Capture

Luyang City sat on the Yangtze River, a hub for canal transport with thriving commerce and a population of hundreds of thousands—a true supercity, with countless transients flowing through.

This was Iron Palm Sect territory, but the Five Sects and Three Schools all had their own properties or outposts here. The streets bustled with life, swords and sabers glinting on the backs of wandering martial artists. Du Ge and his group blended into the crowd without standing out.

Along the way, listening to Feng Yunjie's introduction to Luyang City, Du Ge took in the unfamiliar customs and scenery, his awe for the Simulation Field deepening.

Too real!

What kind of technology could create a world like this?

And this world was only used for assessment.

Such a waste.

If game developers back on Earth had this capability, they'd be the world's richest in no time...

"Seventh Master, the Xingyu Tower ahead is one of the Feng Family's properties. We'll stay there for now, grab some food, and then figure out the next steps," Feng Yunjie said. "Father sent people ahead to search for Heavenly Demons. Their first stop should have been here too. A night's passed—I wonder if they've turned up any leads. In a big city like Luyang, there aren't many in all of Dagan. If even a small county town like Feng Family's could have two Heavenly Demons like you and Feng Jiu, Luyang should have even more..."

"Possible." Du Ge nodded, his attention fixed on the Simulation Field's total player count.

From last night to now, the field had just over six hundred fifty contestants left. One hundred sixty had been eliminated overnight. The Simulation Field was nothing but a cold, ruthless meat grinder—no mercy at all.

He was the merciful one, sparing Feng Jiu's life. Otherwise, Feng Jiu would've been one of that hundred-plus gone last night.

At this rate, within ten days, barely anyone would remain in the field.

But that was just the best-case scenario. Du Ge knew the elimination rate would slow as it went on. Those left would be elites—good at hiding, skilled at using their Keywords.

Feng Jiu wasn't wrong. Exposing yourself was truly stupid.

When everyone else was in the shadows, he was a glaring, living target for all.

The easiest way to make the top ten wasn't mastering your Keyword to perfection—it was surviving to the end and eliminating everyone else.

Leave only ten people, and even if you weren't top ten, you'd be top ten.

There was no wall that didn't leak. He'd been too flashy at Feng Manor. Someone loose-lipped would spill his Keyword and identity.

No helping it—he hadn't known the rules.

Easy to dodge a spear in the open, hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Hundreds of contestants, and only he was playing with his cards on the table...

What the hell!

The one thing Du Ge was grateful for was that the Simulation Field only eliminated—no one died.

But being the top rank and then getting eliminated? That was a hurdle he couldn't get past in his heart. It was a transmigrator's pride—had to protect it.

Good thing information spread slowly in ancient times, with long distances. Du Ge still had some buffer time, so he wouldn't face hundreds of enemies at once.

If they came one by one, Du Ge figured he could handle it. His rank-one status in the Simulation Field wasn't just for show.

Still, he had to find ways to boost his strength. The stronger, the safer. Best to be like Martial Saint Qiao He—dominate an era...

At Xingyu Tower, a servant took their horses. The manager himself came out and led them to the back courtyard.

Feng Shiyi asked as they walked, "Feng Zhong, did those who came yesterday find anything?"

"Yes." Feng Zhong glanced at Du Ge and nodded.

Du Ge and the others stopped, looking at the manager.

Feng Yunjie asked, "What did you find?"

Feng Zhong turned to Du Ge. "Second Master, this young hero looks unfamiliar—is he..."

"This is the manor's Supreme Elder, Seventh Master. He's in charge of the Heavenly Demon matter." Feng Shiyi shot him a glare. "No need to hide things from him."

"Feng Zhong pays respects to the Supreme Elder." Feng Zhong quickly cupped his hands to Du Ge, his tone respectful.

"No need for formalities, Manager Feng." Du Ge smiled. "Tell us about the Heavenly Demon."

"As luck would have it, that Heavenly Demon is none other than our shop's waiter, Wang San," Feng Zhong said. "A few days ago, Wang San caught consumption. The doctor said he couldn't be saved, so he was left at home to die. Last night, when the manor's people came to investigate, I reported his situation.

Guess what? Wang San was bouncing around, flirting with the neighbor girl—not even a single cough. Severe illness, rapid recovery—all signs fit a Heavenly Demon's Soul Possession. So they grabbed him.

But that guy's stubborn. Won't admit to being possessed. Says a wandering healer passed by, gave him a few needles, and that's why he got better. Even yelled at us to find a monk to exorcise him. But none of the neighbors ever saw that wandering healer..."

"Where's Wang San now?" Du Ge's interest piqued, cutting him off.

"Acupoints sealed, locked up in a guest room," Feng Zhong said. "The manor specifically asked for him—I wouldn't dare let him slip away. Second Master, is this Heavenly Demon real or not? Consumption, just like that, cured? The more I think about it, the more eerie it feels..."

"Feng Zhong, when will you ever fix that chatterbox habit? Cut the nonsense and take us to see Wang San." Feng Shiyi cut him off too.

"Second Master, this way." Feng Zhong gave a simple grin, hurried ahead to lead the way. "Yellow Room 7, the innermost one. Second Master, rest assured—Yellow Room rarely has guests. No one's rescuing him. I sealed his acupoints and tied him up too. Rooster blood, black dog blood, sticky rice—I've got it all ready..."

Feng Zhong kept muttering as he led them to Yellow Room 7, pulled out a key, and unlocked the door. "Second Master, Wang San's inside."

"Alright, I've got it. Leave the rest to us. Go handle the front and tell the kitchen to prepare a good meal with fine wine." Feng Shiyi had had enough of Feng Zhong's rambling. As soon as the door opened, he hurried to send him off.

"Already arranged, Second Master. You know how I work—can you really not trust me?" Feng Zhong stood his ground, peering into the room. "Second Master, you've got to let me stay. Let me see how to identify a Heavenly Demon. If I run into one again, I can handle it myself!"

"Stay. The manager's one of us, and he knows Wang San's situation better." Du Ge casually upheld the manager's dignity, then looked into the room.

A young man of about eighteen or nineteen, dressed as a waiter, was tied up and thrown onto the bed.

On the bedside table sat a bowl of sticky rice, a bucket of dog blood, and a bucket of chicken blood...

Du Ge was speechless.

Well, this guy really was treating the Heavenly Demon like some kind of ghost or monster!

Sensing the door open, Wang San writhed desperately, trying to lift his head but failing. "Boss, boss, is that you? You're finally here. I swear I'm not a Heavenly Demon, just let me go. I know I was wrong for not coming back to work after I got better, but please, let me out. I can't hold it anymore..."

Du Ge and the others stepped into the room.

Wang San's voice cut off abruptly. "Who are you?"

Feng Shiyi said nothing. He walked over and pressed his fingers to Wang San's pulse. After a moment, he looked up. "Vital energy is abundant, the pulse is steady and strong—nothing like someone just recovering from a serious illness. Seventh Master, this is undoubtedly a case of Heavenly Demon Soul Possession."