Chapter 149: Fierce Battle, Boom, Boom, Boom!! It Worked! It Worked!!

“Obey my command, serve my will.”

Utilizing the ritual to open the altar, Chen Yushu infused his power, elevating the strength level of the Hanged Ghost directly to the tier of a malevolent spirit. Under this unique force, the ghost instinctively fell under his control, bound to his service.

At this moment, even if the Hanged Ghost lifted its head, saw Chen Yushu, and recognized him, it was of no use.

For it was already under Chen Yushu’s dominion, unable to resist in the slightest.

“Go!”

Chen Yushu commanded sharply and finally exhaled in relief.

Summoning spirits and binding ghosts was no simple feat.

It demanded a vast expenditure of spiritual energy.

Maintaining the ritual altar alone consumed his internal spiritual reserves continuously.

Only because he had reached a state of steady meditation combined with mastery of the White Tiger Visualization Method could his cultivation technique operate automatically, restoring his spiritual energy.

By simultaneously sustaining the ritual and performing visualization, he barely managed to maintain balance.

But summoning and binding spirits was an entirely different matter.

It required him to directly control the ghostly soldiers, capturing the Hanged Ghost from within Jianghuan Town. The incense and spiritual energy consumed in this single act was enormous.

Though the execution appeared effortless, the round trip depleted about eighty percent of his spiritual reserves.

This was partly due to the ritual altar’s support, allowing him to ‘borrow the power of Heaven’ and successfully bind the ghost.

Furthermore, subsequent casting of spells, intimidation, and subjugation required the altar’s continuous function, demanding more spiritual energy.

As a result, his internal spiritual reserves were nearly exhausted.

Hurriedly, he produced two pieces of incense wish energy obtained from slaying the evil spirits in the ancestral temple.

Without hesitation, he channelled his mental strength slightly and began operating the White Tiger Visualization Method to absorb and convert the energy.

Instantly, a refreshing sensation flooded his body and mind, unprecedented in its clarity.

For the first time, he experienced the astonishing speed at which incense spiritual energy could be restored.

Within merely two or three breaths, his spiritual energy recovered by ten to twenty percent.

After ten breaths, nearly half of his reserves were replenished.

Fast, fast, incredibly fast...

This rapid recovery delighted Chen Yushu immensely.

Examining the wish energy in his hand, one piece had shrunk considerably, suggesting that if he were to fully restore his spiritual energy, the reserve in that piece would be nearly depleted.

He swiftly ceased absorption.

Such a precious resource deserved to be conserved.

After all, dealing with the Stone Fish would be a protracted battle, necessitating careful preservation of his spiritual energy.

Thus, he stowed away the two wish energy sources once more.

At that moment, the Hanged Ghost respectfully saluted Chen Yushu’s direction before swiftly turning and charging toward the riverbed where the Stone Fish lay.

Boom!

The Hanged Ghost’s step thundered upon landing, shaking the ground beneath it.

Just then, the Well Ghost was struck by the Stone Fish’s tail, flung far away, its aura dissipating entirely and regressing back to the stage of a fierce ghost.

Though in the late phase of fierce ghost tier, its combat strength still surpassed its original body, the profound weakness ingrained in its very essence instilled terrible fear.

Fortunately, the Hanged Ghost surged forward, body arching like a bow, striking with tremendous force.

Clang!

The Stone Fish, just rushing up, was hammered down completely.

Several scales shattered upon impact.

“Roar!”

The Stone Fish bellowed fiercely, opening its massive mouth, unleashing gusts of wind as sharp as blades.

Having been sealed for too long, every bit of the Stone Fish’s strength was carefully conserved, unwilling to waste energy.

Previously, it had merely used its true form to counter the Well Ghost’s interference, consuming only physical strength.

But the Hanged Ghost was an evil spirit level entity, elevated to malevolent spirit tier by the altar’s blessing. Though still somewhat unstable and not truly at malevolent spirit level, it was enough to threaten the Stone Fish.

