The ghost qi in Ghost Town was too dense. Coupled with the lifting of the formation today, the ghosts, no longer restrained, made the already thick ghost qi even more potent.
Those with unstable minds or who had experienced misfortune were easily influenced by the ghost qi, sinking into their own nightmares.
It seemed Fang Tianhui had been invaded by ghost qi.
Bai Ran supported her, took out the Nine-Coiled Life-Taking Needles, concentrated her mental power, and plunged it towards Fang Tianhui's brow.
"Fang Tianhui, wake up."
Once the ghost qi invaded, even Bai Ran could not intervene. She could only rely on Fang Tianhui's own willpower to distinguish illusion from reality.
Having been pricked, Fang Tianhui weakly opened her eyes.
"Sister Bai..."
"Fang Tian..."
Before Bai Ran could finish, Fang Tianhui clutched her head in pain, her body trembling violently as dark ghost qi coiled tightly around her.
"Ugh, no... don't leave Hui'er!"
Ghost qi erupted from her body, and the intense fluctuations stirred up gales, instantly plunging the entire inn into darkness.
Under the oppressive ghost qi, the old man had long since fainted.
Bai Ran, unaffected, stood observing her with concern.
"It's Hui'er's fault, all Hui'er's fault!"
"Hui'er, Hui'er will be good! Daddy, don't leave Hui'er! Don't..."
She clutched her head tightly, her body swaying precariously, black tears streaming from her eyes.
Tears of the ghost!
Bai Ran was startled. The appearance of ghost tears indicated that her mind had been completely consumed by ghost qi.
"Mother is gone, it's all Hui'er's fault..."
"It's right for Father to not love Hui'er."
"It is right! Hahahaha!"
Overwhelmed with grief, Fang Tianhui burst into laughter, black energy permeating the air, making her look eerie and terrifying.
Watching the deeply sorrowful Fang Tianhui, Bai Ran gradually understood why she had been invaded by ghost qi.
Bai Ran frowned as she looked at Fang Tianhui.
"Who said your father doesn't love you?"
Fang Tianhui's laughter abruptly ceased. She stiffly turned her head, her pitch-black eyes fixed on Bai Ran.
"He doesn't love me."
"How could he not love you?"
"He just doesn't love me!"
Fang Tianhui roared angrily.
Her dark eyes were already brimming with tears.
"What do you know! You don't understand!"
Bai Ran sighed, her gaze falling on Fang Tianhui. "It is you who doesn't understand."
"I caused my mother's death! That's why he despises me."
"If he didn't love you, why would he have given you this name?"
Fang Tianhui stared blankly at Bai Ran, motionless.
Bai Ran spoke word by word.
"To them, you are a blessing from heaven."
Fang Tianhui's heart began to pound violently. Was this true?
Was Daddy loving her?
"Tianhui... a blessing from heaven..."
She whispered softly, scenes flashing through her mind.
"Mother! Look at the bamboo dragonfly Hui'er made!"
The small child pounced into the woman's embrace, savoring her mother's scent.
"Mom, Mom! Always talking about your mother, Daddy will be so lonely."
The middle-aged man looked at the child with feigned grievance, his eyes filled with affection.
Good times were short-lived. To save her playful child, the woman ventured alone into the dense forest, only to be torn apart by a fierce beast. The child in her arms, however, remained unharmed.
A dull gray sky, a black coffin, white petals drifting in the air.
"Daddy," the small child looked at him with crimson eyes.
He cruelly turned away, not looking at her.
From then on, Daddy never smiled at her again. His daily reprimands caused her immense pain.
Daddy blamed her, Daddy no longer loved her...
Fang Tianhui bit her lip tightly, scalding tears falling continuously.
"What nonsense! He, how could he... love me..."
"Tianhui!"
An anxious voice called out.
A middle-aged man rushed forward, embracing Fang Tianhui. Despite his hands and body being scratched by the ghost qi, he held her tightly, trembling.
