Volume One: The Five Ghosts Life Extension Spell Chapter Two: Return to the Police Station

The next morning, Yaoguang was jolted awake by the incessant clanging of her cell phone’s ringtone.

“Hello?” she mumbled, only to be met by a howling cry from the other end. “For heaven’s sake, are you back yet? I’m as frantic as an ant on a hot pan! Please, have mercy on me, save me!” Xuan Chen’s voice crackled through, “The higher-ups gave us one month to solve the case!”

“I know, I know, stop screaming,” Yaoguang replied irritably and hung up, paying no heed to Xuan Chen’s clamoring protests.

“Miss, breakfast is ready,” came Yitian’s gentle voice from outside her bedroom door. He must have heard the phone ringing.

“All right, I’m coming,” she grumbled.

With her response, Yitian withdrew his projection. Yitian was a Shadow Spirit, an immortal forged from shadows, most skilled at splitting himself into countless avatars and shadows. If he wished, these countless forms could each go about different tasks simultaneously. A century ago, he was targeted by a Soul-Devouring Beast and nearly lost his essence, but in a critical moment, Yaoguang saved him. Since then, he had stayed by her side. Back then, his body was merely a construct of spiritual energy; it was Yaoguang who helped him cultivate a human form. She valued his duplication ability and appointed him steward of her villa. At first, Yitian thought he was just to be a housekeeper, but upon taking charge, he realized Yaoguang had placed him in an immensely important position.

To outsiders, the villa was simply a luxurious manor. In reality, it housed many of Yaoguang’s immortal elders and served as a transit station between the realms of ghosts, humans, and immortals. From here, one could enter the domains of several immortal elders, traverse both three- and four-dimensional spaces. Yitian’s duty was to protect the villa from interference while acting as Yaoguang’s personal steward. The villa also stored countless spirit pills and herbs. Though they appeared ordinary to outsiders—like any other flower—they could be life-saving spiritual plants. Yitian delighted in disguising them as common flora to avoid suspicion.

As Yitian drifted into thought, Yaoguang had already come downstairs, fully dressed. The speed of her transformation—from bleary-eyed to impeccable—was astonishing, all in a matter of minutes. Yitian paused, taken aback. “Miss, are you really going out in that?” he asked, surprised by her white Zen-style twinset.

“My returning at all is already a favor. Don’t nitpick,” Yaoguang replied, sitting at the table and biting into an egg.

Yitian considered this and conceded. After all, few could command this ancestor.

Breakfast finished, Yaoguang stepped outside and was momentarily daunted by the line of sedans parked at the door. The agony of choice—life would be so much easier if she didn’t have to weigh every decision. Driving such flashy cars to the police station seemed excessive; would people think she was some spoiled brat here to stir up trouble?

“Bring Little Xi around for me,” Yaoguang said to the man in black by the Lamborghini. Before her words faded, an engine roared, and a lemon-yellow Toyota Yaris rolled up to her. Yitian stepped out, handing her the keys. “Drive safely, Miss,” he said.

“Got it.” Yaoguang took the keys and got in. She preferred this car above all—the very vehicle she once drove as a legend in the police force. It had contributed greatly to her achievements, and she’d even given it an affectionate name: Little Xi. Others might find her sentimental, but to her, the name signified radiance and hope.

The car traced an arc as it left the neighborhood, heading toward the bustling city center. Streets passed by, both familiar and strange. The city had developed rapidly. The route to the police bureau, fortunately, remained unchanged, and she was surprised she still remembered it. Half an hour later, she parked in front of the police headquarters, the large characters above the stone gate clear as day: Yecheng Municipal Police Bureau.

Yaoguang pressed the brake, extended her hand out the window, and flashed her credentials at the officer on duty. He immediately saluted and raised the gate. She returned the salute, drove in, and parked in a corner spot. Getting out, she headed straight to the director’s office on the third floor via a side entrance.

Standing before the office door, Yaoguang took a deep breath and knocked lightly.

“Come in,” came a deep male voice from within.

Yaoguang entered. “Director.” She saluted him.

“Phoenix?!” The director was stunned for a moment before regaining his composure. “No, no, not that.” He leaped up and crossed the room in three strides, grasping Yaoguang’s hands. “You’re back!”

“Yes. I’m back,” she replied earnestly.

“You’re truly a lifesaver, back at just the right time!” The director guided her to the sofa and sat across from her.

“Where’s Xie Xuanchen?” Yaoguang asked.

“He’s out on a call,” the director sighed.

“Still investigating the case of the five deaths?” she inquired.

“Yes, Xuanchen has been at it, but there’s not a single lead. All the reports point to accidents or suicide, but it’s just too coincidental—five people dying in the same period. The families refuse to accept it, especially in the two suicide cases. Have you ever heard of someone hanging themselves halfway through a meal? The case has the public in a panic, rumors everywhere. The provincial bureau is paying attention now. We have a month to solve it.” The director’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Stop investigating. You won’t find anything that way,” Yaoguang said, shaking her head.

“Hm? What do you mean?” The director was momentarily confused, then realization dawned. “You mean...”

“Transfer it to the Celestial Sword Special Investigation Unit. I’ll handle it. Secretly transfer Xie Xuanchen and Chu Tianyou as well. This case is beyond the reach of ordinary criminal investigators,” she declared.

“Are you confident?” the director asked.

“Seven days. I’ll close the case for you,” Yaoguang replied, rising and heading out.

The director said no more, watching her disappear down the corridor, his heart bursting with joy. The goddess had returned—there was hope at last!

Yaoguang avoided people, slipping through the fire escape to the rear building, climbing to the fifth floor. She pushed open the door and entered, making her way to the morgue behind the forensic lab. Guided by the file, she pulled open five refrigerator drawers. Five black body bags lay before her. With a wave of her hand, the zippers slid open on their own, revealing the corpses. Expressionless, Yaoguang glanced at them, formed a seal with her fingers, and sent strands of spiritual energy into the crowns of the dead. She carefully sensed the information fed back from the bodies—no soul, no primordial spirit, no spiritual awareness, merely cold shells. Yet within these shells lingered faint traces of ghostly energy—so faint, yet so familiar, achingly familiar.

“The Ghost Sect!” Yaoguang clenched her jaw, struggling to suppress the fury rising within her.

She then whispered gently to the dead, “Rest assured, I will see justice done for you and guide you to your next life.” With a wave of her hand, the zippers closed, and the drawers slid back in.

Yaoguang turned and left the morgue.