Liu Dashao stared in shock as Jiang Siwen’s translucent, ghostly hand passed straight through his body. A bitter taste flooded his throat, and he immediately spat out a large pool of blood. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.

“Bastard!” Liu Dashao rolled desperately in the weeds, trying to rise, but his entire frame felt like it had shattered, leaving him utterly immobilized.

Jiang Siwen stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze upon Liu Dashao brimming with mockery. “Hmph, hmph. I thought you had some real ability, boy, but in the end, you couldn’t even withstand a single strike from me. A mere trivial Daoist trick—what can it do to me? Hahahaha…”

With that, he erupted into hysterical laughter, the sound so arrogant and self-aggrandizing that it hurt the eardrums.

“Jiang Siwen, you won’t even spare a child—you are utterly depraved! Today, this old crone demands satisfaction from you. Child, run!”

Liu Dashao struggled to push himself up and focused his gaze. The speaker was none other than Granny Liu Xian.

“Hmph, hmph, old woman…” Jiang Siwen sneered, straightening up from beside Liu Dashao and turning to face Granny Liu Xian.

As Granny Liu Xian moved, Liu Dashao felt the very ground beneath him tremble.

Several thick willow branches shot up from the earth, seeming to come alive as they snaked toward Jiang Siwen.

Jiang Siwen smiled eerily and made no move to dodge, allowing the branches to wrap around him, pulling him directly before Granny Liu Xian.

Granny Liu Xian seized the tightly bound Jiang Siwen by the neck.

“Today, even a thousand-year demon like you will face divine justice!”

Jiang Siwen laughed, saying, “You’re using willow branches to strike a ghost, hmph, hmph.”

Then, he suddenly threw open his mouth and spat directly at Granny Liu Xian. Before the old woman could raise her other hand to defend herself, she was engulfed by the stream of black miasma spewed from Jiang Siwen’s mouth.

A faint groan escaped the Granny’s lips, and instantly, both she and the enveloping willow branches vanished without a trace.

Liu Dashao realized he had no choice but to fight Jiang Siwen to the death.

He strained, managed to stand, steadied his spirit, gathered all his strength, wiped the blood from his lips onto his hand, angled his body toward Jiang Siwen, recited an incantation, and struck out with his palm.

Jiang Siwen merely waved a hand, unhurried and calm, deflecting the palm strike aimed at him, and then began walking toward Liu Dashao.

Liu Dashao retreated, backing toward the rear mountain, anxiously wondering if Old Master Huang was ready.

Just then, he found himself standing exactly where the pool of blood from his earlier vomiting lay—perfectly positioned for his plan.

“Li Gua in the West, screen with golden light, quickly as the law commands!”

Liu Dashao finished chanting and pointed at Jiang Siwen. The pool of blood on the ground before the spirit suddenly billowed out like silk, rapidly expanding into a wall that instantly separated the two men.

He stopped moving forward.

Seeing his chance, Liu Dashao launched four or five rapid palm strikes through the blood-wall, connecting with Jiang Siwen. He saw Jiang Siwen actually stagger back a few steps from the blows. Seizing the advantage, Liu Dashao spun around and fled toward the rear mountain, paying no mind to the spirit’s reaction.

As Liu Dashao was about to crest the slope, he felt a chilling gust of wind strike his backside. Without looking back, he used a translocation technique to redirect the force sideways.

Liu Dashao knew that chilling gust had been Jiang Siwen’s attempt to stop him from escaping, but he clearly hadn't expected Liu Dashao to break through the attack.

Liu Dashao scrambled and tumbled his way to the rear mountain, only to find Old Master Huang nowhere in sight.

He was about to call out when he saw Jiang Siwen vaulting over the ridge, having apparently breached the blood-wall and already charging toward him.

Liu Dashao inwardly panicked, fearing this was where he would finally fall.

Jiang Siwen lunged in front of him and kicked out viciously toward Liu Dashao’s face.

