"No."
The female ghost playfully covered her ears, letting out a bell-like laugh. "How could I? I belong to my husband. Who are you all?"
Gu Qianying's lips turned purple with anger, finding it utterly detestable.
Fortunately, Nangong Mo remained somewhat clear-headed. He looked forward with a calm gaze.
"You say you are Gu Qianying. Fine, I'll ask one more question: do you know who Bai Yufeng is?"
"Bai Yufeng? What a vulgar man's name. I don't know him."
The female ghost clearly faltered but quickly defended herself.
This female ghost had just scanned the people inside; none of them were named Bai Yufeng. This man must be trying to trick her.
Nangong Mo then loudly questioned Ouyang Qinglin, "This person doesn't know who Bai Yufeng is? Do you know who he is?"
Hearing the familiar voice before him.
Ouyang Qinglin felt a throbbing pain in his head.
Right! Who exactly was Bai Yufeng? Who was it?
He kept clutching his head, his entire being seemingly plunged into an abyss of suffering. He began to roar incessantly, as if enduring immense pain.
Gu Qianying was extremely worried and tried to step forward.
Nangong Mo pulled her back, his eyes calm. "This is his obsession. Only he can break free from it. We others can only assist from the side. You must not act rashly."
Gu Qianying gritted her teeth and reluctantly retreated.
The female ghost feigned extreme concern. "My husband, what's wrong with you? Husband?"
Amidst the chaos outside, Ouyang Qinglin finally regained consciousness.
He looked around, his voice hoarse. "Where is this?"
Gu Qianying quickly warned, "Be careful of the person behind you."
Ouyang Qinglin finally recalled what had just happened, his expression growing more grim.
The female ghost, unaware he had woken up, still approached him with a demure and affected air, attempting to seduce him.
"My good husband, you really scared me just now."
Ouyang Qinglin felt a chill in his heart, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He quickly moved backward, simultaneously channeling his strength.
It transformed into a gust of ice blades, piercing directly towards the female ghost.
The female ghost, not understanding, was pierced by the ice blades as soon as she landed in front of him.
No blood flowed from her; only the sound of her bones cracking.
Soon, the human skin on the female ghost peeled away, leaving only a shattered skeleton, a gruesome sight.
Ouyang Qinglin apologized with a contrite expression. "I'm sorry. I made you worry."
He didn't want to mention what had just happened, as he never expected his obsession to be so deep.
Nangong Mo and Gu Qianying understood without needing to say it.
Both shook their heads. "It's alright. The temptation within was immense. It's normal to fall into it unintentionally. Don't feel too guilty."
Ouyang Qinglin glanced at the two of them, speechless for a moment.
Gu Qianying also felt awkward and quickly turned her head away.
The female ghost had been dealt with by the three of them. The illusion within the painting instantly dissipated.
The scene before everyone's eyes shifted drastically.
After a period of distortion, they quickly returned to the ninth level of hell.
The skin-grafting ghost appeared before everyone, looking extremely unwilling. However, having been exposed, she could only submit.
"I never expected it! You bunch of fools actually managed to reach the seventh level. What a joke!"
"But then again!"
Her charming voice slowly paused, and then her gaze, sharp as a hook, fixed on Ouyang Qinglin as she began to tease.
"My good husband, we will meet again in the future!"
Ouyang Qinglin was furious, his face flushing with anger.
"Shut up."
The skin-grafting ghost chuckled, her eyes filled with a flirtatious glint. She looked at Gu Qianying and the others with amazement.
"What a tangled relationship!"
Gu Qianying was left speechless.
Meng Qinghua asked, "We have defeated you. Can you tell us the entrance to the next level?"
The skin-grafting ghost replied with a hint of regret, "Why are you leaving so soon? I wanted to chat with you all for a while longer. What a pity!"
Gu Qianying sighed. The appearance of the skin-grafting ghost suggested she truly intended to keep them there.
Du Chun could no longer tolerate it. "What exactly do you want? We have things to do. Don't delay us here."
"So fierce!"
The skin-grafting ghost covered her face slightly and pursed her lips. "If that's the case, let's go."
The ghost floated, her body swaying as she moved forward without a trace on the ground.
Midway, the skin-grafting ghost kindly warned, "This eighth level is guarded by a demon that devours souls. Humans like you, brimming with spiritual energy, are its favorite food."
The skin-grafting ghost's gaze fell upon Ouyang Qinglin.
"And this little brother here, it likes you the most."
Ouyang Qinglin felt a surge of disgust. "Don't talk to me."
"Understood!"
The skin-grafting ghost, uncharacteristically obedient, quickly vanished after escorting them to the passageway.
"A demon that devours souls? What exactly is that?"
As they stepped inside, everyone speculated about the hungry ghost.
A cold light flashed in Nangong Mo's eyes. He sneered, "A demon that devours souls. It's called a demon, but it's actually a test of our hearts!"
"The world is not black and white. Everyone has good and evil within them. Demons like this do nothing but instigate. If we are influenced by them, our souls will be instantly devoured, and we will become puppets."
His words were serious, but he himself was not entirely confident.
After Nangong Mo's explanation, everyone felt a chill down their spines and a sense of unease.
As they entered, the large door above closed.
The eighth level of hell finally opened.
This was a solemn place. Everything in sight was blood-red. The sound of gongs and drums was invigorating yet melancholic.
As they walked forward, they saw themselves.
It was a person identical to them, standing rigidly in place. Inside, a voice kept calling out.
"The other me, come here!"
"Come here!"
Gu Qianying felt a hint of confusion, but swayed by the voices, she finally walked forward without hesitation.
That person was enveloped in black energy, their face contorted in a grimace.
They strained their eyes open, reaching out their hands towards Gu Qianying.
"You still came! You still came."
"What are you going to do?"
In Gu Qianying's consciousness, she knew this person was herself, yet not herself.
At this moment, Gu Qianying suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head.
The other soul also broke free from her body.
This woman had a gentle expression, her eyes filled with sorrowful cries.
"You cannot do this. If you continue to vent your wickedness, you will completely harm this person. You cannot do this."
"You cannot."
The other Gu Qianying paid no heed, her entire being filled with fury. "You useless creature, it's all because of you, all because of you."