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Join the ServerQin Xuan spread a stack of organized documents across the center of the long table.
These were all the records he had collected over the past few days concerning the ‘N University East Teaching Building Incident 34 Years Ago.’
“Based on cross-referencing the available information,” Qin Xuan pushed up his glasses, his fingertip tapping one of the archived photocopies.
“Thirty-four years ago, the death of Chen Wan, a history freshman, was absolutely not merely the accident caused by psychological issues as recorded in the archives. It was far more complex than that.”
His voice was steady and clear, imbued with the characteristic calm of a researcher:
“Several girls from her class that year either mysteriously died or suffered mental breakdowns within a month of Chen Wan’s death.”
“Local tabloids had briefly reported on it, using headlines like ‘The Curse’ and ‘Vengeful Spirit Demands Life,’ but the school quickly suppressed these stories.”
“And ever since then, a series of phenomena that defy rational explanation began to occur in the East Teaching Building—the most notorious of which is the ‘Non-Existent Sixth Staircase.’”
Lu Yang swallowed hard, instinctively scooting his chair closer to Su Mian.
“So… so… Chen Wan’s ghost has truly become a malevolent spirit?”
“And it’s still in that building?”
“From a supernatural research perspective, a ‘malevolent spirit’ is an aggregate of energy formed by intense obsession and resentment.”
Qin Xuan didn’t directly confirm it, but the inclination in his words was already quite clear.
“And the geographical location of the East Teaching Building—according to some feng shui folklore, it was once a mass burial ground in ancient times, making the local energy inherently yin.”
“The combination of these two factors, forming some kind of localized spirit or a ‘Curse Domain,’ is theoretically plausible.”
He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the others gathered around the table.
“The reason I suggest we investigate again tonight is because reports of the ‘Sixth Staircase’ sightings have sharply increased recently.”
“Just last week, two girls returning from night study claimed to have seen that staircase. One of them subsequently suffered a high fever for three days and is still on leave.”
“This is highly unusual.”
Qin Xuan’s brows furrowed slightly.
“In previous records, the ‘Sixth Floor’ phenomenon typically appeared only once every few months or even years.”
“But in the past month, there have been at least five confirmed sightings.”
“It’s as if… something is becoming increasingly active.”
Hua Liang toyed with the ancient copper coin in his hand, a meaningful curve playing on his lips.
“Or perhaps, it’s about to ‘awaken.’”
Su Mian felt the hairs on the back of her neck subtly rise.
She, of course, knew what Qin Xuan and Hua Liang were talking about.
Xiao Moyuan had told her that the fluctuations of demonic energy triggered by her own bloodline awakening had impacted the increasingly loose seal, causing the suppressed malevolent spirit to accelerate its revival.
“I’m going.”
When the words escaped her lips, even Su Mian herself was surprised by the conviction in her tone.
The gazes of everyone at the table instantly converged on her.
Lu Yang’s eyes widened, his face etched with disbelief.
“Mianzi, aren’t… aren’t you scared?”
He lowered his voice, as if afraid of startling something unseen.
“That old teaching building really does have… those things!”
“And Xuan also said that this time it might be even more dangerous than before…”
Su Mian pursed her lips.
Was she scared?
Of course, she was.
Even after seeing more ferocious monsters in the Spirit Realm, even after confronting a pseudo-Special Grade Ox-Demon as a half-demon, entities like ‘ghosts’ and ‘malevolent spirits’ still tapped into the most primal fears of the human subconscious.
It was the reverence for the unknown and for death, etched into their genes long before civilization was born.
But more than fear, a stronger emotion surged within her at this moment.
It was the desperate and tormented eyes of Chen Wan from her dream last night.
It was the silent weeping and trembling of Lin Yan’s lingering regret in the bathroom stall.
It was that twilight thirty-four years ago when several girls lured their classmate into an empty classroom.
It was Chen Wan’s faint, almost inaudible “Why?” as the rope tightened around her neck.
Su Mian took a deep breath, her hands quietly clenching beneath the table.
