Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Take Control Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Take Control The female ghost emitted a thick black aura, lunging straight at Zhong Nianyao with her nails suddenly growing long and sharp, clearly capable of slicing off a piece of flesh with a mere scratch.

Just as the female ghost’s claws were about to reach Zhong Nianyao’s face, everyone screamed in horror.

Only Lu Yichen remained seated, seemingly unconcerned about whether Zhong Nianyao would be injured. However, a closer look revealed his hand on his knee tightly clenched into a fist–indicating that his emotions were not as calm as they appeared.

Just when everyone thought that Zhong Nianyao would be injured, she swiftly reached out her hand and grabbed the female ghost’s hand. The long nails were about a centimeter away from her face.

After grabbing the female ghost’s hand, Zhong Nianyao did not hesitate. She flung her arm, throwing the female ghost directly against the wall.

Feeling the throbbing pain spreading through her body, the female ghost wore an expression of disbelief. Since becoming a ghost, she had never been beaten this way.

Without any delay, Zhong Nianyao swiftly moved forward, balled her fist, and struck the female ghost again.

Zhong Nianyao showed no mercy as she beat the ghost relentlessly.

The female ghost thought about resisting, but she couldn’t find any opportunity. Every time she tried to fight back, she was met with even stronger punches from Zhong Nianyao.

Even the bystanders began to almost forget that this was an Evil Ghost, feeling a twinge of pity for her.

After a while, Zhong Nianyao stopped her onslaught, stood with her arms crossed over her chest, and looked down at the female ghost lying on the ground, asking indifferently, “So? Are you calm now? Can we talk properly, or do you need me to pacify you further?”

The female ghost bore no visible injuries, yet her ghost energy had significantly dissipated. Every punch from Zhong Nianyao not only caused her pain but also continuously scattered her ghost energy. It was evident that if Zhong Nianyao kept this up, the ghost energy would eventually be gone, leading to the ghost’s obliteration.

At this moment, as she looked at Zhong Nianyao, the female ghost felt an added sense of fear and wariness. She had never encountered anyone who could disperse ghost energy with their bare fists like this. Other Heavenly Masters, even if struggling against Evil Ghosts like her, would have needed the aid of talisman paper and Peach Wood Swords, yet Zhong Nianyao relied solely on her fists.

This capability was beyond anything she had seen before and terrified her profoundly.

“Are you stunned?” Zhong Nianyao frowned as the female ghost remained unresponsive, “I don’t remember hitting you that hard!”

She began to suspect that her attack might have scattered the ghost’s soul, which could explain why she appeared so dazed.

Thinking this, she stepped forward to check.

However, as she moved, the female ghost instantly shrank back and looked up at Zhong Nianyao warily.

“So you aren’t stupefied, after all!”

Zhong Nianyao nodded, then raised her right hand and twirled her index finger, conjuring an invisible red thread.

One end of the red thread was attached to Zhong Nianyao’s fingertip, and the other end wrapped around the female ghost’s neck.

Zhong Nianyao then settled herself on the couch and hooked her finger.

The female ghost was uncontrollably pulled towards Zhong Nianyao.

As the ghost stood and Zhong Nianyao sat, an oppressive aura emanated from Zhong Nianyao, leaving the ghost in no doubt that she had truly met her match today.

Over the years, she had claimed many lives. The woman before her was a Heavenly Master, surely she would spare her. Therefore, she–
Before the female ghost could continue her thought, she was petrified by a cold glance from Zhong Nianyao, halting any reckless actions.

“What do you plan to do with these people?” Zhong Nianyao asked icily, “Are you intent on claiming their lives?”

“Yes!” the female ghost’s face twisted into a sinister smile, “They invited me here, and I helped them. Naturally, they owe me revenge.”

“You are lying; we agreed to nothing,” Chu Xu couldn’t help but interject, “And you only gave us the scope for our final exam, yet you want our lives for that, which is far too innocent.”

The other three also nodded in agreement, shocked that their lives were on the line just for an exam scope. Such an exchange was terribly unfair.

“You summoned me, you must face the consequences,” said the ghost, her smile growing more eerie, “If you want to destroy me, go ahead. When I vanish into smoke, these four will be my protection. That would be a fair outcome.”

Zhong Nianyao’s brow furrowed at the ghost’s smile.

Though it was not entirely clear what had happened, it was apparent the ghost was not lying.

“Lady Zhong, you must save Shaohua!” Sun Qin could no longer contain herself and blurted out, “He shouldn’t have played with the pen spirit or sought shortcuts for his exams. He deserves punishment, but isn’t it too cruel to take his young life over such a matter?”

“Yes! Yes!”

The parents of the other three began advocating for their children as well.

“Everyone shut up,” Zhong Nianyao scanned the room and spoke softly, “You’re giving me a headache. If anyone else speaks, I’ll have them take their child and leave.”

After her words, the parents fell silent, no longer daring to speak.

The female ghost gloated at Zhong Nianyao, “What does it matter if you’ve caught me? You can’t eliminate me now; otherwise, these four will accompany me in death.”

“Heh, do you think I’m a fool?” Zhong Nianyao scoffed, “Even if what you’re saying is true, would releasing you now save these people’s lives? If you didn’t intend to kill them, I wouldn’t be here now.”

As Zhong Nianyao spoke, the female ghost’s features twisted viciously. Yet before she could act, the thread around her neck tightened, bringing back a feeling of suffocation she hadn’t experienced in a long time.