I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 70

Kevin crouched down next to the will-o'-the-wisp and curiously poked it with a finger.

He expected the flame to be hot, but instead, it was unexpectedly cold. Kevin's eyes widened in surprise.

"March, try this! The will-o'-the-wisp is made of ice!"

Hearing this, March 7th stretched out her finger and hesitantly placed it on the floating flame.

"Really? The will-o'-the-wisp is actually made of ice?"

At that moment, the will-o'-the-wisp suddenly spoke, its voice sharp with indignation.

"You are the will-o'-the-wisp! Your whole family is will-o'-the-wisp! How could I be such a low-level thing? I am Sui Yang!"

Kevin gasped, his interest instantly doubling in that singular moment.

"Wow! It can talk! This is getting interesting!"

He turned to Hu Tao, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Hutao, why don't we take it home and raise it for fun? A talking will-o'-the-wisp could be entertaining for all of us you know?"

Hutao, standing with her arms crossed, immediately shook her head.

"That won't work. People are people, ghosts are ghosts. The living belong in the human world, and the dead should go to the underworld."

With that, she casually summoned Big Qiuqiu, and before anyone could react, the massive entity swallowed the will-o'-the-wisp in one gulp.

"Done!" Hutao clapped her hands in satisfaction.

March 7th stared at her, flabbergasted.

"Wait... so that's how you 'save' lost souls? Physically?!"

Hu Tao nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Of course."

March 7th blinked. "That's not how it works! In the movies I watched, they had to set up an altar, find the soul's regrets, perform rituals, and even do a little dance sometimes."

Hutao scoffed. "Too much hassle. My Big Qiuqiu specializes in consuming malevolent spirits. Easy and efficient. Why complicate things?"

March 7th opened her mouth but found no rebuttal. Now that she thought about it, Hutao's method did seem very straightforward.

Guinevere, who had been watching from the side, suddenly gasped.

"Hu Tao! You can actually catch ghosts?!"

Kevin grinned. "What's so surprising? Hutao has been learning this since she was a kid. She even runs a company that specializes in sending souls to the afterlife."

Guinevere's eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to Hu Tao with hands clasped together in pleading.

"Hu Tao! My future as a top streamer depends on you! Let me livestream you catching ghosts! Please, please, please!"

Hu Tao pondered for a moment before shrugging. "Sure. Let's go find another one of those things."

Just as they were about to start their ghost hunt, a cold voice rang out, stopping them in their tracks.

"You're not going anywhere. Surrender at once."

In an instant, a team of soldiers from the Ten Kings Division appeared, surrounding them. At the front stood Xue Yi, Hanya, and Huo Huo.

Hanya sighed as she laid eyes on Kevin and his companions.

"You guys again?"

Kevin scratched his head sheepishly. "Hehe~ If I said we were lost, would you believe me?"

Xue Yi's gaze was like ice. "Do you believe yourself when you say that? You've trespassed into Suiyuan repeatedly. Are you eager to spend some time in prison?"

Kevin and the others shrank back. Prison? No way!

Thankfully, Hanya sighed and relented.

"This is your last warning. Suiyuan is a sacred place for the Immortal Boat, and outsiders are forbidden to enter. Huo Huo, escort them out."

Huo Huo nodded. "This way, please. Huo Huo will take you out."

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

Wasting no time, Kevin and his group followed Huo Huo obediently, fearing that Hanya might change her mind and actually throw them into jail.

Only when they had walked far enough did Kevin let out a relieved sigh.

"Phew~ That was close! My reputation would have been ruined..."

March 7th snorted. "Haha! Don't you already have enough stains on your reputation?"

Kevin glared at her. "What are you talking about? What are you talking about March?! I want to see my lawyer!"

"You're lawyer?!" March glanced at Kevin in shock.

Suddenly, Huo Huo spoke from the front. "Please keep quiet. This is Suiyuan. No noise allowed."

Kevin immediately shut up and nodded repeatedly, pretending to be the picture of obedience.

Then, he noticed something unusual.

Huo Huo's tail... was on fire?!

Kevin's eyes lit up with fascination. He tapped Huo Huo's shoulder.

"Huo Huo, right?"

