Chapter 1020: Chapter 1020

Ao Zhaozhao’s mind was whirling, and she told herself not to fall for their tricks. She decided to feign compliance, waiting for them to lose patience so they would inevitably reveal their true intentions.

She remained obedient throughout, not saying a word in protest.

Siheng entered the room shortly after.

Without any further conversation, he used a spell to make Ao Zhaozhao fall unconscious.

He explained, "The process might cause her pain, so this will make it easier, and it will also prevent us from being distracted."

Nanli nodded in agreement. "That makes sense."

Siheng’s eyes gleamed with a cold light. "It’s also a good opportunity to explore her memories."

Having seen countless people, Siheng had already guessed that Ao Zhaozhao might be lying.

Nanli’s face darkened, and she looked sternly at Siheng. "If she’s an actual criminal, and she’s at fault, then feel free to explore her memories. I will not object."

"A’Li, this is the most direct approach," Siheng responded.

"But we must still respect her," Nanli retorted sharply. "She doesn’t want to speak, so we don’t need to use such methods."

Her eyes glowed fiercely. "You’ve now acquired the divine mark. If you casually use spells, you might harm yourself."

Siheng frowned. "This divine mark... it really brings more harm than good. Ever since I’ve had it, I haven’t had a peaceful day."

He glanced at Nanli again. "Wasn’t your situation more restricted when you were the Death God?"

Nanli smiled. "I am the ruler of a realm; my treatment is far better than yours."

At this, Siheng could only envy her.

The two of them said no more and immediately began repairing the Dragon Horn for Ao Zhaozhao.

Where there is life, there is death, and where there is death, there is bound to be resentment.

Nanli had spent some time in the Immortal World and had not interacted much with the Human World lately, but evil spirits continued to wreak havoc.

The source of this was Futian Town.

It wasn’t that no Daoist priests had gone there, but as soon as they entered the town, by the next morning, those priests were found hanging from the city wall.

Not only had their eyes been gouged out, but their hearts were also ripped out. It was a terrifying sight.

Three days had passed, and the gates remained shut tight.

By day, the entire town was filled with ghostly energy.

By night, the situation was even worse.

Nearby, the county official glanced toward Futian Town and quickly turned away, his body shaking, his voice trembling. "I’ve already sent for several Daoists, but did you see? They’re hanging on the city tower, every single one of them!"

Ahead of him stood Ye Yanqin and the Grand Lady.

The Grand Lady was wearing a Daoist robe and carrying a Peachwood Sword on her back. Her breath was steady, and her gaze was sharp—she appeared entirely reliable.

However, she turned to Ye Yanqin and asked, "What do you think?"

The county official shook with fear. "You... you’re not just here to play around, are you? Don’t... don’t go in! If you lose your lives, I won’t be able to explain this to the court!"

It was clear from his words that he didn’t think much of the two women.

Ye Yanqin, who appeared to be in her twenties, had grown used to such reactions since her time in the mortal realm.

She wasn’t in a hurry and reassured the county official, "Don’t worry, sir. I’ve reached the Golden Core stage of cultivation."

"Golden Core stage?" The county official was bewildered, not understanding what that meant.

The Grand Lady explained, "We will definitely be able to subdue this ghost. You needn’t worry."

The county official wiped his cold sweat. "Don’t be too overconfident."

Ye Yanqin replied confidently, "Of course, we won’t act recklessly. I..."

She had been about to say she was a disciple of Nanli, but she stopped herself. If she couldn’t deal with the ghost in Futian Town, it would be embarrassing. However, it would be an even greater disgrace for her second master, Nanli.

Before she could finish her thought, the Grand Lady interjected, "She is a direct disciple of the Ninth Princess! You can rest easy!"

The county official was stunned for a moment, then looked Ye Yanqin up and down. He crossed his arms, wearing a disdainful expression.

"In the past six months, countless people have claimed to be the Ninth Princess’s disciples, and there are also many who talk about their senior or junior brothers and sisters!"

"This concerns people’s lives! You should go far away if you’re just here for money!"

The Grand Lady was taken aback but didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled and turned to Ye Yanqin. "So Tongtong’s name is already so famous out there."

She looked quite proud.

Ye Yanqin rubbed her forehead. "Grand Lady, the ghost in Futian Town is no small matter. I may not be able to handle it alone."

"The biggest problem with you is that you lack confidence. But don’t worry, I’m here to help. If worse comes to worst, we can call Tongtong for backup," the Grand Lady said. "In any case, the ghostly energy in this place is overwhelming, and the common people are suffering. We must subdue this evil ghost tonight!"

Ye Yanqin swallowed nervously. Although the Grand Lady had reached the Qi Refining stage, making her an exceptional figure among mortals, they were going up against a malevolent ghost. Even Immortal World cultivators who were adept in combat might not be able to handle it.

Just as she was about to say something, terrifying screams suddenly echoed from the town.

The screams were chilling and heart-wrenching.

The county official and others collapsed in terror, their legs shaking, their faces pale. "It’s... it’s happening again! The evil ghost... it’s claiming more lives!"

The group huddled together, trembling violently, afraid to even look at Futian Town.

Ye Yanqin sensed the overwhelming ghostly energy within the town and became grim-faced. She didn’t know what resentment the evil ghost carried, but its strength was astonishing.

However, human lives were at stake, and she couldn’t afford to hesitate for even a moment.

She was about to suggest that the Grand Lady remain outside when the Grand Lady pulled out a Teleportation Talisman. "Today, I shall capture this evil ghost!"

"Wait..." Ye Yanqin barely had time to stop her when the Grand Lady had already vanished.

Ye Yanqin gritted her teeth in shock but had no choice but to immediately follow on her sword.

Inside the town, the ghostly energy was thick, and even the candle flames turned a ghostly green. Any ordinary person who came into contact with this energy would suffer damage to their vitality.

The Grand Lady landed agilely in the middle of the town, and the ghostly energy surged toward her.

However, she had Nanli’s exquisite Talisman protecting her, and golden light erupted from her body, dissipating the ghostly energy. The remaining spirits didn’t dare approach her.

The Grand Lady gripped the Peachwood Sword in one hand and a Ghost-Suppressing Talisman in the other, her stance firm and resolute.

The sobbing and wailing continued in the background.

She remained on high alert.

"Grand Lady!" At that moment, Ye Yanqin arrived from the skies, wielding her sword and using a talisman to disperse a large portion of the ghostly energy and smoke.

Only then could they finally see the state of the street.

It was a main street.

In front of them, a sacrificial altar had been set up, with a large pot over a fire. Inside the pot... three children were being boiled alive!

Around the pot, a large family was kneeling.

Clearly, some of them had tried to resist because there were slain women on the ground.

The others, hearing the children’s screams and cries for help, dared not move.

The evil ghost was ruthless, and they were powerless to fight back.

"Quick, save them!" the Grand Lady shouted.

The three children were already burned, and if they weren’t rescued soon, they would be cooked alive!

Without a second thought, Ye Yanqin swiftly moved forward.

With a single palm, she split the firewood beneath the pot, then used her sword to shatter the pot.

Her actions were swift and seamless.

The three children rolled onto the ground, their skin red and burned. They were terrified but instinctively crawled toward their family.

Ye Yanqin stood on the altar, watching the surroundings vigilantly, not daring to be careless.

Suddenly, the town was filled with mournful wails.

The chilling cries were unbearable, filled with endless resentment and grievance, making Ye Yanqin’s mind spin and almost causing her to lose her breath.