Old Ghost in the Contract

Deep in the night, in the southwestern corner of Tea Mountain, a troop of cavalry gazed at the low mountains with indifferent expressions.

They were a demon-slaying squad dispatched by the Zhang Family, thirty-five in total, all of them loyal retainers raised and meticulously trained by the Zhang Family since childhood.

Not only had they undergone Second Stage Body Tempering, but they had also participated in numerous demon-slaying missions, possessing ample courage and rich experience.

They were equipped with items like 'Cinnabar' and 'Realgar' that suppressed evil, and they had cultivated True Qi imbued with intense Yang energy, making even weak malevolent spirits afraid to approach.

"Sir, there's demonic energy from the southern woods, but we haven't found any hoofprints."

"We dare not venture deeper, lest we alert the enemy."

Tea Mountain wasn't high, only a few hundred zhang, but it spanned dozens of miles. They used two talismans, one for long-range and one for short-range, to search for demonic energy. The readings converged here, indicating the monster hadn't gone far and was still in the mountain gully in the southwestern corner of Tea Mountain.

Upon hearing the report, Zhang Quan's brow furrowed. "That monster deliberately used a spell to make its hooves tread on air, hence no footprints were left."

"I just didn't expect it to not have gone far. Truly audacious! Does it think the Zhang Family is without capable people?"

"Since its general location is confirmed, the rest is up to 'Mr. Feng'."

Zhang Quan ordered his subordinates to set up an offering table, place an incense burner atop it, light the agarwood, and bring forth the three sacrificial animals: a musk deer, a sika deer, and a jade rabbit.

He then walked to the offering table and took out a bronze tablet resembling a written contract, holding it with both hands in reverence and placing it on the table.

"Pfft!" He bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of vital blood.

"Please, Mr. Feng, partake!"

The vital blood sprinkled onto the bronze contract, but there was no movement for a long time...

Zhang Quan's face darkened. He directly rolled up the bronze contract. "So be it!"

"Alas!" Suddenly, a faint spectral light escaped from the contract. Everyone present instantly felt a chill run through their bodies as if the temperature had plummeted.

The agarwood burned at a visible rate. The wisps of smoke, which had been rising straight, suddenly flickered and coalesced into a ghostly figure.

The phantom was indistinct, dressed in a blue scholar's robe, wearing a silk scarf, and carrying a sword. He was exceptionally handsome, appearing to be around thirty years old.

"Why didn't you spit out more vital blood? This little bit is barely enough to feed the mosquitoes!" He complained, his voice no different from a normal person's, but it carried an inherent chill that made people's hair stand on end.

Zhang Quan bowed respectfully. "It is good that you have appeared, sir. Please enjoy the Blood Food first."

"I've already been offered this month. When did your Zhang Family become so kind to me as to offer an extra meal? Hehehe, you must have ulterior motives!" Mr. Feng said with a faint smile.

"Mr. Feng, my Zhang Family has treated you well, with monthly sacrifices and continuous incense and faith..." Zhang Quan began.

However, Mr. Feng directly interrupted him. "Spare me the nonsense. What use is the incense and faith of your Zhang Family!"

He glanced at the desolate wilderness and then at the three sacrificial animals. The ghost figure immediately pounced on them. The three small deer, startled, thrashed about, but being tethered by ropes, they couldn't escape.

Soon, smoke billowed from their nostrils, and they collapsed, withered and shriveled.

"This is all the Blood Food you offer when you ask me for a favor?" Mr. Feng, unsatisfied, knew the Zhang Family had something to ask of him and opened his mouth wide.

Zhang Quan was prepared. He sent someone to fetch many more livestock, then bowed again. "Please enjoy to your heart's content, Mr. Feng. I only hope you will assist this junior in slaying the monster afterward, to avenge the Third Young Master's blood feud."

Mr. Feng absorbed the Vital Energy and Essence Souls of the oxen and sheep, feasting heartily. Upon hearing this, he chuckled. "So, it's about slaying a monster? Your Zhang Family needs my help to slay a monster? What, has your Three Lights Divine Qi run out?"

Zhang Quan sighed inwardly. If the Iron Token were still here, why would he need to beg this old ghost?

It was a shame that no one knew what happened to the Third Young Master, who, despite possessing such a Magic Artifact, was still killed by a monster, even damaging the artifact in the process.

"The Old Ancestor's Iron Token has other uses. As for this monster today, it is no ordinary one. I fear it has the cultivation of the Spiritual Sense Stage. I can only request Mr. Feng's assistance."

Hearing it was the Spiritual Sense Stage, Mr. Feng's expression turned serious. "Spiritual Sense Stage? Why don't you have Zhang Tong come back?"

Zhang Quan opened his mouth but said nothing more. Zhang Tong was the Old Ancestor of the Zhang Family, a cultivator of the Calamity Tribulation Stage, capable of sensing heavenly secrets and avoiding misfortune. If someone miles away intended him harm, he would feel a Calamity Fortune, clear as day.

It was rare for cultivators of this level to perish. However, even the highest Dao could be overcome by demonic arts. A few years ago, while exploring Nine Dragon Mountain, he had fallen to the Demonic Path.

