Zhou Huan’s eyes were bloodshot, for what he was witnessing was a technique he had seen used by the Poison King of Yunnan in a previous life. Back then, the Poison King had descended into madness from his obsessive practice, needing to harm, even kill, people daily. Zhou Huan had been invited by the Imperial Envoy to investigate, which led him to the Poison King. To evade the relentless pursuit of the phantom troops Zhou Huan had stationed at every corner, the King had used a powdered substance to completely alter his appearance and very spirit. Now, Xiang Jiao—his errant disciple from that past life—was employing the exact same method. Could it be…?

“Have you… merged with a Vengeful Spirit?” Zhou Huan murmured, the thought escaping his lips before he could stop it.

The transforming Xiang Jiao twisted her agony into a heart-wrenching, maniacal laugh. “Yes, ha ha ha! We are one now. Let’s see what you can do now, Zhou Huan.” As his words landed, an intensely captivating fragrance wafted from Xiang Jiao’s form—the scent of rose perfume. After the toxic powder had consumed her thick layer of fat, her entire figure had become astonishingly slender. Her skin was now as fair and moist as fresh snow. Her delicate fingers toyed with her slightly disheveled hair, and a thin layer of black silk gauze draped over her body, obscuring and yet highlighting the alluring, perfect curves that swam into Zhou Huan’s view in the haze.

“What? You…” Zhou Huan truly could not believe his eyes. What shocked him wasn't the sudden slimming of the once obese woman, but the fact that her transformation technique surpassed even that of the Poison King. In that final confrontation with the King, Zhou Huan had exerted himself to the utmost, nearly bringing about his own demise. This realization intensified the pressure he felt facing the woman before him.

“Zhou Huan, let me show you properly now. Look at my face, and tell me if you can still bring yourself to strike?” Xiang Jiao slowly turned her head. The atmosphere of the basement was exceptionally damp and cool, carrying the perfume on her skin toward him, creating a complex sensation.

But when Xiang Jiao finally turned her face fully, Zhou Huan felt an immense mountain pressing down upon him. The pressure, something he hadn't felt since his reincarnation, mercilessly ravaged his kind heart. The appearance Xiang Jiao had assumed was the unforgettable visage of Xiao He.

At this moment, Xiang Jiao’s voice matched Xiao He’s perfectly: “Huan Ge, do you like the gauze I’m wearing?”

“It… it’s lovely!” After speaking, Zhou Huan immediately began to mock himself. What was he doing? She wasn't Xiao He, how could he…?

Seeing the panic and bewilderment in Zhou Huan’s expression, Xiang Jiao approached him with soft, delicate steps. “Huan Gege! Let’s go inside and talk. I can’t wait any longer. Look at my twin peaks, look at my willow-thin waist, look at my high hips…” As she spoke, she carelessly draped one of her bare legs over Zhou Huan’s shoulder, then brought her face closer to his. Xiao He’s lips, which held love, beauty, and intense feeling for Zhou Huan, edged inch by inch toward him.

Sweat poured down Zhou Huan’s forehead. The martial spirit stirred beneath his robes, his erection straining high—a normal reaction for any man. But Zhou Huan was Zhou Huan. He used his fingernail to fiercely scratch his index finger until it broke the skin, then bit down hard on the wound, retreating backward repeatedly.

“Xiang Jiao, do not confuse me. Don’t think I don’t know you’ve assumed a form. Tonight, I will send both of you back to the netherworld.” Zhou Huan formed his hand seals—the most potent ones he could muster now. His left hand formed the Arhat Demon-Slaying Seal, and his right, the Bodhi Soul-Calming Seal. While wounding his finger, he had accumulated a mouthful of blood, which he now sprayed forth just as he pushed the two seals forward, landing squarely on Xiang Jiao’s face.

“Hahahaha!” Xiang Jiao stuck out her captivating little tongue and began licking the blood splattered on her face. “So fresh, I want more!” She started acting coquettishly again.

Zhou Huan smiled grimly. “Is it good? I was hoping you’d drink it. Now look at my seals!” He thrust both hand seals forward simultaneously, striking Xiang Jiao precisely on her face and chest.

The moment Zhou Huan’s hands connected with Xiang Jiao’s body, the air in the entire room seemed to freeze instantly. Every person, every lingering spirit, ceased the vital functions maintaining their existence. They held their breath, quietly watching the motionless Xiang Jiao. Her attempt at further seduction was halted at that very second.

“Go back where you came from. It’s not right to inhabit someone else’s body,” Zhou Huan said, a victorious smile touching his lips.

The bodyguards who had rushed in were jarred back to awareness by Zhou Huan’s words. Each one scrambled to see what had happened to Xiang Jiao, but the transformed woman remained frozen in place, her body seemingly cast in plaster. Only her eyes seemed capable of moving slightly, darting back and forth once before fixing rigidly on a distant point.