Liu Dashao had no time to conjure a defense and could only raise his arms to block. He felt as if a massive weight had struck his chest, sending him sliding backward a considerable distance. The blow nearly knocked Liu Dashao unconscious.

Liu Dashao painfully forced his eyes open and saw Jiang Siwen advancing toward him.

Despair washed over him. Why hadn't Old Master Huang appeared yet?

Just then, Liu Dashao heard a 'whoosh' sound from above. Something flew over his head. Looking up, he saw a life-sized stone statue hurtling toward Jiang Siwen, smashing onto him.

Jiang Siwen shattered the statue with a single palm strike, sending fragments scattering everywhere.

Then, three more statues flew from above Liu Dashao, heading toward the spirit.

“Dashao, quickly get behind me!”

It was Old Master Huang’s voice. But Liu Dashao had no strength left; he could only struggle to remain upright. Looking again, the three statues had surrounded Jiang Siwen, who stood motionless, glaring at Liu Dashao with venomous hatred.

Old Master Huang rushed to Liu Dashao’s side, then stood before him, facing Jiang Siwen, and spun rapidly in place.

A tremendous rumbling sound echoed from the ground.

The surroundings shook violently, the earth seeming to crack open as if something massive was burrowing out from beneath. A cloud of dust and ash erupted, enveloping everything nearby in a gray haze.

After a long moment, the dust dissipated. Three stone statues stood enclosing Jiang Siwen, and around them, a wall formed by dozens of identical statues had mysteriously appeared, boxing in the three statues and Jiang Siwen within the center. The statues were exact copies, resembling the guardian statues found at temple entrances.

Jiang Siwen, trapped in the center, merely offered a sinister, ghastly smile.

“Hmph, hmph. A mere little Yellow Immortal dares to join the fun? Setting up this stone formation to shatter Liu Dashao’s body? Too naive, hahaha!”

As he spoke, he suddenly flung both arms wide. Two streams of black energy shattered the three inner statues, and he quickly sent waves of black palm wind toward the surrounding statues.

“Quickly find cover!” Old Master Huang shouted before beginning to circle the stone enclosure.

The entire circle of statues began to rotate slowly with a booming sound, obscuring the view of what Jiang Siwen was doing inside.

Liu Dashao cautiously shuffled his feet until he reached a large boulder, where he crouched down to quietly observe the activity within the stone ring.

He watched Old Master Huang circling the formation rapidly, the stone wall spinning along with him, trapping Jiang Siwen inside. Liu Dashao could not see what the ghost was doing, only distinguishing through his Yin Sight a rotating mass of black energy encased by a faint golden light.

Liu Dashao held his breath for Old Master Huang. At that moment, a loud 'bang' echoed, and one statue was blasted away. Jiang Siwen leaped out through the gap.

Liu Dashao cried out inwardly, immediately checking on Old Master Huang, who darted backward and plunged into the undergrowth.

Jiang Siwen, seeing Old Master Huang vanish into the grass, was about to pursue when a chorus of dog barks erupted from all directions, sounding like thousands of hounds baying at once.

Liu Dashao was bewildered as hundreds of dogs suddenly burst from the brush surrounding the slope, all charging toward Jiang Siwen.

There were large yellow mastiffs, big black guard dogs, and even several tiny pups, apparently newborns—dogs of every size rushed toward the spot where Jiang Siwen stood.

The dogs snarled, and Jiang Siwen seemed momentarily stunned by the spectacle, raising both hands defensively before him.

The fastest few large hounds reached him first, leaping onto him and beginning to bite savagely. The rest of the pack surged forward, barking and tearing. The crowd of dogs grew until all Liu Dashao could see was a massive sphere of writhing dogs concealing Jiang Siwen. Some dogs, unable to climb onto the mass, stood to the side, occasionally licking their paws while staring fixedly at their comrades consuming their prey.

