This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 286 First Direct Encounter with Ghosts and Gods

In modern times, the earth's veins are only being slowly awakened. Not to mention that the spiritual energy is already insufficient, it is merely a stimulating release of the spiritual energy sealed by heaven and earth. Even if the severance of the connection between heaven and earth is truly broken and a true spiritual energy revival is achieved, it will still take a process.

Therefore, in the current stage of the Great Flame, where the concentration of spiritual energy is still extremely low, there is actually no need to worry about many plants and animals becoming spirits or any monsters emerging.

What we really need to be wary of are the unusual entities that have survived from ancient times to the present. These entities are the ones that might cause trouble when the spiritual energy recovers.

The most typical example is the Demon-Sealing Rock in Xiong Xuguang's "past life memories". If similar demons break through the seal, the damage and impact will be enormous.

Meanwhile, after the situation in the ancient town's City God Temple was quickly reported to the Bureau of Investigation's information website, relevant experts immediately reached the closest and most reasonable conclusion.

This matter likely involves a matter of faith, specifically the so-called "incense and deity worship" in Taoism.

Faced with such a situation, the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations did not hesitate at all. In addition to mobilizing its elite forces to provide reinforcements, it also sought help from cultivators.

Later that day, the gray-black sky was still clearly visible, but the ancient town had been completely isolated. Not only did the scenic area cease operations, but all residents and people in commercial buildings within a hundred meters of the ancient town were also evacuated and advised to leave.

The first batch of special police officers have all withdrawn to the edge of the ancient town, while the number of personnel from the Bureau of Investigation has increased many times over. Now, hundreds of personnel from the Bureau of Investigation have gathered within the ancient town area.

"Zi La~"

A specially modified minivan crossed the cordon with almost no speed and then stopped in front of the old town’s original ticket office.

The SWAT officers on guard looked over there, and the people from the Bureau of Surveillance had already surrounded it. The seemingly ordinary small truck had a hidden world inside when the cargo hold was opened. The entire cargo hold was spread out on all four sides, and there were many things that had never been seen before, such as various metal supports and some things that looked rather old.

The on-site commander has now been replaced by Zheng Xing, who was also one of the people who originally went to Taiji Temple with Xiong Xuguang, but things are very different now.

"Alright, begin setting up the formation according to the internal manual and drill specifications!"

"Yes!"

A total of more than a dozen groups of people immediately began to retrieve their belongings from the vehicles, and then, each with their assigned special police officers, dispersed to different directions in the ancient town.

Zheng Xing frowned as he looked at the ancient town. In fact, based on the existing intelligence, there seemed to be a reasonable possibility of making contact.

However, there was nothing that could be done. As the gray-black smoke continued to spread, even some military and police personnel on the outskirts of the ancient town began to show varying degrees of agitation and emotional outbursts, and there were even instances of them losing control and injuring people. And these were well-trained military and police personnel.

It is obvious that this kind of thing has a great impact on the mind, so it must be controlled within a certain range. No one knows the consequences of letting it spread unchecked.

Many of the special police officers who came this time have also gained some experience, and while maintaining vigilance, they will mostly act as porters.

One group consisted of three agents from the Special Investigation Bureau and twelve special police officers, carrying five boxes and moving quickly forward.

The three agents checked their watches as they walked. One of the special police officers examined them and found that the watches were not timetables at all. They were covered with a dense array of ancient characters, making them look more like the compasses used by feng shui masters.

Each of the three agents had to check their watches to finally confirm an exact location.

"That's it!"

A group of people stopped next to a thatched hut on the edge of the ancient town, and one of them pointed to the hut and said.

"Demolish immediately!"

The special police, along with agents from the Bureau of Investigation, didn't hesitate at all. In less than a minute, they sawed through the wooden pillars of the thatched shed and then violently removed the entire shed.

Next, all the boxes were opened, and the sticks were taken out one by one.

The special police officers moved around with poles, while the officers from the Special Investigation Bureau directed them to determine their location.

"That's it, open the anti-accidental-touch cover, yes, it's on top, and then press it down!"

The SWAT officer, holding the metal bar, looked at what he was holding, unscrewed the plastic cover on top, and found a red button. When he pressed it, the bar vibrated.

