Chapter 299: Strategy Meeting and Battle Discussion

At midday, the early winter sun still retained a bit of warmth, making it hard to avoid.

After lunch, students of Hua City University of Technology returned to their classrooms or dormitories, leaving the campus rather deserted.

At that moment, near the main path of Gate No. 4, in front of a small storage room.

“Here, eat this! It’s a bit less than usual, but it should be enough to alleviate your hunger this time,” said Lu Yibei softly as he pushed a small chunk of the haunting core entity towards the slightly open door. He waited quietly for a few seconds before seeing a pale, delicate hand reach out through the gap, snatch the core entity, and quickly withdraw back inside.

The haunting hiding in this long-abandoned storage room was none other than the headless senior sister. During the day, when the sunlight was at its strongest, she would usually hide here.

Since the last time Lu Yibei, overwhelmed by hunger, was “robbed” by her, and he willingly shared a portion of the haunting core entity, he had frequently visited this place.

Feeding these hauntings felt like feeding stray animals on campus; it was addictive, and he inadvertently found himself on the path of feeding the campus’s “lonely spirits.”

In his view, these mostly harmless hauntings did not need to be eradicated. Their existence was justified, and perhaps they served some special purpose.

Of course, the primary recipient was the headless senior sister, although sometimes at night, various other little creatures would appear, along with the rumored moving bronze statue of Lu Xun that wandered the school at night.

Indeed, the bronze statue of Lu Xun at Hua City University of Technology could move, but it did not curse at everything under the sky; it was merely a lump of metal, which was somewhat disappointing to Lu Yibei.

If he could learn the art of verbal sparring from Mr. Lu Xun “himself,” that would be fantastic!

Seeing the headless senior sister timidly accepting the food like a stray kitten, warmth surged in Lu Yibei’s heart. If it weren’t for his facial paralysis, his lips would undoubtedly be curving upwards at this moment.

It turned out that he was doing quite well in feeding these little hauntings at school, like the headless senior sister, who initially looked like a highly decomposed corpse with pale hands covered in corpse spots.

Now, aside from a horrific scar around her neck, she looked almost like a normal girl.

Thinking ahead, he planned to get her a high-collared sweater to wear, so if she was accidentally seen by others at school, she wouldn’t scare anyone. If she wanted, she could even attend classes.

Mumbling to himself, Lu Yibei leaned against the wall and spread out his final exam study materials on his knees. Accompanied by the subtle sounds of the headless senior sister and other little hauntings sharing the haunting core entity, which sounded like eerie music, he began to review.

For so long, he had been discreetly developing himself, avoiding trouble whenever possible, but he never slacked off in his studies.

After all…

Even though he had now become a proxy operator for The Midnight Watchers Society, he had not abandoned his dream of graduating smoothly, renovating his old mansion, opening a small shop, and selling some soul-soothing articles on the side.

Dominate the world? A harem?

Compared to these, he was more excited about the idea of opening a renowned tavern someday and using a broom to chase away Michelin reviewers.

Lost in these thoughts, he heard the headless senior sister’s voice from inside the storage room.

“Everyone wants me to thank you.”

“No big deal!” Lu Yibei responded nonchalantly, “It’s quite dangerous outside nowadays. After you’ve eaten, find a place to hide. Don’t wander around if it’s not necessary.”

“Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going. See you next time.”

With those words, he stood up, dusted off his pants, packed up his textbooks and study materials, and slowly left the school along the main path of Gate No. 4.

Calculating the time, the final step at home-low-temperature constant heating of the alchemical potion-should also be nearly completed.

Lu Yibei couldn’t help but feel a little excited about his well-rounded development.

Why not virtue?

Hmm… after all, those who lack virtue tend to live happier lives.

Lu Yibei hurried home, excited to retrieve the prepared potion.

However, just as he was about to follow the instructions to consume the potion to complete his deficiencies, there was a problem.

“A flick per dose? What kind of unit is ‘a flick’?” Lu Yibei couldn’t help but complain.

He was familiar with the unit “a flick,” often used for relatively thick condiments like oil, where the amount varies from a drop to half a bottle depending on the situation.

Lu Yibei had experienced a few failures during the potion preparation process, but there hadn’t been any major issues until now.

Initially, his focus was entirely on the precise usage amounts of various alchemical potions and the details, completely overlooking the issue of dosage.

Who would have thought that such a relatively meticulous formula would have such imprecise dosage instructions?

Certainly a remnant of an ancient formula from the Great Serpent God, always prone to quirks and flaws.

After all, in the real world, things from ancient times are not always more potent, especially in fields like alchemy, which evolve with people’s knowledge, tools, and materials.

For example, ancient alchemical formulas sometimes mention “phlogiston,” a concept now discredited. Following those formulas exactly often leads to a high failure rate.

Lu Yibei stared at the completed potion in his hand, deep in thought.

Now, with his increasingly proficient use of premonition, a chill warned him that this potion was not merely “hauntingly delightful” but potentially life-threatening if overdosed.

