Chapter 48: 48th Σ Level Exam, Chang’an Chang’an (2/3)

This so-called order-based dungeon is somewhat like a large-scale scripted murder mystery.

Seeing that everyone was still a bit worried, Helian Yue gestured for them to look at the big screen:

“According to years of research by the Divine Academy and the Anomaly Management Bureau, these complex order-based simulation dungeons are actually the most stable.”

“All anomalies exist in specific roles, following fixed behavior patterns, like a large-scale immersive scripted reasoning game.”

“But…” Zhao Wujie still had doubts, “What about the ‘Imperial Astronomical Bureau’? Won’t they capture the examinees?”

“And those fox spirits, won’t they directly attack the examinees?”

Listening to their questions, Helian Yue explained, “You’re overcomplicating it. This isn’t a combat dungeon, it’s a decryption dungeon. As long as the examinees don’t provoke the anomalies and focus on solving the puzzles, they won’t encounter any danger.”

“Is it really that simple?” The invigilators looked at each other.

“It’s really that simple,” Helian Yue affirmed.

Everyone believed that the erosion of anomalies was unidirectional-they would devour everything, pollute everything, until all existence was completely altered.

However, some scholars proposed a bold hypothesis: Is erosion truly one-way?

If anomalies can erode reality, could there also be a force capable of eroding anomalies in reverse?

Just like the city of Chang’an before their eyes.

These anomalies were no longer pure monsters; they were mimicking human appearances, behaviors, and even establishing a complete social system.

They played the roles of merchants, officials, monks, courtesans…

As if… they had formed their own world.

Was this phenomenon the erosion of reality by anomalies, or the assimilation of anomalies by reality?

“Madness,” Mo Sanchou muttered softly.

“The reformists in the Ministry of Education are really being too bold this time.”

“They’re not afraid of causing trouble at all!”

“Randomly selecting from the [Chinese Pantheon] deity pool…”

Su Fu was a bit nervous but not overly so.

She believed that no matter which Chinese deity was summoned, their abilities would undoubtedly be extremely powerful!

[Ding!]

[Chinese Pantheon deity pool matching complete.]

Here it comes!

A dazzling pillar of divine light descended from the sky, though it carried a hint of dark energy.

Instantly, an eerie and chilling aura filled the space.

[This random selection result: “The Tale of Ghost Slaying.”]

Su Fu’s eyes immediately lit up.

She knew this one-it was a classic text dedicated to Zhong Kui!

Who was Zhong Kui?

The judge of the Punishment Bureau in the underworld, a deity specifically tasked with punishing evil spirits.

The so-called Punishment Bureau was where all the wicked ghosts who committed evil deeds during their lifetimes were dealt with.

The most well-known punishment was sending them to the eighteen layers of hell.

“But this instance is an invasion of supernatural events, meaning there are wandering spirits and ghosts causing havoc everywhere. If we can summon the great deity Zhong Kui…”

Wouldn’t that be a sure win?

In the void, a dark figure gradually solidified, transforming into a tall and imposing presence.

His purple robe fluttered, his eyes wide with fury, holding a judge’s brush in one hand and the seal of the underworld at his waist.

[Please begin the summoning ritual to establish a connection with the deity.]

[Tip: You must correctly call their name and recite their title.]

Su Fu took a deep breath.

“Third Demon-Subduing Emperor, the True Lord of Exorcism, Judge Zhong Kui of the Punishment Bureau!”

Boom!

The black pillar of light instantly exploded, transforming into countless talismans.

A chilling wind howled, and the cries of ghosts and gods echoed.

A vast and righteous energy poured down from the heavens, and Zhong Kui’s figure became increasingly clear amidst the talismanic light.

Behind him, the faint outlines of three thousand ghost soldiers stood in eerie formation.

“Holy crap!”

Su Fu was utterly stunned.

Such a grand spectacle?!

[Congratulations to candidate Su Fu for successfully summoning a deity!]

[Randomly selecting deity skills…]

A series of dazzling skills appeared in the void:

[Fengdu Ghost Gate]

[Summon]

[Judge’s Decree Summon of the Ten Kings of Hell]

[Judgment]

[Celestial Master’s Demon-Subduing Formation]

[Barrier]

Ahhh!

