Ye Lanshan's expression turned serious as dozens of talismans materialized in her hand, flying toward the female ghost from all directions.
But that female ghost was no easy opponent. She used a red mist as a shield, dodging the talismans in an instant.
"Those were my finest talismans, and you've wasted them," Ye Lanshan said in a light tone, seemingly unbothered.
"Since you've made your move, it's my turn now." Strands of red mist shot toward her like solid spears.
Ye Lanshan produced dozens more talismans, sending them one by one to counter the red mist. If only I had cultivated the Three True Flames, I wouldn't be at such a disadvantage. Still, at least I have plenty of talismans. But subduing this female ghost today will take some effort.
Hidden by the red mist, she quietly pulled out a talisman and crept closer to the ghost.
"Little girl, you're still too green." A tendril of red mist suddenly coiled around her neck, lifting her into the air, while the ghost's melodious laughter echoed around her.
To be honest, if you only heard the laughter, you wouldn't think it came from a vengeful spirit. It was too pure, like an innocent young girl laughing uncontrollably at something amusing.
Ye Lanshan's face flushed red from the strain. Struggling, she managed to press the talisman in her hand against her own neck. The red mist vanished, and she fell to the ground. But before she could get up, another strand of red mist silently struck her in the stomach.
"Little girl, how is it? Is this game fun? Want to play a few more rounds?" The female ghost, seeing Ye Lanshan's disheveled state, had her red glow dim slightly.
"I have a more interesting game. Want to give it a try?" Ye Lanshan stood up, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and straightened her messy clothes.
"Oh? Then I'll have to play along properly." The ghost's fingernails grew longer, and her red glow intensified, transforming her from a beautiful young woman into a spine-chilling monster in an instant.
Before Ye Lanshan could react, red mist shot out from all directions, binding her hands and feet.
"This time, I want to see what kind of game could be more interesting than before," the ghost said, admiring her long nails as she looked at Ye Lanshan like a demon.
"Do you really think this can hold me? Should I call you naive, or just naive?" Ye Lanshan suddenly produced a few more talismans in her hand.
"Do you think your hands can still reach the red mist?" The ghost's smile was mocking, as if she held an innate disdain for humans.
"Let's find out." Ye Lanshan closed her eyes, muttering something under her breath. The talismans in her hand seemed to be controlled by something, slowly rising from her palm and igniting on their own as they neared the red mist.
With a thud, she collapsed weakly to the ground.
"Cough, cough. Tough opponent indeed." This time, Ye Lanshan was hurt worse, with red marks from the mist all over her limbs. Luckily, her internal organs were unharmed.
"So, little girl, still want to go?" The ghost's voice grew ethereal, making it impossible to pinpoint her location.
Ye Lanshan stood up, now holding a peachwood dagger. She muttered to herself, "How could I forget you? Peachwood is a ghost's nemesis."
"Tai Chi Sword!" She channeled her spiritual energy into the peachwood dagger and began swinging it through the air.
This kept her from being hurt by the ghost, though it couldn't harm it either.
This won't work. I'm still too weak to pinpoint her location. I need to force her to speak.
Suddenly, a thought struck Ye Lanshan, and she smirked. In a tone dripping with disdain, she said to the ghost, "What good is all your power? You're still just a pitiful ghost trapped in this palace. You probably haven't left in thousands of years, have you? Tsk, tsk. All this beautiful land and mountains, and you can't see a bit of it. What a shame."
"Shut up! If it weren't for Li Xin trapping me here, turning me into this, existing aimlessly day in and day out, with no one daring to come in and me unable to leave, do you think I wanted this?" The ghost's voice was mournful, losing its earlier ethereal quality. Her emotional outburst now carried a hint of humanity.
"I can help you get out, but you have to agree to one condition." Ye Lanshan had a handful of talismans hidden, ready to throw them if the ghost refused.
"What condition? Let's hear it." The ghost wasn't foolish. Even in her sorrow, her mind remained sharp, and she didn't impulsively agree.
"Make a contract with me, and I'll take you out." Though Ye Lanshan's muscles were tense with anxiety, her face remained calm and unafraid.
"Human, you're incredibly bold. Wanting to contract me? Didn't your family tell you that you can't?" The ghost laughed in anger, looking at Ye Lanshan as if she were an idiot, her eyes full of contempt.
"Underestimating people comes with a price." Seizing the moment, Ye Lanshan hurled all her talismans at the ghost, then charged forward with the peachwood dagger.
"Haha, you can't hit me." Just as Ye Lanshan got close, the ghost vanished.
"Still too weak. Can't even subdue a single ghost." Ye Lanshan glanced at the red marks on her wrist, a cunning idea forming. She tilted her head and pretended to faint.
The ghost took the bait, approaching Ye Lanshan. Just as she was about to act, Ye Lanshan suddenly woke up, slapped a talisman onto the ghost's forehead, and murmured, "Freeze."
"What did you do to me? Why can't I move?" Panic finally crept into the ghost's voice.
"You'll know once I contract you." Ye Lanshan cut her index finger with the dagger, pulled out a paper-cut figure, dripped her blood onto its forehead, and drew the ghost's soul into it. The figure slowly grew, taking on the ghost's original form.
"This paper figure isn't great, but it'll have to do for now. Let's go. I'll find you a better vessel later." Having successfully contracted the ghost, Ye Lanshan was in a good mood.
"You... just you wait." The ghost was furious and unwilling.
"Fine, I'll wait." Ye Lanshan didn't think the ghost would ever get a chance to harm her again.
"What are you doing here? Come with me." A man in black, Ye Yutian, looked at her in surprise, grabbed her hand, and pulled her up into a nearby tree.
"Hurry, I think I saw the thief running that way!" A shout came from afar, followed by a swarm of guards rushing over.