Chapter Thirty-Three: The Moment of a Life-and-Death Battle
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Current Host: Fang Liang
Host Type: Ghost
Host Level: Half-Bodied Red-Clothed
Current Level: Fierce Ghost
Forbidden Domain Type: Death Domain
Forbidden Domain Sequence: Extremely High Risk
Forbidden Domain Name: Rune Mirage
Attack Effect: Within a fifteen-meter range, the host can draw enemy targets into the host’s illusion, creating delightful or terrifying hallucinations based on their memories. The host can control the nature of these hallucinations to achieve desired outcomes. The mirage lasts up to five minutes, with a minimum interval of thirty minutes before it can be used again.
Defense Effect: Within a ten-meter range, allied targets can be shielded by a protective barrier, which blocks all attacks except those from divine domains. The barrier lasts up to two minutes, with a minimum cooldown of ten minutes.
With knowledge of the three ghosts’ forbidden domains, Shang Yi immediately devised a battle plan.
Fearing for Tang Bohu’s safety, he shouted urgently, “Tang Bohu, come back!”
Tang Bohu, locked in fierce combat with Zhang Kun, heard Shang Yi’s call. Although reluctant, he obediently leaped to the ground and ran toward Shang Yi.
Shang Yi quickly signaled to Xiong Xia, instructing her to attack Zhang Kun with full force.
Xiong Xia reacted swiftly, taking a few steps forward and spewing black flames at Zhang Kun’s chest.
Sensing danger, Zhang Kun used a “Demonic Spirit Flash” to teleport to Fang Liang’s side, shouting, “Boss Fang, save me!”
Seeing Shang Yi commanding the fierce ghosts to unleash their forbidden domains, Fang Liang, in a panic, immediately activated the defensive effect of his own forbidden domain, enveloping himself and Zhang Kun in a protective shield.
Shang Yi noticed that Xiong Xia’s subsequent ghostly fire attacks struck an invisible wall, realizing Fang Liang had triggered his defense. He quickly waved for Xiong Xia to stop.
He then took out his phone to time the duration and signaled to the three ghosts to hold their attacks and await further orders.
While waiting, Shang Yi didn’t remain idle. He first returned Tang Bohu to the pet slot, then retrieved a multipurpose entrenching tool and the Demon-Slaying Blade from his portable space.
Zhang Kun wielded a dagger, and against such a bladed foe, the long-handled entrenching tool allowed Shang Yi to control the distance and protect himself.
As for Fang Liang, only the Demon-Slaying Blade could potentially pose a threat to this fierce ghost.
Both Zhang Kun and Fang Liang were shocked to see Shang Yi make the ferocious animal vanish into thin air and then instantly draw two vastly different weapons.
Two minutes passed in a flash. Shang Yi signaled the three ghosts to unleash all their forbidden domains against Fang Liang.
Having suffered a psychic backlash, Fang Liang’s level had dropped from Half-Bodied Red-Clothed to Fierce Ghost. Now, he no longer held an advantage over the three ghosts.
With the shield gone and Tang Gong’s “Weakening Eye” locked onto him, Fang Liang’s power was further diminished.
Xue Ling and Xiong Xia, knowing Fang Liang was the most formidable opponent, realized the time had come for a decisive battle. They held nothing back, pushing their forbidden domains to the limit.
Xue Ling activated “Crimson Lotus Tongue Dance,” her long tongue of fire coiling tightly around Fang Liang’s neck.
Under Shang Yi’s command, Xiong Xia aimed a torrent of infernal ghostfire directly at Fang Liang’s face.
Fang Liang, an intelligent old ghost, was not particularly powerful in direct combat without his illusion and shield.
Under the combined onslaught of the three ghosts, he was quickly overwhelmed.
Seeing Fang Liang in dire straits, Zhang Kun realized all was lost. While the three ghosts were preoccupied attacking Fang Liang, he seized the moment, gripping his dagger and charging fiercely at Shang Yi.
Shang Yi had anticipated this and raised the entrenching tool defensively before his chest.
Just as the blade was about to strike Zhang Kun, he suddenly vanished.
Recognizing that Zhang Kun had used “Demonic Spirit Flash,” Shang Yi immediately rolled forward, wary that his opponent might reappear behind him for a backstab.
When he got up and turned around, he saw Zhang Kun fleeing toward the main gate of the courtyard without looking back.
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He dared not pursue Zhang Kun alone. Seeing Fang Liang still struggling desperately, with Xue Ling and Xiong Xia already at their limits and Tang Gong joining in yet still failing to bring Fang Liang down, Shang Yi quickly released Tang Bohu to bite Fang Liang’s calf. Gripping the Demon-Slaying Blade with both hands, he stabbed at Fang Liang’s heart.
After all, Fang Liang was not a living being. Though visible in corporeal form, he was essentially bodiless. The blade did not feel like stabbing flesh, but rather plunging into a heap of cotton.
However, with this strike, Fang Liang’s form became noticeably more ethereal.
It was Shang Yi’s first time using the Demon-Slaying Blade against a fierce ghost, and seeing its effect, he attacked with renewed vigor, stabbing Fang Liang repeatedly.
Dozens of strikes later, Fang Liang’s body was nearly transparent, on the verge of vanishing.
“At last, I am freed. Young man, thank you for all you’ve done for my family—and for helping me find a new place to belong.”
