"There''s definitely something fishy going on here!"


    Elliot furrowed his brow, turning his head to look at Elijah, "Elijah, Gideon hiding the ashes in a church is weird. We need to dig into the details of Sage Hall."


    Elijah sensed the problem too, his face serious, "I''m on it right now!"


    Elliot said, "From the pastor to the regr clergy, including those in charge of cleaning and cooking, we need to check them all. And get the scoop on Thundara Mountain too!"


    "Got it!"


    Elijah fired up hisptop and started his investigation.


    Elliot made a call, arranging for someone to disguise themselves as a visitor and scout out the church firsthand.


    Byte afternoon, they had a pretty clear picture of the situation at the church.


    The investigation revealed it was a legitimate church, with a history spanning over a century. The pastor and other clergy seemed above board, except for the pastor''s main aide, who raised some eyebrows.


    Elijah found out he had secretly purchased property abroad. It was odd, considering his significant role in the church, that he would n to settle


    overseas.


    This unusual move caught Elijah''s attention.


    He made sure to share this tidbit with Elliot.


    Elijah also discovered a legend surrounding Thundara Mountain.


    Rumor had it that a century ago, Thundara Mountain was haunted, and not just a little. Anyone, regardless of age or gender, who came close would be troubled by malevolent spirits.


    The mild cases suffered from illnesses or madness for life.


    The severe cases died mysteriously on the spot.


    Back in the day, the area around Thundara Mountain was troubled, causing the locals much distress.


    To seek peace, the vigers pooled their money to hire many masters to conduct rituals. However, after several masters met with idents, no one dared to challenge Thundara Mountain again.


    Later, a phnthropist funded the construction of Sage Hall, specifically to suppress these malicious spirits.


    Legend has it, after thepletion of Sage Hall, peace returned to the mountain and no incidents have been reported since.


    Thus, many believe in the divine presence of an Enlightened Sage in Sage Hall, attributing miraculous powers to it.


    This has made Sage Hall''s poprity grow year by year.


    Evan and White were keen on these ghostly legends, listening intently.


    After hearing the story, Evan asked curiously, "How did the Enlightened Sage manage to suppress those spirits?"


    Elijah exined, "Legend has it, due to their wicked deeds, the Enlightened Sage confined them, casting a spell to make them endure the sufferings of the mortal world, doomed to never leave that ce, unable to be reborn, and forever bearing their torment."


    "Where did he confine them?"


    "Not sure, but I guess it might be here."


    Elijah pointed towards a specific part of the church for Evan to see, "This is a restricted area of the church, only the pastor and a few clergy can enter. Many clergy aren''t allowed in, iming it''s eerily chilling and terrifying, so ordinary folks dare not venture."


    After sharing, Elijah suddenly realized something, his expression abruptly changing!


    He quicklypared the location of the ashes.


    The little red dot on the screen matched the restricted area!


    Meaning, the ashes were inside the restricted area!


    Elijah''s breath hitched, falling silent.


    Elliot had already spotted the issue, his lips pressed tightly together, his face darkening.


    The scout they sent confirmed, Sage Hall indeed had a restricted area.


    A sign clearly stated on the gate:


    "Dangerous area, no entry allowed."


    He knew it, Gideon absolutely despised Elizabeth. How could he possibly wish her well?!


    Gideon had essentially thrown Elizabeth into a den of malevolent spirits!


    He wanted Elizabeth to suffer at the hands of these spirits!


    And for her to endure the sufferings of the mortal world alongside them, doomed never to be reborn!


    Gideon was... utterly heartless and wicked to the core!


    Putting aside whether malevolent spirits truly exist, Gideon''s intentions were unmistakably cruel!


    Thinking of the tragic demise of the Inkster family, and then of Elizabeth...


    Gideon not only tormented the living, but he couldn''t even let the dead rest!


    Even after death, he refused to leave Elizabeth in peace, cing her ashes in the church''s restricted area, devising ways to persecute her further!