Thus, it cast its first spell.

Blades of wind surged like a storm, rushing toward the Hanged Ghost.

Quickly, the Hanged Ghost drew a rope from within its bosom.

This very rope was the one that had strangled it in life, now its ghostly weapon, having undergone years of ritual refinement to possess special powers.

With a mighty swing, the rope sliced through the gusts of wind, scattering part of them, while the remainder crashed against it.

The ghost’s soul body trembled but held firm, completely blocking the attack.

“Truly power of the malevolent spirit tier.

Even facing Grandma Jiang in person now, I would have confidence to resist...”

The Hanged Ghost’s heart surged with excitement.

Charging forward again, it swung the rope fiercely toward the Stone Fish.

Yet the Stone Fish, a genuine malevolent spirit with an incredibly formidable body, was barely harmed.

Instead, its fish spines bristled ominously.

Then—

Puff, puff, puff—

One by one, the scales shot out like sharp blades, striking the Hanged Ghost.

Despite its swift reaction and retreat, it was pierced by over a dozen scales, its soul body riddled with holes.

Though it recovered quickly, its aura was noticeably diminished.

The Well Ghost nearby was stunned, filled with dread.

Had the opponent only been toying with it earlier?

If such ferocious attacks had landed on it, how could it have withstood them?

The Well Ghost became hesitant, unwilling to advance further.

For a careless moment might mean death.

How then could it seek vengeance against the faithless?

“The Stone Fish’s strength is truly formidable.

It is undoubtedly the strongest I have encountered.

Even against a malevolent spirit tier Hanged Ghost, it remains superior.

And this is while it is restrained by three chains...

This is troubling...”

Chen Yushu continued operating the White Tiger Visualization to restore his spiritual energy while watching the battle, his thoughts racing as his expression darkened suddenly.

For the Hanged Ghost launched another strike, slamming heavily against the Stone Fish.

At that moment, the Stone Fish violently flicked its tail, leveraging the Hanged Ghost’s momentum to break one of the chains.

Boom!

Chen Yushu clearly saw the chain snap sharply at its midpoint within the Stone Fish’s body, splitting from both ends.

Though it bore the full brunt of the Hanged Ghost’s blow, the breaking of the chain caused the Stone Fish’s aura to surge again.

If before it had merely entered the early malevolent spirit tier, comparable to the Left Family Ancestor, now it had reached the pinnacle of early malevolent spirit tier.

Such an aura not only darkened the Hanged Ghost’s face but even Chen Yushu, distant atop the riverbed, felt a troubling challenge.

The situation was worsening.

Indeed, with the chain broken, the Stone Fish’s power soared dramatically.

Their battle had been balanced—though the Stone Fish’s true form was stronger, the chains gave the Hanged Ghost the upper hand in initiative.

Its every strike landed and caused damage.

The Stone Fish’s attacks rarely hit the Hanged Ghost unless employing sorcery.

But now with only two chains remaining, the Stone Fish’s movement was freer, and its aura more potent.

It swung its tail, unleashing a terrifying gale.

Though the Hanged Ghost flew back, it was struck, its soul body shaken.

Then the Stone Fish exhaled a gale; the Hanged Ghost desperately blocked but was still sliced, cracks opening on its form.

Though it recovered swiftly, the damage to its true form was evident.

It was growing stronger.

More terrifying.

“At this rate, the Hanged Ghost won’t last long.”

Chen Yushu sensed the Hanged Ghost’s aura rapidly depleting.

The power injected into it through the altar was actually an external force—Chen Yushu’s spellwork borrowing Heaven’s power.

A kind of spiritual empowerment.

This blessing inflicted great damage on the ghost’s soul body.

Should it dissipate, the ghost would become extremely weak, requiring lengthy recuperation.

Like the Well Ghost, now powerless and trembling on the sidelines.

Fortunately, the Hanged Ghost was a seasoned subordinate of Grandma Jiang, cunning and experienced, avoiding direct confrontation and striking opportunistically.

