Chapter 1290: Same Life Curse

She willingly became the spirit of the Myriad Ghost Token, solely to leave this haunted place where she had been for over four millennia. Unfortunately, her wish remained unfulfilled. Ye Haitang, a ghost cultivator, could enter and exit this place using the power of the Golden Amber Jade Buddha Pendant, which gave her hope of escape.

She couldn't overcome Ye Haitang, and Ye Haitang couldn't overcome her. However, in a prolonged standoff, Ye Haitang would certainly lose, as her only reliance was the Golden Amber Jade Buddha Pendant.

A cold light flared in Zhao Meier's eyes. Below, the black seawater churned violently like boiling water, a bubble rising to the surface.

Rumble! With a muffled roar, a black water mountain, over a hundred zhang tall, materialized on the sea surface. A chill wind swept through the air, accompanied by incessant wails and howls of ghosts. Within the dense ghostly aura, terrifying specters were faintly visible, a sight that struck fear into anyone's heart.

Ye Haitang's face paled. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. Zhao Meier had adopted a do-or-die stance, leaving Ye Haitang with no other option.

Zhao Meier held all the advantages of time and place. Ye Haitang's only reliance was the Golden Amber Jade Buddha Pendant. Without it, she would surely die. Zhao Meier clearly valued the pendant greatly; otherwise, if they truly fought, Ye Haitang would be no match for her.

Ye Haitang frowned deeply, realizing she had no better option. Strictly speaking, the initiative lay with Zhao Meier. If Zhao Meier deemed the Golden Amber Jade Buddha Pendant useless, she would have no reason to keep Ye Haitang alive.

“Alright, then let’s each cast the Co-existence Curse on the other,” Ye Haitang said with a solemn expression. “But you must let me implant the curse first; otherwise, I’d rather destroy this Buddhist spiritual treasure.”

“No problem, hurry up and act,” Zhao Meier readily agreed.

Ye Haitang began chanting an obscure and difficult-to-understand incantation. She then spat out a mouthful of vital blood, striking it with several magical seals. The vital blood spun, transforming into a gruesome, blood-red specter pattern that flew towards Zhao Meier.

Zhao Meier remained motionless, allowing the blood-red specter to vanish into her body.

“There, it’s done, isn’t it? Now let me implant the Co-existence Curse in you!” Zhao Meier opened her mouth and spat out a black light, which transformed into a black specter pattern that flew towards Ye Haitang.

Ye Haitang’s expression turned cold. She struck the formation plate with a magical seal. Rumble! Over a dozen thick silver lightning bolts flew out from the thunderclouds, striking the black specter, which instantly vanished.

“You tricked me? Are you tired of living?” A flicker of anger crossed Zhao Meier’s eyes.

“No, you were trying to trick me. What I’m seeing now is just an illusion, isn’t it?” Ye Haitang sneered. “You suggested we both cast the Co-existence Curse, and then asked me to go first, all to lull me into a false sense of security. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely think about killing the other person, not voluntarily proposing a mutual Co-existence Curse. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” The Light of the Yellow Springs could counter illusions, but her cultivation was too low. If Zhao Meier played tricks, Ye Haitang wouldn't be able to detect them. It was inherently suspicious for a Nascent Soul stage ghost to willingly suggest a mutual Co-existence Curse, especially one that allowed Ye Haitang to cast her curse first.

“Since you lack sincerity, there’s nothing left to say,” Ye Haitang snarled, a look of grim determination on her face, as if ready to face death. “Even if I die, I will destroy this Buddhist spiritual treasure. You can stay here forever!”

“Stop! That was just a test. This time, I’m serious.” Zhao Meier suddenly transformed into a green light and vanished. A ripple spread through a section of the void, revealing Zhao Meier’s figure. Her expression was highly complex, showing both apprehension and admiration.

