The white energy surrounding Dongzi hadn't appeared overnight; in fact, recently, Dongzi had been diligently practicing what Zhou Huan taught him, including cultivating Xiu Shen Yang Qi, talismans, and skills related to being a Shou Shi. He had gained significant insights and even invented several of his own methods and usable tools. However, most of his tools leaned towards being violent and dangerous, making them difficult for others to imitate, which thus became Dongzi's specialty.

Xiao Si and Wang Kuai Dao were entirely enveloped by black energy, almost suffocating. This wasn't a physiological suffocation; Zhou Huan was actually somewhat relieved because Hong Kun was accompanying the two, ensuring they wouldn't face any immediate life danger. At this moment, both had their eyes tightly shut, daring not to open them to see what was happening outside.

At this precise instant, the dark red moon in the sky suddenly began shedding streams of blazing debris raining down onto the ground. Following this, the moon grew increasingly dazzling, its crimson hue growing more vibrant—the sheer brilliance was so blinding that there was no chance to open one's eyes.

The master and his three disciples kept chanting their incantations continuously, repeating them over and over. Although waves of chilling, spectral energy and shivers of corpse-coldness could be felt around Xiao Si and Wang Kuai Dao, around Zhou Huan and the others, there was a warmth and comfort rarely seen even during a winter day.

"Dongzi, you have three minutes until midnight. Remember, don't open your eyes. Rely on your senses, bring that spade down once, and you must succeed—no failure allowed!" Zhou Huan commanded Dongzi, then immediately added, "Hong Kun, you keep a close watch on those two cowards. Don't let them move an inch. If they stir, you hit them, you beat them until they sit back down."

"Master Zhou, our behinds are freezing solid! If we don't get up now, we'll be done for!" The two felt as if they had eaten a hundred beans and didn't taste the (fishy/unpleasant) flavor, wanting to say more, but just then, Hong Kun's Five Finger Mountain immediately arrived, sending stars flashing before their eyes. They tried to open their eyes, but due to the crimson moon above, it was truly impossible.

Almost everyone from the archaeology team had been withdrawn; only Xiao He remained outside, waiting with a few police officers.

Time ticked by; only one minute remained until midnight. During this tense moment, Xiao Si and Wang Kuai Dao’s breathing had practically stopped. Zhou Huan’s chanting never ceased, but at this point, Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong instantly stood up, backing away to sit behind Dongzi. Together with Zhou Huan, the three surrounded Dongzi. Just as they settled, it struck midnight. Dongzi, still seated cross-legged, tensed his legs and violently sprang up from the ground.

The spade in Dongzi’s hand first pointed towards the crimson moon in the sky, but he kept his eyes shut. He then turned and fiercely thrust the spade down into the ground. Rolling white smoke erupted from the earth, resembling Dongzi's Zhen Qi, or perhaps the night's biting cold, yet none of the ghostly energy from the corpses was visible.

Zhou Huan could sense that Dongzi's strike seemed to have failed. As he tried to discern the outcome, he heard the breathing of Xiao Si and Wang Daifu become alarmingly ragged; they were practically on the verge of death. Furthermore, the black energy enveloping them grew heavier, making it almost impossible for either of them to breathe. Transparent fluid began leaking from their eyes, mouths, and ears.

Just then, Dongzi roared, "Damn it! If you guys won't show me respect, I won't show you any either! Watch me strike again!" With a deafening boom, it was unclear how much force Dongzi exerted, but his spade struck down once. Not only did his own spade break, but Xiao Si and Wang Kuai Dao had also stopped breathing. A distinct crack sound echoed from Dongzi’s wrist; it was likely fractured.

"Disciples, Soul Summoning Talisman!" Zhou Huan exclaimed, first pulling out a large handful of Soul Summoning Talismans. With a flick in the air, he pushed out with his open palm, and these talismans ignited mid-air, falling as flecks of shimmering ash.

