Chapter 212

Chapter 212

◎Fatal Elevator◎

Thanks to Xiao Ye's efforts, Ji Nanxing got a few extra days off. With nothing to do, he poured the collected bottles of ghost tears into a small silver bowl and asked Xiao Ye to take off the fish-startle stone bracelet he was wearing.

Xiao Ye watched as Ji Nanxing placed both their bracelets, including the small golden bell, into the silver bowl and asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

The bottles of ghost tears, collected with great effort, were all used up in one go.

Ji Nanxing explained, "This is cultivating the tools. These items are magical tools because they possess inherently powerful energy and strong spiritual nature, making them pliable. Ghost tears are an extremely rare form of intense emotional essence. Using them to cultivate the tools can enhance their spiritual awareness."

This is a shortcut. Aside from the special case of He Xuan, the longer an item has existed, the more likely it is to develop spiritual awareness. This is because, over time, they absorb the emotions of joy and sorrow from the human world, and with enough exposure, they naturally develop spiritual awareness.

Cultivating tools with ghost tears works in the same way.

However, not all items can be cultivated with ghost tears. Only true magical tools can, otherwise, it would be a waste of precious resources.

The ghost tears collected over such a long time weren't much, barely enough to fill the bottom of the small silver bowl. After placing the two bracelets and the bell inside, they weren't fully submerged.

Ji Nanxing took a piece of gauze, soaked it in ghost tears, and began to carefully wipe and soak the items.

Xiao Ye didn't find it boring and quietly watched alongside him. He noticed that with each wipe from Ji Nanxing, the beads, which didn't look dirty to begin with, seemed to gain a deeper hue, appearing more glossy and smooth.

After wiping twice, Ji Nanxing handed the items to him, "Your yang qi is strong, so the effect will be better if you do it. Want to try?"

Xiao Ye immediately rolled up his sleeves and brought the silver bowl closer, "I'll do it. Just wipe it bit by bit like you did, right? No need to recite any incantations?"

Ji Nanxing replied, "Just wipe it bit by bit."

Xiao Ye wiped with great care. He didn't care much about his own bracelet, even though Naonao said it was close to being one and could protect him. But Naonao's bracelet was clearly more important, as he dealt with lingering spirits daily. A potent weapon was necessary to handle ghosts.

Seeing Xiao Ye wipe so meticulously and patiently, Ji Nanxing said, "Just wipe until the gauze dries out."

There wasn't much ghost tears to begin with, and the gauze was only slightly moist. After two or three wipes, it was almost dry.

Xiao Ye nodded, "Got it. You go and relax, don't disturb me while I'm doing important work."

Ji Nanxing chuckled, "Alright, you keep busy. I'll go read."

Ji Nanxing took a book and sat on the recliner by the bed. Worried that holding the book might strain his hand, Xiao Ye had bought a book holder that could be attached to the armrest of the chair. This way, Ji Nanxing only needed to lift his hand to turn the pages, without having to hold the book up. The weather was getting colder, but it wasn't yet time to turn on the floor heating. Soaking up the sun and reading a book felt relaxing and comfortable.

Seeing that Ji Nanxing had gone to read, Xiao Ye lowered his head again and focused on wiping the bracelets. He wiped Naonao's twice and his own once. Naturally, he wanted to leave more of the good stuff for Naonao. When the gauze was slightly moist but still a bit damp, he wiped them again, twice for Naonao's and once for his own.

Only when the gauze was completely dry and not a single drop could be squeezed out did he put down the items, satisfied. Looking at the glossy beads, he nodded in self-satisfaction, pleased.

When he looked up again, he noticed that Ji Nanxing by the bed hadn't turned a page in a while. Tilting his head slightly, he wondered if Ji Nanxing was resting his eyes or dozing off.

Regardless, lying like that wasn't good. Xiao Ye put down the bracelets and went to fetch a small blanket from the room, gently covering Ji Nanxing with it. He carefully tucked Ji Nanxing's hands under the blanket.

He also took the opportunity to feel Ji Nanxing's palm. The fingertips were slightly cool, but the palm was warm, so he shouldn't be cold. Satisfied, Xiao Ye went to the kitchen to start preparing lunch.