The subtle prick of her fingernails digging into her palms kept her grounded.
She looked up, her gaze sweeping over Qin Xuan, Miyuki-maru, and Hua Liang, finally resting on Lu Yang’s worried face.
“I don’t think Chen Wan deserved that kind of end.”
“To die in despair, her truth buried for thirty-four years.”
“And Lin Yan… the girl who chose silence out of cowardice and fear, ultimately having her soul trapped within the puppet.”
Su Mian’s voice dropped, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
“They both deserve an explanation.”
A few seconds of silence fell over the activity room.
She sat at the boundary of light and shadow, her eyes, which always seemed soft and gentle, now glimmering with a light Lu Yang had never seen before.
It wasn’t a blind, reckless bravery, but a firm resolve to press forward, even knowing the potential dangers that lay ahead.
Lu Yang opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found he couldn’t find the right words.
The ‘Mianzi’ he knew was always gentle, a little soft, habitually shrinking back from trouble.
But at some point.
This roommate, whom he thought he knew so well, was slowly becoming a stranger.
Or perhaps, revealing a side of herself he had never understood.
Miyuki-maru quietly watched Su Mian.
She nodded, her cool, clear voice breaking the silence.
“I’ll participate too.”
Hua Liang chuckled, then smacked the copper coin down on the tabletop.
The coin spun slightly under his fingertips before stopping, face up.
“The divination looks good.”
He leaned back lazily in his chair, hands clasped behind his head.
“Since Miyuki-maru is going, I naturally can’t be absent. Besides—”
He drew out his words, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes.
“A girl from thirty-four years ago turning into a malevolent spirit, with resentment strong enough to form a ‘Curse Domain’ lasting decades—there might be some interesting ‘story’ behind this.”
“I’ve always had a lot of patience for stories.”
Now, the pressure was on Lu Yang.
He looked at Su Mian, whose expression was calm but whose eyes were resolute, then at Miyuki-maru and Hua Liang, who looked as if their participation was self-evident. Finally, he looked at Qin Xuan, who was still organizing documents on the table.
The club president, though he hadn’t spoken, clearly already considered tonight’s action a fixed itinerary.
“Lu Yang.”
Su Mian suddenly spoke, her voice soft but exceptionally serious.
“If you’re scared, you truly don’t have to participate.”
After all, Lu Yang was just an ordinary person.
She, Miyuki-maru, and Hua Liang were all yokai, each capable of self-preservation.
Lu Yang didn’t know this; he only assumed Su Mian was worried about his safety.
Qin Xuan pushed up his glasses, his gaze calm as it settled on everyone’s faces through the lenses.
“Su Mian is right. The risk level of this investigation is different from before.”
“As president, I have an obligation to remind you.”
“You can all choose to withdraw.”
“This isn’t cowardice, but a rational judgment based on your own circumstances.”
“Don’t force yourselves to do things beyond your capabilities for the sake of pride or fitting in.”
Lu Yang’s face flushed crimson.
Being cared for by Su Mian was one thing, but having Qin Xuan so earnestly point out, “You might not be able to do it,” immediately pricked his adolescent male pride.
He straightened his back, jutted out his neck, and his voice unconsciously rose.
“Who, who’s scared! When have I, Lu Yang, ever chickened out!”
The words were out, and he immediately regretted them a little.
Because Qin Xuan was right—he really was scared.
Just thinking about going to that eerie old building, imagining potentially stepping onto that “non-existent staircase,” sent shivers down his spine.
But he had already spoken.
And… he secretly glanced at Su Mian.
Mianzi dared to go.
Miyuki-maru, a girl, dared to go.
If he, a grown man, chickened out at the last minute, how could he ever face them in the club again?
How could he ever hold his head high in front of Mianzi?
“I’m going! Of course, I’m going!”
Lu Yang gritted his teeth, shouting as if throwing caution to the wind.
“It’s just a haunted old building, isn’t it?”
“My yang energy is strong; it’ll be perfect for keeping things in check!”
