Phantoms Everywhere, Crushed in an Instant

Lin Tianlu's expression stiffened slightly.

He had originally thought that Li Manor might be home to ferocious ghosts, and he had vaguely heard the clang of swords outside the courtyard, believing a fierce battle was underway.

But as soon as he pushed the door open, a naked woman, clad only in a light silk veil, stood before the courtyard. This bizarre scene left him utterly bewildered.

And her seductive posture, was she trying to make the person opening the door play the role of Miao Renfeng?

At the same time, his arrival naturally drew attention.

"--Senior!"

Hua Shuya's eyes flickered, and she quickly shouted, "Many people in Li Manor have been harmed by this evil spirit!"

But a wave of yin energy transformed into a gust of wind and fiercely swept towards her, immediately repelling her. She stumbled back several steps before involuntarily kneeling on one knee, sword in hand, gasping for breath.

After several fierce battles, she had barely managed to protect herself, but her internal energy was completely depleted.

"Miss Hua, you truly are too talkative. Saying such a mood-killing thing only adds to misunderstandings, which is hardly beautiful."

The Fox-like Woman chuckled as she retracted her right hand and turned to face Lin Tianlu, who was walking into the courtyard.

"Master Lin, I recognize you. Recently, you seem to have gained quite a reputation in Changling County by killing evil spirits with that so-called righteousness, earning much praise and admiration from the county residents."

"You flatter me. Such praise is merely empty fame and fleeting clouds."

"But the servants outside tried to stop you, and yet you, Master Lin, ignored them and trespassed into Li Manor. Is that not excessively rude?"

"Those two servants died a long time ago and are merely being manipulated by yin energy. I have no desire to converse further with two deceased individuals."

Glancing at the courtyard gate, which had automatically closed behind him, Lin Tianlu cupped his hands. "However, Miss, you should put on some clothes first. This is truly indecent."

The Fox-like Woman narrowed her crescent-shaped eyes and smiled slyly. She then tossed her long, flowing hair backward, revealing an even more seductive twist of her graceful figure.

"Master Lin, if you wish to look, feel free to do so. I am not one of those young ladies who feign modesty. Such a perfect body, if confined by fabric, would be a terrible waste, wouldn't it?"

Lin Tianlu chuckled, "What you say has some truth to it, Miss."

"Moreover—" the Fox-like Woman smiled inexplicably, "When you, sir, bravely stepped into the sea of fire to fight that evil spirit, it allowed me to escape smoothly. You, sir, might even be considered half my savior."

Lin Tianlu was slightly surprised.

So the 'fellow' the evil spirit in the cloth shop was muttering about back then was this female ghost before him?

"What a coincidence," Lin Tianlu said curiously. "But you know I destroyed the evil spirit in the cloth shop, yet you stand before me so calmly now. Aren't you afraid of death?"

"I cannot be compared to that evil spirit."

The Fox-like Woman shook her head. "He was a man, and I am a woman. That makes all the difference."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but lick her red lips, a hint of seductive charm appearing on her face. "I know of your great power, sir, and I never intended to harm you. But you, sir, have read many books and rarely frequent places of pleasure. You may not know that a woman's weapon is sometimes not blades, spears, axes, and halberds, but rather the delicate softness that wraps around one's fingers, gentle as water."

"A handsome man like you, sir, I was captivated at first sight. Now that we meet again, my heart trembles, and I feel as if I've fallen into a sea of love."

As she spoke, the Fox-like Woman walked with sexy, alluring steps, her light veil swaying. Her fair skin seemed to glow under the moonlight.

Her slender fingers brushed away, and even the last shred of covering drifted away with the wind. Her entire body exuded a peach-like, tempting allure. She whispered softly, "Sir, this scene is so beautiful and moving. The night breeze is cool. Why don't we find a quiet place and have a passionate embrace?

Let go of the mundane world and enjoy the ultimate bliss of ascension. Will you accompany me to the clouds?"

An ambiguous atmosphere, like mist, rose around them, with a seductive fragrance subtly permeating the night air.

