Yao Yao used simple talismans and lit two Seven-Star Lamps to protect the souls of the two unconscious individuals. Afterward, she took Ye Yan and Hong Jiu directly to He Feng County. Along the way, she also turned back to the Gu family and retrieved Xuan Jiu, who was Nest huddled in the formation.
This wasn't a pointless detour, but rather because she couldn't be in two places at once; she needed helpers who could hold back the two Fiends. Hong Jiu's magical power wasn't enough to hold them back alone, but with Xuan Jiu added, they could likely last for a short while, which would be enough time for her to return.
"Little Ancestor, you can't do this! This is cat murder!"
"I'm not going, I'm not going!"
Xuan Jiu was bewildered when it was scooped up, but as soon as it learned they were going to confront the Red and White Fiends, its fur stood on end. The Red and White Fiends were not much weaker than sixth-rank entities; at most, it could only deal with a fifth-rank. If it went, it would surely be beaten to a pulp, a thought that sent shivers down its spine.
"What are you howling for? Master brought you here not to ask for your consent, but to get you to work."
"You freeload off us all day long, and now that you're asked to do some work, you're acting like a spoiled little girl?"
"One more word, and I'll smash your head in, old lady!"
Hong Jiu was exceptionally annoyed by the ear-piercing howl. It swung its fox tail and slapped Xuan Jiu. The speed was so fast that Xuan Jiu couldn't react at all, only hearing a "smack" as it was sent flying several meters.
"You damned vixen, you actually ambushed me! I'll fight you, argh, argh, argh!"
Xuan Jiu's fur was thick, and those few meters caused it no harm. It rolled over, got up, and its entire body curved like a drawn bow, ready to attack. However, before it could make a move, Yao Yao, her head aching from the noise, clapped her small hand through the air. Spiritual energy surged out, instantly pinning the arrogant Xuan Jiu to the spot.
"Meow, meow, meow!" Its clear yellow vertical pupils suddenly constricted, and the entire cat instantly became docile.
"Little Jiu'er, don't fuss anymore. If you cause delays, I'll have to punish you."
Yao Yao's small face was stern, a look that made Xuan Jiu shiver. It quickly admitted its mistake, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again." Just now, spooked by the Red and White Fiends, it had almost forgotten that this little ancestor before them was more terrifying than any fiend.
Seeing Xuan Jiu calm down, Yao Yao said crisply, "Don't worry, I won't let you two take a beating."
"Take these talismans. When the time comes, just throw them with all your might. Don't be stingy."
"This... this is..." Hong Jiu took the large bundle of talismans handed to it, a look of surprise on its face. Its beautiful fox eyes scanned them, then froze. The dense cluster of talismans, no less than thirty or forty of them, felt powerful. The weakest could still harm it, and as for the strongest one, the fluctuations emanating from it indicated that a single strike would leave it half-crippled.
Sixth-rank! And not just an ordinary sixth-rank! Talismans were particularly effective against incorporeal beings like malevolent spirits, far more so than direct attacks. With such treasures as a safety net, it had no reason to fear the Red and White Fiends.
"Hahahaha, this old lady is going to blast them to smithereens!" Hong Jiu gasped, then the entire fox became excited.
Xuan Jiu, beside it, was momentarily stunned by its sudden maniacal laughter. It didn't understand at first. But when it also received a string of talismans, it instantly understood why that dead fox was so happy.
"So many high-grade talismans?" Xuan Jiu's jaw almost dropped. However, after the initial shock, its confidence soared. It patted its chest and declared, "Master, rest assured, one of them is on us. We guarantee it will be handled properly."
To be honest, it was a little excited right now. It had never slain a malevolent fiend in its life. Since it had this opportunity, it had to prove itself.
"Good. This is a Soul-Seeking Butterfly. You two follow it, and it will lead you to the Red Fiend." With a tap of Yao Yao's fingertip, a butterfly, conjured from talisman fire, fluttered out lightly.
Xuan Jiu and Hong Jiu exchanged glances, then, without a word, one cat and one fox chased after it.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, let's go the other way." After arranging their split-up, Yao Yao turned and released another Soul-Seeking Butterfly.
"Alright, I'll follow your lead." Ye Yan's mind was a little numb at this point. She had not only witnessed the legendary divine ability of shrinking the ground to an inch but had also seen cats and foxes speak human language, and this method of finding people...
Regardless of which one, it had, without exaggeration, shattered what little remaining materialistic worldview she had.
Yao Yao had no time to consider her fourth sister-in-law's emotions at the moment; her mind was solely on saving people. The Soul-Seeking Butterfly carried the spiritual aura of the individuals in question, being of the same origin as the two missing souls. Thus, it didn't take long for the two of them to find the location.
It was a vast lake, seemingly endless at first glance. The lake water was deep, dark, and still, with layers of white mist floating on its surface, half-obscuring the distant view.
"This... this is more than just a lake..."
Ye Yan's face subtly changed. She knew that murky water appears greenish, and deep water appears dark. The great lake before them, with its seemingly bottomless dark surface, clearly indicated an terrifying depth.
"It hides quite well, but it's useless against me!"
Yao Yao's gaze was fixed on the drifting, yet unmoving, mass of mist. Ordinary people couldn't sense it, but it was no match for her. This white mist wasn't real fog; it was the malevolent energy refined by the water ghost. It could come ashore and harm people because this energy helped it gather water. The fact that it dared to let this malevolent energy gather and materialize so blatantly either meant it was incredibly bold or possessed profound cultivation. High-level ghostly entities would unconsciously twist and alter their environment to suit themselves.
"Yao Yao, how are we going to save them?"
Ye Yan looked at the empty surroundings, her mind momentarily blank, unsure of what to do.
"It's very simple: just make it obediently return the people."
Upon hearing this, Yao Yao's round little face showed two faint dimples. For her, the biggest trouble with this matter had always been finding the location, not slaying the ghost. After all, a White Fiend that hadn't even become a Ghost General yet had no right to make demands in front of her.
Ye Yan was stunned: ...
That White Fiend had already found a substitute for death; it was on the verge of success. How could it possibly return them so easily? Although she trusted Yao Yao greatly, this explanation did seem a bit fanciful.
Yao Yao naturally saw her hesitant expression, but she didn't explain further. Instead, she slowly took a step forward. Then, she raised her chubby little hand and formed a hand seal, three fingers curled inward, thumb upright. Her clear, powerful voice echoed across the vast lake, carrying an ethereal quality.
"From Jade Purity's Primordial Azure, true talismans proclaim their alliance, shifting the Two Qi to merge into one truth. Five Thunders, Five Thunders, swiftly gather, Huang Ning! Through misty transformations, roar with lightning and swift thunder! Upon hearing my call, immediately arrive, swiftly emit your vibrant sound!"
This was the Five Thunder Incantation, or perhaps more accurately, the Lightning-Summoning Incantation. Yao Yao intended to make the water ghost submit, so she naturally held nothing back. For ghostly entities, their greatest fear was lightning magic. This incantation had no fixed rank; its power depended solely on the caster's ability.
Yao Yao unleashed her full power this time. Just as a segment of the incantation left her lips, crackling currents of electricity began to sound around her. When the entire incantation was finished, the sky above the lake grew dim, accompanied by a crisp "Slay!"
The next moment, streaks of silver lightning, tinged with purple, instantly tore across the sky. Like wildly dancing electric serpents, amidst immense roars, they furiously smashed down onto the lake surface.
This sight left Ye Yan utterly dumbfounded. She couldn't help but swallow, awestruck by a spectacle of mythic proportions.
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