The words were full of bravado, but unfortunately, his slightly trembling voice betrayed him.
Qin Xuan watched him for two seconds, then finally nodded, not attempting to dissuade him further.
“In that case, the plan is as follows.”
He tapped the table, drawing everyone’s attention back.
“Tonight at eight, we’ll gather at the main entrance of the old teaching building.”
“There are two main points of investigation: first, the chemistry preparation room that has never been opened.”
“Second—” Qin Xuan paused, lowering his voice slightly.
“If conditions permit, we will attempt to interact with the ‘Sixth Staircase.’”
“What?!”
Lu Yang nearly leaped out of his chair.
“We’re… we’re going to the sixth floor?!
Xuan, didn’t you hear those rumors before?
Anyone who’s been to that sixth floor either went mad or died in an accident!
Let’s just check the preparation room; that staircase… let’s not touch it, okay?”
His face was filled with terror.
Qin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged.
“I am aware of the risks. But the sixth floor is the core of the entire incident.”
“If Chen Wan’s resentment truly formed some kind of ‘domain,’ then the end of the staircase is very likely the center of that domain.”
He looked at Su Mian, his meaning clear.
“Only by accessing the core can we truly understand what happened there, and perhaps even find clues to solve the problem.”
Su Mian’s heart skipped a beat. Qin Xuan’s words were almost identical to what Moyuan had told her earlier—the sixth floor led to the eye of the seal array, where the malevolent spirit itself resided.
“I agree,” she said softly. “If we truly want to help Chen Wan and Lin Juan, avoiding the core issue is useless.”
Lu Yang opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but seeing Su Mian’s calm profile, he ultimately swallowed his words, though his face turned a shade paler.
“Very well, let’s finalize it for now,” Qin Xuan glanced at his watch. “It’s 5:20 PM. You all have two hours and forty minutes of free time. I suggest you eat something and replenish your energy. We will gather promptly at 8 PM.”
“I’m going to the cafeteria!” Lu Yang immediately raised his hand, as if eager to leave the room where terrifying topics were being discussed. “Anyone want to come along?”
“You may,” Qin Xuan closed his notebook. “Proper nutritional intake helps maintain alertness and respond to emergencies.”
Miyuki-maru gently shook her head, her icy blue hair swaying with the movement.
“No, I’m not hungry.”
Hua Liang also smiled and waved his hand. “I don’t need anything either. You all go ahead.”
Lu Yang looked at Su Mian. “Mianzi, what about you? Want to grab a bite together?”
“You guys go first,” she smiled. “I’ll just grab something simple to eat later.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang and Qin Xuan rose and left the activity room, their footsteps gradually fading away.
The door softly closed.
Only three people remained in the activity room.
Miyuki-maru sat quietly in the shadow by the window, her eyes appearing exceptionally bright in the dimness.
Hua Liang continued to toy with the copper coin, the metal making faint ‘clink, clink’ sounds as it struck the tabletop.
Su Mian took a deep breath and pulled out her phone from her pocket.
The screen lit up, displaying the system’s default starry sky wallpaper.
She unlocked it and opened the familiar chat window. The avatar was a deep night sky, with only a simple character: ‘Yuan’.
Her fingertips hovered over the screen for a few seconds, then she began to type.
[Sweet Marshmallow: Gege, we’re going to the old teaching building again tonight.]
Sent.
Almost the instant the message displayed “Delivered,” the “The other party is typing…” prompt appeared above the chatbox.
[Yuan: Mm.]
As concise as ever. But Su Mian knew he was waiting for more.
She bit her lower lip and continued to type.
[Sweet Marshmallow: Qin Xuan’s plan includes trying to interact with the “non-existent sixth floor.”]
This time, the other party’s reply was a few seconds slower.
[Yuan: He is quite perceptive.]
[Yuan: It’s not impossible. According to my current investigation, that so-called “sixth floor” is essentially a temporary barrier formed by the malevolent spirit’s resentment overflowing from the seal.
