A Daoist from Dragon Tiger Mountain**
The spirit vehicle charged straight into Wanda Plaza, completely unhindered.
As the largest shopping center in Jiangning District, the place covered a considerable area—
two underground levels and three above ground.
The moment the spirit vehicle entered the first floor and Ning Chen saw his surroundings, he froze.
Wanda Plaza had clearly been sealed off. Logically speaking, it should have been completely empty.
Yet at this moment, the lights were bright, people everywhere.
Everything looked exactly the same as usual.
What was strange, though, was that none of these people seemed to notice Ning Chen at all.
A car suddenly stopping inside the plaza didn't draw a single glance.
Frowning slightly, Ning Chen recalled the Yin Spirit Vehicle back into system storage.
With a thought, his pupils instantly染ed with a trace of gold, finally transforming into a pair of dazzling golden eyes.
The next second, the figures before him dissolved like reflections in water, slowly fading away.
The entire first floor plunged into darkness in an instant, leaving only emergency lights emitting a weak white glow.
At the same time, wisps of black smoke spilled from Ning Chen's body.
Behind him, they gathered into a tall, graceful figure—
dressed in phoenix coronet and rosy clouds, feet resting on red lotuses, a veil of crimson gauze atop her head.
"Young Master~ we've already entered this ghost's Ghost Spirit Space," Hongdou said softly.
"What you saw just now was merely an illusion…"
"Mhm."
Ning Chen nodded slightly, already understanding, and lifted his gaze toward the ceiling.
He could clearly sense the dense yin energy above.
Lighting a cigarette, Ning Chen chuckled.
"Creating illusions… that's actually kind of interesting."
"Let's go, Hongdou."
"Let's meet this ghost."
"Yes, Young Master~"
Hongdou dipped into a light bow and followed calmly behind him.
The elevators were out of service, so one man and one ghost slowly made their way up to the second floor via the emergency stairwell.
Yet even here, they saw no trace of the ghost.
Just then—
A burst of loud arguing suddenly echoed from upstairs.
Raising an eyebrow, Ning Chen didn't hesitate. He called Hongdou along and went straight up to the third floor.
The moment they exited the emergency stairwell—
They saw, not far away, a figure dressed in a dark-blue Daoist robe, hair tied in a topknot, holding a long sword.
He was facing off against a tall, skeletal ghost, its body wrapped in terrifying ghostly energy.
Under the dim lights, the ghost's mouthful of stark white fangs was especially eye-catching.
Its eyes glowed blood-red, radiating violent malice.
"A Daoist?" Hongdou murmured.
"So it really is."
Ning Chen raised his brows, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Ding! A supernatural incident detected. Congratulations, Host, for triggering a choice!
1. Join forces with the Daoist to slay the ghost!
Reward: Daoist Favorability +99
[Daoist Favorability +99: You may gain a high-level junior from the Celestial Masters' lineage!]
2. Sit back and watch the tigers fight! Deliver a fatal blow to the ghost at the critical moment!
Reward: Celestial Masters' top-tier spell — Golden Light Mantra!
[Golden Light Mantra Lv.1: Heaven and Earth, Mysterious Origin; all manifestations return to the root; cultivate countless kalpas, prove my divine powers!
(Note: Perhaps one day, you'll pilot a Gundam to fight ghosts!)]
Seeing the first option, Ning Chen's face darkened.
Why the hell would he want +99 favorability from some burly man?!
"Young Master~ should we—"
"Not yet. Let's see how things play out first."
Seeing Hongdou about to act, Ning Chen hurriedly waved her off.
First—sit back and watch the tigers fight.
Strike at the crucial moment.
Since it was a male ghost—
There was no way those kidneys were surviving tonight.
Rubbing his hands together, a twisted smile crept onto Ning Chen's face.
Golden light flashed in his pupils.
The ghost's information instantly appeared before his eyes.
Target Assessment: Ghost Streamer — Wang Niu-Ma
Level: Tier 4
Bloodlust Value: 800
Completed nine years of compulsory education, then dropped out.
Drifted around idly for over a decade, becoming the village loafer.
By chance, came into contact with the internet.
One phrase—"Niu-Ma sets out!"—
and he mastered the secret of traffic farming.
Fans skyrocketed. Trending constantly.
Appeared honest and down-to-earth on the surface,
but secretly developed a fetish for other men's wives—
A true modern-day Cao Thief!
Eventually, one husband discovered the affair.
While Wang Niu-Ma was filming at Wanda Plaza, shouting "Niu-Ma sets out,"
the enraged husband found him and shoved him off the third floor.
After death, resentment refused to dissipate.
He transformed into a vicious ghost and haunted Wanda Plaza.
Innate Talent: Niu-Ma Charges Out!!
Within the Ghost Spirit Space, can condense a charging phantom ox-horse to ram enemies—
extremely advantageous in head-on confrontations!
After reading the information, Ning Chen stared blankly for a moment.
Then he opened his mouth, wanting to speak—
but stopped.
What the hell…
A modern-day Cao Thief?!
And Niu-Ma sets out—wasn't that a bit too ridiculous?!
Looking at the skeletal black figure, Ning Chen's gaze grew increasingly strange.
"You filthy Daoist! You only arrived two months ago!"
"And you already run into a monster like this!"
"Killing four people in one month—your efficiency is damn impressive!"
"If I don't deal with you today, that'd be disrespecting the ancestors!"
…
"Bah! Dead Daoist!"
"I died with grievances—why the hell didn't you say anything back then?!"
"Since Heaven gave me another chance as a ghost, that means my fate isn't over!"
"So what if I kill a few living people and suck up some yang energy?!"
"Don't think I'm afraid of you!"
In the plaza, the Daoist gripped his sword, furiously shouting at the black ghost.
The ghost was no pushover either—he cursed right back and even raised a middle finger.
One man, one ghost—rage boiling over.
The air filled with the smell of gunpowder.
Meanwhile, Ning Chen had already sat cross-legged on the floor, puffing his cigarette leisurely, eyes glued to the constantly jumping Merit Points on his interface.
Ding! Streamer ghost enraged. Merit Points +10!
Ding! Streamer ghost further enraged. Merit Points +10!
Ding! Streamer ghost utterly furious. Merit Points +10!
In just moments, 30 Merit Points had landed in his account.
On the battlefield—
The Daoist, speaking flawless, refined Mandarin, finally made his move.
"Crimson Thunder Shakes the Fiends—
Destroy ghosts and crush evil!"
With a low shout, he raised his sword.
The next second, dense crimson lightning arcs wrapped around his body.
Centered on his brow, a mysterious talisman appeared—
Then split into chains of talismanic seals, spreading like living creatures across his skin, even extending onto the blade.
Lightning illuminated the surroundings in an instant.
"Huh?!"
"That's impressive!"
Seeing this, Ning Chen's eyes lit up. He had fully entered spectator mode.
Behind him, Hongdou let out a soft gasp.
"Dragon Tiger Mountain's Crimson Thunder Edict?!"
"Dragon Tiger Mountain?"
"You know this spell, Hongdou?"
Ning Chen turned to look at his ghost bride, surprised.
"Young Master~ when I became a fierce ghost back then, my parents invited a Daoist from Dragon Tiger Mountain to suppress me."
"The technique that severely injured me at the time… was precisely this Crimson Thunder Edict."
"I only know a little about it…"
Hongdou's eyes flickered red, traces of killing intent surfacing—clearly recalling painful memories.
Ning Chen patted her hand lightly to comfort her and didn't ask further.
He turned his gaze back toward the battlefield.
The clash between man and ghost was about to erupt.
…