Chains lashed out, sweeping toward the Jian, attempting to bind it.
But the instant the city gate of Yanluo manifested, the Jian's vacant expression shifted.
For the first time—
Vigilance appeared on its face.
Terrifying psychic power erupted from its body.
Bai Jue immediately felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon him, as if an invisible mountain were bearing down, threatening to crush him entirely.
The chains shot out from Yanluo were frozen in midair, forcibly suppressed by that immense psychic force, unable to move an inch.
"Underworld Wardens!"
Bai Jue shouted.
From within the city gate, two Underworld Wardens stepped out.
When they saw the Jian, surprise flickered across their cold expressions.
"A Jian?"
"To think such an evil existence would appear again."
"If it is not brought under control, it will inevitably bring disaster."
One of the wardens roared grimly.
He swung his soul-binding chain forward.
The other warden unsheathed the sword at his waist—
Yin winds howled as he slashed down.
"HHSSS—!"
The Jian let out a hoarse roar as its psychic power surged once more.
The soul-binding chain was forcibly halted in midair.
But in the next instant—
The second warden had already stepped directly in front of the Jian.
His sword flashed.
Slash.
There was no scream.
Yet the very air in the alley trembled violently.
A deep, ghastly wound split open across the Jian's chest.
It staggered backward several steps, instinctively turning as if to flee.
"Trying to run?"
"Stay right there—and become my soldier."
Bai Jue spoke coldly.
He swung his arm.
Netherflame erupted.
As Qili was consumed, the black flames twisted and surged, forming a roaring dragon of Yin fire that charged forward with a deafening howl.
To any evil spirit, Netherflame was absolute terror.
Fear surged across the Jian's face as it released all its psychic power to block the incoming flames.
And at that exact moment—
Bai Jue seized the opening.
With a thought—
Chains burst forth once more from the gate.
They tore through the air, instantly binding the Jian's limbs and neck, tightening mercilessly as they dragged it toward Yanluo.
"HHSS—!"
The Jian struggled violently, releasing hoarse, distorted screams.
But once ensnared by Yanluo's chains—
Escape was impossible.
Even more so when one of the Underworld Wardens strode forward, eyes icy cold.
"Still resisting? You seek death."
Slash.
Another sword strike carved a fresh wound.
The Jian screamed in pain, its resistance faltering.
The chains tightened further—
And in an instant, the Jian was dragged completely into Yanluo.
Bai Jue turned his gaze to the Ghost Bride.
"Suppress it. I don't want everything in Yanluo getting eaten by that thing."
Seated atop the city gate, the Ghost Bride nodded lightly.
She raised her hand.
The moment the Jian entered the gate, dense Yin energy wrapped around it, crushing it down and sealing it completely.
No movement.
No resistance.
Given the Jian's nature, within no more than twenty-four hours, it would be fully subdued—
Becoming Bai Jue's loyal subordinate.
After all—
A Jian was still an evil spirit.
And once cultivated properly, it would be an extremely terrifying combat asset.
The only issue was—
Jian grew stronger by devouring ghosts.
To raise a powerful Jian would require a large number of vengeful spirits.
"Return."
Bai Jue waved to the two wardens.
They bowed respectfully and stepped back into the gate.
With another motion of his hand, the city gate dissolved into black mist and flowed back into Bai Jue's body.
[Notice: You engaged in battle with a Jian. Qili has increased slightly.]
[Notice: You engaged in battle with a Jian. Combat experience has improved. Comprehension +1.]
[Notice: You engaged in battle with a Jian. This has drawn Qingming's faint attention.]
[Notice: You engaged in battle with a Jian. Zhongyuan Recognition +5.]
[Reward: You have obtained a Faith Essence.]
System notifications echoed one after another.
As Zhongyuan's recognition increased, vivid images surfaced in Bai Jue's mind—
The fifteenth night of the seventh month.
The Ghost Gate opening wide.
Ten thousand ghosts surging forth as Yin winds howled.
Midnight streets filled with shadowy figures.
Outside temples, Yankou rituals were performed, allowing hungry ghosts from hell to receive deliverance.
When the visions faded, Bai Jue looked down at his palm.
A small bottle of iridescent liquid had appeared.
[Faith Essence: A condensed liquid formed from the power of ancient faith. Consuming it will greatly increase cultivation speed.]
"…Interesting."
Bai Jue raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't expect item rewards too."
And this one was an excellent reward.
He put the Faith Essence away and stepped out of the alley.
"Not sure how that Jian ended up here…"
"But I might as well check the other two locations and see if the ghosts are still around."
Originally, he needed ghosts to grow stronger.
Now that he had a Jian—
He needed them even more.
But not long after Bai Jue left—
Footsteps echoed softly in the alley.
A figure clad in a black robe entered.
Beneath the hood, his expression was terrifyingly dark.
"Damn it… how did it just disappear?"
"Where did it go?!"
He scanned the surroundings, then sniffed the air.
All he could smell was a faint scent of burning.
Nothing else.
After a moment of hesitation, he pulled out his phone and made a call.
"The Jian is gone."
"…Cause?"
"Unknown. Still investigating. It vanished suddenly—no warning signs."
"Find out."
"Or you die there."
"…Yes."
The call ended.
The black-robed man put his phone away and turned to leave.
At the alley entrance, several figures approached.
When they saw him, cruel smiles spread across their faces.
The leader drew a dagger and sneered.
"Didn't expect a fat sheep this late at night."
"Hand over your valuables, nice and slow…"
"Or I'll show you what red going in and white coming out feels like."
The black-robed man paused.
He said nothing.
He simply continued walking.
In the next instant—
The men's faces turned deathly pale.
Their pupils lost all focus.
When the black-robed figure stepped out of the alley—
Their bodies collapsed.
Clothes shriveled.
Flesh melted.
And in seconds, their bodies dissolved into pools of blood.
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