"The first round, soul restraining. This is the first step to exorcism. If you don't even know how to do this right, then you can forget about guarding the Divine Exorcism Seal," Elder Xu Wu said while glancing at the people of the War Dragon Empire.
In all fairness, Liu Yu was anxious. He was worried for the Third Prince. If this event did not end up in their favor, then the aftermath would be disastrous.
The two courtiers who advocated for Baili Jia Jue's political marriage seemed to expect the worst outcome. They just shook their heads and sighed.
To put it simply, soul restraining referred to the act of binding a spirit to the ground in order to control it, so that it could not harm anyone.
"You have to complete this first round in 15 minutes. To prevent any accidents, I will handle the spirit myself if anyone could not restrain their assigned wraiths by the stipulated time. There is no need to worry," Elder Xu Wu said while retrieving a talisman pouch that was stashed in his clothes. "This is an abandoned soul who died less than six months ago. We came across her on our way here. She had died from an accident, which inflicted her with an aura of resentment. She is looking for a soul to take her place. If she is not dealt with properly, in three more months, she will turn into a malevolent spirit. Now, you have to restrain her. The person with the fastest time wins."
"That's it? This is too easy." Leng Yi, the representative of the Xuanyuan Kingdom, pursed his lips with much disdain.
Elder Xu Wu stroked his beard as he smiled. "We must be sympathetic of the amateurs. Otherwise, some may say that us of the Xuanyuan Kingdom are incorrigible bullies who take advantage of others, just because we are from a long line of exorcists."
"Alright." Leng Yi shrugged.
Elder Xuwu turned back and continued, "Four in a circle and stand at the four corners of north, south, east and west. You should know that once the spirit is released, it will try to escape by any means. When the female spirit runs to one of you, that person will restrain her. Is that clear?"
"Yes!" The exorcists from the three kingdoms answered with much gusto. Even though the young man was pale, he still answered, albeit with a little uncertainty.
"Alright, now that all of you understand the rules, let's begin." Elder Xu Wu stretched his arm out and placed the talisman pouch in the middle of the circle.
Not long later, the puffed up talisman pouch started to toss and turn. Then, strands of black hair emerged, thick and dense. It was a terrifying sight.
Then came the eyes, the nose, and the mouth…
The ghoul crawled out speedily, as if she had finally found the exit she was looking for. If it was not for the crowd around them, the ministers would have long ran away!
The sight of her was too horrendous. The ghoul looked as if she had been run over by something. At first, she turned her head over and stared at a direction with empty eyes. Then, she rushed at it in full force.
Leng Yi mumbled lightly before making a hand sign, "Stay!"
The ghoul stopped in her tracks, as if she was blocked by something. Knowing that she could not escape in this direction, she grinded her teeth and shot off backwards instead!
The exorcist from Huangzi Nation did not expect that the Yin energy on her would be that heavy. He almost failed to keep her in check, but in the end, he restrained the female ghoul in place!
The ministers were shaking along the sidelines. If she managed to escape the circle, she would possess someone's body.
Spirits were different from people, especially those who died within less than half a year. They could sense people through their breathing.
This female ghoul was obviously intelligent. After two tries, she accurately pinpointed where the heaviest breathing was coming from, and where the the weakest defence was. She took two steps backwards, twisting her head first then her body. She stared at the young man's direction with thick black fog seeping out of her blank pupils...
"This is no good! She is transforming into a malevolent spirit!" Liu Yu stood up while watching from the sidelines.
Elder Xu Wu lowered his voice and said, "Hold your ground. She is just furious because she could not break through the barrier just now. She has yet to become a demon."
Liu Yu still looked worriedly at the young man.
Not only was the young man's forehead glistening with sweat, his back was also drenched. He chanted Leng Yi's spells he just heard, over and over again.
Despite that, the female ghoul did not seem affected in the least. She was only briefly wary in the beginning, but after she understood the situation fully, she rushed toward the young man and was about to sink her teeth into him...
