FCRCG Chapter 15

The atmosphere in the living room felt slightly off, though Nan Deng didn’t notice.

The ghosts in the ceramic jar had been devoured before they could even emerge, leaving no trace of their presence. It was as if nothing had happened.

Confirming that Lian Yi wouldn’t hold it accountable, the rabbit head retracted its gaze and sniffed around Nan Deng’s feet, discovering that the earth spirits had been there recently.

It then casually hopped away to the other side of the living room to chew on the leaves of the potted plants.

“Don’t wander off next time,” Lian Yi continued to reassure Nan Deng, “It’s not safe outside.”

Nan Deng was also a bit shaken. His ability to phase through walls had suddenly failed. With all the doors and windows closed, what if a celestial master happened to pass by outside?

He tightened his hold on Lian Yi, muffling his response, then looked up.

“I…” Nan Deng hesitated before saying, “I think I’m hungry.”

He had claimed earlier that he wasn’t hungry tonight, but now he was going back on his word.

He tried to suppress his hunger, but the scent from Lian Yi’s neck was so close, sweet and tantalizing.

Lian Yi didn’t immediately agree. “Hungry, yet you still ran around recklessly?”

Nan Deng retorted in a small voice, “You wouldn’t let me stay in the bathroom…”

The words implied that Lian Yi’s insistence on driving him out had left him with no choice but to wander elsewhere.

Lian Yi felt no irritation at all and said in a low voice, “You’re not allowed to enter the bathroom at will anymore.”

Nan Deng enjoyed being close to him but didn’t understand boundaries.

Although Lian Yi had let it slide several times before, if he wanted Nan Deng to stay by his side for a long time, even as a ghost, he would have to teach him some rules.

Nan Deng responded with an “Oh…” He didn’t ask why, having watched enough television to vaguely guess the reason.

“All right,” Lian Yi signaled for Nan Deng to release him, “Go wait for me in the bedroom.”

This was most likely an agreement to let him feed. Nan Deng’s eyes lit up as he obediently nodded.

Once Nan Deng left, only Lian Yi and the rabbit head remained in the living room.

Lian Yi closed the windows and doors and quietly set up a formation around the house using his spiritual powers.

The formation appeared silently, invisible to the naked eye.

He walked to the sofa, where the rabbit head was in a corner gnawing on the potted plant. Most of the green leaves had already been ravaged.

Lian Yi raised his hand, using his spiritual power to grab the rabbit head by its ears and lift it in front of him.

The rabbit head dangled mid-air, with bits of leaves still clinging to its mouth.

“What exactly are you?” Lian Yi asked in a low voice.

The rabbit head’s aura was even fainter than Nan Deng’s, among the weakest types of soul forms. It was like a ghost but not quite, and it had a penchant for eating paper figures and other random things.

Previously, Lian Yi hadn’t paid much attention to the rabbit head, nor did he bother to manage it. The paper figures he had prepared were actually intended for Nan Deng.

Yet this peculiar, seemingly weak creature had devoured several third-grade resentful spirits.

While ghosts eating other ghosts was rare, it wasn’t unheard of. What was most unusual was how the rabbit head could bite through the talisman-sealed ceramic jar without being harmed.

Nan Deng had once mentioned that the rabbit head had always been with him in the tower.

In truth, there were many oddities about Nan Deng as well. He was completely different from ordinary ghosts.

The sudden collapse of the karmic tower and these two unique soul forms…

Perhaps he was overthinking it. The incident with the ceramic jar might have been a fluke and the rabbit head might simply eat anything.

The longer Lian Yi held it, the more disgruntled the rabbit head became. Its pitch-black eyes began to glint red.

At this point, Lian Yi released the spiritual restraint.

The rabbit head flipped agilely in mid-air, landing steadily on the sofa’s armrest.

Lian Yi gazed down at it for a moment before turning and heading back to the bedroom.

He guessed that Nan Deng probably didn’t know anything and simply thought the rabbit head was a pet with a random appetite.

