Chu Hao's face broke out in a sweat. He quickly pulled out the old-fashioned mobile phone from his pocket, which he had bought for ninety-nine yuan at a street stall. Without even looking at who was calling, he swiftly hung up.
He disregarded any thoughts of comfort and rushed out, shouting, "Evil creature, stop harming people!"
Lin Yulan and Mu Chenglang were already shaking all over from fear. Neither of them dared to glance at the One-armed Ghost and hurriedly hid behind Chu Hao.
Seeing his quarry escaping, the One-armed Ghost gave chase, scaring Mu Chenglang and his wife enough that they darted into the crowd for cover.
With a slash of Chu Hao's sword, the One-armed Ghost let out a wretched scream. A CRACKLING spark erupted from his body as the Peachwood Sword left a ferocious talismanic mark on him.
The One-armed Ghost howled pitifully. This single sword strike had nearly scattered his soul. His gruesome and terrifying face reverted to its original form, revealing a very handsome young man, who had been a male model in his previous life.
"A Taoist priest!" the One-armed Ghost exclaimed in shock.
"Ding... Congratulations Host for successfully showing off to the ghost. You have earned 2 Pretentiousness Points."
Chu Hao was stunned. You can show off to ghosts? Wow! System, do you always have to be this awesome?
Holding the Peachwood Sword and dressed in his dashing Daoist robe, Chu Hao had the presence of a sage from another world. With a smirk, he said, "You've got sharp eyes. Dreaming of escaping this Taoist Master's grasp is pure fantasy for a mere specter like you. You have three seconds to kneel and surrender. Do so, and I'll grant you a swift release."
The One-armed Ghost's face contorted with rage as he shrieked, "Damn Taoist priest! Mind your own business! Today, I'm going to destroy you!"
Chu Hao wasn't concerned in the slightest; in fact, he wore a look of disdain. He himself was surprised. He had been a bit afraid of ghosts yesterday, but now that fear was gone.
Chu Hao said, "Pah! A petty ghost like you? This Taoist Master can wipe out hundreds of your kind in minutes. I advise you to surrender quickly to avoid further suffering."
Just then, a few brave young men who hadn't fled, their eyes filled with even deeper admiration, shouted, "Master Chu Tian is mighty!"
"Damn it, it's you who harmed my family!" one yelled.
The One-armed Ghost was utterly astonished. They're cursing at me? He asked, "You can see me?"
The group of young men grinned. "Master Chu Tian's skills are Heaven-reaching! He has revealed your true form to us! Damn it, ghosts aren't so scary after all; they just know how to frighten people, right?"
"Exactly! If you were still alive, I'd break all five of your legs!" a young man from the Mu Family said viciously.
"Ding... Congratulations Host for successfully showing off to the ghost. You have earned 2 Pretentiousness Points."
That's right! This is the power of the System, a Divine Artifact! You can even show off to ghosts!
Chu Hao, holding his head high, said, "You still have a chance. Kneel before this Taoist Master, and I might spare your life."
The One-armed Ghost sneered menacingly. "Little Taoist priest, do you think I'm alone? Brothers, get him!"
System prompt: The One-armed Ghost has called his brothers. Host, please prepare for battle.
Damn! He called for backup. No, wait. He called for ghosts!
Sure enough, a group of ghosts burst in through the door. There were seven in total, all disheveled and with vacant stares.
Their faces were as pale as paper. Some were holding their own heads, others were dripping with water, and still others had eyes and tongues bulging grotesquely.
"AH!" Those few brave young men, now terrified, scrambled upstairs.
The One-armed Ghost looked at Chu Hao and laughed. "Little Taoist priest, there are eight of us and only one of you. What chance do you think you have? Kneel before me and hand over Lin Yulan!"
Chu Hao felt a bead of sweat. He said sheepishly, "Now, now, Brother Ghost, surely we can talk this over!"
The One-armed Ghost burst into triumphant laughter. Hands on his hips, brimming with arrogance, he said, "You seem like a decent kid. Stick with me from now on, and I'll make sure you live comfortably."
Chu Hao couldn't help but roll his eyes. Ghosts form gangs too? This is quite an eye-opener. But would I ever fear you?
Chu Hao shouted, "Give you an inch and you take a mile! Today, this Taoist Master will eliminate you and show you what a true Taoist Master is!"
The One-armed Ghost grew angry. "You're choosing the hard way! Attack!"
The seven ghosts howled and lunged forward.
