CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 301 GOT INTO YOUR BED(3)_1

"PFFT." Zhuge Yang spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. He opened his tightly shut eyes and looked in Shangguan You’s direction. "So, Mr. Meihua has already arrived. Why resort to such despicable, hidden tactics? They’re useless against me!" Zhuge Yang bellowed, his palm sweeping through the air and stirring chaos in the room.

Damn it, how did he know I was using talismans? Could it be because my Spiritual Energy is lower than Zhuge Yang’s, so any move I make is instantly detected? Shangguan You fumed silently, watching him thrash the room while she remained quiet.

"When Your Excellency used the Spell, there were fluctuations in the air," Zhuge Yang stated. "Since you’re here, why not show yourself?"

Oh, so that’s how it is, Shangguan You realized. Next time I cast a spell, I’ll have to create a separate space for the seal formation. Let’s see you detect me then!

"Master, has that old monster returned?"

"Old monster! You undying fiend! If you have the guts, show yourself! Today, you’ll witness the might of the Zhuge Family!" The two who had just left surged back into the room, followed by countless members of the Inferno Sect. Shangguan You’s sharp gaze quickly found Meiyi and the other four, and she swiftly moved to protect three of them in the center of the group.

"We ask that you return the Crystal Coffin and the person within. Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences," Shen Po declared gravely into the seemingly empty air. The Crystal Coffin, and the person inside it, could not be lost. Shangguan You frowned. She sensed several powerful auras. Although their act was good, she could tell something was amiss. This instinct, something I first experienced after reaching level 4, is warning me. These old geezers are trying to trick me? Hmph, dream on!

The moment this thought crossed Shangguan You’s mind, she decided to leave immediately.

Shangguan You had barely departed when three figures emerged from the shadows. They nodded to the people in the room. "She has left," the leader said coldly. "And since she didn’t show herself, we couldn’t get the Spiritual Pearl from her. You handle matters here for now. I will return once things are settled. Use every means at your disposal to discover Elder Meihua’s true identity, his status, and any weaknesses he might have." With that, he and his two companions vanished from the room.

"Yes, Family Head," Zhuge Yang replied respectfully, watching them disappear. That blasted old man! If he had shown himself, the Family Head would surely have captured him. I can’t believe how cunning he was, sensing the Family Head’s presence and escaping.

It appeared that this Elder Meihua was no weaker than their Family Head. In the future, if they encountered him, they would have to attack together and not be foolishly tricked again. In the hearts of Zhuge Yang and the others, their estimation of ’Elder Meihua’—Shangguan You—had risen to an even greater height.

「Later that night」

Shangguan You’s figure moved swiftly towards the harbor. She appeared in mid-air once more, listening to the crashing of the waves against the shore and gazing at the bright morning star in the distant sky. It was now five o’clock in the morning, with an hour still to go before dawn.

"Wandering Spirits between heaven and earth, heed my call and come to me!" Shangguan You chanted, suspended in mid-air. As her voice slowly grew in volume, she felt her body become lighter, and the Spiritual Energy within her grew more vibrant and joyful.

Although she couldn’t see these Wandering Spirits, she could clearly feel the change in her body. She felt lighter and lighter, until, with a HISS, a pair of purple wings sprouted from her shoulders.

Shangguan You’s mouth fell open in shock as she stared at the newly formed purple wings. RUSTLE. The purple wings spread wide, and she found herself soaring into the air without even needing to draw upon the Medicine King Canon.

Previously, flying required her to use her internal Spiritual Energy. But now, with these wings, a few flaps were all it took. Moreover, since these wings were formed from the power of the Wandering Spirits, her flight was faster and more stable than when she relied solely on her Spiritual Energy.

"AH!" Shangguan You cried out in delight, flapping her new wings and soaring out over the sea. It’s amazing! I actually grew wings!

"Wandering Spirits of the world, heed my summons and come to my side!" Shangguan You continued to chant the Spell as she flew over the sea. Slowly, countless points of light began to gather around her as she flew. Are these the Wandering Spirits of the sea?

"Who are you? Why have you disturbed our rest?"

"I’ve been a Wandering Spirit for centuries! This is the first time I’ve ever heard someone capable of summoning us!"

"Girl, what do you want from us?"

"Are you lonely, little one? Want some company?"

"My skills are excellent, sweetheart. I’ll take *very* good care of you," a leering voice said.

"Mmm, little sister, come on over," another wheedled.

Shangguan You’s brow furrowed as she listened to the cacophony of voices from the swirling lights. "Silence!" she snapped, her voice cutting through the chatter. "One more word of nonsense, and I’ll bind you to this sea for eternity! Now, tell me: how did you die, and where did it happen?" A powerful, chilling aura radiated from her, causing the gathered Wandering Spirits to tremble.

"My pleasure boat sank."

"We were plundered by pirates!"

"I was a pirate myself! A big storm hit, and I got swept overboard!"

"My own husband threw me into the sea!"

"I was murdered by the Inferno Sect!"

"I killed too many people. My enemies caught me, cut me to pieces, and threw me into the ocean. Now I’m a Wandering Spirit, cursed to drift on these waters forever."

Listening to these... entities—no, Wandering Spirits—ramble on, some of them clearly from centuries past, Shangguan You’s mouth twitched. I just recited that spell from the book on a whim. How could I have known I’d summon so many souls, and some of them ancient ones from hundreds of years ago?

As the first light of dawn touched the horizon, Shangguan You dismissed the surrounding Wandering Spirits. She retracted her purple wings and swiftly made her way back towards her room.

Being seen with wings in broad daylight would definitely cause a stir. Better to keep a low profile. So, she made sure her wings were retracted and used her Spiritual Energy to hasten her return.

Seeing her family still sound asleep, Shangguan You breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly changed into her pajamas and slipped into bed. She had barely snuggled under the covers when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. A warm body pulled her chilled frame into a comforting embrace, and the person nuzzled her affectionately.