A Matter of Extreme Urgency

East District of Pingjiang City.

A five-story building stood with an air of age about it. Its yellowed tile exterior and dated design exuded a sense of history, yet it was impeccably clean—like a well-preserved vintage shirt, timeless in its classic style and instantly recognizable.

From the outside, the building resembled an abandoned old television station, seemingly uninhabited.

However.

This was merely a facade to deceive prying eyes.

Hidden three floors underground was the headquarters of the Supernatural Investigation Bureau.

A high-level meeting was about to begin.

Though not all attendees had arrived, offices buzzed with activity as personnel familiarized themselves with documents and studied the critical issues to be discussed.

The Chief of the Investigation Division, his temples streaked with white, wore a pair of simple yet dignified glasses. His face carried an authoritative presence, exuding both refinement and the commanding aura of a leader. His voice alone carried undeniable weight.

"The recent situation is far from optimistic..."

"High-level demonic beasts have been repeatedly spotted within Pingjiang City, and now there are signs of malevolent spirits emerging. If this continues..."

Malevolent spirits.

That term always meant more lives lost.

Once these terrifying creatures appeared in a region, they never came alone. No matter how hard people tried to protect themselves, escaping their onslaught was nearly impossible. The death toll was enough to incite fury!

Even though this wasn’t the official meeting yet, the oppressive atmosphere had already filled the room, leaving the secretary tense and silent.

At that moment.

The office door suddenly burst open!

"Bang!"

Despite several staff members trying to block her, Xu Rong forced her way inside!

"Chief, I have an urgent matter!"

The secretary stared in surprise at the renowned female captain.

Xu Rong was a legend—flawless in her missions, unmatched in combat, and meticulous in her work. Despite being a woman, she commanded respect from all other demon-hunting captains in Pingjiang City and held considerable influence within the bureau.

But today.

Knowing the Chief was about to attend the meeting—even if it hadn’t officially started—she barged in recklessly, an act completely out of character for her usual composed demeanor!

Pondering her claim of an "urgent matter," the Chief raised a hand to stop the security personnel and looked toward the door.

"What is it?"

Xu Rong quickly bowed her head and replied urgently.

"Chief."

"Tonight, during our patrol outside the city, we encountered an extraordinary expert!"

An expert?

And an extraordinary one at that?

Her excited words left the secretary momentarily stunned before disappointment flickered in his eyes.

Given the current crisis, every known "Celestial Practitioner" was already registered, most of them recruited by supernatural investigation bureaus across the country. How could an unregistered expert just appear outside the city?

If Celestial Practitioners were so common, would demonic beasts still be running rampant?

And calling this person "extraordinary"?

As a member of the bureau, wasting precious time with baseless claims was unacceptable...

The Chief’s expression darkened, his patience wearing thin as he waved dismissively.

"Enough."

Though just one word, his icy tone conveyed his displeasure. Anyone with sense would have retreated immediately.

But Xu Rong only grew more insistent, gripping the door to prevent it from closing.

"Wait!"

"Chief, we truly saw an expert—every member of my team witnessed it!"

Hearing this, the secretary looked up in surprise.

The Chief’s gaze turned piercing as he adjusted his glasses, silent like a brewing storm, intensifying the suffocating tension in the room!

Yet Xu Rong stood her ground, unwavering in her conviction.

"This is a matter of utmost importance—I must report it immediately!"

Her firm voice echoed.

The secretary and security staff exchanged bewildered glances.

Finally, the Chief lost his patience. He set down his documents, his aged face tightening.

"Fine, fine."

"You have two minutes. If this so-called expert turns out to be a waste of time, and you delay this meeting, you will bear the consequences!"

Thud!

His cold declaration was punctuated by a pen slammed onto the desk.

The sheer authority in his voice sent a ripple of unease through the room, even silencing nearby offices.

But Xu Rong didn’t hesitate.

After dismissing the others, she swiftly approached the computer.

With practiced ease, she pulled up surveillance footage from the city gates.

At first glance, the footage seemed unremarkable, and the Chief barely spared it a glance.

But within seconds.

When a swirling mass of black fog surged into view, his eyes widened in shock, and he straightened in his seat!

Demonic beasts!

Hundreds—no, thousands—had already breached the city’s outskirts tonight!?

A closer look made his expression darken further.

As a former demon hunter, he recognized most creatures at a glance.

Back in his day, he had slain many himself.

Even through the grainy footage, he could identify the malevolent spirits among the horde—exactly as the intelligence had warned!

Yet no one had known these horrors were already at Pingjiang’s gates!

Chief Hao’s pupils constricted in alarm as he whipped his head toward Xu Rong.

"This—this!"

Xu Rong, however, remained composed, standing calmly beside him.

"Chief, please keep watching!"

Her calmness only deepened his bewilderment.

Malevolent spirits were nightmarish foes. Even Xu Rong herself could handle only a few at best—and how many in the city could match her strength?

Faced with hundreds of them, how could she be so unshaken?!

Suspicion mingled with dread, but Chief Hao was no ordinary man. He steadied himself, sensing there was more to this.

Returning his focus to the screen, his scrutiny intensified.

Yet as the footage played on, his years of hardened composure began to crumble.

A person?

There was actually a person sprinting ahead of the demonic horde?!

This defied all logic!

How could a human outrun so many monsters? Merely witnessing it through the screen was enough to send chills down his spine!

At that moment, Chief Hao’s heart lurched.

Could this be the so-called "extraordinary expert"...?

Did such a person truly exist?

Despite his shock, Chief Hao betrayed no emotion, maintaining his steely demeanor—a testament to his seasoned leadership.

Unfortunately for him, Xu Rong knew him too well.

Noticing the subtle tightening of his grip on his pen, she knew he was hooked. His attention was fully captured, his curiosity piqued about the expert she had mentioned.

Just as the tension peaked—

Another knock sounded at the door!

The secretary hurried in with an update.

"Chief Hao, it’s time for the meeting."

As soon as the words were spoken, Chief Hao didn’t even lift his head, his eyes glued to the computer screen as he waved his hand impatiently.

"Stop nagging, I’ll go in a minute!"

The secretary was stunned.

How could things change so drastically in the blink of an eye?

What on earth was going on? Could there really be something major happening?!