บท 41: The Dragon's Might Unleashed, Overwhelming the Evil Spirits!

A/N:

Get 20 advanced chapters at p@treon.com/Ashborn69. Your support helps me so much Thank you!

-------------------

At the edge of Dihua Marsh, Hu Tao hummed a cheerful tune as she walked along a small path, with Lin Yuan and Lottia, two little figures floating beside her.

Hu Tao had just successfully completed a commission for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and she was in high spirits. After learning about Lottia's background, they agreed to take her along. However, there was still some debate between Hu Tao and Lin Yuan about Lottia's care.

"Huan, since Lottia is following you, you should take care of her from now on," Hu Tao teased slyly, clearly a bit miffed that Lottia seemed to prefer Lin Yuan over her.

"Eep eep eep!" Lin Yuan's eyes flashed with displeasure.

Lottia floated beside them, calmly translating, "Lin Yuan says that since Hu Tao has collected so many supplies from the Qixing on his behalf, she should also help take care of Lottia."

Crossing her arms, Hu Tao responded, "You want me to take care of your little girlfriend too? That's too much."

Lin Yuan shook his head in disbelief. Was Hu Tao already assuming there was something going on between him and Lottia?

Lin Yuan made another sound, and Lottia translated again, "Lin Yuan says they are innocent, and as a spirit, Lottia might even bring good fortune to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

Hu Tao's eyes lit up at the mention of luck. Like a little money-grubber, she began calculating, "Oh yeah, spirits are usually symbols of luck, aren't they? If the Funeral Parlor raised a little spirit alongside Lin Yuan…"

After muttering to herself for a moment, Hu Tao suddenly turned toward Lottia with renewed enthusiasm, "Ah, I knew it from the start! Lottia and the Funeral Parlor are destined to be together. I'll take on the task of raising her."

Lin Yuan nodded, knowing that this was exactly what he needed to say to change Hu Tao's mind.

Just as Lin Yuan and Hu Tao were having their little exchange, Lin Yuan suddenly sensed something. He turned his head to look in a different direction toward Dihua Marsh.

Lottia also noticed the same thing and looked in the same direction.

Confused, Hu Tao tilted her head and asked, "What's going on with you two? Why are you so in sync?"

Lottia spoke up directly, "We can feel an evil presence not far from here."

"Evil spirits?" Hu Tao immediately became more serious. "Is it like the black mist we encountered at Wuwang Hill?"

"Similar, but stronger," Lottia replied.

Hearing that there might be such a dangerous presence so close to Dihua Marsh, Hu Tao decided to check it out with Lin Yuan and Lottia. After all, the area was near Wangshu Inn and close to residential areas. If a powerful evil entity existed here, it would endanger nearby residents.

Cautiously, the three of them ventured into the yellowing woods of Dihua Marsh. As they got closer to the source of the malevolent energy, they prepared for battle.

However, as they emerged from the woods, the scene before them left them stunned.

The clearing was littered with fallen Hilichurls—far more than they could count. There were even Mitachurls and a massive Lawachurl among them. The ground bore deep craters and cracks, evidence of a fierce battle.

In the center stood a green-haired young man, emitting wisps of black energy, standing motionless.

"What… happened here?" Hu Tao asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

So many Hilichurls, along with a Lawachurl, lay defeated on the ground.

And in the middle of it all was none other than Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons.

Lin Yuan's dragon-like pupils narrowed sharply. It was indeed Xiao.

Judging by his appearance, Xiao seemed to be trapped in the torment of karmic burdens.

Sensing something was wrong with Xiao, Hu Tao led Lin Yuan and Lottia closer cautiously.

"Be careful," Lottia whispered to Lin Yuan, "he might be under attack from the evil spirits."

Hu Tao nodded and proceeded cautiously toward Xiao.

As they approached, Xiao sensed their presence. With his eyes still closed, he groaned softly, "Stay away from me. Don't come any closer."

Hu Tao, who had been watching Xiao warily, understood from his words that he was trying to protect them.

At that moment, as Xiao strained to issue the warning from his inner world, the karmic burdens weighing on him became even more active. The world inside Xiao's mind began to manifest more chains that bound him tighter, flooding him with negative energy.

Even with his immense willpower, Xiao let out a pained cry.

In the physical world, the black energy surrounding him grew thicker, transforming into dense clouds of black mist.

Hu Tao, recognizing the mist, spoke up, "This is the same as the black mist! I'm great at handling this stuff. Let me help you."

Having dealt with similar mist before, Hu Tao confidently reached out her hand toward Xiao, intending to help free him from the torment.

But just as Hu Tao stretched out her hand, Lin Yuan noticed that the black mist enveloping Xiao was no ordinary evil. He quickly shouted, "Wait, Hu Tao! Don't touch him yet!"

However, by the time Lottia translated Lin Yuan's warning, it was too late. Hu Tao's hand had already touched Xiao.

It was at this moment that Hu Tao realized her mistake.

While she was indeed skilled at dealing with wandering spirits, the karmic burdens surrounding Xiao were far more complex.

The moment her hand made contact, Hu Tao was overwhelmed by the weight of Xiao's accumulated burdens. Even the briefest glimpse into the depth of those burdens caused her to freeze, breathless, and momentarily lose focus.

She could hardly fathom how Xiao had managed to carry such a crushing load while continuing to fight.

What's worse, Hu Tao's usual techniques for dealing with evil spirits were completely ineffective.

Sensing Hu Tao's presence, the karmic burdens began to stir, attempting to extend toward her.

Trapped in a blood-red world within his mind, Xiao gritted his teeth as he sensed what was happening outside. His face twisted in anguish, "Stop it!"

However, bound by the chains of his own burdens, Xiao was unable to control the power of the karmic forces surrounding him. His struggle only caused the chains to tighten further, intensifying his torment.

In the physical world, waves of black mist surged toward Hu Tao, preparing to engulf her.

At this moment, Hu Tao sensed the looming danger. The protective talisman passed down through the generations of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor began to glow with a golden light, sensing its master's life was in danger.

The karmic mist surged forward, but the talisman's golden light managed to hold it at bay for a moment. Yet, even this protective charm could not withstand the millennia of accumulated karmic burdens of a Yaksha.

Just as the karmic mist began to break through the barrier, Lin Yuan let out a resounding roar, the cry of a young dragon, and unleashed a wave of overwhelming dragon's might that instantly enveloped the entire area.