Ghost Compendium

"So you really don't want anyone to accompany you?"

At the farewell gathering, both the Zodiac Rabbit and Minister Long asked Wu Liang this question.

But he nodded and said, "Since Sister She foresaw that I would die on this trip, there must be a fatal crisis. There's no need for others to risk their lives with me."

With this in mind, for this Celestial Pool exploration plan, Wu Liang only obtained information on the Celestial Pool from the official side and requested a performance-packed off-road vehicle filled with supplies.

Of course, he wasn't planning to drive all the way from the Capital City to the Celestial Pool, that would be too exaggerated.

In fact, domestically, there are several places called Celestial Pool, but according to official records, the archaeological team with Wu Xiaoyao went to the Celestial Pool of Tianshan in the northwest.

Being far apart, Wu Liang would first take a plane and other means of transport to the city closest to the Celestial Pool of Tianshan.

"To be honest, a place like the Celestial Pool of Tianshan... even without the involvement of the Promised Land, it's quite a dangerous journey. Be careful,"

Minister Long continued to advise him as Wu Liang boarded the plane.

After thoroughly reviewing the information provided last night, Wu Liang naturally understood what this warning meant—

The Supernatural Calamity began five years ago and fully erupted four years ago, plunging the world into chaos.

It took nearly two years for the domestic Paranormal Handling Department to re-stabilize social order, keeping them extremely busy.

So, in this era backdrop,

the official optimal execution method was to recall the population, focusing on each city to create safe havens.

Scenic spots, deserts, gobi deserts, large mountain ranges, and places with few inhabitants were naturally not the first areas to be rescued or have awakened stationed.

Even until today, four years later, most natural scenic spots remain unopen, especially areas like the Celestial Pool of Tianshan with large areas and high difficulty in thoroughly investigating supernatural events.

After all, dealing with the sporadic supernatural events breaking out in cities is already exhausting and time-consuming. Who has the leisure to clean out malevolent spirits in deep mountains and forests like these?

"This has led to regions like the Celestial Pool of Tianshan, deserts, and gobi deserts possibly still housing malevolent spirits from the Supernatural Calamity four years ago. Plus, considering the span of these four years... frankly, no one can guarantee how terrifying it truly is in there."

"But for me, that's actually the perfect hunting ground, isn't it?"

Even while on the plane, Wu Liang could feel the excitement of the Fierce Ghost Minions in the Ghost Compendium.

The more numerous and powerful the malevolent spirits in the Celestial Pool of Tianshan, the more significant the enhancement to his strength after subduing or devouring them!

You can only find prosperity in taking risks!

......

A few hours later, the flight luckily landed smoothly at the closest place to the Celestial Pool of Tianshan — Di Wu City.

"Hahaha! You're the reporter comrade they told us about, right? Welcome to Di Wu City!"

Upon landing and without having time to experience the local culture, the first thing Wu Liang did was report to the official branch here.

After all, both the driving equipment and supplies were provided by this branch. If he didn't report in, he wouldn't know how to organize everything in such a short time.

As soon as he reached the branch, a handsome-faced, white-haired man in a thick cotton coat came out.

The man greeted him warmly.

This was the head of the official branch in Di Wu City — Mei Xin Mountain.

He glanced at Wu Liang's attire and quickly shook his head with concern, "Reporter comrade, your clothes are too thin. Di Wu City is different from the Capital City."

"Winter is coming soon, the temperature here will rapidly drop below freezing. I'll get you more thick clothes. The temperature at the Celestial Pool fluctuates greatly between day and night, be careful not to catch a cold."

Then he took Wu Liang to see the supplies being prepared—

It's packed enough for a person to survive for half a month without any additional supplies.

He also mentioned that the off-road vehicle, notified from the headquarters to be prepared, wouldn't arrive in Di Wu City until tomorrow.

He advised Wu Liang to rest well at the branch tonight.

"You've come a long way, a long and tiring journey. You must be exhausted. Tonight, you have to try our local specialties! Later, we'll invite the rested Awakened for a good drink! We'll make it a welcome feast for you!"

Mei Xin Mountain cheerfully arranged Wu Liang's evening accommodation, dining, and activities.

Although their interaction was brief, Wu Liang could clearly feel his enthusiasm and hospitality through their conversation and behavior, which was even more exaggerated than the friendliness of the Chengyang City's second team, leaving Wu Liang slightly overwhelmed.

But strangely—

No matter how warm and bright his smile was, Wu Liang couldn't shake off a sense of unease.

Moreover, this unease grew stronger on the way to the dinner.

"Ugh… what's the problem?"

Wu Liang just couldn't pinpoint where this unease came from, and knowing that Mei Xin Mountain had been stationed here for four years, he counted as an elder-level Awakened since the official establishment began.

If he weren't a native of Di Wu City, insisting on staying to protect his hometown, he might have made it big in the Capital City by now.

Logically, there shouldn't be an issue with him, right?

Hospitable and generous.

This was also part of the assessment Wu Liang read about Mei Xin Mountain in the information provided by Minister Long before his trip, which matched his current behavior perfectly.

With a skeptical mindset, it wasn't until the dinner, when they started eating, that Wu Liang finally noticed something—

Mei Xin Mountain called about five Awakened to the table, each taking turns to offer toasts with smiles during the meal.

But their acting seemed somewhat clumsy compared to Mei Xin Mountain.

The Awakened mostly wore forced smiles, and one could clearly see the disdain in their eyes, almost as if looking at some unlucky thing.

Damn, wasn't this the first time he met them? Why show such an expression?

"Sigh, this is so troublesome, guys. Give me a moment, I need to check something."

Wu Liang, unable to endure anymore, sighed, took out his phone and started browsing something.

Mei Xin Mountain glanced over and found this kid was checking a large pile of Awakened profiles on his phone, including everyone present.

This scene surprised him.

The files of official Awakened were top-secret! Even Mei Xin Mountain, as the head of the Di Wu City branch, could only view the profiles of local Awakened!

How did this guy with a charming facade have so many Awakened files on his phone?

"I've finished looking. Let me clarify, unless I'm mistaken, everyone here combined should be trash that can't beat me. So I'll be direct."

Wu Liang, who was previously smiling and chatting with them, suddenly turned serious, even with a hint of hostility, "If you want to harm me, you can go ahead at any time. Otherwise, shall we spar a bit now?"

Usually, he liked to joke around and tease, but it was rare for him to blatantly provoke others like this.

But this group had pushed their luck too far. Meeting him for the first time and showing such attitude meant he had no reason to be conciliatory with them!

In an instant, the atmosphere at the welcoming banquet became tense and confrontational...