… when a silhouette flew toward her.
By the time the audience realized what was happening, Helian Wei Wei had pulled the young man aside. With her cape pulled over her head, which covered her face, only her star-like eyes shone through, as she stood tall while facing the sinister ghoul.
Without reciting any spells, she merely uttered two words, "Go back."
Her tone was neither light nor heavy.
The female ghoul laughed eerily, like she was scoffing at this human's stupidity. With bleeding eyes and her blackened fingers outstretched, she clawed toward Helian Wei Wei. "You are female too, so you are perfect to be my vessel, hahahaha!"
The same thought ran through everyone's mind at this sight: The Third Princess Consort will not be able to live through this!
However, nobody expected what happened next. Helian Wei Wei stood her ground with her eyes bright, not moving a single inch, as if she was invincible against all spirits. Her thin lips parted slightly as her fingertips glowed. She could be heard muttering the Nine Word Mantra faintly, "Soldiers arrayed to fight, line up before me…"
Chapter 662 - She Actually Knows How To Exorcise?
Before Helian Wei Wei could finish chanting her spell, the female ghoul immediately retreated a few steps backward, as if she were terror-struck. The ghoul stared wide-eyed at Helian Wei Wei and no longer moved forward. She bent her knees, making it appear as if she was begging for mercy.
Humans could not understand the language of ghouls, so all they could hear was her heavy breathing.
But anyone could tell from the ghoul's posture that she was terrified of Helian Wei Wei.
The scene was totally out of anyone's expectation!
Not only did she impress the citizens of the War Dragon Empire, even the exorcist Leng Yi, who was standing next to Helian Wei Wei, was also stunned speechless.
If his ears did not deceive him, the spell she was reciting was… the Nine Word Mantra!
This was one of the most effective exorcism spells out there, but how was it possible that the Third Princess Consort of the War Dragon Empire could harness it?!
"Be dispelled!" These were the last two words uttered from Helian Wei Wei's mouth.
It was clear to everyone that if Leng Yi and the rest could restraint the ghoul, then Helian Wei Wei could terrorize the ghoul to the point that she was afraid to even move.
Under everyone's watchful gazes, Helian Wei Wei walked steadily toward the ghoul.
"Do not come in close contact with her, she might possess you!" Leng Yi seemed to have gained respect for Helian Wei Wei, as he voiced out his concerns, his own forehead was already coated in cold sweat.
However, Helian Wei Wei did not falter. With her hooded cape rustling in the wind, she looked really cool as she walked unfazed toward the ghoul. As she looked at the ghoul, she merely repeated the same words, but there was enough vigor in her tone to annihilate an army. "Go back."
Without another sound, the female ghoul looked left and right before squirming back into the talisman pouch at a speed much faster than when she escaped, as if Helian Wei Wei was some terrifying beast!
To have the ability to push a ghoul to this limit… This was unprecedented to all who were present.
The public turned their attention back to Helian Wei Wei, as their faces filled with shock and surprise.
> Wu Jing was a warrior who knew nothing about etiquette, so he just cheered on the spot and exclaimed bluntly, "Third Princess Consort, I did not know that you had it in you to even know exorcism!"
Helian Wei Wei smiled and reminisced back to the time when Yuan Xiao- oh no, when His Highness had not fully woken up yet, she had handled this before. Therefore, when the female ghoul came out, she had just acted on her instincts.
Well, that was unexpected, even to her.
What if she could hear countless ghosts whispering behind her every time she sneaked out at night in the future?
"It all depends on you. If you do not wish to hear them, then you won't." A familiar deep voice sounded, it was His Highness. He was even chuckling at her in jest.
Helian Wei Wei looked up at the throne. He was peeking into her thoughts again! Could he just give her some privacy!
Elder Xu Wu did not expect things to come to this, which made his expression turn solemn. Even the exorcists from the neighbouring kingdoms wore serious expressions which were not there before.
Ever since the disaster which befell the War Dragon Empire's Elder Compound, their strength in the field of exorcism had been weaker than ever.