This time, you’re done for, Liu Dashao thought. Not even a thousand men could handle this onslaught, let alone a thousand-year Ghost Scholar.

Just then, Old Master Huang sprang out of the nearby brush and ran to Liu Dashao’s side. His small eyes fixed on Liu Dashao as he instructed, “Close your eyes and focus your mind. You’ve been penetrated by the Scholar’s yin energy.”

Liu Dashao obeyed, shutting his eyes, centering his mind, and taking a few deep breaths. He immediately felt lighter and regained some strength.

Seeing Liu Dashao recovered slightly, Old Master Huang urged, “Dashao, we must leave quickly; these wild dogs won't hold him for long.” With that, Old Master Huang led Liu Dashao scrambling backward.

Liu Dashao had only taken a few steps when the sound of the hundred barking dogs abruptly ceased.

He turned to look.

There was no trace of the massive dog-ball, nor even a single dog. Only chaotic marks on the ground proved that a violent struggle had just occurred.

A terrible premonition gripped Liu Dashao. He was about to call out to Old Master Huang when he spun around and found his neck seized by a pair of hands.

Liu Dashao felt his feet lift from the ground as he was hoisted into the air.

He struggled to look down and saw Jiang Siwen gripping his throat. The spirit’s robes were torn into shreds, his official’s hat nowhere in sight. His long hair hung loose, revealing a face that was once handsome but was now terrifyingly distorted. Nearby, Old Master Huang lay motionless.

Liu Dashao bit his tongue and spat a mouthful of fresh blood at Jiang Siwen. The spirit seemed wary of the Yang blood, and his grip slackened just enough for Liu Dashao to drop back to the ground.

As soon as his feet touched down, Liu Dashao executed his stepping patterns and formed the necessary hand seals. I can’t let him get close, he thought, I must rely on the technique of Heavenly Soldier Speed.

“Nine Palaces swift gate, soul transfer instant form, borrow the speed of heaven, pacify the shock, the Supreme Lord Laozi, quickly as the law commands!”

Liu Dashao finished the incantation and moved forward, instantly appearing before Old Master Huang. He snatched the injured spirit into his arms, turned, and took another step, appearing right in front of Jiang Siwen. The ghost seemed too slow to react; Liu Dashao struck his face with a palm, forcing Jiang Siwen back several paces.

Liu Dashao then took a step back, retreating far to the edge of the slope.

This was the "Divine Soldier Swift Talisman" from Qimen Dunjia, which stated: ‘Seal one soul, stabilize the six po spirits, swiftly summon the divine speed of heavenly soldiers, borrow the guidance of the True Lord Taibai’s talisman, only then can one shift position and instantly form shape, covering three thousand li in a day—this is swiftness.’

For now, he had to rely on this heavenly speed to hold the spirit off.

Thus, Liu Dashao clutched Old Master Huang and darted rapidly around Jiang Siwen, delivering a palm strike whenever he closed the distance, then immediately leaping back far away.

Liu Dashao was dizzy from his own speed, moving up, down, and sideways—he had never experienced movement this fast, and he was starting to enjoy the sensation of rapid transit. But now, he dared not relax for an instant, maintaining his swift movement while keeping relentless pressure on Jiang Siwen.

Liu Dashao rushed forward again. Before the spirit could react, a surge of black energy erupted from Jiang Siwen’s body, slamming into Liu Dashao and knocking him down.

The black energy struck Liu Dashao’s chest. An icy cold seemed to penetrate deep into his bones, leaving his throat dry and chilled. He crashed to the ground, unable to rise.

“Hmph, hmph. Little devil, have you run enough? Time to take your final journey!” Jiang Siwen said, revealing a dagger from his sleeve and aiming it at Liu Dashao’s throat.

“Abomination! Release my disciple at once!” A familiar voice echoed near Liu Dashao’s ear.

Liu Dashao turned his head, and tears immediately streamed down his face.

Zhang Enpu, whom he missed day and night, stood not far away.

