Chapter Forty-Two: Ascending to a Higher Level

I had no time to waste with him; with decisive swiftness, my blade rose and fell, and another living head tumbled to the ground. To think, there was a time when I couldn't even bring myself to kill a chicken...

A self-mocking smile touched my lips as I glanced at Feng Qiao, barely clinging to life beside me. He was as stubborn as ever, refusing to yield, his blood nearly spent, yet his hand still gripped the Ghost King's card with desperate tenacity.

There was nothing I could do about it; I bore Feng Qiao no grudge, so I helped him as much as I could. From the ring, I found some bandages, a bit of disinfectant, and some painkillers. These were precisely what he needed now.

Though I had little experience, I could at least follow the basics. I cleaned his wound with disinfectant—fortunately, he was already unconscious and felt no pain—then wrapped his shoulder with the bandage. It wasn't the neatest job, but at least it stopped the bleeding.

Finally, I ground the painkillers into powder, tipped them into his mouth, and gave him some water to swallow. After finishing, I took a deep breath. If not for the Ghost King's appearance, I doubt I would have remained so calm through all of this.

I propped Feng Qiao against the wall and turned to leave. There was only so much I could do for them.

Alone, I walked out to the sports field to wait for the Ghost King's message, and took the opportunity to message Chen Chen, explaining the situation.

Time flew by, and in a blink, noon dismissal arrived. Many students had already left, but our two classes remained behind, waiting for the Ghost King's message.

"Congratulations to Lin Yao and Feng Qiao for completing the game."
"Wu Tiancai and Zhang Yi have died, refusing punishment."
"Today's game is over. Tomorrow, the game resumes at 8 a.m."

The outcome was as expected. Zhang Yi was the only girl in this game, and it was inevitable she would meet such an end. It wasn't fair to her...

This time, I didn't wait for Chen Chen or Li Zijian. After calling them to let them know I was safe, I left the school on my own.

Today wasn't particularly hot; a gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly turned earth. I was slowly realizing that if one could control spiritual energy, one could perceive spirits. This explained why elders claimed children could see unclean things—because children are of yin nature, as are spirits, so some children could see them.

...

I ambled home, suddenly recalling that Nangong Xi was still there! Facing this little spirit, I felt a strange fondness that made it impossible to resent her.

...

In less than twenty minutes, I arrived home.

"Um, you’re back..."

Opening the door, I was stunned. The house was spotless, even the glass gleamed. On a whim, I touched the shoe rack and realized she’d scrubbed all my shoes.

I nodded quietly. Thanks to this accidentally acquired little spirit, I finally had a proper home.

"Um... I was very obedient. I even cleaned uncle and aunt's room," Nangong Xi said, tucking her hair behind her ear and flashing a healing smile.

But in my heart, the determination to help Nangong Xi reclaim her body grew ever stronger.

...

After dinner, we chatted sporadically. Through our talk, I learned that the influential family who had imprisoned her bore the surname Dong.

I thought for a moment and decided to call my second uncle. I told him everything about Nangong Xi and my intentions.

He agreed to look into it and soon called me back.

"Kid, I found out—the Dong family is no small matter. While they themselves aren’t powerful, the sect backing them is not to be underestimated."

"On the surface, the Dong family is just a minor cultivation clan, but in truth, they're merely lackeys for the sect behind them. If you plan to stir up trouble there, you’d better think twice."

"Here’s my suggestion: when you reach Spirit Bloom stage, I’ll take you there myself!"

My second uncle said all this in one breath, his voice sounding hoarse by the end.

"Alright, uncle, take care of yourself. I'm hanging up."

I habitually sighed, frowned slightly, and lit a cigarette as I leaned back on the sofa.

Nangong Xi, thinking I was troubled, said softly, "Actually, it’s okay... I’m fine as I am now..."

I turned to look at her and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll bring your body back soon."

She tried to keep her composure, but tears threatened to fall.

"Thank you... you’ve been so good to me. I’m willing to serve you like an ox or a horse..."

I was speechless and replied, "I haven’t been that good to you. Anyway, I’m going to rest now."

Waving my hand impatiently, I walked to the bedroom.

...

That afternoon, my second uncle came by and put complex talismans all around the house. He explained that these would prevent outsiders with knowledge of the art from discovering Nangong Xi’s presence here.

This would also stop the Dong family from using their secret "ghost tracking" technique to pursue her.

No one else visited, and I slept the whole day away.

That night, I woke suddenly—not from a nightmare, but because a surge of spiritual energy was rampaging inside me. Lacking any proper method to cultivate it, I could only imitate what I’d seen on TV, sitting cross-legged on the bed.

It was useless, though; the spiritual energy was so fierce it battered my meridians with pain. I gasped for breath, drenched in sweat.

"What’s wrong?" Nangong Xi, hearing the commotion, pushed open the door.

I shook my head emphatically, signaling her not to worry.

Clever as ever, she quietly pulled over a chair and sat beside me.

I focused inwardly on the spiritual energy, reciting all sorts of strange incantations: "Ma-li Ma-li Hong... Open sesame... By decree of law... Heavenly Seal of Demon Suppression... Great Dragon of Might... The Dragon Regrets..."

None of it worked. In the end, it was that mysterious white mist deep within me that came to my rescue. Wisps of white smoke drifted out, floating toward the spiritual energy.

The smoke gently caressed the spiritual energy, soothing it until it gradually calmed down. Not only could the white smoke pacify the energy, it also cooled my feverish body, refreshing me instantly.

Slowly, the spiritual energy settled into its proper places. I opened my eyes and exhaled deeply.

Suddenly, I realized my strength had increased severalfold, and the once-violent spiritual energy was now at my command—all thanks to that unknown white mist.

It was already four in the morning, the sky faintly brightening. Nangong Xi had fallen asleep, slumped over the edge of the bed.

I effortlessly lifted her, laid her on the bed, and tiptoed out, closing the door behind me.

(Ah, I'm a bit tired today—this chapter might be a bit rambling.)