After the meeting ended, Lin departed without lingering, surrounded by numerous staff members and bodyguards. Meanwhile, Shi Zhuoqu remained behind to handle the follow-up matters.
The mystics in the venue did not immediately disperse. Mei Rujing glanced around before standing up and saying, “Since there will be further selections in G City and H Nation, then we should—”
“Well, if it isn’t Master Mei!” A surprised voice interrupted from the side.
Mei Rujing saw the speaker clearly, and her expression immediately turned cold. She clicked her tongue in annoyance, a hint of impatience flashing across her face.
Tan Muxing recognized Huang Jue, who had shown up during the initial selection. Hesitant, he asked, “Rujing-jie, do you know him?”
Huang Jue exuded a strong air of a seasoned wanderer. During the exam, he had repeatedly picked fights, yet now he was greeting them with enthusiasm. Naturally, this puzzled the others.
Mei Rujing frowned. “No, I don’t.”
Chu Qianli, entertained by the scene, quickly grasped the nature of their relationship and teased, “How could a beauty like her possibly know someone who just clings to others?”
Huang Jue greeted warmly, “Mei Mei, I didn’t expect to see you here! Which test site were you at for the initial selection? I didn’t see you!”
“Please don’t call me that,” Mei Rujing responded with clear detachment. “It feels really awkward.”
She had once taken on jobs in the northeastern region, where she met Huang Jue by chance. Given how small their field was, they eventually became familiar with each other over time.
“Since you’re here too, why don’t we team up when we get to G City?” Huang Jue suggested. “You’ve never liked dealing with people, but after hearing all that just now, you should understand—this isn’t something one person can handle alone.”
Having just listened to the New Era Project presentation, Huang Jue had a strong feeling that they would encounter foreign teams. Going solo might not work; forming a solid group early on was crucial.
Mei Rujing declined politely, “I already have a team.”
Huang Jue was momentarily stunned by her response. He had been so focused on talking to Mei Rujing that he had only now noticed the two people standing beside her—Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing.
Mei Rujing took the initiative to introduce them, “These are my teammates.”
Huang Jue looked surprised and questioned, “…Aren’t they examiners?”
Huang Jue clearly remembered that Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing were examiners at Test Site No. 3—so how had they suddenly become Mei Rujing’s teammates!?
Mei Rujing: “?”
Chu Qianli, truly a master of performance, responded smoothly and confidently, “We were just helping to oversee the initial test. After that, we had the same status as you. Didn’t that guy on stage just say so?”
Tan Muxing silently lowered his head, deeply impressed by the little liar’s acting skills.
“Oh, I see.” Huang Jue suddenly understood. “Then your team is still small—you should all join us!”
Huang Jue seemed to have a decent reputation in the field, as he had already gathered a team and was eager to recruit the three of them. Mei Rujing was already somewhat well-known, and Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing had served as examiners, so they were clearly competent. This was an opportunity to gain three strong allies.
Mei Rujing frowned. “…No need.”
Huang Jue persisted, “Come on, Mei Mei, don’t be so polite—”
“Falling into darkness can happen in an instant. Their refusal to join you is actually a wise decision.”
A group of Taoists arrived together. Xu Zaiyuan, carrying a sword on his back, stood in the rear, while a younger Taoist at the front spoke up: “My name is Liu Jun. If the three of you are willing, you can travel with Qian Sect.”
Mei Rujing declined, “Sorry, I’m not really interested in dealing with Taoists either.”
Huang Jue snapped, “Watch your mouth! Who are you calling demonic!?”
Liu Jun remained composed. “Mr. Huang, in this era of Dharma decline, mistaking wicked arts for divine teachings will only lead to misfortune.”
As expected, Chu Ma Xian practitioners and Taoists were irreconcilable. A few words were all it took for them to start arguing.
Seeing the rising tension, Chu Qianli swiftly grabbed Tan Muxing with one hand and Mei Rujing with the other, decisively opting for a retreat: “Let them fight—we’re outta here!”
Taking advantage of the standoff between Huang Jue and Liu Jun’s group, the three of them slipped out of the venue, finally regaining some peace and quiet.
Mei Rujing grumbled in frustration, “This is exactly why I hate talking to people in our field. The cliques are everywhere. If you ignore them, they cling to you even more, forcing you to pick a side.”
Chu Qianli reassured her, “It’s always like this. Isn’t this what they call the era of Dharma decline?”
Tan Muxing, hearing the familiar term, asked curiously, “What exactly is the era of Dharma decline? I think Yu-ge mentioned it before too.”
Yu Yi had casually mentioned it before in conversation, and now the Qian Sect Taoists brought it up again, which naturally made him curious.
