Upon ascending the altar, Zhou Huan and the others settled into their designated positions according to the setup. Once the five—master and disciples—were all in place, the main altar rose high, and the four guardian altars began to rotate, enveloping Zhou Huan in the center. Dongzi’s Black Tortoise was positioned North, Bing Yuan South, Tian Xiong East, and Hong Kun West. The moment Dongzi saw his assigned position was actually in front of Zhou Huan, he finally understood: the Black Tortoise spot was quite significant after all. It seemed his senior brothers were rather shrewd; Dongzi began to feel a smug satisfaction, a slightly unrestrained smile playing on his lips.

Zhou Huan now took charge. He placed his compass and that Purple Jade Gourd squarely in the center of the altar. Then, Zhou Huan began to intone the incantation. As his chant rose, the large candles positioned at the four corners of the altar suddenly ignited on their own, and wisps of pale smoke curled up from the three tall incense sticks placed at the altar's heart.

“We seek the insight of the holy beings from all ten directions. Which deity will lend aid? This is an anomaly seldom seen in a thousand years. Today, Zhou Huan is here once more to resolve the lingering resentments between several wandering souls, hoping they may coexist harmoniously and hasten their reincarnation.” Zhou Huan kept his hands clasped in front of him, a gesture signifying his respect for all living beings across the realms.

As Zhou Huan spoke, the sun in the sky descended behind the lingering afterglow of the mountains, while the moon, moments before a stark crimson, now seemed to bleed its color across the heavens.

The eight celestial platforms suddenly burst forth with multicolored radiance. In moments, eight Heavenly Soldiers stood arrayed upon them, speaking as one: “Zhou Huan, your virtue is profound. We eight willingly safeguard your ritual. Should chaos erupt from other realms, we shall intervene; for other matters, we can only observe.”

Zhou Huan rose from the platform and bowed deeply. “My sincere thanks for your arrival. I, Zhou Huan, am immensely grateful. Let us commence then, and I ask for your continued diligence.”

These eight were the Eight Vajras of the Celestial Realm, much like modern-day bodyguards protecting the divine positions of high-ranking leaders. That they would appear to assist Zhou Huan spoke volumes of his stature—it was not entirely Zhou Huan’s intent, but when he summoned them, these powerful beings insisted on coming. There was little choice; others had to yield to them. Thus, letting these eight lend their presence to support Zhou Huan, the other immortals watched from the heavens.

Zhou Huan raised his Bronze Coin Sword high above his head and hurled forth an amulet with a flick of his wrist: “Purple Jade Gourd, summon Xiao Shan to manifest! Compass, summon Huang Yunfeng to appear!”

Xiao Shan tumbled somewhat unsteadily out of the Purple Jade Gourd. Having depleted much of his spectral energy fighting the two pastors in America, he seemed quite drained today.

Huang Yunfeng, however, remained as robust and robustly spectral as ever, brimming with energy. Upon seeing each other, the two ghosts exchanged salutations before turning to bow to Zhou Huan. They then surveyed their surroundings, and both ghosts were instantly dumbfounded.

“Heavens above, such a massive formation! Master Zhou, what is this undertaking…” Huang Yunfeng was rarely at a loss for words.

Zhou Huan’s expression was gravely serious. “Listen carefully, both of you. Today is an extremely solemn occasion. You may soon encounter spirits who excite you, or spirits who incite your anger, but understand this: while I am here, no one is to make a move. Otherwise, do not blame me, Zhou Huan, for being impolite.”

Seeing Zhou Huan’s severity, Xiao Shan offered a hesitant bow and stood steadily to the side. Huang Yunfeng glanced at the eight celestial figures and commented, “You really know how to put on a show, summoning eight deities who are clearly not of our level. If we express any dissatisfaction now, who would dare speak against you? It’s not as if you, Zhou Huan, dictate everything, is it?” Zhou Huan heard every syllable of Huang Yunfeng’s subtle maneuvering.

“Huang Yunfeng, hear me clearly! One more word of nonsense, and I will silence you permanently. Even if you reincarnate, you will remain mute!” Zhou Huan roared again.

This time, Huang Yunfeng finally settled down, shrinking to the side and crouching obediently.

“You two, pay attention. The next one to appear is Blind Liang. I’ve searched for a long time, and finally tracked down that son of a—Blind Liang!” Zhou Huan’s voice boomed, fearing the blind ghost might not hear otherwise.

