Chapter One: The Art of Chaotic Spirits (Part One)

Hu Hai and Motuo shouted and suddenly staggered, then simultaneously rushed toward Chi Shang. Although Shi Jun didn’t know why they were so eager to act, seeing their calm expressions and swift movements, he relaxed a little. But what followed left him utterly dumbfounded.

As Hu Hai ran, he clawed at the air and pulled a pack of napkins from his pouch, extracted one, and threw it forward. He even mimicked some ritual gestures and shouted, “Swift!” as if casting some kind of spell. Unfortunately, a napkin is just a napkin; after fluttering twice in the air, it gently fell to the ground, completely inert.

Motuo, meanwhile, was acting strangely as well. He imitated Hu Hai’s earlier movements, stretching his right hand forward and gesturing at Chi Shang, muttering indignantly, “You dare underestimate me? Let me show you the power of soul return!” But since he had nothing resembling a soul return in hand, his efforts were in vain.

For a moment, the corridor echoed with Hu Hai and Motuo’s bizarre cries and Chi Shang’s triumphant laughter, blending into a storm of chaos.

* * *

In a flash, Shi Jun grasped the crucial point—Chi Shang’s sorcery could instantly swap people’s souls! Judging from Hu Hai, Motuo, and the oblivious behavior of those affected in the hospital, the victims were completely unaware of the switch. So, after their consciousnesses were exchanged, Hu Hai, Motuo, and the doctors and patients continued to play their new roles wholeheartedly, which explained the rampant disorder and bizarre behavior in the hospital. What kind of power could produce such a terrifying effect?

As he pondered, he heard Chi Shang’s surprised voice: “Eh? Who are you? Why doesn’t my soul-chaos spell affect you?” Chi Shang had noticed Shi Jun’s lack of reaction after casting his spell and, dropping his laughter, asked in confusion.

“I am Shi Jun. You’re the ghost spirit that escaped from the token—Chi Shang, am I right?” Shi Jun’s mood was tense; he had no idea why Chi Shang’s spell failed on him. Seeing Hu Hai tossing napkins with enthusiasm and Motuo gleefully pointing in every direction, he felt a cold sweat for them and thought: Hu Hai and Motuo are clearly under the spell. If Chi Shang does anything to me, not only will this ghost hunt end in disaster, but we may spend the rest of our lives in this psychiatric hospital. What should I do?

Chi Shang was in no rush. He retreated a few steps and looked Shi Jun up and down, as if distracted, muttering, “Strange… Clearly just a mortal, why—”

“How about it? He’s your underworld’s soul hunter—are you scared?” Motuo, after his fruitless efforts, jumped to Shi Jun’s side as Chi Shang retreated, draped an arm over his shoulder, and let out a weird cry. Then he whispered into Shi Jun’s ear, “Old Shi, my soul return isn’t working. Hurry, take him down!”

Shi Jun was amused and exasperated; he knew this was Hu Hai in Motuo’s body, but couldn’t explain at the moment. He whispered, “Sit tight and watch me!” He then fixed his gaze on Chi Shang, waiting for his next move.

Chi Shang still looked perplexed and shook his head. “Soul hunter? Never heard of it.” He lapsed into a daze.

Shi Jun didn’t want to drag things out. He worried that if Hu Hai and Motuo remained like this, there might be lasting consequences. He bit his lip and said decisively, “You have two choices: fight me to the death—if you defeat me, we’ll leave your affairs alone; or, lift the spell from my friends, and we’ll negotiate.”

Chi Shang sneered, “You’re certainly unusual, but I won’t back down so easily! Your spiritual power seems strong, but only a battle will reveal the truth. Try this!” As he spoke, two balls of light, each the size of a tennis ball, formed in his palms and shot toward Shi Jun with a swoosh.

Shi Jun realized Hu Hai and Motuo could no longer assist him. As the light spheres hurtled toward him like lightning, he focused his mind and used the object-control technique he learned from Su Su.

* * *

As he concentrated, Shi Jun’s heart pounded fiercely, and everything before him became astonishingly clear. The movements of everyone around him slowed dramatically. The two orbs of light, flying from left and right, appeared enormous in his vision; their inner structure revealed itself in sharp detail—these were pure water-attribute spirit energy clusters, radiating an icy chill that condensed wisps of white mist in the air as the temperature plummeted. They resembled two white comets trailing long tails, spinning rapidly as they traced graceful arcs under Chi Shang’s spiritual guidance.

Shi Jun’s thoughts turned; his hands shaped into invisible claws, pulling and guiding. The two light spheres broke free from Chi Shang’s control, paused briefly in the air, then, even faster than before, reversed course and hurtled straight back at Chi Shang.

“Impossible!” Chi Shang’s face showed even greater astonishment as he dodged the orbs, exclaiming, “Impressive! You actually have such a trick. Watch my ultimate move!” He began forming new hand seals.

Shi Jun knew Chi Shang was about to use his soul-chaos spell again, but his mind was now perfectly serene, as if ready to face any challenge without the least thought of retreat. Suddenly, countless disjointed images flashed in Shi Jun’s mind, playing like a film on repeat. As Chi Shang’s spell unfolded, every gesture, every incantation, even his breath and the water-like flow of spiritual energy within him, were captured and recorded with astonishing clarity.

Although Chi Shang’s spellcasting lasted only a few seconds, to Shi Jun it felt as if time had slowed and magnified, every movement and incantation meticulously observed and memorized. In an instant, all of Chi Shang’s actions, spells, and energy transitions were perfectly imprinted in Shi Jun’s mind. He smiled thoughtfully.

When Chi Shang finished his soul-chaos spell and saw Shi Jun’s calm, leisurely expression, his body shuddered inexplicably. Catching Shi Jun’s disdainful gaze, as if he were looking down on all beings, a sense of helplessness surged within Chi Shang—the feeling of facing an unbeatable foe. Then he heard Shi Jun laugh heartily: “So this is the soul-chaos spell? A petty trick—watch me return it to you!” Looking closer, he saw Shi Jun forming identical seals and reciting the same incantations he had just uttered.