After all, the materials used in the potion’s preparation included substances with destructive fire attributes and extracted toxins.

As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain,” similar to how anaerobic exercise essentially tears the muscles before they regrow. Completing deficiencies involves a similar process.

But if the destruction in this process is excessive and irreparable, that’s a serious problem.

Yet, underdosing is also not an option. Repeated small doses can cause the body to gradually adapt to the potion. Over time, it’s possible that the deficiencies might not be fully corrected before the potion becomes ineffective, forcing him to start over with a new potion.

So, whether to ascend to immortality or kick the bucket, whether to cover the whole village with a white cloth waiting for a feast or to ascend to heaven alone, all depended on this one gulp.

Discussing toxicity without considering dosage, or vice versa, is irresponsible.

Isn’t that why so many ancient emperors and alchemists died from overdosing?

It wasn’t always because their formulas were flawed, but often because the dosage and method of ingestion were incorrect.

The decreasing mortality rate from modern alchemical potions owes much to those “Shennong” figures who, at the cost of their lives, determined reasonable dosages through trial and error.

So…

“Hairball, denture, eyeball, nightgown, where are you?” Lu Yibei called out, “Come quickly, I have something tasty for you to try!”

He figured he’d let them test it first. There should be no problem, right? After all, he couldn’t use it all himself. Lu Yibei mused.

In fact, considering the imprecision in the ancient formula’s description of the potion’s effects, the losses during its failed production, and other unforeseeable factors, he had prepared enough materials to make ten doses of the potion. After some failures, he successfully produced about five doses.

Such excess was not a problem; if he didn’t use it all, he could still sell the remainder to recoup his costs.

After waiting a moment with no response from the hauntings, he called out again, “Hurry up, it won’t taste good once it cools down!”

Following a few more gentle calls and no appearance from the household hauntings, he confirmed that they were indeed not at home.

But where could they have gone during the day?

If all else fails, he would have to wait until nightfall when he transformed into a haunting to try it himself. After all, his body would be stronger then, less likely to fail.

Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Hua City, at Hua City Ceramics Factory.

This was once a famous ceramics factory in Hua City, affiliated with Hua City Steelworks.

Although their products were not as aesthetically pleasing as those from bigger factories, they were superior in quality and durability.

Many locals used their ceramics, with some lasting for over a decade.

However, this conscientious enterprise had been shut down for a long time.

A few years ago, an accident occurred during the firing of a batch of deity statues at the ceramics factory. One of the statues “came to life,” and several workers were burned to death in the kiln that day, leading to the factory’s closure.

Through the rusted, chain-locked iron gates, the factory was desolate. Weeds overran the green spaces, and unfinished statues piled up on the open grounds, their heads chopped off or eyes gouged out, covered in dust.

In the dark and silent warehouse, dozens of figures sat silently in their places, looking ahead.

These psychics and hauntings, who had come from various places to join the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts, sat behind the hauntings they had recently subdued.

These hauntings, old and young, fat and thin, ugly and beautiful, mingled with suited elites, sunburnt farmers, and calloused workers, creating a bizarre scene.

In front of them, a languidly seductive woman in red sat on the shoulder of a three-meter-tall deity statue, looking down at them and softly said, “Let’s discuss the current situation.”

Hearing this, a Black Cloak Man stepped forward and spoke in a hoarse voice, “After several days of effort, we have visited about a third of the hauntings’ known haunts in Hua City…”

He paused, his eyes briefly scanning the dense crowd of hauntings behind him, and continued, “Of these, over seventy percent have chosen to submit. The rest have been eliminated.”

The woman in red nodded slightly and looked at two of the Black Cloak Men, asking, “I heard you encountered my Little Bunny? Has she submitted?”

“No, we have already eliminated her,” a muffled voice responded from the darkness.

“Ha, ridiculous! It seems you don’t quite understand my Little Bunny’s abilities, do you?” The woman in red scoffed, “If she were that easy to eliminate, it would be great!”

“But no matter, let her be for now. Once I finish things here, I’ll deal with her. You may continue your report.”

Thus, one of the Black Cloak Men began to recount the recent progress in subduing hauntings, detailing it to the Dusk Maiden. Suddenly, a discordant voice interrupted.

“There’s another issue. Our actions might have been noticed by The Midnight Watchers Society. During a previous operation, we were caught by an operator.”

“According to reliable sources, Hua City has three operators secretly investigating this matter.”

Upon hearing “The Midnight Watchers Society,” the Dusk Maiden’s psychic energy fluctuated noticeably, spreading a bloody and violent aura throughout the factory, causing unease among the hauntings.

“Again with The Midnight Watchers Society? Such annoying pests!” the Dusk Maiden remarked. “From tonight, you should act in pairs and split into three routes. If you encounter anyone from The Midnight Watchers Society…”

“Just kill them!” she said, her eyes flashing with a ruthless gleam.

