Chapter 16 "Get back here!"_3

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There was no grudge between the two, at least not that she was aware of. Although they weren't particularly close, there had been no betrayal or harm done to each other.

It was purely because this ghost belonged to the kind that lost its sanity. The remnants of memories from its past life made it target its former companions.

Normally, the instinct of ghosts would drive them to hunt the Forbidden Masters with strong life energy, followed by vigorous adults, then children and the elderly... There was a hierarchy, and residual memories from their past lives could affect this order.

She possessed the obscuring technique, so it was unlikely she'd be the first target. This time, she was simply down on her luck.

The burning flames illuminated the woman's increasingly pale face.

...

On the third floor, Cen Dongsheng watched the chaotic scene unfold and couldn't help but smile slightly.

But he did not let his guard down. He crouched on the railing, poised to leap down at any moment, regulating the power within him through deep breaths, ready to strike.

The burnt corpse had reached the first floor, and the encroaching flames were nearing the temporary camp. An Zhizhen was still there, so he could not stand idly by.

Fortunately, according to the ghosts' prioritization, after it killed its companion, it would definitely target him next, placing the residents, including Sister Zhi Zhen, last.

He planned to act the instant the burnt corpse eliminated Kong Yulin.

As long as he could defeat it in the end, this long night would finally come to a close...

"Wait."

Cen Dongsheng suddenly noticed a slight shift in the burnt corpse evil spirit's trajectory.

An ominous feeling surged within him.

It seemed to have found a more worthwhile target. Just as it was about to leap at the female curse Forbidden Master, it suddenly turned around, howling skyward.

"Roar—"

For the first time, the evil spirit exhibited emotions akin to a human's, striding toward its target, the flames surrounding it growing more intense...

*

"Everyone, get out of the camp quickly!"

As the burnt corpse evil spirit unleashed its curse, the Xiaokang Building, previously hidden in the night, was set ablaze and An Zhizhen, witnessing it from afar, immediately understood:

This was a battle between Forbidden Masters and ghosts, already at its fiercest stage!

To prevent ordinary people from being caught in the crossfire, she immediately rallied everyone in the camp, swiftly directing the residents to retreat toward the gate.

The blaze spread like a field of fire, wantonly consuming the spaces between buildings.

The crowd watched the intense battle in silence, children curled up in their parents' arms, couples holding hands, spouses leaning on each other, and elderly men and women sitting down with a tremble.

Everyone harbored a strong sense of unease, bewilderment, and fear, as though facing an impending apocalypse.

Whoever survived would determine their fate, but win or lose, they were powerless, able only to wait for the battle to conclude...

An Zhizhen stood at the forefront of the crowd.

She stared at the fiery glow resembling a towering bonfire, her hands subconsciously entwined.

She bowed her head, clasping her hands before her chest, whispering a barely audible prayer:

"Dongsheng, I hope you're all right... Please, you must win..."

Suddenly, she heard frantic shouts behind her: "Run! Doctor An, watch out!"

She felt a wave of scorching heat rush towards her.

An Zhizhen instinctively raised her head, eyes wide open.

...

Under the cover of night, roaring flames illuminated the sky, stretching across the east and west sides of Xiaokang Building like a high wall, burning from one end to the other.

A charred, unrecognizable blackened head emerged from the flames and met her gaze indifferently.

The horrifying burnt corpse opened its mouth wide, flames flickering from its eyes, mouth, and ears.

She had no time to dodge, not that there was anywhere to hide...

And at that critical moment, another figure emerged from the flames.

A large hand reached from behind to firmly grab the scorched head, forcefully pressing it back down.

"Get back here!"

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