The tall man opened his mouth, as if ready to curse, but before the sound could escape, his life slipped away. Zhang Yuanqing glanced several times, confirming that he had truly passed on, then turned to his Aunt Jiang Yubi. Jiang Yubi stared in sheer astonishment, her mouth open wide enough to hold an egg. She couldn’t believe what was happening—her nephew appearing right there. I like this expression… Zhang Yuanqing lowered his gaze and spotted the middle-aged female doctor crouched beneath the table, trembling slightly. With a swift motion of his hand, he struck her and knocked her unconscious. The doctor groaned, then collapsed to the ground. Zhang Yuanqing folded his hand into a gentle gesture, instinctively feeling that this was too abrupt—too rough for a polite encounter—but still thought it entirely natural, so he didn’t hesitate. He turned toward his aunt. “Yuan… Yuanzi…” His aunt stammered, her eyes shimmering with shock and confusion—as though unable to absorb the sudden appearance of her nephew here. Yet beneath that disbelief rose an undeniable joy—a deep, serene happiness at being rescued just when she needed it most, by someone she trusted implicitly. “Don’t worry, Aunt,” said Zhang Yuanqing. “Right now isn’t the time for explanations. Just stay right here. I’ll handle these perpetrators. If you have any questions, come to my room tonight—we’ll talk then.” The assailants had created such a commotion that anyone surviving would need to sign confidentiality agreements—yet Jiang Yubi had witnessed firsthand both the Fire Master’s actions and Zhang Yuanqing’s very presence. “Superpower” was now impossible to conceal. Moreover, he had arrived in such haste, without disguising himself—and since the Spirit Realm lacked any mechanism for erasure or suppression—he decided simply to reveal his identity. Zhang Yuanqing believed that saving family members didn’t require subtlety; rather, by not disclosing details earlier, he’d preserved the quiet dignity of their daily lives. Now that Jiang Yubi had become involved in the Spirit Realm Walker incident, it only made sense to let things unfold naturally. “Don’t go,” Jiang Yubi clung tightly to her nephew’s waist, trembling with fear. “They have guns.” Zhang Yuanqing wasn’t used to such close physical contact—he gently pushed her away and murmured: “The bomb is downstairs—it won’t blow up until we resolve this crisis. Believe me.” He adopted a serious expression. When he saw his aunt sniffle and nod obediently, Zhang Yuanqing thought: Now I truly have the mature presence of someone who can stand on their own—my very aura has calmed her. He invited Jiang Yubi to sit in the chair and began assessing how best to proceed. He rapidly weighed both parties’ strengths and weaknesses. Li Xianzong’s main weakness was time—he absolutely could not linger at the hospital long enough for reinforcements from other districts or even elders to arrive; otherwise, he would surely perish. Thus, this Enchantment Demon must have intended to swiftly compel Yuan Shi Tian Zun into the hospital and then trigger the explosion. The bomb served as a decisive advantage—the blast would result in massive casualties, instantly becoming national news. All official Realm Walkers in Kangyang District would face disciplinary action. Therefore, the crucial next step was to resolve the bomb issue. “The remote control for the bomb is definitely not in Li Xianzong’s hands,” Zhang Yuanqing explained. “He orchestrated this attack with a strategy of self-sacrifice—thinking that the organization, the organization of the ‘Watchful Eyes and Judges’ would be consumed along with him. But Li Xianzong won’t go down in such a way. In his mind, how could ordinary people’s lives possibly compare to his own?” “There are five perpetrators remaining,” he continued. “I cannot eliminate all these Spirit Realm Walkers within the short time frame—securing the remote control is essential.” Zhang Yuanqing’s thoughts were clear and decisive—he had already formulated a plan: first eliminate those controlling the bomb, then resolve it once and for all. And how to secure the remote control? He decided to seek guidance from spirits—so he reached out to the Fire Master and searched for clues within him. With thought came action. Zhang Yuanqing’s eyes darkened with inner energy, and he summoned the lingering spirits trapped inside the body of the deceased, then swallowed them whole. Jiang Yubi blinked in wonder, her eyes red-rimmed, appearing as though a young girl who didn’t fully grasp what was unfolding yet dared to ask questions. After about ten seconds, Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes—his face pale and strained. There were two bombs—one on the first floor, one on the second. The remote control for the first-floor bomb was held by a perpetrator on the second floor; conversely, the controller for the second-floor bomb was in the hands of someone on the first floor. That meant he would have to simultaneously eliminate two perpetrators—each holding a separate controller. “I can’t possibly kill both the perpetrators on the first and second floors at once,” Zhang Yuanqing said. “Can I ask Tong Yuan to assist? No—he will trigger the explosion as soon as he enters the hospital lobby…” He pulled out his Smartphone, quickly drafted a message, and sent it to Li Dongze. Then turning to Jiang Yubi, he said softly: “Stay here—do not leave. If there’s an explosion, remain calm.” Jiang Yubi nodded obediently, then added with