The so-called Heaven-Earth Net was, in truth, a talisman net — woven from silkworm thread impervious to fire and water, then embroidered with gold threads soaked in cinnabar to form the Five-Thunder Talisman patterns, tempered with lightning and fire, and finally imbued with talisman spells to become an instrument of pure Yang energy dedicated to purging evil and subduing malevolence.

The moment the talisman net appeared, golden light blazed ten-thousand zhang outward, and every ghost creature had nowhere to hide.

The net, less than three feet long when first cast into the air, had its golden talisman light stretched outward as though pulled open by invisible hands — like a colossal net — draping over the entire courtyard and laying bare every ghost creature that had crawled up from underground.

Gong Qi’s expression was icy and austere. He held a Heavenly Thunder Summoning Talisman between the fingers of each hand, and incanted the words from his lips: “Five Breaths of the Mysterious Heavens, divine authority suppresses the Eight Powers — let Heaven descend with thunder and lightning, slaying ten-thousand demons — thunder, come!”

The Heavenly Thunder Talisman ignited without flame. Righteous lightning force descended from above, fell upon the talisman net, and pressed downward with crushing weight.

The ghost creatures’ piercing death-cries quickly faded one by one as they were reduced to ash and dust.

Even those shadow ghosts that tried to flee found that the Soul-Binding Formation surrounded them from without, while the lightning-laden talisman net pressed down from within. There was no escape. They could only dissipate in misery, vanishing into smoke and nothingness.

One treasure released — ten thousand ghosts destroyed.

The Gong Family’s reserves were truly extraordinary.

“If even the second-ranked Gong Family possesses such resources, then what of the Tantai Family — the imperials ranked first?” Lang Jiuchuan narrowed her eyes at the talisman net, her envy unmistakable. Her thoughts drifted to the Tantai imperial clan sitting in the top position.

The imperial family already wielded imperial authority, and was also one of the Xuan Clans. No wonder they had held that throne for two hundred years with none daring to raise a banner of rebellion.

Whether it was the military power that an imperial family commanded, or these deep reserves of Xuan arts — who would dare tread on a tiger’s head?

Jiangche said, “I’ve looked into it. Though the imperial family can also be called a Xuan Clan, they are unlike the other three, who are openly prominent. No one knows why, but they are actually the least typical Xuan Clan among them. It seems it’s because their deep entanglement in worldly karma caused a fracture in their cultivation roots — though what the truth of it really is remains unknown. And precisely because the Tantai House calls itself an imperial family, the world at large commonly believes there are only three Xuan Clans. Though the Gong Family is ranked second, they are considered the eldest brother among those three.”

Lang Jiuchuan said, “Do they truly not approve of the Xuan Clan’s approach of recruiting talented individuals and suppressing those who refuse to join?”

She had walked away earlier, but to gather information, she’d left Jiangche behind to eavesdrop. The underhanded method was a little unsavory, but it had yielded something useful.

The Gong Family appeared to be dissatisfied with the Xuan Clan’s pattern of recruiting people and suppressing those who wouldn’t comply. Had she not heard those words, she wouldn’t have been so willing to reveal so much of her abilities in front of these two — it would only invite trouble.

After all, she was still the weaker party. Hide as much strength as possible!

“That’s what I heard, but whether they said it intentionally or it’s the genuine truth — that I don’t know,” Jiangche said. “The Gong Family’s reputation is fairly upright. Though they too have their conservative old-timers who see everything in black and white, plus two or three thorns in the side, their name is considerably better than the other two clans.”

Lang Jiuchuan gave a slight nod. She had no good impression of the Xuan Clans in general, but she didn’t hold that against every individual. Even within a single clan there would always be the odd outlier — just as no ordinary noble house was perfect, and every such house eventually produced its share of wastrels.

“Better safe than sorry. No matter who it is, always reserve at least a measure of doubt.” Lang Jiuchuan would not affirm the Gong Family’s conduct based on a single impression alone — she would observe and wait. She stared enviously at the talisman net crackling with electric energy. “This talisman net is quite effective, and the lightning energy is righteous enough. What a pity I’m in front of Gong Family members. Otherwise, I’d have let Little Nine Tower feed on some of that to build up its strength.”

Jiangche was bewildered. “What’s Little Nine Tower?”