Chu Hao remained calm. He executed the Shushan Sword Technique with a piercing thrust, a sharp sword move that impaled the ghost at the forefront. It let out a piercing scream and was obliterated on the spot!
"Ding... You have killed a low-level Drowned Ghost and gained 500 Experience Points."
After slaying one ghost with his Peachwood Sword, Chu Hao made another swift cut. His speed was phenomenal. The next two ghosts at the front screamed wretchedly and met the same fate as the first.
"Ding... You have killed a low-level Hanging Ghost and gained 500 Experience Points."
"Ding... You have killed a low-level Unlucky Ghost and gained 500 Experience Points."
"Ding... Killed low-level Unlucky Ghost. Loot item has been added to your inventory."
Chu Hao was thrilled. Killing ghosts can actually drop items! System, do you have to be so awesome?
He didn't have time to check what he had obtained. He swung his sword back in a powerful sweep, felling three more ghosts.
"Ding... Killed a low-level Drowned Ghost. Gained 500 Experience Points."
"Ding... Killed a low-level Disemboweled Ghost. Gained 500 Experience Points."
"Ding... Killed a low-level Ghost. Gained 500 Experience Points."
"Ding... Congratulations to the Host for reaching Level 3. Randomly awarded one Lucky Charm."
In the end, only the One-armed Ghost and one other ghost remained, completely petrified. In just a few seconds, Chu Hao had taken out six of their 'brothers.'
"Ding... Host has successfully impressed the ghosts with a shocking display. Gained 3 Pretentiousness Points."
Chu Hao was taken aback. Why did the Pretentiousness Points reward increase? Could it be because of the level-up?
The One-armed Ghost's last minion, scared out of its wits, turned tail and fled. It seems that ghosts, too, fear having their souls scattered.
Chu Hao shouted, "Thinking of escaping? I said your souls would be scattered, and scattered they shall be!"
Chu Hao threw his Peachwood Sword, and it pierced straight through the fleeing ghost's body.
"Ding... Killed a low-level Wall-top Ghost. Gained 500 Experience Points."
The One-armed Ghost was completely dumbfounded with fear. He wanted to flee but didn't dare. Instead, he quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed, "Taoist Master, spare my life! Taoist Master, spare me!"
Chu Hao said coldly, "If this Taoist Master didn't possess some skill, wouldn't I have been killed by your hand today? Therefore, you cannot be spared."
Hearing this, the One-armed Ghost knew he was doomed and made a final, frantic lunge toward Chu Hao.
But another Peachwood Sword appeared in Chu Hao's hand. He thrust it through the One-armed Ghost's brow. The ghost dissolved into specks of light, vanishing like fireflies as his spirit completely dispersed.
"Ding... Killed leader, the One-armed Ghost. Gained 1,000 Experience Points."
"Ding... The One-armed Ghost dropped an item. It has been added to your inventory."
Chu Hao couldn't help but laugh heartily. But looking around, he saw everyone had run upstairs by then, which made him feel a bit depressed. Nobody watched me being majestic and powerful. A miscalculation.
He quickly checked the two items dropped after killing the ghosts.
Peaceful Jade: Dropped by the Unlucky Ghost. Wearing it can ward off bad luck and bring peace and safety.
Ghost-Seeing Ring: Keep it on your person, and you can see ghosts within a ten-meter radius.
Chu Hao couldn't help but laugh loudly again. The Pretentious Ghost Catching System is awesome! Killing ghosts can drop items, just like looting equipment in a game! A system that drops equipment is the best!
Host: Chu Hao.
Apprentice Ghost-catcher Level: Level 3
Experience Points: 1,000/5,000
Pretentiousness Points: 15 Points
Mana Points: 100 Points
At that moment, Chu Hao called out loudly, "Everyone, come on down."
People from upstairs then cautiously made their way down. Mu Chenglang's face was pale, and his legs were trembling as he said, "Master Chu Tian, what about… what about the One-armed Ghost?"
As soon as the One-armed Ghost had appeared, everyone had been so frightened that they ran upstairs. Who would dare fight a ghost?
Chu Hao waved his robe with a flourish, beginning to show off. "He has already been obliterated by this Taoist Master. Before me, any ghost is merely a piece of cake."
"Ding... Host has successfully shown off. Gained 3 Pretentiousness Points."
"The Taoist Master is so powerful!"
"Master Chu Tian is truly formidable!"
"Taoist Master, do you have a girlfriend? I want to be your girlfriend."