If it had been any other celestial master, they would have captured both the rabbit head and Nan Deng to thoroughly investigate their origins.

But Lian Yi wasn’t interested in pursuing the matter—just a few resentful spirits; if they’d been eaten, so be it.

Besides, in a while, he might no longer bear the title of celestial master.

Lian Yi returned to the bedroom. Before he could open the door, Nan Deng heard his footsteps and opened it first.

He looked even more frail than during the day, his face paler and his eyes filled with hopeful longing, making him appear pitiful.

Lian Yi extended a hand and Nan Deng immediately dove into his embrace.

“Can I have a bite?” Nan Deng asked, his hair brushing against Lian Yi’s chin, bringing a faint chill. “Just one bite.”

Lian Yi closed the door and turned the light to its dimmest setting. “Alright.”

Sitting by the bed, he barely had time to settle before Nan Deng eagerly bit down.

The familiar sweet scent filled his body. Nan Deng finally felt his hunger subside.

He had promised only one bite and he kept his word. But he lingered, licking his lips and the small patch of skin on Lian Yi’s neck, carefully cleaning up any spilled traces.

Lian Yi seemed to notice. The tip of his ear on that side slowly reddened.

Satisfied and revitalized, Nan Deng’s translucent soul form seemed slightly more solid and his silky black hair shone even darker.

Still nestled in the warmth of Lian Yi’s embrace, he was reluctant to move away. Hugging him, he whispered, “Thank you…”

Recalling lines from TV dramas, Nan Deng earnestly said, “In the future, if there’s anything you need to do, I can help you.”

“There’s no need to help,” Lian Yi replied, his eyes slightly lowered. “Just stay with me.”

His tone was casual as if the words were spoken without much thought.

Nan Deng was momentarily stunned, his beautiful eyes quietly fixed on Lian Yi.

Lian Yi turned his head to meet Nan Deng’s gaze. “What is it?”

Nan Deng hugged him tighter. “It’s nothing.”

He suddenly realized how isolated Lian Yi’s life was—living alone in this remote area, with no family or friends ever visiting.

Even the severe injuries on Lian Yi’s hands were tended to and bandaged by himself.

When Nan Deng had been trapped in the tower, at least the rabbit head had kept him company.

Feeling a pang of sorrow, he tilted his head to rest on Lian Yi’s shoulder. “Are you tired? How about I keep you company while you sleep?”

Lian Yi paused for a moment before replying, “Alright.”

At some point, the bedroom door had been locked. The rabbit head approached the door and heard the sound of bedding being adjusted inside.

It nudged the door, but there was no response, so it turned and left.

Inside, the light was dim and warm. Lian Yi had already fallen asleep.

Nan Deng lay sprawled on the blanket beside him, resting his head on the back of his hand as he quietly observed Lian Yi’s sleeping face.

His soul form was weightless, so he wouldn’t press down on the blanket or make much noise. He could see Lian Yi the moment he opened his eyes.

In this sense, Nan Deng truly was an ideal companion.

Once Lian Yi’s breathing became steady, Nan Deng sneaked out to the living room to check on the rabbit head, warning it to behave and not cause trouble. Then he returned to the bedroom and turned off the light.

In the dark, he climbed back onto the bed and lay down beside Lian Yi.

The next morning, when Lian Yi woke up, Nan Deng was still fast asleep.

Nan Deng had shifted closer, his arm draped over Lian Yi in an intimate gesture.

Lian Yi didn’t wake him but used a small bit of spiritual power to brush aside the stray hair framing Nan Deng’s cheek.

Overnight, the soul he had consumed had been fully absorbed, even his clothes appeared newer than before. The previously frayed collar was now smooth and neat.

Nan Deng’s complexion was fair, his slightly parted lips rosy, and his long, delicate lashes fanned out in clear detail.

The curtains blocked the sunlight. In the soft, dim light, it almost seemed as if Nan Deng was no longer a soul but a living, breathing person.

