A vengeful ghost that transforms into a fierce spirit does so either because it has taken a life and carries the burden of karmic sin, or because its death was sufficiently wretched — its resentment heavy enough — and in being provoked to the extreme, its bitterness and rage reach their apex, causing it to turn into a malevolent spirit.

The little female ghost before them was the latter. Her resentful and malevolent energy had surged to its peak, causing her to go completely dark.

A fierce spirit that has lost its reason will often be unable to distinguish good from evil. Yet in her eyes, the members of the Qi Family before her were all birds of a feather — all deserving of death.

Daoist Cheng watched the little malevolent spirit’s vicious and ferocious appearance. The dense black malevolent energy radiating from her entire body was so thick it made his heart tremble with fear, and the hand holding the bronze coin sword trembled slightly.

He had truly been careless today.

“Boy.” Daoist Cheng pulled the little Daoist acolyte over with one hand, grabbed his palm, and drew the blade across it. Blood sprayed onto the sword’s body, causing the bronze coin sword’s righteous energy to surge powerfully.

Lang Jiuchuan, watching from where he stood, also glanced at the little Daoist acolyte. He thought to himself that the Xuan Clan’s selection of disciples was not indiscriminate — this little acolyte possessed pure Yang blood and was still a virgin boy. His blood was of the utmost Yang and righteousness, and could indeed vanquish evil and suppress malevolence.

The little acolyte’s palm had been cut open, and the pain sent tears streaming from his eyes. Yet he dared not cry aloud. Seeing blood welling up from his palm, then looking at that pitch-black mass ahead — though he could not make out the fierce spirit clearly, he knew that thing was not to be trifled with. He promptly smeared his bleeding hand directly across his own face and body.

He could not draw talismans, but perhaps his blood could ward off a little of the malevolent energy — it would be a waste not to use it.

Lang Jiuchuan, seeing this, had a trace of amusement in his eyes. Not stupid at all. He then shot a contemptuous glance at Daoist Cheng. Tsk — not even as capable as a child.

Daoist Cheng’s bronze coin sword, now smeared with blood, had already thrust toward the little fierce spirit. Pure Yang blood, righteous and pure, was a sacred implement that could punish and overcome Yin malevolence. The moment the little fierce spirit was struck, she let out a miserable shriek.

“If you don’t act now, he’ll get you all killed too.” The little fierce spirit screamed in fury, her gaze falling upon the people inside the room. As long as she killed them, her power would greatly increase.

The Qi Family — they showed no regard for human life. All of them deserved death, deserved to be slaughtered!

The Yin resentment energy crashed about wildly. The room was like a tempest passing through — everything was swept up and smashed to pieces. Inside the room, apart from Daoist Cheng, the little acolyte, and Qi Xinfei — who clutched a protective talisman with a face drained of all color — there was not a single other person still conscious.

Even the people outside in the courtyard had noticed something was amiss, yet they all held back from barging in, restrained by the orders given earlier.

The little fierce spirit lunged at Daoist Cheng. The dense Yin malevolent energy was like a giant beast crashing into him. Daoist Cheng felt a sharp, violent pain in his chest and spat out a mouthful of hot blood.

The little fierce spirit let out a cold, eerie laugh, opening her great blood-red maw, intending to gnaw at him.

Daoist Cheng was greatly alarmed. Enduring the pain, he reached to his waist and pulled out a talisman. It was a tribute given by the Rong Family to its elder members — a Five Thunders Talisman. Extremely precious, it was meant for preserving one’s life.

He had only the one, and now he was going to use it here.

This exorcism had truly been a tremendous loss.

But now was not the time to think about gains and losses — preserving his life was paramount.

The Five Thunders Talisman was unleashed. With a thunderous boom, piercing screams rang out. Several of the spirits were blasted apart in body and soul by the thunderous force of the talisman. Two had already been reduced to nothing, while others, broken and incomplete, were sent scattering in all directions.

Lang Jiuchuan made a slight movement. While the smoke had yet to fully disperse, she swept those several broken and incomplete vengeful ghosts together with the little fierce spirit into the small paper figure. The little fierce spirit was greatly shocked and immediately attempted to flee, but was struck by a Soul-Suppressing Command, pinning her down completely unable to move.

The small paper figure lay flat on the roof beam, utterly still.

