Volume One, Chapter 87: Now I Shall Faint

This man's soul was nearly shattered under Chang Jinlan's influence. Chi Xingwan used several talismans to stabilize his spirit before bringing him under the umbrella. Everyone had gathered there; though each bore wounds, at least they were alive. Chi Xingwan walked to the mouth of the tomb tunnel; the closer she drew to the ancient tomb, the more violent the tremors became. She raised her hand toward the Qiankun Net, which flew to her at once. Biting her tongue, she spat a mouthful of blood onto the net, instantly empowering it to encircle the entire tomb. The earthquake subsided, but she knew the ordeal was not over. The ghost envoy was still battling Chang Jinlan.

Time ticked by. Chi Xingwan, judging by the ghost envoy's strength, estimated when the fight would end. As she had foreseen, at almost precisely that moment, a massive surge of ghost energy erupted from within the tomb—Chang Jinlan's desperate last stand. Yet the spectacle was even greater than Chi Xingwan had anticipated. The Qiankun Net, infused with her blood, could not withstand it and exploded with a thunderous crash.

The destruction of the artifact recoiled on Chi Xingwan, causing her to cough up blood and leaving her limp and feeble. Chu Fangfei was the first to rush over, steadying Chi Xingwan as she threatened to collapse.

"Sister, are you alright?" she asked, worry etched in her face.

Chi Xingwan managed a faint smile. "I'm fine, just backlash. A few days' rest will mend me, though I am rather weak at present."

Sensing that both the ghost envoy and Chang Jinlan's presences had faded, Chi Xingwan ceased to push herself. Just then, Jin Feng and Xue Cheng approached. She said, "The aftermath is yours now. I'm about to faint."

Xue Cheng hadn't reacted yet, but Jin Feng quickly spoke, "Boss, go rest in the car. Let Fangfei stay with you."

"Alright." Chi Xingwan held out a little longer, letting Chu Fangfei help her to the car, where she immediately fell into a deep sleep.

When she awoke again, night had fallen.

Chu Fangfei exclaimed excitedly, "Sister, you finally woke up!"

Chi Xingwan sat up and realized she was not in the car. "Where are we?"

She noticed her voice was hoarse.

Chu Fangfei handed her a glass of water, saying, "Sister, you've slept for a day and a night."

Chi Xingwan drank, feeling her throat ease at last. She wasn't surprised to have slept so long, and instead asked, "Where are we now?"

"A guesthouse near the tomb. The clean-up is almost done, and tomorrow morning we can leave."

After Chang Jinlan was destroyed by the ghost envoy, much remained to be settled.

Chi Xingwan and Chu Fangfei had withdrawn from the team, leaving Xue Cheng—a local—as leader, with Jin Feng assisting. They organized the remaining lightly wounded spirit masters to enter the tomb.

They thoroughly searched the ancient site, ensuring no other evil spirits remained, then gathered the bodies of the dead.

With so many tasks, a day quickly passed.

Hearing that nothing serious had occurred, Chi Xingwan stopped worrying, knowing her body had not yet healed.

Though the soul was hers, the body belonged to its original owner, whose strength was far inferior to her spirit. Thus, she felt exhausted.

She drifted back to sleep.

The following morning, everything had indeed been resolved. Rumor had it the Spirit Master Association sent more people; though they missed the grand battle, they were of great help in the aftermath.

The three—Chi Xingwan, Chu Fangfei, and Jin Feng—once again rode in Xue Cheng’s car. This time, they weren’t heading for the airport, but for Yongye Street, entering directly from Qinghu Province.

Qinghu Province was vast, with several entrances to Yongye Street. Xue Cheng led them to the closest one, the entrance he himself frequented most.

It was a fishing estate, operating as usual.

Xue Cheng led them inside. Chu Fangfei looked around in wonder, sighing repeatedly, "This place is lovely."

"Yes, it’s beautiful," Xue Cheng replied with a wry smile. "I come so often, my coworkers think I’m a fishing fanatic."

Jin Feng laughed heartily, clapping Xue Cheng on the shoulder. "That’s nothing. I know a place whose entrance used to be a hair salon tucked in an alley. Everyone coming and going—men and women alike—would get odd looks. Eventually, after repeated requests from the spirit masters, they turned it into a convenience store."

Xue Cheng was delighted. Compared to entering a hair salon, being mistaken for a fishing enthusiast was nothing.

Soon, he brought the three to the entrance—a VIP lounge at the fishing estate. With a push of spiritual power, the door opened directly into Yongye Street.

Because innocent people had died, the task submission time was unusually long. Every spirit master who participated had to report individually.

After her report, Chi Xingwan went straight to see Xu Hengyang.

Xu Hengyang was all smiles, "Consultant Chi, it’s fortunate you were present this time, or the trouble would have been immense."

Chi Xingwan asked, "President, there were innocent deaths at the hands of the vengeful ghost. Will the others be held accountable?"

She referred to the other spirit masters present. Besides Chi Xingwan and her companions, Xue Cheng and Xiao Hu had entered the tomb tunnel, but the others were on-site, unaware anyone had slipped inside.

Xu Hengyang replied, "Responsibility must be borne, but I know they acted without intent. In truth, the association bears greater blame."

The association had underestimated the ferocity of the tomb’s vengeful ghost and dispatched too few spirit masters, leading to the mishap.

Chi Xingwan knew the association was helpless; after all, the number of spirit masters was limited, and many, like the disciples of Qianquan Temple, were not skilled in combat.

The land of Huaguo was vast and ancient, with metaphysical events occurring constantly. Even though Huaguo had more spirit masters than anywhere else in the world, it still struggled to keep up.

"How will this be resolved?" Chi Xingwan asked.

Xu Hengyang answered, "The involved spirit masters will have their task points halved and must compensate the victims’ families. However, since most spirit masters are rather poor, the association will provide the compensation."

Chi Xingwan nodded. This was a lenient outcome; ultimately, the greatest responsibility lay with the two deceased themselves.

Having discussed the matter, Xu Hengyang said, "Consultant Chi, I’ve arranged quarters for you in the tower. Rest here for a few days."

Chi Xingwan’s body had not yet recovered. Flying back to Yanjing would be arduous, but staying in Yongye Street, where the spiritual energy was rich, would hasten her recovery.

She did not refuse Xu Hengyang’s kindness.

Chu Fangfei and Jin Feng also decided to wait for Chi Xingwan and return to Yanjing together, though they would stay at the fishing estate outside rather than in Yongye Street.

On the second day after settling in, Chi Xingwan received a message from Xu Mingyue, seeking her help.