CHAPTER 915: CHAPTER 464: EVIL SPIRIT POSSESSION, WATER AND LAND ASSEMBLY (PART 2)

Fang Cheng heard this, and his heart stirred.

He suddenly remembered that he and Cheng Jiashu had also talked about the topic of noble families and mutations in the chatroom back then.

What Lin Chuqiao said was pretty much aligned with Cheng Jiashu’s viewpoint.

Looking at the grave expression on Chen Xu’an’s face, Lin Chuqiao’s eyes flickered as she continued:

"But as far as I know, your Chen Family has been established for just over a hundred years and is in its prime. Logically, such a situation shouldn’t occur."

"Unless... there was some sort of change in your family’s Inheritance Secret Realm, causing the purification ability to weaken or fail..."

At this point, she deliberately paused, her eyes fixed on Chen Xu’an, observing his reaction.

Seeing Chen Xu’an’s face tense slightly, her tone shifted and softened:

"Of course, there’s another possibility."

"Considering the nightmares your grandmother had, we might speculate that your grandfather was already under some malicious spiritual attack before he passed away suddenly due to a severe illness."

"Moreover, after his death, he didn’t find peace, and that evil force took advantage, devouring his original soul and usurping the body."

"In other words, the ’person’ lying in the coffin now, who can move, is merely a shell possessed by an evil spirit!"

"Possessed by an evil spirit?!"

Chen Xu’an’s face turned even paler.

This explanation was even more terrifying to him than his grandfather turning into a monster.

A monster could still be explained by a mutation in the flesh due to bloodline ability.

But an intentional possession by an evil spirit clearly meant a hidden formidable enemy was targeting the Chen Family, plotting harm to the clan.

Pan Wendi and Bai Ling stood by, equally stunned.

Clearly, they did not expect the situation to take an even more terrifying and sinister turn.

Fang Cheng’s expression remained calm, though his mind raced with thoughts.

The clues about Chen Family’s strange events were gradually connecting, forming a vague outline of the truth.

Lin Chuqiao surveyed the group, her voice clear as she continued:

"The cause of this matter seems to be that the Chen Family was maliciously targeted with Black Magic, and among the Southern Ocean’s Black Magic pacts, there’s a very special sect known as the ’Spiritual Fall.’"

"Unlike the traditional ’Medicine Lowering’ and ’Gu Curse,’ practitioners of ’Spiritual Fall’ focus on cultivating their own spiritual power."

"A beginner in ’Spiritual Fall’ can use their willpower to remotely affect the victim’s emotions, causing hallucinations, or even losing their sanity."

"And those who cultivate to a higher level can even have an out-of-body experience, silently entering others’ dreams to cast curses and kill seamlessly."

"More than that."

She paused, emphasizing further:

"There’s a sinister technique called ’Flying Head Fall,’ where the practitioner’s head can detach at night, flying independently to suck the blood of the living."

"Because their soul devours the essence of the living due to long-term practice of evil techniques, even if the body dies, they can exist for a long time in a spiritual form, maintaining self-awareness for decades in certain Spiritual Secret Realms."

"Assuming... the murderer is such a malicious spirit whose consciousness hasn’t dissipated after death."

Lin Chuqiao speculated, her tone growing more assured:

"Then many mysteries in this Black Magic murder case can be explained."

"It is formless and invisible, able to secretly cast curses and make someone fall victim unknowingly, leaving no trace afterward."

"It can even influence and control the consciousness of the Chen Family members, turning someone into its accomplice without even realizing it, providing it conveniences!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Cheng suddenly saw the light.

Lin Chuqiao’s deduction was undoubtedly closest to the truth.

Perhaps, Uncle and the Professor traveled all the way to Tian Nan Province to track down this invisible, ghost-like special enemy.

Since the enemy had no physical form and remained hidden in an unknown spiritual domain.

So they chose to stay under the radar, observing, waiting for the storm in the Chen Family to reach its peak, where the enemy would fully reveal its true form.

