The Art of Ghost Refinement is not unique to the Human Race. In fact, the Tiger Demon clan has passed down an innate Divine Skill through their bloodline since ancient times: Cannibal Ghoul Transformation. This power enables them to turn the humans they devour into their servants, known as Ghoul Servants. The very phrase "to act as a servant for a tiger" originates from this practice.
However, compared to Wang Xiu's Ming Emperor's Prison Scripture or Jiang Ling'er's Jiuli Soul Refining Scripture, the Tiger Demon clan's Cannibal Ghoul Transformation can only create servants. If a Ghoul Servant grows stronger through cultivation, the Tiger Demon receives no feedback in the form of Mana or soul power, making the technique comparatively inferior.
At this moment, the Tiger Demon clearly had its sights set on Ji Zidian, preparing to refine her into a Ghoul Servant to replace the red-clothed Malicious Ghost.
"In your dreams!" Ji Zidian wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. She formed a sword seal, recalling the Celestial Heart Sword as her eyes filled with the will to fight to the death. "Even if I die, I will first cut you, this abomination, down!"
BOOM!
The words had barely left her mouth when the ground beneath her split open. A green light suddenly burst forth, enveloping her completely.
It was a giant tortoise shell, which had appeared out of nowhere, completely silent and unnoticed. Of course, this was partly because Ji Zidian's full attention was fixed on the Tiger Demon and the Malicious Ghost, leaving her oblivious to the ground beneath her feet.
"My apologies." A sigh echoed from the nearby jungle. "I'm afraid I must take this young lady with me today."
The underbrush parted, and a handsome young man slowly stepped out. His right hand was raised high, gripping a white-clothed Malicious Ghost in a vise-like grip that rendered it immobile.
"Sending a mere seventh-level Foundation Establishment minion after me? Don't you think you're underestimating me a little?" A corner of Wang Xiu's mouth curled up as he looked at the Tiger Demon in her guise as a Noblewoman. "Senior, your subordinate is now in my hands. How about this: I let her go, and you let us leave?"
HEE HEE...
Upon hearing Wang Xiu's words, the Tiger Demon's eyes filled with undisguised mockery. She covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. "What a handsome young man you are, and so humorous, too."
"A mere seventh-level Foundation Establishment wench is no different than an ant to me. How could she possibly be a threat?"
"This humble one has always refined only women into ghosts. However, since you are so handsome, little brother, I suppose I can make an exception just for you."
The Noblewoman extended a hand as pale as white jade, her pink tongue gently licking its back in a gesture of alluring charm. "Stop struggling. Come, be mine."
"How about this," she purred. "All of these dozens of beauties will be your playthings. That includes your little sweetheart from your sect. What do you say?"
HISS...
Wang Xiu drew in a sharp breath. Are they testing me? Trying to exploit my greatest weakness, is that it?!
What terrible luck! he sighed, inwardly cursing his misfortune. To encounter a mid-stage Core Formation old monster on his very first demon-slaying mission... His chances of winning were eighty percent at best, which was far too risky. Since negotiations had failed, he had no choice but to brace himself and fight.
As Wang Xiu slowly approached the Black Tortoise Mirror, his mouth twitched, watching the shell vibrate and emit a purple light.
"Farewell, Senior Sister!" With that, he formed a "Sword Flight" seal with his fingers and slapped it onto the tortoise shell before giving it a swift kick.
In the next instant, the Black Tortoise Mirror shot into the sky as a streak of green light, moving with the speed of a falling star.
"Stop her!" The Tiger Demon's expression darkened. At her sharp command, a dozen Malicious Ghosts soared into the sky to intercept the Black Tortoise Mirror.
"Who dares!"
Just as the Malicious Ghosts were about to reach their target, a thunderous roar erupted from the forest, like a clap of thunder on a clear day.
The spectral bodies of the Malicious Ghosts trembled violently, their faces contorting in terror. Like kites with their strings cut, they all plummeted toward the ground. The Black Tortoise Mirror seized the opportunity to break through, streaking across the sky like a green meteor before vanishing without a trace.
"Kneel!"
