Shi Bingyuan struck out with his palm, the talisman in his hand landing perfectly against the Ghost King’s chest. At that exact moment, Shi Bingyuan used the leverage of his feet to spring back to his original position, a trace of proud satisfaction lingering on his cheek. “Ghost King, you haven't changed a bit.”

“Hahahaha, old man Shi, you think that shoddy talisman of yours can take me down?” As Zhou Huan and Shi Bingyuan looked towards the Ghost King, they saw him clad in pristine white mourning clothes. Trailing behind him were at least one or two hundred lonely souls, each dressed in white mourning attire, their arms bearing black armbands.

“Quite the impressive procession. Very well, Ghost King, this is an inn. Let’s find somewhere without others to settle our issues properly. Today, I will risk my life to accompany a gentleman—no, I shall accompany you, Ghost King!” With that, Zhou Huan chuckled, setting down his chopsticks, and rose as if to walk out the door.

Just then, Shi Bingyuan noticed that the Ghost King and the surrounding specters hadn't moved. He immediately sensed something amiss and spoke up, “Master, perhaps we should disperse these lonely souls first, otherwise I fear…”

Zhou Huan stopped Shi Bingyuan with a raised hand before he could finish. “It’s fine. If anyone dares to attach themselves to me, so be it. My objective is to send all their souls back to the Underworld anyway. We’re going to be busy tonight. Write a list for Dongzi later, have him prepare the necessities for the aftermath.”

“Brother, I don’t have any money!” Dongzi suddenly remembered his financial situation; during the meal, he hadn't realized the food was complimentary.

Zhou Huan turned back. “Did you think the meal you ate was paid for with money?”

Shi Bingyuan whispered conspiratorially into Dongzi’s ear, “When I finish writing for you, go find the waiter for help. He’ll buy those things for you, and you won't have to pay a cent. See how comfortable it is to be treated like a master for once!”

Dongzi finally understood what to do. Zhou Huan walked through the translucent forms of the lonely souls with complete composure and ease.

Outside the inn, the Ghost King and his entourage of specters followed closely behind. But just then, Zhou Huan felt something else—there seemed to be another entity among the ghosts, one he couldn't immediately identify. So, Zhou Huan led the spectral crowd toward the fighting stage set up for the Dharma Assembly.

Upon reaching the platform, Zhou Huan immediately stopped. “The person hiding among the ghosts, step out. I don’t know your origin, but my entanglement is with the Ghost King. I need to resolve this myself. What are your intentions?” In truth, Zhou Huan had no idea where this person was, but saying this was his strategy to force the individual to reveal themselves, as otherwise dealing with an unknown variable would be far too difficult.

Yet, no one moved within the throng of lonely souls. Zhou Huan smiled faintly. “Ghost King, are you willing to return to the Underworld?”

“Me, return to the Underworld? I’d rather stay comfortably here. Look at my face, covered in blood—who would want me? Hmph, Zhou Huan, don't think you’re some great master; today, I must make you submit and follow me!” As he spoke, the Ghost King’s spectral body hardened, his entire form seeming to solidify as if he had become a jiangshi. It was unclear if he had possessed a body or mastered some supreme ghost technique.

Sensing danger, Zhou Huan immediately pulled a handful of talismans from his pocket. “Listen up, all you lonely souls today: once you reach the Underworld, you must obey the laws, or your consequences will be severe!” With that, Zhou Huan scattered the talismans into the air. Then, drawing upon the true qi within him, he raised his hand and unleashed the Fiery Breath he held, hurling it outward. The talismans floating in the air instantly ignited. These fiery masses shot out horizontally, transforming into fireballs that struck the bodies of the specters. One by one, their forms dissolved into plumes of thick, rolling black smoke.

“How about it, Ghost King? Look back at your lonely followers—are any of them still with you? They only followed you for easy living. Who wouldn't want that if they returned to the Underworld? So, I urge you to go back quickly!” Zhou Huan advised.

The Ghost King burst into laughter. “You, Zhou Huan, I truly respect your skills. Returning to this era, your power should be halved, yet your methods remain so direct. To make my brothers vanish in an instant—impressive! However, I have another guest here. He came along just to observe the spectacle, mainly to see your techniques, and frankly, to challenge you properly.”

“A challenge? Excellent, I’d like to see what kind of person you are!” Zhou Huan replied with a smile.

Just then, a figure slowly glided out from behind the Ghost King. They wore a white mourning hood covering their head and white mourning robes. The figure swiftly pulled off the hood.

