36: Chapter 36 New Map: The Mysterious "Crimson Hospital"

At the center of the Fortress, the newly completed soul suppressing pagoda stood like a silent black giant, emitting a reassuring faint blue halo. Beneath the pagoda, Lin Chen stood with his hands behind his back. His gaze seemed to pierce through the pagoda's structure, looking toward a newly lit marker on the system map that pulsed with an ominous blood-red light—Ghost Domain: Bloody Hospital.

According to the system prompts and previously obtained clues, going to this "Bloody Hospital" was an essential step to collect all the underworld general tokens and unlock the soul ferry boat. It seemed the next piece of the puzzle related to the Netherworld was hidden there.

He didn't hesitate much. His strength needed to increase, the mysteries needed to be unraveled, and he was getting a bit tired of staying in this "Novice Village."

"I'm preparing to head out," Lin Chen announced his decision directly after summoning Zhang Hao and Su Qingyu before him.

Zhang Hao grew anxious as soon as he heard this. "Master! Where are you going? Take me with you! I'll clear the path for you!" He patted his chest. With his strength greatly increased and the Ghost-Headed Earth-Splitting Axe in hand, his confidence was bursting.

Lin Chen glanced at him. "You? When the time comes, will you be clearing the path or just causing trouble?"

Zhang Hao instantly deflated, sheepishly falling silent and not daring to speak again.

Lin Chen looked at Su Qingyu. "I'm leaving the Fortress to you. Keep it running according to the established rules. Zhang Hao will assist you. Keep a good eye on the home, and also... on the new one."

He didn't explicitly say the name "Lin Tian," but Su Qingyu understood perfectly. She nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, I'll handle it." After this period of experience, she was already capable of standing on her own, managing the Fortress's administrative work in an orderly fashion.

However, just then, a clear voice—carrying a hint of both cowardice and determination—rang out:

"Brother! Take me with you!"

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw that Lin Tian had approached at some unknown point. He leaned on a makeshift crutch, one leg still in a splint. His face carried a pallor that hadn't fully recovered, but those clear eyes were filled with longing and resolve.

"My leg is almost healed! I won't hold you back! I... I also want to become stronger and help Brother!" His tone was urgent, carrying the unique persistence of a youth. His gaze was so pure it made it hard for one to refuse.

Zhang Hao's brow furrowed. Just as he was about to scold this brat who didn't know the heights of the heavens or the depths of the earth, Lin Chen raised a hand to stop him.

Lin Chen looked at Lin Tian with a calm gaze, as if trying to see through that weak and harmless shell. This "younger brother," worth a hundred thousand nether talismans in intelligence fees, was actively asking to go to a dangerous Ghost Domain with him? Was he looking for an opportunity to strike? Or did he have other motives?

The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

"You?" Lin Chen's tone betrayed no emotion. "That kind of place isn't for children to play house."

"I'm not a child anymore!" Lin Tian seemed provoked by those words. He stubbornly straightened his still-slender chest, a flush of excitement rising to his face. "I know it's dangerous! But I'm not afraid! I don't want to be protected in the Fortress by Brother forever, being a useless person! I want to be like Sister Su and be able to help Brother!"

He spoke with such sincerity that tears of grievance even welled up in the corners of his eyes, perfectly portraying the image of a younger brother longing for his elder brother's recognition and striving to prove himself.

Su Qingyu looked at Lin Tian with a somewhat complicated gaze. She could understand this feeling of wanting to get stronger and prove oneself, but her reason told her that the timing and manner of this youth's appearance were far too coincidental.

Lin Chen was silent for a moment. Just as the light in Lin Tian's eyes was beginning to dim, he suddenly spoke with a casual tone:

"Fine."

Lin Tian snapped his head up, a light of pleasant surprise bursting from his eyes.

Both Zhang Hao and Su Qingyu were stunned for a moment as they looked at Lin Chen.

"Since you want to 'help' so much," Lin Chen looked at Lin Tian with eyes so deep they made one feel uneasy, "then follow along. However, let's get the unpleasantness out of the way first: keep up. If you die, don't blame me."

His tone was very flat, yet it carried a chilling undertone.

Lin Tian seemed to shiver from the tone, but he immediately nodded vigorously. His face was filled with uncontrollable excitement and... a faint, undetectable glimmer of something else. "Thank you, Brother! I'll definitely be obedient! I absolutely won't hold you back!"

The matter was settled.

Lin Chen didn't make many preparations. For someone who possessed the nether domain asset system, the vast majority of supplies could be exchanged at any time. He only selected ten of the most elite Yin Soldier Centurions as his entourage.

Early the next morning, the Fortress gates opened.

Lin Chen led the way, followed by ten Yin soldiers as silent as iron.

Leaning on his crutch with a still-stumbling gait but exceptionally bright eyes, Lin Tian followed closely slightly behind his side.

Su Qingyu and Zhang Hao stood at the gate to see them off.

"Master, be careful with everything!" Su Qingyu urged.

"Master! Come back soon! You can rest easy with old Zhang here at home!" Zhang Hao guaranteed, patting his chest.

Lin Chen waved his hand without looking back. His figure gradually disappeared into the ruins shrouded in Ghost Mist outside the Fortress.

His goal was clear—

The Ghost Domain, Bloody Hospital.

He was going to see exactly what "surprises" were hidden there.