“Old man, you damn well finally showed up!” Liu Dashao shouted with all his remaining strength.

Liu Dashao could see the deep affection in Zhang Enpu’s eyes, which instantly turned to rage as they fixed on Jiang Siwen.

“A distinguished Qing Dynasty scholar, born into a lineage of letters—even as a ghost, you should maintain a scholarly demeanor. To take out your frustrations on a child? What a source of ridicule!” Zhang Enpu’s words did not halt Jiang Siwen’s movement.

He raised the dagger high, ready to stab Liu Dashao.

Liu Dashao tried to turn his head away to evade, but in that lightning-fast moment, Zhang Enpu took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, bent slightly, and drew his hand back. With a 'swish,' he pulled a long, pure sword—as clear as clean water—from behind his back and hurled it toward Liu Dashao’s position.

Simultaneously, Liu Dashao felt a loud metallic clash near his ear. Looking sideways, he saw Zhang Enpu’s Celestial Master Sword deflecting Jiang Siwen’s dagger with perfect precision.

Jiang Siwen missed his strike and was forced to retreat rapidly. Liu Dashao seized the opportunity to twist his body and painfully drag himself into a sitting position.

Zhang Enpu leaped to Liu Dashao’s front, shielding him. A pang of pain struck Liu Dashao’s heart, and he hugged Zhang Enpu’s leg.

Zhang Enpu looked down with heartache, stroking Liu Dashao’s head. His own eyes misted over as he said softly, “Alas! I have let you suffer this wrong. Now I shall deal with this ghost scholar! I’ll vent this anger for you.”

After speaking, Zhang Enpu pressed Liu Dashao gently against his back.

“Hmph, hmph, hmph. Another corpse to accompany me!”

Jiang Siwen shouted, then suddenly threw his mouth wide open, seemingly ready to split apart. His wild hair obscured his face; nothing was visible except his elongated maw.

Zhang Enpu assumed a wide stance, pointing the Celestial Master Sword directly at Jiang Siwen.

With a 'hiss,' Jiang Siwen expelled a burst of black energy from his mouth. Before Zhang Enpu could react, the miasma rushed toward him.

Zhang Enpu smiled slightly, brandished his sword a few times in front of his chest, and the black energy dispersed as if blown away by a sudden gust of wind.

Having scattered the miasma, Zhang Enpu took the chance to spring before Jiang Siwen and began hacking down with the Celestial Master Sword.

Jiang Siwen seemed deeply fearful of the blade, using only the black energy surrounding his arms to defend. He was completely unable to counterattack.

Zhang Enpu held the sword in one hand while drawing a talisman in the air with the other, roaring, “Borrow the power of Heaven and Earth, quickly as the law commands!” He then bit his tongue, sprayed the blood onto his palm, and struck repeatedly toward Jiang Siwen.

Loud 'bangs' echoed around them as Jiang Siwen, thrown into confusion by Zhang Enpu’s assault, could only rapidly evade the blows.

Golden light erupted from Zhang Enpu’s palms, blasting deep craters into the ground.

Jiang Siwen suddenly crouched down, pulled another dagger radiating black energy from his sleeve, and sent it whistling directly toward Zhang Enpu’s face.

Zhang Enpu blocked the strike, immediately pulled out a yellow talisman, placed it on the ground, clasped his hands together, and began chanting. The yellow paper vibrated a few times before shooting toward Jiang Siwen with a 'swoosh.'

Jiang Siwen carelessly waved a stream of black energy that enveloped the talisman.

Zhang Enpu pointed at the talisman, causing it to 'whoosh' and expand until it was as large as a bolt of cloth, instantly wrapping around Jiang Siwen.

Seeing this, Zhang Enpu closed his eyes and began chanting. The massive yellow talisman surrounding Jiang Siwen suddenly shone with intense golden light.

The giant talisman twisted violently, and muffled groans of pain came from within.