“Zhou Huan, you don't necessarily need to know who I am, but I tell you, I’m here not only to challenge you but also to ask you to leave us alone. What we are doing is nothing more than the great project of soul fusion.” Standing before Zhou Huan was an old woman whose face was etched with deep lines of hardship.

Zhou Huan sucked in a sharp breath. Although the old woman appeared corporeal, there was an unsettling feeling that she wasn't truly human. Had her ghost technique truly reached completion?

“Well, Zhou Huan? Can’t tell if I’m human or ghost yet? Come, let me show you!” As the Ghost King spoke, his body shuddered violently. Then, suddenly, nearly ten forms flew out, all standing before Zhou Huan, encircling him.

Zhou Huan scanned the area. “What a masterful use of ghost body doubles! Then allow me, Zhou Huan, to truly experience it!” Zhou Huan dared not hesitate further, fearing that if this female ghost and the Ghost King attacked together, his skills might not be enough, leading to serious trouble. Thinking quickly, Zhou Huan threw another handful of talismans; a sky full of flames flew outward. The two major ghosts struggled desperately to block the assault. Zhou Huan, meanwhile, sat down cross-legged, forming the Demon-Subduing Hand Seal with his hands, chanting an incantation he had tested before.

After evading Zhou Huan’s feigned attack, the two ghost generals rushed toward him, intending to possess his body. Unfortunately for them, Zhou Huan’s speed was too great. As soon as his hand seals took form and his chant resonated, the two ghosts were instantly paralyzed. After all, Zhou Huan’s foundation was firmly established, and as for the Ghost King’s situation, anyone else would have been helpless.

“Zhou Huan, you old fox, even now you’re trying to conserve your strength! Watch as we shatter your seal and overthrow you!” With that, the two ghosts clapped their hands together and lunged directly toward Zhou Huan’s crown.

Zhou Huan remained motionless, waiting until the two ghosts closed in before retracting his hand seal. He shifted to using both palms, projecting twin streams of black energy that blasted the two elite members of the ghost realm far away. Coupled with his agility, he dashed forward in a single burst, transforming his palms back into hand seals, and struck again, sending the two souls flying a considerable distance. “Then,” Zhou Huan asked again, “how do you two feel? If you can stand, let’s have another round.”

“Fine, Zhou Huan! Your internal true qi is indeed abundant. Very well, we’ll think of a way to make you truly submit! Hahahaha!” As expected of ghosts, their words lacked any real certainty.

The Cemetery Ghost King remained because he was already ruined, having suffered several blows from Zhou Huan’s Black Qi Palm technique without recovering. The one who fled earlier was a supreme master of the ghost realm. This Ghost King was now nothing; after taking one hit from Zhou Huan, he immediately cried out in relief, “Master Zhou, I yield! Stop hitting me. I will immediately descend to the Underworld and never return. As for that one who came to join the fun, I remember he’s a Gui Tai—he specializes in eating all sorts of children.”

Just as he finished speaking, a clear, sharp sound echoed from the heavens: “Zhou Huan, remember this. If you want to find me again, you’ll have to rely on your own ability. But I’ve noted that talisman and that blast of Black Qi Palm you used today. I will return for revenge.”

“Excellent, I’ll wait for you to appear immediately, or we’ll meet next time. I am determined to spar with you regardless; at worst, we can repeat the Ghost King’s beating sequence,” Zhou Huan said, sounding utterly confident, yet unable to truly predict matters concerning ghosts, whose words were notoriously unreliable.

Shi Bingyuan returned from the inn lugging a huge pile of items for burning offerings. Since there were so many souls to send off—not just this Ghost King, but all the departed lonely souls—it was going to be a massive undertaking. Writing out hundreds of spirit tablets would be troublesome.

Zhou Huan pondered for a moment. “Send the Ghost King off first. Afterwards, you can find the lonely souls and tell them these items are reserved for them.”

The Ghost King was thrilled to be sent off first. In truth, he had only come seeking trouble to vent his anger, but the backing he sought proved unreliable, fleeing immediately after one strike from Zhou Huan—it was utterly perplexing.

Zhou Huan immediately picked up his brush, dipped it in yellow wine mixed with gold dust, and began writing names on the sacrificial paper nonstop. Zhou Huan’s calligraphy flowed like flying script; all the spirit tablets for the lonely souls were finished in less than half an hour. He then tossed the stack of burning paper to Shi Bingyuan and leaped into the nearby woods.

When Dongzi arrived with Xiao Fang, seeing Zhou Huan’s successful posture and Shi Bingyuan diligently burning the paper, they knew Zhou Huan must have succeeded.