Round One (05)

Si Jiu heard everything clearly inside the box. She waited until she felt herself being put down and heard Shen Yu leave before she began to gather her strength.

I struggle!
I struggle!
I struggle, struggle, struggle!

The sense of restriction loosened, and then there was a dull "thud"—she felt as if she had "kicked" the mirror again.

"Very good!"

She continued.

So, in the empty room, every now and then a muffled "thud" echoed through the silence. Sometimes soft, sometimes loud. It was rather eerie.

She didn’t know how much time had passed. When Si Jiu kicked out once more, she suddenly felt nothing in her way—and then there was a "click" in her ear, as if some invisible lock had been unlocked.

Immediately after… her entire self, the whole ghostly form, pierced through the bronze mirror and jade box, drifting out.

"Ahhh! Damn it! Big Sister is out!"

Si Jiu let out a shrill scream, so excited she could hardly contain herself.

At that moment, another voice issued from her own mouth: Don’t get too cocky. If not for the Celestial Master’s blood and my help, you’d never have gotten out.

Si Jiu: “?”

Don’t be afraid, I am the spirit of the mirror. And I must thank you, for if you hadn’t created the opportunity, I couldn’t have used the Celestial Master’s blood to break the seal within the mirror.

Si Jiu: Big Sister, don’t try to fool me. Just now, Shen Huai said you’re most likely a yin spirit. The fierce, murderous kind.

In other words, a thousand-year-old vengeful ghost. You think I’m a child, easy to trick?

But clearly, the current situation was that she and this "Big Sister" were coexisting within the same spiritual body, and things weren’t looking good. So, Si Jiu couldn’t afford to confront her directly right now.

She put on her best innocent act and said, "Really? Oh, that’s wonderful, anyway, we’re both out now."

Yes, but our spiritual body is very unstable at the moment, facing the risk of dissipating at any time. We need to find another way.

"Ah? Really?" Si Jiu feigned fright, asking in a naive tone, "What should we do then, Big Sister?"

No worries, I’ll need to do something soon. You just stay quiet and don’t fight me for control of the spiritual body.

A piece of information fell into place. This "Big Sister" might not be as strong as she claimed! Otherwise, why fear Si Jiu competing with her for control?

A sharp glint flashed in Si Jiu’s eyes, but she kept up her innocent act: "Okay, okay!"

...

After delivering dinner to Shen Huai, Shen Yu quickly finished his own meal and returned to his room.

Everything was as usual, the box sat quietly in its place. Shen Yu let out a breath, laughing at himself for being so timid—his uncle had only said a few words and scared him.

He shook his head and went into the bathroom to wash up.

The sound of running water soon filled the bathroom with steam. Shen Yu finished washing his hair, wiped his face with both hands, and when he opened his eyes, he cried out.

Before him stood a woman in long white robes, her hair flowing, her eyes dark and pale as if split between yin and yang, watching him silently.

Her unwavering gaze was truly unsettling! Even though her beauty was ethereal.

"Shh!"

A slender, jade-like finger pressed against Shen Yu’s lips—so cold it chilled to the bone, yet astonishingly soft to the touch.

"Young master~ I’m so cold. Will you hold me?"

Truth be told, though Si Jiu had no physical form, she was covered in goosebumps.

That voice was so seductive it made her skin crawl.

Now, Si Jiu was absolutely certain—this "Big Sister" was neither a mirror spirit nor any proper yin spirit.

She could only hope Shen Huai’s nephew would hold his ground and not let his soul be bewitched.

Shen Yu did indeed hold his ground.

A dazed look flickered in his eyes for only a moment before he regained his composure, and he even pushed at the spirit, trying to force her away.

Though, of course, his hand passed right through.

He rebuked her coldly, "What demon are you? Show your true form!"

Si Jiu: Pfft...

How amusing were the younger generation of Shen Huai’s family? Watched too many dramas, perhaps?

In truth... Shen Yu was simply flustered.