us died. I almost died too."

"And then what?"

"After that..." Zhao Tiezhu paused for a moment, "it took me a long time to get over it. But in the end, I figured something out."

"What is it?"

"Everyone has to die," he said. "Whether you're an ordinary person or a spiritual practitioner, you can't escape death in the end. Instead of fearing death, live each day to the fullest."

Looking at Zhao Tiezhu, I suddenly realized that he wasn't as rugged as he appeared.

There was a calmness in his eyes that came from having experienced life and death.

"I can't do it," I said honestly. "I'm still very afraid of dying."

"It's alright," Zhao Tiezhu smiled. "You're new to this. You'll understand as you gain more experience."

"......All right."

"Now, continue practicing," Zhao Tiezhu said. "I'll practice with you."

For the next two hours, I practiced the breath-concentration technique.

Inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

At the same time, I tried to "shut down" my CP fluctuations.

Window... door...

Close...close...close...

"That's not right," Zhao Tiezhu's voice rang out, "your fluctuations are actually greater."

"How could this be?"

"Because you're too nervous," Zhao Tiezhu said. "The more you try to shut yourself off, the more nervous you become. The more nervous you are, the more your emotions fluctuate."

"What should I do then?"

"Relax," Zhao Tiezhu said. "Don't treat it like a task, but like breathing—it's as natural as that."

Treat it as naturally as breathing...

I took a deep breath and then slowly relaxed my body.

Don't deliberately think about the concept of "isolation"...

Just breathing...

breathe......

Gradually, I began to feel a strange sensation.

It felt like something was flowing inside my body, but it wasn't blood; it was something much more subtle.

"Is this what CP is?" I asked.

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said, "You can sense it, which means you've made progress."

"So what's next?"

"Next, try to 'guide' it."

"guide?"

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said, "Let it flow according to your will. Don't force it, just 'guide' it."

I tried to "guide" that force.

It starts in the chest and spreads along the blood vessels to the limbs.

But in every place they go, they encounter "obstacles".

Those obstacles are my muscles, blood vessels, bones...

And emotions.

When I think about the "mission", my emotions fluctuate more, and the flow of CP slows down.

My emotions surged again when I thought of "Su Mingyue".

When I think of "Zhang Hao"...

My heart started racing.

The flow of CP suddenly stopped for a moment.

"Stop," Zhao Tiezhu said. "What are you thinking about?"

"I...I'm thinking about Zhang Hao."

Who is Zhang Hao?

"My roommate," I said, "is dead."

Zhao Tiezhu remained silent for a while.

"His death had a significant impact on you?"

"Yes." I nodded. "His last words were, 'Don't trust anyone.' I've never understood why he said that."

"Perhaps... he's warning you," Zhao Tiezhu said.

"What are you warning me about?"

"I don't know," Zhao Tiezhu shook his head, "but one thing I'm certain of—his death is definitely related to Night Raven."

"I think so too," I said. "Director Chen said he was a test subject for the Night Raven."

"Experimental subjects?"

"Yes." I told Zhao Tiezhu what I knew, "He came into contact with the copper coins scattered by the Night Ravens and was then drawn into the rules experiment..."

Zhao Tiezhu frowned after hearing this.

"Copper coins...a rules experiment..." he murmured, "Why do I feel like there's a bigger conspiracy behind this?"

"What conspiracy?"

"Why would the Night Raven scatter those copper coins?" Zhao Tiezhu asked, looking at me. "If it's just for an experiment, the scale is too large."

Do you think they have other motives?

"Definitely," Zhao Tiezhu said. "I've been at headquarters for three years and have seen many bizarre cases. Night Raven is the most mysterious organization. They don't just 'exploit' the rules, they 'create' the rules."

"Create rules?" I was stunned. "Can rules be created?"

"Ordinary people won't do it," Zhao Tiezhu said. "But behind the Night Raven lies the Ruins of Return."

Return to the Ruins...

This is the second time I've heard this name.

What is Guixu?

"An organization even more powerful than the Night Ravens," Zhao Tiezhu said in a low voice. "It's said they've existed for thousands of years. Each generation of Night Ravens serves as the 'outer perimeter' of the Ruins."

"The outer perimeter?" I was stunned. "What about the Night Raven's leader?"