With these words, Fang Liang’s figure vanished completely, leaving not a trace.
Shang Yi turned to the three ghosts. “Where has Fang Liang gone?”
Xue Ling and Xiong Xia were too exhausted to speak, but Tang Gong, still with some strength, replied, “I’m not entirely sure. You might want to check the forbidden domain detector to see if there’s any sign of him.”
“Right! I can use that device.” Shang Yi gave Tang Gong a thumbs up and hurriedly took out the detector.
Current Host: Fang Liang
Host Type: Blade Spirit (Demon-Slaying Blade)
Host Level: Half-Bodied Red-Clothed
Current Level: Half-Bodied Remnant
Forbidden Domain Type: Death Domain
Forbidden Domain Sequence: Extremely High Risk
Forbidden Domain Name: Rune Mirage
Attack Effect: Level insufficient—cannot be used.
Defense Effect: Level insufficient—cannot be used.
Reading the display, Shang Yi exclaimed in surprise, “Blade Spirit of the Demon-Slaying Blade? Fang Liang’s remnant soul has entered this blade?”
He raised the Demon-Slaying Blade, noticing it now gleamed brighter than before, its cold light flickering.
“Judging by Fang Liang’s last words, it seems he’s broken free from control—and even thanked me.”
“So, is he now like Tang Ya, resting inside the Demon-Slaying Blade?”
Using his left eye to examine the blade, he found nothing unusual and let it go.
With Fang Liang dealt with, there were no more enemies in the Rune Apartments. Shang Yi and the three ghosts breathed sighs of relief.
Though it was a pity Zhang Kun had escaped, this outcome was the best he could have hoped for tonight.
“I’ve come this far and the mission still isn’t complete. What am I missing?”
“Does it have to last until dawn? Apart from my lost ID card, is there anything else I haven’t done?”
Deep in thought, Shang Yi went up to the fourth floor, used his key to open the Hanged Man’s room, and soon recovered his ID card.
He also saw the form he had filled out earlier and immediately used the lighter from his multipurpose knife to burn it.
Just then, he remembered there was one living person on the fourth floor whom he’d completely neglected—Fang Liang’s wife, Xing Jie!
He quickly went to the next room and found the door unlocked. Pushing it open, he saw that although the furniture was old, the room was very tidy.
An elderly woman, her hair white and wearing reading glasses, sat by the bed.
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“Hello. You must be Mrs. Fang, Madam Xing?”
Xing Jie slowly raised her head. “So you’ve finally come to see me in person?”
Shang Yi found her words puzzling, as if she weren’t speaking to him.
“I have no face to see you. For two years, my mistake has kept you trapped in my illusion.”
“Today, this young man has set me free, and thus you are free as well. We’ll meet again in the next life.”
Hearing Fang Liang’s voice, Shang Yi turned to see his fading figure disappear into the air once more.
“Young man, I don’t know who you are, but I want to thank you,” Xing Jie said, rising to bow to Shang Yi.
He quickly returned the gesture. “Madam Xing, it’s what I should do. When the police arrive, if you remember anything, please tell them everything.”
“The murderers who harmed your family must be brought to justice.”
Xing Jie nodded slowly. “All right, thank you. I remember everything now, and I will tell them.”
As Shang Yi stepped out of Xing Jie’s room, a system message flashed before his eyes: “Main mission completed—Revelation. The haunted house has unlocked the Rune Apartments scenario!”
“HP +50, Stamina +10, Strength +10, Agility +10, Resilience +10.”
“Skill acquired: Right Eye—your right eye can see distant objects and those in darkness.”
“Special haunted house employee obtained: Fang Liang—the blade spirit fused with the Demon-Slaying Blade, granting the blade the power to slay ghosts.”
“For every ghost slain, Fang Liang gains a soul fragment. When the number reaches the current level’s maximum, he will ascend to the next level.”
“The higher Fang Liang’s level, the more powerful the Demon-Slaying Blade becomes.”
“Resistance selection unlocked. Please choose one resistance you currently need from the options below.”
Four options appeared before Shang Yi’s eyes:
[Option 1: Light Resistance +5, increasing your resistance to strong light]
[Option 2: Electric Resistance +5, increasing your resistance to electric shocks]
[Option 3: Poison Resistance +5, increasing your resistance to toxins]
[Option 4: Mind Resistance +5, increasing your resistance to hypnosis, brainwashing, and psychic control]
After reviewing the new attributes and recalling the psychic attacks from both the White Shadow and Fang Liang, Shang Yi, still wary of such threats, immediately chose option four.
“Mind Resistance +5—you have increased resistance to hypnosis, brainwashing, and psychic control.”
Fang Liang becoming a system-recognized blade spirit was an unexpected reward from this visit to the Rune Apartments.
This meant Shang Yi finally gained a reliable, ever-present combat power against ghosts.
And since the blade spirit could continue to grow, Shang Yi was delighted.
He took the Demon-Slaying Blade in hand and scrutinized it with his left eye, noticing a tiny line of text: F, 0/3
Shang Yi understood: the letter F likely corresponded to Fang Liang’s current level—Half-Bodied Remnant.
The zero before the slash indicated the number of ghosts slain.
The three after the slash meant that after slaying three ghosts, he would advance to the next level.