Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost

"How did you get back so quickly?" the Powerful Ghost King asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Logically, Wang Linchi should have clashed with the Mountain Demon. At the very least, there should have been some sign of a struggle. Yet, he returned in about an hour.

From the looks of it, there hadn't been a fight.

"I don't know what happened, but my luck was incredibly good. Halfway down, I saw a One-Eyed Dragon leading four blind men downhill."

"So I tailed them, and when he wasn't looking, I threw a sack over the One-Eyed Dragon. The remaining four blind men were easy to handle," Wang Linchi finished, his tone teasing.

The Powerful Ghost King immediately understood Wang Linchi's meaning—his scheme had failed.

He didn't feel dejected, though. It was just more bad luck, as usual.

On the way, he'd also gathered that Wang Linchi intended to use the Fox Ghost to create a Ghost Pattern. With that, the Powerful Ghost King wasn't worried he would die. At worst, he'd just be Wang Linchi's enforcer. As long as he didn't die now, there would be a chance to escape in the future.

"That's great! It also saved us from confronting the Mountain Demon. That Mountain Demon can transform into an animal, possesses enhanced physical strength, and can bring misfortune to people. It's truly perilous," the Powerful Ghost King concurred.

The Mountain Demon in this Secret Realm was not a demon but a ghost, similar to a Cat Ghost or Fox Ghost.

The Mountain Demon's form varied depending on the observer. This one was tall and black, possessed unmatched power, had been nurtured by the tigers and wolves of the mountain, had the intelligence of a primate human, and a savage, ferocious temperament.

Thus, it was truly a challenging opponent.

"Stop tempting me. Unless you have the Arrest Mountain Sprite Method, I'm not going to try and capture a Mountain Demon alive," Wang Linchi responded calmly.

This made the Powerful Ghost King pause. Was that a temptation? I was giving a warning!

"Here, you look strong enough. Carry these Five Weird Ghosts. The ones with eyes are fine, but if these eyeless ones get bumped or bruised, I'll feel bad," Wang Linchi gestured towards the five inert ghosts nearby.

The Powerful Ghost King didn't know what Wang Linchi wanted the Five Weird Ghosts for. It was known that one could only choose a single Ghost Pattern; adding another would result in death. This was an ironclad rule.

However, he didn't ask any questions and just did as he was told. His robust physique allowed him to easily carry the five ghosts.

"Do you know where to find a Raksha Ghost?" Wang Linchi asked. "Of course, it would be even better if you knew the whereabouts of Wuchang, Judge, Bull Head, or Horse Face."

"I do know where to find one Raksha Ghost, but as for Wuchang, Judge, and the others, I have no knowledge." The Powerful Ghost King rolled his eyes inwardly. Even if I knew, I wouldn't dare say. Detaining Soul Ghosts might go after the living, but those others... they don't even spare their own kind, meaning other ghosts!

"Is it close to here?" Wang Linchi asked, planning a big move.

After obtaining and securing the Five Weird Ghosts, he discovered something interesting: if he used the Five Weird Ghosts as a medium to stitch together five ghosts and form a Ghost Pattern, it would be equivalent to his Guardian Spirit possessing the power of all five combined ghosts.

He'd choose the Fox Ghost as the core, as it was his own ghost and wouldn't struggle or resist.

Then, by adding the Guardian Spirit mode of the Snake Bone Witch, the strength and physique of the Powerful Ghost King, and the agility and valor of the Raksha Ghost, it would be a top-tier bodyguard.

The Raksha Ghost, also known as the Swift Ghost or the Biting Ghost, was entirely black. Its head was like a camel's hump, hairless, and it carried an iron trident, its face ferocious and terrifying. It was said to often fly through the air, sucking human blood and flesh. The Raksha Ghost had a strong adaptability to dark environments.

Actually, Wang Linchi preferred the Quick Travel Ghost, but it was hard to chase. The Raksha Ghost, being belligerent and fond of fighting, could be lured over.

The Quick Travel Ghost was a monk in his past life. He wore monastic robes and went around soliciting alms, claiming to heal the common people, but in reality, he squandered all the money he scammed and thus suffered karmic retribution for breaking his vows.

Another reason for choosing the Raksha Ghost was, naturally, because he possessed the Arrest Yasha Ghost Method, a type of Ghost Sigil Method. Besides, he wanted speed mainly so his future Ghost Pattern Guardian Spirit could quickly return to protect him; the primary focus was still on enhancing this Guardian Spirit's defense and constitution.

Indeed, the Five Weird Ghosts were carrying this. They were supposedly on their way to Yuan City to deliver it to someone.

Wang Linchi hadn't interrogated them yet, but there was no hurry. He would capture the Raksha Ghost first.

"It's not far, just nearby. Its strength is only slightly inferior to the Mountain Demon's."

"And because it can fly, the Mountain Demon has never been able to eliminate this Raksha Ghost," the Powerful Ghost King said.

