Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Seizing the Shadowed Sedan Chair

“It really works.” Seeing this scene, Li Hanzhou was not afraid.

Ever since he discovered that his Taoist skills were effective in this world, Li Hanzhou knew he would be able to see the ghosts here. Over the past two days, he had even tested it out and indeed saw some restless spirits in the mountains.

He had calculated beforehand that the yin energy would be strongest tonight, and also divined that the ghost bride was to be married on this very day. That was why Li Hanzhou had brought Ye Ziying along.

Li Hanzhou was not afraid of ghosts because he clearly understood how to deal with them.

“Se... Senior, have we encountered a ghost?” Ye Ziying’s face turned pale with fear at this moment. After all, she was still just a teenage girl who had never witnessed such a scene before.

In this realm of Xuantiandao, there were humans, demons, and devils, but no one had ever heard of ghosts.

Such things existed only in myths and ghost stories used to frighten people. Ye Ziying never imagined that such beings truly existed in this world.

Now, seeing one with her own eyes, she was utterly chilled to the bone.

The unknown was terrifying.

Moreover, Li Hanzhou had actually brought her here to confront a ghost. What kind of person was he?

“Are you scared?” Li Hanzhou smiled.

Ye Ziying swallowed hard but did not reply. Instead, she quietly stepped back and clutched Li Hanzhou’s sleeve like a frightened child seeking protection.

At this moment, the bridal sedan chair seemed oblivious to their presence and continued moving forward.

“Senior Li... they’re coming.” Ye Ziying’s voice trembled with nervousness, and she even regretted coming here tonight.

Yet Li Hanzhou calmly took a copper bell from his cloth bag.

Ding-ling-ling.

As the bell rang, everyone turned their heads and stared at Li Hanzhou and Ye Ziying.

Ye Ziying felt the chill rush toward her instantly.

“A living person blocking the yin sedan...” A faint, eerie voice came from the sedan chair.

The sound was unsettling, making one feel very uncomfortable.

“Apologies.” Li Hanzhou stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, “I have some business tonight and wish to borrow you and your sedan for a while. I know you are getting married tonight, but may this young lady walk instead?”

“You’re seeking death!” The ghost bride inside the sedan flew into a rage and suddenly shot out two crimson silk ribbons aimed straight at Li Hanzhou!

However, Li Hanzhou watched calmly. With a flick of his palm, a Bagua mirror appeared in his hand. Under the moonlight, the mirror’s reflected rays blasted toward the silk ribbons!

Bang!

A loud explosion shattered the silk ribbons.

Li Hanzhou then pulled out a candle and formed a hand sign. The candle ignited instantly, and when he touched the flame with his fingertip, the fire transferred onto his finger and then followed the trajectory of the shattered ribbons, transforming into fiery serpents that shot forward!

The flames lit up the entire willow grove as if it were daylight. The fire reached the sedan chair, from which a scream of agony was heard. Then a bride dressed in red flew out violently and crashed onto the ground.

Ye Ziying stood nearby, stunned speechless.

What kind of technique was that?

She had no idea what had just happened.

Could this be the legendary mysterious Taoist method?

“You!” The ghost bride felt extremely aggrieved.

But she could see that Li Hanzhou was truly powerful. Had he not held back, those two fire serpents would have devoured her soul completely.

“Will you lend it or not?” Li Hanzhou asked calmly.

“This isn’t lending; it’s robbery!” The ghost bride, her face obscured beneath the red veil, sounded much more aggrieved.

“When this is over, I will perform a ritual to help you cross over. What do you say?” Li Hanzhou smiled. “What’s the point of being a ghost? Wouldn’t it be better to reincarnate and live anew?”

“Hmph, rituals?” The ghost bride sneered coldly. “You clearly don’t understand that the cycle of reincarnation has long been shattered in this world. There is no such thing as rebirth anymore. Fine, take the sedan. I’ll walk to my wedding.”

“The cycle broken?” Li Hanzhou was taken aback by this revelation. He immediately calculated again and his expression turned strange.

It was true.

He confirmed that this woman was indeed destined not to reincarnate.

Even if he forced a ritual, he could not send her to be reborn.

What on earth was going on?

This world was truly strange.

“I’m leaving.” The ghost bride looked at Li Hanzhou with some fear and floated away.

The remaining procession members seemed unaware, standing motionless.

Li Hanzhou decided not to ponder further and shook the bell in a specific rhythm. Gradually, those procession members turned and headed toward White Cloud City.

“Senior... they’re heading toward White Cloud City,” Ye Ziying said, barely daring to breathe until she saw all the ghosts depart.

“Then let’s return,” Li Hanzhou told her.

“Yes, let’s hurry back.” Ye Ziying wanted nothing more than to leave this eerie place. What if something else appeared?

She sprang forward, using her lightness skill to fly ahead.

Li Hanzhou was surprised. This girl was genuinely frightened.

He had intended to tell her that he couldn’t perform lightness skill, but then recalled that although his original cultivation was not strong, he had trained in lightness techniques before. He just hadn’t tried it since transmigrating.

Now, drawing on his spiritual energy, he performed the Longevity Sect’s “Nine-Star Yu Step.” Instantly, he felt as light as a swallow, and the wind around him intensified.

In the blink of an eye, he was hundreds of meters away.

“So fast.”

Li Hanzhou was delighted; he hadn’t expected to still be able to use lightness skill.

Which man didn’t dream of mastering lightness skill?

“Senior, slow down! I can’t keep up!” Ye Ziying called out, seeing only a fleeting shadow before Li Hanzhou dashed ahead. His speed was beyond her reach.

“Oh, okay.” Li Hanzhou slowed down and waited for Ye Ziying.

After the length of two incense sticks burning, they returned to the White Cloud City Lord’s Mansion.

“Father, I’m back.” Ye Ziying felt a sense of security only after returning home.

“What’s wrong?” Ye Qingbei noticed her daughter’s unusual demeanor. Usually cold and composed, she now looked frightened and vulnerable, like a scared little girl.

“Lord Ye,” Li Hanzhou approached.

“Senior Li.” Ye Qingbei greeted him respectfully.

He glanced subtly at Ye Ziying, who returned a slight nod.

Ye Qingbei relaxed. It seemed Li Hanzhou was genuine and had earned his daughter’s trust.

Though Ye Ziying’s strength was still limited, her judgment had improved after years at the Supreme Clarity Sect.

If she approved, then all was well.

“Thank you for your help, Senior Li.” Ye Qingbei stepped aside to reveal a small room behind him. He knocked politely.

“Come in,” came a calm voice from within.

Ye Qingbei respectfully opened the door and gestured for Li Hanzhou to enter first.

Inside was a simple room, where a young man sat reading.

At a glance, Li Hanzhou sensed a regal aura about him.

He was clearly a prince.

Li Hanzhou knew this young man was not the Divine Empress, but his imperial aura marked him as a royal prince.

The young man put down his book and appraised Li Hanzhou.

“Thank you for your assistance tonight, sir,” the young man said politely as he rose.

He trusted the people Ye Qingbei had sent.

“May I ask your name, young sir?” Li Hanzhou inquired.

“Yu Qingyang.”