"Boom~"

Like a heavy hammer striking the earth, the pole stood upright in place, even breaking through the cracks in the ancient town's stone slabs, without needing anyone to support it.

"Thump~" "Thump~" "Thump~" "Thump~"
The same happened to the other special police officers; eight shots rang out in succession, and the poles they were holding automatically stood firm.

Then a fluorescent light appeared on the shaft, but I don't know what kind of light it was.

The fifth box was opened by the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations, who took out two poles, one black and one white, and then went to the central area to activate them.

"Thump~" "Thump~"

Two poles were erected, and two small flags were unfurled on them. A shadow of Tai Chi Bagua appeared on the ground and then disappeared.

"One group is ready!"

The lead agent reported the results via walkie-talkie, while other voices also came through the communication channel.

"Group Two is ready. Group Three is ready."

Zheng Xing, positioned on the outskirts of the ancient town, personally lowered the last command flag.

"Activate the formation!"

Although we had practiced this many times before, this was the first time we had to use this step in actual combat.

As the last command flag fell, everyone—from the special police and agents of the Bureau of Investigation to the military personnel who had just arrived and were beginning their deployment—seemed to feel a slight tremor in the ground.

Many people subconsciously looked towards the ancient town, while those inside subconsciously looked up and could see the light curtain rising and spreading from eight directions, merging into a complete light curtain in the sky, enveloping the entire ancient town.

Then the light screen flashed and disappeared, as if everything had just been an illusion.

But how could someone who actually witnessed this scene possibly think it was an illusion?

Did you see that?

"Did you see that?!"

Some special police officers and soldiers couldn't help but ask their comrades, but apart from surprise and curiosity, few of them could answer the question.

From that moment on, those inside the ancient town saw that the gray-black smoke seemed to have stopped spreading outwards, while those outside the town saw that everything had returned to normal, as if nothing was different from normal, whether above the town or outside; the only difference was that the ancient town had been isolated.

However, this seems to have triggered a chain reaction, as while it isolated the gray-black smoke, it also isolated the spiritual energy from the outside world.

The personnel from the Bureau of Investigation stationed outside the City God Temple immediately noticed the anomaly; the entire area around the City God Temple seemed to be trembling.

"Command center, command center, something's changed, there's a buzzing sound."

The agents discovered that the communication devices were filled with static and immediately issued orders to those nearby.

"Evacuate!"

But before the words were even finished, a shadow shot into the sky from the City God Temple, leaving a trail of ink-like marks in its wake. "Clang—"

With the sound of weapons being drawn, a pale blue light emerged from the darkness of the daytime.

"Crack."

The sky above the ancient town suddenly brightened, and the transparent protective shield reappeared, seemingly blocking the brilliance of the sword strike. However, a slight crack appeared, but it quickly returned to normal.

In the inky blackness of the sky, there seemed to be a person standing there. He slowly descended and returned to the top of the City God Temple, looking up and then looking around.

The man's expression was somewhat confused, but the impact of the previous strike and the protective shield had actually brought him back to his senses.

"This is... a restriction?"

Through the barrier, the figure in the darkness could even see the gathering of spiritual energy outside. The clarity in its eyes began to waver again, and the gray-black smoke around its body continued to spread.

"Kill! Kill! Those who stand in my way shall die!"

The sword in his hand was drawn once more, this time streaks of light shooting into the sky, causing more and more cracks to appear on the barrier.

Zheng Xing's heart pounded. He looked around and saw that everyone looked uneasy.

Clearly different from the initial intelligence, the beings inside are completely uncontrollable, existing in a chaotic and tyrannical state.

We can't just stand by and watch; we need to eliminate it!
However, an internal attack can only have one chance, waiting for the moment he breaks through!

After making the judgment, Zheng Xing immediately issued the order.

"Prepare airburst munitions—"

The military on the perimeter had already set up simple positions, erecting cannons and rocket launchers. In the past, the Bureau of Investigation had used special ink they carried with them to engrave symbols on some rockets and artillery shells.

"All military and police units, one firing opportunity. After firing, regardless of the outcome, immediately withdraw without hesitation. We will handle the rest!"

"Aim for the breakthrough point and listen to my countdown."

