Su Miao raised a hand and caught the falling Soul-Absorbing Orb. Its surface was warm, and faintly visible within were countless densely packed specks of light—the sleeping Yin Spirits.
She patted the orb as though soothing a startled pet.
"Be good. I'll send you off to reincarnate later."
Jieyin gave her an approving glance.
"Miao Heng is thoughtful. If these Yin Spirits are left unchecked, they will eventually become vicious ghosts and bring disaster upon others. Sending them to the Underworld is both deliverance and Merit."
Su Miao tucked the Soul-Absorbing Orb back into her sleeve.
"It isn't Compassion. It's making the best use of them.
"Sending these Yin Spirits to the Underworld can earn Merit. The Underworld is short on labor force right now, so before reincarnating, they can do a few hundred years of hard labor and repay the debts they owed in life."
Zhunti chuckled. "As expected of the Sect Master—always so meticulous with her calculations."
Su Miao proudly lifted her chin. "I learned it from the Iron Abacus."
The three continued deeper inside.
After walking for about another hour, the Evil Qi ahead suddenly grew denser, so dense it was nearly tangible.
Black mist formed a wall across their path. Faint human faces surfaced upon it, twisted, ferocious, and pained.
The Great Dao Merit Golden Wheel behind Su Miao's head emerged on its own.
A halo of chaos-colored light spread from behind her head, enveloping all three of them. The light was gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty, like spring sunlight shining upon ice and snow. When the black Evil Qi struck the chaotic halo, it melted away as swiftly as ice and snow beneath a blazing sun, hissing like water splashed into hot oil.
Wherever the halo reached, the Evil Qi retreated, revealing the