The three kingdoms must have guessed so, which was why they formed an alliance and arrived at the capital together.
But now, someone here succeeded in using the Nine Word Mantra, and seeing the female ghoul's reaction… it seemed that this person's mantra was packed with force!
For not even the three kingdoms' exorcists could guarantee that they could make the female ghoul cower in such fear. It was almost as if there was something in here that was more dangerous than her.
His face was decorated with an elegant smirk, as always. He was right behind Helian Wei Wei, and when no one was paying attention, a dangerous golden light subtly flickered across his black pupils.
It was at that moment, the female ghoul felt a presence that humans could not, hence she squirmed into the talisman pouch and no longer tried to come out.
Of course, the female ghoul had no idea what that presence was, but a deep fear struck her from her veins, telling her that she had to obey!
No matter what, it was evident that Helian Wei Wei had won this round.
However, at this moment, Elder Xu Wu opened his mouth and asked, "Who had the best time?"
He was reminding everyone of the initial rules. The exorcist with the fastest time wins.
It was obvious that Leng Yi from the Xuanyuan Kingdom had the upper hand here. As for the War Dragon Empire, the young man alone had used up a lot of time in resisting the female ghoul. Adding on Helian Wei Wei's support after that…
"I'm sorry." The young man hung his head and clenched his fists.
Helian Wei Wei smiled devilishly, "It's alright, this is only the first round. This is just the beginning, you may retreat for now. I will take over for the rest of the contest."
"So the War Dragon Empire is planning to send in a substitute?" Elder Xu Wu laughed in sarcasm. His gaze fell on Helian Wei Wei as he spoke in a provocative tone, "Third Princess Consort, you won't possibly assume that all the exorcists from our Xuanyuan Empire are merely at this level, right?"
Helian Wei Wei flashed him a dashing smile and said coolly, "We from the War Dragon Empire are also more that what you have just seen. Your princess was asking me what I could I offer to Our Highness, right? I have thought about it carefully, and here is my answer - aside from funding his expenses and taking care of him, I can also help him teach people the lessons they deserve. Especially to big bullies like your esteemed kingdom."
"You!" This was the first time Elder Xu Wu wanted to wring someone's neck so badly!
Helian Wei Wei smiled sweetly, as if she was not the one who uttered the previous statement. "Elder Xu Wu, don't get so excited. Please remember that you are an elder. "
Elder Xu Wu drew in a deep breath.
Zongzheng Yu Er's tiny face was so red with rage that it could almost bleed!
Little Seven was munching on a meat bun. He looked left then right, then he scratched his head. Isn't the highlight of this sentence basically the fact that she's funding Third Brother's expenses?' Why is the elder so mad?
The person who was supposed to be mad was his Third Brother, right?
Thinking of this, the little one sneaked a glance at his Third Brother.
There it was.
Baili Jia Jue c.o.c.ked his brow and flicked a finger across his thin lips. He laughed softly. "Funding my expenses and taking care of me. Huh."
"Third Brother." The little one scampered over with a serious face. "Third Aunt was just joking."
Baili Jia Jue gave him a look and stretched out his hand to pet the little one's head. With a dangerous look on his face, he said, "Even though she is joking, she does think that what she said is true. Tell me, how should I punish her? Hmm?"
Hearing that, the little one shut up immediately. Lowering his bald head, he looked towards Helian Wei Wei as he thought, Third Aunt, I have done all I could, too bad our enemy is too cunning!
Helian Wei Wei did notice the little one's gaze. As she glanced in his direction, she saw His Highness smirking down at her. Out of nowhere, she felt goosebumps prickling on her skin. She looked questioningly towards the little one: What is going on?
The little one looked upwards at the ceiling, and twitched his lips toward his back...
Chapter 663 - Looking Down On Wei Wei?
While Helian Wei Wei was still trying to make sense of the situation, the other two nations had swapped out their competing exorcists.
The War Dragon Empire was declared the losing party for the first round.
