On the other side of the Bronze Gate—
The Ghost Realm, gathering place of ten thousand ghosts.
In a sinister hall, seated along a long table were over a dozen figures.
Each one emitted a chilling ghostly aura, their expressions cold and lifeless.
Though human-shaped, it was clear none of them were truly human.
“That boy has gone to the human world. I wonder what he’ll encounter.”
One of them spoke softly.
“With his strength, even if ninety percent of it is sealed, he should still be able to dominate the human realm.”
“With him as the vanguard, we can plan further moves from behind.”
Just then, a blood-red glow suddenly appeared above the long table.
That crimson light swiftly took the shape of Mu Chuxian—vivid and lifelike.
“This is…!!”
***
Inside the secret realm, Su Nan stood on the plaza, watching in the direction Mu Chuxian had left, his heart full of worry.
Despite how calm she had seemed, her state before departing—
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t rest easy.
After sending a message to the group chat, he didn’t hesitate and quickly chased after her.
Elsewhere—
After parting from Su Nan, Yang Ningbing had continued to search, rescuing several students who had become separated, and regrouping with teachers and other trainees.
Under her command, the teachers gathered their spiritual energy in one spot, attempting to shatter the barrier of the secret realm and get everyone out.
But even with all their combined strength, they couldn’t make a dent in the realm’s wall.
“Ms. Yang,” said Teacher Si Wenle, frowning as he slowly withdrew his spiritual power.
“This realm has reached purgatory-level. With just our energy, it’s impossible to break through.”
“To dismantle the barrier, we may have to eliminate the core of the realm itself.”
Other teachers, including Guan Wen, agreed.
Every teacher present wore a concerned expression.
Yang Ningbing frowned—not because she wanted to escape alone, but because these students, left inside such a realm, would be utterly defenseless.
If an S-level wraith or even an SSS-level ghost king appeared, they would all become cannon fodder.
“You all stay here,” she turned to the other teachers and said softly…
“I’ll check the situation again. If we can’t break the realm directly, we need to find another exit for everyone.”
Just as Si Wenle and the others were about to speak, the environment around them suddenly began to change.
The thick ghost mist began to thin, and the frigid aura dissipated.
Even the eerie tombs around them started to fade, and the strange blue glows dimmed.
Everyone’s brows furrowed.
This was unmistakably a sign of the realm unraveling.
Inside the realm, even the evil ghosts and vengeful spirits disappeared, and the scene reverted to the haunted high school setting.
The entire space began to break down, showing signs of collapse.
“Yang Ningbing!”
“Yang Ningbing!”
Suddenly, a voice came through her damaged wristband badge.
It was the voice of Director Xi Qinyu—anxious and urgent.
Yang Ningbing immediately answered….
“This is Yang Ningbing.”
“The double-layer secret realm has broken open. What’s happening inside?!”
Xi Qinyu’s voice calmed slightly upon hearing her.
“The realm suddenly collapsed. We don’t know what triggered it,” Yang Ningbing replied honestly.
“But all students are accounted for—except…”
“Except? Was someone hurt?”
Xi Qinyu’s worry surged again.
“Su Nan,” Yang Ningbing said softly.
“We’ve yet to locate him. I fear he may…”
Before she could finish, many female students rushed forward, anxiety written across their faces.
Especially Su Nan’s classmates—Mu Qing and Tu Suya—looked pale and deeply concerned.
“Ms. Yang, what happened to Su Nan?”
“Teacher, please tell us the truth…”
Mu Qing and Tu Suya approached, looking to Yang Ningbing for answers.
Earlier, when she returned, they had wanted to ask about Su Nan but didn’t get the chance as she immediately began coordinating the teachers to break the barrier.
Now that the realm had opened and the danger had passed, they could no longer contain their worry.
“I’m not sure.”
Yang Ningbing said, glancing at the students, then addressing Xi Qinyu on the line:
“Su Nan and I had faced both an S-level wraith and an SS-level ghost simultaneously. He suddenly experienced a power surge—perhaps a fated encounter—and overwhelmed the S-level wraith. Considering the battlefield situation, I returned to lead the others to safety, leaving him to fight alone…”
A hint of worry crossed her own face.
The girls grew even more distressed.
“How could you leave Su Nan alone like that?!”
“He’s just a student! He can’t possibly take on enemies above S-level!”
Their words hit Yang Ningbing hard—like a weight on her chest.
“Silence!”
Xi Qinyu’s voice rang sharply.
“If Su Nan’s power exceeded Yang Ningbing’s at the time, her decision was sound!”
“This is war! You’re facing battles of life and death! A single mistake could mean total annihilation!”
“Yang Ningbing did nothing wrong. End of discussion!”
After that, the girls quieted down, though their gazes toward Yang Ningbing remained tinged with blame.
“Yang Ningbing, begin a full search of the secret realm. Find Su Nan—dead or alive, bring him back!”
“Yes.”
Yang Ningbing answered, though unease had already taken root in her heart.
“Director, don’t worry. Senior is definitely okay.”
Suddenly, the bubbly girl Luo Feixuan spoke, stunning everyone.
“How do you know?”
Yang Ningbing asked at once.
“Did you see Su Nan?”
Everyone turned to look at her, puzzled.
“Well…”
Luo Feixuan hesitated under their gazes, then blurted out:
“I have a part of Senior Su Nan inside me, so I can feel that he’s fine!”
Everyone froze.
What did she just say?
A part of him inside her?
What does that mean?
Especially the girls—every one of them stared at her with strange expressions, causing Luo Feixuan’s face to flush red.
Senior’s blood is still flowing through me~!
Seeing her blush and act so coy only made their imaginations run even wilder.
“He used her and dumped her?”
“Is Su Nan secretly a playboy behind that gentle facade?”
These thoughts swirled in everyone’s minds.
With Luo Feixuan acting the way she was, their assumptions only deepened.
Mu Qing and Tu Suya paled, feeling an unexpected surge of jealousy.
But since Luo Feixuan was standing right in front of everyone, they couldn’t exactly question her openly.
Of course, it was all a misunderstanding.
In truth, Luo Feixuan had received some of Su Nan’s blood, which remained active inside her body—letting her sense that he was still alive.
But that wasn’t something she could explain in public, hence the confusion.
“In any case, I’m going to find Su Nan first.”
“The rest of you—evacuate the secret realm immediately!”