The solution was surprisingly simple: grab Xiaoxiang's foot, use the Qian Kun technique to press her Yongquan acupoint, recite the purification mantra, and give three orders to force the ghost cocoon out of her. Many exorcism methods in Maoshan arts are straightforward like this, more about knowing the method than anything else. It's like being blinded by a thin veil; once you pierce it, the simplicity of the solution can even seem laughable.
Simple as it sounded, getting hold of Xiaoxiang's foot was no easy feat. That wicked woman wouldn't let me off so easily, especially since Little Miss Ghost had already drained her energy. I, on my own, was no match for her. Looking back, I saw Xiao Gun, Big Mouth Rong, and Xiao Ying huddled in the corner, their faces pale with fear as they stared at the eerie little oil lamp in Xiaoxiang's hand. This lamp could pull out a soul, trap it in its wick, and burn it with ghost oil—utterly horrifying.
Xiaoxiang sneered as she stepped out of the coffin onto the platform. Her icy gaze swept over the others, making them shiver, before settling on me. She grinned wickedly and said, "You're cunning, but I'll take your life first!" With that, she jumped to the ground and blew a gust of air toward me, holding up the lamp.
"Roll back!" Little Miss Ghost shouted urgently.
Without hesitation, I rolled backward—no jumping here as I was still lying on the ground.
"The Soul-Stealing Lamp can only steal souls within five feet. Stay beyond that range, and she can't harm you. This lamp was meant to protect against grave robbers by trapping their souls. As long as you keep dodging her, she can't do anything. Then, you can expel her from Xiaoxiang's body and use her own lamp to trap her!"
This roll took me over ten feet away, landing conveniently next to Xiao Ying. She pulled me closer while Xiao Gun and Big Mouth Rong scrambled to their feet, still too terrified to speak.
"You think you can escape me?" Xiaoxiang growled through gritted teeth. Stretching out her left hand, she unleashed a powerful force that yanked me off the ground, drawing me rapidly toward her.
Xiao Ying leaped forward, grabbed my arm, and yanked me back with all her strength, shielding me with her body. I felt the pull vanish as I dropped to the ground with a thud. Looking up, I saw Xiaoying flying toward Xiaoxiang, who grabbed her by the throat.
"Why are you doing this?!" I yelled in panic.
Xiao Ying gritted her teeth, enduring the pain as she said, "I... owe you one!"
Xiaoxiang smirked coldly. "None of you are getting away!" She raised the lamp and blew again.
My mind went blank.
At the last second, a dagger shot through the air, striking the lamp and knocking it from her grasp. It clattered back into the coffin. Xiaoxiang's breath, missing the lamp, dispersed harmlessly, sparing Xiao Ying.
The dagger came from Xiao Gun, who shouted as he and Big Mouth Rong lunged forward. Xiao Gun hurled another knife while Big Mouth Rong scattered a handful of sticky rice.
I got to my feet and charged forward, diving at Xiaoxiang with all my might.
She turned black with fury, ready to lash out at Xiao Ying, but another knife pierced her left wrist, causing her arm to jerk downward. Sticky rice rained over her head, further disrupting her. Though it had a weaker effect on ghosts, the rice still managed to weaken her, forcing her to release Xiao Ying.
I tackled her legs, expecting to bring her down. Instead, it felt like hitting a wall. My head throbbed from the impact, but I managed to grab both her legs. Xiao Ying took the opportunity to sweep-kick her from behind, forcing her to kneel.
Although our ambush succeeded, Xiaoxiang wasn't about to give in easily. She let out a guttural scream as her hair shot upright, every strand standing straight like needles.
A surge of energy erupted from her, sending Xiao Ying spinning into the air. She crashed into the ceiling twice before falling back to the ground. Xiao Gun and Big Mouth Rong were flung against the walls, groaning in pain.
But I clung stubbornly to her legs, narrowly avoiding being thrown. Though her power was immense, it quickly drained, leaving her panting heavily. Seizing the moment, I formed the Qian Kun technique with my right hand and pressed the acupoint on her exposed foot.
"By the power of the Heavenly Spirit, cleanse and restore! May all evil be expelled! Urgently, urgently, by decree!" I recited the mantra in a single breath, giving three loud orders.
Xiaoxiang's body trembled violently, and a wisp of black energy shot out from her forehead.
Little Miss Ghost whispered, "The ghost cocoon is vulnerable outside its host. Quickly, before it regains its strength, use the Soul-Stealing Lamp to trap it!"
I scrambled to my feet, releasing the unconscious Xiaoxiang. Leaping onto the coffin platform, I grabbed the lamp. The black wisp darted toward the far wall, its shadow already forming into a head with disheveled hair.
Knowing I couldn't reach it in time, I yelled, "Catch!" and hurled the lamp to Xiao Gun.
Agile as ever, Xiao Gun jumped, catching the lamp mid-air despite my slightly off throw. He raised the lamp and blew a strong gust toward the black wisp.
"No!"
A long, drawn-out scream echoed as the wisp was sucked into the lamp's wick. The flame flared up, casting an intense glow. Inside the flickering flame, a tiny black figure writhed in agony, its cries filling the chamber.
"Please... let me out…"
Xiao Gun sneered. "Dream on, you wretched ghost!"
Big Mouth Rong slumped against the wall, panting. "You've got no mercy. Breaking into her tomb, burning her soul—it's a bit much, don't you think?"
"What, feeling sorry for her? Want me to set you two up for a ghost marriage?"
"Shut up, you filthy mutt!"
The two bickered like stray dogs, their filthy, disheveled appearances adding to the absurdity of the scene.
Shaking my head with a chuckle, I turned to check on Xiaoxiang, who lay unconscious on the ground. I crouched to feel her breath—she was alive. Relieved, I let out a long sigh.