Everyone's Suppressing Ghosts: Others Contract Divine Weapons, I Contract Blank Paper

The next morning, the town museum lobby was packed with people.

Yesterday, the line here was for contract signings.

Today, this area is surrounded by notice boards.

The electronic screen that originally displayed the prices of goods in the town was temporarily cut into two pieces by the college.

The left side still contains the list of items for warding off evil spirits.

[Thunder-patterned peach wood sword: 880,000.]

[Soul-Suppressing Bell: 360,000]

[Buddha's Light Protective Mirror: 420,000]

[Door God Talismans: 290,000]

On the right is the college's newly released announcement.

Red background with black lettering.

It is particularly eye-catching.

[Preliminary report on the handling of the unusual incident at the old staff dormitory building.]

[Event Code: Knocking on the Door at Midnight]

[Event Type: Mysterious Debt Case]

[Event Rating: C]

[Thirteen people died during the renovation project of the old staff dormitory building.]

[Current Status: Name clearing, account clearing, transfer of remains, and containment of contamination have been completed.]

[Main facilitator: Xu Du, Class 2, Year 2.]

[Temporary Merit Reward: 100.]

The hall was silent for a full three seconds.

The next moment, the sound exploded.

"One hundred merits?"

"Am I seeing things? A freshman gets a hundred points on his first case of a bizarre crime?"

"A Class C mysterious debt case... If this gets out of control, the entire old staff dormitory area will have to be sealed off, right?"

"The key point is that Xu Du was listed as the main facilitator."

"Xu Du, the one who made the white paper lantern yesterday?"

"The abandoned warehouse?"

"Isn't it said that abandoned buildings are all polluting garbage?"

Some people subconsciously looked towards the depths of the hall.

The rusty little door is still there.

The four red characters on the door are still eye-catching.

Abandoned town building.

Yesterday they looked at that door like it was a garbage dump.

Looking at it again today, the look in its eyes is different.

Danger.

unlucky.

It's not formal.

But if used correctly, you can earn 100 merit points a day.

This is more direct than any explanation.

This is what Xu Du saw when he entered the hall.

Dozens of students stood under the notice screen, looking up at his name.

As soon as he stepped into the town museum, the surrounding noise noticeably decreased.

Someone turned their head.

Someone nudged their companion's arm.

"They're here."

"Xu Du is here."

"Is that the white paper soul-guiding lamp he's carrying?"

"It doesn't look like anything special."

"Nothing much? There were thirteen ghosts in the old staff dormitory yesterday, and the Department of the Underworld came to investigate."

"It seems that the people from Zhou's Construction were taken away overnight."

"Where is Zhou Cheng's father?"

"They're also under investigation."

"Really?"

"The announcement has already been released, what do you say?"

Xu Du did not stop.

He carried the white paper lantern and walked towards the window of the practical training department.

The paper lanterns are still the same.

Bamboo pole, white paper, with a light blackened edge.

There is no lightning pattern.

There was no Buddha's light.

It lacks the metallic sheen that makes it look valuable, like the Soul-Suppressing Bell.

It was even more shabby than the most ordinary standard peach wood plaque in the main hall.

But wherever he went, the students automatically made way for him.

It's not because he has a strong presence.

It's because those 100 merit points on the announcement screen are too glaring.

In the academy, for ordinary freshmen, earning ten merit points during their first practical training is considered a good performance.

Twenty merits are enough to brag about in class for a month.

Fifty meritorious deeds, which will be recorded as a key achievement by the practical training department.

One hundred meritorious deeds.

That's a number that ordinary students shouldn't be able to earn.

Behind the window of the practical training department sat a female teacher wearing glasses.

When she saw Xu Du approaching, her expression clearly paused for a moment.

"Xu Du?"

"Um."

Student ID.

Xu Du handed it over.

The female teacher swiped it.

The small screen next to the window lit up.

Name: Xu Du.

[Class: Sophomore Class 2]

[Life Lamp Status: Lighted.]

[Amulet for warding off evil spirits: A white paper lantern to guide the soul.]

[Status of the talisman: Under special verification.]

[Temporary Merit Points: 100]

[Note: A key facilitator in the C-level mysterious debt case involving the old staff dormitory building.]

The female teacher looked at the screen, but couldn't help glancing at Xu Du again.

"First time earning merit?"

"Um."

"Temporary merits have been added to your student ghost-suppressing account."

"That's what the female teacher said."

"Once the Bureau of Spirituality Management completes its review, it will be converted into an official merit."

Xu Du asked, "Can it be used now?"

"Half of it can be used."

The female teacher paused.

That is, fifty points.

Several students nearby were listening intently.

Upon hearing this, another low murmur arose.

"Fifty points is quite a lot."

"The Life Lamp Stabilizing Liquid costs only twenty merit points per vial."

