The tasks of the Underworld Affairs Bureau are divided into three categories: ghost-catching, demon-hunting, and devil-slaying, corresponding respectively to the three ranks of investigators—Human, Earth, and Heaven. Human-rank investigators are the most numerous, with a total close to 450,000, as incidents involving malevolent ghosts occur most frequently.

Earth-rank investigators number nearly 50,000, and they handle the more terrifying cases involving monsters—creatures from myths and legends, possessing powers akin to cultivators, far beyond those of ordinary ghosts. However, most of these monsters have already integrated into human society, live in seclusion deep in the mountains, and abide by the principles of keeping a low profile and living long lives, so the number of cases is not high.

As for Heaven-rank investigators, there are only 10 in the entire Underworld Affairs Bureau. Legend has it that they are humans whose cultivation rivals that of immortals, and they handle the most terrifying cases—those involving demons from the demon realm.

But breaking through the barriers of the three realms to enter the human world is no easy feat, not even for demon gods. As a result, Heaven-rank investigators are almost always idle, with the most recent mission dating back over 60 years to World War II.

Back then, they faced Hitler possessed by Satan, along with his demon realm companions. It was a catastrophe that swept across the human world, but fortunately, demon-slaying organizations from various countries joined forces and ultimately sent Satan back to the demon realm, securing victory for humanity.

Since then, Heaven-rank investigators have had nothing to do, enjoying the highest benefits in the Underworld Affairs Bureau, earning millions in monthly salary, and spending their days either in leisure or in romantic pursuits.

They are legends within the Bureau and the ultimate goal of all investigators. As long as one perseveres to reach the Heaven-rank, life will be far more comfortable than anyone on the Forbes list, because even the richest cannot enjoy the administrative privileges granted by absolute authority.

The beautiful future has been described; now it’s time to talk about the things that could end that future at any moment.

Malevolent ghosts are the most numerous in the world and are the ones most fond of breaking the rules of the human realm. They are divided into nine stars according to their spiritual power, with the highest, nine-star ghosts, being just a step away from evolving into monsters.

The Underworld Affairs Bureau doesn’t catch just any ghost. Their classification of ghosts is only to indicate their strength; the real standard for whether to exorcise or eliminate them is the harm index.

Most ordinary ghosts prefer mischief or lingering around people they can’t bear to leave. This type has a very low harm index and can basically be ignored.

But once a ghost’s harm index exceeds 50%, meaning it poses a threat to humans and society, investigators are responsible for exorcising or eliminating the last trace of their lingering will.

Speaking of spiritual power, all things possess spirit. Whether it’s a deity from the heavens or wild grass by the roadside, anything with life has spiritual power. It’s just that spiritual power varies in strength. This power can be interpreted as cultivation, spirit, or, if you prefer, you can call it “chakra.”

Spiritual power grants humans physical ability and conviction. Those with high spiritual power often achieve extraordinary feats and are indomitable. Throughout history, every great ruler has been a person of exceptional spiritual power, able to shake the land of China.

Athletes on the field and top students in exams are also manifestations of extraordinary spiritual power.

The successful are destined for success from birth, and this is also distinguished by the level of spiritual power.

When spiritual power exceeds a certain threshold, a person is no longer just human—they may be called a cultivator or an esper. These people possess supernatural abilities, and only such individuals can become investigators in the Underworld Affairs Bureau, doing the work of catching ghosts, hunting monsters, and slaying devils.

“How do you judge the level of spiritual power?” Grace Lincoln listened intently and couldn’t help but ask.

The guide, Jason Grant, casually tossed an object backward, which Grace Lincoln barely managed to catch—it turned out to be a crystal ball about the size of a billiard ball. Before Grace Lincoln could ask further, the crystal ball in his hand emitted a soft white light, like a magician’s light bulb.

“This is a spirit-measuring orb, made from a thousand-year-old white crystal from underground. Ordinary humans will make it glow blue when they touch it. Those with outstanding spiritual potential can make it glow white. If a full investigator holds it, it glows red. As for those old monsters at the Heaven-rank, I don’t know—rumor has it it glows gold?” As Jason Grant spoke, he turned and took the crystal ball back from Grace Lincoln. The soft white light disappeared as soon as it left Grace Lincoln’s palm.

What surprised Grace Lincoln was that when the ball touched Jason Grant’s fingers, there was no light at all—not even the blue glow of an ordinary person, as if Jason Grant wasn’t even a living being, not even a ghost.

“You do have some potential, but until you cultivate to the point where you can produce red light, your potential is the most attractive delicacy in the eyes of malevolent ghosts—like Australian lobster on the dinner table. That’s why that ghost landlady wanted you as a substitute.” The wicked smile at the corner of Jason Grant’s mouth made Grace Lincoln shiver again.

“It’s fine. I’ve always been highly adaptable since I was a child. Since I have potential, I believe I can turn it into strength.” Grace Lincoln said this as much to himself as to anyone else, as a way to encourage himself.