Chapter 6: The Shadow Spirit

“This is the place my grandfather chose for you; it’s truly remarkable. I suppose only a master geomancer like him could select such a treasure spot.”

I nodded, deeply admiring the site my grandfather had chosen.

“Qiyue, if this place is so powerful, then why is my family...”

Liu Sihai looked at me with confusion, struggling to understand how he had suddenly fallen into such disgrace overnight.

“The reason is simple. Your family broke off the engagement with me. The fortune my grandfather left here no longer protects you. All the vengeful spirits and demons who once held grudges against your family have now come to seek revenge.”

“That’s the answer you’ve been wanting all along.”

Hearing my words, Liu Sihai’s face flushed deep red.

He never imagined that the foolish decision he made yesterday would bring such ruin upon him.

“Qiyue, do we have any way to break this curse now? I don’t want to lose everything.”

Liu Sihai’s face was flushed as he spoke to me, clearly unwilling to give up his wealth and status.

“I’m here only to save your lives. Whether the Liu family has any fate left is none of my concern.”

I rolled my eyes at him, signaling that preserving their lives was the priority.

Without my grandfather’s protective fortune, their entire family was in grave danger.

He and his daughter each carried talisman paper packets I had given them, which could temporarily ward off the invading evil spirits.

But his wife was in a far worse state.

If the demon possessing her was not driven out soon, she wouldn’t survive much longer.

I wasn’t exaggerating; the situation was truly perilous.

“Qiyue, I’ve locked my wife in the attic. Please go see her quickly.”

Liu Sihai, surprisingly, showed some conscience by letting me go save his wife first after hearing my warnings.

He seemed to have a shred of decency left.

“Lead the way.”

I motioned for Liu Sihai to guide me, while clutching a copper bell in my hand.

This bell was a spiritual tool my grandfather had passed down, capable of calming souls and repelling evil.

Today was my first time using it in battle, and I was somewhat nervous.

Soon, under Liu Sihai’s guidance, I arrived at the attic where his wife was held.

Before opening the door, a wave of sinister energy slammed into my forehead.

My prediction was correct: the demon possessing Mrs. Liu was powerful. Its malevolent energy made me feel dizzy and disoriented.

“Give me the key, both of you go downstairs. This demon is strong; if a fight breaks out, I won’t be able to protect you.”

I took the key from Liu Sihai’s hand. Though I was irritated by their actions yesterday, I had to eliminate this demon to overcome the first great trial of my return.

“Qiyue, be careful. Qingqing and I will wait for you in the hall.”

Liu Sihai spoke respectfully, clearly holding me in high regard now.

The reason was simple: I was saving their lives.

I nodded without replying.

Still, to be cautious, I concealed a talisman for suppressing demons in my palm.

If the copper bell failed, I could launch a counterattack immediately.

With all preparations complete, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Though it was the attic atop Liu Sihai’s villa, the room was quite spacious.

For some reason, the curtains had been drawn completely, blocking out every ray of sunlight.

Inside, it felt as if I had entered a vast darkness.

“Who are you? Why have you come here?”

No sooner had I closed the door than a woman’s voice sounded nearby.

Though it was summer, her voice was chilling and hollow.

“Who I am is not important. What matters is why you have possessed this innocent woman.”

As I spoke, I opened my Third Eye on my forehead.

A beam of light shot out, revealing the dark spirit hiding within the attic.

It was currently inhabiting Mrs. Liu’s body, and when illuminated by the divine light from my Third Eye, it emitted a series of agonized howls.

“The Liu family caused the death of my entire family in their greed for money. Now that their protective fortune is gone, we’ve come to seek revenge. Is that unreasonable?”

The spirit spoke seriously from within Mrs. Liu’s body.

From its words, it seemed that the Liu family had wronged its own family grievously.

“Leave this woman’s body at once. She’s too frail to endure your torment.”

I grabbed a chair nearby and faced the spirit possessed within Mrs. Liu.

“Aren’t you afraid of me? I am a dark spirit.”

I shook my head, indicating I was not afraid.

Hearing this, the spirit withdrew from Mrs. Liu’s body.

Freed from possession, Mrs. Liu collapsed to the floor.

“Speak. What is your demand? If it is reasonable, I will grant it.”

I said calmly to the spirit before me. Its tragic state seemed somewhat connected to our Chen family.

If not for my grandfather’s blessing protecting Liu Sihai, he would never have dared to destroy the forest.

“My demand is simple: Liu Sihai must set up a memorial tablet for my family in his home and offer incense and sacrifices on holidays and festivals. This will continue until his death. Is that too much to ask?”

The spirit circled me, its dense aura making me shiver.

“He caused the death of your family. Your demand is reasonable, and he must comply. I accept it on his behalf. Anything else?”

I waved my hand, inviting the spirit to speak if it had further requests.

“This Liu Sihai’s daughter is an extremely Yin constitution — one in a hundred years. It is said a woman like her can alter one’s fate. I want to possess her body and cultivate for ten years.”

The spirit grinned wickedly, finally revealing its deepest desire.

“That demand is unacceptable!”

I didn’t mince words, firmly rejecting the spirit’s request.

“If you refuse, Mrs. Liu will be the first person we kill.”

The spirit raged wildly in the room, believing it had me cornered.

What it did not realize was that the moment it left Mrs. Liu’s body, I had already placed a talisman on her.

Now, they could no longer possess her.

“You mayI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.