But compared to before, the ministers no longer seemed dispirited. Instead, their faces were lit with hope.
Even the two courtiers who had knelt down to beg for Baili Jia Jue's reconsideration of the political marriage had renewed looks in their eyes.
Everybody had their eyes set on Helian Wei Wei.
"Heh." Someone laughed out out in a low voice. One of the exorcists from the Xuanyuan Kingdom stood up from his wooden chair, his robes flowing out around him. He had angular and sharply-defined features, while his entire person exuded an aura of frigidity. "Don't think that you can look down on the Xuanyuan Dynasty just because you know how to recite the Nine Words Mantra, Third Princess Consort. I think it is a little early for you to boast like that. Don't you forget that you've just lost a round."
As he finished his remark, someone exclaimed in shock, "Guys, check out that sword on his back!"
"Is it made of red mahogany? What about it?" The ministers were confused.
The young man muttered in a low voice, "The color of a mahogany sword represents the necromancer's ability to exorcise. The vividness of the sword color represents the number of ghouls he has dealt with. After a certain amount, one could even summon Reapers from the underworld."
The young man's previous worries were turning into reality with this person, who was coming forward.
The acc.u.mulated aura cultivated from years of training that was pouring off him was unmistakable.
The ministers also did not comprehend why it was becoming harder to breathe in the presence of this person.
His eyes looked as if they could predict life and death.
The situation seemed to be turning worse!
And also…
"He could summon Reapers from the underworld?!" Could a person like that even exist in this world?
The young man nodded solemnly. "This is an extremely advanced level of exorcism, I have only seen it used once by an elder. The elder once mentioned that if an unqualified exorcist tried to summon a Reaper and lost control of it, he would be dragged to the underworld, and never to return."
"Are Reapers necessary for the protection of the Divine Exorcism Seal?" The ministers voiced out their concerns nervously.
After some thought, the young man said, "Some wraiths have to be taken back to the underworld by Reapers, as they
cannot be destroyed directly. Otherwise, the residual aura of resentment would affect the seal."
She had never even laid eyes on one before.
And… How was she supposed to summon…
She had yet to even learn the spells.
"You can say anything you like." That familiar voice rang next to her ears again. His Highness' tone was slow and deep.
Helian Wei Wei hummed a lazy reply. "Then I'll try something punny."
"Punny?" His Highness was perplexed by this word.
Helian Wei Wei answered gleefully. "For example, flip out of your grave!" They are technically ghosts anyway.
Just as she said that, a little Land Guardian Deity popped out of nowhere. It was only visible to her and no one else.
The little land guardian carried a slice of osmanthus cake on its back. Helian Wei Wei's words made it stop in its tracks immediately. It greeted Helian Wei Wei politely, "Great Goddess and Great King, Your Royal Highnesses."
Helian Wei Wei cleared her throat, "And you are?"
"A spirit of the land." Baili Jia Jue answered calmly. "They became deities because of people who pay respects to them regularly."
The little land guardian was terrified by Baili Jia Jue's words. "What can I do for the Great King and Great Goddess?"
Helian Wei Wei could not bear the sight of such a kind little old man trembling in front of her. Softly, she said, "All is fine, you may return."
"Yes, Your Highness." The little land guardian looked immensely relieved as it disappeared immediately into the ground.
Helian Wei Wei grinned, "Your Highness, just look at how terrifying you are."
"Aside from being terrifying, I am also vengeful." Baili Jia Jue changed his position, and spoke slowly, "Shall we test that theory tonight?"
Helian Wei Wei was speechless.
Elder Xu Wu noticed that Helian Wei Wei had been staring at the ground quietly for some time. He smiled, "What is it? Does the Third Princess Consort want to change her mind and replace herself?"
"Elder." Zongzheng Yu Er spoke lightly, "It is not hard to see why the Third Princess Consort would think so. We are talking about summoning Reapers after all. If one is not careful, their souls would be snatched. Those Reapers are known to have foul tempers."
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