The main hall of the station.
The leadership of the Red Heart Sect, led by Qiu Qing, and a group from the Guming County Government Office, led by Chief Constable Jiang Yun, were gathered in the main hall, discussing matters related to the Ghost City incident.
He Xijun and Chen Zhanyun, as rare survivors of the last incident, were also present to observe the meeting. After all, it was very likely they would be drawn into the event again soon.
In addition, three other figures in attendance stood out from the rest.
These three were dressed in sleek black robes, each embroidered with a Xiezhi pattern in a different color. Their hair was bound in high crowns, giving them an exceptional, intimidating aura that carried a hint of deadly gravity.
The one leading them was Cai Pingdong, a Hundred Households of the Celestial Net Department, who wore a Xiezhi Robe with green patterns.
He was of medium height, with a face as sharp and chiseled as if carved by a knife. His eyes were like a falcon's, as if they could pierce a person's very soul.
"Lord Cai, the intelligence from all the sects has been compiled and sent to the Heqing Garrison Command. Has there been any progress?"
Qiu Qing said, looking at the Hundred Households of the Celestial Net Department in his green-patterned Xiezhi Robe.
"The intelligence from the sects is rather limited. So far, we can only conclude that the incident most likely occurs once every three days. The initial trigger condition is unknown. However, it appears that when the Evil Transformation entities created by the incident are eliminated, any living person nearby can be marked and drawn into it. What remains unknown is whether this is limited to those at the Blood Strengthening realm, or if a Martial Artist of any realm can be pulled in if they meet the trigger conditions."
"Actually, Guming County is the origin of this incident. Other regions are only experiencing it for the first time. As such, you have the firsthand intelligence. I was hoping to get more information from you. Has there been any progress on your end?"
Cai Pingdong said, shaking his head.
Everyone was slightly disappointed to hear this, but they also felt it was to be expected. In just one day, unless the memory block could be broken, the intelligence the various sects could gather could not compare to that of the people in Guming County, the epicenter of the incident.
"In that case, it seems our only hope is to wait for the next occurrence. I hope the measures we've prepared will help us gather more intelligence."
Qiu Qing said, his brow furrowed.
"The last incident resulted in just over a hundred casualties. This time, over a thousand people have been killed or injured across the entire Heqing Dao, including dozens of Blood Strengthening realm disciples from the various sects. If it happens again, who knows how many more innocent people will be drawn in? We also don't know what kind of transformation the Evil Spirit will undergo after acquiring so much blood food."
Guming County's Chief Constable Jiang Yun said grimly.
A brief silence fell over the room.
This was always the case when dealing with Evil Spirits, especially unknown ones. A one-shot solution was out of the question. One careless mistake, and the entire dispatched team could be annihilated.
For an incident of this magnitude, a single piece of timely intelligence could save thousands upon thousands of lives.
But given the current situation, there were no better options.
The next incident would have to focus on trial-and-error and intelligence gathering. At this rate, the earliest they could hope for a solution would be during the fourth occurrence.
TAP, TAP, TAP!
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside the main hall. After receiving permission to enter, the patrol captain was led inside, where he bowed deeply to the assembled group.
"What is it?"
Qiu Qing asked the patrol captain, his expression mild.
"Elder, my lords, a moment ago, while I was patrolling the city…"
The disciple quickly recounted what had just happened.
"You were attacked? An unknown assailant left behind a piece of cloth, which supposedly contains information related to this Evil Spirit incident?"
Hearing this, everyone's brows furrowed deeply.
The whole thing sounded bizarre and rather unreliable.
The combined sects of the entire Heqing Dao had yet to grasp the specifics of the incident—they hadn't even been able to assign it a codename. Yet now, someone was delivering intelligence in such a fashion?
Could there be an ulterior motive?
"Where is the item? Let me see it."
Qiu Qing said.
The disciple immediately reached into his pocket, took out the wadded-up cloth, and took two steps forward to place it in Qiu Qing's hands.
As he unfolded the cloth, the crooked, barely legible writing made Qiu Qing frown. But after carefully reading the content, his expression changed, turning solemn and grave.
Everyone watched Qiu Qing, noting the change in his expression, and they all grew pensive.
"Elder Qiu, what does it say?"
Cai Pingdong immediately asked.
"See for yourself, Lord Cai."
Qiu Qing handed the cloth to Cai Pingdong, who immediately began to examine it. The ugly script made him frown as well, but after he finished reading, his expression also grew solemn and pensive.
The piece of cloth was then passed around until everyone at the meeting table had read it.
"If what this says is true, then the situation is far more serious than we could have imagined."
Qiu Qing said, his expression grave.
"Indeed. If this isn't merely the aftereffect of Evil Cultivation but a direct remnant of it, then this is extremely serious. The incident's reach is already far too wide. However, there is one question: how credible is this information? Who is this informant? Why won't they reveal themselves? Reporting this should be a great meritorious deed, one that would earn a reward from the imperial court. No normal person would choose to remain anonymous. Perhaps there's something more to this."
Chief Constable Jiang Yun said grimly.