"Basic Anti-Ghost Talisman Pack Thirty"

"A basic repair of the town's maintenance room only costs forty."

"He just lit the life lamp and was immediately able to exchange it for a set of introductory resources."

Xu Du nodded.

They didn't immediately say what they wanted to change it to.

The female teacher typed a few more times on the keyboard.

Screen refresh.

[The "Blank Paper Soul-Guiding Lamp" rating review: Preliminary approval.]

[Original rating: Discarded.]

[Current rating: Special observation.]

[Danger Level: Low to Medium.]

[Pollution level: 0.7]

[Mental erosion: None.]

[Tendency to spiral out of control: Low.]

Town Degree: 5.3.

[Functional Tags: Illumination, Soul Guidance, Ghost Gate Detection.]

The female teacher's voice was not loud.

But the hall fell silent for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, the discussion became even louder than before.

"Special observation?"

"Wasn't it abandoned?"

"A pollution level of 0.7? That's lower than many standard pollutants, isn't it?"

"The town's affinity level is still at 5.3."

"Three function labels?"

"What is the 'Ghost Gate Sensing' technique?"

"Has the white paper lantern really made a comeback?"

Xu Du looked at those few lines of text.

Abandoned.

Special observation.

Only four words are missing.

But for a talisman, it already represents two different fates.

Yesterday, it was suggested that it be sealed or burned.

Today, the college singled out the case for review.

The female teacher looked up and raised her voice slightly.

"Starting today, the white paper soul-guiding lamp will no longer be placed in the abandoned town's inventory."

This statement was clearly not just directed at Xu Du.

It was also meant for all the students in the hall to hear.

"But special observation is not the same as a formal rating."

"During the review period, without the approval of the Practical Training Department or the Spirit Management Bureau, Xu Du shall not use the white paper soul-guiding lamp to handle off-campus ghost cases."

Other students are not allowed to access, borrow, or induce others to use it.

She glanced around the hall.

Several students who had been looking towards the small door of the abandoned warehouse immediately turned their gaze away.

Xu Du retrieved his student ID.

"clear."

Just then, the electronic screen in the center of the town's main hall suddenly flashed.

Below the notices in the old staff building, a new list area has been added.

[Jiangcheng Town Ghost Academy, New Life Lamp Initial Test Ranking.]

The noise in the hall immediately subsided.

Everyone looked up.

This is what they've been waiting for all day.

After the signing ceremony, the academy will compile preliminary test data on the life lamps and protective objects of all new students.

This list does not represent the final strength.

But that's enough to explain the starting point.

Whoever succeeds in the contract.

Who can suppress the powerful?

Who is a better match?

Who has the potential to be cultivated?

They will all be hung on it.

The electronic screen refreshed slowly.

[First Place: Xu Du.]

[Class: Sophomore Class 2]

[Amulet for warding off evil spirits: A white paper lantern to guide the soul.]

Town Degree: 5.3.

[Item Rating: Special Observation]

[Lamp Type: Yin Lamp]

[Note: Key facilitator in the old staff housing case.]

The entire hall suddenly became as quiet as if someone had held it down.

One hundred merit points can also be considered an event reward.

However, the first place on the preliminary ranking directly put Xu Du's name above all the new students.

Yesterday, he was still that poor student who couldn't afford the popular town items and was publicly ridiculed by Zhou Cheng.

Today, his name is listed first.

The others are below.

The electronic screen continued to refresh.

Second place: Gu Hanzhou.

[Item for warding off evil spirits: Soul-suppressing Bell.]

Town Degree: 4.7.

[Item rating: Superior.]

[Life Lamp Type: Yang Lamp]

Third place: Qin Zhaoxue.

[Amulet for protection: A protective mirror radiating Buddha's light.]

Town Degree: 4.3.

[Item rating: Superior.]

Fourth place: Zhou Cheng.

[Item for warding off evil spirits: A peach wood sword with a thunder pattern.]

[Township Development: Not yet completed.]

[Estimated rating: Excellent.]

[Note: The contract process has been delayed; a retest will be conducted within three days.]

Someone in the crowd lowered their voice.

"Zhou Cheng hasn't finalized the contract yet?"

"After the commotion at the old staff dormitory yesterday, he no longer has a chance to renew the contract."

"I estimate the quality to be quite high as well."

"He's strong, but right now the top spot is held by Xu Du."

"Did the white paper lantern suppress the soul-suppressing bell and the Buddha's light mirror?"

"Who would have thought of that?"

Zhou Cheng stood at the back of the crowd.

He was also looking at the rankings.

His face looked terribly pale.

The Zhou family black card was no longer on his chest.

After Zhou's Construction's accident, if that card were to be displayed again, it would only remind everyone of the old staff dormitory building.

But he was still holding a long, rectangular wooden box in his hand.