Zheng Xing's voice came through a communicator and a loudspeaker.

Compared to monsters with obvious physical forms, spirits and deities are the most troublesome. They often break through physical limitations, and ordinary soldiers and police officers are unlikely to play a significant role afterward. In the absence of suitable equipment, they may even become a hindrance.

"4, 3, 2, 1, launch!"

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
When Zheng Xing gave the launch command, he silently counted to two before immediately pressing the controller in his hand.

In the next instant, the already cracked barrier vanished, and the figure that had attacked the barrier missed its target with a single slash, momentarily stunned in mid-air.

The shell then arrived precisely at that moment; the shadow in the air only had time to shift its gaze before the explosion occurred.

"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"
The deafening explosions continued, with shells and rockets exploding in the air in that direction, and dozens of shells and rockets landing precisely in that spot.

The explosions hadn't ended yet, the smoke was still the color of flames, and the evacuation had already begun.

"retreat--"

Military and police personnel turned and withdrew, while the members of the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations revealed their trump cards; they all carried amulets or even specially made weapons.

Some people's bodies glowed with spiritual light, some people's pistols had spiritual patterns appear on their surfaces, some people's talismans began to glow, and some people even unfolded the cold weapons that were originally hidden on their backs in bags.

Zheng Xing, as the commander-in-chief, had already gripped his weapon tightly, which was actually a Xuanjin spear more than ten feet long. Although it was an experimental weapon that had not yet been fully approved, it was still incredibly powerful, but it could not give Zheng Xing much confidence at the moment.

"Die, all of you!"

Everyone understood that it would not end so simply.

A faint blade of light approached, and Zheng Xing gathered his spiritual energy, decisively activating the Xuanjin Spear in a flash.

"boom--"

A burst of flame erupted from the butt of the gun. Instead of choosing a ranged attack, Zheng Xing charged directly at the shadowy figure, gun and all!
"when--"

The Xuanjin Spear carried Zheng Xing through the air, shattering the blade of light. The blade of light looked extremely weak, yet it shook Zheng Xing so much that his internal organs felt as if they had been dislocated. At that moment, as he hovered in the air with the spear held horizontally, he saw a face in front of him that was filled with chaos and a hint of astonishment.

It's now!

Zheng Xing strained to turn the Xuanjin Spear around, and with a thought, he activated it again, now with a tail jet.

"boom--"

A streak of fire flashed across the sky as Zheng Xing, wielding the Xuanjin Spear, moved like a divine general soaring through the air, striking the shadow directly with a single thrust.

"Sizzle."

A tearing sound rang out, and the shadow seemed to be ripped apart by Zheng Xing's shot from one shoulder to the abdomen, the body in the shadow splitting into two halves, one above the other.

"Bang! Crash! Crash! Crash! Crash!"

Zheng Xing crashed onto the roof of an ancient town, his feet carving two furrows and crushing a large number of old black tiles. Looking back at the sky, he was both surprised and delighted by his victory!
Other agents from the Bureau of Investigation also looked excited.

The joy lasted only a few seconds before the shadows in the sky seemed to merge together again, transforming into a beam of light that rushed towards Zheng Xing. By the time it reached him, it had already transformed back into human form.

This time, Zheng Xing saw clearly that it was a man dressed in a tall hat and looked like a madman.

"die--"

The Xuanjin Spear only had time to block before the blade from the other side attacked, slicing directly across Zheng Xing's chest.

Swah——

With a flash of light, Zheng Xing was already on the ground, and gunshots rang out below as the rest of the Investigation Bureau took action.
Zheng Xing was in great pain, but he knew he was not dead. However, the precious talisman in his arms was broken, and he had a feeling that a part of his life had left him.

Despite the excruciating pain that nearly made him faint, Zheng Xing relayed orders through the communicator.

"Everyone, do not fight head-on. Use delaying tactics to hold out until reinforcements arrive."

But terrifying sounds kept coming from the communicator.
“Uh.”

"what"

An agent from the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations was about to throw out a talisman when he was slashed by a blade. His body seemed unharmed, but he fell straight down.

Colleagues rushed over from a distance, but after checking the person on the ground, they found that there was no pulse.
(End of this chapter)