A Xi Po, in ancient times, was a professional who accompanied the bride on her sedan chair on her wedding day, all the way to the groom's home. After the triple bow, she would escort the bride into the bridal chamber and be responsible for teaching the bride how to serve her husband on their wedding night before the groom entered.
Because this profession was closely related to marriage, most Xi Po also served as midwives.
The Xi Po before them, from the Xin Xuan Sect and one of the Twelve Zi Chen, though elderly, had her face smeared with thick foundation, her cheeks adorned with two bright red spots. She looked quite sinister when she smiled.
Lin Zhitong did not pay much attention to this suddenly appearing Xi Po.
What truly concerned her were the two weapons in the Xi Po's hands.
The iron hook and large shears in her hands were covered in blood, a blood that exuded an indescribable stench and malevolent aura.
Even Lin Zhitong had never encountered this scent before, but combining it with the ghost infants surrounding the Xi Po, she vaguely had an answer.
The blood on the iron hook and large shears likely came from newborns.
This meant that the Xi Po had killed these children shortly after their birth, then extracted their souls to refine them into the current ghost infants.
Such great evil was intolerable by heaven and earth!
The Xi Po's gaze passed over Lin Zhitong and fixed on Lü Xin. "Hua Pi, even if your mission failed and you perish, why are you leading trouble my way?"
Lü Xin snorted coldly, "Does my death benefit you?"
"Of course it benefits me. Many covet your position. If you die, I can support my confidante to take over. After all, the Twelve Zi Chen are different from the Twenty-Eight Constellations," the Xi Po cackled sinisterly.
Seeing the Xi Po's attitude, Lü Xin felt a chill. She knew the old woman's temperament; without sufficient benefit, she might truly stand by and do nothing.
Thus, Lü Xin spoke directly, "She is Lin Zhitong, born with purple pupils and the Zi Wei destiny. She is now pregnant, and the child in her womb will surely achieve great things in the future. If you and I join forces, you can have the child in her womb afterward, and I will additionally give you a Ghost King as reward!"
This was a very tempting offer!
The Xi Po caressed the large shears in her hand, seemingly in thought.
The next second, she vanished from her spot, her voice suddenly sounding in Lin Zhitong's ear, "This is a good deal. I accept!"
So fast!
Lin Zhitong was horrified. This Xi Po, barely over a meter tall, hunched over as if she had one foot in the grave, yet her speed was astonishing!
Looking up, the Xi Po's iron hook had already swept towards her. If caught by that hook, she would be lucky to survive, let alone escape unscathed!
Lin Zhitong hastily tried to dodge, but only then did she discover that her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, incredibly heavy, rendering her unable to move!
Looking down, she saw a ghost infant clinging tightly to each of her calves!
"Heichuan Lu!"
In the critical moment, Lin Zhitong directly summoned Heichuan Lu.
Heichuan Lu, a half-step Ghost King, also drew his samurai sword the moment he appeared.
With a clang, the samurai sword blocked the iron hook!
"Hmm, a Japanese ghost?"
The Xi Po exclaimed in surprise, then her smile grew even more chilling. The large shears in her hand directly locked onto Heichuan Lu's samurai sword, and the hook aimed for Heichuan Lu's head!
Clang!
Another sharp sound. It was Lin Zhitong who intervened.
The Red God Umbrella blocked the Xi Po's attack in front of Heichuan Lu, while simultaneously, she flicked her spear tip. The immense force sent the Xi Po staggering backward repeatedly!
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lin Zhitong lowered her head to deal with the two ghost infants on her legs.
The two ghost infants, like porcelain dolls, had their balloon-like heads swaying left and right, emitting "ji ji ji" giggles like mice.
Just as she was about to act, Lin Zhitong suddenly hesitated.
She thought of these ghost infants, once innocent and pure children, now exploited by the Xi Po. If they were to be scattered to the winds like this, her own hands would be stained with blood.
Especially with a new life gestating within her, Lin Zhitong felt even more reluctant to kill these ghost infants.
So, gritting her teeth, she used an exorcism spell to repel the two ghost infants, then kicked them away one by one.
The Xi Po saw this and sneered, "They say good people don't live long, and scourges last a thousand years. Your kindness makes you hesitant, while I am completely unrestrained by such morals!"
Saying this, the Xi Po casually grabbed a ghost infant.
The ghost infant, with its neck held, still gurgled and greeted the Xi Po. They seemed to regard the Xi Po as a mother and naturally felt close to her.
The next second, the Xi Po directly plunged the iron hook into the ghost infant's belly, stirred it, and then pulled it out!
Such a terrifying scene made even Lin Zhitong involuntarily squint her eyes.
The ghost infant instantly dissipated, its eyes still showing confusion in its final moments, as if it didn't understand why the Xi Po would do this to it.
There was no fear because the ghost infant didn't yet understand what soul dissipation meant.
The deceased ghost infant's spirit turned into an essence, absorbed by the iron hook.
The bloodstains on the iron hook, which had long turned black, became crimson again. It bubbled on the surface of the iron hook as if boiling!
Although she pitied the ghost infant, Lin Zhitong had to become serious now.
The Xi Po killing the ghost infant had clearly enhanced the iron hook, and the subsequent battle would only be more difficult.
However, before the Xi Po could make a move, Lü Xin, having recovered, struck first!
She stirred her whisk and actually summoned two more Ghost Kings!
These two Ghost Kings were at least ten meters tall, even more powerful than the ones she had used to delay Yan Shouyi and the others.
"She still had trump cards..." Lin Zhitong gritted her teeth.
Two powerful inheritors of folk sects, plus two formidable Ghost Kings, even Lin Zhitong felt the pressure mounting.
Under these circumstances, it would be good enough for her to protect herself. To win... it was far too difficult!
"Hua Pi, we agreed beforehand. Does your promise still stand? If you dare to trick me, I'll hook your intestines out and feed them to the dogs!" the Xi Po threatened.
It seemed their relationship was not as harmonious as imagined.
Lü Xin frowned in disgust, "I know. What use do I have for a baby's soul?"
The Xi Po nodded and said sinisterly, "You can't escape!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the surrounding ghost infants all crawled out in unison, encircling Lin Zhitong and Heichuan Lu.
These ghost infants were not particularly powerful spirits, but they were numerous. Moreover, Lin Zhitong was unwilling to harm them, making this battle extremely restrictive for her.
Suddenly, the sounds of violent barking erupted from the previously quiet alley!
Woof!
Woof woof woof!
Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof!
In an instant, dozens of stray dogs rushed into the alley. The malevolent aura emanating from the stray dogs actually scared the ghost infants into scattering in all directions, leaving them no time to pay attention to the Xi Po!
"What's going on?!" the Xi Po exclaimed, confused but furious!