“But…” someone hesitated in the darkness.

“But what?”

“But if we do this, the psychic energy fluctuation will be too obvious, making the city’s hauntings think we’re staging the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts. Isn’t it a bit too early for that?”

“Think? Ha!” the Dusk Maiden sneered, “If they truly believe it’s the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts, then we are the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts!”

“It’s time they learned who the most terrifying haunting in this city truly is.”

“…”

Night had just fallen.

Under the River-crossing Bridge in Hua City, within the third bridge tunnel from the left.

“Thank you all for your support. The goods are sold out. Today’s live stream ends here. See you at the same time tomorrow!” Gu Qianqian said to the camera before turning off the stream, packing up her props, and heading into the shack.

The Condensed Jade Dew she sold today was a new type of potion she accidentally created during Alchemy. After a slight modification, its effects surpassed any skincare product available on the market.

Gu Qianqian’s keen sense for money was undeniable. If it weren’t for the probability of ordinary people contracting Nocturnal Syndrome from using it, she felt she could easily achieve financial independence with this potion.

Such a feat of inventing a potion even impressed the systems, though it didn’t express this admiration directly to Gu Qianqian.

This potion, aside from being able to profit from female hauntings or psychics, was of little use.

After all, from a certain perspective, calamity wasn’t considered female and didn’t need skincare.

The systems still hoped that Gu Qianqian would eventually create a potion capable of causing harm to calamity.

As soon as she opened the door, the small hauntings gathered around her table, arguing, came into view.

They were holding the twelfth pre-battle discussion for the [Messenger of Love and Peace – Model of Morality and Conscience – The Witch Warriors of Handsome Men and Beautiful Women].

“No, the main path of Gate No. 4 at the University of Technology won’t work!” hairball stated seriously. “That place is right under Lady Witch’s nose. What if she discovers us?”

“If she discovers us, so be it. We’re organizing the Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts in her name. What does it have to do with her? With her pesky little sister demeanor, would she dare oppose? I’ll slap her, and she won’t dare utter a word, believe it or not!”

“Yes, she won’t say a word. She’ll just eliminate you,” hairball murmured.

“She dares?!”

Systems, “…”

What does it mean to be fearless? This is what it means to be fearless!

These little ones are too bold, aren’t they?

It’s just that they’re too weak, too far below calamity’s level to experience her terror, which is why they can say such things, systems thought.

“Eyeball, you’re getting more arrogant lately…” denture commented, “And you don’t have hands.”

“Stop babbling, those who achieve great things don’t sweat the small stuff!” eyeball retorted, “Besides, at this rate, I’ll grow hands soon.”

Denture secretly scrutinized eyeball for a while, saying nothing, but still couldn’t figure out where on eyeball’s round body hands would grow.

“If Gate No. 4’s main path or the entire University of Technology won’t work, then there’s nowhere to go near University Town!” hairball lamented.

“Within University Town, places with hauntings are basically our, uh, our dear, beloved Lady Witch’s territory.”

“Then expand outward. Are we limited to University Town?” eyeball shouted, “What’s the difference between hauntings without ambition and salted fish? Someday, our, uh, Lady Witch’s banner will be planted across mountains, rivers, stars, and seas!”

Systems, “…” She really almost achieved that.

Thinking to itself, systems quickly reminded Gu Qianqian, “Gu Qianqian, it’s about time. Hurry and complete the task!”

“Oh, oh!” Gu Qianqian responded to systems in her mind, then looked at the small hauntings around the table, “If you can’t think of a better option, I have a suggestion.”

“Oh?” hairball turned towards Gu Qianqian, “Let’s hear it.”

“Yin Street, Building No. 14, have you heard of it?” Gu Qianqian nodded, “Isn’t it quite close to University Town?”

“No, no, the hauntings there are too strong. We’re not their match yet,” hairball immediately rejected Gu Qianqian’s proposal.

“Not strong, right?” Gu Qianqian tilted her head, puzzled, “I think I could handle it alone, especially with all of you.”

“You? With those skinny arms and legs, what can you do?” eyeball sneered at Gu Qianqian, “Before saying such things, at least beat me first!”

With that, eyeball began bouncing on the table, striking several uppercut poses mid-air.

“Oh, alright then, since you insist…”

As a protagonist of the farming genre, Gu Qianqian wasn’t fond of fighting. Reluctantly, she agreed, and then…

A metal rod appeared out of nowhere, whistling past and hitting eyeball squarely. With a burst of air and invisible psychic ripples, eyeball flew out the window, disappearing from sight.

The hauntings, “…” Oh dear, we thought we brought home a kitten, but it’s a tiger?

What should we do? Not agreeing might get us killed, right?

Maybe we should agree?

Thus…

[Congratulations, host, on completing the Epic Quest side task – Part one. Please confirm your reward has been credited. No refunds after leaving the counter…]

Such was the voice that echoed in Gu Qianqian’s mind.