It must be said that the Ghost General's recent mutation was indeed tied to Feng Zikang.

As fate would have it, he struck the Ghost General with a Clarity Talisman—the first Ghost General in history, since the founding of the Military Sect at Mount Longhu, to ever be subjected to one.

No one anticipated that the Clarity Talisman would not only dispel the influence of the "Laughing Stock of All People" divine power afflicting the Ghost General, but would also awaken its spiritual intelligence, triggering its transformation.

This was, of course, only one contributing factor. The Ghost General having barely escaped the siege by Liang Si'an’s group previously was likely another massive catalyst. The Ghost General was originally formed from a fierce general in life. Once its spiritual intelligence was unlocked, it not only regained its living wisdom but also recovered most of its combat techniques, leading to a massive surge in power.

Even Luo Lianxin was caught completely off guard and found herself in a sorry state. If brute force were all it possessed, without intelligence, let alone Luo Lianxin, even the low-cultivation Feng Zikang could have toyed with it using his own array of divine powers. But now, Feng Zikang was facing imminent peril. The Ghost General had sealed off his escape routes, forcing him away from the cave entrance. After two or three such maneuvers, he was finally cornered! "Damn it!" Feng Zikang's eyes were split wide with rage, his malevolence flaring instantly. With matters having reached this pass, his next appearance would surely mean an unavoidable encounter with the Ghost General's Bone Sword.

Hiding his trump card was now pointless. He planned to unleash the divine skill he intended to teach Huo Zhongguang, which, when used by him, would possess far greater power! If that woman saw it, he could always kill her to silence her—after all, everything that happened today was instigated by her! As long as he could save his life, even at the cost of severely depleting his vital energy and regressing in cultivation, there would always be a chance to make a comeback. The demonic energy previously concealed within Feng Zikang began to spin frantically around the Demon Seed, causing the seed's color to brighten continuously! In his Dantian, it shone like a miniature sun. It’s time to risk it all!

Having made up his mind, just as Feng Zikang was about to reveal his final ace, he suddenly heard a crisp ding sound emanating from the Star River Shuttle at his waist. "What... is it trying to pull now?"

Feng Zikang’s heart tightened. He worried most about this mysterious treasure causing trouble at this critical juncture. Indeed, the Star River Shuttle was undergoing rapid changes. It shot out, and its surface suddenly emitted a brilliant golden light, forcing both Feng Zikang and the Ghost General opposite him to squeeze their eyes shut. Demonic energy surged within Feng Zikang, leaving him nauseated and restless. In contrast, the Ghost General was far more distressed; it actually managed to stagger back a step, squatting down while emitting mournful, whimpering cries as if overcome by extreme terror.

"Boom!" Just as he was feeling perplexed, the Star River Shuttle exploded like fireworks, releasing a dazzling, intense radiance. In an instant, it fragmented into thousands of shimmering, shuttle-shaped golden lights dancing everywhere—a breathtaking sight. "This is..."

Although the full power of this spiritual treasure was aimed squarely at the Ghost General, Feng Zikang still felt a powerful sense of discomfort. The intense aura of holiness emanating from the treasure caused his inner demonic energy to stir restlessly, making him extremely agitated. Fortunately, this sensation lasted only a fleeting moment. The dancing golden shuttles paused in the air for only an instant before transforming into a chaotic swirl, condensing in the void into the form of a Firebird, which then lunged directly at the mutated Ghost General. "What a formidable divine power!"

Though unaware of the specific technique, Feng Zikang clearly felt that this silent strike contained power no less than the "Ascending to the Heavens Above" skill General Lu had used to resist the Heavenly Tribulation. The Firebird lightly touched the Ghost General. There was no explosive sound, only the spectral entity letting out a heart-rending, agonizing shriek of extreme misery. Flames erupted all over its body, burning fiercely. In the blink of an eye, the spectral creature turned to ash, leaving behind only a few items.