From outside the villa came a chorus of agonizing screams. This was thanks to the external listening devices Xiang Jiao had installed in the underground factory, allowing them to hear any sound loud enough. After several minutes of cries, the piercing sound of police sirens shattered the silence of the night, making the scene even more tumultuous.

“There’s another basement downstairs, follow me quickly!” Mr. Wang’s voice could be heard, followed by a cascade of disorganized footsteps.

In the lower level, many workers were already brandishing tools, crowding the entrance of the tunnel, waiting for those from above.

“Bang! Bang!” Two gunshots rang out, felling the two workers guarding the tunnel entrance. The first to descend was Wang Xiao He, the woman Zhou Huan loved eternally.

“Drop your weapons! Any further resistance means certain death!” Xiao He held an automatic rifle, its muzzle aimed toward the center of the hall.

Dozens of SWAT officers followed Xiao He, swiftly securing everyone present and beginning to move them toward the tunnel entrance. However, upon a worker’s tip, they located a second underground exit—it was situated in the pavilion within the villa’s rear garden, providing a direct route to the front yard once cleared.

In a short while, only Zhou Huan, Xiang Jiao, Li Guang, and Wang Xiao He remained in the main hall. Soon after, Dongzi, Shi Bingyuan, Hong Kun, and Li Tianxiong also rushed down. Seeing Zhou Huan, it was obvious he had just emerged from a major battle, but upon spotting him, they found him sitting cross-legged on the floor, quietly cultivating his energy.

The immobilized Xiang Jiao suddenly emitted a crisp sound of bone shifting: “Kaka-kaka!”

“Hahahaha! My true form is here! Now you’ll have to figure out which one of us is real,” she cackled. She snatched another handful of powder from her pocket with lightning speed and scattered it over herself and Xiao He. Both women immediately began to sweat profusely, followed by violent trembling. Their clothes disintegrated entirely, and both figures were enveloped in white mist. Less than five minutes later, standing before the group were two Xiao Hes. Both had matching, long, curly hair, both possessed the same alluring looks and fragrant aura, both had slender, perfectly proportioned figures, and both were dressed identically in smart police uniforms.

“What? How did you turn into me? Huan Ge, I’m the real one!” The Xiao He on Zhou Huan’s left appeared visibly agitated, yet her tone was sincere. She then looked at the Xiao He beside her, who was boiling with rage: “You… how did you become me? You’re fake! You’re fake!”

The Xiao He on Zhou Huan’s right clutched the badge pinned to her chest. “Look at my badge number. Yours…” This Xiao He froze, paused for a beat, and then stated with immense nervousness, “How is your badge number the same as mine? You’re fake! You’re fake!”

“You’re the fake one…” The two Xiao Hes volleyed accusations at each other, leaving Zhou Huan’s disciples utterly confused; they looked identical, making differentiation impossible.

Zhou Huan remained silently seated, not uttering a word, not casting a glance. His breathing was as fine and delicate as spun silk.

“Master, what… what do we do now?”

“Yeah, Brother, what should we do? This person is too shameless, actually impersonating our Sister Xiao He! She’s not thinking straight!”

Both Xiao Hes simultaneously turned their heads and glared at Dongzi. “What did you say? How dare you speak about your sister like that! Wait until I get you back home!”

At this point, Li Guang slowly regained consciousness. He touched his neck, and upon seeing Zhou Huan and the two Xiao Hes arguing before him, he paid them no mind. Instead, he anxiously searched around for Xiang Jiao. “Xiao Jiao, Xiao Jiao, where are you?”

“Your Xiang Jiao has taken my appearance! Since you are husband and wife, you must be able to tell which one is your Xiao Jiao!” the left Xiao He stated angrily.

The right Xiao Jiao echoed her fury: “Yes, she’s taken my appearance! We look exactly the same now. You two are married; you absolutely must be able to recognize your own wife!”

Li Guang rubbed his eyes vigorously, muttering bitterly, “Oh no, how am I supposed to tell them apart? Did my needle poke the wrong person?” He kept patting his own body, terrified he might have stuck himself with a needle.

“Damn it, you’re awake and useless! Go back to sleep!” Dongzi, sticking to his simple ways, raised his hand and delivered a heavy punch precisely to the carotid artery in Li Guang’s neck. Li Guang promptly slumped unconscious again.

His four disciples all looked toward Zhou Huan. His breathing remained unchanged—the even, long breaths of a true cultivator. His palms were overlapped, his eyes slightly closed; he still showed no reaction whatsoever.

“Sister Xiao He, Sister Xiao He, little…” The person who ran in from the hall was Xiao Li. When he saw both Xiao Hes staring at him with the same familiar yet severe gaze, he froze stiff. His lips chattered uncontrollably. “What… what is going on here?” He too rubbed his eyes repeatedly.

Dongzi turned to hit him, but stopped. “It’s no use, even if you come, you won’t be able to tell the difference. Better not have come!” He recognized Xiao Li and held back his strike.