“The Seven-Star Vajra Tower. I renamed it — the Nine-Layer Righteous Tower. Little Nine Tower for short.” Lang Jiuchuan said this with a completely straight face.

Jiangche: “……”

You’ve gone to all this trouble to completely claim the Vajra Tower as your own so no one can take it back — you even thought up a new name for it!

While the two of them were talking, the Heaven-Earth Net had already reduced every ghost creature to dust, leaving them to dissipate into nothing.

Only ruins remained — crumbled walls and rolling smoke, the buildings collapsed, the courtyard destroyed.

Lang Jiuchuan immediately adopted a weakened appearance, breathing in shallow, labored gasps.

Jiangche watched from the side, thoroughly disgusted. If they weren’t on the same side, it would have smacked the girl. What a performance!

And over at the Qi household, the moment Gong Qi and the others combined forces to eliminate those ten thousand ghosts, one of the Daoist elders there let out a miserable wail. His Ten-Thousand-Ghost Banner suddenly burst and split in two — completely ruined.

A magical treasure mirrors its master, and is propelled by the master’s cultivation and focused will. Once broken by another, the backlash was naturally unavoidable.

“Daoist Wumu, you…” The Yellow-Browed Daoist watched as that man’s hair turned white inch by inch, his expression completely shifting.

This was no coincidence.

He had assumed that when he tampered with the other’s fate chart and suffered the backlash, it was merely chance — that someone had reinforced protections on the fate chart. But watching Daoist Wumu’s technique collapse as well, with his cultivation now rapidly deteriorating, it meant that they had encountered a truly powerful practitioner.

Either someone was protecting that person, or she herself was an expert of considerable ability.

No wonder she was so difficult to deal with.

Daoist Wumu’s chest was drenched in black blood. Looking at the Yellow-Browed Daoist’s face, now deeply wrinkled with age, he could bear it no longer — his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.

Not far away, Elder Daoist Cheng, who had been standing guard at the courtyard’s edge, felt his heart lurch at the sight. If even the two elders couldn’t overcome that side, should he perhaps make his escape?

Standing beside him, Qi Xinfei’s face had turned snow-white, her body trembling. How could this be?

That little wretch actually had such ability?

Why did that girl with her face that screamed misfortune go on living perfectly fine, while her younger sister — who had such an auspicious fate — had died so young?

“Eight Madam, that person must not be touched again,” Elder Daoist Cheng suddenly spoke up.

Qi Xinfei startled. “What do you mean by that, Daoist?”

“The two elders’ abilities surpassed mine, yet look at what has become of them. Eight Madam is Eight Madam, and the Qi Family is the Qi Family. That the clan sent three elders to vent your grievance was already a great courtesy. If you continue to act without knowing your limits, the position of Eight Madam is not one that must be filled by you.” Elder Daoist Cheng studied her face, his words heavy with meaning. “Beautiful women can be found anywhere in the world, and every beauty will one day fade. Nothing stays the same forever — and for those in the Xuan Clans, it is even easier to arrange such things. Wouldn’t you agree?”

If not for the Qi Family’s attentive hospitality these past days, he wouldn’t even have offered this word of warning. Consider this settling the karmic debt between them.

Qi Xinfei’s face remained pale. She forced a smile and replied, “I thank the Daoist for the guidance. I am already a member of the Rong Family, and naturally put the Rong Family first, acting in its interests. As for the ordeal the two Daoist elders have suffered, I will truthfully report it to the Eighth Master and let the clan decide.” She looked at Daoist Wumu and the others, her inner resentment carefully concealed. Her words, however, were: “The suffering the two Daoist elders have endured is no longer merely a grievance of my Qi Family, but evidence that the other party has no regard for the Xuan Clans whatsoever.”

Elder Daoist Cheng’s eyes flickered. Not entirely foolish, after all.

Lang Jiuchuan had no idea that someone was already turning the situation around to blame her. She walked toward the approaching Gong Four and Gong Qi and gave them a weakened bow. “The Daoists act with righteousness, willing to risk life and limb to purge evil and spare my Lang Family from harm at the hands of malevolent ghosts. Please, accept my gratitude.”

Ha — putting on an act again?

Gong Qi, without the slightest hesitation, hurled a Binding Immobilization Spell directly at her. Let’s see you perform your way out of this, you little fraud!