Though it could dodge many attacks, any hit dealt massive harm.

Though it had reached malevolent spirit tier, it was far from true mastery.

Earlier, the Stone Fish’s attacks had been confined within a designated range; beyond that, it would halt or be pulled back by the chains.

The Hanged Ghost had noticed this, always retreating beyond that boundary after attacks.

Yet this time, after a successful sneak attack, while hiding outside the range, the Stone Fish suddenly lunged and whipped its tail.

Boom!

It struck the Hanged Ghost, sending it flying and shattering its soul body severely.

Chen Yushu, watching from the altar, was startled.

He realized the Stone Fish had kept part of the chains within its body all along, luring the Hanged Ghost into a false sense of security.

Then, with a decisive strike, it severely wounded the Hanged Ghost, causing its soul to fracture and the empowering force to dissipate rapidly.

Alarmed, Chen Yushu hastily cast another spell, forming hand seals.

He intended to summon another spirit to fight.

If the Hanged Ghost failed, then another spirit would suffice.

For example, Grandma Jiang.

Though a deified spirit, Jiang was essentially a ghost, a malevolent entity, summonable for battle.

Yet after careful thought, Chen Yushu abandoned this plan.

Evil spirits and malevolent entities belonged to entirely different tiers.

Though the evil spirit was strong, it remained within his control. Summoning it cost him eighty percent of his incense spiritual reserves.

But Grandma Jiang was a genuine deified malevolent spirit, whose power vastly exceeded the Hanged Ghost’s.

Even if injured, her strength dwarfed the Hanged Ghost’s many times over.

No matter how much he relied on the altar, summoning her was impossible.

If he forced it, she might destroy his entire ritual altar.

Then he’d face not just the Stone Fish but also a deified malevolent spirit of equal power.

Thus, he turned his gaze back to the Hanged Ghost, whose aura was rapidly fading.

“You must not retreat!” he commanded sharply.

His eyes then fell upon the three sacrificial animals on the table.

Already of high ritual grade, he grasped the ancient sword, pointed at the three animals, and with mental guidance and hand seals, began casting.

Buzzing—

The void trembled.

The altar table shook.

The old talismans on the ancient armor and relics around them activated one by one.

Bang, bang, bang—

The auras from these relics were swiftly absorbed.

The void warped, forming a vast swirling vortex of power.

This was the altar truly merging with Heaven and Earth, an awe-inspiring phenomenon.

As if at that moment, some unseen existence in the cosmos was watching.

Chen Yushu raised one finger to the sky, the other holding his sword, pointing at the sacrificial animals.

They seemed drawn by an invisible force, leaping into the brazier ahead.

Boom!

Flames surged, leaping high.

“Heaven and Earth boundless, the cosmos borrowed by the law!

Go!”

Chen Yushu shouted.

Immediately, the surrounding atmosphere thickened with Yin energy.

The swirling power in the void rapidly infused into his ancient sword.

Simultaneously, a force in the brazier converged with his sword’s energy.

He then pointed at the Hanged Ghost.

Boom!

The aura on the Hanged Ghost, previously fading, instantly froze and was overwhelmed by a fierce, terrifying force.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths…

Its aura soared rapidly.

Double, triple, quadruple…

This time, it rose to sevenfold its usual level.

Even the Hanged Ghost felt as though it might burst under the pressure.

In theory, a minor altar-opening technique could infuse up to tenfold power.

But this depended on the inherent potential of the spirit itself.

The Well Ghost could sustain sixfold infusion due to deep resentment and strong potential despite lower power.

The Hanged Ghost, a suicide spirit, accumulated resentment over time and initially could only tolerate fivefold infusion to maintain coherence without shattering.

Now, thanks to Chen Yushu’s high-grade offerings and Heaven and Earth’s recognition, the altar’s borrowed power was greater.

This forcibly elevated the Hanged Ghost’s soul aura to sevenfold.

