The Exorcism Began in America.

So many injured and dead?

As he watched stretcher after stretcher bearing Exorcism Team members, some emitting unintelligible howls, others lying completely still, Chu Feng instinctively wanted to get closer for a look.

"Mr. Chu Feng, please don't make this difficult for us." In front of the tent's canvas flap, two thick arms once again barred his way.

"Okay, I won't go out. I'll just watch the excitement from here!"

Seeing this, Chu Feng had no choice but to stand motionless between the two guards.

A few seconds later, a thought struck him. After pondering carefully, he turned around and entered the tent. When he emerged, he held a chair.

He lounged comfortably in the chair, watching the busy scene from a distance. Somehow, a handful of sunflower seeds had appeared in his hand.

Witnessing Chu Feng's entire display, the corners of the two Exorcism Team members' mouths twitched beneath their face masks.

Noticing both guards had averted their gaze, Chu Feng turned his attention to the box truck parked quietly in the center of the campsite.

The truck's cargo compartment was clearly modified, appearing significantly larger than a standard one. Its exterior wasn't painted; instead, it was engraved with countless Mystic Runes.

Through his Spiritual Perception, upon clearly discerning the specific patterns of Spiritual Power emanating from the vehicle, Chu Feng was stunned.

This is... Holy Power? And... the presence of a Demon?

Through Chu Feng's Spiritual Perception, he saw a cubic container at the top of the truck constantly emitting a dense, milky-white glow. That sacred aura was identical to what Chu Feng had seen in the Paris Cathedral; in terms of intensity, it was even more overwhelming.

However, even such potent Holy Power couldn't completely conceal the occasional whiffs of sulfur drifting from beneath it. This unpleasant odor, which had slowly permeated the entire campsite, was all too familiar to Chu Feng; he reckoned he would never forget it.

I wonder what kind of treasure that thing is, to have helped these people capture a Demon!

Chu Feng mused to himself and subconsciously put a sunflower seed to his lips.

Does The Holy See have so many good things? Why didn't I see them when I was in Mar Town?

Soon, all the Exorcism Team members on stretchers were placed onto specially prepared vehicles. The convoy then immediately headed out of the campsite. Judging by their direction, they were likely heading to the nearest city hospital.

The uninjured members dispersed to about a dozen waiting military trucks, escorting the modified box truck as it slowly departed the campsite.

"Mr. Chu Feng, thank you for your cooperation!"

With the task completed, the two Exorcism Team members didn't linger. They immediately turned and left Chu Feng's tent.

As the two men retreated, the smile vanished instantly from Chu Feng's face. He carelessly tossed the sunflower seed husks to the ground and rose to enter the tent.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP... After the handset emitted the tones for a long time, the call was finally answered.

"Bishop Chu Feng, I trust you understand the importance of a good night's sleep for an old man."

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng recalled with embarrassment that it was indeed the middle of the night in Europe, where the other party was located.

"I apologize for disturbing your rest, Bishop Connell! But I do have a matter I would like to consult you about."

"Yawn... State your question, Bishop Chu Feng. If I truly know, I will give you an answer!"

Clearly, Bishop Connell, having been abruptly awakened, sounded quite drowsy.

"I encountered something today. I'm not sure if it's something The Holy See lent out..."

Chu Feng slowly recounted everything he had just witnessed, particularly the box that was constantly emitting Holy Power.

"It's a sacred object..." Bishop Connell, now fully awake, interrupted Chu Feng's narration in a deep voice.

"A sacred object? Lent out by The Holy See?"

"No! The Holy See never lends out its sacred objects. It must have been lost..."

After a moment of contemplation, Bishop Connell abruptly hung up.

In a bedroom at the back of St. Louis Cathedral in Paris, Europe.

Bishop Connell, dressed in pajamas, sat down at the desk by the window and made a call. After a short while, the call was answered, and an elderly voice came through the receiver.

"Connell, what brings you to call at this hour?"

"Your Eminence, Saint Goli, please forgive my intrusion at this hour!" Bishop Connell's tone was deeply respectful.

"It's about this..."

After he spoke for about a minute, the other end of the line fell silent for a moment before a voice responded.

"The sacred object must be retrieved. Furthermore, their actions of collecting the Bizarre and Demons must be explained to the world. The Holy See will formally enter into negotiations with the United States federal government."

「The next morning.」

Chu Feng had just finished breakfast. He took out his phone to check for messages; finding none, he scoffed inwardly and returned to his tent.

Heh, seems like they're in no rush, after all!

Lying on his bed, Chu Feng opened the celestial chart in his mind, which he hadn't viewed in a long time. As the scroll-like chart slowly unfolded, five light-green dots and one deep-green dot appeared before Chu Feng's eyes. He watched them converge and twinkle faintly, then nodded slightly.

It looks like Jessica's making good progress! When I return, I'll visit her and leave her something extra.

His encounter with the federal government's Exorcism Team had gradually changed Chu Feng's thinking. He decided it was best to keep a portion of the Strength from the celestial chart hidden, as a trump card for his agency. This trump card needed to be strengthened as soon as possible.

By afternoon, Chu Feng, thoroughly bored in the camp, finally heard his phone vibrate.

BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ...

Compromising so soon, huh~

Seeing a long string of zeros on his phone screen, Chu Feng nodded with satisfaction.

"Hello, Commissioner Terry. How's your day going?"

Hearing the laughter from the phone, Terry's expression stiffened momentarily.

"Mr. Chu Feng, you jest! I'm calling specifically to inform you that, through the coordination of the federal government, your first payment should have been transferred. Have you received it?"

When the other party ignored his greeting, Chu Feng leaned back in his chair, rather bored.

"Mhm, I just received it. It seems that under the pressure of an entire city's population vanishing, the federal government's efficiency is indeed quite high. They transferred it in just one day!"

As if not detecting the sarcasm in Chu Feng's words, Terry chuckled and eagerly asked, "Then, may I know when Mr. Chu Feng will begin the remaining work?"

Having asked this question, Terry, now back in his Washington office, adjusted his glasses. He wiped the sweat from his brow before cautiously glancing out the window at the crowd that stretched as far as the eye could see.

"Tomorrow, I suppose! I think tomorrow will be a good day. By the way, you'd better prepare the remaining payment in advance..."