Chapter 25: Soldier’s Fist!

Mu Bai’s plan was sound and received unanimous approval.

After finalizing their battle strategy, the group waited for the Fierce Ghost to appear.

Time passed slowly.

As they waited, the fire nearly went out.

This time, Tang Shifu simply took the incense table in front of the clay statue and broke it down to use as firewood.

The bonfire crackled, providing a faint sense of security.

After an unknown amount of time, the clay statue quietly opened its eyes.

It scanned the interior of the Ancestral Temple, a look of anger appearing on its face.

Because they had been waiting for so long, their energy was somewhat depleted.

Not everyone was staring at the clay statue in the center; they also had to stay alert to avoid being ambushed.

Consequently, only Ye Yuan noticed the slight change in the atmosphere immediately.

Perhaps due to learning that mysterious martial art, Ye Yuan was exceptionally sensitive to spirit bodies.

Ye Yuan gave a light cough, alerting the others to the movement.

“How dare you destroy my temple… Hm? That scroll… are you here to return the Fist Manual? You’re quite the sensible girls, aren’t you? Hahaha!”

A greyish-white spirit body emerged from the clay statue.

Its hemp robes were stained with patches of blood, and it radiated an intense, uncomfortable chill.

That heroic-looking, square face twisted into a distorted smile.

“Since you’re here to return the Fist Manual, you must know what happened back then… I shall spare your lives. Hand over the manual and leave the mountain,” the Fierce Ghost said sinisterly.

Tang Shifu held the manual and exchanged a look with Mu Bai before glancing toward Ye Yuan.

Mo Cha had already disappeared.

Seeing Tang Shifu make no move, the hemp-clothed Fierce Ghost snorted again.

“Well? Do you have something to say? My patience is limited. You’d better think carefully; don’t meddle in business that isn’t yours.”

At this moment, Mu Bai held the Compound Crossbow, making sure not to show any intent to attack.

Ye Yuan held her gun, gripping it casually.

Tang Shifu held the scroll in one hand to draw attention while gripping the Pendant tightly in the other, keeping the item hidden.

None of them alerted the enemy.

The atmosphere was somewhat tense, which could be interpreted as a natural reaction to facing a Fierce Ghost.

At the very least, the hemp-clothed ghost did not believe these girls posed any threat to him.

“I did find a scroll, but I’m not sure if it’s the Fist Manual you’re talking about…”

Tang Shifu exhaled deeply, as if to soothe her nerves.

She slowly opened the scroll while stepping closer.

“Naturally. How could an outsider easily understand a Sect Heritage?” the Fierce Ghost said with a contemptuous smile.

As he spoke, his gaze naturally fell upon the contents of the scroll.

The scroll unfurled bit by bit…

*Boom!*

A loud explosion rang out as intense firelight erupted from the ghost’s back, filling the temple.

“Fufu!”

Mo Cha’s figure instantly appeared behind the ghost’s spirit body before she quickly pulled away.

At the same time, a white light surged.

Tang Shifu activated the Pendant.

Taking advantage of the moment the ghost’s eyes went blank, she pulled a hidden dagger from the scroll at top speed and stabbed it into the ghost’s chest.

The moment the blade pierced the spirit body, it ignited once more!

*Bang! Bang!*

Gunshots rang out.

Hidden by the firelight, the bullets struck the ghost’s head.

Spirit flames burst forth, burning with an orange-red hue.

Four Little Spirit Flame Talisman enchantments had been unleashed upon the ghost simultaneously in less than a quarter of a second!

The ghost’s spirit body was engulfed in intense flames, looking like a man made of fire.

A single enchantment could only wound it, but what about four?

Quantitative change led to qualitative change!

Even if the ghost wasn’t completely destroyed, after such a heavy blow, its strength for the rest of the night would likely be lower than that of a common Remnant Soul.

Tang Shifu grabbed the retreating Mo Cha and stepped back, instantly creating distance.

