Chapter 59: Reversing Fate

  After a violent vaporization, the ghost immortal completely dissolved into mist, disappearing into the night wind.

  Zhu Chengzhi’s eyelids twitched. Upon seeing the ghost immortal's failure, he feigned a few moves, leaped high, and seemed to realize the situation was turning sour, intending to flee.

  His previously wide grin had now vanished, and his eerie ughter stopped. A look of panic appeared on his face.

  As he leaped, Zhu Ting seized the opening, and with lightning speed, she sshed her broken sword!

  A cold fsh swept by, and Zhu Chengzhi’s right leg was struck by the bde, leaving a deep gash. Oddly, no blood poured from the wound, but Zhu Chengzhi let out a screeching, pig-like cry.

  "Ahh! Ahh!!!"

  "Is this broken sword a relic of the Buddha's wrath?" His face twisted in a grimace, he shouted, "You’re scheming against me! I’ll tear you apart!"

  Zhu Ting didn’t respond. Her eyes were icy, and with a series of swift moves, she sshed multiple times at Zhu Chengzhi!

  Zhu Chengzhi’s body shook violently, and a shadowy figure rose from his body, soaring into the air.

  The floating shadow was intercepted by Tang Mingli, who caught the falling body of Zhu Chengzhi.

  The floating shadow, still hovering in midair, cursed loudly, "You wretched servant, you dare harm my primordial spirit! I’ll skin you alive and make sure you never reincarnate!"

  He gred at Zhu Ting, then shifted his gaze to San Bao and Tang Mingli, gritting his teeth. "And you! You’re all going to die here tonight!"

  "This is Yingqiu, the ancient capital of the Linzi Kingdom," the ghost hissed. "You fools have walked straight into the heart of Yingqiu. This courtyard is the site of the Soul-Trapping Tower of the former royal pace. Beneath this ground lie the countless souls of those who died unjustly in the royal harem over the st 800 years. They were wronged in life and their souls remain trapped here. After over a thousand years, they have all turned into vengeful ghosts. The townsfolk you saw earlier... Everyone, except for you, is a ghost! They've been waiting to feast on your flesh and blood. Let them have their fun!"

  A burst of maniacal ughter echoed through the air, growing fainter as the shadow flew away.

  The once quiet Yingqiu Town suddenly came to life. The streets rang with countless mournful wails, the sound growing louder and closer, heading straight for the inn.

  *Boom!* The inn's door crashed open, and a horde of grotesque, twisted ghosts surged into the courtyard. Some had faces twisted and smeared with blood, others had only half a face, and some were headless, their bodies disfigured. These fiends shrieked as they charged toward the group.

  "Quick, form the formation! Use the exorcism seals!" Zhu Ting shouted, her voice returning to its commanding tone from when she was "Captain Chen."

  The guards quickly responded, forming a circle around Zhu Ting and Zhu Chengzhi. They extended their left hands outward, their palms facing out, each one holding an already prepared magic seal!

  Golden light erupted from the seals, forming a radiant ring that surrounded the guards.

  The approaching ghosts collided with the seal's light and were instantly shattered, turning into wisps of smoke that vanished.

  Nearby, Tang Mingli swung his sword, his Dragon Abyss sword fshing through the air. Wherever the sword pointed, the ghosts disintegrated into smoke.

  San Bao also summoned her Candle Dragon Sword, fmes dancing around it. She and Tang Mingli fought side by side, killing ghosts in all directions, clearing many of the fiends.

  However, the wailing from outside grew louder, and the ghosts seemed endless, coming in waves.

  Exhausted, the group could feel the seals’ light dimming. The guards drew their weapons, preparing to fight hand-to-hand with the ghosts once the light shield weakened.

  San Bao’s face was pale, and her spiritual energy had been pushed to its limit. Tang Mingli was also drenched in sweat, his prolonged use of the Dragon Abyss sword having drained much of his energy.

  At this critical moment, Zhu Ting cried out, "Young Master Tang! Take care of Chengzhi for me! His future now depends on you!"

  Before Tang Mingli could respond, Zhu Ting thrust the broken Buddha Wrath sword into her own chest!

  A bright yellow orb slowly floated out from the wound in her chest, hovering in her palm.

  Zhu Ting spat out a rge mouthful of blood, which stained the yellow orb, causing it to glow with a blinding golden light.

  "Ancestors of the Zhu family, I, Zhu Ting, the 121st head of the Zhu family and the bearer of the Transfer Orb, call upon you."

  "Today, the st of the Zhu family bloodline, Zhu Chengzhi, and the loyal warriors who sacrificed their lives to protect him, are trapped in the ruins of Yingqiu’s Soul-Trapping Tower, surrounded by countless vengeful spirits, their lives hanging by a thread!"

  "I ask the spirits of our ancestors to allow me to use the Transfer Orb."

  "Defy fate and change the course of destiny!"

  The bright yellow orb shone even brighter, radiating like the midday sun, dazzling in its brilliance.

  San Bao’s vision blurred, and a buzzing sound filled her ears as the entire world was drowned in a blinding white light.