Shortly after seven in the morning, someone entered Xia Tianqiong's apartment complex and discovered a dead body, prompting them to call the police. The authorities quickly cordoned off the scene, and shortly thereafter, five mysterious individuals arrived, taking over the investigation. They belonged to the Bureau of Anomalous Affairs, an official organization that has existed for millennia.
Among them was the only female member, Fang Moyuan, young, beautiful, and remarkably skilled. Donning rubber gloves, she meticulously examined each corpse, eventually reaching a conclusion. "Judging by the manner of death and the lingering sinister aura, it's evident that this is the work of the 'Anomalous Mother Seeking Child,' a phenomenon recorded numerous times in history. This suggests there are likely no survivors here."
Standing beside her was Zhou Boyu, a composed middle-aged man and the squad leader. He shook his head. "There are survivors, and there are two."
Fang Moyuan was taken aback. "When the Anomalous Mother strikes, no one survives. How can there be survivors? Captain, what did you see?"
A silvery glint appeared in Zhou Boyu's eyes, an eerie technique allowing him to perceive what others could not. "There's a residual aura of contract power here, specifically the power of an Anomalous Master and an Equality Contract."
His words left Fang Moyuan and the other team members profoundly shocked. "So, someone has deciphered the death rules of the 'Anomalous Mother Seeking Child,' otherwise, it would be impossible to sign an Equality Contract."
"It seems so," Zhou Boyu nodded, excitement creeping into his expression. "Immediately have the police verify all resident information and check the nearby surveillance. We must find this person." Deciphering the 'Anomalous Mother Seeking Child' was immensely valuable, ensuring that future encounters wouldn't spell certain doom for everyone involved.
More importantly, this individual held significant potential for the Bureau of Anomalous Affairs. Historical records noted that both the Anomalous Mother and the Anomalous Child possessed teleportation-like abilities, and anyone contracting with either would gain such a skill.
"This person may belong to one of the ancient families, making recruitment challenging," Fang Moyuan cautioned.
"Impossible. Those families' scions live lavishly. They wouldn't reside in such a dilapidated place," Zhou Boyu dismissed the idea.
"You're right." Fang Moyuan nodded, but a worried expression crept across her face. "Captain Zhou, anomalies have appeared all over the country overnight. This isn't normal."
Zhou Boyu's expression grew serious. "Never before in history have we seen anomalies of this scale and extent. The ancient prophecy might be coming true. The anomalous realm is about to merge with our world."
"Does this mean our world will descend into an anomalous apocalypse?"
"It may be the end for ordinary people, but it's the dawn of a new era for anomaly hunters!"
In a modest hotel, Xia Tianqiong opened the door and walked in. Jiang Yu stood at the entrance, looking at him oddly. "Weren't we supposed to catch ghosts? Why are we getting a room?"
Before Xia Tianqiong could respond, Jiang Yu dragged her suitcase inside, pretending to be shy. "Fine, I didn't sleep at all last night. I do need a place to rest."
She assumed he intended to sleep with her, but he retorted, "You're overthinking it. I'm getting a room to sleep. Drop your luggage and head to the wholesale market to buy supplies."
"But I didn't sleep last night. Can't I rest first?" Jiang Yu pouted, looking pitiful.
Xia Tianqiong ignored her pleas, inspecting the room. "Have you read any post-apocalyptic novels?"
"No."
"After tomorrow night, the anomalies will descend, akin to a post-apocalyptic scenario. Though it won't be as chaotic or morally bankrupt as those novels suggest, it will trigger a frenzy for supplies."
Finishing his inspection, he sat at the bed's edge and continued, "So I need you to buy long-lasting food, daily medicines, household supplies, and so on."
Jiang Yu, though skeptical about the apocalypse theory, began to believe Xia Tianqiong's serious demeanor. "Such an important task, and you trust me to do it? Aren't you afraid I'll run away and never come back?"