concern: “And what about you?” “I’ll be fine,” Zhang Yuanqing waved his hand, and as the phone began to vibrate, Li Dongze sent a message: “Captain Yuan will arrive in two minutes.” … Meanwhile, outside the outpatient building, Tong Yuan, wearing a cap and mask, pressed the button on his Walkie-Talkie. “Li Xianzong—should be able to see me,” he said. A relaxed laugh echoed through the Walkie-Talkie: “How do I know it’s you? Remove your hat and mask so I can verify.” Tong Yuan replied calmly, “Is that sufficient?” “Makes sense!” Li Xianzong chuckled. “Then I’ll treat you as Yuan Shi Tian Zun. Here’s a clue—there is a bomb beneath the inquiry desk on the first floor. It will automatically explode in just a few minutes. The remote control is with the man wearing the black coat. To save the hospital staff, act swiftly.” “Yuan Shi Tian Zun,” he added, “let’s see how you hold up.” Tong Yuan raised his hand and pressed it to his ear, whispering: “Did I hear that?” The wireless microphone carried Li Dongze’s voice: “He’s lying. Bombs exist on both floors—though the remote for the first-floor bomb is in the hands of a perpetrator on the second floor. As soon as you enter, the second-floor perpetrator will trigger the explosion at the first floor.” “What do you know about that?” asked Tong Yuan. “Yuan Shi Tian Zun has already entered the hospital,” Li Dongze explained. “He eliminated one assailant and obtained intelligence through asking spirits.” “That young man is reassuring,” said Tong Yuan. “I’ll give him a raise.” Li Dongze: “…” I am still the Chief! “I’ll stay back,” Li Dongze advised, “pretend to hesitate—how long you can delay matters. Li Xianzong is observing you closely.” “Counting time,” replied Tong Yuan. “The other squads and officers are arriving soon. Have you considered why Li Xianzong still dares to remain at the hospital? What’s his confidence in this situation?” “You mean—confidence that he can extricate himself?” Li Dongze said, pausing. Then, midway through, he changed course: “Captain Yuan is coming now—we’re ready to move. You’ll support as needed.” “Understood,” Tong Yuan replied. … “Captain Yuan has entered the hospital,” Zhang Yuanqing announced. “He will eliminate the perpetrators on the first floor—you handle those on the second. In three seconds, I’ll have Wang Tai cut off all monitoring systems in the hospital.” The phone vibrated gently. Zhang Yuanqing read through the message and silently counted: one… two… three… With a burst of momentum, he surged into action—like a wild stallion unchained. Meanwhile, inside the control room, Li Xianzong shifted his gaze from Tong Yuan to the clock, then swept his eyes across the first, second, and fourth floors. He didn’t have much time left. This strategy relied on time differences—he could only delay so long; otherwise, it would be a death sentence—no more than five minutes before he had to evacuate. Firmly in mind, Li Xianzong reached into his pocket—confirming that his Prop remained there. This Prop was not attack-oriented but of exceptional rank. Unless special containment measures were applied, no one could hold him captive. It gave him the confidence to take risks—to orchestrate such a bold assault in an urban setting. In fact, even high-level Sage Stage practitioners would rarely attempt something like this unless they were prepared to sacrifice their lives. Suddenly, Li Xianzong frowned and picked up his Walkie-Talkie: “Four—show yourself! Four—show yourself…” The Walkie-Talkie remained silent. No one responded. Li Xianzong raised an eyebrow and turned to ask: “Five—what’s going on?” The lean man from the fourth-floor waiting room picked up the device and replied with a chuckle: “Four is busy in the middle of things—she's engaged with someone exceptional.” “Check it out,” Li Xianzong urged. “I suspect Yuan Shi Tian Zun has already infiltrated.” “But he was right at the entrance, wasn’t he?” Li Xianzong scoffed. “Officially said so—you believe that?” The lean man immediately abandoned his hostage and moved toward the maternity corridor. As he did, Li Xianzong noticed the monitoring screens—each flickering—turning into snowy static. There it is! Li Xianzong issued a command through the Walkie-Talkie: “Someone has cut off the surveillance feeds—immediately initiate the explosion.” … Someone has cut off the surveillance feeds—immediately initiate the explosion… The second-floor perpetrator received the message. Among them, one man of dark complexion and quiet demeanor moved without hesitation—his hands reaching for his pocket. He had waited for this moment—the day when Black Unusual was killed, and the Holy Cup passed into official hands—since then, his life had been nothing but despair. A life spent in constant despair should culminate in a brilliant final blaze of brilliance. “Crack! Crack!” As soon as his fingers touched the ignition device, two bullets exploded behind his skull. The force and the burst of flame sent him staggering backward, his body swaying. But instead of a gushing brain spray—this was a mere earth-bound Oddity. Behind them, the shape of the attacker emerged—youthful, with blackened and crimson streaks across his face. The two perpetrators were already prepared for this sudden assault—one raised his gun to fire; the other continued to watch the interrupted explosion sequence. “Crack! Crack! Crack…” The bullets struck the attacker—but seemed to hit only a reflection. Hidden in the corner, Zhang Yuanqing pulled out an artifact—the Straw