72. Redeeming the Female Ghost

Chen Fengyun left a warning formation outside the mountain wall before entering the cave. A golden bell shielded his body, and a flying sword circled before him; he was entirely unconcerned about the ferocious ghost within.

Inside the cave, mournful sobbing echoed through the darkness, accompanied by chilling winds that swept from all directions, bringing a coldness that seeped to the bone.

Yet as these sinister energies touched the shield around Chen Fengyun, they sizzled and dissipated into wisps of green smoke, as if ignited, posing no threat to him whatsoever.

"I died with such grievance," came a cry. "Give me back my life."

The silhouette of the female ghost flickered in and out of sight within the cave, her constant weeping and sobbing filling the air. Faces twisted in agony floated in the gloom, making the scene utterly terrifying.

But in Chen Fengyun’s spiritual sense, he discerned these as mere fragments of weak mental energy released by the ghost, effective at intimidating ordinary people, but utterly useless against him, a cultivator.

"I know you still have consciousness. Stop using these tricks meant for frightening mortals—they’re embarrassing before me. Show yourself," Chen Fengyun snorted, and his spiritual awareness surged forth like a tidal wave, flooding the entire cavern.

Soon, he discovered where the ghost hid: upon a shrine rested a piece of dried wood, resembling a withered branch, yet it was no ordinary object.

"No wonder you’ve persisted for a thousand years and became a ferocious spirit. You possess a segment of Soul-Nurturing Wood here—such fortune. If you had cultivated quietly, you might’ve become a wandering immortal. Yet you chose to harm others; truly, retribution never fails."

Upon entering, Chen Fengyun saw scattered bones about the cave, victims drawn in and killed by the ghost long ago, and not a few of them.

"Hmph, do you know how I died?" the ghost wailed. "I was the daughter of a wealthy family, wed to a beloved husband, only to be murdered by his brother. After my husband died, the brother tried to possess me, and even my father-in-law violated me. I was unwilling to give in, so I poisoned their cheap meals, then set the mansion ablaze.

Heaven took pity, and I avenged myself and my husband. Though I died, I had no regrets. Yet I did not truly die; my soul was not taken to the underworld. Settling here, I felt myself grow stronger and was compelled to seek vengeance against everyone, for I believed no human was good."

Her voice trembled with sorrow, recounting her tragic fate. Yet, pitiable as she was, so too was she blameworthy; in life, betrayed and harmed, she chose mutual destruction to avenge her wrongs.

But after fulfilling her vengeance, her mind twisted. As a ghost, she developed a profound hatred for humanity and became a malevolent spirit.

"Your suffering is pitiable, but have you considered whether all those you killed deserved it? Were they truly evil? What of their families—how would they feel? Should they, too, seek vengeance upon you? Should their loved ones come for you in turn?"

Chen Fengyun shook his head, stepping closer. He recited words imbued with the power of the Enlightenment Sutra, waves of energy striking the ghost within the Soul-Nurturing Wood.

"Ah, stop! Don’t say any more!" the ghost screamed. The energy of the Enlightenment Sutra, designed to dispel evil, began to shatter her soul, eliciting shrill cries.

"The Buddha is merciful, and karma governs all. You and your husband were victims; you avenged yourselves, fulfilling retribution. But as a ghost, you’ve slain countless innocents, and now threaten my friends. Thus, I must destroy you—this too is the inexorable cycle of cause and effect. Enter the cycle of reincarnation; endure some animal lives, and perhaps, in time, you will have another chance as a human."

Chen Fengyun did not cease his recitation. He advanced, grasping the Soul-Nurturing Wood. His cultivation system trembled violently, absorbing its peculiar energy—a miasma of resentful, evil spirit.

The ghost wailed in agony, her cries rising until they finally ceased. Her soul emerged from the wood as a faint shadow, now transformed: she appeared as a young woman in ancient clothing, graceful and beautiful—the reason for her suffering in life now evident.

"Thank you, master, for awakening me. Otherwise, I would have been lost forever," the young ghost bowed deeply to Chen Fengyun, her aura now free of malice.

"Go now," Chen Fengyun nodded, accepting her bow. "Though I can purify you, the sins you committed must be atoned for across many lifetimes. Should you become human again, strive to be virtuous."

"If ever I have another chance, I wish not to be a woman, nor a weakling. I want strength to protect myself; perhaps then I might do good," she replied.

Her figure faded, vanishing into the air. In Chen Fengyun’s hand, the Soul-Nurturing Wood shed its black dust, revealing a golden, radiant core—a three-inch arrow carved from the wood.

"What a treasure," Chen Fengyun exclaimed. An arrow made from Soul-Nurturing Wood was a spiritual artifact, capable of nurturing consciousness and unleashing mental attacks.

Seizing the opportunity, he claimed the arrow as his own, dripping blood to bind it, splitting a strand of his consciousness to merge with the artifact. A sense of deep connection formed, and he stored it in his spiritual palace alongside his flying sword.

He then thoroughly searched the cave, finding nothing else—the ancient tomb had long ago been plundered. He filled it in with earth and stone.

Upon leaving the mountain wall, Chen Fengyun restored the scattered soil and rocks, sealing them back into place and setting a rough, strong formation over the wall to prevent collapse and deter intruders.

Meanwhile, on the third floor of the house, a sudden sense of relief washed over the room as the ghost was purified. The chill vanished from within, and peace returned.

"Jingru, what’s wrong?" Mrs. An noticed the change and asked anxiously.

"Mom, I suddenly felt the cold inside me disperse—now I feel perfectly fine," An Jingru leapt up, her spirits restored, the fear that had weighed her heart gone.

"Really? That’s wonderful!" Mrs. An wept tears of joy.