Chapter 1: The Bizarre World
A new type of ghost was detected in the North District last night. Active from midnight to 3 AM, it dances bizarrely through the corridors while bouncing a ball. According to analysis, this ghost's supernatural ability is closely related to the frequency of its ball-bouncing sounds.
Currently, there are thirteen victims. The superiors have designated it as the Ball-Bouncing Ghost.
All students must remain extremely vigilant when going out at night.
The sun blazed outside the window.
Warm golden sunlight passed through the glass, landing on the desks as if spreading a layer of crushed gold, sparkling brilliantly.
Under the bright sunlight, the classroom atmosphere felt unusually eerie. In stark contrast to the students around him who were buried in their studies, a young man sitting in the corner appeared utterly stunned.
He seemed to have experienced a mysterious transmigration—from lying in bed browsing horror posts, he had instantly arrived in a completely different world.
The shock and disbelief nearly overwhelmed him.
According to the original host's memories, this appeared to be a parallel world to Earth. Technology and cultural levels were similar to the Blue Planet, with that pop star's MV still topping various platforms recently.
But the only difference was—
This world was filled with all sorts of supernatural phenomena and mysterious creatures.
Jiang Han's heart raced. A mixture of unprecedented excitement and tension surged through him.
"Jiang Han!"
A chalk stick flew over with pinpoint accuracy, striking his forehead.
"How should one deal with a Lost Ghost?"
The cold voice of the teacher cut through the air. A middle-aged female teacher with an even temperament stood at the podium—Zhou Yan, their Ghost Studies teacher.
"Stand up!"
The original host's body instinctively rose.
"A Lost Ghost itself has no ability to directly harm people," Jiang Han explained, standing up. "Its primary method is to use language to mislead, causing people to become mentally dazed. It then leads the victim into deep mountains and forests, where other ghosts consume them."
"The key to dealing with it is to completely ignore it and leave directly."
The 'tiger mother' on the podium withdrew her killing intent. Jiang Han secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sit down. Remember, this is about your lives."
Zhou Yan's expression softened slightly as she continued, "Just last week, a student from the neighboring class encountered a Lost Ghost. This is precisely why the school has specially opened a Ghost Studies course. Don't take this lightly."
Jiang Han sat back down, still in somewhat of a daze.
Is this world really so dangerous? Just walking at night could trigger an encounter with ghosts?
At that moment, the school bell rang.
"Han, let's play a game together."
A round-faced little fatty leaned over, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he held up his phone. "The new version of Legends of Gods and Demons is finally here!"
"..."
Jiang Han was momentarily stunned before realizing this fatty was talking about a mobile game.
This round-faced fatty was his good friend in this world. Both of them were ordinary students in class.
Jiang Han had just transmigrated to a world filled with ghosts and monsters. Did this guy actually want to play games?
"Not interested."
"Oh come on!" Fatty tugged at his sleeve repeatedly. "By the way, Han, did you hear? Today's class is about spiritual artifact awakening!"
"Spiritual artifact awakening?"
"Yes! The school is providing spiritual artifact detection today. Maybe we'll awaken something cool!"
Jiang Han's eyes lit up.
"Like what?"
"Who knows! Maybe you'll awaken a Gatling gun that shoots blue flames!" Fatty laughed mischievously.
At that moment, Zhou Yan stepped back onto the podium and spoke with extreme solemnity:
"After discussion and consultation between the Bureau of Celestial Secrets and the Department of Education, the 'Heavenly Net Plan' has officially commenced. Students will have the opportunity to enter the Bureau of Celestial Secrets in advance as reserve Spirit Controllers."
The classroom erupted in an uproar.
"Furthermore—"
Zhou Yan's voice cut through the noise, "We are honored to invite Chen Yuan, a third-level Spirit Controller and Master from the Bureau of Celestial Secrets, to conduct today's spiritual artifact detection for everyone."
Following her introduction, the classroom door was pushed open.
A tall, middle-aged man strode in, wearing a gray trench coat. He had a hawkish nose, narrow eyes, extremely deep nasolabial folds, and an imposing presence that radiated authority without anger.
This man scanned the students below with a cold, authoritative gaze.
Jiang Han noticed a badge embroidered on his sleeve—a mist-shrouded peak.
"My name is Chen Yuan, from the Bureau of Celestial Secrets, third-level Spirit Controller."
Chen Yuan's voice was neither warm nor cold, yet it carried a natural sense of intimidation.
"You should all know that every human possesses a natal spiritual artifact—a reflection of your inner self. Through spiritual power, you can draw it out."
The students sat up straight, listening intently.
"Today, I will help you all detect your natal spiritual artifacts."
Chen Yuan produced a jade-like object the size of a ping-pong ball. Its surface glowed with spiritual energy, clearly an extraordinary treasure.
"This is a spiritual crystal. It was mined from the Ghost Domain and contains abundant spiritual energy."
"Simply grip it, and your natal spiritual artifact will prematurely awaken."
He gestured toward the podium. "Please, one student at a time."
The first student stepped forward—a boy with a crew cut.
"Gu Yan," Zhou Yan announced.
The boy took a deep breath, stepped onto the platform, and firmly gripped the spiritual crystal.
A moment later—
"Whoosh!"
A fiery red phantom drifted out from Gu Yan's body, hovering behind him.
The classroom erupted in exclamations.
"Wow, so cool!"
"What's his spiritual artifact?"
Gu Yan stared blankly at the phantom behind him. Then, his expression instantly fell.
A small stone floated there.
A completely ordinary, unremarkable small stone.
"Tsk..."
A wave of laughter swept through the classroom.
Gu Yan's face turned red. He hadn't expected his spiritual artifact to be something so insignificant.
"Silence!" Chen Yuan's voice cut through the noise like a blade.
The classroom immediately fell quiet.
Chen Yuan glanced at Gu Yan, his expression grave. "This stone has seven skill slots."
"Seven skill slots?!"
"Supreme-grade spiritual artifact!"
The classroom erupted in an even louder uproar.
Chen Yuan raised his hand, and a small jade ornament appeared in his palm.
"This is a soul jade. It contains the abilities of a ghost. By killing ghosts, Spirit Controllers obtain soul jades, which can be absorbed into your natal spiritual artifact, granting you the ghost's abilities."
"The more skill slots your spiritual artifact has, the more soul jades you can absorb. The more soul jades absorbed, the stronger you become."
The students' eyes burned with intensity.
"Next."
Another student walked onto the platform—a boy wearing an Adidas jacket with slanted bangs, looking rather proud.
"Zhang Feng," Zhou Yan announced.
Zhang Feng glanced at Jiang Han in the corner, a smug smile playing on his lips.
He gripped the spiritual crystal.
"Whoosh!"
A silver phantom emerged—fly knives!
"Amazing!"
"Fly knives! So formidable!"
Zhang Feng's head rose higher, his smile growing wider.
Zhou Yan nodded with satisfaction. "Zhang Feng's spiritual artifact is the Flying Blade, also a supreme grade with seven skill slots."
Zhang Feng beamed as he walked back, deliberately passing by Jiang Han's desk and snorting dismissively.
Jiang Han understood this resentment. In the original host's memories, this Zhang Feng had once bullied a female student. Jiang Han had stepped in to help, which angered Zhang Feng.
Since then, Zhang Feng had been looking for ways to make things difficult for him.
"Tch, seven skill slots is nothing special," Fatty muttered behind Jiang Han.
Jiang Han smiled faintly.
Indeed, seven skill slots wasn't necessarily a big deal.
"Jiang Han."
Zhou Yan's voice fell on his ears.
His turn.