Lian Yi stared for a long time, unable to resist reaching out to touch Nan Deng’s face.

Nan Deng seemed to sense his warmth, stirring slightly before waking up.

He rubbed his eyes and sat up. “You’re awake…”

Last night, Nan Deng hadn’t wanted to sleep. But after biting Lian Yi, fatigue crept in during the latter half of the night. He didn’t even know when he had fallen asleep.

Lian Yi gave a soft “mm” as he lifted the blanket and got out of bed.

Nan Deng yawned widely and followed closely behind him. The only time he didn’t trail after Lian Yi was when Lian Yi entered the bathroom to wash up and change. Instead, Nan Deng crouched by the door, waiting patiently.

A “ding—” sounded from the study, catching Nan Deng’s attention. He tilted his head, listening intently. It seemed like a notification from a phone.

The bathroom door opened immediately. Lian Yi glanced at Nan Deng crouching at the doorway and said, “Go back to sleep for a while.”

Still drowsy, Nan Deng made his way to the living room, where he found the rabbit head asleep on the sofa. He brought it back to the bedroom with him.

Meanwhile, Lian Yi went into the study alone and opened a sealed drawer.

Inside lay a communicator used exclusively among celestial masters, which had just received a message.

“Chief Lian, Elder Gu Xu has just arrived.”

It was from Lin Jiu. Lian Yi didn’t reply and was about to put the communicator back when another message arrived.

“Chief Lian, Elder Gu Xu inquired about your current status.”

Lin Jiu, whose rank was lower than Lian Yi’s, didn’t dare to be direct. The phrasing was polite, but it was clear the elder wanted Lian Yi to meet him.

Lian Yi’s expression remained blank, though a trace of impatience flickered in his eyes.

He opened the reply interface and sent a single line.

“Busy. Send my regards.”

The response came so quickly that Lin Jiu, who had been waiting, was caught off guard. When he saw the content, his face froze.

Elder Gu Xu noticed his reaction and, without needing to ask, guessed the reason.

He snorted coldly. “Let’s see how long he can keep up this arrogance. When the time comes, he’d better not come begging to us…”

Gu Xu didn’t finish his sentence, changing the topic instead. “I’ve heard that a mountain god has truly appeared in this area?”

Lin Jiu replied, “It’s highly probable that the newly-formed regional earth spirit had contact with the mountain god. However… we haven’t been able to communicate with it smoothly.”

“So there’s no concrete evidence yet,” Gu Xu interrupted, his tone sharp. “And what about the ghost king?”

Weng Ping Ran had yet to arrive. Gu Xu might not have been fully informed of Lin Jiu’s earlier reports.

Each elder had their own temperament and methods. Lin Jiu, ever respectful, recounted the ghost king’s two appearances and subsequent escapes.

Gu Xu frowned deeply. “Why can’t anything be done properly?”

No progress with the earth spirit, no trace of the ghost king or mountain god.

Lin Jiu remained silent, head bowed. Gu Xu waved him off. “Forget it. Go about your business.”

After Lin Jiu descended from the talisman shop and left, Gu Xu retrieved a compass from his belongings.

The compass was entirely black, crafted from a rare material. The needle moved slowly before settling in one direction.

Gu Xu gripped the compass tightly, his expression dark. “Zhuo Qing’s soul is indeed here.”

He had prepared himself for this. After being missing for so long, it was impossible for Zhuo Qing to still be alive.

A celestial master approached from behind, lowering his voice. “Elder, should we act against Lian Yi?”

“We can’t act rashly,” Gu Xu said thoughtfully. “This direction… is it where Lian Yi resides?”

The celestial master behind him confirmed, “Yes.”

“Either he’s carrying Zhuo Qing’s soul with him, or it’s hidden in his residence.”

Gu Xu put away the compass, his gaze turning cold and malicious. “Find an excuse to lure him out first.”

Even if they couldn’t find anything, they could use the opportunity to plant something incriminating in his home and pin a crime on him.