[Case Name: The Stone City Resurrectionist Incident]

Case Level: C-Level

Details are as follows:

Case 1: On February 15, 235 NE, an 87-year-old professor in Stone City died of a sudden heart attack in the early hours. Three days after his burial, he reappeared at his home, sitting in a rocking chair and reading a newspaper. He was discovered by his daughter-in-law, who was up early to make breakfast for her child.

Upon receiving the alert, the Stone City Star Association’s Special Operations Team rushed to the scene and took the target into custody. They then went to the cemetery to exhume the coffin, only to find the body inside had vanished. There were no signs of digging at the site, and the cemetery’s surveillance footage showed no suspicious activity.

Case 2: On February 15, a 34-year-old man in Stone City accidentally fell into the water while fishing and drowned. He was discovered an hour later by a passerby who alerted the authorities. All vital signs were absent, and he was pronounced dead.

In a situation similar to Case 1, the deceased "revived" three days after his cremation. He appeared at home and even prepared a lavish breakfast for his wife and daughter, terrifying them to the point that they are now undergoing psychological counseling.

An investigation revealed that the ashes within the deceased’s urn had vanished.

Case 3: On February 15, a 27-year-old Tier One Ascender in Stone City was murdered in the wilderness. His body was stored in the Star Association morgue, where he mysteriously revived on the third day. His wounds and autopsy incisions had vanished, his vital signs were normal, and he was able to use his Extraordinary Abilities. He could clearly describe his life from childhood onward, had no memory loss from before his death, and remembered his murderer (who has since been apprehended).

Case 4: On February 15, a 25-year-old woman in Stone City was killed instantly in a car accident. Her body was cremated that night. On the morning three days later, her husband was woken up by his deceased, cremated wife as if it were a normal day. A few minutes later, he found an excuse to get her out of the room and called the Star Association’s hotline.

Case 5: ...

...

Case 23: February 16...

...

Case 57: February 17...

...

The first reported discovery of this "resurrection" phenomenon occurred at 5:20 AM on February 18, 235 NE, at Apt. 504, Unit 2, Building B3, Xingfu Community, Stone City. For details, see Case 1.

Among the known Resurrectionists, the earliest time of death was 12:33 AM, February 15, 235 NE. For details, see Case 1.

As of 6:00 AM, February 20, a total of 57 Resurrectionists have appeared in Stone City.

Research has determined this Extraordinary incident is unrelated to the Rain of Life program, the Crystal Disease virus, and Abyssal Power.

Testing confirms that the individual DNA and blood types of all Resurrectionists perfectly match existing database records. However, they have lost all sexual attraction to the opposite sex. Multiple tests have confirmed that Resurrectionists show no physiological arousal or reproductive drive.

Further examination has revealed that the bodies of male Resurrectionists no longer produce male biological reproductive cells, and the bodies of female Resurrectionists no longer produce female biological reproductive cells. They have completely lost their reproductive capabilities.

Friends and family of the Resurrectionists have observed no abnormal behavior; their tone of voice, gestures, habits, hobbies, memories, and micro-expressions appear unchanged.

It is suspected that Resurrectionists no longer age. According to analysis, they may be incapable of dying from natural causes.

Resurrectionists do not possess a Soul. However, the three Ascenders among the 57 cases can still use their Extraordinary Abilities, a fact that is utterly baffling. It is common knowledge that Extraordinary Abilities stem from the Soul; without a Soul, such abilities should not be possible. Yet, these three Resurrectionists are capable of using them. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The incidents related to the Resurrectionists are still under investigation.

[Similar Extraordinary Incidents: Impostors, Spore People, Replicants, Swamp People, Mirror Man (To view related materials, please consult your local Star Association branch.)]

Zhou Chen frowned slightly after reading the file.

’This resurrection... it’s not what I imagined at all. There’s something deeply unsettling about it.’

’Just imagine... your wife, buried three days ago, suddenly appears beside you one morning, waking you up like she always did... Any sane person would be terrified, right? Especially since she was cremated. Turned completely to ash...’

’And these Resurrectionists have stopped aging and can’t die naturally... isn’t that basically a form of "immortality"?’

"It’s related to eternal life again..."

Zhou Chen mused, "Don’t tell me this is another incident caused by the Eternal Life Machine."

"It’s not."

Jiang Che gave him a meaningful look. "The Eternal Life Machine is just a massive Space-Time Instrument; it doesn’t grant eternal life. Those members of the Blood Race who believed they were evolving were actually being subjected to Assimilation by the Spirit of the End. I trust you are well aware of this—Mr. Spirit of the End."

"..."

’So the Star Association knew all along that I have the Book of the Dead...’ Zhou Chen cleared his throat. "Well, you’ve reminded me. Could it be that these Resurrectionists are also being assimilated by something?"

"That I’m not sure about. The Stone City branch of the Star Association only sent us these reports."

"Uh... then why do I have to be the one to go? Is there no one available in Stone City?"

Jiang Che explained, "They’re short-handed in Stone City, which is why they’re asking for outside support. I’ve given it some thought, and I believe you’re the perfect person for this assignment.

"First, you displayed remarkable investigative skills during the Sword Forging Competition. Second, your Extraordinary Ability is of the Spiritual Element, which makes you a natural counter to malicious entities like Undead and ghosts. Spiritual Type Ascenders are rare, powerful ones are even rarer, and a fighter with your level of skill is practically unheard of. Third, you have the Book of the Dead, which can resist the corruption of Abyssal Power and negative Dark Power. These Resurrectionists are clearly not normal, and your Extraordinary Ability, combined with the Book of the Dead, should be sufficient to handle most situations you’ll encounter."