The reason he had previously chosen the Mountain Demon to set up Wang Linchi was naturally because the Mountain Demon was powerful and had also gathered many ghosts as subordinates.

Unlike the Raksha Ghost, which devoured not only humans but also other ghosts, thus it was a loner. It was only because it could fly that it dared to be so arrogant. Not all ghosts could fly.

The Fox Ghost could float, but not very high.

If the Powerful Ghost King, the Five Weird Ghosts, or even the Mountain Demon and others wanted to fly, they needed sufficient strength. Generally, only those major ghost kings were capable. Ordinary Ghost Kings couldn't do it.

"No wonder. So, they're planning to use someone else to do their dirty work," Wang Linchi realized. Now he understood why the Five Weird Ghosts were being sent to Yuan City.

Wait a minute, this is too much of a coincidence.

Wang Linchi narrowed his eyes. The coincidence he was referring to wasn't his good luck in finding the Five Weird Ghosts carrying the Arrest Yasha Ghost Method. Rather, he suspected that the person the Five Weird Ghosts were supposed to meet was the Awakener who had instructed the Powerful Ghost King to attack Yuan City.

Otherwise, an ordinary ranger wouldn't have the ability to kill a Raksha Ghost.

The Mountain Demon's strength far surpassed the Powerful Ghost King's. If someone dared to go up the mountain to trade with it, they would only be torn apart and eaten alive, not successfully make a deal. The Mountain Demon would only be so agreeable if it couldn't defeat the other party.

Calculating the time, at the Five Weird Ghosts' pace, it would take them at least five days to reach Yuan City. Assuming they arrive early, the other party will likely descend in six days.

I must capture the Raksha Ghost quickly and get out of here.

Wang Linchi knew his own limits. He had ruined the other party's plans and also intercepted their fated opportunity. If discovered, it would undoubtedly be a fight to the death.

"Are you familiar with the Raksha Ghost?" Wang Linchi thought of a nasty idea.

"Not really. After all, the Raksha Ghost eats other ghosts," the Powerful Ghost King said evasively. In reality, they had only met once.

"Good. I'll give you an opportunity. You contact the Raksha Ghost to deal with me, and I…"

"No, no, no! I am completely loyal to you! How could I dare?" The Powerful Ghost King sounded utterly sincere; the Three Corpse Brain Worm Pill in his head compelled his loyalty.

"Fine. You're the one who gave up this chance. Anyway, just lure the Raksha Ghost out," Wang Linchi said, somewhat regretfully.

He had been thinking of teaching the Powerful Ghost King a lesson, as his rebellious streak was rather pronounced.

If he didn't teach him, who knew when he might try something? Therefore, he needed to be prepared.

Although the Ghost King hadn't backstabbed him yet, Wang Linchi was already treating it as if he had. This was what they called being an Unpredicted Prophet.

Let the Powerful Ghost King be the scapegoat; the rest wouldn't be an issue.

Hearing Wang Linchi's words, the Powerful Ghost King was somewhat reluctant. However, due to the Three Corpse Brain Worm Pill in his brain, he had no choice but to nod and agree, "I'll do my best."

As for actually listening to Wang Linchi, he wasn't an idiot. If the Raksha Ghost couldn't fly, its strength was less than his own. If they were to team up and assassinate Wang Linchi, never mind who would remove the Three Corpse Brain Worm Pill from his head after Wang Linchi's death—the moment Wang Linchi took that bizarre statue from his robes, the two of them would be incinerated together.

"Not 'do your best.' At the very least, you have to trick him so he can't fly."

Wang Linchi still found flying creatures rather troublesome. If they flew too high, they would leave the attack range of his Fanciful and Fickle.

Therefore, his Guardian Spirit also needed to be able to fly—and the kind that could carry him along.

Creatures running on two legs naturally couldn't compare to those with wings soaring in the sky.

"This... alright!" The Powerful Ghost King clenched his teeth and immediately agreed.

"Good. I'll wait for your return," Wang Linchi readily let the Powerful Ghost King get moving.

The Powerful Ghost King could only put down the Five Weird Ghosts and then head towards the Raksha Ghost's location based on his memory.

"Are you really letting him go? Don't you want me to keep an eye on him?" The Fox Ghost didn't trust the Powerful Ghost King in the slightest.

"No need. I'm actually hoping he tries some little tricks. Guess what other things I still have on me." Wang Linchi was also thinking of testing the effects of other Soul Devices converted from Buddhist Treasures.

These kinds of items could probably only play a major role in this specific Secret Realm; in other Secret Realms, they most likely wouldn't be able to exert such powerful abilities.

He had to seize this chance to enjoy them thoroughly.

If they expired later, it would be vexing to look at them, knowing they were unusable.

"That makes sense. It would be best to lure the Mountain Demon over as well, right?" The Fox Ghost also chimed in sarcastically, though this wasn't very realistic. The Powerful Ghost King wasn't a fool; he wouldn't do something that would bring disaster upon himself.