The surface of the wooden box is engraved with fine thunder patterns.

Inside is a peach wood sword with a thunder pattern.

880,000.

The top three most popular spots in the main hall.

He should be the one being talked about today.

But now, everyone is watching Xu Du.

Look at that white paper lamp.

Look at that dazzling number one.

Zhou Cheng gripped the wooden box tightly, his knuckles turning white.

A boy walking close to him quickly whispered:

"Young Master Zhou, it's just the initial ranking."

"You haven't officially taken the supplementary test yet."

"Once the Thunder Pattern Peach Wood Sword is fully crafted, our ranking will definitely improve."

Another person chimed in.

"Yes, white paper lamps are special, but practical training focuses on processing efficiency."

"Debt cases like those involving old staff housing are not something that happen every day."

"Most of the supernatural phenomena still need to be eliminated, suppressed, or rescued."

"The peach wood sword with thunder pattern is definitely more advantageous."

Zhou Cheng's expression softened slightly upon hearing these words.

He looked up at Xu Du.

Xu Du had retrieved his student ID and was preparing to leave the window.

"Xu Du".

Zhou Cheng suddenly spoke.

The voices in the hall lowered.

Everyone looked over.

Xu Du stopped in his tracks.

Zhou Cheng carried the wooden box and walked up to him.

He first glanced at the first place on the electronic screen, then looked at the white paper lantern in Xu Du's hand.

"Top of the initial rankings, feels pretty good, right?"

Xu Du said, "It's alright."

Zhou Cheng's face stiffened.

He had hoped to hear Xu Du deny it, or at least say a few polite words.

Xu Du only replied with two words.

Okay.

Some people around couldn't help but chuckle.

Zhou Cheng's eyes turned cold.

"Don't get too cocky."

He raised the wooden box in his hand.

"The contract for the thunder-patterned peach wood sword will be finalized this afternoon."

"I will be officially listed after the freshman internship in three days."

Xu Du looked at him.

"and then?"

Zhou Cheng lowered his voice.

"You've hit the jackpot with that kind of debt case involving the old staff housing."

"But the freshman internship wasn't specifically prepared for you."

"Stable talisman, identification of strange phenomena, practical handling, all scored."

"Especially the basic cleanup items."

He paused, then said, word by word:

"The Thunder Pattern Peach Wood Sword is primarily for offensive purposes and is naturally incompatible with Yin energy."

"Your white paper lamp can light the way and establish a covenant."

"But can it dispel negative energy?"

Many students in the hall nodded subconsciously.

That's an unpleasant thing to say.

But it makes sense.

The white paper lamp was truly amazing last night.

But it deals with the case of the "Debt of the Ghost Gate".

If it were replaced with ordinary Yin energy, evil spirits, or pollutants, a powerful offensive talisman like the Thunder Pattern Peach Wood Sword would have a much clearer advantage.

Xu Du did not refute.

Zhou Cheng stared at him and continued:

"Check the overall rankings after the freshman internship in three days."

"Whoever ranks lower must admit in front of the entire school that their charm is inferior to the other's."

The hall fell silent.

This is no longer just a casual provocation.

This is a public humiliation.

The female teacher behind the window frowned.

"Zhou Cheng, the academy does not encourage private gambling matches."

Zhou Cheng immediately said:

"Teacher, I won't gamble with merit or resources."

"I'll only bet one sentence."

"The rankings for freshmen internships are publicly available."

"Who's strong and who's weak? Look at the rankings."

He emphasized the last two words.

It was as if he was putting all the shame he had lost in the old staff building yesterday back into this sentence.

All eyes were on Xu Du.

Xu Du, a white paper lantern to guide the soul.

Zhou Cheng, a peach wood sword with thunder pattern.

It ranked first in the initial test.

The three most popular items in front of the main hall.

The freshmen's practical training three days later is already quite interesting.

The two are now betting on the rankings in public.

The excitement grew even greater.

Xu Du looked at Zhou Cheng calmly.

"Can."

Zhou Cheng's eyes darkened.

Xu Du added:

"Follow the college rules."

"Check the overall rankings."

Zhou Cheng sneered.

"it is good."

Just as he was about to turn around, the electronic screen suddenly beeped again.

drop.

Everyone instinctively looked up.

A new notification popped up next to the initial test ranking of the new Life Lamp.

[The initial draft of the rules for the New Student Ghost Hunting Training has been released.]

[Training time: Three days from now, at 9:00 AM.]

[Training Location: Simulated Haunted Building, East Campus of the College.]

All newly initiated students must participate.

Scores are calculated in real time.

[Overall rankings released.]

[The various sub-rankings are now available.]

The top three finishers in the practical training will receive additional merit points and a special training opportunity in the practical training subject.

The students in the hall immediately perked up.

"The rules are out!"