Daoist Cheng waved away the smoke before his eyes, pressed a hand to his swollen and aching chest, and looked carefully — his heart secretly rejoicing. The Five Thunders Talisman had indeed proven extraordinary. Those ghostly fiends had been wiped out without a trace.

What a pity though — having used it, he now had nothing left to protect his life.

This Qi Family — besides gold and silver, they would likely have nothing of worth to compensate for the loss. A tremendous loss indeed.

The storm had passed. Calm was restored.

Daoist Cheng put on an air of haughty pride, his voice cold and stern: “Wicked demons and malevolent spirits — in the end they bring ruin upon themselves. Their deaths are no cause for pity. Hmph!”

The little fierce spirit, imprisoned within the small paper figure, stirred restlessly. Let me out — I want to fight him to the death!

With that movement, the malevolent energy surged slightly again.

Daoist Cheng’s body stiffened slightly. He looked around warily. What was that — was it his imagination?

The small paper figure gave the unruly little fierce spirit two firm smacks. Asking for your own destruction.

The little fierce spirit: “!”

Is there any dignity left in being a ghost — I am a supremely ferocious malevolent spirit!

“Daoist, have those filthy things been eliminated?” Qi Xinfei asked softly, her voice languid.

Daoist Cheng made a sound of affirmation and turned to look at her. Having been so thoroughly frightened, the already beautiful Qi Xinfei looked even more fragile and delicate — enough to arouse one’s pity.

He walked over and moved to assist her up, saying: “Those vengeful ghosts have been shattered in body and soul by me. Eighth Mistress may set her mind at ease — there will be no further trouble.”

He pulled her arm, drew her upright, and as she stumbled against his chest — feeling two soft masses press against him — a peculiar expression crossed his face. Feigning concern, he asked: “Is Eighth Mistress quite all right? The Yin malevolent energy from those vengeful ghosts was extremely heavy. Women by nature belong to Yin — if one is tainted by such malevolent Yin energy, misfortune may follow for a spell, and the body will have suffered fright and cold. This old Daoist has a few Pure Yang Talismans — Eighth Mistress may come collect one later.”

Qi Xinfei’s body went rigid. She silently cursed him as a lecherous old worm. She struggled free and forced a smile: “Then many thanks to Daoist Cheng. Shall we first see how my younger sister fares?”

Daoist Cheng did not dare go any further. The other party was no branch relative — she was a member of the Rong Family. He had not yet reached a standing where the Rong Family could not do without him. Taking a small advantage was as far as it went.

He released Qi Xinfei and instructed the little acolyte to fetch exorcism talismans and burn them, then apply calming oil to the philtrum of the unconscious Qi Family members. Only then did he accompany Qi Xinfei to the bedside. He looked — and immediately let out a sharp hiss, sucking in a cold breath between his teeth.

Qi Xinfei let out a direct shriek. In under a month — how had her sweet, vibrant younger sister become this ghastly sight? What manner of vengeful ghost could have caused such devastation?

“Yueer?” she asked, trembling uncontrollably.

Qi Xinyu simply stared with dead fish eyes, motionless. Saliva trickled from the corner of her mouth. She looked as though she had been struck by idiocy — not the slightest reaction to the outside world.

Qi Xinfei’s heart lurched. She hurriedly looked at Daoist Cheng: “Daoist — what is this…”

“Do not panic. This is the Yin malevolent energy having entered her body.” Daoist Cheng looked at the wound on her forehead — seeing that bone was visible within — and thought inwardly that this was bad. This would likely be far more difficult than expelling those vengeful ghosts. After all, it had already rotted to this extent. Even if the Yin malevolent energy inside her body were expelled, the wound on her forehead would likely never fully recover.

This young lady’s beauty had been completely and utterly ruined.

Daoist Cheng straightened up and said: “Eighth Mistress, this old Daoist may as well speak plainly. The Fourth Young Lady has brought this upon herself through murderous sin. She has been afflicted by a karmic evil backlash, and with several vengeful ghosts clinging to her these many days — Yin energy now permeating her body — dispelling the malevolence will not be easy. Even if the malevolence is dispelled, I fear this wound will be difficult to fully restore.”

Qi Xinfei’s expression darkened.

“A curse — my child was cursed to become like this. Daoist, you must see clearly — what murderous sin is there to speak of!” The sharp voice of the Qi Matriarch rang out.

The small paper figure, which had been about to slip away, paused. It stayed put.

She wanted to hear what this woman had to say for herself.