Chapter Fifteen: A Hair’s Breadth from Disaster

“When will this endless escape finally come to an end?” Han Tianyue couldn’t help but marvel at the persistence of the beast behind them; he was nearly moved by its determination. But running forever was no solution. “We need to come up with a plan!”

“That sounds exhausting. Why bother thinking so hard? Running like this is fun, and I’m not even tired!” The gaunt ghost was utterly enamored with the chase. If not for the occasional furious roar from the Soul Devouring Beast behind them, he might have forgotten why they were running in the first place.

“This Soul Devouring Beast feeds exclusively on souls like us. As mere spirits, we pose no threat to it!” The burly ghost shook his head, utterly at a loss.

“But I do have an idea—it’s just a bit risky,” Han Tianyue said, a plan forming in his mind.

“Let’s hear it!” The burly ghost was all ears.

“Sunlight,” Han Tianyue replied.

“What?” The gaunt ghost’s face fell. “If we haven’t dealt with the Soul Devouring Beast by then, the sunlight will disintegrate us first!”

Han Tianyue sneered coldly. “Naturally, I have a way around that.”

“What is it?” the burly ghost pressed him.

Han Tianyue explained his plan in detail. The burly ghost nodded, but hesitated. “If it fails, we’ll be annihilated by the sunlight.”

“But if it succeeds, we’ll be free.”

“Boss, boss, no, please no, anything but that!” the gaunt ghost muttered anxiously.

But at this moment, the burly ghost faced only two choices: keep running endlessly, or take a chance. Gathering his courage, he said, “Alright, let’s take the risk!”

The gaunt ghost seemed to shrink in despair.

Dawn was breaking by the time Han Tianyue and the burly ghost stopped running. Behind them, the massive Soul Devouring Beast was drawing ever closer. With a furious roar, it bared its blood-red jaws like a starving predator spotting its prey, lunging at them with unstoppable force.

Han Tianyue and the burly ghost broke into a sprint.

The Soul Devouring Beast gave chase with all its might.

Sunlight began to spill across the earth.

Failing to catch its prey, the Soul Devouring Beast tried to burrow into the ground.

At that critical moment, Han Tianyue suddenly halted and shouted, “Beast, come and get me!”

With its prey so close, the Soul Devouring Beast pounced, blotting out half the sky above Han Tianyue. “It’s over—this is the end!” he thought.

With a sharp crack, the burly ghost barked, “You’re already dead! Hurry, come with me to save him!”

The gaunt ghost, face drawn in misery, followed the burly ghost as they rushed forward. At that perilous instant, Han Tianyue’s soul erupted with countless icy blades, meeting the Soul Devouring Beast head-on.

With a chilling howl, the Soul Devouring Beast was instantly frozen by the icy blades, its entire form locked in place.

“This is…” Only then did Han Tianyue remember the Ice Heart; though he was but a soul, the Ice Heart had always been attached to him, and now it had saved his life.

“It seems this is no ordinary treasure.”

“Wow!” The gaunt ghost gazed, exhilarated, at the frozen Soul Devouring Beast. Never had he been so close to the hunter that had pursued him.

“Daylight’s coming—hurry, we need to hide!” Han Tianyue urged.

They slipped into a crevice just in time. A moment later, the Soul Devouring Beast let out a final, miserable scream and dissolved into smoke under the sun’s rays.

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