Chapter 53: Spirit Leaf, Second Grade

It tilted its head with interest, though it said nothing. I knew it could understand me. Looking closer, I saw the leaf on its head was nearly saturated, as if a second leaf was about to sprout.

Gritting my teeth, I decided to go on the offensive. I didn’t use the Snow Blade—just wanted to test its strength—so I stepped forward swiftly, using my Six-Star Steps to approach quickly. Thankfully, it hadn’t learned any particular martial arts; it could only spar with me in a clumsy way.

Seizing the right moment, I gathered my strength and punched it directly in the abdomen. To my surprise, it only staggered back a few steps, seemingly unscathed. I frowned, quickly pondering my next move.

Summoning the Snow Blade in an instant, the surrounding temperature dropped noticeably. The male spirit stared blankly for a moment, then drew the saber at his waist.

I decided to strike first, channeling all my spiritual energy into the Snow Blade. Sensing my intent, the blade shone brightly again. Bending my back like a drawn bow, I shot forward—perhaps “flying” was an exaggeration, but my speed was impressive.

I slashed toward him, but he reacted faster than I expected, dodging before I could even graze his clothes. Taking advantage of the opening, I threw a punch, but he blocked with his saber at his chest.

Though it looked as if I was attacking with my fist, in truth my other hand was already directing the blade toward his lower body. At last, he grew serious, evading all my attacks with an unexpected agility, and kicked me hard.

The force of that kick was tremendous—even blocking with my arm, I felt a crushing tightness in my chest, unable to catch my breath, and I suspected my arm was already fractured. Swallowing the blood that welled up in my throat, I forced myself to endure.

“Again,” the spirit suddenly said, startling me.

“Fight!” I growled, charging at him once more.

I noticed the spirit fought with no discernible style, relying solely on brute strength and an overwhelming presence. Each clash of our blades sent a powerful force reverberating up my arms. I could only rely on my experience and the nimble footwork of Eight Extremes Boxing to keep up.

To others, it might have looked like an even match, but in truth, my attacks had no effect. Glancing at his forehead, I realized—Spirit Leaf, First Rank—how could there be such a gap in strength?

Sensing my confusion, the spirit kicked me away again, then revealed his true power: two symmetrical leaves slowly appeared on his forehead.

“You’re impressive, but this is the end!” His voice was deep and magnetic as he took the initiative to attack.

“No one can decide my ending!” I roared, charging to meet him.

In that instant, I felt a surge of immense power—clearly not my own. Our blades clashed; his weapon was no match for mine and broke with a single blow. Yet the spirit remained calm, and before dying, he swiftly pulled a dagger from his pocket and stabbed it into my chest.

He didn’t fare much better—my blade sliced a deep gash into his abdomen. But as a spirit, he soon dissipated into the wind.

With great effort, I propped myself up with my blade and bent down to pick up the small pouch he’d left behind. I didn’t have time to check the contents; quickly, I fumbled for my phone and called Chen Chen.

“Hello, where are you?” he answered.

“Come... over to the sports field...” I managed, but before I could finish, everything went black and I fainted.

...

This time, I saw that white orb again, though it seemed much smaller now. The only constant was the steady stream of white smoke it emitted. I stared at it for a long time, only snapping out of it when my body was wracked with pain.

Too weak to open my eyes, I fell unconscious again. I awoke once more, feeling someone pour water into my mouth. Just as I tried to open my eyes, the pain overwhelmed me and I passed out again.

I don’t know how long I slept, only that a warm current coursed through my body—surely spiritual energy. But it was unruly, rampaging through me, making my blood vessels ache intensely.

Unable to control it, I let it do as it pleased. Thankfully, after a while, it settled down and gradually dispersed within me. Then, a never-before-felt sensation shot up from my body straight to the crown of my head.

My body jolted, and I woke with a start.

Terrified, I sat up and found my strength had multiplied several times over, and the single leaf on my forehead had become two. Clenching my fist, I realized my injuries were completely healed—not a trace of pain remained.

“Hurry, hurry, Yao’s awake!” someone exclaimed.

I’d been so focused on my own changes I hadn’t noticed the three people seated around me. They all looked at me in astonishment, especially Li Zijian.

“Damn, I thought you were gone for sure. Can’t believe you woke up, damn...” he blurted.

Tilting my head with a smile, I asked, “How many days was I out?”

“You? Another two days,” Chen Chen replied, sighing in relief.

I paused—this made it the fifth day. Chen Chen exhaled deeply, as if a burden had been lifted.

I glanced at Chu Yao; she looked worried, but more than that, she seemed happy.

Falling back onto the bed, I asked, “What kind of games did the Ghost King play these past two days?”

Li Zijian, who was smoking nearby, chimed in, “Nothing. Not a single game. It’s freezing cold at night too.”

I raised my eyebrows, wondering what the Ghost King was up to. Every time I passed out, he stopped announcing games. Was he waiting for me on purpose?

I pursed my lips as my stomach growled.

“Is there anything to eat?”

“No, we haven’t eaten either. The spirits at night are too strong for me to handle, and the weaker ones don’t give out food,” Chen Chen said with a troubled look. Li Zijian took the opportunity to add, “Yao, what happened to you that night? When Old Chen carried you back, you were covered in blood. Scared the hell out of us.”

I sat up and spread my hands, then remembered the small pouch I’d taken after defeating the spirit that night. Quickly, I retrieved it from my ring.

Opening it, I was astonished to find five packs of biscuits, five packs of chocolate, and five bottles of water inside. For such a small pouch, it sure held a lot—besides these, there was even a book.

I took out all the food, put the book and pouch back into the ring, and, under their amazed gazes, was the first to bite into a piece of chocolate.

...

To be able to eat chocolate in such harsh conditions—probably only our team could manage this now. And I was convinced that the spirit I killed that night was the strongest of them all.

I chuckled at myself, never expecting to run into the strongest spirit twice in a row.

After we’d all eaten and drunk our fill, everyone was refreshed—especially Chen Chen, who seemed eager for action.