Were Mo Lin still in his prime, he could have captured all ten nightmare-grade ghosts on this mountain within the span of an hour.But now, he could only smile wryly — true heroes seldom boast of past glories.
At this moment, a nightmare-grade ghost hovered in the distance.It must have been captured and released here by the Li Family's patriarch.
"Chen Xi," Mo Lin called softly.
At his summons, the towering figure of Chen Xi appeared before him.Without hesitation, she charged towards the ghost, her palm sweeping forward as a torrent of ghostly fire erupted, engulfing both herself and the ghost.
The nightmare-grade ghost, upon seeing Chen Xi, instinctively tried to flee — but it was already too late.The ghost fire coiled around its limbs, binding it tightly and rendering it immobile.
Mo Lin stepped forward, waved his hand, and captured the ghost with ease.The nightmare-grade ghost shrank into a black sphere, no larger than a ping-pong ball, and landed gently in his palm.Without pause, Mo Lin stored the ghost away and continued his search for the next one.
"So powerful?" Li Yuemei gasped, astonished at how effortlessly Mo Lin had subdued the ghost.
Mo Lin's soul-scattering ghost-capture technique proved remarkably effective.He even felt that Chen Xi now rivaled — if not surpassed — the power of some fatal-grade ghosts.
"Come, let's catch another," Mo Lin said casually to Li Yuemei.
"Wait! I have a tool for finding ghosts," she said eagerly, pulling a bronze compass from her pocket.The device could locate nearby spirits.
"This thing's too slow. No need for it," Mo Lin replied indifferently.Though far from his peak, hunting a few nightmare-grade ghosts was still well within his capabilities.
He turned his gaze forward and quickly locked onto another target —Another nightmare-grade ghost.
"This way," Mo Lin said, moving swiftly towards it.Li Yuemei followed close behind.
Sure enough, they found another nightmare-grade ghost.Once again, Chen Xi took the lead.
Experienced in battle, Chen Xi's first move was always to restrict her opponent's mobility with ghost fire,followed by a merciless strike straight through the chest, swiftly subduing the target —a method she executed with practiced ease.
Mo Lin secured the second nightmare-grade ghost without trouble.
Meanwhile, Li Gu and Li Wuya had not been idle either, each hunting their own prey.
Mo Lin soon locked onto a third nightmare-grade ghost.As Chen Xi advanced to capture it, another figure emerged —Li Gu.
At some point, he too had set his sights on this ghost.
"This one's our prey," Li Gu declared, his tone unhurried.
"We found it first. Why should it belong to you?" Li Yuemei retorted coldly.
At the same time, Mo Lin took a step forward, his voice frosty as he snapped, "Get lost."
Li Gu's bodyguard, Qi Yuanjie, likewise stepped forward to confront him.Summoning his fatal-grade contract ghost, Qi Yuanjie sneered provocatively at Mo Lin."Boy, do you even know how to speak properly?"
Unfazed, Chen Xi charged forward, standing face-to-face against the fatal-grade ghost.
"You have two choices: leave, or watch your contract ghost be destroyed. Make your decision," Qi Yuanjie said, his tone calm yet brimming with menace.
"Afraid you're not up to the task," Mo Lin shot back, matching him in aura without the slightest sign of retreat.
Qi Yuanjie glanced at Li Gu, awaiting his command.Li Gu waved his hand indifferently, ordering, "Teach him a lesson."
"Gladly!" Qi Yuanjie grinned, itching for the opportunity.
In the next instant—Qi Yuanjie's fatal-grade ghost lunged at Chen Xi.Unyielding, Chen Xi charged to meet it head-on.
Nightmare-grade ghost versus fatal-grade ghost —the battle erupted fiercely.
Ghostly flames surged from Chen Xi's body as she fought,matching the fatal-grade ghost blow for blow, showing no sign of weakness.
Qi Yuanjie's expression gradually stiffened.He had expected to defeat Chen Xi with ease —yet reality proved far crueler.
Mo Lin's ghost was far tougher than he had anticipated.
"Chu Xing!" Mo Lin called again.
Almost immediately, Chu Xing appeared and joined the battle.Although not as strong as Chen Xi, he still provided crucial support.
Two nightmare-grade ghosts battling a fatal-grade ghost —Within a hundred-meter radius, trees toppled and the earth trembled under the ferocity of their clash.
Seeing Mo Lin command two nightmare-grade ghosts, Qi Yuanjie's face darkened with shock.No wonder Mo Lin dared to act so arrogantly — this was the source of his confidence.
"Boy, do you think you can defeat me with just two nightmare-grade ghosts?" Qi Yuanjie sneered.
"You seem mistaken. Who said I only have two?" Mo Lin replied coolly.
"Mapleleaf!" he shouted.
A third nightmare-grade ghost, Mapleleaf, appeared and instantly joined the fray.
Qi Yuanjie's smile froze completely.Three nightmare-grade ghosts —this was becoming a problem.
What's more, Mo Lin's ghosts fought with uncanny coordination.Despite having a fatal-grade ghost at his command, Qi Yuanjie found himself unable to dominate the battle.
Mo Lin observed calmly from the sidelines.If necessary, he was prepared to act personally.
Suddenly, the fatal-grade ghost unleashed a red thread from its palm,ensnaring Chen Xi and Chu Xing, binding them tightly —a deadly ability unique to fatal-grade ghosts.
Flames erupted from Chen Xi's body as she struggled to burn through the crimson bindings.
Meanwhile, the fatal-grade ghost launched a vicious kick at Chu Xing's abdomen,sending him flying over ten meters.Chu Xing's form dimmed noticeably — he was wounded.
While Chen Xi continued to struggle against the bindings,Mo Lin silently drew a lightning talisman, readying himself to strike.
Just then, the nightmare-grade ghost they were fighting was captured —by one of Li Wuya's bodyguards.
Qi Yuanjie sneered coldly at Mo Lin. "Consider yourself lucky."
With that, he turned to pursue Li Wuya's group.
Li Gu likewise threw a parting threat at Mo Lin."I'll let you off this time."
Mo Lin watched them retreat, debating whether to give chase.
Sensing his intent, Li Yuemei gently reminded him,"Our task is to capture ghosts."
Mo Lin nodded and abandoned the thought, focusing once more on the hunt.
His gaze swept the distance, quickly locking onto another nightmare-grade ghost.Without delay, he moved to capture it.
Everything proceeded smoothly.In less than an hour, Mo Lin had captured five nightmare-grade ghosts.
Suddenly —a copper bell rang out across the mountains.
"The competition is over."
The allotted three hours had come to an end.
Mo Lin and Li Yuemei made their way back down the mountain.
On the way, they once again crossed paths with Li Gu and Qi Yuanjie.
"Third Sister, how many ghosts did you catch?" Li Gu asked leisurely.
"None of your business," Li Yuemei retorted sharply.
Li Gu chuckled coldly."Don't tell me you didn't catch even one nightmare-grade ghost?"
He sneered,"Well, I suppose it's understandable.After all, what can you expect from a mere fifth-tier ghost tamer?"
His every word laced with undisguised mockery.
4o