"The Night Raven doesn't have a 'boss,'" Zhao Tiezhu said. "It's more like a loose organization led by seven 'Apostles.'"

The Seven Apostles...

It's 7 again.

How many apostles are there in the Ruins of Return?

"I don't know," Zhao Tiezhu shook his head. "But it's said that the seven apostles of the Night Raven correspond to the seven levels of the Void. Each level is more powerful than the previous one."

"And the most powerful one?"

"The leader of the Guixu Cult," Zhao Tiezhu said, "is said to be a figure from thousands of years ago, and still alive today."

Thousands of years...

Still alive...

This is beyond my comprehension.

"Where did you get this information?" I asked.

"Director Chen told me," Zhao Tiezhu said, "but he also said he couldn't guarantee the accuracy of this information."

Why?

"Because no one has actually seen the Ruins of Guixu," Zhao Tiezhu said. "We only know they exist, but we don't even have a single photograph of them."

"Isn't that just like the legend?"

"More or less," Zhao Tiezhu said, "but one thing is certain—the goal of Guixu is 'rules.'"

"rule?"

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said, "the world operates based on rules. Physical rules, chemical rules, biological rules... the sum of all rules sustains the world's operation."

"And what Guixu wants is to control these rules?"

"It's not just about control," Zhao Tiezhu's voice turned serious. "They want to 'rewrite' the rules."

Rewrite the rules...

I suddenly remembered what Chen Xuan said—that the Night Raven collects "fragments of rules" for the Ruins of Return to the Void to create controllable anomalies.

If the Void Realm could truly rewrite the rules...

What will the world become?

"So, Zhang Hao's death might be related to Guixu?" I asked.

"Very likely," Zhao Tiezhu said, "but we have no evidence."

"So what should we do?"

"Continue the investigation," Zhao Tiezhu said. "And—survive tonight."

I glanced at the time.

It's 9:30 p.m.

There are two and a half hours left before the fifth day's tasks are released.

"What's the mission tonight?" I asked.

"I don't know yet," Zhao Tiezhu said, "but Director Chen said it might involve a Night Raven stronghold."

"stronghold?"

"Yes," Zhao Tiezhu said. "We discovered an abandoned warehouse in the north of the city, which is suspected to be a contact point for the Night Ravens. Tonight's mission might involve reconnaissance there."

North of the city... abandoned warehouse...

This reminds me of what Su Mingyue found out.

"Is that warehouse near Jiangcheng University?"

"How did you know?" Zhao Tiezhu asked, somewhat surprised.

"Su Mingyue previously discovered that a phone number Zhang Hao frequently contacted before his death belonged to Jiangcheng University," I said. "Furthermore, that warehouse might have been where he worked."

"Does Director Chen know about this?"

"I know." I nodded. "Su Mingyue told him."

Zhao Tiezhu remained silent for a while.

"Then tonight's mission might not just be reconnaissance," he said, his eyes sharpening, "it might be arresting someone."

"Who should we arrest?"

"I don't know," Zhao Tiezhu said, "but if we're lucky... we might be able to catch some Night Raven members."

Arrest them...

This left me with mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I really want to find out the truth about Zhang Hao's death.

On the other hand, I was also a little scared.

What would the people of Night Raven be like?

Could it be even more terrifying than that bizarre number?

"Don't worry." Zhao Tiezhu seemed to sense my concern. "I'll protect you during tonight's mission."

"You'll protect me?"

"Yes." Zhao Tiezhu nodded. "You're a new recruit, I'm a veteran. Protecting new recruits is my duty."

"But...didn't you say I need to learn to protect myself?"

"That's for later," Zhao Tiezhu said. "Right now, you haven't even scratched the surface; you'll have to rely on me."

"......Thanks."

"You're welcome." Zhao Tiezhu smiled. "We're teammates, after all."

teammate......

Looking at his honest face, I suddenly felt a warmth in my heart.

Although we've only known each other for a day, Zhao Tiezhu gives me the feeling that he's a trustworthy person.

"Tiezhu," I suddenly called out to him.

"Um?"

"If... I mean if... if one day I find out you've done something to betray me... how would you explain it?"

Zhao Tiezhu was stunned for a moment.

Why do you ask that?

"It's nothing," I shook my head, "I just suddenly remembered what Zhang Hao said."

"'Don't trust anyone'?" Zhao Tiezhu asked.

