Hearing the System's prompt, Chu Hao understood: killing a ghost without reason would only yield ordinary Experience Points, but finding the truth and helping a ghost transcend offered more.
Granny Li Meiqing's ghost, having been jolted out by the Red Dragon, was critically struck and exceptionally weak.
Chu Hao addressed the people in the room, "Everyone, rest assured. The ghost within the man has been driven out. Quickly take him away. With this Taoist Master present, that ghost is a mere trifle."
The crowd was shocked. Was it finally over?
"DING... Host has successfully shown off, gaining 1 Pretentiousness Point."
Chu Hao felt smug; gaining Pretentiousness Points so easily was truly too simple.
Mu Yuxun's uncle, his face etched with terror upon seeing his son saved, exclaimed with immense excitement, "Thank you, Taoist Master, thank you!"
They had no reason to doubt Chu Hao's abilities. Just moments ago, when the boy had suddenly turned violent, several people couldn't hold him back. He possessed superhuman strength, and with a single roar, he had conjured a great wind, frightening everyone out of their wits. Moreover, it was already a day of mourning, and with the general unrest outside—even the animals were agitated—any normal person would have been terrified. Who would dare step forward to intervene?
A beauty who bore a striking resemblance to Mu Yuxun couldn't help but ask, "Taoist Master, where is the ghost?"
At the mention of "ghost," the people's faces turned as white as sheets. However, the thought that a Taoist Master was present eased their fear somewhat. At the same time, while they all wanted to see what a ghost looked like, their fear was stronger than their curiosity.
Chu Hao looked at the beauty, his heart skipping a beat at her stunning appearance. He quickly said, "Ordinary people cannot see ghosts. This Taoist Master was born with the Yin Yang Eye and can perceive existences that you cannot."
"DING... Host has successfully shown off, gaining 1 Pretentiousness Point."
Chu Hao was delighted; so showing off was this simple!
As long as one could boast, everything would go smoothly—wasn't this exactly his strength as a "charlatan"?
Chu Hao said solemnly, "All of you, retreat! The ghost is still in this room. Let this Taoist Master deal with her."
The ghost was still in the room! This startled everyone, and some immediately turned and fled. In three or four seconds, they were all gone without a trace.
"Hey... don't run! With this Taoist Master here, the ghost can't hurt you."
Chu Hao was irritated. Everyone had run away; how was he supposed to show off now?!
Only the beauty, whose looks rivaled any film actress, remained, biting her pink lips. In everyone else's mind, ghosts were terrifying, yet she hadn't run?
Chu Hao was surprised and asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
The beauty gritted her teeth. "I am scared, but I want to know even more if this ghost is my mother-in-law."
Chu Hao nodded.
"How could this be!"
The beauty was stunned. In her eyes, her mother-in-law had been the kindest person; how could she have become a fierce ghost, harming her own family?
Chu Hao looked at Li Meiqing's ghost on the ground, preparing to dispose of her.
The beauty pleaded, "Taoist Master, could you please not harm my mother-in-law? I... I think she must have some unspeakable reason for her actions."
Seeing the beautiful woman cry, Chu Hao couldn't bear it and said, "Alright."
"DING... You have gained the favor of Mu Yufei. True emotions exist in the human world. Host has triggered a hidden reward and obtained the Transcendence Scripture."
Chu Hao was taken aback. There was actually a hidden reward! It seemed the Ghost-catching Pretentious System had more functions than he realized, many of which he would need to uncover gradually.
Chu Hao walked over to Li Meiqing's ghost. She had been seriously injured by the Red Dragon and couldn't move.
"Speak! Why did you try to harm your own relatives? Otherwise, this Taoist Master will annihilate you," he demanded.
Granny Li Meiqing, her voice trembling, said, "Taoist Master, I was compelled by desperation. If I didn't bring my relatives back with me, they would harm my husband in the afterlife. I was confused for a moment—that's why I did such a foolish thing."
Chu Hao frowned; there was clearly more to this matter than met the eye.
"Who is forcing you?" he asked.
