Chapter 56: The Ghost-Nurturing Ground

The female ghost, locked in direct confrontation with Bai Mengqi, was clearly at a disadvantage. Her form flickered in and out of existence, resembling nothing more than a fleeting shadow.

Though Bai Mengqi’s movements were swift and precise, each of her attacks struck the female ghost’s illusory form with unerring accuracy. Yet, despite landing blow after blow, she found herself utterly unable to destroy it.

“Hey, Great Immortaless,” Bai Mengqi called out, her voice a mental plea to the Great Immortaless within her mind. “This female ghost is completely unlike any we’ve encountered before. What’s happening? Why can’t I kill her?” She continued to parry the ghost’s attacks as she spoke.

A hint of genuine surprise colored her tone. Clearly, this was the very first time she had faced an enemy she couldn’t utterly eliminate.

Immediately, the Great Immortaless’s voice resonated in her mind, carrying a note of solemnity.

“Indeed, this female ghost is different from those we’ve met before. What you see is not her true body, but merely a phantom conjured from boundless resentment. Thus, no matter how many times you scatter her, she will swiftly reassemble.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Mengqi felt a pang of frustration.

‘Evil spirits don’t typically have a true body, do they?’ she wondered aloud, clearly grappling with the concept.

The Great Immortaless sighed softly. “Don’t dwell on that for now. First, escape this cursed place and head outside the town. I’ll tell you where her true body is then.”

Receiving this instruction, Bai Mengqi immediately prepared for her departure.

Continuing to tangle with the female ghost here would only deplete her strength in vain, and she had no patience for futile efforts.

With a swift hand seal, she channeled her power and unleashed a sharp sword beam that rent the air, striking the roof directly above her.

A deafening rumble echoed as the house instantly crumbled. The female ghost let out a piercing shriek.

Without hesitation, Bai Mengqi glanced at the gaping hole left by the collapsing structure, then leaped, transforming into a streak of light as she soared away.

Seeing this, the female ghost immediately unleashed her hair, which pursued Bai Mengqi like a thousand venomous serpents.

“Don’t even think of escaping! Stay here!” the female ghost’s sinister voice reverberated in Bai Mengqi’s ears.

However, Bai Mengqi paid no heed to the threat.

While formidable, she understood her limitations; she couldn’t resolve every single problem.

Her hands moved, forming intricate seals, and fireballs rapidly coalesced in her grasp. She then hurled them at the surging tide of hair.

Flames erupted instantly, engulfing and consuming the hair completely.

Seizing this opportunity, Bai Mengqi flew out of the small town at her fastest speed, landing in an open space just beyond its borders.

When the female ghost’s hair reached the town’s sealed edge, an invisible force blocked its path.

After circling in the air a few times, they reluctantly retreated back into the town.

Bai Mengqi landed on the ground, breathing heavily. The strenuous flight had taken its toll.

Once she had regulated her breathing, she promptly asked the Great Immortaless, “All right, I’m out. Where is her true body?”

The Great Immortaless offered a peculiar smile. “Have you still not noticed the problem?”

Bai Mengqi’s heart stirred at her words.

She soared into the sky once more, gazing down at the entire town. With this aerial view, she suddenly understood.

It turned out that this seemingly sealed town was, in fact, a place for raising ghosts.

The array within not only trapped the female ghost but also prevented the dissipation of malevolent energy, transforming the entire town into a nexus of intensely concentrated evil.

“This is a ghost-nurturing ground, isn’t it?” Bai Mengqi murmured to herself.

The Great Immortaless nodded. “Precisely. This female ghost has virtually merged with this entire area. Her power devours this space; the entire town *is* her true body. That residence earlier was merely her heart. To kill her, you would need to utterly obliterate this entire region, and even you, currently, do not possess that ability.”

Bai Mengqi couldn’t help but feel a wave of despondency.

She had believed herself strong enough to face any challenge.

However, reality had delivered a harsh blow. She took a deep breath and said, “I understand. It seems I was too confident, too early. To destroy this place with my current strength, it’s truly not enough.”

The Great Immortaless quickly reassured her, “Don’t lose heart. It’s only a matter of time. As soon as you acquire another Immortal Crystal Shard, you’ll reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Then, returning to annihilate this place will be effortless.”

Bai Mengqi nodded, secretly resolving to find time specifically to collect Immortal Crystal Shards and enhance her power.

As for now, since the problem couldn’t be resolved immediately, she could only leave.

She looked into the distance and asked, “Didn’t you say there should be three Immortal Crystal Shards in Japan? Where are the other two? Are they far?”

The Great Immortaless smiled mysteriously. “They aren’t far, but you probably can’t get away right now. I suggest you return to that shrine and ask the goddess spirit there. She should know things we don’t.”

Bai Mengqi checked the time, noting that there was still some daylight left before evening.

Thus, she decided to first go to Kikyo’s shrine to inquire about the situation.

****

Half an hour later, Kikyo’s shrine was enveloped in the glow of the setting sun.

Bai Mengqi entered the shrine and found Kikyo sitting quietly before the altar, eyes closed in meditation.

“Kikyo,” Bai Mengqi called out softly.

Kikyo opened her eyes at the sound, a hint of surprise in them when she saw Bai Mengqi. “Immortal, why have you returned?”

Bai Mengqi immediately explained her situation to Kikyo.

“I just went to the small town on the outskirts of Tokyo, the one consumed by the bound spirit. There was something of mine there that I intended to retrieve, but I never expected that the female ghost had merged with the town. Even I find it incredibly difficult to destroy her at present.”

Kikyo understood immediately upon hearing this, letting out a long sigh. “Alas, Immortal, you don’t know. There are five such places around Tokyo. Their formation is incredibly complex, involving many factors. Although I am a local deity, there are some matters where my heart is willing, but my power is insufficient.”

Bai Mengqi felt a flicker of disappointment.

But she did not abandon hope, pressing on, “Then, Kikyo, do you know of any method that could destroy that female ghost?”

Kikyo pondered for a moment before replying, “You could visit the Jingguo Shrine opposite this one. You’ll understand once you see it.”

As she spoke, she gestured towards a distant location.

Bai Mengqi followed Kikyo’s gaze, spotting a grand and imposing shrine in the distance.

Their elevated position allowed them a clear view.

A thought sparked in her mind: ‘Could that be the key to resolving all of this?’

After thanking Kikyo, she left the shrine.

She quickened her pace along the way, soon arriving outside the Jingguo Shrine Kikyo had mentioned.

Upon reaching it, Bai Mengqi immediately sensed the extraordinary nature of the place.

The air was thick with pervasive malevolent energy, as if even the sunlight struggled to penetrate the gloom.

She gazed at the magnificent shrine before her, which resembled a sprawling palace complex, and a somber expression settled on her face.

From a distance, the issues here might not have been apparent, but upon closer inspection, Bai Mengqi realized that this was undoubtedly one of the most heavily yin-laden places in Japan.

However, a powerful barrier enveloped its exterior, preventing ordinary people from noticing anything amiss.

Bai Mengqi’s thoughts drifted to the array patterns beneath the ghost town.

She surmised that those patterns were the crucial link to this place, meaning the endless resentment generated there was all being funneled here.