The Soul Fire Origin Heart floated serenely in the air, while the mutated Soul Bone Sword and the Spiritual Shaman Bone Pendant lay upon the ground. The Firebird cried out once more, turning back proudly before dissolving into scattered specks of golden light that sprinkled onto the dust. All this transpired in the span of a breath. As the light on the Star River Shuttle dimmed, Feng Zikang felt as if all his strength had been drained away; he slumped softly to the ground, losing consciousness.

When Feng Zikang opened his eyes again, he found himself lying once more in the thatched hut within the small bamboo grove.

However, this time, the person attending him was not his master, the white-robed middle-aged man Ye Tiansheng, but the green-clothed maiden Luo Lianxin.

"You're awake!" Luo Lianxin’s face broke into a wide smile, though she immediately tried to force a look of cold indifference, failing completely to conceal the concern and gratitude in her eyes, so she could only turn her head away. "You were just utterly exhausted, nothing serious. I administered a Life Synthesis Pill; even if there were any meridian injuries, it will mend them."

If you knew I was fine, why waste a Life Synthesis Pill… Feng Zikang, unable to speak, could only manage a faint smile, signaling that he was alright.

"I hadn't realized Junior Brother Feng was a Military Sect Valiant Path cultivator. No wonder Master always said that among the Military Sect at Mount Longhu today, only the lineage of the Small Bamboo Grove remains good..."

What good am I, a Valiant Path cultivator? Calling me a Military Sect Demonic Path cultivator would be closer to the truth. Moreover, your master’s statement is rather nonsensical—it insults you and her along with herself. But Feng Zikang didn't mind others thinking that way. A villain never advertises themselves, and the deeper one conceals their nature, the more successful they are as an Unformed Heavenly Demon. Although this turn of events was somewhat accidental, it seemed all the tasks were ultimately completed, which counted as a good outcome.

He had clearly seen the various items fall to the ground before he passed out; he certainly wasn't mistaken.

"I have retrieved the Soul Fire Origin Heart. This success owes everything to Junior Brother's willingness to fight to the death. Lianxin will certainly never forget this kindness. I have stored the Soul Bone Sword and the Spiritual Bone in the cabinet for you; you may take them yourself once you have recovered."

At least you have some decency, not hoarding the good loot while I was unconscious. After the mutation, the Soul Bone Sword and Spiritual Bone are even more valuable. Since I ended up completely unharmed, I count this as a profit.

"...This endeavor was so arduous, Lianxin feels embarrassed to only offer these two meager items in return..."

Is she thinking of giving me that spectral treasure? Thinking of the power of that divine skill made Feng Zikang's heart itch, but that kind of sentient treasure behaved erratically. It nearly got him torn apart by the Ghost General this time; who knew what nonsense it would pull next? He decided he wanted none of it. "I’ve thought it over and over, and I don’t know how to properly repay Junior Brother..." Giving herself in marriage is also an option... Feng Zikang saw her hesitant expression. If he could speak, perhaps that phrase would slip out naturally. This cultivation prodigy was also quite beautiful; taking her would be a definite gain, and he certainly wouldn't object. "Consider this a personal favor I owe Junior Brother. Should you ever require anything in the future, Lianxin will not shrink from death!" So, just a personal favor. Feng Zikang felt a slight disappointment, but this woman had boundless prospects, and a favor from her would be incredibly useful. Since it was a benefit gained for free, Feng Zikang smiled and nodded. Luo Lianxin stood up:

"To be frank, Lianxin has already accepted a Merit Mission for advancement. In fact, I needed to depart tonight; this matter is extremely urgent and cannot be delayed. Since Junior Brother Feng is awake, I must leave now!" So she had already accepted the Merit Mission to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage long ago.

No wonder she was so eager to eliminate the Ghost General. That way, once she completed the mission, upon returning, she could immediately begin tempering her Natal Artifact after successfully establishing her Foundation.

Feng Zikang nodded, signaling his understanding, and told her to go ahead. Luo Lianxin’s lips curved slightly, and she nodded before turning to leave. After taking one step, she suddenly stopped again. "As for that Star River Shuttle..." She unclasped the Star River Shuttle from her waist, holding it in her hand, lingering for a long moment.