Chapter 47: Good Target

The corpse-water monster resembled a living mass of slime, rapidly spreading and crawling toward them.

Xu Yuan saw his stepmother raise a candlestick, and in her other hand, hold up an oil flask—the flask, a Wu Xiu creation, could spray oil that ignited upon contact with flame…

Xu Yuan stepped forward: “No need for all this trouble.”

His “fire in the belly” erupted without warning.

Boom!

Flames surged violently.

Over the past two days, Xu Yuan had practiced Wang Shen’s cultivation method, “Five Cauldrons Simmering,” and his Dan Xiu cultivation had made significant progress.

This single burst of fire from his belly was fifty percent more powerful than when he’d used it in Ghost Witch Mountain!

The corpse-water monster was just about to slither into the house when it was drenched head to face in thick flames.

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

The corpse-water evaporated rapidly; the grotesque creature let out piercing, wailing shrieks like a crying infant.

The corpse-water splattered onto the ground, trying to ooze away, but Xu Yuan’s belly fire spread with it, covering more than half the courtyard.

In moments, it burned the creature to ash.

Lin Wan’s ink-red lips parted slightly as she shot Xu Yuan a startled glance.

Xu Yuan spread his hands: “That guy outside is probably a Shen Xiu. My belly fire perfectly counters him—why not use it?”

Lin Wan couldn’t help silently shaking her head; she’d been too fixated.

Xu Yuan was right—he might be lower in rank than her, but his ability specifically countered the enemy. Why not let him act?

Lao Qian clutched his chest—so painful!

Each of these bottles and jars was painstakingly cultivated by him; now, far from Nan Du, this mountain-side county had scarce good materials—he’d never be able to cultivate more like these again.

“I’ll kill you all!”

He snatched up several ceramic jars…

Before he could open them, a figure suddenly flew over the courtyard wall.

While still in midair, the figure spat out: Huh—

Rolling flames transformed into a river of fire, dispelling the thick yin energy around and surging toward him.

Lao Qian stepped forward, placing himself between the jars and the flames.

This kid’s a rank-eight Dan Xiu; his belly fire’s decent—don’t hurt my children.

But he’s still just a rank-eight Dan Xiu. Belly fire can’t harm me.

What surprised Lao Qian was that this fellow dared to launch a proactive attack.

Xu Yuan’s thinking was always direct: Why should I let you unleash all your tricks one by one, then have to counter them?

Sorry, I don’t have the habit of hiding behind a turtle shell and taking hits without striking back.

As soon as I spot an opening, I’ll charge out and hit the enemy hard.

Xu Yuan had “Riding the Wind” and “Soaring Clouds” talismans stuck to his legs; he leapt effortlessly over the wall, then spat a blast of belly fire.

Then he was startled to see the Shen Xiu deliberately standing in front of the jars containing the various yin soldiers!

So Xu Yuan unhesitatingly raised his three-eyed firelock.

Such a perfect target—I’d be insulting my finger on the trigger if I didn’t blast him.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Xu Yuan fired three shots in rapid succession.

The firelock’s roar echoed like thunder splitting the night; the yin soldiers inside the jars grew agitated.

When the first shot rang out, Lao Qian was still thinking of calming his children—but the moment that thought arose, his head exploded in the second shot.

Red flesh, white skull fragments, yellow brain matter sprayed outward; the farthest pieces flew over three feet.

The third shot struck Lao Qian’s chest—it was wasted.

The instant Xu Yuan charged out, Lin Wan’s heart skipped a beat! This brat was audacious beyond belief—if he got hurt, how could I face my master in the underworld?

Lin Wan rushed out right after him; as she reached the courtyard, she saw Xu Yuan clutching the umbrella she’d just given him, and felt slightly relieved: this kid might be reckless, but he’s not stupid.

Then came the three thunderous shots; Lin Wan leapt over the wall and stared in shock as Lao Qian’s headless corpse collapsed.

This opponent was at least a rank-seven Shen Xiu!

Even if Lin Wan didn’t need to protect Xu Yuan and fought him without restraint, she’d still need considerable effort to defeat him.

Most Wu Xiu lacked the “fire” that could counter Shen Xiu.

Only a very few, if their opened “spirit orifices” happened to include “orifice-fire,” could counter Shen Xiu.

Thus, in Lin Wan’s view as a powerful Wu Xiu, tonight’s enemy was quite troublesome.

Although Xu Yuan possessed the counteracting “belly fire,” his rank was low—he could only assist from the sidelines.

Yet this brat boldly charged out and blew the enemy’s head apart?

An opponent who reached rank-seven shouldn’t be this foolish—using his own body to shield yin soldiers from a Wu Xiu cannon?

Then Lin Wan realized the truth: Lao Qian never imagined Xu Yuan possessed a Wu Xiu cannon.

Lao Qian had abundant combat experience; after the hanging ghost and drowning ghost waves passed, he knew the Wu Xiu inside the courtyard was a seasoned old-school artisan.

At least equal to himself.

The higher a Wu Xiu’s rank, the fiercer the divide between old-school and new-school artisans.

At Lin Wan’s level, she would never use new-school creations.

Nor would she allow anyone near her to use them.

Lin Wan was an oddity among old-school artisans—and too indulgent toward Xu Yuan; she not only let him use it, she even repaired the three-eyed cannon herself, gritting her teeth.

Lao Qian never expected Xu Yuan to wield new-school methods; seeing a rank-eight Dan Xiu charge out spewing chaotic fire, he naturally rushed forward to protect his “children.”

Ordinarily, a rank-eight Dan Xiu had no means to kill a rank-seven Shen Xiu.

So… bang—his head exploded.

Lin Wan assumed Lao Qian had simply fallen victim to overconfidence, making a fatal misjudgment.

She didn’t realize Xu Yuan’s “Eight Directions of Harmful Fate” had also influenced the outcome, just as it had with the former Saintess.

Lao Qian was higher-ranked; one small mistake cost him his life.

Xu Yuan had already landed from midair and was cheerfully gathering the spoils.

Lin Wan watched the surrounding darkness warily: “Get back inside!”

Although night travel wasn’t forbidden tonight, a chilling aura drifted on the wind through the darkness.

Xu Yuan was obedient now; he gathered the jars and dragged Lao Qian’s corpse, turning and dashing back through the main gate.

Lin Wan waited until Xu Yuan was inside before slowly retreating.

Xu Yuan coordinated seamlessly; once inside, he set down the items and the corpse, then stood by the window and unleashed a blast of belly fire at the cage imprisoning the hanging ghosts.

The hanging ghosts shrieked in agony, each turning to blue-green ash.

When Lin Wan stepped back inside, all the hanging ghosts had been incinerated; she waved her hand, and the cage reformed into window lattice, clicking back into place automatically.

The house’s defenses were now flawless.

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(End of Chapter)