It was strange that the Heavenly Dao didn't seem to warn him of a Killing Tribulation on this journey. Otherwise, he would never have gone, and naturally, he wouldn't have died.

"The Old Ancestor is in seclusion cultivating Supernatural Abilities and should not be disturbed," Zhang Quan offered a flimsy excuse.

Mr. Feng grunted, too lazy to pry further. Since the Zhang Family needed his help, he could use this opportunity to make demands. He said, "A monster of the Spiritual Sense Stage, I am no match for it. Find someone else!"

Zhang Quan quickly replied, "Mr. Feng, please don't rush. Regarding the demon-slaying, we Martial Artists will do our best. We only ask for your help in dispelling the monster's spells and sensing its presence, to prevent its escape..."

Mr. Feng knew this was coming; he was just playing hard to get.

Although he was merely a Ghost Cultivator of the Mystical Stage, with the addition of a group of martial artists from a great clan, he wasn't afraid of a monster in the Spiritual Sense Stage.

"No, no, I am but a humble ghost, with low cultivation, and trapped within this Bronze Contract. How many spells can I dispel? If my Essence Soul is harmed, this meager Blood Food won't be enough to compensate! It's not worth it! Not worth it!" Mr. Feng repeatedly refused.

Zhang Quan said solemnly, "How can it be compensated?"

"At least a few pounds of Jade Marrow would be needed," Mr. Feng probed.

Zhang Quan immediately replied, "We are willing to offer three human sacrifices for you to absorb. After the task is completed, there will be three more!"

Upon hearing "human sacrifices," Mr. Feng's eyes widened. Ordinary livestock were merely Blood Food, enough to keep him from starving but offering little benefit to his cultivation... but humans were different!

They possessed complete spiritual essence and souls, full of vitality and essence, perfect in their circulation, favored by the Heavenly Dao. They were the lords of all beings, the origin of all phenomena! They were the precious life of Heavenly Materials and the extraordinary essence of Earthly Treasures!

The path of Absorption Cultivation involved absorbing or consuming spiritual items daily, followed by half an hour of cultivation, which could increase one's Dao cultivation by a day.

The Zhang Family had imprisoned him in the Bronze Contract, offering Blood Food only once a month, which had long since halted his Dao cultivation.

However, with Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, or spiritual elixirs and marvelous medicines, he didn't need to consume them daily.

Consuming an ounce of Jade Marrow can sustain half a year of cultivation. After eating it, you'll still need to increase your Dao cultivation day by day, but at least for the next six months, you won't need to take it daily. You can enter seclusion and automatically increase your Dao cultivation.

Therefore, providing him with resources for Dao cultivation has always been a precedent the Zhang Family was unwilling to set! They were mainly afraid that after a few years of Dao cultivation, he would break through to the Spiritual Sense Stage and break free from the Bronze Contract's constraints.

Unexpectedly, today, in order to eliminate a monster, they finally relented and were going to use him as Blood Food?

After Mr. Feng drained the livestock, he saw two cavalrymen ride up, dragging three servants with ropes.

They were all Menial Servants from Tea Mountain Fort. Their hands were bound behind their backs, their bodies were covered in injuries, and they were forced to kneel on the ground by the cavalrymen, their expressions tense and fearful.

They had already been forced to swear random oaths and curse the Heavenly Dao. Now, being dragged over and seeing this scene, they knew they were about to be sacrificed. They all started crying out.

"What a grand treatment I'm receiving," Mr. Feng sneered coldly.

Zhang Quan smiled faintly, "What does Mr. Feng think?"

"I don't think anything. I only want Jade Marrow," Mr. Feng said without even looking at the three servants.

Zhang Quan raised an eyebrow, looking a bit troubled. An ounce of Jade Marrow for half a year, and three ordinary people for half a year.

But Jade Marrow was precious and rare, and very expensive. From a cost-effectiveness perspective, humans were naturally cheaper.

He didn't expect that after being imprisoned for so many years, this old ghost was still so picky.

"Alright, one ounce of Jade Marrow. After this is done, another ounce," Zhang Quan agreed.

"It seems this monster is indeed powerful. Tell me in detail!" Mr. Feng did not immediately agree. It was rare to get resources, so he wouldn't compromise so easily.

Zhang Quan immediately said, "This monster has a superior origin and Spiritual Elegance. It was formed from a clear spring on Lao Mountain in Jiaodong. It excels at water spirit magic. Twenty years ago, it obtained a orthodox cultivation method from the Xuanmen and learned the Shen Family's Jade Flower Scripture. It might even know the method of Water Generating Wood. Its name is Shen Leling, titled the Water Nymph of Laoshan."

Mr. Feng raised an eyebrow, "Water Nymph of Laoshan? This monster and I have quite a connection! I cannot harm her!"

Zhang Quan pursed his lips, completely disbelieving his nonsense!

This was because Mr. Feng had been subdued by the Old Ancestor into the Bronze Contract fifty years ago. At that time, the Water Nymph of Laoshan probably hadn't even opened a Spiritual Aperture; she was just an ordinary clear spring. How could they have a connection?

