Chapter 123: Complete Disappearance

You could say I struck first, making the most of the advantage, following the principle that a preemptive attack is often the wisest course. This female wraith possessed the strength of a Fifth Grade Spirit Flower, matching me blow for blow, so I dared not be careless.

She twisted aside from my initial slash, and I spun my wrist in midair, bringing the blade down toward her again. Her speed was almost unnatural, evading my attack with ease once more.

It took only one exchange for me to measure her strength—she was no easy foe. I charged the Snowblade again, the air around us growing colder, enhanced by the chill she exuded. The blade grew even sharper.

As I gripped the Snowblade, it seemed to resonate with me—we were as one, man and blade united. I launched a Thunderclap Strike, then leaped for another slash.

She dodged the Thunderclap, and I thought she’d never avoid my next blow, but with an unfathomable movement, she slipped away once more.

“Come on! What’s the use of just dodging?” I shouted at her, but she only responded with a more twisted smile, clearly not foolish.

Suddenly, she shot high into the air and dove straight at me. Stubborn as ever, I braced myself to meet her attack head-on.

As she drew near, I summoned nearly all my spiritual power to my hands. With a resonant boom, a powerful shockwave exploded outward from me.

When the smoke cleared, we were both still standing in our places; except for a touch of wasted energy, neither of us was even scratched.

Now it was my turn. Gripping the Snowblade tightly, I charged forward. My other hand formed rapid seals, and as a Thunderclap shot out, I closed the distance between us.

The Thunderclap landed squarely on her arm, making her recoil in pain, and I followed up by stabbing her other arm.

“So, looks like I can kill you after all,” I taunted, but she showed no fear—only that mad grin.

Was this female wraith insane? Nearly killed by me, yet still laughing.

But in the next moment, my confidence cost me.

She suddenly flung a strange disc at me, sticking it perfectly onto my foot.

I stared at it in confusion, wondering what it might do, before my leg suddenly lost all strength. There was no pain, but my body became limp and powerless.

How could a wraith have something like this? Something was definitely off.

“How’s that? I killed a passing Taoist priest two days ago, and this was his. You Taoists deserve whatever comes to you!” she sneered.

Her words made me sound like the villain. I tore at the thing on my leg, but it clung stubbornly. With another yank, it peeled off a layer of my skin.

I tossed it aside and struggled to compose myself. Whatever it was, it seemed to seal my meridians for a short while—not completely, but enough to sap my strength.

Chen Chen saw me ambushed and charged the female wraith with his spear. But as a Second Grade Spirit Flower, he was no match for her; within three moves, he was defeated, his spear knocked from his grasp.

I forced myself upright and sneered coldly at the wraith. “Today, I will kill you.”

But as soon as I got to my feet, she kicked me hard, sending me flying—she was mocking me, plain and simple.

If I gave up now, I would not be Lin Yao.

With a low growl, I forced myself up and slashed at her again.

She deliberately avoided fighting, evading my slow attacks with agile footwork.

I clenched my teeth. This was getting nowhere. Our strengths were matched—if I died, everyone here would be doomed.

Once again, she kicked me aside, and I nearly lost consciousness as I hit the ground.

In a haze, I heard voices.

“Lin Yao, hang on!”

“Don’t give up…”

I, Lin Yao, had faced life and death before—I would not fall so easily.

Suddenly, the white orb within me began to spin furiously, and I smiled even as I lay on the ground.

The real battle was just beginning.

My wounds closed before my eyes, my meridians restored.

Bracing myself with both hands, I stood up.

“Come on, let’s see how I kill you now!”

The female wraith finally lost her twisted grin; disbelief flickered across her face as she watched me rise again.

I summoned the Snowblade, and its brilliance flared once more—everything was back in place!

Drawing a deep breath, I reached my peak state again.

This time, I showed no mercy, launching straight into an attack. Though her arms were injured, her combat prowess was still formidable.

She dodged my assault with ease, but I unleashed another Thunderclap. The speed was such that she could barely evade.

Still, I had underestimated her. She grabbed my clothes, using the force to pull herself closer, the Thunderclap grazing her hair.

I took the opportunity to kick her away, slipping into a long-forgotten offensive stance.

Since she was unarmed, if I kept my distance, I could certainly defeat her.

But even after I landed a kick, she barely flinched, regaining her balance in midair and drifting steadily above the ground.

She was the strongest opponent I had faced in recent times.

I closed in again, using the reach of my blade to keep her pinned down.

Now I could fully unleash the Winged Shadow Sword Technique. The Snowblade shimmered in the night, at times conjuring illusory blades—the visual spectacle alone was astounding.

As my swordplay reached its climax, the female wraith could no longer withstand the assault and dropped to one knee.

“Why? You filthy human Taoists! Why do you interfere with me?” she screamed, her cry desperate. She was near death, so I let her understand the reason.

“Since ancient times, in every era, murderers have never been tolerated. It was so in the past, and so it is now!”

With those words, I quickly formed a seal, and a Fivefold Thunder spell burst into existence.

“In your next life, try to be a better person.”

With the thunderous crash as lightning struck her, the wraith vanished from the world.

I wiped the sweat from my brow, leaning wearily on my blade.

Li Zijian had already been saved by Old Li—thankfully, we arrived in time, or he’d have been reporting to the underworld by now. He was still unconscious, but at least alive.

Chen Chen was wounded by the wraith, but not seriously; he could walk on his own.

Old Li hoisted Li Zijian onto his back, and the four of us made our way out the main gate.

Word spread quickly—someone said I’d slain the ghost, and the villagers vied to invite me to their homes.

I politely declined each invitation, finally leading the other three away from this haunted place.

We walked together down the pitch-black road. Though the distant lights of the inn were visible, we still felt uneasy.

But nothing else happened, and we returned safely to the inn.