Wang Xiu took a sudden step forward. Behind him, the phantom of the Ming Emperor materialized, wreathed in terrifying Chains of Order that suppressed the infernal regions. An immense pressure instantly washed over the area.
In that instant, dozens of Malicious Ghosts fell prostrate on the ground, their faces filled with panic as they trembled uncontrollably. Even their spectral forms quaked and flickered with fear.
The Tiger Demon was also stunned by the massive phantom. Its eyes filled with dread and vigilance as it stared intently at Wang Xiu, ready to flee at a moment's notice.
"I beseech you! My precious, turn around!" Wang Xiu brought his hands together in a prayer-like gesture, bowed to the heavens, and chanted the words.
Instantly, a beam of golden light descended from the void and struck the nearby Purple Cloud Saber. The hilt of the blade flickered, and a human-like face materialized on its surface as a pair of golden wings sprouted from its sides.
WHOOSH!
The Purple Cloud Saber transformed into a streak of purple-gold lightning and shot forth.
In the blink of an eye, a series of shrieks echoed through the air as one Malicious Ghost after another was pierced by the purple-gold lightning, which moved too fast for anyone to react.
Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger Technique!
This was one of the Blade Sect's ultimate, sect-guarding techniques within the Sanqing Immortal Sect. It was said that the Blade Sect's founder comprehended it from a supreme treasure. Legend claimed that when cultivated to its peak, it could traverse the void to slay even True Immortals.
As for Wang Xiu, he had picked it up a few days ago at the foot of the mountain by listening to a certain "Master Li" boast about his peerless flying dagger skills.
Of course, with his current Cultivation Level and Mana, Wang Xiu certainly couldn't kill any immortals. But for harvesting Malicious Ghosts that had lost their will to resist, it was as easy and efficient as a scythe cutting through weeds.
In a flash, dozens of Malicious Ghosts were struck down by the Purple Cloud Saber, their spectral forms dissipating completely. Not a single one was spared.
"Damn it!" The Noblewoman's expression changed drastically. She had originally thought the little girl from the Thunder Sect was the most troublesome one among these youths. She never expected that this devastatingly handsome young man was the one who was truly hiding his strength. His seemingly endless array of techniques sent a chill down her spine.
Retreat! Where there's life, there's hope. Besides, with that treasure ground, I can cultivate as many new Ghoul Servants as I need. There's no reason to take this risk!
With this thought, the Tiger Demon leaped into the air and fled toward the dense northern forest, moving so fast that she didn't even leave an afterimage.
"Running away?" Wang Xiu sneered. "Did you really think you could escape?"
"Why do you think," he continued, "I deliberately left the battlefield just now?"
Possessing the Ming Emperor's Prison-Suppressing Scripture at the perfected realm, he had sensed the dozens of Ghoul Servants hidden within the ghostly fog the moment it appeared. Ghoul Servants were slaves of the Devil Race, and where they appeared, a Great Demon was sure to be lurking nearby. He had been waiting for it to reveal itself all along.
Now that the abomination had finally shown its face, how could he possibly let it escape?
Four Symbols Guarding and Slaying Evil Array, activate!
Wang Xiu formed a seal with his hands and shouted. In an instant, a formidable power surged from the four cardinal directions.
The Tiger Demon had fled less than a hundred meters when a massive black tortoise shell materialized out of thin air, blocking her path.
BOOM!
The power of the Black Tortoise of the North, renowned for its impenetrable defense, slammed into the Tiger Demon and sent her flying back dozens of meters. Blood splattered through the air, and her head was left ringing.
WHOOSH!
At the same moment, a streak of purple-gold light shot out from the forest and struck the Tiger Demon square in the chest.
ROAR!
The Tiger Demon let out a pained cry. Amidst the crackling lightning of the Purple Cloud Saber, she was forced back into her true form, writhing in agony. Even the demonic aura around her body dissipated significantly from the injury.
...
"Demon!" Wang Xiu stepped out from the jungle, slowly shrugging off his True Disciple's Daoist robe. "I knew you weren't human from the first moment I saw you!"
Mighty Heavenly Dragon Subduing Demon Golden Body!
Arise