Chapter 69: Ominous Winds Herald the Storm (7)

As Wu Zui endured the torment of karmic fire scorching his body, opening a breach in the confining space, the Shadow Ghost, who had sensed the space being continuously pried open and a flood of humans escaping, was rushing toward the site with its ghostly minions at top speed. The population of Binhai City was the key to its ascension as a six-star spirit; for it, the sealing of Binhai was a matter of utmost importance with no room for error.

Meanwhile, some humans already possessed by the shadow mist, and who were near the northern district of Binhai, were speeding toward Wu Zui in their cars. Their purpose was to prevent others from escaping, likely to cause chaos at the assembly point.

On the road leading to the breach in the confined space, the military had long since set up spike barriers to prevent vehicles from causing trouble. Soon, the sound of tires exploding echoed endlessly as a multitude of people possessed by the Shadow Ghost abandoned their vehicles and attacked nearby investigators—both mundane and spiritual.

However, the military was prepared. Specialized magnetic-energy pistols fired their bullets, and in an instant, thick black shadow mist surged from the bodies of the possessed, fleeing into the distance. Those bodies, devoid of life, stood stiff and pale, their fates unmistakable.

Because of the confining space, Binhai City had lingered under perpetual clouds, rendering the city gloomy and casting a pall of dread over its people. The fear of ghosts had become infectious, drawing even lesser spirits to roam more frequently.

Soldiers stationed near the assembly point were busy clearing out opportunistic spirits while remaining vigilant for any imminent attack.

Atop a low hill not far from the breach, the pitch-black Shadow Ghost gazed at the familiar red flames in the distance. Its face was obscured by shadow, but the turbulent energy of resentment swirling around it betrayed its foul mood.

A great number of ghostly minions slipped away behind the Shadow Ghost, while it lingered, observing the situation around Wu Zui. The distance between them was barely more than a thousand meters—a trivial span for a five-star Shadow Ghost, who could swoop down in an instant.

It intended for its minions to create the perfect opportunity for a fatal blow. Since being burned by karmic fire, it had never again regarded Wu Zui as a mere three-star awakener. All the more so with several four-star spirit investigators clustered around Wu Zui. In the Shadow Ghost’s estimation, if it missed its chance and Wu Zui escaped the confining space, he would become a chronic threat to all spirits—and as one who had attacked him, the Shadow Ghost would surely top the list of those marked for death.

Noon approached.

Though the sunlight was blocked by the confined space, the time for Wu Zui’s rendezvous with the military commander drew near. Just then, the rumble of engines erupted from the woods near the breach.

A dozen off-road vehicles had somehow arrived at either side of the breach. After crossing the forest, they charged fearlessly—one group from the left, one from the right—straight toward Wu Zui standing in the center.

At that instant, several military trucks swung around and rammed into the oncoming vehicles. Seven or eight off-roaders were smashed against the wall of resentment, turning into flattened metal discs. The civilians and drivers in the trucks were left dazed and battered.

The once orderly flow of traffic ground to a halt as waves of military spirit investigators rushed over. With the dwindling supply of hollow-point rounds, Wu Zui was the last hope for evacuation; no one wanted anything to happen to him.

Although the military trucks responded swiftly, one off-road vehicle managed to evade the blockade and barreled directly toward Wu Zui.

Already aflame like a human torch, Wu Zui released his tight grip on the Heart-Seeking Sword and leapt back, narrowly dodging the charging vehicle. But as he let go, the karmic fire on his body blazed even more fiercely.

A mass of black mist swooped down from above while Wu Zui was still unsteady, plunging straight into his shadow. Suddenly, the karmic fire erupted as if doused in gasoline—what had been a modest blaze around Wu Zui’s body surged to over three meters high.

Wu Zui hurried to retrieve the Heart-Seeking Sword, gripping it tightly.

A torrent of shadow mist rose from Wu Zui’s own shadow, surging into his body. The Shadow Ghost, now parasitic within Wu Zui’s shadow and exploiting its immunity from Wu Zui’s attacks, launched a possession assault.

The raging karmic fire burned toward the shadow mist, flames growing ever more intense, the shadow swelling larger. The Shadow Ghost’s power surged; supported by a flood of resentful energy, it reached a stalemate with the karmic fire.

Wu Zui’s body became a battlefield for karmic fire and resentful energy.

“Pin down the shadow with the Heart-Seeking Sword—fight your way in!” The sword spirit’s voice, brimming with murderous intent, echoed in Wu Zui’s ears.