After only a few calls, a figure standing in the center of the altar with tightly shut eyes appeared, his back hunched. He muttered through tight lips, “Zhou Huan, you just can’t stand a quiet life, can you? I was resting peacefully below; what the hell do you want me out here for?”

“Insolence! I repeat: no one is permitted to act wantonly here today. Watch your soul body.” Zhou Huan’s voice grew sterner, shaking the summoned ghosts with his reprimands.

This Blind Liang was truly a vile creature. After hearing Zhou Huan’s warning, he scoffed, “Don’t think just because you invited these so-called deities to help, Zhou Huan, that I fear you. With just your paltry skills, you think you can handle us?”

Zhou Huan merely laughed upon hearing this. “I’m not talking to you, Blind Liang. Your ancestor Xiao Shan is here, and you don’t pay your respects? What are you making such a fuss about? Whether I can subdue you remains to be seen later. For now, I refuse to stoop to your level. Wait and see how I deal with you in a moment.”

“Oh, excellent, I’ll be waiting!” Blind Liang perhaps felt emboldened precisely because of his disability. His ears twitched, and his nose sniffed the air: “Boss Huang?”

“Blind Man, it’s me. I am Boss Huang.” Huang Yunfeng sounded excited. This was his childhood companion; meeting him naturally brought warmth, and the two souls instinctively drifted toward each other.

At that very moment, Zhou Huan flicked his fingers, sending an amulet soaring precisely between the two souls. A pillar of fierce flame erupted. The sheer, unprecedented force of this spiritual power utterly stunned Blind Liang. He tried desperately to use his ears and nose to discern which presence had unleashed such power. After a long moment, he realized the move originated from Zhou Huan, as he sensed an unmistakable resonance of harmony within the amulet. Zhou Huan’s capabilities were now beyond the comprehension of these mere wandering spirits.

“Zh-Master Zhou, mercy! I truly did not know the extent of your powers… this!” Blind Liang was undeniably a scoundrel; after his bravado, he quickly retreated to a corner to stand aside.

From the sheer power of Zhou Huan’s single strike, Huang Yunfeng grasped the depth of Zhou Huan’s cultivation. He hadn't felt this level of power during their previous encounters—especially during the time Zhou Huan subdued him, which was merely a tactical ploy by Zhou Huan to draw out information, allowing him to hold back his true strength. But this situation was dire. If Zhou Huan failed to control these volatile spirits, chaos would ensue, and the situation would likely spiral out of control.

“Next, Translator Long and Cripple Huang!” As Zhou Huan spoke, a barrage of amulets flew out. Looking at his four guardian figures, each one matched Zhou Huan by launching an amulet. The several talismans converged in mid-air, and with a flash, the two ghosts Zhou Huan had just named materialized instantly. Old Cripple Huang stared intently at Huang Yunfeng and Blind Liang, his ghost-blade beginning to carve arcs in the air. Translator Long, in contrast, maintained a relatively placid expression.

“Blind Liang, you caused my death! Watch as I claim your soul!” As the words left his lips, Old Cripple Huang’s ghost-blade moved faster and truer than they could have imagined.

Zhou Huan watched with profound helplessness. He sent his Bronze Coin Sword flying, perfectly deflecting the incoming blade with the sheer force of its sword-qi. Then, Zhou Huan gestured with one hand, “Cripple Huang, do not mistake our prior acquaintance for leniency. If you harbor such delusions, you are gravely mistaken.”

“You wretched boy! You drag me out only to stop me from slaying those two bastards? Where am I supposed to direct my sheer malice?” Old Cripple Huang’s posture suggested he might leap up at any moment, his fury at Blind Liang and Huang Yunfeng evident in his every stance.

Zhou Huan’s presence now served only as a threat; he absolutely could not allow any of these souls to be harmed, nor could he allow them to continue acting so arrogantly.

“Master Zhou, I wish to see my husband. Where is he?” Xiao Shan finally couldn't hold back. From the day he began hoping to see his husband, even after retrieving the Five-Colored Gemstone Ring, his thoughts remained fixed on his spouse. It was clear his devotion to his husband was absolute.

“Xiao Shan, do not rush. Your husband is on his way back. With such a grand ceremony today, I cannot have him arrive prematurely. Be patient for a short while; I estimate he will arrive soon after I call for him. I will time it perfectly.” While Zhou Huan reassured Xiao Shan, the situation among Huang Yunfeng, Old Cripple Huang, and Blind Liang began to boil over, with restless movements stirring between them.