The silver light dissipated. Ji Chen felt the world spinning. When his vision cleared, the three of them had already reappeared in a strange apartment. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, his stomach churning violently.
"Everyone feels like this the first time they use a teleportation talisman." Lin Mo tucked away the now-ashen silver paper and quickly walked to the fridge. "Drink this. It'll help."
He tossed Ji Chen a bottle of blue liquid. Ji Chen unscrewed the cap and was immediately hit by a pungent medicinal scent.
"Drink it," Lin Mo was already squatting beside Su Wan, inspecting her injuries. "Your girlfriend's in pretty bad shape."
Ji Chen opened his mouth to explain they weren't like that—but seeing Su Wan's pale face, the words died on his lips. He gulped down the medicine. The bitter taste nearly made him gag, but after a few seconds, the dizziness noticeably eased.
"Where are we?" Ji Chen forced himself to stand.
"Special Affairs Bureau Safehouse." Lin Mo tore open Su Wan's sleeve, revealing three deep gashes down to the bone. The surrounding skin was already turning ominously dark. "Yin Venom Claw. You're lucky it wasn't the most lethal kind."
From his belt pouch, Lin Mo unfolded a roll of silver needles and small vials. With practiced hands, he applied a green ointment to the wound. Su Wan clenched her teeth, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
"Hang in there," Lin Mo lit a special incense stick, the smoke curling and condensing above the wound. "This toxin devours spiritual energy. If untreated, she'll lose at least three years' worth of cultivation."
Ji Chen stood by helplessly, his fists tightening. Su Wan had been injured protecting him—and he couldn't even lend a hand.
"What can I do?" he asked, hoarsely.
"Medical kit in the kitchen cabinet. Get some gauze," Lin Mo replied without looking up. "And boil some hot water."
Ji Chen rushed to the kitchen. The apartment seemed ordinary, but strange details stood out—talisman paper on the fridge, a bronze mirror on the living room wall, and kitchen knives engraved with delicate runes.
Inside the medical kit were basic supplies, as well as porcelain bottles labeled "Qi Recovery Pill" and "Clarity Powder." He grabbed the gauze and boiled water. When he returned, Lin Mo had finished the initial treatment.
"It's stable for now, but to purge the toxin completely, we'll need a 'Azure Spirit Pill,'" Lin Mo wiped sweat from his brow. "We might have some in the bureau's storage."
Su Wan weakly shook her head. "Don't... bother... I have... one from home..." She struggled to reach her pocket.
Ji Chen helped her retrieve a silk pouch. Inside was a jade-green pill. After taking it, Su Wan's complexion visibly improved and her breathing steadied.
"Gusu Su Clan's 'Qingluan Rejuvenation Pill'? Huh." Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. "You must hold a pretty high status in your family."
Su Wan gave a faint, bitter smile but didn't explain. Ji Chen knew of her complicated standing in the clan—but now wasn't the time to unpack that.
"Let's do this formally," Lin Mo offered a hand. "Lin Mo. Operations Team Leader, Division 7, Special Affairs Bureau. I handle supernatural cultivator activity across East China."
"Ji Chen." He shook it briefly. "So... the government knows about cultivators?"
"Of course," Lin Mo lit a cigarette. "A dedicated agency has existed since the founding of the PRC. Most cultivator clans and sects signed the Hidden World Treaty—agreeing not to interfere with the mundane world."
"And the Night Owl Society?"
"Rogue cultivators. Violators of that pact," Lin Mo exhaled smoke. "Qin Yue is a high-priority subject under surveillance in Jiang City. But we've never caught him red-handed. That auction tonight..." He paused. "Those so-called antiques? Cursed items laced with Soul-Eating Parasites. Every wealthy buyer will become a puppet within three months."
Ji Chen sucked in a breath. He remembered the buyers' fevered eyes. His stomach churned.
"Why help me?" Ji Chen asked directly. "I'm just a rookie cultivator."
Lin Mo held his gaze for a moment, then chuckled. "Two reasons. One: Qin Yue's watching you, so we have to. Two..." He pulled out a handheld device and scanned Ji Chen. It beeped.
On the screen: Detected: Taixu Energy Signature. Match: 87%
Ji Chen and Su Wan exchanged a glance. The secret of the Heavenly Tome wouldn't stay hidden for long.
"'Taixu Evolutionary Canon,' huh?" Lin Mo pocketed the device. "No wonder Qin Yue's after you. The Night Owl leader—Nether Sovereign—has been hunting ancient tomes for years. Legend says collecting all nine opens the 'Gate of Taixu.'"
"What is that?" Ji Chen asked.
"A passage to a higher dimension," Su Wan propped herself up. Her voice was weak. "In the cultivation world, there's a saying: 'When Taixu opens, Heaven's Law changes.' But what that really means... no one knows."
Lin Mo glanced at his watch. "It's late. You'll stay here tonight. We'll talk more tomorrow." At the door, he added, "Also, Qin Yue probably has your places staked out. Don't go back."
—