Chapter 15: Battle Sect! The Criminal Investigation Department's Spiritual Investigation Section

As the saying goes, "A beauty in her prime, delicate as jade, with a sword on her waist, slays ordinary men." Li Xi had reached her prime, wielding not a sword but a machete, and that night Lin Feng was left both ecstatic and exhausted.

Awakening around noon, Lin Feng looked at the sleeping Li Xi beside him, curled up like a contented kitten.

With nothing to do as she lay sleeping on his arm, he gently held her while browsing through the new functions in his mind's system.

[New Feature Added]: Hell Realm Trial

Description: Spend 10,000 karma points to enter a randomly generated Hell Realm faction. Within this Hell Realm, legendary ghosts and ghostly officials clash in fierce battles. Your goal is to survive in this chaotic and dangerous world.

Rewards: For each day survived, you earn 100 karma points. Conquering other factions, capturing Hell Towers, Ghost Fields, Spirit Pools, Spirit Crystal Mines, and other resources can yield additional karma points.

Note: Many unexpected events will occur. So far, 11,694,157,698,720,300 Hell Realm leaders have perished here—will you be the next?

(Overall Rating: If I don't enter Hell, who will? When Hell is empty, you can become a Buddha!)

Hell Realm!

In this place, at least all inhabitants are fierce spirits (Level 30 and above), filled with wrath and evil from various realms. One can imagine the chaos and danger here.

Not to mention, it costs 10,000 karma points to build up your own faction and fight others? Are you kidding me? I'd be dead before day two.

Lin Feng knew that strategy warfare games weren't for him. Back in middle school, he couldn't even beat the easy computer mode at Red Alert in the black market internet cafes. How could he compete with these bloodthirsty ghosts?

[New Feature Added]: Fierce Ghost PK Arena

Description: Spend 100 karma points to enter and engage in PK battles with other system hosts. Items and ghostly servants are allowed in battles.

Rewards: Win each battle to earn 50 karma points. If your winning streak is broken, your accumulated karma goes to the opponent. You may choose to exit with your karma points after a win. If you achieve ten consecutive wins, you'll advance to the next PK level, where you'll unlock additional training resources and exclusive skill purchase privileges.

Note: The PK arenas are divided into "Yin Court," "Nether River," "Yellow Springs," and a special arena known as the "Cycle of Life and Death." The first three are advancement arenas, while the "Cycle of Life and Death" pits you against randomly chosen system hosts. The victor takes all from the defeated.

(Overall Rating: Only a true warrior can dominate fierce ghosts! Fight your way to survival and earn the title of King of Fierce Ghosts!)

Lin Feng's eyes lit up with excitement.

Since childhood, he had been a bit of a violent type, aspiring to be a fearless gang leader, though he'd never caught the eye of a "big brother" in the underworld. He had settled into his job in peace.

Then again, someone did appreciate him at one time. Director Wang had spotted his potential and hired him from the cheap labor market to work at the funeral parlor.

"Working in a funeral parlor is so stifling. The system's tasks are either one-sided crushes or me getting crushed. I'm still young—I need to release my pent-up violent side, or I might end up with twisted hobbies. And to think, I'm not the only system host?"

Lin Feng double-checked. No mistake—he wasn't the only one.

That actually came as a relief. Playing solo for so long, he was ready for some multiplayer action.

"Mmm…"

Li Xi stretched like a kitten, rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Honey, why are you up so early? You were so weak last night…"

Lin Feng chuckled, flipping Li Xi over as she squealed and protested. He growled, "Just say you want more! How dare you mock me? I'll make sure you can't walk today…"

Ignoring her pleas for mercy, he pounced on her like a hungry wolf.

Afternoon, Funeral Parlor

In his office, Lin Feng browsed a martial arts website when Director Wang entered with his tea cup, curious. "Xiao Lin, all your work done?"

"All done, even for two days from now. Gotta say, that ice coffin hall you built is top-notch! Director Wang, you have great foresight!" Lin Feng gave a thumbs-up, eyes glued to the screen.