But Mr. Feng looked serious. "Don't you believe me! Lao Mountain has been a famous mountain since ancient times, bordering the East Sea, with a majestic landscape. Therefore, immortals from overseas often traveled west, passing through this mountain to rest... In the past, the First Emperor made an imperial tour and visited this mountain. He set up a grand altar to seek an audience with Penglai Anqisheng."

"How could I not have traveled to such a famous mountain in my lifetime? I still remember it was a midsummer..."

Zhang Quan interrupted, "Two ounces after this is done!"

"Tsk!" Mr. Feng said sternly, "I truly cannot harm her! Listen to me! That midsummer, I climbed Lao Mountain and looked east at the vast sea. Feeling parched, a clear spring suddenly gushed out from a crack in the rocks. After drinking deeply, I felt refreshed all over, my fatigue vanished, and I shouted: What a sweet spring!"

Zhang Quan looked towards the tea mountain's mulberry grove, worried that too much time would be wasted and the monster would notice. He said, "Three ounces!"

"Hey~" Mr. Feng waved his hand and said, "That sweet spring quenched my thirst. I immediately bowed three times and pointed at the spring, saying: This sweet spring must have intelligence. If you become a monster next year, I will repay you!"

Zhang Quan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Feng, don't be too greedy."

Mr. Feng said excitedly, "Do you understand! That sweet spring owes me a favor! How can I harm my benefactor?"

"I will give you five ounces of Jade Marrow in total. If you don't agree, Mr. Feng, please leave!" Zhang Quan said coldly, preparing to roll up the Bronze Contract.

Seeing this, Mr. Feng immediately said regretfully, "Alas, it's not that I won't agree, but I sigh... Things have changed, and everything is over!"

"Back then, she offered her spring for me to drink deeply. Who knew today we'd decide life and death... Can I have the five ounces first?"

"I only prepared two ounces," Zhang Quan waved his hand, and someone brought over a box. Inside lay several pieces of pure white jade, as warm and smooth as cream.

"Good, good, good!" Mr. Feng's ghostly form floated over, his hands caressing the jade, his expression one of enjoyment.

A moment later, the two ounces of Jade Marrow became dim and lusterless, turning into rough, ugly stones, and even becoming soft. When crushed with force, they turned into powder.

"Let's set off quickly," Zhang Quan urged.

Mr. Feng glanced at them. "No rush. To deal with a monster at the Spiritual Sense Stage, how can you not prepare Yellow Springs Water?"

"Yellow Springs Water flows dozens of feet underground. Once taken out, it loses its effect," Zhang Quan said.

He naturally knew that Yellow Springs Water was a common item that greatly restrained Primordial Spirits and Essence Souls, but it had to be flowing water.

Mr. Feng chuckled, "That's because you don't know how to preserve it. Do cultivators need to stay dozens of feet underground when refining Yellow Springs Water into elixirs?"

"Please, Mr. Feng, enlighten us."

"You just drink it. It's the simplest, hehehe."

Hearing this, Zhang Quan's face darkened. Yellow Springs Water was dirty and cold, like muddy water. Drinking it would surely harm the body.

Mr. Feng spread his hands. "Anyway, I've given you the idea. The human body has all five elements, making it the best vessel. If the Yin and cold of the Yellow Springs Water are dispersed throughout your body, and the monster uses its Spiritual Sense to scan you, it will surely damage your Primordial Spirit."

Zhang Quan said, "Digging for Yellow Springs Water now will delay us. I'm afraid the monster will run away!"

Mr. Feng observed the mulberry grove, sensing the spiritual energy. After a while, he said, "The monster is not in the mulberry grove. This demonic energy was intentionally gathered to deceive you."

Mortals could only rely on things like the Demon-Startling Bell or talismans to detect demonic energy. Experienced monsters could easily deceive and lure them away.

"Then... where is the monster?" Zhang Quan asked in a deep voice, thinking how fortunate it was that they had invited this Ghost Cultivator. Otherwise, let alone defeating the monster, they probably wouldn't even be able to find it.

Ghosts were most sensitive to auras, so their ability to sense spiritual energy was stronger than monsters and humans of the same level.

Mr. Feng pointed to a bare stone peak in the southeast corner of Tea Mountain and said, "There's a sign of condensed moonlight, and a faint demonic aura. The monster must be cultivating in that stone peak."

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her, she won't escape! You all go and get the water quickly!"

Only then did Zhang Quan send people to do it. It wasn't until the latter half of the night, around dawn, that everyone had drunk their fill of dirty water, their faces looking grim.

"It won't kill you in a short time. At the critical moment, circulate your energy to force it out, and it can also contaminate the monster's origin water," Mr. Feng said calmly.

Zhang Quan looked at the sky and said, "It's going to be dawn soon. Can you do it?"

Mr. Feng curled his lips and replied, "What do you take me for, some kind of ghost? I'm a Ghost Cultivator! As long as it's not noon sunlight, I'm not afraid."

"Bring the Bronze Contract and follow me!"

He led the way, and Zhang Quan followed behind, putting away the Bronze Contract. Although Mr. Feng could travel in his Ghost Body, he couldn't stray more than three zhang from the Bronze Contract.