Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Lin Juan hadn't tested the method's feasibility. He honestly told Zhuang Yufeng, "I'm not sure how effective it will be; I just want to try. If it doesn't work..."

"It's fine if it doesn't work. These past few days, we've tried everything. Every night we manage to control the contamination within them, but by the next morning, the contamination levels spike back to their peak. No matter what, it's worth a try," Zhuang Yufeng said.

Lin Juan's proposed method was much quicker than going to Lonely Cry Mountain.

"Alright then, let's go find a paranormal entity."

The superpower holder who had escorted Lin Juan remained close behind them. His superpower offered strong defensive capabilities, and he had been specifically assigned by higher-ups to protect Zhuang Yufeng.

"About twenty kilometers away, near Qijia Bridge, there have been traces of paranormal activity. It's the closest to us, so we'll head there," Zhuang Yufeng said after checking the internal network for recent paranormal incidents.

Lin Juan had no objections.

"I need to file a report. Director Liu is also here, so I'll report directly to him. Please wait for me in my office."

There was no immediate rush to act.

Zhuang Yufeng's office at the research institute was larger than the one at the First Hospital. It was filled with various models—human skeletons and some animal skeletons.

"Does Dr. Zhuang like these?" Lin Juan asked curiously.

Dr. Zhuang seemed refined and scholarly—was this really his private interest?

"Dr. Zhuang says it's for research purposes," the assistant explained as he served tea to Lin Juan and Lu Mingxuan. Su Min had stayed behind in the ward to control the contamination. "He used his superpower to foresee that in the near future, some superpower holders would undergo mutations toward animal or plant characteristics."

Most superpower holders currently looked no different from ordinary humans, but those with contamination levels exceeding the norm would show varying degrees of mutation. As paranormal entities increased, even some superpower holders within normal contamination ranges might undergo bestial or plant-like transformations.

Zhuang Yufeng was preparing in advance to avoid the chaos that had occurred in his previous life when the first physically mutated superpower holder appeared.

In his past life, that bestialized superpower holder had faced severe mistreatment early on, nearly driving him to oppose humanity.

Not all superpower holders were willing to protect humans at any cost; many stood against ordinary people for wealth or other selfish desires.

Having returned from the apocalypse, Zhuang Yufeng knew how difficult paranormal entities were to deal with. They had to unite every possible force to have a chance at survival.

Zhuang Yufeng arrived at Director Liu's office.

Director Liu had already heard about Lin Juan: "Xiao Zhuang, I saw your application. Why the sudden decision to seek out a paranormal entity?"

"It's Mr. Lin's request," Zhuang Yufeng explained Lin Juan's proposal. "Whether it works or not, we have to try."

"You're right. With the emergence of paranormal entities, everything is like crossing a river by feeling the stones—there are no precedents. Any method is worth trying. Go ahead."

Director Liu hadn't had much contact with Lin Juan, but in their brief interactions, whether through his years of experience judging people or by using his superpower to observe, Lin Juan came across as passionate and caring toward the world.

The Paranormal Special Affairs Office unanimously believed that someone like him would be best brought into their ranks, hence the job offer from some time ago.

At the same time, they had prepared for rejection. Even if he didn't want to join the Paranormal Special Affairs Office, they would adhere to the principle of friendly relations, striving to keep him on their side.

In the future world, humans would need to fight for survival resources against the rampant paranormal entities. The stronger their side, the greater their chances of victory.

Someone like Lin Juan, with overwhelming power against paranormal entities, was an exceptionally rare talent.

No matter how they looked at it, it was best not to make an enemy of him.

Fortunately, judging by Lin Juan's attitude, he seemed friendly toward their Paranormal Special Affairs Office. Whatever his reasons, at least when he had a need, he came to them first.

These thoughts flashed through Director Liu's mind as he advised, "Take Mr. Lin's matter seriously. It's fine even if it doesn't work out."

"I understand."

"Who is worth you, Director Liu, going to such lengths to please?" The inner door of the office opened, and a defiant red-haired man walked out.

He hadn't been in the capital for months—how had he missed the emergence of such a prominent figure?

"Be serious," Director Liu scolded. "Mr. Lin, Lin Juan. While you were away, several paranormal incidents in the capital were resolved smoothly with his assistance."

The red-haired man ran a hand through his hair: "Lin Juan? Is he strong? I have to meet him."

Zhuang Yufeng tried to dissuade him but failed, so he had to bring him along.

On the way, he repeatedly warned him to control his temper and not easily provoke others.

Su Xingchen, the only existing S-class superpower holder, was flamboyant and defiant, with exceptional combat skills. He excelled in every way—except for his temper.

Throughout the Paranormal Special Affairs Office, only Director Liu could keep him in check.

Others rarely approached him.

"Don't worry, Xiao Yufeng," Su Xingchen said casually, slinging an arm over Zhuang Yufeng's shoulder. "Since both you and Director Liu think so highly of him, I have to test his limits."

Zhuang Yufeng felt a headache coming on: "Don't start a fight as soon as you see him."

"Got it, got it."

They arrived at the office.

Zhuang Yufeng brought him inside.