Chu Qianli explained, tilting her head, “Simply put, the world we live in now is different from the past. Most people have shallow blessings but deep karmic burdens. They appear to have more resources than ever before, yet they’re lost in material desires, trapped in endless conflicts.”
“In the past, people might have been satisfied just by having enough to eat. But now, satisfaction is never enough. If someone has no money, they want money. If they have money, they want more. It’s always about the self—selfishness drives people to take from others, even if it means harming them.”
“This mindset extends into the metaphysical field as well. Some people practice Buddhism or Taoism for their own gain. Temples and Taoist monasteries become commercialized, and fraudsters pretend to be immortals, using unorthodox means to acquire supernatural abilities. It all looks like the righteous path, but it’s actually misleading and harmful. They’re already on a path of no return yet still believe they’re right.” Chu Qianli spread her hands. “Even spiritual practitioners attack each other, becoming even more twisted. That’s why people say, ‘In the era of Dharma decline, all beings are demons.’”
Tan Muxing fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Then what is the right path?”
Chu Qianli shook her head. “I don’t know either. According to their teachings, it’s hard to avoid corruption in this era. The next step beyond that is to save others—but how one does that is something only they can comprehend.”
“Just do what you’re supposed to do,” Mei Rujing concluded. “Ignore those annoying people and don’t let them lead you astray—that way, you’ll stay out of trouble.”
Chu Qianli happily high-fived her. “Exactly!”
Tan Muxing watched them agree so easily, unsure what to say.
After some discussion, the three of them finalized their travel plans to G City. They decided not to follow Shi Zhuoqu and the others. In the end, they chose to take Tan Muxing’s family’s private jet to avoid any unnecessary trouble during the journey.
After saying goodbye to Mei Rujing, who drove off in her sports car, Chu Qianli followed Tan Muxing back. She noticed that he seemed a little distracted and asked curiously, “Xingxing, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing…” Tan Muxing quickly snapped out of it, hesitated for a moment, then lowered his gaze. “I was just thinking about what you said earlier.”
“The era of Dharma decline?”
“Yeah, I was wondering if there’s a way to save people.” If the world was really that bad, then maybe something needed to be done.
Chu Qianli blinked in surprise. “Why are you thinking about saving people? You’ve already done it.”
Tan Muxing was stunned. “I have? Who did I save?”
Chu Qianli beamed. “Me.”
Caught off guard, Tan Muxing was completely thrown by her confident answer. His face turned bright red, and he stammered, “N-no way… I don’t even understand metaphysics. How could I have possibly saved you…?”
He was completely lost when it came to the way metaphysical practitioners spoke. First, the Taoists started talking about the era of Dharma decline, and now, suddenly, she was talking about saving her?
Chu Qianli looked at him earnestly. “You did. Even though you don’t understand metaphysics at all, sometimes outsiders accidentally grasp something even more fundamental.”
“Hmm, how should I put it? It’s like an amateur defeating a master by sheer luck. We’re all busy calculating karma and fate, but you might have already stumbled across the answer without even realizing it.” Chu Qianli smiled brightly. “Because you don’t think of what you do as good deeds—you just consider them natural. That kind of unconscious action is true salvation.”
She continued softly, “The moment you expect something in return, it’s no longer kindness. But in this era, no one can act without expectations—not even me. You think our abilities are amazing, but in many religions, divination and supernatural powers are actually seen as dangerous illusions. They make people think they’re on the right path when in reality, they’re just beginning to fall.”
That was why, once upon a time, she had believed she had no future.
“So whether it’s me, that Chu Ma Xian practitioner, or those Qian Sect Taoists, maybe none of us have gone as far as you have—despite you saying you don’t understand metaphysics.”
Tan Muxing lowered his head uneasily. “…You’re praising me too much. It’s embarrassing.”
“I’m telling the truth!” Chu Qianli said cheerfully. “But I’m not that easy to guide. You’ve only guided me halfway.”
Tan Muxing was infected by her overflowing joy, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl into a smile. He pressed his lips together and said, “Alright, then I’ll keep working on it.”
He didn’t know if she was serious or just trying to make him feel better. Maybe he didn’t have the ability to guide others, but as long as she said it, he would choose to believe it.
Chu Qianli bent forward in a respectful bow and said sweetly, “Then I’ll trouble Master Tan!”
The two of them exchanged a smile.
Not long after, Mondsen held the second round of selections in G City.
At the airport, just as Chu Qianli and the others got off the plane, they received a call from Jin Xiaoyuan.
Behind them, Mei Rujing yawned sleepily. Hearing the familiar voice, Chu Qianli asked, “Uncle Jin?”
