Chapter 46: The Rallying Call

Chapter 46: The Call

“According to our investigation, this village is called Falling Leaf Village. We don’t know why the name was changed, but since it has been renamed, I’m sure there’s something fishy going on. I’ve decided to go there this time; maybe we can uncover something inside. Who knows, we might even find a way to escape this game.”

As Zhang Xiaofan finished speaking, the classmates immediately began whispering among themselves.

“I found information about Falling Leaf Village,” a girl suddenly stood up, clutching her phone with a terrified expression. “You shouldn’t go there.”

“Why not?” someone asked.

“Hey, do you want to go against Brother Xiaofan?” a boy teased.

The girl pouted and said, “No, look at this on the phone. Falling Leaf Village is haunted. It’s all over the internet—people say it’s best not to go there.”

One by one, the classmates started searching online. A girl said, “It’s really haunted. Apparently, many years ago a lot of people suddenly died there, and since then, it’s been haunted.”

“What do we do? Should we still go if it’s haunted?”

“I’m too scared.”

Listening to the murmurs, Zhang Xiaofan said calmly, “What’s there to fear about ghosts? Aren’t we already under the watch of spirits? Who here hasn’t seen the dead? Who hasn’t killed someone with their own hands?”

“Let’s go. If it’s haunted, that just means there’s definitely something going on there,” Hu Xiaotian was the first to show support.

Jiang Jiawei stood up and said, “We’re many, and there’s strength in numbers. What’s there to fear?”

Even Murong Feng, unusually, spoke up, “Let’s go take a look. Maybe this trip will help us find a way out of this game?”

With Murong Feng’s endorsement, several students agreed to check it out. Lin Rou and Su Qianqian almost simultaneously called out, “We’re going too.”

Wang Hu raised a concern, “We can go, but what if there really are ghosts? Then what?”

After he spoke, many around him turned pale. Among the class were dozens of first- and second-year students who, due to having fewer Underworld Coins, lacked proper equipment and were especially terrified of ghosts.

Zhang Xiaofan said coldly, “We have numbers on our side, so there’s no need to be afraid. Besides, many of us now have ways to deal with ghosts. There’s nothing to fear.”

Chen Jing nodded in support. “I’m familiar with Han Dahai. You’ve met his uncle Han Fei, right? Although he lost to Zhu Kai that time, he’s a genuine Level 4 Taoist.”

“Will he come with us?”

Chen Jing shook her head. “His uncle isn’t here, but he gave Han Dahai a lot of talismans to fight ghosts. I can distribute them—each person can get one or two. No need to worry about ghosts.”

After saying this, she winked at Zhang Xiaofan.

Those who knew better understood that Han Dahai’s talismans weren’t very effective—only useful against minor spirits. If they encountered a more powerful ghost, they’d only have a chance to run. But for now, it was necessary to reassure more people to join.

Sure enough, after Chen Jing’s words, many expressed willingness to go.

Once the numbers were confirmed, Zhang Xiaofan said, “It’s already late today. We’ll set off early tomorrow morning. Let’s meet at the school gate.”

Everyone agreed, then dispersed for free time. Zhang Xiaofan, Murong Feng, Wang Hu, Jiang Jiawei, and Hu Xiaotian studied the route for the next day. The journey would take about three hours by bus, but what awaited inside the village was unknown.

“I think when we arrive, it’s best to send a few people into the village first to inquire about Li Ting. We’re too many, and rushing in might upset the villagers,” Su Qianqian, thoughtful and meticulous, suggested immediately.

Lin Rou agreed, “Yes, that’s decided then.”

Zhang Xiaofan added, “We’ll discuss that tomorrow. For now, everyone prepare your ghost-fighting tools. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

One by one, they returned to their seats. Some browsed the Underworld Marketplace on their phones, while others flipped through cultivation manuals.

Hu Xiaotian looked around restlessly. Zhang Xiaofan frowned and asked, “Why aren’t you focusing on your cultivation?”

“I’m cultivating by observing people. I’m learning physiognomy and often do fortune-telling. That improves my cultivation level.”

Zhang Xiaofan was speechless. “Then how do you deal with ghosts?”

Hu Xiaotian pulled out a talisman. “My physiognomy includes talisman crafting. Once I master it, I can read fortunes for both people and ghosts. Plus, this talisman has a purifying effect—pretty powerful, right?”

“Hmm, impressive. Keep working hard,” Zhang Xiaofan said with a helpless shake of his head.

He then opened his own Underworld Marketplace, pondering the connection to Jack Ma. Could Jack Ma be the ghost behind it all?

No, that seemed impossible.

Zhang Xiaofan sighed. Because of the recent game events, he had accumulated tens of thousands of Underworld Coins, but buying higher-level physiques still had no effect.

His Fire Physique was too limited—strong against people, making most avoid him, but utterly weak against ghosts. Fire simply didn’t affect them.

Flipping through various items, he suddenly felt warmth at his chest. He touched the ancient mirror he wore there.

Since Mo Sha had lost her memories, Zhang Xiaofan feared she might recklessly reveal herself. So he kept her close, also wary that she might try to lure Qin Xiaoyu away.

“Brother Xiaofan, I’m hungry,” Qin Xiaoyu whispered softly.

Zhang Xiaofan quietly took out some ghost beans and slipped them into his clothes. The beans passed into the ancient mirror.

These ghost beans were surprisingly filling. After eating a few, Qin Xiaoyu felt satisfied and burped, saying, “It’s so boring inside. What are you doing?”

Looking through the zipper of Zhang Xiaofan’s clothes at the Underworld Marketplace on his phone, she exclaimed, “So many treasures!”

Zhang Xiaofan was intrigued and asked, “Do you recognize these items?”

“Of course. I don’t know why, but I’ve forgotten many things, yet I haven’t forgotten these.”

“Tell me, is there any kind of fire that can fight ghosts?”

“There are many—ghost fire, immortal fire, tricolor fire, and so on. But they’re very hard to cultivate and even harder to find. In my memory, they only exist in records.”

Zhang Xiaofan immediately searched for ghost fire, immortal fire, and tricolor fire in the Underworld Marketplace.

Ghost fire was a kind of fire cultivated by ghosts—not very high-level, somewhat effective against spirits but not very powerful.

Immortal fire was more advanced, with considerable power.

Tricolor fire came in black, white, and transparent states. Once fully mastered and combined, its power was immense.