By the time the nightmare was resolved, evening was already approaching. Wisps of golden cloud swirled across the pale gray sky, drifting apart in the wind.
As the group walked out of Shande Nursing Home, Zhou Zhenhong glanced back at the debris covering the ground and said to Wang Guangming, "Contact the relevant departments in a bit. Have them clear this place out and bulldoze it completely flat."
Wang Guangming nodded.
Zhou Zhenhong then looked toward Huang Tian and said sincerely, "Mr. Huang, even though you haven't decided whether to join the association yet, the association will never forget your contributions to Qingyang. If you need anything, just say the word. Anything the Qingyang branch has in stock can be allocated to you, and for anything we don't, I will submit an application to higher-ups to secure it for you as best I can."
Huang Tian thought for a moment and asked, "Dream relics too?"
Zhou Zhenhong chuckled. "Of course. The reason so many civilian dream expellers are willing to join the association is precisely to exchange merit points for dream relics."
Ordinary civilian dream expellers often had fused with only a single dream relic, which merely counted as taking their first step through the door. If they wished to grow stronger and survive longer, they had to continue fusing a second and a third dream relic.
Only by assembling the Three Powers and becoming a Rank 2 dream expeller—allowing three dream relics to reach a delicate balance—would the rate of erosion on both mind and body slow down, enabling them to scrape by for a few more years.
Yet how could ordinary civilian dream expellers possibly have the means to acquire more dream relics?
Take on nightmare incidents alone?
What a joke. Enduring any nightmare was a gamble with one's life. Simply saving one's own skin was fortunate enough, let alone resolving the incident and obtaining a dream relic.
Even more crucially, not every dream relic was suitable for everyone. To assemble the Three Powers, the three dream relics had to resonate and harmonize with one another. If the three did not match, forcibly fusing them meant certain death without a chance of survival.
Because of this, to obtain suitable dream relics, many civilian dream expellers chose to join the association or civilian dream expeller organizations. True lone wolves were exceedingly rare—they were either madmen or supreme powerhouses.
Huang Tian understood. "If possible, I would like to receive dream relics. I lack for nothing in worldly possessions."
Zhou Zhenhong immediately promised, "With the merits you have established today, you have more than enough to exchange for several Sui-rank dream relics, or even a Xie-rank dream relic. I will submit the request to the higher-ups today. It will take three days at the fastest and half a month at most to have an answer."
In truth, by his estimation, it wouldn't even take three days. Approval might come down within half a day. The reason was simple: this was a Rank 3 dream expeller!
No matter which country he was in, that was a strategic deterrent-level force!
Even with its immense foundations, the Dream Expeller Association would never pass up an opportunity to win over a Rank 3 dream expeller.
Huang Tian nodded. If he could obtain another Xie-rank dream relic within a few days, his speed in breaking through to the Golden Core realm would be even faster. Of course, a single Xie-rank dream relic was still not entirely guaranteed—it would be best to have yet another...
"Among the cities neighboring Qingyang, are there any Xie-rank nightmares like Shande Nursing Home?"
Zhou Zhenhong froze, instantly realizing that Huang Tian intended to keep hunting down anomalies. Both touched and helpless, he said, "You've been rushing about and laboring hard all day. You should rest for a few days first... Besides, stationary Xie-rank nightmares like Shande Nursing Home don't exist in the neighboring cities. The closest one to us is over five hundred kilometers away, in Qingjiang City..."
Huang Tian shook his head. "My spirit is at its peak; I have no need for rest. Tell me the exact location, and I will take a flight straight there."
Zhou Zhenhong sized Huang Tian up closely upon hearing this. Sure enough, Huang Tian was full of vitality, showing not the slightest hint of fatigue. Instead, his eyes were bright and spirited, his energy at its zenith. Seeing that Huang Tian's mind was made up, Zhou Zhenhong could only say, "How about this, Mr. Huang? Rest for the night, and I'll have someone book your plane ticket to Qingjiang City for tomorrow. How does that sound?"
Huang Tian nodded. "I appreciate the trouble."
"Don't mention it," Zhou Zhenhong waved his hand dismissively. "Still, forgive me for overstepping with a word of advice. Banishing evils and purging abominations is indeed important, but there is no need to rush. Balancing work and rest is the only way to plan for the long road ahead..."
"Rest assured, I know my limits."
"That is good, that is good." Zhou Zhenhong said no more and gestured with his hand. "Xiao Zhang, drive Mr. Huang back to his residence."
"Yes, sir!" the buzz-cut youth named Xiao Zhang answered loudly.
Huang Tian stepped into the black SUV. The vehicle slowly started up and drove into the distance.
