"It's just a pear."
In the darkness, the person added another sentence, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a bone-deep weariness, not as sinister as one might imagine.
The lamplight in the room was dim, the pear as white as jade with a faint shimmer, looking endlessly enticing.
Ban Xia's mind wavered, and she actually reached out, her right hand splayed, almost on the verge of taking the pear.
At that moment, the room suddenly brightened. Xuan Ye, who had been concealed, shattered the barrier, his curved blade flying from his hand and slicing the pear away in one swift motion.
After that, the Moonlight Sheen Blade rose into the air, its soft glow immediately enveloping the male ghost's face.
Only half of his face was visible—not because the other half was missing, but because half was covered by a mask, leaving only one side exposed.
The slanted, elongated eyes with a weary gaze, the thin lips pressed tightly together—this side profile was utterly perfect.
Ban Xia swallowed hard, warning herself that the other half beneath the mask must be hideously ugly, and she dashed out of the room like the wind.
Having been in this damned world for only a few days, she had no desire to have her neck seized by a ghost for the third time.
Outside, through the window, she could still watch the battle. She saw the half-faced handsome man turn around, his nail-less right hand brushing his brow as he spoke to Xuan Ye with utter disdain: "And who are you? What Taoist priest from which mountain?"
Xuan Ye remained calm: "I am neither a scallion nor a Taoist priest. I am merely a soul collector." With that, he curled his fingers, and the Moonlight Sheen Blade obeyed his summons, flying back into his palm.
The male ghost snorted, wasting no more words. He raised his ten fingers, chanting an indistinct spell.
An intensely strange fragrance immediately filled the room.
The pear peel he had sliced off earlier suddenly shrank, as if incense were burning, releasing a wisp of residual green smoke.
The smoke was thick and fragrant, so fragrant it felt almost evil. With a flick of his finger, the smoke coalesced, taking the shape of a small beast, poised to pounce.
This male ghost was not only captivating in appearance but also skilled in manipulating fragrance.
Ban Xia clung to the windowsill, unconsciously craning her neck further, and saw Xuan Ye furrow his brow, a hint of caution in his expression.
The battle between the two handsome men was on the verge of breaking out.
At this critical moment, a black shadow flowed past outside the house—a swift, dashing sound.
Followed by a kick to the door, a long leg raised in a graceful arc—also quite dashing.
The show-off Asura, Brother Bamboo, burst onto the scene just as the battle was about to erupt, positioning himself between Xuan Ye and the male ghost. Raising his right hand, he declared with flair: "You should leave quickly. I'll handle this lousy Taoist priest."
"I've said I'm not a Taoist priest."
Xuan Ye's response was expected.
But the male ghost tilted his eyes slightly and murmured softly: "And why should I leave?"
This reaction, however, was unexpected.
"Can't you see how powerful his magic is?" Bamboo also tilted his head, spreading his long arms as he shielded the ghost behind him.
"So what?"
The male ghost sneered, a hint of arrogance in his smile. The small beast he had conjured in mid-air immediately soared, opening its maw and lunging straight at Xuan Ye.
Setting aside everything else, this male ghost's fearlessness in the face of an enemy did carry a certain dignity.
Thus, when Xuan Ye raised his blade, his posture held a trace of respect.
"You're no match for him!"
"At most, my six souls and seven spirits will be utterly destroyed. Step aside, sir."
In the brief moment of this exchange, the Moonlight Sheen Blade had already met the fragrant beast. The curved blade, like a crescent moon, instantly shattered the beast's form.
As You Huang had said, the male ghost was indeed no match for Xuan Ye."Take a good look at this blade. This is the Moon Glow of the demigods. Once captured by it, your soul will be trapped for eternity!"
You Huang's words finally made the male ghost pause.
Seizing the gap between them, You Huang quickly closed in. Facing the male ghost, he raised his hand and repeated, "Hurry and leave! I'll deal with this damned Taoist priest!"
"Why should I owe you a favor and leave you behind to face this alone?"
The male ghost's reply was unexpectedly righteous.
Just then, Xuan Ye's Moon Glow swept in with the wind, stopping just an inch from You Huang's back.
"I am an Asura, neither dead nor destroyed. He can't do anything to me."
You Huang whispered this, even winking slyly at the male ghost.
The curved blade was already at his back, originally intended to force him aside, but instead of dodging, he lifted his leg in an incredibly suave arc and kicked the male ghost square in the chest.
With a sickening thud, Moon Glow pierced his lung, but the impact of his kick was far greater, sending the male ghost flying over thirty feet away.
"I may not be able to beat you, but at least I can ruin your plans."
After saying this, "Bamboo" (You Huang) turned his head and, as usual, shot Xuan Ye a contemptuous glare before collapsing to the ground with a crash.
Xuan Ye vanished, chasing after the male ghost.
Meanwhile, Ban Xia clung to the doorframe, hearing You Huang's labored breathing inside, hesitating whether she should enter.
"Don't." You Huang's voice came from the room. "Beauty, you... must not come in."
"Why?"
"I... don't look very presentable right now. It would tarnish the reputation of the world's most handsome ghost. It's really not suitable for a beauty like you to... behold."
His reply was already faltering, each word trembling at the end.
Moon Glow was extraordinarily powerful, and the wound was in a vital spot. Even with his exceptional regenerative abilities as an Asura, recovery would take some time.
Ban Xia curled her lips and stepped into the room.
Compassion wasn't something Miss Ban possessed, but the chance to witness the "most handsome ghost" in an unbecoming state? That she was more than willing to do.
"You're truly undying and indestructible?"
As she crouched down, Miss Ban asked.
You Huang, lying on the ground, struggled, nodded, and managed to sit up, smoothing his hair.
"What if you're chopped into mincemeat? Can you still piece yourself back together?" Ban Xia continued to stare at him, watching the half-charred wound on his chest slowly healing.
You Huang scratched his head. "Well... I haven't been minced before. How about you try it next time, beauty?"
A charming man with a charming reply.
But at that moment, Ban Xia suddenly let out a piercing scream, so horrifying it seemed to tear through the sky.
You Huang was startled, jumping to his feet.
"My hands...!" Ban Xia was already incoherent, stretching out her fingers and shaking them wildly. "My hands, my hands!!!!"
A figure drifted into the room—Xuan Ye, who had turned back midway upon hearing the scream. He grabbed her hands, holding them firmly, and asked, "Is it your nails? Does it hurt or itch?"
"It hurts!... And itches! Why? I didn't eat any pears, I didn't even touch them!" Ban Xia shrieked, struggling in Xuan Ye's arms. Caught off guard, she bit down, tearing off half of her little fingernail, leaving it bloody.
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