Bai Ran, observing the newcomer, understood.
Very well, the one who tied the bell must untie it.
The man was Elder Mo, Fang Tianhui's father.
Elder Mo awkwardly wiped away Fang Tianhui's tears with his sleeve, but they only flowed more freely.
Fang Tianhui in his arms knew who it was.
The familiar scent, the unfamiliar warmth.
Ever since her mother's accident, her father had never held her.
"It's Daddy's fault," Elder Mo's eyes were red, his heart feeling as if it were being torn apart.
"Daddy doesn't want anything to happen to you, leaving Daddy alone."
Fang Tianhui raised her tear-streaked face to look at him. The black energy on her body was diminishing.
"Hui'er did nothing wrong. Hui'er is our treasure. How could we not love you?"
Elder Mo had never blamed Fang Tianhui. It was the death of her mother that had dealt him a devastating blow.
To protect her, Elder Mo desperately wanted to increase her strength, hence his strictness and harshness.
He had never expected that his most beloved daughter would consequently be invaded by ghost qi and nearly perish.
Exhausted, Fang Tianhui slumped onto Elder Mo, falling into a deep sleep accompanied by the familiar scent.
The surrounding ghost qi slowly receded into the darkness, dissipating into the night.
Elder Mo gently scooped up Fang Tianhui and walked out steadily.
Bai Ran crouched down and gave the old man a Qingxin Pill. She then took out several bags of gold coins, placed them on the inn's counter, and followed the father and daughter back to the academy.
Several days passed before Fang Tianhui slowly opened her eyes.
"Tianhui!" Elder Mo, beside her, exclaimed joyfully.
"Daddy," her hoarse voice made her feel somewhat disoriented.
Elder Mo's clothes were stained and tattered. His once distinguished beard and hair were unkempt. The usually respected Elder Mo of the Array Division now looked as disheveled as a beggar.
Had Daddy not slept for days, staying here the entire time?
Elder Mo's calloused hand grasped Fang Tianhui's soft, small one. "Hui'er, Daddy truly loves you."
She blinked, then a smile bloomed on her pale face, radiating the most dazzling color.
"Yes! Hui'er loves Daddy too."
Warmth flowed freely, and a tear, born of love, traced a path down her cheek.
Meanwhile, in the Dean's office.
Bai Ran and Xuan Yuan sat facing each other, neither speaking.
Bai Ran leisurely poured herself a cup of water and took a few sips, as if oblivious to the living person before her.
Xuan Yuan's beard twitched, and he finally couldn't help himself.
"Ahem, Ran Yatou, I called you here for three matters."
Bai Ran raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Dean, you may speak your mind directly."
Xuan Yuan glared at Bai Ran speechlessly. This girl, would it kill her to just get to the point?
"The first matter is, Shangguan Xi is dead. Are you aware of this?"
After speaking, Xuan Yuan intently watched Bai Ran, searching for any clue on her face.
The entire academy was abuzz with rumors that Shangguan Xi had overreached himself, challenged an SSS-level mission, and died. However, Xuan Yuan, having been Dean for decades, was not to be underestimated.
He suspected this girl was responsible, but he had no proof.
Bai Ran swirled her teacup. "I did it."
Xuan Yuan slapped his thigh in realization.
He knew it!
This girl had not only eliminated Shangguan Xi without a trace but had also cleverly utilized a wave of rumors!
Truly capable!
Xuan Yuan said with a chuckle, "Ran Yatou is both brave and resourceful."
He paused and continued, "The second matter is the Four Nations Tournament in half a month. Are you willing to sign up?"
The Four Nations Tournament?
At this time every year, the strongest academies or sects from the four nations would send powerful teams to compete. The rankings of the countries were determined by the teams' performance.
The Vermilion Bird Kingdom was always at the bottom. However, if Bai Ran participated, the outcome this year might be uncertain.
After all, this girl had managed to bully an elder until she cried.