“Yes.” Tan Muxing nodded helplessly and tried to explain, “Uncle Jin, we’re here for business this time. We might not be able to meet up with you—we’re heading straight to our accommodation…”
Mondsen Group had arranged lodging for the numerology practitioners from home and abroad. They would be staying in a specific villa area for the second-round selection.
Jin Xiaoyuan anxiously said, “Muxing, I’ve looked into where you’re staying—that villa area is bad luck! You kids shouldn’t be stubborn about this. Just stay at the hotel you used last time!”
Chu Qianli asked, “Bad luck?”
“That place is a well-known haunted house in the area! Why would you go there!?” Jin Xiaoyuan’s voice was loud, and even though Tan Muxing wasn’t on speakerphone, everyone around could still hear him.
Mei Rujing pulled out her phone and searched for the address. Studying the webpage, she calmly said, “Someone online said a person died in the elevator there.”
Jin Xiaoyuan added, “I heard from my friends that the place has always been haunted. No one knew who bought it later. Why are you guys going there?”
“We do have a reason…” Tan Muxing found it hard to explain and reassured him, “Uncle Jin, maybe it’s just outsiders exaggerating. There shouldn’t be ghosts in this world, right?”
“It’s better to believe it than not! Either way, don’t stay in a place like that. Even if there aren’t ghosts, it just feels uncomfortable.”
Chu Qianli grumbled aggressively, “If there are ghosts, I’ll smash their heads in! I’m a Marxist believer—I don’t believe in that nonsense!”
Tan Muxing: “?” Good grief, are you scarier than the ghosts?
Mei Rujing mused, “But this does fit the second-round selection. They’re forcing all the spirit mediums and Daoists inside, and anyone who doesn’t dare to stay will be automatically filtered out.”
Jin Xiaoyuan saw that he couldn’t persuade them and had no choice but to compromise. He repeatedly told them to call him if they changed their minds—he would arrange for them to move to a different place immediately.
Tan Muxing quickly thanked him, “Thank you, Uncle Jin. We really appreciate it.”
Chu Qianli laughed and teased, “If we don’t do well in the second round, we’ll have to go home and stay in a five-star hotel!”
Mei Rujing said, “To be honest, after looking up the place online, I kind of want to choose the five-star hotel instead. Apparently, because of the haunted house rumors, the occupancy rate is super low. The facilities inside might be old and run-down by now.”
Although the three of them had some reservations about the haunted villa area, considering the Infant Stone and the relics in H Country, they still decided to take a car to their designated accommodation.
The villa area was reserved for participants only. People like Uncle Qi couldn’t enter, and even Mondsen’s own staff members were few and far between.
Inside the lobby, there was only a lifeless-looking, shriveled old man. He slowly verified their identities and refused entry to Uncle Qi and the others, who weren’t on the registration list.
Uncle Qi was displeased. “Why can’t we go in?”
The old man lazily glanced at him and said, “They might have ways to deal with it, but do you?” He sighed and added, “Young man, staying out here is better for you. See? Even the organizers aren’t going inside.”
Chu Qianli and the others looked around and indeed saw Mondsen’s staff members, but most of them stayed at the entrance. Only the numerology practitioners were carrying their luggage inside.
“Grandpa, how long have you been working here? Is it really haunted inside?” Chu Qianli asked.
“I’ve been here for many years. But as for your question, I can’t really answer it. To be honest, I don’t go inside often—only recently, when we had to clean and set things up…” The old man rolled up his pant leg and showed them a scar. “Got this weird scratch out of nowhere. It’s eerie as hell!”
“But yeah, people have stayed inside before and then ran out screaming in the middle of the night. No one knows what they saw. As long as you guys stay put, you should be fine. Anyway, I’ve been working the night shift here for years, and nothing’s happened to me.”
Mei Rujing noted, “But that’s only because you stay outside.”
The old man hadn’t actually lived in the villas—he was only at the outskirts of the area.
“That’s right. If you need anything at night, call me. I’ll be right here. There are people handling food and drinks during the day, but they leave after work at night.”
After saying their goodbyes to Uncle Qi, Chu Qianli and the others took their luggage into the villa area and saw that the place was surrounded by rolling hills. Each hill had a single villa on it, with paths connecting them, somewhat resembling a resort.
The main hall where they checked in had self-service dining and various entertainment facilities, but if they wanted food, they’d have to walk over from their villas. Shuttle carts operated during the day, but not at night.
“Where’s that elevator?” Chu Qianli asked curiously as she followed Mei Rujing outside, looking around for any sign of the infamous elevator.
“It doesn’t seem to be here. I just saw it randomly online, but that news article didn’t even have a floor plan, so who knows if it’s true or not.”
At the entrance of the main hall, stacks of heavy boxes were piled up, containing various essential supplies. It was clear that this place didn’t normally host guests—everything had only been prepared recently.