“Yin repels the hidden duality, the talisman cage covers the demon’s dwelling!” Zhang Enpu finished chanting, and the large yellow talisman seemed to shrink, intending to compress the spirit trapped inside.

A series of low roars emanated from within the talisman. Just as Liu Dashao began to relax, a sharp 'bang' sounded.

The great yellow talisman exploded into fragments. Jiang Siwen shot out violently, his hand raised vertically, aimed directly at Zhang Enpu’s chest.

Zhang Enpu had not anticipated that Jiang Siwen could suddenly break free from the talisman prison. The palm strike landed squarely on Zhang Enpu’s chest.

Zhang Enpu staggered back several steps. Liu Dashao, pulling his fractured body along, struggled to his feet to support him.

Zhang Enpu clutched his chest, which was now bleeding where Jiang Siwen’s palm had struck.

Jiang Siwen, having also suffered from the talisman’s attack, seemed somewhat cautious.

To Liu Dashao’s astonishment, Jiang Siwen sat cross-legged on the ground, adopting a posture that suggested he was about to cast a spell. Can ghosts even cast magic? Liu Dashao wondered with alarm.

Seeing this, Zhang Enpu raised his Celestial Master Sword high with one hand and drove it firmly into the ground.

“Hmph, hmph… Old man… prepare to receive the culmination of my life’s cultivation!”

Jiang Siwen finished speaking, making strange gestures with his hands. The black energy around him gathered, growing denser, accompanied by sounds of ghostly wailing and howling. When Liu Dashao looked again, the ground surrounding Jiang Siwen was covered in vengeful spirits, all poised for attack, clearly preparing to unleash the collective power of ten thousand ghosts against Liu Dashao and his master.

Zhang Enpu remained unconcerned, secretly arranging formations on the ground using Yellow Talisman paper around the Celestial Master Sword.

“East, summon the Earth Agents; South, summon the Bramble Elders; West, summon the Azure Faction; North, summon the Swift Spirits. Take your stations, quickly summon the Yin Soldiers!”

Zhang Enpu finished speaking, grasped his peachwood sword, and veins bulged in his arm. A loud crack echoed—the peachwood sword had snapped.

Zhang Enpu pulled the broken half-sword upward toward the sky. A blue beam shot into the heavens, raising fierce winds all around. Before Jiang Siwen could unleash his attack, Zhang Enpu struck out with a palm directly toward the ghost, roaring, “Yin Soldiers, make way!”

As Zhang Enpu shouted, Liu Dashao felt the earth shake violently, nearly causing him to stumble.

The air roared in his ears like the passage of ten thousand horses and armies. Looking intently, the scene before him was magnificent. Ancient warriors stood everywhere, each holding spears, halberds, swords, and blades. The clash of steel rang in his ears—a scene of deployment right before a major battle.

The leading general, mounted on a horse, drew his sword and waved it. Thousands of soldiers answered with the resounding call of war horns.

“Kill!”

Liu Dashao felt his eardrums might burst. The endless ranks of soldiers drew their weapons and surged forward in unison toward the cross-legged Jiang Siwen. The ground thundered with the sound of hooves and marching feet.

Liu Dashao was stunned into silence by the grandeur of the spectacle.

The Yin Soldiers kicked up a cloud of dust, obscuring everything within the thick smoke.

Zhang Enpu struggled to remain standing. Liu Dashao supported him, realizing that summoning the Yin Soldiers must have demanded every last bit of his master’s strength.

Liu Dashao and Zhang Enpu stood still, watching the rolling smoke dissipate amidst the cries of the spectral army.

Jiang Siwen lay prone on the ground, nearly transparent, completely motionless.

“The Yin Soldiers have scattered his soul form. He still retains one po spirit; his cultivation must be profound,” Zhang Enpu murmured weakly.

“Heh heh… Centuries of cultivation… surviving countless reincarnations… yet I could not escape this day…” Jiang Siwen said, his face turned sideways on the ground.