Chapter 116: The Power Unleashed

Evil spirits harm people primarily through this malevolent aura. The more formidable the spirit, the denser its aura becomes. Once an ordinary person comes into contact with an unbearable amount of this miasma, they may suffer from anything ranging from a high fever to complete madness. Conversely, skilled geomancers can utilize talismans and feng shui configurations to resist this energy; the more proficient the geomancer, the greater the intensity of the aura they can withstand.

Before Xu Yingying even initiated her attack, the overwhelming malevolent aura emanating from her was already enough to strike terror into my heart.

As the miasma from all directions continued to converge upon her, I realized I could no longer afford to wait. Once that aura fully solidified, I would truly meet a tragic end, losing both my life and my reputation.

Only now did I belatedly understand the final words Yin Shushu had left me with. She had known all along that Xu Yingying would betray me and had urged me to flee early—Yin Shushu was truly no ordinary person.

"Xu Yingying, you ingrate! Do not blame me for showing no mercy!" Gazing at her as she stood shrouded in that monstrous aura, I quickly tore open the packet of black ash and lunged forward, slamming it onto her body.

The black ash in my palm collided with her malevolent aura, instantly dispersing the dark energy. With a loud "bang," my ash-coated palm struck her forehead. Xu Yingying went flying backward for over ten meters, smashing through tables and chairs before crashing heavily to the ground.

I had used every ounce of my strength. When my palm hit her forehead, it felt as though I had struck solid iron, leaving my hand throbbing with excruciating pain.

I had not expected that even after soaking in the water for so long, her corpse would remain so rigid. Casting aside any concern for my composure, I began vigorously rubbing my palm with my other hand to dull the ache.

"Damn, Pi Yangxi! You—you are incredible!" Lu Jiu, who had been standing in the distance holding a corpse-suppressing talisman, ready to assist me, stood frozen in place, stunned by the sight.

The other geomancers were equally dumbfounded, staring at me in disbelief. They had all taken me for an ordinary person, never expecting my strike to possess such formidable power.

Only I knew the truth: I had only managed to dissipate her aura and knock her back because of that black ash. Since I had failed to kill her with that single blow, I knew I would not get another such opportunity.

However, after taking that hit, the overwhelming aura surrounding Xu Yingying had noticeably diminished; it was no longer so terrifying that I could not face it.

"Hehehe, husband, your strength is truly remarkable." After lying on the ground for only a few seconds, Xu Yingying stood bolt upright. Black blood and foul-smelling dark fluid oozed from the corners of her mouth, and a clear handprint remained on her forehead.

"Did that feel good?" I feigned reaching into my pocket to pull out the empty wrapper of the black ash, gripping it tightly in my hand. With a forced, calm expression, I looked at her and said, "If you liked the strength of that blow, how about another?"

Hearing this, her blood-slicked eyes darted toward my hand. When she noticed I was still clutching the packet of ash, a flicker of fear clearly crossed her face.

Ash burned from umbilical cord blood truly possessed a natural, restraining effect on malevolent spirits. It was a pity that after I had settled and filtered the blood ash I had stored in the gourd that day, only this small packet remained. Had I possessed one more, a second strike would have surely caused her soul to dissipate entirely.

"Do not try to bluff me. I saw through your little tricks back at the Dragon Head Canal. You are nothing but a petty schemer." Xu Yingying feigned composure, though her gaze remained locked on the oilpaper packet in my hand, and she did not dare move.

As I frantically considered my next move, I suddenly caught sight of the golden-thread nanmu box held by Bai Ranhe. It contained the portrait of the Heavenly Master. If I could retrieve that painting, I would surely be able to suppress this vicious entity.

"Xu Yingying, what are you waiting for? The oilpaper packet in his hand is empty!" Just then, Chen Yetian, standing nearby, let out a sharp shout toward her.

"Wail!" Upon hearing Chen Yetian's warning, Xu Yingying hesitated no longer. With a shrill, piercing shriek, her rigid body tilted forward and she lunged straight at me.

Damn it!