Chapter 41: Death in Battle

With pursuers ahead and vicious ghosts behind, Zhang Xiaofan’s face darkened as he said, “The one behind us is a fifth-level starving ghost—we definitely can’t take it on. Let’s deal with Song Feng and the others first.”

“All right!” Gu Seling responded without hesitation. He grabbed his machete and charged forward alongside Zhang Xiaofan.

The starving ghost’s expression turned fierce as it began to chase them wildly. Despite its bulky frame, it moved surprisingly fast.

Seeing such a formidable ghost in pursuit, Song Feng and Ma Shiyou’s faces fell. After a moment of thought, Song Feng said coldly, “Run!”

Although he could block Zhang Xiaofan, he feared that if the ghost turned on them, it would spell trouble.

Zhang Xiaofan and Gu Seling rushed down to the stairs and quickly reached the second floor. Unexpectedly, the ghost did not follow. Gu Seling, panting heavily, said, “I just ran into Xu Daqing and fought him. Xu Daqing ended up rushing into that room and was torn apart by the ghost.”

“Xu Daqing is dead?”

“Yeah.” Gu Seling nodded. He stuck his head out and suddenly exclaimed with delight, “Damn it, Ma Shiyou hurt his foot—a perfect chance.”

Without hesitation, Gu Seling dashed forward, knife in hand. Zhang Xiaofan frowned and shouted, “Gu Seling, slow down! Watch out for Song Feng!”

His warning came too late. Gu Seling had only taken a few steps when an ice arrow suddenly flew from a nearby dormitory room.

Whizz—

The arrow struck Gu Seling's ankle directly. With a loud bang, the impact flung him violently backward, causing him to lose grip of his machete.

In the next moment, Ma Shiyou rose with a grotesque snarl, picking up the fallen machete and sneering, “You’re quick, huh? Fine, I’ll send you straight to the afterlife.”

“Ma Shiyou, you dare…” Zhang Xiaofan roared.

But Ma Shiyou paid no heed and swung the machete down toward Gu Seling’s head. Gu Seling’s head rolled twice on the ground, his eyes wide open, staring blankly at the earth.

Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes widened in horror. His comrade, Gu Seling, had died so tragically right before his eyes. A burning rage welled up within his chest. With a fierce roar, he charged forward, flames erupting instantly and engulfing Song Feng.

Song Feng quickly activated an ice freeze, retreating awkwardly while snarling, “You’re asking for death.”

Ma Shiyou hurried after him, bone spikes suddenly erupting from his arm. With a cold laugh, he said, “Two against one? Interesting! Come on, get your revenge.”

Zhang Xiaofan understood their plan: to provoke him into making a mistake. But at this moment, he only laughed—a wild, manic laugh. Pointing at Ma Shiyou, he cursed, “You idiot! Haha, truly an idiot…”

“Damn, are you crazy?” Ma Shiyou frowned.

Song Feng’s expression darkened sharply as he deliberated.

Zhang Xiaofan continued laughing maniacally, “Two against one? Haha, what a joke…”

Unbeknownst to them, the deceased Gu Seling had already risen behind Ma Shiyou and Song Feng. Though headless, he silently picked up his machete and stabbed at Ma Shiyou from behind.

“Thud…”

Ma Shiyou grunted, stunned as he looked down at his chest. Someone was behind him?

That was Ma Shiyou’s last thought.

Song Feng turned and hurled a blast of frost, freezing both the headless Gu Seling and Ma Shiyou. However, his power was clearly diminished. The two ghosts broke free from the ice within seconds, and Ma Shiyou immediately launched an attack on Song Feng.

Bone spikes erupted from his body in segments as he suddenly lunged at Song Feng. Caught off guard, Song Feng’s arm was slashed, turning black instantly.

He froze his arm immediately, gritting his teeth as he prepared to retreat. But the headless Gu Seling charged again, swinging his machete.

Song Feng’s reflexes were sharp; he bit his lip, crouched, and dodged the blade. At that moment, Zhang Xiaofan rushed in, flames blazing wildly, encircling the three.

“Ah…” Song Feng broke free from the fire and stumbled toward the stairs, tumbling down.

Zhang Xiaofan intended to pursue, but Ma Shiyou and the headless Gu Seling had their eyes on him.

Flames flickered around these two spirits. Zhang Xiaofan’s expression trembled as he said, “Gu Seling, rest well.”

Drawing the peach wood sword from his back, Zhang Xiaofan unleashed his sword technique and struck fiercely. Both ghosts were sent flying.

These two spirits had first been frozen, then scorched by fire. Their true forms were already faltering, so Zhang Xiaofan’s strike required little effort.

When the two spirits stopped moving, Zhang Xiaofan prodded one’s belly and found two death tokens marked “Death.”

At the second-floor stairwell, Song Feng staggered down, his flames nearly extinguished. He immediately used his remaining strength to put out the fire on his body.

Just as he was about to flee, a fragrant breeze wafted toward him.

“Brother Song.” Chen Jing saw the disheveled Song Feng and said, “Brother Song.”

“Chen Jing, thank goodness! Help me walk.”

“What happened?”

“I just clashed with Ma Shiyou and Zhang Xiaofan. Gu Seling was killed, Ma Shiyou died too. Zhang Xiaofan set a fire and charged at me. If I hadn’t run fast, I’d be in trouble. Besides, when people die, they become ghosts.”

Song Feng spoke hurriedly and took a sip of water. “My spiritual energy is completely drained, and I don’t have any spiritual water left. Do you?”

Chen Jing didn’t answer but asked, “You can’t activate your ice freeze?”

“Yeah, damn it. Once I recover, I’ll make Zhang Xiaofan pay…” Song Feng didn’t finish his sentence. Suddenly, he saw something like a snake’s tongue flicking from Chen Jing’s mouth.

His eyes widened in shock. “Chen Jing, your tongue…”

“My tongue is perfectly fine, thank you very much.” Chen Jing returned to her usual self.

“Hmm, help me walk. My skin’s been scorched; I need some scarless ointment.”

As Song Feng stood up, Chen Jing suddenly kissed him.

Song Feng cursed, “What the hell? Now’s not the time for this, damn it! A slut is a slut!” He grumbled angrily.

Taking a step forward, his legs suddenly gave way and he fell. Shocked, he exclaimed, “Wh-what’s happening?”

At that moment, Song Feng suddenly felt paralyzed. His limbs grew cold and numb, but his mind remained eerily clear.

Chen Jing glanced around. Seeing no one nearby, she dragged Song Feng into a nearby dormitory and closed the door. Then she said, “Brother Song, what’s wrong with you?”

Sensing danger instinctively, Song Feng forced calm and said, “Chen Jing, save me first. When we get out, I’ll give you a million. How about that?”

“Heh heh…” Chen Jing smiled, stroking her delicate fingers. “If it were the old me, I might have cared. But now… I hate you!” Saying so, she flicked out her snake-like tongue again. Her face began to sprout serpent scales—not just on her skin, but her eyes turned golden, cold and venomous like a deadly snake, staring coldly at Song Feng.