Volume One, Chapter 11: Zhao Qiang Devoured by the Phantom!

Seeing Qi Xiongying’s utter astonishment, Lin Beiye couldn't help but feel curious. "A Soul Summoning Order? What kind of thing is that?"

"My Lord, you don't know?" Qi Xiongying looked perplexed. But then, realizing his master’s unfathomable abilities, he figured it didn't matter if he were ignorant of such things.

Qi Xiongying explained patiently, "My Lord, to put it nicely, this is a recommendation quota. To put it bluntly, it’s a death warrant. Once you pass the fear test, you gain access to a ghostly realm established by the Ghost-Slaying Division. In this space, people can summon ghosts suited to them and form contracts. However, these contracts don't always succeed; there is a risk of backlash, where you might be consumed by the ghost instead! This recommendation quota, however, specifically locks in a high-tier ghost seed. So... you understand, My Lord."

After hearing the explanation, Lin Beiye looked incredulous. "You're kidding. Is Li Yan trying to help me or kill me?"

Qi Xiongying stroked his chin, lost in thought. "My Lord, these quotas are usually reserved for those with immense talent. From what I know of Xiao Yan, she must have discovered something about you. Otherwise, she wouldn't have handed out a recommendation so easily."

Qi Xiongying's words made Lin Beiye even more certain that Li Yan had set her sights on him. Lin Beiye sighed. "The days ahead are likely to be difficult."

Understanding the situation, Qi Xiongying replied softly, "My Lord, I don't think there's any need to deliberately hide anything. Based on my understanding of Xiao Yan, if you show a moderate amount of strength, it might actually dispel her suspicions."

Lin Beiye nodded. "I suppose I have no choice but to do as you suggest. It's just that our current influence is weak, and our position is delicate, caught between two sides. You all must be extra cautious in your actions."

Qi Xiongying understood the implication and responded without hesitation, "Understood, my Lord."

Seeing that the hour was late, Lin Beiye gave a few brief instructions before turning to leave the Ghost Domain. A full day had passed since he entered. It was already night by the time he returned to his physical body. Lin Beiye slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and pushed open the door of the restroom stall.

The night was as dark as ink, silent and still. The school felt eerily quiet. Lin Beiye had no intention of staying long and began to make his way home through the shadows. Suddenly, a loud crash shattered the silence. Lin Beiye immediately scanned his surroundings with vigilance. A figure emerged from his classroom—someone he recognized all too well: Zhao Qiang.

Sensing Lin Beiye’s presence, Zhao Qiang swaggered toward him. Lin Beiye remained unmoved, standing his ground.

"Isn't this Lin Beiye?" Zhao Qiang glanced at the restroom behind him, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Don't tell me you've been hiding in the bathroom all day?"

Ignoring the provocation, Lin Beiye asked coldly, "What are you doing at school?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhao Qiang hoisted him into the air as if he were a weightless doll. Lin Beiye was startled; he hadn't expected Zhao Qiang to possess such immense strength! Though not a professional athlete, he was a healthy teenager—certainly not weak enough to be handled so easily.

Zhao Qiang grinned, looking triumphant. "Lin Beiye, you’re quite lucky. But what I do in this school is none of your business." With that, he tossed Lin Beiye aside like trash and turned to leave.

Lin Beiye frowned, sensing something was wrong with Zhao Qiang. He stepped into the dim classroom to investigate. The darkness made it nearly impossible to see, but as he reached out to steady himself on a desk, he felt a slick, wet liquid. Startled, he pulled out his phone and illuminated the surface with its faint light. His hand was stained with bright, shocking blood.

His heart began to race. He scanned the room, finding it in total disarray with traces of uncleaned blood on the floor. Recalling Zhao Qiang’s terrifying strength, a dark premonition rose within him. Suddenly, a cold gust of wind brushed his ear.

"I just said you were lucky, and here you are, walking right into the classroom."

Zhao Qiang’s deep voice echoed right beside him, causing Lin Beiye’s body to tense instinctively. He quickly put some distance between them and commanded the system to scan Zhao Qiang.

[Name: Zhao Qiang]
[Species: Vicious Ghost]
[Rank: Superior]
[Ability: Spatial shifting within a certain range]
[Description: Formed after the original Zhao Qiang was consumed by a ghost. This type is known as a Reincarnated Ghost. They inherit the memories of the host, appear identical to ordinary humans, and are extremely difficult to detect.]

Lin Beiye’s brow furrowed. "You're not Zhao Qiang?"

Zhao Qiang twisted his neck and laughed maniacally. "I am absolutely Zhao Qiang! I ate him, so I *am* him!"

Before the words faded, Zhao Qiang flashed forward, appearing instantly before Lin Beiye. His eyes glinted with a fierce light as he stared him down. "I really owe it to that strange reaction the other day! It allowed me to find a suitable host and be reborn!"

Zhao Qiang exerted his strength, kicking Lin Beiye hard against the wall; the impact echoed through the empty room. He loomed over him, his voice low. "But people like us have to consume flesh and blood every so often. It’s the only way to maintain this state."

A flicker of desperation and madness crossed Zhao Qiang’s eyes. "I don't want to die! I want to live! I just want to live!" He glared at Lin Beiye. "But since you know now, you’ll have to die. Don't worry, I’ll eat you completely—including your soul."

Zhao Qiang licked his lips and opened his maw, ready to swallow Lin Beiye whole. But at that moment, Lin Beiye grabbed Zhao Qiang by the head and slammed him aside. Now that he knew Zhao Qiang wasn't human, he had no reason to hold back.

A mocking smirk played on his lips. "You could have just said you were a ghost from the start; it would have saved me so much trouble."

The thick, swirling ghost energy radiating from Lin Beiye instantly paralyzed Zhao Qiang.

"You're one of my kind!?" Zhao Qiang’s voice trembled. "Could it be that you were also reborn through that strange reaction that day?"