Chapter Seventeen: Protection

The moment I reached out my hand toward Su Ying before me, I suddenly felt my body freeze, unable to move. Right then, Su Ying transformed before my eyes, turning into a burly female ghost, her figure towering at two meters tall—much larger than the one I had seen before, who was nearly one meter ninety.

A shiver ran through me, but I realized I could neither advance nor retreat. All I could do was stare helplessly at the alluring face, now twisted with boundless terror, as the female ghost reached out for me.

“Don’t be anxious. Once I fully refine and absorb your body, you’ll find your Su Ying. I have seen your sorrow in your heart. Living really is painful, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be better to die? Then you could be carefree,” the ghost’s voice dripped with temptation. With her words, countless painful memories flooded my mind. Suddenly, it seemed the world was just as the ghost said—living was truly painful, sometimes almost unbearable.

“Yes, that’s it. There’s too much injustice in this world. What can you change? You’ll only sink deeper into the mire. The only way to break free is death. Only through death can you truly escape, liberate yourself from endless suffering and sorrow…”

Her voice was like a spell, filled with seductive power. At the same time, I felt her hand—cold as a blade—slowly reaching toward my body.

“Xiao Dong, wake up!” Amidst the haze, I seemed to hear a voice—it was Zhao Fifteen’s voice. But soon, that voice was enveloped by a gentle smile.

“Xiao Dong, follow me. Then no one will ever be able to stop us again!” As my chest turned icy cold, the scene before me suddenly changed. I saw Su Ying as she was the first time we met—back in high school, on the track field. Every time I ran, I saw a girl opposite me, so ethereal and beautiful. The occasional exchange of glances filled me with joy!

Suddenly, that beautiful smile shattered like glass. And standing beside me was the moonlight corpse in ancient white robes from earlier.

This ancient female corpse stood at my side, her arm beautiful and translucent like jade, firmly grasping the black claw reaching toward me.

“Who are you…” The oppressive feeling around me vanished. I quickly stepped back. Zhao Fifteen, carrying Chen Chuyi, instantly stood by my side. Both of us stared, astonished, at the sudden appearance of the moonlight corpse.

Wasn’t this the same moonlight corpse that had flown out of the Spirit Spring Reservoir earlier?

“I am not human!” Her voice was sweet, evoking a strange sense of familiarity.

“Step aside. I advise you not to ruin my plans, or you’ll have only yourself to blame!” The moonlight corpse squeezed the black claw she held, and it shattered. Even the burly female ghost’s cyan lotus platform atop her head trembled violently.

“You!” The big ghost was visibly surprised.

Zhao Fifteen and I didn’t know why. I urged him repeatedly to leave, but he insisted on finding a chance to enter the Yin Sha Cave and rescue Zhang Keqing. He said Zhang Keqing was sent by the Shanxi Longevity Agency and must not come to harm here, or he wouldn’t be able to answer to his superiors.

“You are merely a ghost. Though your soul is intact and you have some power, and even a magical artifact, you are not my match. If you had fully merged with the Nine Sha today, perhaps I wouldn’t be your equal. But the Nine Sha was arranged for me by my uncle long ago—it belongs to me by right. If you hand it over today, I won’t destroy you. But if not, I’ll scatter your soul and spirit!”

Hearing this, Zhao Fifteen and I turned pale. Could the uncle in the moonlight corpse’s words be the Yin-Yang Master who laid the Three Corpse Resurrection Array years ago?

“Ha! What a joke. You, a newly awakened uncorrupted corpse, think you can compete with me?” Clearly, the big ghost who controlled the Nine Sha had no intention of surrendering. According to Zhao Fifteen, given time, she could refine her body and become a true Diamond Corpse, multiplying her strength, far beyond the reach of ordinary Yin-Yang Masters.

“Enough talk! Crystal Tear—Shock!”

As she spoke, the crystal orb that had been in my arms shot out, radiating dazzling brilliance. The injured Immortal Lady was ejected from the orb.

“Hm?” The moment the Immortal Lady left the crystal orb, her shadow began to dissipate.

“Xiao Dong, reach out your hand!” Without hesitation, I extended my right hand.

“Azure Dragon Secret Art—Parasitism!”

Hissing sounds filled the air. My arm felt as though it were being scorched by fire, and I sensed a crimson mark appear—a fox tattoo.

“Xiao Dong, I’ll reside in your body for now. I am very weak and must sleep,” a voice echoed in my mind. The burning pain subsided, and the tattoo faded.

“Unappreciative fool! I’ll take your ancient Buddhist lotus first—let’s see how you suppress the resentment of the Nine Sha!”

With a wave, the moonlight corpse transformed the crystal orb—now the size of a head—sending it flying. Brilliant beams enveloped the big ghost’s body.

“A Yin-Yang treasure! Who are you…” The big ghost had no time for hesitation or words, as the rays began to slice her soul and body.

“You want to seize my lotus platform? Never!” The big ghost spat out countless black blades at us, unleashing a dazzling cyan light, and dove into the black hole behind her.

Black swords rained down on us.

“Xiao Dong, dodge! These are truly lethal!”

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead as the dense swarm of black swords rushed straight toward me…