“How am I supposed to know if you’re deceiving me? It’s better if I destroy the Buddhist spiritual treasure. Even if I die, I won’t let you benefit from it.” Ye Haitang flipped her hand, producing a golden talisman covered in numerous golden electrical arcs—it was a Golden Thunder Demon Slaying Talisman. Even if the talisman couldn't utterly destroy the Golden Amber Jade Buddha Pendant, it could still damage it.

“Just state your conditions!” Zhao Meier said in a deep voice. “As long as they’re not too excessive, I can agree to them.”

“We’ll both cast the Co-existence Curse on each other. Furthermore, I want to implant several other restrictions to prevent you from having any malicious thoughts.” Ye Haitang knew that a demand that was too excessive would surely be rejected by Zhao Meier, while a demand that was too simple would leave her at a disadvantage. This particular demand was just right; once the Co-existence Curse was mutually active, the other restrictions would be of little consequence.

“I’ll give you one more chance,” Ye Haitang declared, her gaze firm and her tone resolute, showing she meant every word. “If you try any more tricks, there’s nothing left to discuss. I will immediately destroy this Buddhist spiritual treasure, and perhaps even the Myriad Ghost Token along with it. If I can’t have peace, neither will you. It’s just death, nothing more.”

Zhao Meier’s expression flickered between light and shadow. After a long moment of contemplation, she agreed.

This time, she played no more tricks. They cast the Co-existence Curse on each other, and Ye Haitang also implanted numerous restrictions on Zhao Meier. Zhao Meier, however, remained unafraid.

Unless Ye Haitang cultivated to the Soul Transformation stage, if Zhao Meier died, Ye Haitang would die as well.

After the restrictions were set, Ye Haitang altered her magical seals and began chanting an arcane incantation. Zhao Meier clutched her head, emitting a series of shrill screams as green smoke rose from her body.

A piercing ghost wail resounded, causing Ye Haitang to feel dizzy and lightheaded. Her body weakened, and she interrupted her spellcasting. Only then did Zhao Meier return to normal.

“Are you insane? If I die, you’ll die too.” Ye Haitang replied indifferently, unconcerned. “I was just testing if the restrictions were effective. Who knows if you were trying to trick me again? Now it’s proven you’re not. Didn’t you say you had spiritual items for Nascent Soul formation earlier? As the Sect Master of the Myriad Ghost Sect, you must have hidden many good things! Bring out some elixirs for me to heal my injuries! We’re in the same boat now; if I’m well, you’ll be well too.”

“Elixirs? They’re long gone. If I had any, wouldn't I have used them myself? And as for spiritual items for Nascent Soul formation, don’t even think about it. The sect gates were destroyed, and all treasures were carried away by other ghosts.”

Ye Haitang frowned, saying with a hint of disbelief, “The Myriad Ghost Sect was, after all, one of the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea, with vast resources. Is there truly nothing left? You’re still trying to play tricks with me.”

She altered her magical seals, activating another restriction. Countless black runes emerged on Zhao Meier’s body, and she screamed again. She could only let out another extremely piercing ghost wail to interrupt Ye Haitang’s spellcasting.

“Four millennia have passed,” Zhao Meier sneered, adopting a defiant stance as if an old duck unafraid of scalding. “If there were really any good things left, I would have used them long ago. I’ve always wanted to leave this place and tried many methods, but many treasures were destroyed by the restrictions. Only the Myriad Ghost Token remains. If you don’t believe me, then continue activating the restrictions. At worst, we both go down together.”

Ye Haitang pondered for a moment, then said, “Don’t disturb me. I need to circulate my energy to heal my injuries and recuperate for a while.” Zheng Guqi was still hiding outside, so she wouldn’t be leaving this place anytime soon.

“Recuperate? As you wish, but don’t stay here for too long. I’ve had enough of this place.” Zhao Meier said somewhat impatiently.

Ye Haitang didn’t reply. She began cultivating, her body enveloped by a large expanse of dark light.