Chapter 152: I Won't Stand on Ceremony
Spirit Mediums, also known as Ghost Keepers, sign contracts with various powerful ghosts, allowing these ghosts to become their Guardian Yin Spirits, and then control them to do their bidding.
Once a Spirit Medium signs a contract with a ghost, a mysterious and unique connection is established between the two. When a Spirit Medium's strength improves, their Guardian Yin Spirit benefits. Conversely, when a Guardian Yin Spirit's strength increases, the Spirit Medium also benefits.
Spirit Mediums have many ways to enhance their own power. However, Guardian Yin Spirits have only one way to increase their strength: by devouring disembodied souls or other more powerful souls.
This point puts Spirit Mediums in direct opposition to the Underworld Office.
The reason is simple: the Underworld Office guides souls to reincarnation, whereas Spirit Mediums, to boost their own power, allow their Guardian Yin Spirits to continuously devour souls, severing the souls' path to reincarnation. Therefore, a significant conflict exists between the two.
Because they all deal with ghosts and Yin Qi, Spirit Mediums, like those from the Underworld Office, have a layer of Yin Qi wrapped around them, and the power circulating within them is extremely similar to Spirit Power. However, not only are they not affiliated with the Underworld Office, they are a group that the Underworld Office has always sought to completely eradicate.
It's just that Spirit Mediums have always hidden themselves very well. Coupled with the special relationship between Spirit Mediums and their Guardian Yin Spirits, their cultivation speed is double that of other cultivators. They grow quite rapidly, making it very difficult to completely wipe them out.
Thus, to this day, many Spirit Mediums still exist in this world. However, due to the strong suppression from the Underworld Office, these remaining Spirit Mediums are extremely low-key, rarely showing themselves.
But this young man before him, who appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen, was an exception. Not only was he not low-key at all, but he was also incredibly arrogant in front of Yang Haoran, a Night Watcher.
From his demeanor, it seemed he had no interest whatsoever in whether Yang Haoran agreed or not, nor could it influence his decision.
Despite being so completely ignored, the smile on Yang Haoran's face didn't waver. However, the chill in his heart intensified bit by bit due to the young man's words and actions.
"Though it's only a Half-step Evil Spirit, it's still pretty good. It's much stronger than a mere disembodied soul."
Gazing at the weak Skin-Borrowing Ghost kneeling on the ground, the young man's face showed satisfaction, completely treating Yang Haoran, who stood by, as if he were thin air.
"So, what do you say? Interested in becoming my Guardian Yin Spirit? As long as you agree to sign a contract with me, you can gain many things. For instance, I can take you away from here. I can also make you even stronger in the future."
The young man's words stirred a flicker of interest in the Skin-Borrowing Ghost. However, it didn't immediately agree, instead casting a glance at Yang Haoran nearby.
This sight caused the smile on the young man's face to stiffen. He felt that the Skin-Borrowing Ghost before him had underestimated him. This made him feel very displeased, and a sneer appeared on his face.
"Let me tell you, if he truly collects you into his Soul-Gathering Bead and takes you back to the Underworld, then you will absolutely never be able to reincarnate. Considering you've become a Half-step Evil Spirit, I'm sure you've devoured many disembodied souls and even harmed living people. With your actions, there's no way you'll get another chance to reincarnate. The only outcome left for you is Soul Transformation!"
The effect of these words was far better than his previous ones. The Skin-Borrowing Ghost's Spirit Body trembled at the words, its face filled with fear.
The young man was quite pleased with the Skin-Borrowing Ghost's reaction. He continued, "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Du Xiao. I came out this time to find a powerful ghost to sign a contract with, all to complete my apprenticeship mission. Although you're a bit weak, you can barely meet my standards. As long as you sign a contract with me and become my Guardian Yin Spirit, then I will have successfully completed my apprenticeship mission, and from now on, I'll be a true Spirit Master. As for you, I'll find more souls to feed you, making you even stronger. I can guarantee you, as long as you become my Guardian Yin Spirit, it won't be long before I can make you a true Evil Spirit!"
The Skin-Borrowing Ghost was even more tempted now. This time, it didn't look to Yang Haoran for a reaction. Instead, its gaze burned with eagerness as it looked at Du Xiao, having already made up its mind.