Feeling the corrosive invasion of resentment upon his mind, Wu Zui knew the sword spirit’s method was the best. He drove the Heart-Seeking Sword deep into the earth; his shadow writhed violently, trying to escape, but the sword held it fast.

Stepping toward his own shadow, Wu Zui suddenly felt the ground vanish beneath his feet. Grasping the Heart-Seeking Sword, he plunged into the darkness of his own shadow.

The other spirit investigators arriving on the scene could only watch as Wu Zui vanished into his own shadow, leaving it imprinted on the ground. At the spot where the sword had pierced, a single red flame stubbornly continued to burn.

Some spirit investigators tried to follow him, but no matter how much they jumped on the shadow, they could not enter.

Within the Shadow World—

The Heart-Seeking Sword had returned to Wu Zui’s heart. The Shadow Ghost, which had tried to possess him, had provoked a violent reaction from the karmic fire, forcing the sword back into Wu Zui’s body to suppress the rampaging flames anew.

The thick resentment had nearly set Wu Zui alight; even now, he could smell the seared aroma of his own proteins.

In the Shadow World, there was no light, no sound—just a deathly, black silence. Wu Zui conjured a spark of karmic fire with magnetic energy, its red glow illuminating the surroundings.

Underfoot was a slick, tar-like substance; stepping on it felt slippery and sticky, as if walking on oil, producing a sickening squelch with every step.

Even with the firelight, darkness pressed in just three meters away.

A rustling sound surrounded him, reminiscent of wind in dead leaves. Wu Zui drew his golden longsword, keeping a wary watch on all sides. In the shifting shadows, it seemed as though human shapes flickered and vanished.

Suddenly, from directly ahead came the sound of footsteps squelching in the mire. There, facing Wu Zui, stood a figure identical to himself—same face, same golden longsword, the same magnetic energy pulsing around it.

Their movements, expressions, and clothing matched in every detail. Were it not for the magnetic energy radiating from his doppelganger, Wu Zui would have thought he was staring into a mirror.

At that moment, a blaze of karmic fire burst from the imposter’s blade. It spoke, “You truly are different from the other Awakened. Copying this flame is excruciatingly slow!”

The voice was unmistakably that of the Shadow Ghost.

Astonished within, Wu Zui betrayed no emotion on his face. Red karmic fire flared along his own golden blade.

“Unwilling to admit you’ve been completely replaced by me? Then let’s find out!” With a sudden lunge, the counterfeit Wu Zui charged, his golden sword wreathed in crimson flame.

Wu Zui met him head-on, their blades clashing as karmic fire exploded into a shock wave, hurling them both onto the slick, black ground.

Their swords went flying, vanishing into the darkness.

Bereft of their golden weapons, both turned to their fists.

"Elbow strike!"

"Elbow strike!"

With twin shouts, karmic fire-imbued fists crashed into each other’s chests. The imposter’s blow stirred the unrested karmic fire within Wu Zui, forcing a mouthful of blood from him.

Wu Zui’s own strike set the imposter’s resentment-forged body ablaze, but under the pressure of overwhelming resentment, the flames quickly died. Black liquid seeped from the imposter’s mouth.

“You can’t outlast me! Just accept becoming a part of me!” With a bellow, the imposter absorbed the black substance from the ground, rapidly healing its wounds.

This was the Shadow Ghost’s power: unless faced with a spirit or magnetic-energy awakener of a higher rank, it could copy their abilities and rely on the monstrous regenerative powers of the shadow space to wear down its foes to death. This was also why, as a five-star ghost, it dared to bargain with six-star anomalies; even the Whale Monster, dragged into this shadow world, might not prevail.

Seeing this, Wu Zui’s eyes narrowed. This was going to be tricky...

He produced a vial, unscrewed the cap, and poured the red liquid onto the ground. Instantly, the area blazed red with firelight.

It was his own blood, reserved for Xiao Ke’ai’s protection—a gift he had ultimately reclaimed before she left Binhai City, after much hesitation. With Ming Rou by her side and the many defenses of Soaring Dragon One, he trusted she would safely reach General Xiao’s people. Wu Zui, remaining in Binhai, needed the blood even more.

As the imposter dodged the flames, Wu Zui steeled himself, sinking his teeth into both wrists with ferocious resolve.

Blood gushed forth as Wu Zui charged the imposter again; their fists crashed once more into each other’s chests.

Unlike the imposter, desperate to avoid the fire, Wu Zui seized the moment as the imposter’s punch landed, grabbed its arm, slipped behind it, and locked his arms around its neck and his legs around its waist—clinging to its back like a vice.

His blood trickled down, igniting wherever it touched the imposter’s body.