Hua Shuya in the distance seemed to sense something strange. Her expression changed slightly, and she was about to shout, but a strange, cold wind swept past her body, making her stiffen. At the same time, the sound of sword wind whistled in her ears, and the black-haired girl pursued her fiercely. She could only stagger and dodge with all her might.

"Heh heh~"

The Fox-like Woman quietly withdrew her gaze, a deeper smile in her eyes.

"My name is Xiao Lanzhu, sir. You must remember it. Don't call out the wrong name when we're intimate later." Xiao Lanzhu chuckled seductively, her every move provocative and fiery, as if deliberately displaying her charm. She moved around him as if dancing, until she quietly came up behind Lin Tianlu, smiling as she tiptoed and leaned in close:

"Sir, let me get a good look at your—"

BANG!!

A shadow of a fist flashed, and Xiao Lanzhu was immediately hit hard, flying through the air and crashing into the surrounding wall behind her.

"……"

Looking at the Fox-like Woman, half her body embedded in the wall, Lin Tianlu retracted his solid fist.

"Fortunately, there are no female boxers in this world, or I fear I would be beaten to death by random punches."

He sighed inwardly a couple of times and casually brushed the dust off his clothes.

The surrounding soft pink, romantic environment suddenly dispersed, along with the Fox-like Woman, whose legs dangled and trembled.

A cold wind rose, turning into an autumn night's chilling wind that could freeze one's heart, as if whistling and wailing in his ears.

Lin Tianlu turned his head and saw another Xiao Lanzhu not far away—

Or rather, this woman was the real body.

The one from before was likely just a clone created through some means.

"—How could this be!?"

Seeing this change, Xiao Lanzhu's face showed a hint of shock and anger. "Why are you unaffected?!"

"Your figure is indeed graceful. But I've seen many more beautiful than you, so I won't make a fool of myself." Lin Tianlu chuckled, "Besides, your charm techniques are as bland as water, lacking any novelty."

"Just writhing naked in front of me isn't as appealing as those lewd pictures from my past life."

After all, what is known as subtle, alluring beauty can sometimes be more attractive. It's not that the more you reveal, the more appealing you become.

"What are you saying..."

Xiao Lanzhu's expression turned extremely grim, and her vicious gaze swept towards Hua Shuya in the distance. "Is it this woman? You think I'm inferior to such a mortal?!"

"You and her are worlds apart."

Lin Tianlu walked forward with a smile.

Seeing this, Xiao Lanzhu immediately said hatefully, "Then I'll take her vitality and skin, and make her a part of me. As for you... you'll stay right here and watch this woman get skinned alive!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately formed hand seals. The surrounding yin wind surged, and in an instant, dozens of semi-real, semi-illusory figures materialized, filling almost the entire courtyard.

These beauties, each with their own unique charm, either smiled seductively, giggled coyly, or whispered and murmured, striking alluring poses. The enchanting atmosphere, like an illusion, wafted out again, almost enveloping the entire Li Manor.

Clang--!

A sword hummed softly. The black-haired girl drifted out from among the seductive figures, as if preparing to launch a sneak attack with her sword.

Lin Tianlu, however, quietly closed his eyes. Without turning his head, he raised a finger and pinched the sword blade. With a twist of his wrist, the long sword in the girl's hand instantly shattered and exploded.

If you find this book to your liking, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

As the black-haired girl looked on in astonishment, he flicked a finger. All the yin energy rooted within her body was instantly blasted out!

"Urk--?!"

The black-haired girl fell to her knees with a thud, her eyes seeming to regain a sliver of clarity. But upon seeing the dazzling, bizarre spectacle around her, she immediately endured the pain throughout her body and cried out, "Quick, run!"

"Heh heh~ You think you can escape from here!"

Many of the "Xiao Lanzhus" floating around revealed sinister smiles.

Lin Tianlu slapped towards the numerous phantoms swirling around him, as if hitting something.

Immediately, Xiao Lanzhu stumbled out from the phantoms, her hair disheveled, her face dazed as she clutched her cheek bearing the imprint of a palm.