It didn't want to be dragged into the Underworld. It even less wanted to suffer the fate of Soul Transformation. And the temptations Du Xiao offered were quite significant. It knew that after signing the contract, it would likely be subject to certain restrictions. But that was certainly better than Soul Transformation.
Besides, souls were simply too delicious for it. Ever since it first devoured a disembodied soul, it had grown to love that feeling. It loved that indescribable deliciousness, and the thrill of its own power increasing.
Recalling that it could devour even more souls in the future, the Skin-Borrowing Ghost couldn't help but nod its head at Du Xiao, its eyes full of longing.
If the Skin-Borrowing Ghost hadn't been in its current predicament, it definitely wouldn't have bothered with Du Xiao. But now, it had no choice. If Yang Haoran took it, it was highly likely to suffer Soul Transformation. However, if it went with Du Xiao, the situation would be entirely different.
It naturally knew how to choose.
Du Xiao burst into laughter, his mood incredibly jubilant. Although he wasn't surprised by the Skin-Borrowing Ghost's choice, when the Skin-Borrowing Ghost knelt before him and nodded, he still felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
"Since you're willing, then the rest will be easy. I—"
Du Xiao hadn't even finished speaking when someone lightly patted his shoulder a few times. Then, an extremely discordant voice rang out.
"Excuse me, little friend, could you wait a moment?"
The one who spoke was none other than Yang Haoran, who had been standing by, completely ignored by Du Xiao.
Upon hearing Yang Haoran call him 'little friend', Du Xiao's expression instantly darkened, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His emotions immediately flared up.
"Little friend? Who are you calling 'little friend', old man? I'm already sixteen this year! Have you ever seen a sixteen-year-old 'little friend'?"
Du Xiao greatly disliked being called young. Whenever someone did, he felt they were mocking him. That's why his emotions became so agitated, and he even directly addressed Yang Haoran as 'old man'.
The smile on Yang Haoran's face didn't fade as he said with a chuckle, "That's how kids are. They always wish to grow up quickly. But once they're truly grown, they immensely miss their childhood. They long to return to being young. It's truly quite contradictory."
Du Xiao's anger didn't diminish; instead, it grew even fiercer. He looked at Yang Haoran with disdain and said coldly, "Don't you dare spout any of that 'chicken soup for the soul' nonsense to this young master. Let me tell you, this Half-step Evil Spirit is mine today, no matter what. If you try to stop me, don't blame me for being impolite."
Seeing Du Xiao's menacing expression, Yang Haoran couldn't help but sigh, shaking his head with a smile, as if lamenting something.
At this very moment, Yang Haoran was indeed lamenting. He was lamenting why the Enchantment Art hadn't been triggered by this kid in front of him. If the Enchantment Art had been triggered by this kid, then the subsequent matters would be much easier to handle. Without it being triggered, a struggle would likely be unavoidable.
Du Xiao, of course, had no idea what Yang Haoran was thinking at the moment. Seeing Yang Haoran shaking his head, feigning profound thought, the anger in his heart immediately flared up like burning kindling.
"Don't you dare put on an act in front of this young master. You people from the Underworld Office and us Spirit Mediums are inherently irreconcilable. When we meet, it always comes to blows. But today, this young master has important business, so I don't want to bother with a temporary worker like you. If you know what's good for you, scram! Get out while I can still control my temper, otherwise I won't hold back!"
Facing Du Xiao's threat, the smile on Yang Haoran's face remained. He spoke lightly, "Although you can still control yourself, I'm afraid I'm having a little trouble controlling myself. Since that's the case, then as an older brother, I'll go first."
No sooner had his voice faded than, before Du Xiao could even react, Yang Haoran slapped him across the face.
That single slap utterly dazed Du Xiao. Before he could recover, Yang Haoran delivered another kick directly to his abdomen.
This kick was no ordinary one. It was a kick imbued with Spirit Power. His entire foot was enveloped in dense Yin Qi. With a single strike, it scattered the Yin Qi clinging to Du Xiao, sending Du Xiao flying like a shrimp.
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