Su Fu’s eyes were glued to the screen.

She wanted them all!

The Ghost Gate-once opened, ten thousand ghosts would emerge!

The Judge’s Decree directly summoning the Ten Kings of Hell for judgment!

Unfortunately, she couldn’t get any of them.

Instead, she received:

[Basic Talisman of Evil Suppression]

[Dispel]

[Ghost Soldiers’ Passage-Basic]

[Summon]

[Judge’s Decree Basic]

[Judgment]

“Good, good, this is good too!!”

Su Fu was delighted.

Although these were only the basic versions of top-tier divine abilities, these three skills were practically tailor-made for the supernatural invasion instance.

Evil suppression for defense, ghost soldiers for crowd control, and judgment for punishment-everything was covered.

Zhong Kui, the great deity, was an expert in subduing demons and exorcising evil spirits.

No matter how bizarre or malevolent, he was their natural nemesis.

All must disperse!

Soon, the scenery before Su Fu began to twist and transform.

The dim, flickering lanterns swayed in the dark night, outlining the indistinct silhouette of Chang’an City.

[Ding!]

“Examinee Su Fu, you have automatically been assigned the initial identity: Chief Inspector of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.”

The voice of Shen Yan AI rang out, “Please promptly complete the main quest and proceed to Phase B.”

“Additionally, a friendly reminder: the actual difficulty level of this instance is: S-rank.”

“It is recommended that you fully immerse yourself in the role of the Chief Inspector of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, treating everything as real and proceeding with caution.”

“Good luck.”

Su Fu: “???”

Wait a minute!

What the hell?

Did she hear that right?

S-rank?!

Throwing a C-rank rookie like her into an S-rank instance?

She cautiously spoke up, “Um, Shen Yan, did you accidentally send me to the wrong instance?”

“Me, C-rank, S-rank instance?”

Listen to this!

Is this even human?

Shen Yan’s mechanical voice was utterly cold:

“There has been no mistake on your part. Please hurry and complete the main quest as soon as possible.”

Su Fu: “…………”

Damn it!

This is shameless!

She felt like she had been hit with a critical blow.

All the strategy guides she had read before said the highest difficulty was C+, but now, the Ministry of Education suddenly maxed out the difficulty for her?

Are you kidding me?

I know the reformist faction in the Ministry of Education is pushing for changes, but this is going too far!

This is way too big a leap!

Are they using me as a guinea pig for their reforms?

– Ahhhh……

Su Fu took a deep breath.

Judging from Shen Yan’s words, the exam paper really wasn’t sent to the wrong place!

This is indeed the competition instance of Tianqi High School.

“Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm!”

The top priority is survival.

Su Fu decided to play it safe and not take any risks.

She figured that any anomaly here could probably obliterate her in an instant.

The gap is too huge; it’s like instant annihilation.

Su Fu looked around and found herself in an elegant room.

A vermilion antique shelf displayed various instruments, and on the desk, the talisman paper was still wet, the scent of ink lingering.

A sandalwood incense burner wafted a thin trail of smoke, sketching the faint outlines of talismanic symbols.

She stood up and soon caught sight of a bronze mirror.

The reflection in the mirror wore a black Taoist robe, her hair tied up high with a purple jade hairpin.

Su Fu thought this actually fits her current identity quite well.

Just then, the image in the mirror suddenly twisted.

Her pupils contracted sharply-what the hell is that?!

She saw her reflection in the mirror begin to change, gradually transforming into the image of an unfamiliar girl.

“The dungeon has started?!”

In a moment of panic, before she could even react and cast a skill, a voice interrupted her movements.

The girl in the mirror, with her playful double buns, bright eyes, and radiant smile, asked cheerfully, “Little master, would you like to change clothes?”

Su Fu: “???”

What kind of play is this?!

She instinctively stepped back but stumbled into an antique shelf.

Just as the gilded celadon incense burner was about to fall from the shelf—

A flash of blue light, and the burner hovered steadily in mid-air.

It was the girl from the mirror.

She had somehow floated out and gently placed the burner back in its original position.

Then she looked at Su Fu, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, as if puzzled, “Little master, what’s wrong with you?”

“How… do you not recognize Qing Que?”