Only when the car disappeared from view did Wang Guangming sigh deeply with emotion. "If only all civilian dream expellers were like Mr. Huang, we wouldn't be struggling so terribly to deal with nightmare incidents."
Another person chimed in, "Captain Wang, you're dreaming too big. I don't even ask them to help clear nightmares—as long as they don't act recklessly and run amok, that's already enough. Look at that Holy Light Society. They actually worship nightmares, claiming nightmares are power bestowed upon humanity by god, stirring up trouble everywhere. A bona fide evil cult! They've tied down so much of headquarters' energy. If not for them, headquarters could easily deploy manpower to help handle nightmare incidents across different regions."
The crowd sighed upon hearing this.
The higher the frequency of nightmare descents, the more chaotic the world order became. Cults sprouted one after another across various nations, proclaiming the apocalypse was nigh and seducing people into worshipping god and worshipping nightmares.
The Holy Light Society was one such group, fanning flames and stirring up turmoil within the State of Dongping, drawing the Dream Expeller Association's heavy focus and crackdowns.
"Let's not talk about that anymore. Dwelling on it won't help. The situation is grim, and we just need to do our best," Zhou Zhenhong said pensively. "After all, no matter how hard it gets, the worst that can happen is death."
***
Just as the Shande Nursing Home nightmare was eliminated, in Shenghe City adjacent to Qingyang, the sun was hidden behind heavy clouds, casting a layer of dreary chill over the land.
Carrying her backpack, Wu Tingting jogged into the subway station.
It was a little past four in the afternoon, not yet the evening rush hour, so there were not many people in the station.
She walked up to the turnstile, scanned the code on her phone, and as the gates opened, briskly stepped through. She then joined the few scattered commuters waiting for the train to arrive.
*Whoosh—*
A chilly breeze blew past. At some point, a thin white mist had risen around them. Wu Tingting shivered slightly, muttering under her breath, "Why hasn't it arrived yet?"
Pursing her lips, she tapped her feet lightly and glanced at the people beside her.
A balding, slightly chubby middle-aged man; a young thug-like fellow with dyed red hair; a yellow-haired youth beside him; and two girls in their early twenties walking arm in arm, whose attire and demeanor suggested they were college students out having fun over the weekend.
*Wuuu—*
A wailing rush of wind echoed out. Wu Tingting looked toward the sound as a train broke through the white mist and glided into the station. Inside, the carriages were utterly vacant; there wasn't a single soul in sight.
The train pulled to a gentle stop before the group, and the carriage doors slid open automatically.
"This ride's great—hardly anyone on it."
The chubby man smiled and took the lead into the car. The others followed one after another, each finding an empty seat to sit down.
Just as Wu Tingting was about to step into the train, an anxious cry suddenly reached her ears: "Don't get on!!"
One of her feet had already stepped inside before she turned her head. A short-bearded man wearing glasses was waving frantically at her, his voice sounding hollow and airy: "Don't get on! Get off, come back—"
Her heart skipped a violent beat. Though she didn't know why the short-bearded man was warning her away, an inexplicable dread and anxiety welled up within her, making her reluctant to board this train.
She moved to pull her foot back. Yet right at that moment, a sudden shove came from behind, pushing her straight into the carriage.
Stumbling forward, she barely managed to grab hold of a handrail to keep from falling. She whipped her head around in terror, only to find no one standing by the doorway.
*Someone clearly pushed me just now...*
A shock like an electric current erupted across her scalp. Shuddering from head to toe, she lunged to rush out. But just as she neared the open doors, she slammed headfirst into an invisible wall of air, which bounced her back with sheer force, sending her crashing to the floor.
"What's going on?!"
The others in the carriage sprang to their feet in shock at the sight.
"Is there a door there? That makes no sense!"
"Fuck, what kind of crap is this?"
Cursing under his breath, the red-haired youth marched to the open doorway and threw himself forward. With a heavy thud, the invisible wall of air hurled him backward onto the floor.
"Holy shit, I don't buy this!"
His face burning with embarrassment, he scrambled back up and rammed his elbow forward, only to be bounced away once again.
"Could this be some kind of new high-tech gadget?" the chubby man wondered aloud.
"How could that be? I've taken this line countless times and never seen anything like this!" The yellow-haired youth frowned. "Wait, why is our car the only carriage on this train?"
At his words, everyone looked to the left and right, only to discover that the passageways leading to the other cars were completely blocked off. It was as if this train consisted of this single carriage alone.
"Could we... have run into a ghost?" a long-haired young woman asked in a trembling voice, her friend clutching her arm tightly.