After Xiao Ye left, Ji Nanxing, who had his eyes closed, smiled. He grabbed the small blanket and turned slightly, planning to take a nap.

Including the weekend, they had almost a week off at home before returning to school. As soon as they entered the classroom, they were greeted with concern from many classmates. Every teacher who came to class would ask Ji Nanxing a few questions, reminding him to speak up if he felt unwell and not to endure it silently.

Ji Nanxing obediently agreed, but under the desk, his hand was practically pinching Xiao Ye's arm until it turned blue.

Xiao Ye remained calm on the surface, but his back teeth were nearly grinding from the effort to hold back.

Although Zhang Yuan's deskmate had changed, the seats in the back row remained the same. Watching the subtle movements of the academic god and the school bully letting the academic god pinch him without resistance, he suddenly understood what some girls meant when they excitedly said they'd "shipped them together" or "rooted for their relationship."

After class, students rushed to the small supermarket. Since they had an early morning study session, many students who couldn't get up early skipped breakfast and would buy something to eat after the first morning class. The classroom emptied out in no time.

Zhang Yuan then leaned over to Xiao Ye and Ji Nanxing: "Is everything settled with that matter?"

Xiao Ye, spinning a pen in his hand, replied: "It's all taken care of. We’ve worked it out peacefully."

Zhang Yuan was curious: "A doll that moves—just the thought of it is a bit creepy."

Xiao Ye nodded in agreement: "It is pretty scary. Luckily, it's not an evil, murderous doll. Naonao said this kind of doll is also very effective against restless spirits. To earn money to take care of its mom, it will probably collaborate with the management bureau often in the future."

Zhang Yuan clicked his tongue: "Indeed, in human territory, the struggle for survival and exploitation are the norms." Even a powerful Doll Spirit like that is under tight control, maybe even working hard willingly.

As the three were talking, Jiang Tangtang dragged Chen Shiyi in, chattering excitedly: "Academic god, did you take care of your stuff?"

The news of Ji Nanxing's 'episode' had spread quickly. Jiang Tangtang and the others knew Ji Nanxing wasn't really sick, probably just had some urgent matter to deal with, so they weren’t too worried. Now that the academic god was back, they couldn’t resist asking a few nosy questions.

Ji Nanxing nodded: "Everything’s taken care of."

Jiang Tangtang said: "Great! Let’s go out for hotpot to celebrate at noon!"

Zhang Yuan: "Hotpot at noon? We’ve only got an hour and a half for lunch. Can't we go after school in the evening? Why the rush?"

Chen Shiyi laughed: "Because if we don't go today, her half-price lunch coupon will expire."

Jiang Tangtang placed a coupon on the table: "Today's the last day, half-price! It’s like hitting the jackpot! It’s the last day of the new store's opening event, let’s go, let’s go."

They had a week, but without the academic god, the group felt incomplete. Now that the academic god was back, of course, they had to seize the opportunity to go.

Xiao Ye glanced at the address: "It's not far, in the newly opened mall behind. Is it busy? If there’s a long line, we might run out of time."

Jiang Tangtang quickly said: "Not crowded, I went with Lin Yi to check it out before. Lunchtime isn't busy, we can eat right away. It’s settled then, I’ll go find Xiao Xiao!"

After saying that, Jiang Tangtang ran off like a gust of wind. Chen Shiyi looked envious: "I don’t know how she has so much energy every day."

Before he could finish, a yawn escaped him.

Yawns are contagious, and Zhang Yuan caught it too: "What have you been up to? Lots of homework in liberal arts?"

Chen Shiyi: "So much, I finish writing every day around one, and have to get up at six in the morning. If I keep this up, I’m scared I’ll burn out."

Ji Nanxing: "Hang in there, things will get better after the college exams."

Chen Shiyi looked pained: "It won’t get better. After the exams, it’s university, and after university, it’s work. A person’s whole life is like being pushed forward like a workhorse. It doesn’t end until you’re in the coffin."