As the three of them waited for a ride up the hill, another group walked out of the lobby—a group of foreign numerology practitioners with deep-set eyes and blue pupils.
Both sides froze slightly upon seeing each other, then fell into simultaneous silence.
Despite the fact that Mondson Group had long stated that this event was a global selection, this was the first time Chu Qianli and the others had encountered overseas opponents.
Mei Rujing was unfamiliar with Western mysticism. She glanced at the other group’s flashy outfits and the golden eagle necklaces around their necks, hesitating before asking, “What are they studying?”
Chu Qianli shook her head. “I only know Western astrology, but they seem to be mages.”
Western mysticism had just as many branches as Chinese practices—just like how China had orthodox Taoists and spirit mediums, foreign practitioners also studied different schools of magic, making it difficult to immediately determine their background.
Mei Rujing was already an eye-catching presence with her striking appearance and temperament. Now, with Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing appearing harmless, they frequently drew the foreign mages’ unfriendly gazes, with some even whispering among themselves.
Mei Rujing had always had keen intuition. Even though she couldn’t understand what the mages were saying, she frowned and said, “I can tell from their tone that they’re not saying anything good.”
Chu Qianli had overheard a bit and grumbled unhappily, “These damn foreigners actually think we’ll be so scared after just one night that we’ll run away in terror!”
It was the first time she had encountered such rude people.
These foreign mages were mocking the three of them, assuming that Chu Qianli and the others were weak and cowardly.
Tan Muxing corrected her strictly, “No, no, no, they just said we’d run away scared. They didn’t use the phrase ‘run away in terror’…”
“How come you both understand them?!” Mei Rujing was shocked, then suddenly realized, “Oh right, you guys just finished your college entrance exams—I’m the one with the lowest IQ here!”
The foreign mages noticed their reactions and hadn’t expected to be understood. They immediately fell silent.
However, Chu Qianli was not one to let things slide. She switched languages and retorted directly, “You won’t even last a full night—just half a night, and you’ll be running away in terror!”
Mei Rujing was confused and asked for clarification, “Wait, what did you just say? They look pissed…”
Tan Muxing covered his face in exasperation and muttered quietly, “…Moments like this make me think her studies are actually decent. She even translated ‘run away in terror’ so vividly.”
Chu Qianli had a decent talent for languages. Back in school, her English was already quite good. She had even attended a few elective Spanish classes, so language barriers didn’t stop her from fanning the flames. Her grades might not have been great, but her practical skills were top-notch.
The foreign mage named Joe hadn’t expected her to be so sharp-tongued. He was immediately angered and took a step forward, but his companions stopped him.
“Joe, let it go…”
Joe, with deep-set eyes and blue irises, fumed, “You’re all supposed to be exam candidates, but none of you have guardian spirits! How could you possibly spend the night here?!”
These foreign mages had made their judgment based on what they couldn’t see. In their sect, every practitioner was supposed to have a guardian spirit, which allowed them to perceive certain supernatural energies.
Tan Muxing translated this for Mei Rujing, who didn’t understand.
Mei Rujing’s expression turned odd. “Guardian spirits? Can someone explain what these guys are studying? Or at least put it in Eastern terms?”
Tan Muxing guessed, “I think they’re saying we don’t have religious beliefs? And that they can’t see any energy around us?”
Mei Rujing scoffed, “What nonsense. Are we sure they don’t just have eye problems?”
Chu Qianli and Mei Rujing were both involved in divination, but neither of them practiced supernatural magic nor followed any religion.
Chu Qianli had met believers in the field before, but true experts never forced their beliefs on others. They understood that faith—or the lack of it—was a personal matter. The ones who tried to control others were the truly insufferable ones.
Chu Qianli grabbed Tan Muxing and shot back in a foreign language, “You’re all illiterate for not understanding the concept of religious freedom! None of you have guardians, so how could you possibly spend the night here?!”
The suddenly dragged-in “guardian” was baffled: “?”
Joe snapped angrily, “Who are you calling illiterate?!”
Chu Qianli, righteous and unyielding, planted her hands on her hips and switched back to Chinese, declaring forcefully, “You can’t even understand ‘Chai Ni Si’—if that’s not illiteracy, what is?!”
Sure enough, Joe looked completely confused. His expression turned blank, as if he had no idea what she had just said.
Mei Rujing nodded knowingly. “I understood that one. I’m not illiterate.”
Tan Muxing: “…”
I am just a novice translator and Chinese is not my native language. I try my best to translate the chapters as accurate as possible.
If there are any mistakes then kindly comment and remind me. Your support means a lot.
![You’re Causing Chaos Again [e-sports]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1sMqC2JNjIep8Ov.jpg "You’re Causing Chaos Again [e-sports]")