Man. Its face twisted and changed—eyes and nostrils slowly bloomed—and it became an Earth Oddity in form. Zhang Yuanqing gripped the head of the straw man tightly with two fingers and pressed down hard. The straw man’s face registered pain. Then suddenly, the Earth Oddity clutched his throat, gasping out a series of labored “hmm-hmm” sounds. His face was now draped in a gray, lifeless hue. A cascade of negative emotions flashed through his mind—anger, sorrow, violence, contempt, grief—and as these emotions surged, his rational faculties began to fade—transforming into an impassioned wild beast governed by emotion alone. He locked onto the only remaining threat—the other perpetrator—and charged forward. “Damn!” The companion with a gloomy expression shouted out in frustration, stepping back while aiming his gun at the Earth Oddity and pulling the trigger. “Crack! Crack! Crack…” Each bullet struck the Earth Oddity’s head—yet like striking steel armor—flying fragments scattered, causing panic among the onlookers who started to scream and flee in disarray. The gloomy man dropped his empty gun, swiftly maneuvered out of the way of the Earth Oddity’s chaotic blows, and reached for the attacker's waist pocket. He needed the remote. At this moment, the gloomy man caught sight of the attacker reappearing—now standing just a few meters to the left—not quite a phantom as before—but now wearing black-framed glasses. The attacker raised his gun and locked onto him. “Crack!” A large-caliber pistol blasted out smoke and flame—the red bullet spun rapidly, splashing water droplets across the assailant’s body—like a stone thrown into a pond. This was an instance of a Water Spirit! He could momentarily ignore any physical attack. The gloomy man smiled with contempt—he had successfully slipped his hand into the Earth Oddity's waist pocket. But just then, the attacker dropped his gun and suddenly extended both hands—now wielding a pair of crimson half-finger gloves. He brought them to his chest and struck hard. “Boom!” A powerful wave of flame and heat surged forth—as though a high-explosive handgun had exploded in the lobby. The shockwave shook the walls, flames licked at flammable materials. Both the Water Spirit and the Earth Oddity were thrown into the air. Fortunately, thanks to the earlier chaos caused by the skirmish, nearby patients had already fled—otherwise, they would have perished from this single explosion. And precisely because the patients had escaped, Zhang Yuanqing dared to use this powerful maneuver. He picked up the fallen explosive pistol and aimed it at the Water Spirit, forcing him to roll repeatedly. As he continued firing, Zhang Yuanqing advanced steadily toward the dazed Earth Oddity—like a cold-hearted killer walking through a storm of gunfire. At that moment, the Earth Oddity shook his head, staggered, then rose to his feet. Zhang Yuanqing leapt upward, bending his knees to press against the other’s cervical vertebrae, causing the Earth Oddity to slump back onto the ground. With his gloved hand reaching out and grasping at the void, he pulled forth a silver-bladed fragment measuring forty centimeters in length, raising it high above him. The blade drove forcefully into the base of the Earth Oddity’s skull. “Ho!” The blood-thirsty edge of the blade shattered the Earth Oddity’s long-standing defensive structure, penetrating halfway through its head. At once, the Earth Oddity ceased all resistance. Meanwhile, the Water Spirit seized the opportunity and fled toward the deeper end of the consultation area. Zhang Yuanqing paid no attention to the retreating Water Spirit; instead, he retrieved the detonator from inside the Earth Oddity’s body bag. As soon as he secured it, a deep, resonant sound echoed from outside the examination hall along the corridor. He turned toward the source of the sound and saw Yuan Ting. This River King wore black slacks and a black shirt, exuding an unmistakable air of nobility in his bearing. Beside him stood a sturdy, broad-shouldered man whose complexion was pale and expression rigid—his fingers dark and sharp, his eyes cloudy. Clearly a zombie. “Have you resolved the two assailants downstairs? Have your hostages been released? Did you secure the detonator?” Yuan Ting spoke rapidly. “I’ve taken care of that,” Zhang Yuanqing said, shifting his gaze from the zombie. “But one Water Spirit escaped. There’s still another offender on the fourth floor—ah, and Li Xianzong.” His progress had been smoother than anticipated. With the bombs now neutralized, hostages could safely evacuate. With only a few perpetrators remaining, it would be difficult for them to regain control of the hostages. Moreover, Li Dongze and the others must have already begun their operations. Yuan Ting nodded. “Well done—your progress is truly impressive. Sun Elder seems overly cautious; don’t waste time. Head up to the fourth floor.” As he spoke, a sudden veil of mist spread throughout the area. A dense white fog enveloped the scene, obscuring both sight and vision—and Zhang Yuanqing’s view of Yuan Ting himself. “Beware,” Yuan Ting’s voice faltered mid-sentence. “The Sage Stage Enchantment Demon is known as the Fog Sovereign. When they fight in thick mist, they become invincible. This must be Li Xianzong’s Prop…” His words stopped abruptly. Silence fell around him—everything now seemed to fade into stillness. Zhang Yuanqing could no longer tell which way was north or south; the world appeared to have shrunk down to just himself.