"Are the separate rankings also made public?"

"Will the cleanup ranking, the identification ranking, and the overall ranking all be displayed?"

"This is going to be interesting."

The electronic screen continued to refresh.

Project 1: Stabilization Test of the Charging Object.

[Evaluation criteria: Life Lamp stability, pollution control, mental resistance, and talisman response.]

Project Two: Basic Yin Sha Removal.

[Evaluation criteria: Removal efficiency, material consumption, contamination residue, and operational safety.]

Upon seeing the second item, Zhou Cheng couldn't help but let a slight smile creep onto his face.

Basic Yin energy removal.

This is what the Leiwen peach wood sword excels at.

Strong in attack and conquest.

They acted quickly.

Yin energy is most afraid of peach wood with thunder patterns.

In this respect, what can White Paper Lamp compare to it?

Should we burn paper money?

The students around him, who were initially shocked by Xu Du's first place on the preliminary test list, also came to their senses.

"Is the second item to cleanse away negative energy?"

"Zhou Cheng definitely benefited."

"The Thunder Pattern Peach Wood Sword is too powerful against this."

"A white paper lantern shouldn't be used for warding off evil spirits, right?"

"It can handle family debts, but that doesn't mean it can clear away negative influences."

"It will be difficult for Xu Du to maintain his number one position on the overall rankings."

Zhou Cheng looked at Xu Du.

"You saw it?"

"Secondly, I will widen the gap."

Xu Du remained silent.

His gaze fell on the electronic screen.

Because the rules haven't been fully applied yet.

A few seconds later, the third item appeared.

Project Three: Comprehensive Handling of Low-Risk Haunted Scenarios.

[Evaluation criteria: Mission completion, casualty control, anomaly identification, contamination suppression, and anomaly handling.]

[Note: There may be hidden objectives in the comprehensive processing project.]

[There is no upper limit to the hidden target score.]

When the last line appeared, the entire hall fell silent for a moment.

Hide the target.

There is no upper limit to the score.

Zhou Cheng's lips, which had just curled into a smile, froze slightly.

Xu Du looked at the words and gently shook the white paper soul-guiding lamp in his hand.

The Qingyin Sha sword is inferior to the Leiwen peach wood sword.

Xu Du admitted this.

The white paper lamp was never intended as a weapon of attack.

It can be viewed comprehensively, not just how fast it is to clear.

It remains to be seen who can pinpoint the real problem.

What if there's a wrong path in the simulated horror scenario that no one else can see?

What if the so-called Yin Sha is just a facade of being driven out?

If we conceal the target, what if we rely on illumination instead of slashing?

Zhou Cheng, with a stern face, said:

"Hidden targets aren't something everyone can encounter."

Xu Du finally looked at him.

"So look at the overall rankings."

Again.

The atmosphere in the hall became incredibly lively.

Some people have already taken out their phones and opened the college forum.

In less than a minute, posts started popping up on the homepage one after another.

[Breaking News! Xu Du ranks first in initial test, White Paper Lamp's "discarded" rating is removed!]

[With 100 merit points earned, can this abandoned town truly be revived?]

[Three days later, during freshman practical training, a white paper lantern will face a peach wood sword with a thunder pattern. Who will win?]

[Rational Analysis: In the basic Yin Sha cleansing items, the "White Paper Lamp" item may be at the bottom.]

[The hidden target score has no upper limit, making the overall leaderboard uncertain!]

Zhou Cheng publicly bet on the rankings, and Xu Du accepted.

The noise in the museum's main hall grew louder and louder.

Some people support Zhou Cheng.

Someone escorted Xu Du.

Most people just want to see how the rankings will change in three days.

Xu Du did not linger.

He carried the white paper lantern and turned to walk out.

Behind him, his name was still listed first on the electronic screen.

[Xu Du.]

[A white paper lantern to guide the soul.]

Town Degree: 5.3.

Current ranking: First.

Zhou Cheng stood still, staring intently at that line of text.

He didn't look away until Xu Du left the town's museum.

Inside the wooden box, the peach wood sword with thunder pattern trembled slightly.

It was as if thunder was hidden deep within the wood grain.

Zhou Cheng looked down at the wooden box, his eyes gradually turning cold.

Three days later.

"I will take this first place back."

The sun was shining brightly outside the museum.

Xu Du looked up and glanced at the direction of the practical training department.

Fifty temporary merit points.

Three days.

With the basic Yin energy cleared, he has no advantage.

Then let's not compare it to the Thunder Pattern Peach Wood Sword for clearing.

He looked down at the white paper soul-guiding lamp in his hand.

The paper lantern hung quietly.

Like a blank sheet of paper that hasn't been written on yet.

Xu Du gripped the lamppost tightly and walked towards the merit exchange area on the second floor.

Check the results in three days.