Chapter 56: The Soul Destruction Curse

Not long after the Five Ghosts departed, a man's voice echoed from outside the room, "Have you divined my daughter's whereabouts yet?"

Jiang Xiaofei replied, "Please don't be anxious. We're in the midst of divination, and I believe we will have results soon."

"You'd better hurry," the man's voice urged, filling Jiang Xiaofei with anxiety. He did not respond, but instead looked at Lan Lianshuang lying on the ground.

He had to admit, Lan Lianshuang was truly beautiful. Although she was dressed conservatively in a white blouse, the fullness of her chest could not be concealed, tempting the eye. At this moment, her face was pale, delicate and pitiable—evoking compassion from anyone who saw her.

But Jiang Xiaofei's mind was far from distracted by such thoughts; only worry remained. He immediately crouched down, placing his hand upon Lan Lianshuang's forehead. Instantly, he discovered her injuries were severe; not only was her internal magical power in chaos, but her spirit had suffered a grave blow.

This made him deeply remorseful. Though he shared no particular friendship with Lan Lianshuang, she had been divining because of him. If not for that, she would not have been hurt.

Without further hesitation, Jiang Xiaofei propped Lan Lianshuang up, sat cross-legged, and placed his right hand upon her back. Vast magical power surged from his palm into her body, assisting in the repair of her wounds.

After more than ten minutes, Jiang Xiaofei finally withdrew his power, exhausted and sweating, his own face pale. Yet Lan Lianshuang remained unconscious.

Jiang Xiaofei was not worried. He believed, with his help, she would soon awaken after some rest. He wiped sweat from his brow, gently laid her on the floor, and stood up.

Just then, a black whirlwind appeared in the room, from which the Blue-Faced Female Ghost emerged, declaring, "Master Fei, we did not disappoint you—we have found the place."

Jiang Xiaofei rejoiced, "Then take me there at once!"

"Please follow me," the Blue-Faced Female Ghost nodded, summoning a black whirlwind that whisked both herself and Jiang Xiaofei away.

When they reappeared, they stood in wild country, gazing ahead at an old factory, weathered by time.

"Master Fei, this is the place," the Blue-Faced Female Ghost pointed to the factory.

"Well done. You deserve a reward," Jiang Xiaofei nodded. "Where are the other four ghosts? Why aren't they here?"

The Blue-Faced Female Ghost's face fell. "The four ghosts were slain by that woman. If I hadn't escaped quickly, I fear you would never have seen me again."

Jiang Xiaofei was saddened by this. Though the four ghosts were not human, they had accompanied him for years, and he had grown fond of them.

He placed his hand gently on the Blue-Faced Female Ghost's shoulder, comforting her, "Rest assured, I will avenge them."

She was moved. "Master Fei, I still urge you to be careful. That woman is not easy to deal with. But even if Little Qing's soul is scattered, I will protect your safety."

Jiang Xiaofei laughed, "Silly, it's not as serious as you say. I have my own methods to deal with her, and the power to destroy her. But you must stay behind me—unless I tell you, do not act."

"Little Qing understands," the Blue-Faced Female Ghost nodded, following Jiang Xiaofei as he walked toward the abandoned factory.

Inside the factory, Takagi Qiu looked at the bound children in the corner, her face full of satisfaction as she muttered, "You've done well. With these ninety-nine sacrifices, my power will soon be restored! Once I return to the world, I shall slaughter all who oppose me."

Another voice spoke, "Hurry up. The longer you wait, the greater the risk."

Takagi Qiu fell silent, sitting cross-legged. She formed hand seals, and ghostly energy enveloped her feet. Beneath the haze, ghostly patterns interlaced, forming a strange formation.

Upon close inspection, the formation resembled a giant ghost face.

Once the array was complete, Takagi Qiu rose and extended her hand, grabbing a child. She released her grip, tossing the child toward the formation.

As the crying child reached the edge, a bizarre scene unfolded—the ghost face at the center seemed to come alive, lifting its head and opening a ferocious maw to devour the child.

At that instant, a fierce beam of light shot forth, striking the ghost face's head. The face sank back into the formation, and the child was spared.

Takagi Qiu was stunned and furious, turning her cold gaze toward the source of the light.

From the darkness, Jiang Xiaofei emerged, his expression icy. "Ghost Emperor, we meet again!"

Takagi Qiu's face twisted in rage. "You again! You dare ruin my plans? You shall die!"

Jiang Xiaofei replied coldly, "Heh, the one who should die is you. You commit evil and harm the innocent—your soul deserves to be scattered. Allow me to send you on your way."

She laughed harshly, "Ridiculous! Even the Ghost Immortal and Ghost Daoist couldn't kill me together—do you think you can? Absurd!"

"If you insist on dying, I'll oblige you," she sneered, her jade hand extended. Ghostly energy surged forth, countless ghost faces howling as they rushed toward Jiang Xiaofei.

Facing the onslaught, Jiang Xiaofei did not flinch. His gaze sharpened, and he extended his hand. In his palm, a yin-yang spell evolved, forming a black-and-white barrier.

The ghost faces crashed into the barrier like moths to a flame, instantly annihilated.

Takagi Qiu was shocked. "What spell is this? How can it be so powerful?"

Jiang Xiaofei smirked, "I don't know, but it seems effective against you. Suddenly, inspiration strikes—I'll name it the Soul Extinguishing Curse. Ghost Emperor, prepare to die!"

With that, Jiang Xiaofei's eyes grew fierce. He slammed his palm forward; the yin-yang spell mark detached, flying like a palm toward Takagi Qiu.

Takagi Qiu dared not be careless. She had seen the ghost faces destroyed and her power was greatly diminished from before.

Her gaze darkened. Her jade hand extended, summoning a torrent of ghostly energy that formed a spectral hand to block the attack.

Bang!

When the ghost hand clashed with the spell, space trembled. Under the violent shock, the entire factory seemed about to collapse.

Buzz!

Amid the dazzling light, the ghostly energy attached to the spectral hand was quickly eroded by the spell's brilliance.

That light seemed capable of purifying all evil—within moments, the ghost hand was obliterated.

As it vanished, Takagi Qiu suffered a blow to her spirit, forced to retreat a step.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaofei was triumphant. "Now you understand my strength? You still wish to kill me? Your power is no match!"

Takagi Qiu raised her head, her face twisted, unwilling as she shouted, "If my power were as before, do you think you could oppose me?"

Jiang Xiaofei sneered, "In the end, you are defeated."

He paused, then continued, "However, if you obediently hand over the second volume of the Ghost Dao of the Underworld, I might consider sparing your life. Otherwise, your soul will be scattered."

She laughed maniacally, "So you are sent by the Ghost Immortal Sect! But to think I would hand over the second volume—dream on!"

Her face abruptly contorted, utterly fearless of death.

Jiang Xiaofei frowned, sensing something amiss. "Does she have a hidden trump?"

While he pondered, Takagi Qiu suddenly reached for a child lying on the ground.