Director Wang puffed up with pride. "Only you have the eye for it! With that ice coffin hall, our monthly storage fees have skyrocketed. No wonder the funeral parlor's doing so well!"

Though Director Wang was in charge, he wasn't one to put on airs. Most other employees were either his senior or like Lin Feng, too casual to bother. He treated everyone with a friendly demeanor.

Lin Feng smirked, "Making money off the dead, Director Wang. Isn't that damaging your karma?"

"Baloney! The money's paid willingly by the living, and I'm serving the deceased here!" scoffed Director Wang.

Lin Feng rolled his eyes. "I've worked here for two years and haven't seen you handle a single corpse. If anyone's serving them, it's me!"

Director Wang saw Lin Feng wasn't arguing back and smugly moved behind him. "What's got you into martial arts lately?"

Lin Feng nodded. "Planning to join a fighting ring."

Fighting ring…

Director Wang's expression twitched in shock.

"Some family's daughter looking for a husband through martial arts? Impossible… Your aunt is with the women's association, and I didn't hear anything like that."

Lin Feng almost choked. Who says older folks are old-fashioned? Look how lively his imagination is! Being a funeral parlor director is beneath him!

"Forget it; you wouldn't understand." Lin Feng couldn't explain the Fierce Ghost PK Arena, so he shrugged it off.

Director Wang, however, leaned in with interest. "If you really want to learn martial arts, I know just the place for you."

Lin Feng looked up eagerly. Director Wang leaned close and whispered, "The Criminal Investigation Department!"

"...Why don't you go listen to Uncle He's music at the gate and leave me to my business?"

Director Wang grew serious. "Xiao Lin, as your superior, I'm giving you sincere advice."

"Do they know martial arts? Sure, a little, but I mean real martial arts!"

Director Wang grinned mysteriously. "You're still young, Xiao Lin. There's something you probably don't know—the city's Criminal Investigation Department has a 'Spiritual Investigation Section' staffed with Taoist disciples specialized in dealing with supernatural cases. They're known as the Battle Sect!"

Battle Sect!

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. His friend Nie Chuxia had mentioned them once, though he hadn't been certain they were part of the Battle Sect. Director Wang's sources were surprisingly accurate.

"Director Wang, a fresh pack of Zhonghua cigarettes for you!" Lin Feng immediately turned on the charm, lighting one up for the director, who took it with relish.

"My wife's been cutting my allowance for months to make me quit. I'm down to bumming dry leaves from Uncle He. Almost triggered my asthma! You sure know how to live, kid."

While Director Wang enjoyed his cigarette, Lin Feng pushed his luck. "Director Wang, help me get in. Your wife's only looking out for you. Three Zhonghua cigarettes a day, just for you, if you set me up."

The director gave him a dismissive look. "Are you paying your respects or bribing me?"

Lin Feng laughed, "I'll even kowtow if you're up for it."

"Cheeky!" Director Wang clapped him on the shoulder. "I'll call Director Qian over there and let you know."

Within half an hour, Director Wang returned, his expression a little off.

"Xiao Lin, I might not have explained things clearly…"

"Did it fall through?" Lin Feng blinked, expecting the case to be too busy for him.

But Director Wang shook his head. "No, not exactly… Do you remember that female captain, Jiang Wan, who brought over Mi Shihong's body?"

Lin Feng nodded, "Sure, her name's Jiang Wan."

Director Wang said, "Director Qian may have misinterpreted my intention, thinking you were interested in Jiang. Since she's single, he tried to matchmake you two. When she found out… well, Jiang Wan was quite upset and told you to go to the Criminal Investigation Department after work."

Wait—what?!

"Director Wang, what on earth did you say? That's a massive misunderstanding!"

Director Wang cleared his throat. "Well, you're single, and the company's housing assignment is coming up soon. It's a good opportunity!"

Lin Feng was speechless.

Director Wang slapped a packet of tiger bone pain patches into his hand. "Hope you find love soon; maybe it'll bring some good luck to the funeral parlor. Just remember to protect your face…"

Lin Feng:"..."