"Wh-what--"

"It seems, Miss, your yin arts have quite a few flaws."

Lin Tianlu smiled faintly.

Hearing this, Xiao Lanzhu's expression sank. She secretly formed hand seals again, and her figure blurred.

A large number of phantoms reappeared, crisscrossing and circling. Vivid scenes of intimacy unfolded around her, accompanied by continuous gasps and moans.

Lin Tianlu, however, turned a deaf ear. He vaguely discerned a direction and then flicked his finger.

-- Snap!

Xiao Lanzhu was forcefully thrown out again, her face now filled with astonishment. "Th-this... How did you see through my Yin Art?!"

She gritted her teeth, refusing to believe it, and cast her yin technique again. Layers of ghostly shadows swirled and spread, baring their fangs and claws, shrieking incessantly.

Lin Tianlu simply took out a portable poetry collection from his huai (bosom/pocket), rolled it into a stick, and strode forward. Then, he swung the book-stick and smashed it down.

"Ah?!"

Xiao Lanzhu screamed in extreme horror, clutching her forehead and retreating repeatedly. "Impossible! How could I possibly--"

"Yin Arts, is it?"

Lin Tianlu swung again.

"Charm techniques, are they?"

"Still trying to seduce men, are you?"

"You, you scoundrel... Enough!"

Repeatedly smashed back to her true form, Xiao Lanzhu seemed unable to bear it any longer. She roared, yin energy erupting around her as she spread her arms and bellowed, "Why can you find my real body again and again?! My Yin Arts are clearly--"

"Flawless?"

Lin Tianlu seemed to mock. "You should pay more attention to the skin on your face."

"What did you say--"

"Harming innocent women, slaughtering the Li Manor, your sins are quite considerable."

Lin Tianlu's expression gradually became solemn. Even without opening his eyes, his subtle senses had spread out, constructing a mystical scroll. This female ghost was entwined with threads of blood-red silk, connecting to the 'skin paintings' fluttering around her. These alluring illusions were, in fact, the pitiful women she had harmed, all trapped within the flesh and skin, weeping and wailing pitifully. This scene of carnal indulgence, in his eyes, was a tragic spectacle that evoked regret.

"Let this humiliation end here."

Lin Tianlu sighed softly.

Xiao Lanzhu's lips trembled, and her expression suddenly turned ferociously savage.

Now that all my trump cards are gone, I can only resort to a desperate move!

Her supple body suddenly lowered, her feet stomped, and she erupted with an unbelievably terrifying speed, leaving a pale afterimage in the courtyard. Her fingers curled into scarlet bloody claws, slashing fiercely.

But those five-fingered talons, capable of shattering metal and stone, stopped abruptly just inches from his chest.

Lin Tianlu expressionlessly grabbed her wrist.

Xiao Lanzhu was already terrified, knowing she had no retreat. She hurriedly trembled, "Master Lin! You don't know the hardships and pain I endured in life. Everyone in the Li Manor oppressed me, and Li Yu especially humiliated me in every way. I didn't truly intend to harm anyone—"

"Could you say these words to the innocent women you harmed to their faces?"

"Did you ever hear their cries and wails?!"

Lin Tianlu tossed the book in his hand, a cold sneer on his lips. "There are beauties in books; you should go find your pretty skins in there."

"Wait! Mister, wait!" Xiao Lanzhu's face contorted in terror. She repeatedly pleaded softly, "This humble concubine will be your beast of burden, serve you tea and water as a maid, even if it's to be that—"

Lin Tianlu suddenly brought down the book.

Thump--!

A dull thud echoed, and Xiao Lanzhu was instantly smashed into oblivion.

In an instant, a large amount of gray energy surged from her shattered body, and at the same time, several human skins scattered on the ground, faintly revealing the figures of those village women.

They seemed to suppress their grief and sorrow, biting their red lips tightly, bowing to Lin Tianlu from afar with tears in their eyes.

Finally, these women silently transformed into a wisp of elegant breeze, merging into the serene night.