"You don't understand the power of the Anomalous Master Contract," Xia Tianqiong scoffed, lifting his hand to draw an invisible force from her body. Jiang Yu felt weak as her skin rapidly wrinkled and her hair turned grey.
"Isn't this the female ghost's ability?" Jiang Yu exclaimed in horror.
Quickly realizing the situation, she pleaded, "Tianqiong, I was just speaking carelessly. I never intended to run. Please don't kill me."
"I'm not going to kill you. I'm just demonstrating the power of the Anomalous Master Contract," he explained, returning the extracted life force to her. She instantly reverted to her youthful appearance.
Touching her face and hands, she asked fearfully, "What's happening?"
"Since you signed the Anomalous Master Contract with the Anomalous Child, your life, soul, and body no longer belong to you. The Anomalous Child can manipulate them at will, even if you're on the other side of the planet. I signed an Equality Contract, allowing me to exert its power over you with just a bit of ghost money."
Though his words were calm, the underlying threat was clear. Jiang Yu stood in stunned silence, finally comprehending the peril of the Anomalous Master Contract and the subservience it demanded.
Her expression shifted, and she bowed her head in submission. "I understand. You are the master, and I am the servant. I will obey you from now on."
Watching her, Xia Tianqiong sighed inwardly. In his previous life, this woman had been decisive and fierce, surpassing many men. Her anomaly-hunting team had been renowned. When he first reincarnated, he had thought about teaming up with her, fighting together as friends in the post-apocalyptic world. However, her betrayal changed everything. Now, he could only train her as a tool, not a friend or ally.
"Don't worry. As long as you follow orders and complete tasks, you'll be fine. Now go, time is pressing."
"Okay." Jiang Yu replied despondently, saying no more. After she left, Xia Tianqiong drew the curtains, dimming the room. Summoning a dish of braised ribs from the "Ghostly Takeout," he placed it in a corner.
His true purpose for booking the room wasn't to sleep but to hunt anomalies. The hotel, located in the outskirts of Lin'an City, was built over an old graveyard, which had been developed into residential buildings over the years. Few locals bought houses here, knowing its history, and most properties were rented out.
Initially, many anomalies emerged here, making it a near-forbidden zone for the living. However, as more anomaly hunters discovered the relatively weak nature of these spirits and their death rules, it became a hunting ground. Eventually, the government designated it as a training ground for novice hunters.
Xia Tianqiong intended to hunt or contract anomalies to bolster his strength for the upcoming battle against the malevolent spirits. The ghostly food attracted both humans and anomalies, making it a perfect lure. Despite the daylight, a few wandering anomalies might still appear.
Suddenly, the anomalies within him stirred, and the Anomalous Child emerged, eagerly crawling towards the food. "I'll give it to you after it's served its purpose, okay?" he coaxed. The child's greed for food was quelled with promises, and it returned to his body.
Next, the Ghostly Takeout's voice echoed in his mind. "Master, please be gentle. I'm on the verge of dissipating!"
Due to its injuries and the usage of its power, it was weakened. "Once I hunt a few anomalies and gather more ghost money, I'll heal you," Xia Tianqiong reassured, feeling his poverty keenly.
"Master, you still have a silver ingot made with my power. Can't you let me use it?" the Ghostly Takeout pleaded. The ghost money was vital for emergency uses, like activating shadow teleportation or confronting future anomalies. Burning paper money or gold ingots for oneself, though less draining, required specific rituals and mental states to be effective.
He began folding gold ingots from the paper he bought earlier. Though he used blood to inscribe runes, he had to limit the number to avoid excessive blood loss. While waiting for anomalies, Xia Tianqiong drifted off to sleep.
Awaking to a soft touch on his cheek, he found Jiang Yu, naked and alluring beside him. "Master, you're awake?" she purred seductively.
Without a word, Xia Tianqiong flipped over, pinning her down. As she blushed and cooed, he grasped her neck fiercely. "I've been waiting for you!"