Su Fu’s scalp tingled!

Damn it, right at the start of the dungeon, she’s face-to-face with an anomaly.

The fact that she didn’t scream was already a testament to her restraint.

Recognize her?

Hell no!

Calm down.

According to the dungeon’s prompt, her most important task now is to play the role of the Imperial Astronomer.

The Imperial Astronomer… in charge of celestial divination and calendar calculations, using mysterious numerology to communicate with the heavens and spirits.

In other words, this Qing Que must be a spirit.

“Qing Que,” she suppressed her panic and feigned composure, “Don’t scare me like that in the future.”

Hearing these familiar words, Qing Que immediately laughed, her eyes sparkling, “Master, you only become lively at times like this. Usually, you’re so stern and dull!”

Su Fu silently deciphered the meaning behind this information.

So, playing this role is actually quite simple?

Just keep a deadpan expression and stay silent?

She thoughtfully observed Qing Que.

According to the setting of the Imperial Astronomer, this must be her mirror spirit, right?

No wonder she could emerge from the mirror…

“Click-clack, click-clack…”

Sudden footsteps echoed from the corridor.

Qing Que immediately turned and vanished into the mirror as a streak of blue light.

Su Fu: “???”

She just left without hesitation?

And she left me behind?

A light knock on the door, and an old servant in gray robes stood at the entrance.

He held a blackwood box in his hands and respectfully presented it.

“This is what you asked for.”

The lid opened to reveal a bronze compass and a stack of talismans, clearly items belonging to the Imperial Astronomer.

Su Fu glanced at the old servant and nodded indifferently, “Leave it. You’ve worked hard.”

But the old servant didn’t leave.

He pulled out an invitation from his sleeve, the handwriting bold and forceful, “This was delivered by the Ministry of Justice tonight, personally written by Lord Li. It seems quite urgent.”

Su Fu repeated the words without much thought, “The Ministry of Justice.”

The old servant sighed, “Indeed, there have been too many strange occurrences in Chang’an recently. Miss, your role as the Imperial Astronomer must be exhausting. The compass was just repaired, the talismans just completed, and now there’s new trouble.”

Su Fu casually picked up the invitation and remarked offhandedly, “The celestial signs in Chang’an have been chaotic lately. Something major is likely to happen.”

Her words were vague and somewhat mystical, but she wasn’t wrong.

With so many candidates suddenly entering the dungeon, it was indeed a significant event.

“Miss, you’ve noticed it too?” The old servant’s expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice and continued:

“It’s said that three days ago, all the lanterns on Zhuque Street turned into human skin, and this morning, workers repairing the water channels dug up seven inverted burial coffins…”

“Things are probably already in chaos.”

Su Fu’s eyes flickered slightly.

She was inwardly shocked, but her expression remained calm.

Through a few simple exchanges, the old servant had revealed quite a bit of crucial information.

The city of Chang’an, though seemingly prosperous and peaceful, was actually rife with strange occurrences, with undercurrents of turmoil brewing.

This was troublesome.

The difficulty of this scenario was likely higher than she had imagined.

She unfolded the invitation, the vermilion seal as vivid as fresh blood:

“To Su, the Supervisor of Divination: In recent days, the city has been plagued by frequent murders, the victims all bearing bizarre appearances, suspected to be related to malevolent spirits. We humbly request your presence at the Dali Temple to discuss this matter.”

“Li Chunfeng, Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, respectfully submits this request.”

[Ding!]

[Task Progress: 10%]

The sudden reminder from Shen Yan almost made her drop the invitation in her hand.

She had just glanced at the invitation, and the task had already progressed this much?

It seemed this was her main quest.

Su Fu looked up at the old servant.

“Prepare the carriage. We’re heading to the Dali Temple.”

As the old servant respectfully withdrew, Su Fu watched his retreating figure with a complex expression.

If she hadn’t known this was a scenario, and that everyone except the examinees was an anomaly, she wouldn’t have been able to detect anything unusual about the old servant.

It was all too real.

Was she dreaming?

Or was the anomaly dreaming?

Surely they couldn’t both be dreaming?

But dwelling on this was pointless.

Su Fu’s gaze fell on the compass and talismans on the table.