If that’s the case...

Fang Cheng raised his eyebrows, looking at Chen Xu’an who was deep in thought, and asked:

"Mr. Chen, we can temporarily trust your words."

"Now that the murderer’s trace has been exposed, how do you plan to handle it?"

After speaking, he gazed intently at Chen Xu’an.

After all, that troublesome body was the former Family Head of the Chen Family, Chen Xu’an’s grandfather, and outsiders should not directly intervene.

Ultimately, the decision rested with the man before them, the Acting Family Head of the Chen Family.

Chen Xu’an’s expression went through a series of changes, from shock to fear, and then to anger.

In the end, all his emotions turned into a resolute determination.

"I want to burn it, once and for all!"

He lifted his head, articulating each word clearly:

"I believe that thing lying in the coffin is no longer my grandfather!"

"Because if he were still my grandfather, he would never lose his mind and harm his family so viciously!"

As he spoke, Chen Xuan almost gritted his teeth, with a faint anger burning in his eyes.

Lin Chuqiao glanced at the thoughtful Fang Cheng, then said:

"Mr. Chen, as participants in this case, we’re obliged to thoroughly uncover the truth. If you need help, we’re more than willing to assist."

"Thank you all!"

Chen Xu’an seemed to have found support, his spirit lifted:

"According to Miss Chu’s theory, the entity possessing my grandfather is an extraordinarily fierce evil spirit. With just the remaining manpower in the Chen Family, it’s hard to contend with."

"With the help of all you experts, I believe we can ensure there are no mistakes!"

After the morning’s Needle Curse turmoil, the Chen Family’s available strength was severely lacking.

The addition of Fang Cheng and others to the Chen Family was akin to a powerful reinforcement.

"Shall we head out now?"

Bai Ling, appearing eager, wanted to resolve this sinister aberration as soon as possible.

"Yes!"

Pan Wendi was also enthused, slapping his thigh:

"It’s noon, the time when yang energy is strongest."

"All those vampire and zombie movies I’ve watched say these creatures fear sunlight the most, so let’s strike while the iron is hot!"

"But let’s not be hasty just yet."

Chen Xu’an shook his head, his expression solemn as he spoke:

"First, I need to visit Cui City Temple and invite the High Monk to perform a Water and Land Ritual for my grandfather."

He paused, his eyes turning sharp, and his right hand clenched into a fist.

"It’s both to console his soul and... to suppress that evil spirit!"

.........

The slanting sun cast its rays.

The golden glow pierced through the dense treetops of the Chen Family Manor, casting dappled shadows on the neatly trimmed lawn.

In the Chen Family Manor’s backyard, an expanse once tranquil was now replaced by a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

A dozen servants in gray uniforms bustled about, erecting a temporary Dharma Platform under Chen Xu’an’s direction.

The incense table, offerings, Scripture Banner, and Soul-guiding Banner were set in place one by one.

A faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air, mixed with the charred remnants of burnt joss paper.

Although the ritual had yet to officially begin, the sound of the gong and cymbal tests intermittently filled the surroundings, clinking and clashing rhythmically.

Chen Xu’an personally supervised, occasionally conversing with an elderly monk with an austere demeanor dressed in a kasaya.

The elderly monk, with an ageless expression and holding a Nine Ringed Staff, was the High Monk called from the Cui City Temple, known as "Yuan Jue."

From the hospital to the outlying Cui City Temple, then bringing the High Monk back to the manor to prepare for the ritual.

In all this hustle and bustle, including all the preparations before the ritual, by now it was already past four in the afternoon.

Fang Cheng, Lin Chuqiao, Pan Wendi, and Bai Ling stood aside, watching the bustle.

At the front of the Dharma Platform, the large black coffin that Pan Wendi had previously discovered in the basement was now carried out by four strong servants into the daylight.

The coffin lid had been lifted, exposing the "corpse" inside to the glaring sunlight.