A complete concept-level outfit, not even sparing the red-clad female ghost.

Stepping out of the building, the afternoon sun was a bit too bright.

Zhou Tian squinted, adjusting his eyes to the light.

Zhao Qian had already walked to a black SUV parked by the roadside and opened the passenger door.

"Dad, get in the car."

Zhou Tian got into the car.

The car interior was very clean, with no unnecessary decorations, and only a faint smell of disinfectant.

Zhao Qian started the car, and the engine emitted a deep roar.

The SUV drove out of the residential area and merged into the traffic on the street.

Zhou Tian leaned back in his seat, looking out the window.

During the day, Jianghai City looks no different from any other modern city.

High-rise buildings stand tall, traffic flows like a river, and pedestrians hurry by.

But upon closer inspection, some unusual aspects can be found.

For example, some buildings have their windows sealed off using specially made metal plates.

For example, there are a lot of surveillance cameras on street corners.

Moreover, its shape is peculiar, and the lens seems to have a special sheen.

For example, you might occasionally see people wearing dark blue uniforms.

They walked by in twos and threes, all carrying similar equipment around their waists.

The car drove for about twenty minutes before stopping in front of a school.

Jianghai No. 3 Middle School.

From the outside, it looks like a very ordinary public middle school.

The teaching building is quite old; some of the exterior wall tiles have fallen off, and the plastic track on the playground has faded.

However, the school gates were tightly closed, and yellow warning tape was used to cordon off the area.

Two men in security guard uniforms stood at the entrance, their backs ramrod straight, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

Zhou Tian could tell that these two were definitely not ordinary security guards.

Their posture, their eyes, and the slight bulge at their waist.

This all demonstrates that they are trained professionals.

"arrive."

Zhao Qian parked the car and unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Dad, those two are field personnel from our center, responsible for guarding this place."

As she spoke, she pushed open the door and got out of the car.

Zhou Tian followed.

As soon as the two reached the door, the two "security guards" came to greet them.

"Deputy Captain Zhao."

One of them saluted, his gaze fixed on Zhou Tian with a scrutinizing look.

"Who is this?"

"My dad."

Zhao Qian said without changing her expression.

Both field staff members were stunned.

They looked at Zhao Qian, then at Zhou Tian, ​​their eyes full of doubt.

Deputy Captain Zhao's father?

So young?

She doesn't even look as big as Zhao Qian.

Besides, I've never heard her mention it before...

"Deputy Captain Zhao, this..."

"The school is currently under lockdown; no one is allowed to enter. That's the rule, you know."

The other person spoke, his tone hesitant.

"I know."

"But my dad wants to go in and take a look."

Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

The two field staff exchanged a glance and both saw the difficulty in each other's eyes.

Rules are rules.

But Zhao Qian is the vice-captain, their superior.

Moreover, she is usually very steady in her actions and would not bring people over without a reason.

But...

"Deputy Captain Zhao, it's not that we're not cooperating. It's just that there are orders from above; no one can enter without the captain's approval."

The first person to speak forced himself to speak.

Zhao Qian frowned.

"I'm only saying this once. If you don't move aside, don't blame me for being impolite."

Zhao Qian's tone was cold.

The two people sensed Zhao Qian's presence and were filled with fear.

Without hesitation, he made way for Zhao Qian and Zhou Tian.

"Hmph, that's more like it."

"Father, let's go inside."

...

As Zhou Tian entered the school, the smile on his face faded somewhat.

He could feel the rainbow-colored clothes in the shadows trembling slightly.

"Master, the yin energy here... is stronger than outside."

"Although it's still very faint, it's definitely there. And... there's more than one."

Hongyi's voice rang out, tinged with excitement.

Zhou Tian's heart stirred.

"Can you tell how many there are?"

Zhou Tian inquired.

"There are at least three different auras."

Rainbow Clothes answered.

Three?

Zhou Tian raised an eyebrow.

The official team came three times but couldn't find it, yet there are at least three ghosts here?

Either these ghosts are particularly good at hiding, or...

They have special activity patterns.

It only appears at specific times and under specific conditions.

"Dad, where should we go first?"

Zhao Qian asked.

She has now fully embraced the role of "daughter," prioritizing Zhou Tian in everything she does.

Zhou Tian looked around.

Playground, teaching buildings, laboratory buildings, dormitory buildings...

Standard secondary school facilities.

"Where did the missing students go missing?"

Zhou Tian asked.

"Four students, all disappeared in different locations."

Zhao Qian recalled the information in the file.

"The first one is in the restroom on the third floor of the teaching building, the second one is in the basement of the laboratory building, the third one is in the equipment room next to the playground, the fourth one..."

She paused.

"It's on the rooftop of the dormitory building."

"What about time?"

"They were all at night. The first three were during evening self-study, and the last one was after lights out."

Zhao Qian answered.

Zhou Tian nodded.

At night, in different locations.

This suggests that the activities of these ghosts may be related to both time and place.

Or perhaps they are simply different kinds of ghosts, each with its own rules for killing.

"Let's go check out the teaching building first."

Zhou Tian said.

"it is good."

Zhao Qian led Zhou Tian toward the teaching building.

It was an old five-story building with yellowed exterior tiles and moss growing in some places.

The building door was locked, so Zhao Qian took out a bunch of keys from her pocket and unlocked the door.

"Squeak."

The old iron gate was pushed open, making a harsh scraping sound.

A wave of dust and musty smell hit me.

Zhou Tian frowned and stepped inside.

It was very dark inside the teaching building.

Although it was daytime, the corridor windows were covered by thick curtains.

Only a few rays of light pierced through the gaps.

"In order to preserve the site, it has been kept exactly as it is."

Zhao Qian explained.

"No one comes in except for necessary investigations."

Zhou Tian nodded, his gaze sweeping across the corridor.

Both classroom doors were closed and sealed with tape.

"Where is the restroom on the third floor?"

Zhou Tianwen.

"Over here."

Zhao Qian led Zhou Tian up the stairs.

The stairwell was even darker, with only the green indicator lights for the emergency exits emitting a faint glow.

The corridor on the third floor of the teaching building was so quiet that you could hear the dust falling to the ground.

Zhou Tian and Zhao Qian walked one after the other.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, sounding particularly abrupt.

The two walked to the bathroom door.

The door was an old-fashioned wooden door, with most of the paint peeling off, revealing the blackened wood underneath.

The door handle was rusty and had faded seals on it.

Zhao Qian reached out and tore off the seal, then pushed open the door.

"Squeak!"

The door hinges emitted a harsh, screeching sound, which was particularly eerie in the quiet corridor.

The bathroom was dark, with only a small window letting in a little light.

The air was filled with a mixture of musty and disinfectant smells, and a faint... fishy odor.

Zhou Tian frowned.