Immediately, its form swelled monstrously.

The violent aura resembled a demon god descending, radiating overwhelming menace.

“Kill!”

Without waiting for orders, it surged at the Stone Fish.

At this juncture, its strength and momentum were ferocious.

Boom!

One strike shattered large patches of the Stone Fish’s scales, tearing flesh and spilling blood.

Now, the Hanged Ghost’s power genuinely surpassed the Stone Fish’s.

“Roar!”

The Stone Fish bellowed furiously, thrashing wildly, chains rattling.

Its tail struck the Hanged Ghost, who stood firm, undodging.

Another strike followed.

These two, ghost and fish, fought like enraged beasts, desperate and unrelenting.

Puff, puff, puff!

The Stone Fish roared, writhing, blood and flesh flying, revealing stark white bones beneath.

Through the bones, two chains pierced its body, glowing red.

“This is no ordinary red light.

That is the Stone Fish’s inner core, heating the chains.

It has been attempting to melt and break the chains...”

Chen Yushu’s pupils contracted sharply as he noticed a fist-sized fiery demon core beneath the chains, flames engulfing it, deforming the links.

The Stone Fish had never ceased its struggle to break free.

No wonder it had held back its strongest core attacks despite constant interference.

It understood the greatest challenge it faced.

Yet the chains were too strong; the demon core’s power, though extraordinary, could not melt them quickly.

Bang, bang, bang…

The Hanged Ghost pressed its assault.

At this moment, it sensed its growing power.

Crucially, the infusion persisted.

Chen Yushu continued pumping spiritual energy, sustaining the blessing.

To maintain this flow, he produced more incense wish energy, one piece nearly exhausted.

Suddenly—

The Stone Fish’s eyes flashed with a strange light.

Its body twisted violently.

A chain snapped several of its fish bones, tearing open a gash across its belly.

Despite immense pain, it forced a chain free from its flesh.

Although it had not melted the chains, it had freed one link.

Instantly, its aura surged again.

From the pinnacle of early malevolent spirit to mid-tier malevolent spirit...

The chain’s sealing power receded, strengthening the Stone Fish anew.

Chen Yushu’s face paled.

The situation was dire.

It was still growing stronger.

Moreover, as its aura increased, the flames from its demon core intensified.

In a short time, the chains glowed red-hot, nearly melting.

Breaking free was only a matter of time.

“How can this continue... it is about to escape...”

Chen Yushu grew anxious, swiftly pondering solutions.

“Success! Finally!”

At that moment, cheers erupted.

Chen Yushu saw Sister Qiao, who had been repairing the formation below, spring into action.

She stepped with rune-infused strides, performing hand seals rapidly.

With her movements, countless radiant lights shimmered in the void.

Within dozens of miles around, layers of special energies were drawn down.

One layer after another descended upon the Stone Fish.

As the first layer touched it, its once-floating body sank slightly.

The second layer further pressed it down.

Paired with the Hanged Ghost’s relentless blows, each strike seemed to force the Stone Fish deeper, sinking it onto the riverbed.

“Roar!”

The Stone Fish bellowed, fury burning in its blood-red eyes.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

It fiercely fueled its demon core; the chains hissed and sizzled, visibly melting.

It leapt and thrashed, attempting to shatter the chains by brute strength and break free.

Yet, the great formation, now partially restored by Liu Qiao’er, was resurgent.

Though her understanding limited the array’s full power, even Grandma Liu had only restored thirty percent originally.

Thirty percent had imprisoned the Stone Fish for over a decade.

Liu Qiao’er could only manage ten percent at most.

Still, this partial power rolled in layers, suppressing the Stone Fish’s aura swiftly.

It soon fell back to the pinnacle of early malevolent spirit tier, then early malevolent spirit tier.

Coupled with the Hanged Ghost’s continuous attacks—

Fist after fist pounding—

Boom!

Boom boom!!

Boom boom boom!!!

...

Its aura finally waned rapidly.