Li Meiqing's voice was hoarse with fear. "I don't know. They are very powerful. There was one person wearing a red cloak, accompanied by a Thousand-year Drought Demon. That's all I know."
Drought Fiend!
Chu Hao was astonished. Drought Fiends actually existed in this world!
A Drought Fiend, also known as the type of zombie seen in movies, is far superior to ordinary zombies. Chu Hao, from his time mingling in the "jianghu," had read some of the Shanhai Classics. It's said that wherever a Drought Fiend appears, drought follows. They even dare to emerge in broad daylight to eat people.
Things were different now. After getting the Ghost-catching System, he truly believed such things existed.
Chu Hao asked, "I see. How did you die?"
Li Qingmei's ghost replied, "It was a One-armed Ghost. I went to my husband's grave to burn joss paper when it targeted me. It followed me all the way home, then called my name at night. When I answered, it entered my body and then devoured itself."
Chu Hao asked, "Where is the One-armed Ghost now?"
Li Qingmei said, "That One-armed Ghost came from the provincial capital. I suspect it followed my son and found its way here."
Everything became clear.
Only then did Chu Hao say, "Rest assured. This Taoist Master will help you transcend, so that in your next life, you will be reborn as a good person."
Granny Li Meiqing was grateful. She knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Taoist Master! Thank you, Taoist Master!"
Chu Hao opened the Transcendence Scripture from his inventory and immediately began to study it. A warm current flowed into his mind, and the Transcendence Scripture seemed to imprint itself there.
"'The Three Pure Beings, manifesting everywhere, repaying merit, benefiting the human world…'"
As Chu Hao murmured some of the words, a golden light suddenly enveloped Li Meiqing's ghost. Behind Li Meiqing, a majestic, golden gate materialized, shining brilliantly.
Chu Hao was amazed; from the Transcendence Scripture, he knew what this was. It was the Underworld Merit Gate. This gate only appears for those who have accumulated great merit. In their next life, they are destined for good fortune, to be reborn either as a "beauty with wealth" or a "handsome and wealthy man."
This System is too picky!
Chu Hao felt it was a pity that only he could see it. If others could have seen it too, he definitely would have earned more Pretentiousness Points.
"DING... Host has transcended Li Meiqing's ghost and discovered the truth, earning 2,000 doubled Experience Points."
"DING... Host's level has increased to Level 2."
"DING... The Store function has been unlocked. The Host can now purchase equipment with Pretentiousness Points."
"DING... Host's first successful ghost capture. Reward: one random Bronze-level Gift Pack."
Host: Chu Hao
Level: 2
Experience Points: 1,000/3,000
Pretentiousness Points: 5
Mana Points: 0
System prompt: "Store unlocked. To better show off, it is recommended that the Host purchase equipment from the store to increase strength."
Chu Hao was in high spirits; his first ghost capture had gone quite well indeed!
He hadn't yet had the chance to check the store when Mu Yufei, the beauty beside him, anxiously asked, "Taoist Master, how is my mother-in-law?"
Chu Hao replied, "Your mother-in-law has been transcended by me. In her next life, she is definitely destined for good fortune."
"Thank you, Taoist Master!" Mu Yufei, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn't help but grasp Master Chu Tian's hand, thanking him repeatedly.
So smooth, so tender, so fair!
A thrill coursed through Chu Hao. Mu Yufei was truly stunning, the legendary sultry goddess. How could an eighteen-year-old virgin like him withstand such a beauty?
Outside the courtyard, many people were standing around. As Chu Hao and Mu Yufei walked out of the main gate, everyone gathered around them.
Someone excitedly asked, "Taoist Master, what happened?"
Chu Hao cleared his throat, his voice ringing out clearly, "This Taoist Master has already transcended that ghost. Everything is fine now. As long as this Taoist Master is here, no ghost will be able to harm a single hair on your heads!"
"Remember! My name is Chu Hao, and I vouch for myself!"
"DING... Host has successfully shown off, gaining 1 Pretentiousness Point."
Gazing at the ecstatic and astonished crowd, Chu Hao felt a swell of pride. This business of showing off was perfectly suited to him!