Chapter 18: The Show-off Luo Yulong

Chapter 18: The Pretentious Luo Yulong

Time ticked away as the three men smoked leisurely, chatting about past events as if the task they were about to face were nothing more than a trivial chore.

Suddenly, Xu Haoran asked, "By the way, Boss, which Spirit Controller is coming?"

"They said it’s Luo Yulong."

"Luo Yulong! That pretentious snob!"

Chen Feng shook his head with a smile. "That’s fine for now, but I’ve heard that Luo Yulong is incredibly petty. If he heard you, he’d probably hold a grudge for the rest of your life."

Xu Haoran waved his hand dismissively. "Who cares? We’re about to sacrifice ourselves for the greater good; why fear being blacklisted? Besides, Boss, you’re badmouthing him too..."

His voice cut off instantly.

The three of them stared awkwardly at the figure slowly emerging from the end of the hallway, their toes curling in their shoes.

It was one thing to talk behind someone’s back, but quite another when the man himself appeared.

Luo Yulong was indeed blessed with good looks—fair skin, delicate features, and a sharp, well-tailored suit. At first glance, he exuded the aura of an overbearing CEO.

He took over half a minute to traverse the short ten-meter distance. Only when he arrived in front of the trio did he speak, his expression cold and emotionless: "Brief me on the situation."

Chen Feng was the first to snap back to reality. He stepped forward immediately. "I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly, Master Luo. The situation is urgent, so I’ll be brief. The invading specter is at the Fierce Ghost level. The exact Ghost Power value is unknown. It’s a Mirror Ghost with bizarre and unpredictable abilities. As long as there is a reflective surface larger than a fist, it can use its power to manipulate your reflection and force you to commit suicide."

"As for the killing rule, we estimate it involves seeing one’s own reflection in a mirror. Two victims were struck down the moment they caught a glimpse of themselves. Since this classroom has many reflective surfaces, the death rule is effectively unrestricted, so I’ve sealed the entire room with Spirit Binding Talismans."

Luo Yulong glanced into the classroom without hesitation. Beyond the gore scattered across the floor, it was deathly silent.

"Casualties?"

Chen Feng frowned. "That’s what’s strange. This Mirror Ghost isn't slaughtering wildly like previous invaders. So far, only six teachers and staff have died, which is an extremely low casualty count for a Fierce Ghost-level invasion."

"Oh? Interesting. It seems this Mirror Ghost has other motives for invading reality." Luo Yulong let out a soft, mocking laugh. He continued, "Have all the civilians been evacuated?"

"Everyone has been moved to safety. Right now, only we are in the school."

"Good, that removes any unnecessary concerns." Luo Yulong’s lips curled slightly.

He then noticed the unfinished cigarettes in the men's hands.

"Give me one," he commanded.

"Ah? Oh, oh, okay!" Xu Haoran scrambled to pull out his cigarette case, extracted one, and offered it respectfully.

Luo Yulong didn't take it. Instead, he slowly pulled a cigarette holder ring from his pocket and slid it onto his finger.

"Mmm~"

Xu Haoran caught the hint and carefully placed the cigarette into the holder's ring to light it.

Luo Yulong held his hand with a delicate gesture, his expression blank, and took a small puff. He looked elegantly rakish.

Chen Feng, feeling incredibly anxious due to this leisurely display, finally couldn't help but remind him, "Master Luo, there is one more thing I need to mention. The higher-ups called me a moment ago saying one of the students trapped inside has high potential and must be saved at all costs. With only a minute left, I’m worried something might go wrong."

Luo Yulong shook his head. "You’re too caught up in the details; it won't take that long."

"If the Mirror Ghost’s killing rule is seeing one’s own reflection, then we simply shouldn't see it at all."

"What do you m—wait, are you saying!" Chen Feng’s eyes widened as he realized something.

"Thinking of your Spirit Skill?" Luo Yulong chuckled faintly. "If I recall correctly, your ability creates a zone of absolute darkness for a short duration."

"But my absolute darkness only lasts ten seconds, and it doesn't distinguish between friend and foe."

"No matter. Ten seconds is enough. You are just here for support; your presence or absence makes no difference to the outcome, it just saves some trouble," Luo Yulong said, waving his hand lightly.

"Come out, my partner."

With that light call, a large mass of black shadow emerged from behind his head. The shadow gradually formed into a human shape—Luo Yulong’s contracted spirit, Zhou Xiangfu.

Zhou Xiangfu wore a simple, rustic cyan robe, looking much like a refined ancient scholar. However, there was a shocking, gaping hole in the back of his head, with blood pouring down his face like a waterfall.

Yet, despite such a miserable appearance, Zhou Xiangfu kept his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, maintaining an air of profound mystery.

The three men were stunned, their eyes filled with envy.

This was a contracted spirit. Only those with a contracted spirit could be called true Spirit Controllers.

The strength of a Spirit Controller was far beyond the reach of small-fry like them, who were only at the Wandering Soul level. A Spirit Controller could borrow part of their spirit's power, giving them a much higher starting point than a standard Spirit Realm explorer. Those with perfect compatibility could even unleash half of their spirit's power, which was terrifying.

More importantly, Spirit Controllers weren't limited to completing missions to increase their Ghost Power; when a contracted spirit devoured others, it would feed a portion of that energy back to the controller based on their compatibility.

It could be said that Spirit Controllers represented the peak combat power among all Spirit Realm explorers.

Seeing their reaction, Luo Yulong was immensely satisfied. He waved his hand with an evil grin, looking completely relaxed.

"Brother Fu, let’s go purge the evil for our country!"

Zhou Xiangfu replied, "I’m not going."

Luo Yulong stumbled, his hand holding the cigarette trembling.

"Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!"

Realizing he had lost his composure, he instantly regained his cold, aloof expression, turned around, and whispered into Zhou Xiangfu’s ear.

"Big Brother, I’ve already put on the act. Give me some face, or I won't be able to back down."

Zhou Xiangfu kept his hands behind his back and said, "The one inside is stronger than me. I won't risk it."

Luo Yulong: "???"

"Boss, your Ghost Power is already at 9998, just a step away from the Fierce Ghost level. That thing inside is also a Fierce Ghost; how much stronger can it be? Isn't it just 9999 Ghost Power?"

Zhou Xiangfu glanced at him sideways. "If there’s no guarantee of victory, I won't strike. Even the slightest chance of failure would damage my aesthetic."

Seeing that the spirit was unmoved, Luo Yulong had no choice but to plead, "Brother, I’m begging you. I’ll look so pathetic if you don't."

The disdain in Zhou Xiangfu’s eyes deepened. He shrugged his shoulder to break free. "I still prefer the way you were so unruly at the beginning."

Luo Yulong paused at these words. Then, he too clasped his hands behind his back, a confident smile returning to his face as he tilted his head at Zhou Xiangfu.

"How about a deal? If you fight today, I’ll burn ten more beautiful ancient costumes for you tomorrow."

"For real?"

"For real!"

"Halt! You monster, witness my righteous spirit!!!"

Zhou Xiangfu’s blazing fighting spirit was the signal for Chen Feng to charge. He didn't hesitate to form a hand seal, and in an instant, the classroom plunged into absolute darkness.

Just then, a voice rang out from the darkness.

"Damn it! Who turned off the lights?"

"Damn it! Who touched my butt!!!"