"Don't scare yourself. How could anyone see ghosts in broad daylight? No, how could ghosts even exist in this world!" The chubby man stepped to the door and reached out. Sure enough, his palm met a solid wall of air.
Outside the barrier, the short-bearded man Wu Tingting had seen earlier wore a grim expression.
"Hey, buddy, do you know what's going on here?" The chubby man brightened upon seeing someone outside.
The short-bearded man gave no reply.
"Brother, good brother, say something! Can you not hear me from over there?" the chubby man pressed urgently.
*Click—*
With a soft sound, the carriage doors began to slide shut. Panic seized everyone, and they instinctively tried to charge out, but no matter how hard they threw themselves forward, they couldn't breach the invisible wall of air.
Seeing the doors about to close completely, the short-bearded man outside gritted his teeth, let out a curse, took a large stride, and squeezed inside sideways.
*Thud!*
The doors shut completely.
"Brother, looking at you, do you know something?" the chubby man asked in a hurry. "How can we get out?"
Just as the short-bearded man was about to reply, an electronic voice abruptly chimed from the carriage ceiling: *"Welcome aboard the Wonderful Train. We will embark on this journey with you and spend the next three days of heartwarming time together."*
Everyone froze.
"Three days? We have to stay on this train for three days?!"
"I don't want to ride any Wonderful Train! Let me off—"
"Heartwarming time, my ass! Your grandfather wants off this train!"
"..."
Amid the clamor of curses and shouts, the electronic voice offered no response, simply continuing: *"Now, passengers, please abide by the rules. Return to your respective seats and sit down properly. Do not stand up at will. Countdown begins: ten, nine, eight—"*
"Sit down, quickly!" the short-bearded man roared, quickly dropping into a nearby empty seat.
Startled by his sudden bellow and completely in the dark about the situation, the others scrambled to take seats alongside him. Only the red-haired youth remained planted where he stood, hesitation flickering across his face. Having just spewed tough words, he felt that sitting down obediently would make him lose face, leaving him torn.
*"Five, four, three—"*
"You suicidal fool!"
Cursing furiously, the short-bearded man lashed out with a kick, knocking the red-haired youth into an empty seat before swiftly snapping back into his own.
"You fucking—" Half-sprawled across the seat with his rear pressed against the cushion, the red-haired youth glared furiously at the short-bearded man.
*"—two, one. All passengers are seated. The train is now departing. During the journey, please listen carefully to announcements and abide by the rules. Thank you for your cooperation."*
Once the electronic voice faded, the short-bearded man's cold, sharp gaze swept over the crowd. "Now, quiet down and listen to me!"
Under his piercing glare, none of them dared speak. Even the red-haired youth who had taken a kick held his tongue, wearing only an indignant scowl.
"My name is Yang Baicheng, a Rank 1 dream expeller belonging to the Shenghe City branch of the Dream Expeller Association..."
He rapidly explained his identity, as well as the nature of dream expellers and nightmares, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
The chubby man asked uncertainly, "So... we've run into a nightmare incident?"
Yang Baicheng nodded slowly. "That's right. This train carriage is currently designated by our branch as the Death Train. Over the past ten days, dozens of people have already died because of it. We only tracked it down today. By the time I came in, the subway station was already being cordoned off, but it's uncertain whether it will appear on other subway lines or even in stations in other cities."
"I don't care about that! I just want to know how we can get out!" the red-haired youth demanded loudly.
Yang Baicheng shook his head. "There are two ways. One is to abide by the rules and endure the full three days inside the carriage."
"How is that possible?! Eating, drinking, pissing, and shitting all in this car? Who can stand the humiliation? Besides, the stuff we're carrying isn't even enough food and water for three days—"
"Then we can only wait for outside rescue."
"What about you? Didn't you say you're a dream expeller? Why can't you deal with this nightmare thing?"
Yang Baicheng let out a heavy sigh. "The threat level of the Death Train is higher than I anticipated. The moment I entered, I realized the dream relic inside my body was suppressed. In other words, right now, I'm just an ordinary person like the rest of you."
If it were a Sui-rank nightmare, it could never suppress the power of his dream relic. This Death Train had to be at least Xie-rank—and there was even a slim chance it was an E-rank!
Wu Tingting asked in a meek voice, "Then... how long until rescue arrives?"
Several pairs of eyes turned toward him. Yang Baicheng said slowly, "At least a full day. Based on its patterns, the Death Train will only reappear in the outside world at this exact time tomorrow, which is when reinforcements from outside can enter. Therefore, we must survive at least this one day."
*Ding—*
The electronic voice chimed again: *"New passengers are about to board. Please maintain order and do not fight for seats."*
Everyone was taken aback. The chubby man asked in confusion, "Didn't you say the station was cordoned off? How could more people be boarding?"
