The General’s Tomb was a cultivation ground for the martial disciples of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, though few dared to frequent it; after all, the Ghost Generals were not easy foes to handle. Deeper within the Tomb, Ghost Kings roamed—beasts of such ferocity that no third-generation disciple could possibly contend with them.
Normally, only a select few direct lineage disciples would venture here, solely to procure Soul Fire Orbs for artifact refinement or to trade for spirit stones, and even then, they would arrive fully prepared, never taking the risk lightly.
Yet, the newcomer seemed utterly unconcerned, strolling in as if taking a leisurely walk, deliberately setting foot in this perilous place.
She was even humming a strange, tuneless song!
Feng Zikang looked up and saw a young woman in white approaching with an air of perfect composure. Her smile was like spring, her eyes bright and captivating, as if she were out for a casual spring outing rather than being in the notoriously wicked General’s Tomb.
Only when she noticed Feng Zikang’s presence did the girl’s face abruptly turn cold. The gentle, sunny smile vanished in an instant.
It was as if a pool of spring water had suddenly frozen over.
“Who are you? Why are you here?”
Her voice was cold, too, though her youth made it inevitably somewhat delicate; nevertheless, she carried herself with undeniable authority. Had Feng Zikang not witnessed her previous demeanor, he might have mistaken her for a naturally aloof girl.
As long as you don't get in my way, act however you like. It has nothing to do with me!
Feng Zikang frowned deeply, his face etched with pain. “Esteemed… Senior Sister… I am Feng Zikang, a disciple under Teacher Ye of the Little Bamboo Grove. I came with Senior Brother Miao Yuchun of Scarlet Stone Peak to slay a Ghost General, but the fiend proved too strong, injuring my meridians. Senior Brother has already given chase…”
“Slay a Ghost General?”
The girl let out a cold scoff. With Feng Zikang's mere second level of Qi Condensation cultivation, claiming to slay a Ghost General was laughable.
“Although my cultivation is low, Senior Brother Miao has reached the fourth level of Qi Condensation. He wields the Blazing Sun Axe, capable of unleashing the fourth-level True Fire of Severing Fire…”
Upon hearing that Miao Yuchun was only at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, the girl offered a faint, dismissive smile. It was only when she learned he possessed a Dharma Weapon and had mastered the fourth-level True Fire that she gave a slight nod.
“Miao Yuchun… I think I have heard that name…”
“May I ask Senior Sister’s honored name? Senior Brother Miao pursued that Ghost General alone. Though brave, I fear he might fail and meet some misfortune. Could Senior Sister lend a hand?”
Although he knew Miao Yuchun was safely tucked away in the jade urn inside his storage pouch, Feng Zikang knew he had to maintain appearances as a passionate junior brother. Since this girl dared to come to the General’s Tomb alone and wore no protective Amulet of Dispelling Evil, her cultivation must be considerable; asking her for aid was logical.
“Water Moon Pavilion, Luo Lianxin.”
The girl gave her name, yet she remained completely unmoved by his request.
Water Moon Pavilion…
Feng Zikang recalled his master’s instruction.
“Luo Lianxin’s master, Martial Uncle Xiao from Water Moon Pavilion, has a rather eccentric and solitary nature. It is best if you avoid her vicinity.”
No wonder this girl was a bit odd; she was clearly the inheritor of that Martial Uncle Xiao. Since even his master warned him against getting involved, Feng Zikang obediently fell silent. After all, he didn't actually want anyone to go after the long-gone Miao Yuchun.
Luo Lianxin seemed accustomed to people immediately falling silent after she stated her affiliation. It appeared the name Water Moon Pavilion still carried some weight within Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
She stood calmly, scrutinizing her surroundings.
“It’s not far ahead to the depths of the General’s Tomb. This Miao fellow, regardless of his low skill, certainly has no shortage of courage…”
She mused aloud, yet showed no inclination to offer assistance. Instead, she took several talismans from her storage pouch, broke off a tree branch, and began sketching and chanting in an open area.
As the talismans in her hand burned away one by one, wisps of chilling white mist began to rise from the ground.
