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In the cover of night, Cen Dongsheng leapt upward, swiftly climbing to the third floor like a monkey, gripping the railings with his hands as the metal beneath his feet slightly twisted.
He squinted his eyes, gazing at the entire row of rooms shrouded in mist and darkness.
...Was it in here?
This ghost, which had never shown itself, seemed to no longer be hiding, as an intense burst of yin energy soared into the sky.
Or perhaps it had already come into contact with that female Curse Forbidden Master, and was thus in a state of being easily activated at any moment?
This speculation was not unfounded; it was highly possible that those two had found the Core Ghost's location earlier than he did, thus couldn't wait to take action.
Sure enough, like Cen Dongsheng, they too intended to eliminate risks...
"Mr. Cen."
A cold female voice resounded from not far away.
He turned his head to see a gigantic beetle clinging to the gate wall, its back covered in mottled patterns that formed a human face, with the lines twisting as if someone was speaking.
"If you wish to leave here, we have something to take, so we can cooperate."
Cen Dongsheng sneered.
"Ridiculous."
The voice belonged to the female Curse Forbidden Master named Yin Lian.
Recalling the Flying Centipede capable of spraying mist, Cen Dongsheng speculated in his heart that this person might be a Gu Master from the Ghost Immortal Series.
The term "Heavenly God, Earthly Human, Ghost" originally referred to five types of immortals; gradually, it became a method to classify different types of Cursing Prohibition. Though somewhat general, it was also the most famous standard.
There were no higher or lower levels among the five types of Cursing Prohibition, only differing in nature.
Mysterious techniques, Controlling Ghosts and Driving Demons, Round Light Soul Capturing, chashing the underworld... all are part of the Ghost Immortal lineage. Unlike the Human Immortal Series, which gathers great power into oneself, or the Earth Immortal Series, with its Five Elements Escape Technique to Call the Wind and Summon the Rain, it was renowned for its bewildering unpredictable nature, troublesome for opponents and considered the best support if allied.
—However, she dared not confront him directly.
Even though Cen Dongsheng had not displayed any superpower till now, she still didn't dare.
Just this pretentious demeanor alone let Cen Dongsheng gauge her strength.
"You are strong. I do not wish to oppose you."
"Too late, your companion did not think so earlier."
"I indeed traveled with Deng Rong for a while, but we can't really be called partners," Yin Lian said. "You've already killed him. There is no obstacle to our cooperation anymore."
"His life was taken by me personally," he responded coldly. "What does it have to do with you?"
"...Do you really wish to be obstinate?" The woman sighed. "If the Core Ghost inside gets loose, and we are on guard against each other, things will get tricky. Besides, there are still regular people here. Aren't you afraid they might get hurt?"
"..."
Cen Dongsheng remained silent, merely furrowing his brow, as if genuinely considering her offer.
Of course, this was a lie.
Though he did not enjoy killing innocents, he would certainly assist them in escaping if he could; but if someone were to use the lives of ordinary people as leverage at a critical moment — he would never compromise.
The person he truly wanted to protect was only one. If anything was tough to deal with, it might be consoling Sister Zhi Zhen afterward, depending on whether she would be saddened by the deaths of others.
"...Hmph."
Yin Lian suddenly snorted coldly.
"Deceiver. The so-called Curse Forbidden Masters are indeed a bunch of cold-blooded people."
Cen Dongsheng raised his eyebrows.
"Stop pretending. You don't care about others' lives. Maybe only that Doctor An is dear to you."
So it was a test.
Since everything was out in the open, Cen Dongsheng chose no longer to conceal anything.
"Indeed, there is no difference in our situation... Whether the opponent is a ghost or you, I don't mind."
He stretched his body, standing up from the railing, looking down from above.
"Enough talk. Let's begin, and see who is stronger."
Cen Dongsheng no longer suppressed his aura, the yin energy before him surged like tides upon the vigorous blood energy's stimulation.
"Roar—!"
Suddenly, the door to a room was slammed open from the inside, and a charred figure, covered in flames, roared as it lunged out.
Unmistakably, it was the Core Ghost.
Cen Dongsheng stood ready.
It glanced around, its white ghastly eyes spotting the nearest youth yet not attacking him. Instead, it abruptly twisted and sprinted in another direction, leaving a trail of charred footprints in the corridor.
"What...?!"
Yin Lian's muffled groan came from the nearby fog, as a woman in a long skirt, somewhat disheveled, emerged from a shadow, dodging the blaze that was coming at her.
"Heh."
Cen Dongsheng smiled.
"Seems luck favored this side. It sought them first."
The battle among the Core Ghost, Cen Dongsheng, and Yin Lian had officially begun.
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