Huo Huo turned around. "Uh, yes? What is it?"

Kevin pointed at her tail. "Where did you get that tail? I want to buy one too."

Before Huo Huo could respond, March 7th smacked Kevin on the head.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Huo Huo is a fox person. Of course, she has a tail."

Before anyone could respond, an old, grumpy voice interjected.

"I am one of a kind. You can't buy me even if you wanted to!"

March 7th and Guinevere's jumped in fright.

"Who?! Who said that?!"

Huo Huo quickly comforted them. "Don't worry, that's Master Tail."

Hutao raised an eyebrow. "That thing on your tail? It looks kinda like the will-o'-the-wisp from earlier."

Huo Huo was surprised. She hadn't expected Hutao to notice so quickly.

"Yes, but don't worry. Master Tail is sealed within my tail. He won't cause harm."

March 7th and the others finally relaxed.

Hu Tao, however, was intrigued. "Huo Huo, can Master Tail come out for a moment? I'd like to see him."

Huo Huo hesitated for a moment before stroking her tail. In a flicker of flames, Master Tail appeared before them.

March 7th, Kevin, Guinevere, and Sushang stared at him curiously.

Master Tail scoffed. "What's with those looks? Are you little girls so captivated by my heroic presence that you can't look away?"

March 7th rolled her eyes. "No, you're just ridiculously full of yourself."

"Hey! Have some respect! I'm incredibly handsome, and you know it!"

Hutao chuckled. "Not handsome, but definitely cool."

Master Tail huffed and turned away from them, clearly unimpressed by their lack of admiration.

Guinevere, meanwhile, was furiously taking pictures with her phone, already envisioning her rise to fame as a ghost-hunting streamer.

Huo Huo glanced at the time. "Alright, everyone, let's keep moving. Stay close to Huo Huo."

As they continued their journey, Hutao suddenly tensed, gripping her Homa Staff tightly.

"Something's wrong."

Kevin and the others stopped, instantly on guard.

"Hutao, what is it?" March 7th asked.

Hutao's eyes narrowed. "There's a lot of evil energy around here. Be careful—there's something foul nearby."

Everyone instinctively stood back-to-back, weapons at the ready.

Sushang turned to Guinevere. "Fenfen, stay close to me."

But there was no response.

Sushang's eyes darted around.

Guinevere was gone.

"Oh no! Where did she go!"

Huo Huo trembled. "W-Wuwuwu~ Don't eat Huo Huo! Huo Huo's meat is not tasty!"

Master Tail sighed. "Relax, it's just another Sui Yang..."

Hu Tao shielded Huo Huo with one arm, gripping the Homa Staff tightly in the other. Her sharp gaze scanned the surroundings until she locked onto the target.

"Found you! Everyone, follow me!" she declared.

Without hesitation, Hu Tao ignited the flames of the Homa Staff and charged into a small courtyard. Seeing this, Kevin and the others followed, weapons drawn.

"Wait for me!" Huo Huo called out, her small steps rushing after them.

As the group entered the courtyard, Hu Tao swung her staff with full force at a large mirror near the entrance. But instead of shattering, the mirror's surface rippled. Then, an eerie hand—her own reflection—reached out, grasped the Homa Staff, and pulled Hu Tao in with incredible force.

"Hu Tao!" Kevin and the others lunged forward, trying to grab her. But instead, they too were dragged into the mirror's strange world.

Inside the mirrored realm, Sui Yang Fu Yan sensed their arrival and moved swiftly, intending to possess Guinevere. Just as he approached, fiery butterflies erupted in the air, and Hu Tao struck with the Homa Staff. The ghostly figure recoiled in terror, its wail echoing in the void.

"Damn it!" Fu Yan hissed, retreating rapidly. He had only just escaped his cage and lacked the strength to fight. Without another word, he fled.

Hu Tao wasted no time. She knelt beside Guinevere and shook her shoulders.

"Xiao Guizi, wake up!"

Guinevere's eyes fluttered open, her expression dazed. "Where... am I?"

Hu Tao let out a sigh of relief. "You almost got possessed by some creep. Good thing I got here in time. How do you feel?"