Ye Yuan also moved to shield Mu Bai, fearing the ghost might lash out in a final struggle.

A shrill, agonizing howl echoed through the temple and pierced the building.

It was even more ear-piercing than the gunshots.

Agitaged by the sound, the Remnant Souls in the courtyard began swarming outward…

“Why?! Damn you… damn you all!!”

Along with the roar, a bone-chilling cold suddenly descended.

The spirit flames surrounding him flickered.

They weren’t extinguished, but the fire weakened significantly.

The expressions of the four girls hardened.

If the situation had been an overwhelming victory just a moment ago, it now felt like they were at risk of things spiraling out of control.

An invisible current of air twisted strangely throughout the temple.

As the hemp-clothed ghost made a grasping motion, the air constricted like a giant hand trying to pull Tang Shifu toward him.

“Give me the Pendant!”

Mo Cha grabbed the Pendant, and the white light appeared once more.

Tang Shifu had used the Pendant to restrict the ghost while it was in near-perfect condition, which had instantly drained her Mental Power.

Her current state didn’t allow her to use it again.

Mo Cha’s Talent had also drained her Mental Power when facing the ghost, but because she had only used it for a short time, she hadn’t consumed too much and could barely manage to use the Pendant.

But this was their last chance.

Tang Shifu steadied herself, refusing Mo Cha’s support.

She forced herself to look confident, gripping her dagger in a reverse hold.

They had to endure this!

Perhaps she would be helpless if the ghost attacked again, but she was the one who had suggested this risk.

In this moment of crisis, she could not back down.

Driven by the pain of the burning flames, the ghost’s dwindling sanity snapped.

He suddenly lunged toward an unexpected target…

Mu Bai!

Seeing the ghost charging at her, Mu Bai immediately realized the reason.

The four enchantments had all been fired by Ye Yuan, Tang Shifu, and Mo Cha. she was the only one who had not harmed the ghost.

Now, she was being viewed as the softest target.

In this life-or-death moment, the enemy chose the easiest one to take down with him!

“Watch out!”

Mo Cha noticed the ghost’s movement and immediately threw the Pendant toward the two of them, but it was already too late.

Mu Bai had no other choice.

She pulled the trigger of her Compound Crossbow, hoping to intimidate the ghost and buy time…

The unenchanted bolt flew out.

This time, it passed straight through the spirit body without causing any damage.

Without even dodging, the ghost reached out with a flaming arm, aiming to bypass Ye Yuan and seize Mu Bai…

Mu Bai’s purple eyes reflected the firelight, filled with deep terror.

With nowhere left to retreat, Mu Bai’s legs gave out, and she crouched down.

*Clang!*

The sharp sound of metal striking metal echoed, enough to set one’s teeth on edge.

Mu Bai looked up in confusion.

The girl with black hair and blue eyes was staring coldly at the ghost’s spirit body.

Her right hand was no longer holding her gun; instead, she had blocked the strike with her bare hand in a chopping motion.

She had completely stopped the ghost’s advance!

“The Weapon Strike Fist… how do you know the Weapon Strike Fist?! How ridiculous! I spent my life doing righteous deeds with this technique, only to be repaid with such treachery! And now someone is using my own fist technique against me!” the Fierce Ghost shrieked.

“Weapon Strike Fist… The impact sounds just like clashing metal. What a fitting name,” Tang Shifu murmured, her eyes wide.

‘Wait, how does Ye Yuan know the Weapon Strike Fist?’

Ye Yuan didn’t answer.

She threw a punch in return, knocking the heavily wounded ghost back several paces!

*Clang!!*

The ear-piercing sound of the hit made their eardrums ache, but the fear in Mu Bai’s eyes had vanished.

As she looked at the back of the girl standing in front of her, only joy remained in her pupils.

No wonder.

No wonder Ye Yuan had told her to accept the trade!

A boundless sense of security swelled in Mu Bai’s heart.

‘It is truly wonderful to have Ye Yuan as a teammate.’