“Spirit Drawing Array!”
With the backing of his Heavenly Demon Divine Sense, Feng Zikang absorbed the sect's texts quickly. While he couldn't claim vast knowledge, he certainly knew what he was looking at.
This was precisely an array designed to summon and gather spectral entities. Luo Lianxin conjured it with such casual ease, demonstrating profound mastery over this technique. It seemed that even without reaching Foundation Establishment, she must already be an expert at the late stage of Qi Condensation.
But… why was she setting up a Spirit Drawing Array in this location?
Feng Zikang was puzzled but refrained from asking. Luo Lianxin’s temperament was peculiar, and this affair had nothing to do with him. He did not wish to invite trouble out of mere curiosity.
“Don’t worry. Since you are Martial Uncle Ye’s disciple, I must naturally protect your safety! You are wearing an Amulet of Dispelling Evil, so when the Ghost God General emerges, you just need to suppress your aura and hold your breath, and you should be able to avoid its notice…”
Luo Lianxin’s expression didn't change, as if she were stating the most ordinary fact. Yet, Feng Zikang’s heart jolted violently!
Ghost God General!
Feng Zikang finally understood why she was bothering to draw this Spirit Drawing Array.
Ghost Generals were agglomerations of ghost spirits. When this aggregation exceeded a certain threshold, a Ghost God General—a being far more powerful than an ordinary Ghost General—could manifest. Such ferocious entities possessed the Soul Fire Primordial Heart, which was crucially important for the cultivation of the military path. If one wished to forge a powerful Natal Dharma Weapon, the Soul Fire Primordial Heart was indispensable.
However, the appearance of a Ghost God General was extremely rare; if left to occur naturally, only about one would form per year.
It must be that this girl was either about to reach Foundation Establishment or had already done so and was preparing to refine treasures, which is why she was using the Spirit Drawing Array to accelerate the birth of a Ghost God General.
If she was confident enough to face a Ghost God General one-on-one, her own cultivation must be extraordinary.
“Alas, I originally planned to summon the Ghost God General, finish you off while I was at it, so no one would ever tell my Master that I can smile. But you happen to be a disciple of the Little Bamboo Grove lineage whom Master forbade me from bullying. It truly troubles me!”
Luo Lianxin slightly furrowed her delicate brows, her tone dead serious. Feng Zikang’s face shifted slightly; he had already felt the murderous intent during the first half of her statement. But when she finished speaking, coupled with the conflicted and distressed expression on her face, he realized the girl’s mind was truly peculiar, leaving him caught between laughter and tears.
To think she wanted to silence him simply because he accidentally saw her smile! Was this truly what the so-called righteous sects of the mundane world were like? His Master’s advice to avoid Martial Uncle Xiao of Water Moon Pavilion was indeed far-sighted.
Fortunately, it seemed Water Moon Pavilion held some regard for the Little Bamboo Grove lineage. Shielded by his Master’s name, he had narrowly escaped death.
“Senior Sister, rest assured. I will absolutely keep this matter confidential and never mention it to a second soul…” Feng Zikang swore solemnly.
“My Master said that a man’s mouth is utterly untrustworthy!”
Luo Lianxin shook her head. “But since I cannot kill you, I have no choice. I suppose I must trust you this one time.”
Although her cultivation was high, her mind was remarkably simple, and her words showed deep reverence for her Master, which caused her such distress.
Ever since transforming into the Formless Heavenly Demon, Feng Zikang hadn't felt a genuine desire to laugh like this in a long time.
“Be careful!”
While Luo Lianxin was still lost in worry, she had forgotten that the Spirit Drawing Array was already functioning autonomously. Out of the vast white mist, a massive, pitch-black figure suddenly materialized. The moment it appeared, it swung the giant axe in its hand, aiming to cleave down upon the back of Luo Lianxin’s head!
Feng Zikang started in alarm and quickly warned her.
Luo Lianxin, however, seemed not to hear, still shaking her head and sighing with a troubled expression, perhaps contemplating a solution or simply consumed by vexation. The giant axe whistled through the air, mere moments from splitting half her skull!