Chapter 75: The Specter Blocking the Path

I remember clearly that during the seven-day game at school, I killed many malevolent spirits, and these spirits dropped numerous pouch-like items—storage pouches—that could probably fetch a decent price.

“Storage pouches,” I said, and the shopkeeper nodded knowingly, leading me to another small counter.

Once behind the counter, the shopkeeper asked me to take out whatever I wished to pawn. I emptied dozens of storage pouches in one go. The shopkeeper, accustomed as he was to the extraordinary, still appeared somewhat astonished at the sheer number.

He picked up one at random, inspected it closely, and then said, “Young man, although these storage pouches are the most basic kind, they’re all in excellent condition. I’ll offer you ten thousand apiece.”

Ten thousand each—this price far exceeded my expectations, so I gladly accepted. Counting them, I had a total of three hundred and thirty thousand, which not only covered my recent expenses but left me with an extra one hundred and thirty thousand in profit.

Yu Yue tried to persuade me to stay for a meal, but I politely declined—it was getting late, and I wanted to hurry home. Before I left, Yu Yue handed me a VIP card, saying I would get a ten percent discount on future purchases. To be honest, Yu Yue was a true businessman—smooth in his dealings, open and straightforward—a man worth associating with.

Once outside, I retraced my steps to where I had first arrived. The street was still bustling, with people crowding into small shops to make purchases, and many newcomers wandered about, their eyes filled with curiosity at everything they saw.

Soon, I reached the spot where I had first appeared. Although I had fallen in, the door stood upright before me. To be precise, it wasn’t a door at all, but a portal—a teleportation gate. Something seemed to be flowing within it, which I took to be spiritual energy.

Without thinking too much, I stepped inside. Just like before, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and then I found myself in a room.

Scratching my head, I wondered, shouldn’t I be on a cliff? How did I end up inside a room? And where was I, exactly?

I walked out slowly, only to realize I was in the Qilin Hall. That explained why the portal’s location was different—I had been transported directly into the hall.

Leaving Qilin Hall, I prepared to head back. But I soon noticed someone following me. From the moment I exited the hall, several traces of spiritual energy had been tailing me.

Growing impatient, I turned to look and saw it was the man in the suit from earlier, now accompanied by five or six others, all shadowing me.

I frowned and asked, “Who are you people? Why are you following me?”

None of the men in suits answered; instead, each drew a weapon. I sized them up—their cultivation was, at best, third-grade Spirit Leaf, nothing to worry about. But since we were still in Qulong Town, a public massacre would be unwise. So I decided to lure them out.

Feigning weakness, I spun around and ran. They gave chase. I slowed my pace and acted exhausted, and, just as I’d hoped, these fools redoubled their efforts to catch me.

Finally, I led them out of Qulong Town and ducked into a small grove. They showed no sign of giving up and followed me into the woods.

I stopped abruptly, drew my Snow Blade, and slashed backward. In an instant, the leading man was cleaved in two at the waist.

I didn’t press the attack, instead waiting as they all filed in and surrounded me. A perfect opportunity to test my current strength.

“Come at me together,” I said with a cold smile—a blatant provocation.

Sure enough, unable to stand the taunt, they all charged at once. I glanced around and targeted a weak spot first, sending the nearest man flying with a punch and a kick. Then I gathered my strength and struck another, aiming at the chest of the weakest.

This was a move my Second Uncle had just taught me yesterday. Though it required some buildup, its destructive power was considerable. With one punch, I heard the crack of bone—doubtless, he wouldn’t live long.

Quickly, I formed a hand sign, conjuring a Bagua array that blocked a blade swinging at my back. The array only lasted a moment before dissipating, but it was enough—it could withstand several blows from a third-grade Spirit Leaf, or one from someone at the Spirit Flower level.

I fought with abandon, using every killing move my Second Uncle had taught me. Practice breeds understanding, and in this melee, I deepened my grasp of the Eight Extremities Fist.

These men couldn’t take much punishment, and before long, I had them all on the ground. I spared one, though, to question.

“Speak. Who sent you? Tell me and I’ll let you go.”

But my words had no effect; he would rather die than talk.

“Very well. I’ll grant your wish,” I said, and my blade sliced across his throat.

Back on the road, I walked slowly, pondering who could have sent these men. The Tiancheng Group? The Dong family? Somehow, neither seemed likely.

After half an hour, I finally flagged down a taxi. Once I gave the driver the address, I fell asleep in the back seat.

...

When I woke again, it was already dusk. The driver had stepped out to relieve himself, then started the car once more.

Bored, I stared out the window, watching as evening faded into night and the highway stretched on. At some point, I drifted off again.

A sudden screech of brakes jolted me awake.

Annoyed, I asked, “What’s wrong, driver?”

The middle-aged driver, visibly shaken, replied, “How did I end up at a crematorium? The road was right a moment ago...”

A chill ran through me—I instantly sobered up. If I was right, we’d stumbled into a supernatural maze.

I stayed put in the car for now. The driver, regaining his nerve, hurriedly put the car in reverse.

But things were not so simple. From the crematorium, people began to file out slowly. Their faces were ashen, with disturbing rouge on their cheeks. All wore old-fashioned hats, and behind them came another group, exactly the same, carrying a massive coffin.

This scene was enough to terrify not just the driver but even me—I broke out in a cold sweat.

I quickly shut my eyes and silently recited, “By urgent decree, as the law demands.”

My Second Uncle had taught me this charm, saying it worked wonders against evil spirits.

When I opened my eyes again, all those people had vanished, replaced by a young woman floating in the air, her eyes vacant, long hair streaming down.

Without a doubt, another malevolent spirit.

I got out of the car, instantly summoned my Snow Blade, and shouted at the female spirit, “Who are you? Why have you not gone to the underworld to reincarnate, but remain here to harm the living?”

I thought the spirit couldn’t speak, but she replied in a hollow voice, “Filthy priest, ruining my plans.”

The words sounded oddly familiar, but there was no time to dwell. First, justice must be served.

In a few swift breaths, I had closed the distance of several dozen meters, blade swinging for her throat.