"Rachel! Rachel!" I ran to the stone wall, shouting at the figure wrapped in Spirit Shroud like a rice dumpling. The three of us desperately pounded on the silk.
Soon, the Spirit Shroud began to retract inward, and gradually, we saw Rachel Lan—and a corpse.
"It's Ms. Yan Chen—you must be careful." Rachel Lan's voice trembled as she nearly collapsed. I quickly supported her.
"This is bad. Things outside may be dangerous again."
Hugh Thompson's face changed dramatically as we realized Helen Chen was targeting Lily Qian, and Ms. Yan Chen was likely one of her manipulated victims.
The corpse lying on the ground looked to be in its thirties. It showed no signs of decay, was icy cold, and its surface was as hard as steel.
I helped Rachel Lan to a corner—she was very weak. Howard Lee handed her some water. After drinking, she seemed much better.
"That person was also born during the Ghost Festival—and so was Ms. Yan Chen."
Rachel Lan's explanation made it clear: Helen Chen had gathered three people born on the Ghost Festival—the corpse, Ms. Yan Chen, and Lily Qian.
Hugh Thompson called repeatedly on the walkie-talkie, but there was no response.
"I'm afraid the people guarding Lily Qian outside have already encountered trouble."
Howard Lee said.
"Get ready—when Helen Chen returns, we'll need to be prepared."
A cold, cackling laugh echoed through the cave. We immediately became alert, scanning our surroundings. The air was filled with a chilling gloom. I shivered, soaked from my earlier plunge into the water, my whole body freezing.
"Wait, we spent all day setting up spiritual formations. That female ghost shouldn't be able to leave so easily. But why isn't the Specter Powder reacting?"
Hugh Thompson spoke, suddenly turning to look at me.
"Ethan, you..."
Howard Lee immediately gripped his Peachwood Blade and pointed it at me.
"What's wrong?" I asked. Rachel Lan raised her hand, pointing at my neck.
I quickly reached for the spot Helen Chen had bitten. It seemed swollen—no, it felt like there were small bumps.
"Ethan, there's a human face on your neck."
I touched it carefully and, sure enough, felt a nose, eyes, and mouth.
"Tonight, you will all die here." Helen Chen's voice echoed. I shook my head—the voice sounded muffled, as if coming from inside my own body.
Suddenly, Howard Lee rushed over with a Blue Spell Tag and slapped it onto my neck, then stabbed my Heart Hollow with the Peachwood Blade.
"Ethan, the ghost is inside your body. Be careful."
I nodded. Just then, I saw Howard Lee's eyes widen and he stopped chanting. I felt something strange under my chin. Glancing down, I screamed.
My neck bulged, as if another head was forming inside it, the skin pressed tightly against a human face.
"Damn it, get out of me!" I shouted. The head inside my neck pulled at my skin and emerged at my chest—a grinning face. I screamed, raising my hand but unsure what to do.
"Don't panic, Ethan. Stay focused. I'll think of something. Ordinary spells might not work on that female ghost. You..."
Suddenly, Howard Lee was sent flying, spitting blood. Something shattered with a bang. I stared at my right hand, now clenched into a fist, swirling with Deathbane Aura.
Howard Lee lay on the ground, reaching for the shattered Octagram Mirror, staring at me.
"It's not me—it's her! Damn it, if you've got the guts, come out!" I cursed loudly.
"Heh, I don't have the guts. I didn't expect your Deathbane Aura to be so strong. Even if I enter your body, you won't lose consciousness."