Guinevere rubbed her forehead. "A little dizzy, but I'll be fine. Just need a moment."

Hu Tao nodded, helping her sit up. After making sure Guinevere was stable, she stood, scanning the surroundings. Sensing Fu Yan's presence lingering nearby, she pulled Guinevere up.

"Come on, we're not done yet."

Meanwhile, March 7th wandered aimlessly through the alleyways of the mirror world. She huffed, crossing her arms. "Where did everyone go? I've been walking forever!"

Unbeknownst to her, Fu Yan emerged from the wall behind her, his spectral eyes gleaming. He smirked. "No defenses at all, huh? Perfect."

With a wicked grin, he lunged at March 7th, intending to take over her body.

The moment he entered, an overwhelming force struck him. A burst of energy sent him flying out, his form crashing onto the ground.

March 7th scratched an itch on her back and kept walking, completely oblivious to what had just happened.

Fu Yan groaned, smoke rising from his form. "What the hell was that?!"

Still reeling, he sensed Kevin and Suchang nearby. Desperate, he rushed toward them. "One of them has to be weak enough!"

Seconds later—

"AHHHHHH! HOT! HOT! IT'S BURNING ME ALIVE!"

Fu Yan erupted from Kevin's body in flames, shrieking as he rolled on the ground. He barely managed to dive into a nearby pool to extinguish the fire.

Panting, he muttered, "What kind of monsters are these people?!"

Just as he was about to admit defeat, a soft sob caught his attention.

"Wuwuwu... Huo Huo is useless... wuwuwuwu..."

Fu Yan's ears perked up. "A little girl? Finally, an easy target!"

He floated toward the source of the crying and found Huo Huo curled up in a corner, sniffling.

Grinning wickedly, he moved in to possess her—

But then, he froze.

A familiar energy filled the air. A presence he hadn't sensed in a long time.

A shadow loomed beside him. A low chuckle echoed.

"Hey, isn't this Fu Yan? It's been a while."

Fu Yan stiffened. His smoky form trembled as he turned toward the speaker—Tail Master.

"Tails?!" Fu Yan spat, his expression twisting in disgust. "Why are you here?"

Tail Master smirked. "I should be asking you that. What's with the burns? Get into a fight with a barbecue pit?"

Fu Yan clenched his fists. "Keep running your mouth, Tails. At least I'm free. Unlike you, still bound by that seal."

Tail Master's smirk deepened. "Oh, not for long."

Fu Yan narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"See for yourself." Tail Master pointed behind him.

Fu Yan turned—and his smoky face turned pale.

Hu Tao's Homa Staff was swinging straight for his head.

The impact sent him crashing into the ground. He tried to flee, but Tail Master grabbed him, dragging him back.

"Tails! You traitor!" Fu Yan screamed.

Hu Tao summoned Da Qiuqiu, who wasted no time swallowing Fu Yan whole.

And just like that, Sui Yang Fu Yan ceased to exist.

Da Qiuqiu let out a satisfied burp before retreating into Hu Tao's sleeve to digest his meal.

"Well, that's done." Hu Tao dusted off her hands and put away her staff.

Behind her, Guinevere looked at her in awe. "Hu Tao, that was amazing! Can you teach me how to catch ghosts?!"

Hu Tao grinned. "Sorry, Xiao Guizi, it's a Wangsheng Hall secret. Only direct descendants can learn it."

Guinevere pouted. "Aww... really?"

Hu Tao chuckled. "But you know, you don't have to learn from me. Yuri has plenty of exorcism techniques. Just go buy one."

Guinevere's eyes lit up. "Oh! I heard you mention him before! Okay, let's go see him when we get out!"

She hesitated, then added, "By the way, don't you need Stellar Jade to buy things from Yuri? I traded for some online, but it's super expensive now."

Hu Tao nodded. "Yeah, let's figure that out later. First, let's check on Huo Huo. She looks really shaken up."

The two of them approached Huo Huo, who was still trembling. Hu Tao crouched beside her and spoke gently.

"Huo Huo, what's wrong? Tell me, maybe I can help."

Huo Huo sniffled, looking up at Hu Tao with teary eyes. Would she finally be able to find the strength she had always lacked?

Only time would tell.