Yang Baicheng said grimly, "Who said the ones boarding would be human?"
At those words, everyone's faces drained of color, their eyes instantly darting toward the doors.
*Swish—*
The doors slowly parted, and a thick stench of rotting corpses blew in with the breeze, inducing instant nausea.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
A synchronized rhythm of footsteps sounded as a line of seven stiff figures walked in. All seven were elderly people clad in dark greenish-black burial shrouds. Emaciated as withered wood with deeply sunken eye sockets, their lips were curled upward in rigid, frozen grins, appearing unimaginably eerie.
"Ugh—"
The foul stench swept through, making everyone in the carriage cringe and gag. Several of the young women dry-heaved.
After boarding, the seven elders split up, sitting down tightly beside each passenger.
Seven living people, seven corpses, sitting pressed snugly against each other.
The atmosphere inside the carriage plummeted into dead silence.
Yang Baicheng managed to keep his composure; having experienced numerous nightmare incidents, scenes like this were nothing new to him. But the other six were entirely different. When had they ever sat shoulder-to-shoulder with corpses?
Worst of all, these weren't merely corpses—they were aberrations!
An old crone sat glued to the red-haired youth. A dense stench of rotting flesh mingled with a cloying sweetness washed over him, freezing him stiff.
He instinctively tilted his body to the left, but the crone immediately leaned her head over, as if trying to rest it on his shoulder.
"Fuck!"
Cursing under his breath, the red-haired youth cautiously shifted his hips, trying to slide to the left without leaving his seat. Yet the moment he barely moved an inch, the crone pressed right against him again, dragging the foul odor along with her.
"Try not to move around!" Yang Baicheng warned in a hurried whisper.
At the same time, as if sensing the red-haired youth's movement, all seven elders snapped their heads toward him in unison with rigid jerks. Their cloudy eyes fixed upon him with greedy, venomous glares.
His face went pale, and he froze instantly.
However, the old crone beside him did not stop. Instead, she leaned even closer, until their faces were nearly touching.
He tilted his head slightly to the left; the crone pressed in further.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of her bruised, hideous, contorted face, while the concentrated stench of festering decay overwhelmed his nostrils. He was on the verge of snapping.
Right at that moment—
*"Haaa—"*
The crone parted her mouth slightly. A cloud of foul, greenish mist blew across his face, and over a dozen plump white maggots crawled out of her mouth, tumbling down onto the red-haired youth's lap. Some squirmed around in place, while others began crawling up his legs, heading toward his torso.
"Fuck your whole fucking family!" He could no longer hold back. With all his might, he drove a heavy fist right into the crone's face.
Taking the blow square on, the crone didn't budge an inch. The frozen upturned corners of her mouth seemed to twitch with sudden life. With a forward lunge, she pinned the red-haired youth to the floor. Immediately, the sounds of tearing flesh and screams of utter terror erupted together.
The others shut their eyes in horror, trembling like sieves. Yang Baicheng drew a deep breath. "Harming other passengers is forbidden on the train! As long as we don't leave our seats and don't attack anyone, no matter what these aberrations do, they cannot kill us!"
Even so, the terrified screams ringing in their ears left them shivering uncontrollably, terrified that the horrors seated beside them might suddenly pounce and tear them to shreds.
"Whatever happens, endure it! Hold on!" Yang Baicheng said in a low, heavy voice. "If we can at least make it through the first day, we might be saved!"
***
The following morning, the sunlight was bright and warm. Xiao Zhang was just about to drive Huang Tian to the airport when the latter's phone suddenly vibrated.
Huang Tian glanced at the screen to see Zhou Zhenhong calling. Upon answering, the man spoke rapidly: "Mr. Huang, the situation has changed. In neighboring Shenghe City—"
After sketching out the general situation, Zhou Zhenhong continued, "The Death Train is very likely a Xie-rank nightmare, with a small probability of being an E-rank..."
"I'll go," Huang Tian said succinctly.
To him, going to Qingjiang or Shenghe made no difference. As for the nightmare in Shenghe City, if it was Xie-rank, it would be a decent harvest; if it was an E-rank, it would be a bountiful feast!
"Devouring" it would be enough for him to break through to the Golden Core Celestial Being realm!
"Xiao Zhang, head to Shenghe City. Someone will guide us when we arrive."
Xiao Zhang had no idea why the itinerary had abruptly changed, but he answered decisively, "Got it!"
He immediately turned the wheel, heading west toward Shenghe City.
Sitting in the car and watching the rows of buildings recede past the window, Huang Tian smiled and murmured softly under his breath,
"I hope... it's a magnificent feast!"
Chapter 169