"Um."

Zhao Tiezhu remained silent for a while.

"I don't know how to answer you," he said, "because I don't know what the future holds. But there's one thing I can guarantee—"

"What?"

"I will never intentionally harm my teammates." Zhao Tiezhu looked at me, his eyes serious. "That's my bottom line."

"...Okay." I nodded. "I've got it."

It's 11 p.m.

Zhao Tiezhu and I arrived at the General Administration's operations command center.

Chen Xuan was already waiting there.

"We're all here." He looked at us. "Are you ready?"

"Ready," Zhao Tiezhu said.

"Hmm." Chen Xuan nodded, then looked at me. "Lin Xiaofan, I need you to do something for tonight's mission."

"What is it?"

"Use as bait."

"A bait?" I was stunned. "What do you mean?"

"Tonight's mission location is an abandoned warehouse in the north of the city," Chen Xuan said. "We received intelligence that the Night Ravens will be performing some kind of ritual there."

"What ceremony?"

"The 'Seven-Pointed Star Ritual'," Chen Xuan said. "They need seven people to complete this ritual."

Seven people...

It's 7 again.

"Do you think... they'll come looking for me?" I asked.

"Possibly," Chen Xuan said. "You are the target locked by the rules, and you have a locking code of 777 within you. If they want to complete the Seven-Pointed Star Ritual, the more '7s,' the better."

"Wouldn't that be like sending lambs to the slaughter?"

"No," Chen Xuan said, "because we'll be lying in ambush outside. The moment they make a move against you, we'll rush in."

"But... what if they act too quickly?"

"No, it won't," Chen Xuan said. "The seven-pointed star ritual has a fixed procedure and takes at least seven minutes to complete. During those seven minutes, you are safe."

Seven minutes...

Seven minutes later.

This is the third time I've encountered the number "7" today.

"Why do you want me to be the bait?" I asked. "Can't Tie Zhu do it?"

"Iron Pillar doesn't have a rule-locking code," Chen Xuan said. "Night Raven won't be interested in him. But you're different—you're the seventh Balancer, a 'precious' experimental subject for them."

"Experimental materials..." I gave a wry smile, "...sounds really unpleasant."

"You'll get used to it," Chen Xuan said. "In this world, sooner or later you'll get used to being treated as 'material'."

"......"

That's really disheartening to hear.

"Alright." Chen Xuan glanced at the time. "The mission will be issued in fifteen minutes. Go and prepare."

"What are you preparing?" Zhao Tiezhu asked.

"Communication equipment." Chen Xuan handed over two earphones. "And this too."

He then handed over two more bracelets.

"What is this?"

"A vital signs monitoring bracelet," Chen Xuan said. "If your heart rate or blood pressure becomes abnormal, we will know immediately."

"So, you can monitor our every move?"

"Yes," Chen Xuan said, "that's the rule."

I took the bracelet and put it on my wrist.

The cold, metallic touch made me feel a little uncomfortable.

"There's one more thing," Chen Xuan suddenly said.

"What?"

"If you encounter uncontrollable danger during the mission... you may retreat."

"What?" Zhao Tiezhu was stunned. "Retreat? Isn't that against regulations?"

"Rules are rules, but people are flexible," Chen Xuan said. "I don't want you to risk your lives to complete the mission."

"But......"

"No buts." Chen Xuan interrupted him. "This is an order."

Zhao Tiezhu glanced at me, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't speak.

"Alright," Chen Xuan said, "Go and prepare."

Fifteen minutes later.

The phone screen lit up.

[The Taboo of Number 7 - Day 5 Task]

[Mission Objective: Proceed to the abandoned warehouse in the north of the city and make contact with the participants of the "Seven-Pointed Star Ritual".]

[Task Reward: Completing this task costs 7 CP. Failure to complete the task will deduct 70 CP.]

[Warning: This is a team task. Participants will be randomly paired. Once paired, you will share some of your sensory abilities with your teammate.]

Team task...

Random pairing...

I glanced at Zhao Tiezhu.

He glanced at his phone, then looked up at me.

"I've found a match," he said.

"Me too," I said.

"Then we're teammates."

"It should be."

We looked at each other.

"Are you ready?" Zhao Tiezhu asked.

"Ready?" I took a deep breath. "Let's go."