Its purpose is to accelerate the impact on the seal by trapping those who stray in and absorbing their fear and resentment upon death.]
Su Mian held her breath.
[Yuan: If the deduction is correct, the end of the staircase connects to the eye of the “Seven Star Spirit-Suppressing Seal” from back then—which is where Chen Wan’s bones are buried.]
Despite being mentally prepared, Su Mian still felt a chill creep up her spine when she saw these words firsthand.
She instinctively gripped the pendant of the necklace on her chest, the warm, smooth touch offering a hint of comfort.
[Sweet Marshmallow: Gege, then… what should I do?]
This time, Xiao Moyuan’s reply was swift.
[Yuan: To truly reach the core of the seal and investigate the current state of the array eye, going to the sixth floor is the only way.]
[Yuan: Your task is to help me confirm the exact location and current state of the array eye. Afterward, I will personally go there to reinforce or deal with it.]
[Sweet Marshmallow: Okay, I got it, Gege.]
As the message sent, Su Mian suddenly realized.
…Why was she using that tone again?!
That soft, deliberately coquettish tone with phrases like “Okay” and “I” was precisely the way she had practiced speaking to create a “cute girlfriend” persona when she was pretending to be a girl and online dating Xiao Moyuan.
Later, when her identity was exposed and their relationship became complicated and awkward, she was so ashamed that she completely deleted that dark history.
But for some reason, every time she chatted with Xiao Moyuan online and saw that familiar avatar, she would unconsciously… switch back to this mode.
It was like some deeply ingrained muscle memory.
Su Mian stared at the line of text she had just sent on the screen, her cheeks slowly beginning to burn.
She could almost imagine Xiao Moyuan’s expression when he saw this message—a faint, playful curve might appear at the corner of his handsome face, which was usually devoid of emotion.
How embarrassing…
She buried her face in her arms in annoyance, the tips of her ears red enough to drip blood.
The phone vibrated.
Su Mian, like a thief, lifted her eyes from her arms and peeked at the screen.
[Yuan: Why aren’t you talking?]
She stared at the line for a few seconds, then mustered her courage and typed a question.
[Sweet Marshmallow: Don’t you… feel anything strange?]
[Yuan: ???]
[Sweet Marshmallow: The tone I was just using to chat with you… doesn’t it make you feel awkward, or… uncomfortable?]
This time, Xiao Moyuan’s reply took a little longer.
Just as Su Mian thought he was too lazy to answer, or had finally found her inexplicable, a new message popped up.
[Yuan: No.]
[Yuan: It’s quite good like this.]
[Yuan: I think it’s very cute.]
Su Mian: “…”
Her face was completely scarlet.
Immediately after, another message appeared.
[Yuan: It makes me feel like you’re still flirting with me.]
“Boom—!”
Su Mian felt as if her head was about to smoke.
She fumbled to flip her phone screen down onto the table, as if that could block out the message that made her heart race.
This guy…
Even when chatting online, he was still so… so unrestrained!
Flirting… who was flirting with him?!
She glared indignantly at the dark phone case, but the uncooperative heart in her chest thumped merrily.
A small, secret sweetness welled up within her.
Perhaps this was… a sort of unspoken little game, unique to her and Xiao Moyuan?
An old communication habit from their “online dating period” that stubbornly persisted, even though their identities had been exposed and their relationship had long since changed.
And she had to admit—though she would never openly acknowledge it—she actually… didn’t dislike it at all.
In fact, she quite liked it.
“Cough.”
A light cough interrupted Su Mian’s wandering thoughts.
She snapped her head up, realizing that at some point, both Hua Liang and Miyuki-maru were looking at her.
Hua Liang drew out his words, his smile deepening. “Who are you chatting with? You seem so… engrossed? Your face is practically glowing red.”
Su Mian instinctively tucked her phone away into her lap. “Nothing! Just… talking about something with my family!”
She didn’t even believe her own words.
What ‘family member’ could make someone blush so deeply and avoid eye contact?
Hua Liang clearly didn’t believe it either.
