C15 Prison

"He molested me..." Bai Xiaoxiao exclaimed, her face flushed with frustration.

Yet, I wasn't the least bit surprised. This imposter, who had tainted her three souls and seven spirits, wouldn't be a ghost if she didn't stir up trouble.

The old ghost appeared quite astonished and let out an "Oh..."

"Molestation? Now that's intriguing! Humans and ghosts walk different paths, humans embody yang while ghosts embody yin. When they interact, one will inevitably weaken while the other grows stronger. Men will become increasingly emaciated, eventually dying from having their essence drained...

This young man seems knowledgeable; how could he be unaware of this and still take the initiative to molest you?"

As the old ghost pointed out, even those with Ghost Tao expertise couldn't afford to indulge in debauchery with female ghosts. The so-called 'interacting with ghosts' techniques mentioned in ancient texts merely postpone the inevitable draining of a man's essence. Hence, the primary prohibition for those practicing Ghost Tao is to keep their belts firmly fastened.

The old ghost's gaze upon us grew more skeptical, evidently finding me, a man bold enough to consort with ghosts, quite puzzling.

Bai Xiaoxiao became anxious, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her garment. It was clear she realized that any sane person with knowledge of these matters wouldn't dare lay a hand on a ghost.

With a sigh, I stepped forward, knowing it was time to show the resolve of a man. "Old ghost, don't trouble Xiaoxiao. Our love for each other is genuine!"

Silence fell, a silence as profound as death itself! Bai Xiaoxiao was dumbfounded, and so was the old ghost. I felt like I was on top of the world!

However, the old ghost quickly regained his composure and sneered, "You're quite the sly one, aren't you? Your aura is a hodgepodge... You must be Old Man Zhou's half-dead apprentice.

Tsk, tsk, Old Man Zhou has been in this village for nearly twenty years, toiling for you for over a decade. You're incredibly fortunate! Because of you, so many of my descendants have been scattered to the winds. You bear the greatest sins of all!"

The old ghost's shadow dissipated, leaving the impression he had departed. The room remained chillingly cold, and it was just Bai Xiaoxiao and me.

"Wang Xu, I'm sorry... I was too naive and impulsive. I failed to fool the old ghost, and he got away. If you're going to blame anyone, blame me..."

Bai Xiaoxiao hung her head and drifted over to me, her lips pursed in an apology. Her face was so endearing that I felt a surge of compassion. If ghosts could cry, I'm sure her tears would have flooded the room.

I gently cradled her delicate face in my hands. Despite being a ghost, her skin was soft, cool, and supple. She was incredibly adorable.

"It's not your fault. The blame lies with Zhou, and partly with me for not being more cautious. The pine forest is so close to the village, and since the old ghost hasn't harmed anyone in over twenty years, he must have encountered Zhou. I should have been more vigilant.

Don't worry, I'll get you out of here, and I'll help your father too. Trust me."

Bai Xiaoxiao gazed at me with such a forlorn expression that she seemed to hang on my every word.

Yet, deep down, I knew escaping this place was not guaranteed. The iron gate before us belonged to the underworld, a mystery to those of us living in the world of the living.

"Regardless, let's try to get out through this gate. I'm well-versed in the Ghost Tao; slipping past doors and picking locks is child's play for me!" I reassured Bai Xiaoxiao.

Approaching the iron gate, it appeared no different from before, still exuding an eerie presence reminiscent of the chains used by spectral enforcers to capture souls, sending a shiver through my being.

With determination, I pushed against the iron gate and to my surprise, it creaked open, revealing a sliver of freedom.

Bai Xiaoxiao's spirits lifted, and together we moved towards the gap. As she peeked out, her eyes widened at the sight of over two hundred ghosts arrayed in orderly rows outside the room.

I was elated and eagerly pulled Bai Xiaoxiao towards the exit. As soon as we poked our heads out, we were greeted by the sight of over two hundred ghosts, neatly arrayed before us. The caliber of these ghosts was clearly far superior to any we had encountered before. Approximately seventy percent of them were clad in the armor of ancient soldiers, each with a skull for a head, radiating an aura of malevolence. These were unmistakably ghost soldiers.

Ghost soldiers are the spirits of warriors who perished on the battlefield, their obsessions and malevolent energies too intense to allow them passage into the cycle of reincarnation. Their sheer numbers and the weight of their malevolence make them a force to be reckoned with, often numbering in the hundreds or thousands, causing even the most seasoned practitioners to steer clear. Even a single ghost soldier possesses combat abilities far surpassing those of ordinary ghosts, which is why there are legends of them serving as the guardians of the Underworld.

The remaining thirty percent were not ghost soldiers, but they were even more troublesome. Dressed uniformly in red, with disheveled hair and blood seeping from every orifice, their resentment was sky-high. These were the dreaded red ghosts, far more vicious than your average malevolent spirit. The red ghosts were the elite of the elite, and if you were to be touched by their resentment, they would haunt you relentlessly for years, ensuring your utter ruin.

A chilling wind swept through, making both Bai Xiaoxiao and myself shudder uncontrollably. If these entities were to attack en masse, no amount of skill could withstand their assault. It was no wonder the iron gate had been left unlocked; it was as if we were being invited to march to our own doom.

"Awoo!"

"Die, die!"

"Kill!"

The ghost soldiers and red ghosts charged at us, their speed astonishing. The red ghosts' claws were inches away from us! Bai Xiaoxiao, terrified, clung to me, too frightened to even glance at these apparitions.

I acted swiftly, scattering the talismans I carried with me on the ground. These talismans, imbued with righteous energy, were designed to subdue spirits. As they hit the ground, the advance of the red ghosts and ghost soldiers faltered, as if they were second-guessing their pursuit.

Seizing the moment of their hesitation, I whisked Bai Xiaoxiao back through the iron gate and slammed it shut.

"Ahhh! Wang Xu, what do we do now? There are so many ghosts outside. I... I'm terrified. They're going to tear us apart..." Bai Xiaoxiao whimpered in fear, completely beside herself.

I let out a wry smile as I methodically arranged the talismans, setting traps behind the iron gate. "Don't worry. For the moment, we're still safe. And I doubt that old ghost is going to let those phantoms tear us apart so easily..."

Bai Xiaoxiao, looking utterly bewildered, let out a confused noise. Clearly, she didn't grasp the situation, so I took a moment to clarify for her. "Based on what you've told me, this room was where the old ghost conducted his dealings. He wouldn't want those interrupted, which means this door likely only opens from the inside. If the old ghost could open the iron door from the outside, he would have simply done so and let the ghosts and wraiths in. Why bother locking us in for so long? It seems to me he's toying with us, like a cat with a mouse. This room... it's his version of a prison."

Understanding dawned on Bai Xiaoxiao, and she patted her chest in relief. "Oh, I see! Well, that's a relief. At least we're safe for now..."

I couldn't help but smile bitterly again, shaking my head. "No, if we can't find a way out soon, we're really in trouble, especially you..."