Lin Juan noticed the red-haired man behind Zhuang Yufeng, his attention unconsciously drawn to the fiery red hair.

"Hello, I'm Su Xingchen," Su Xingchen extended his hand proactively.

"I'm Lin Juan," Lin Juan replied, somewhat puzzled, but shook his hand nonetheless.

"I heard you're strong—"

Before he could finish, Zhuang Yufeng sharply interrupted him: "Su Xingchen!"

His expression was so stern that Su Xingchen got the impression that if he said one more word, he might be throttled. He raised his hands in surrender: "OK, let's talk about the paranormal entity at Qijia Bridge."

"What kind of abnormal incident happened there?" Through Zhuang Yufeng, Lin Juan had gained some understanding of this world's Paranormal Special Affairs Office.

The Paranormal Special Affairs Office was a department established specifically to handle paranormal incidents. It had an internal information channel through which subordinates could report abnormalities detected across various regions. Ordinary, manageable cases were handled locally, while difficult ones were assigned to headquarters for resolution.

"Over there," Zhuang Yufeng showed a hint of strangeness in his expression, "the people at Qijia Bridge said their water has gone missing. They want us to help them find their lost water."

"Water?" Lin Juan was surprised. "How can water go missing?"

Isn't water an inanimate substance?

"Was it stolen?" Lin Juan had never heard of such a thing and was extremely curious. "How do you steal water?"

"It probably wasn't done by humans. If it were, they wouldn’t need us to step in," Zhuang Yufeng said.

Lin Juan became intrigued, thinking it would be quite interesting to witness such a bizarre incident, and couldn't help but feel excited about this journey to uncover the supernatural phenomenon.

They were heading out to investigate the supernatural phenomenon. Considering that Lu Mingxuan was an ordinary person, Lin Juan entrusted him to Director Liu and set off for Qijiaqiao Town with Zhuang Yufeng, Su Xingchen, and several other superpower holders.

Qijiaqiao Town was a small town with friendly, down-to-earth people. The town mayor, upon learning that they were there to resolve the strange occurrences, greeted them warmly.

"The people in our town have always made their living farming. In recent years, with the country's development, there are more opportunities in big cities, so young people have left for city jobs. Those left behind are mostly the elderly," the mayor explained.

Lin Juan also noticed this—along the way, they had only encountered older people, with not a single young person in sight.

"Everything was fine until recently. There hasn't been much rain, but our town has a small river connected to a larger one, so water should have been plentiful. However, a week ago, for some unknown reason, the river lost more than half of its water."

"At first, no one paid it much mind, only wondering why the water had suddenly decreased. But then, on the second day, the third day... the water kept dwindling. Now, only a dry riverbed remains, completely dry."

"We traced the river upstream, trying to find out why the water disappeared, but..." The mayor's face showed a look of terror. "One section of the river still had water, while the next section was completely dry!"

Just from the description, Lin Juan couldn't understand why the mayor looked so frightened—until he saw the scene the mayor described.

A large river appeared severed by an invisible force. On one side, raging currents rushed relentlessly downstream; on the other, the riverbed was cracked like in a severe drought, strewn with dead fish and shrimp.

The visual contrast was stark and shocking.

"Lao Zhang, who is an excellent swimmer, went down to investigate. He found no trace of anything blocking the river. At the riverbed, he could reach out and touch the water within the water wall. But there was a powerful undertow. If we hadn't been cautious and tied a thick rope around Lao Zhang, with everyone pulling together, he might have been pulled under."

The mayor wiped his face. "After Lao Zhang came up, he vomited incessantly and still occasionally spits out clear, gelatinous stuff."

"He might have been infected," Zhuang Yufeng said, thinking that saving the man was the priority after seeing the starkly divided river. "Later, take us to see him."

Based on the mayor's description, Lao Zhang was likely contaminated when he came into contact with the water.

"Has anyone else in town shown similar symptoms?" Lin Juan asked.

"Lao Zhang's wife, who has been caring for him, has also been feeling sick these past couple of days, with some nausea."

Lin Juan and Zhuang Yufeng exchanged glances. "Let's handle this situation first, then take us to Lao Zhang's house."

They needed to figure out what kind of contaminant this phenomenon was.

"I'll call for assistance."

The mayor phoned some strong townspeople, who tied heavy-duty ropes around Lin Juan and Su Xingchen's waists.

Su Xingchen tugged at the rope around his waist. "We really don't need these."

It was too unsightly.

He had enough sense not to say it aloud.

"Stop complaining. Once it's tied, get down there," Zhuang Yufeng said expressionlessly, securing the final knot.

The two made their way down to the riverbed and moved toward the water.

The people on the shore watched nervously, gripping the ropes tightly.

They had descended not far from the water wall and soon reached it, standing still to observe what lay ahead.

"It just looks like water," Su Xingchen said, activated his power and struck the water.

The water surface splashed violently, and Lin Juan was suddenly drenched. Just as he was about to speak, he saw that where the water had been disturbed, there was a massive, transparent, faintly purple spherical object undulating slowly in the water.

"What is this?" Lin Juan gaped. "It looks like a giant water-filled orbeez."

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