Instantly, the soul-summoning scene fell into a temporary stalemate. Dongzi’s broken spade remained stuck in the ground, while he himself clutched his wrist, writhing on the ground. Hong Kun, following Zhou Huan's orders, watched the two figures, noting the absence of life or movement.

Zhou Huan’s heart plummeted. Shi Bingyuan shook his head and slowly opened his eyes: "Master, the color of the Crimson Moon has faded again. We don't need to keep our eyes shut anymore."

"Bingyuan, proceed according to the original plan. Immediately set up the Send-off Altar." Bingyuan and Tian Xiong began constructing the altar not far from where the others were seated. Zhou Huan grasped Dongzi’s wrist with one hand and gave it a hard wrench; with a snap, Dongzi's wrist was reset, and the previous pain lessened significantly.

When Zhou Huan finally turned around, he felt an intense wave of yin and cold energy behind him. As he slowly looked back, he saw nearly forty ghosts standing in an orderly fashion. They appeared to hold no malice, simply standing before Zhou Huan without expression, yet showing immense respect. As soon as they saw Zhou Huan looking, they collectively bowed and said, "Master Zhou, we are deeply sorry. With the Crimson Moon overhead tonight, we didn't intend to come, but the journey was long, and under this ring of red moonlight, it truly makes both living and spectral beings uncomfortable. We had no choice."

The appearance of these ghosts brought Zhou Huan great relief. He bowed his head in return: "You are all here because we were summoning your souls, correct?"

"Of course. If Master Zhou Huan calls us, how could we not come? Besides, you chanted incantations for us for so long; how could I not feel indebted to you?" Judging by the aura surrounding these ghosts, they seemed to be from affluent families; common folk wouldn't speak like this. Zhou Huan sensed that although these ghosts carried heavy resentment, they certainly wouldn't harm good people, so they posed virtually no threat.

The Crimson Moon gradually vanished, and Xiao Si and Wang Kuai Dao regained their breath, but the black ghostly energy still swirled around the two men.

"Do you know why I called you here?" Zhou Huan asked them bluntly.

The group exchanged glances: "We don't know, but we do know that on the day of the Crimson Moon, there will certainly be bloodshed in the mortal realm. We have verified these matters. I am supposed to be the oldest among those in this graveyard!"

Hearing this, Zhou Huan became displeased, though he had intentionally guided the conversation this way with the ghosts: "Wasn't that female corpse moved away a few days ago even older than you?"

"Hers doesn't count; she is not one of the Liang family. She was merely a servant. In the past, a Persian merchant took a liking to her and gave her a ring, taking exceptionally good care of her. But the Persian never returned after he left. Because of that broken ring, countless disadvantages and troubles arose, and they haven't subsided even now."

"Then according to you, this woman wasn't part of your Liang family, so you could let her be moved away freely? Moreover, I still haven't understood why you are buried alongside a servant, especially when that servant’s burial chamber is better than yours," Zhou Huan pressed relentlessly.

Several ghosts' ashen faces streamed with wisps of black energy, as if Zhou Huan's words had erased their ghostly features. After a moment of apparent consultation among themselves, these ghosts suddenly straightened their spectral backs: "Look at the moon above, hah! With just you people, you think you can challenge us? We came out of respect for Master Zhou's character and the help you’ve given us spirits. Since we are here today and you speak like this, fine, we shall continue. I will use this moon to properly educate you people of the Yang realm and show you what the Crimson Moon Curse truly means."

Hearing this, Zhou Huan finally grasped the root of the curse. His mind cleared completely. If he could handle this group of ghosts, this entire undertaking would likely be half-finished.

"Very well, come on then. I’d like to see your Crimson Moon Curse. If you have the ability, make the moon red again, and I will thoroughly deal with you. Since you've come today, you can't leave empty-handed; there must be some results," Zhou Huan said, simultaneously gripping the Sky Silkworm Gloves tightly in his hand, then bringing out the Copper Coin Sword, ready for whatever Crimson Moon Curse the ghosts might unleash.