Xiao Ye, not empathizing at all, chuckled: "Even in the coffin, it’s not over. People die, but every year their descendants still ask for blessings and protection."

Hearing this, Chen Shiyi couldn’t help but slump onto the table, even more despairing.

Even with all the despair, they still needed to eat. The autumn wind was howling, and the group of seven called two cars, reaching the mall, just two streets from school, in under ten minutes.

Since the mall is close to the school and there are many schools nearby, it’s common to see students in uniforms at noon. While the students can’t afford the pricey items costing hundreds or thousands, they can afford the food in the basement food court.

The restaurant Jiang Tangtang mentioned was on the sixth floor. The mall and the hotpot place were both brand new. To draw in customers, they handed out tons of coupons during the grand opening. The first few days were packed with people, but these days it’s less crowded.

Xiao Ye noticed Ji Nanxing’s brow furrow slightly after entering the elevator and quickly stood closer to him, leaning in and whispering, "What’s up?"

Ji Nanxing: "There's a bit of a bad vibe here."

They spoke in hushed tones, Jiang Tangtang still chattering with Xiao Xiao. The others in the elevator didn't hear them, but since there were only seven of them inside and no outsiders, Xiao Ye also frowned upon hearing this: "Whose is it?"

Ji Nanxing looked around: "The elevator's."

Since the mall wasn't crowded, the elevator didn't stop on the way up, and they quickly reached the sixth floor. Ji Nanxing was the last to exit the elevator, and as he left, he flicked a small golden bell on his finger, causing a clear ringing sound to resonate in the elevator, dispelling the lingering malevolent aura.

Initially, they thought the malevolent aura in the elevator was residual from someone who had carried it earlier. However, when they took the elevator down after finishing their hotpot, Ji Nanxing noticed that the malevolent aura had grown stronger. It was clear that a single dispersal wouldn't solve the problem.

Ji Nanxing quietly did some mental calculations and realized that the elevator was fated to cause an accident today.

On the way back to school, Ji Nanxing contacted the supernatural affairs bureau and reported the incident. The elevator that seemed destined for trouble would be shut down for the day to see if the disaster could be avoided.

Soon, the mall's manager received a call. This is nuts—our mall's brand new! Many of its facilities are still shiny and unused, and the first maintenance period hasn't even arrived, yet they were being asked to shut down and inspect the equipment? But since the order came from above, they had no choice but to comply. Fortunately, only one elevator was being shut down, and the other could still be used. With the mall being less crowded, it probably wouldn't cause much disruption.

Yellow caution tape was placed around the elevators on each floor, and they waited for the inspectors sent from above to review and repair the equipment.

After the lunch rush, the mall had more staff than customers. However, since the heating had been turned on early, some people with free time in the afternoon came to stroll around.

One floor of the mall was dedicated to children's play areas, such as clay crafting, ball pits, fishing, and remote-controlled car parks. A ticket costing ten to twenty yuan could keep kids who didn't need to attend school entertained for the entire afternoon.

The most lively part of the mall was the children's play area, filled with screams, laughter, and running around. Parents, finally able to relax a bit, sat together chatting, thinking that with so many kids playing together and the place built for them, it's gotta be safe, right? Letting the kids go wild.

A five-year-old boy was playing with a group of kids, running up and down the mall's corridors. At one point, he noticed the two elevators parked on that floor.

The boy ran over and pressed the button to open one of the elevators. After entering, he tiptoed and pressed every button on the panel. Before the elevator doors could close, he quickly ran out.

Then, slipping through the gaps in the caution tape, he opened the other elevator as well.

He was obsessed with pressing elevator buttons, but his mother often scolded him for it. The more she scolded, the more he wanted to do it. Sometimes, adults would get annoyed and yell at him.

He knew how to judge people—if no one yelled at him, he'd go wild; if someone looked tough, he'd duck behind his mom. After all, he was just a little kid who didn't know any better, and anyone who got mad at him was the one with the problem!

Repeating his earlier actions, he pressed all the buttons in the second elevator. Just as the doors were about to close and he was about to run out, the elevator doors, which had been slowly closing, suddenly slammed shut with a sharp *whoosh* before he could escape.