But he didn’t press further, merely raising an eyebrow and letting out a meaningful “Oh—”.
It was Miyuki-maru who suddenly spoke, her voice calm and unwavering. “Is it that exorcist who brought you back last night?”
Su Mian: “…”
She froze.
How did Miyuki-maru know?!
Seeing Su Mian’s face, filled with shock and the unspoken question “How did you know?”, Miyuki-maru tilted her head slightly, her icy blue hair sliding over her shoulder.
“Last night, when he appeared, the way he looked at you, and your… instinctive reliance on him.”
She paused, seemingly weighing her words.
“It wasn’t hard to deduce.”
Su Mian’s face flushed even deeper.
This time, it was from shame.
Hua Liang whistled, leaning back in his chair and swaying it.
“So that’s it. No wonder that exorcist arrived so promptly last night, and his methods were so… decisive.”
He recalled Moyuan tearing space apart with his bare hands, annihilating the pseudo-Special Grade Ox-Demon with a single strike, and his subsequent cruel and precise handling of Ling Chen and Su Baixue.
A glint of both admiration and wariness flashed in his eyes.
“But speaking of which,” Hua Liang changed the subject, looking at Su Mian, “your sister and that exorcist named Ling Chen are truly disgusting.”
At the mention of Su Baixue and Ling Chen, the atmosphere in the activity room subtly congealed for a moment.
Hua Liang and Miyuki-maru exchanged glances.
Miyuki-maru’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She remembered the scene last night when that female exorcist, under Ling Chen’s manipulation, took Su Mian’s necklace.
A cold anger quietly seeped into Miyuki-maru’s heart.
Miyuki-maru spoke, her voice even colder than usual, as if laced with shards of ice. “That person… doesn’t deserve to be your sister.”
Su Mian looked up blankly.
Miyuki-maru’s icy blue eyes met hers directly, clearly reflecting her bewildered face.
“Last night, when your demonic power went out of control and you lost your rationality, she clearly saw how Ling Chen treated his shikigami, how he regarded them as objects to be casually beaten, scolded, and discarded.”
“She also heard Ling Chen’s disgusting, possessive remarks.”
Miyuki-maru’s words, one by one, precisely punctured the matters Su Mian had deliberately tried to avoid.
“But when Ling Chen promised, ‘As long as you help me take off her necklace, once I take her as a shikigami, I’ll make her cooperate with your investigation into your parents’ disappearance’—”
Su Mian’s breathing hitched.
“—she chose to act.”
Miyuki-maru’s voice was laced with obvious disdain and anger.
“She personally removed the necklace that protected you, pushing a defenseless you towards a scumbag who treats yokai as mere playthings.”
The activity room fell into a dead silence.
The last vestiges of daylight outside the window vanished, and night completely enveloped them.
The unlit room was dim, with only the distant streetlights casting blurred halos through the broken glass.
Su Mian sat in the shadows, unmoving.
She could hear the slow, heavy thumping of her own heart, and feel the buzzing of blood rushing in her eardrums.
Miyuki-maru’s words were like a precise blade, slicing through the last shred of her self-deception, laying bare the bloody scene she had refused to dwell on.
Yes.
Xiao Xue saw how Ling Chen treated those female yokai shikigami.
She heard his nauseating talk of ‘collecting’ them.
But in the face of the temptation of the ‘truth behind her parents’ disappearance,’ she still reached out.
For a potentially existing clue, she chose to sacrifice this ‘brother’—now ‘sister’—who shared no blood ties but had lived with her for decades.
Su Mian suddenly felt very cold.
A cold that seeped from her very bones.
She hugged her arms tightly, her fingertips icy.
“If your man hadn’t arrived in time—”
Miyuki-maru’s voice rang out again, pulling Su Mian back from her icy thoughts.
The three words “your man” stirred a huge ripple in her heart.
Su Mian blinked sharply, and it took her two seconds to realize who Miyuki-maru was referring to.
Xiao Moyuan.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Crow's Golden Fragment is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : Crow's Golden Fragment
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