Wrapped in the azure smoke of talismans, Chu Xuan’s vision became a haze.

When the smoke dissipated, he and Qingqing found themselves back in the mortal world, on an ordinary street not far from the inn.

Qingqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, patting her ample chest. "That was close, so close. I thought I was really going to die with you in that ghost place."

Chu Xuan chuckled lightly, "Does this mean we’ve become a pair of doomed lovebirds?"

"Pah pah pah, who wants to be doomed lovebirds with you!" Qingqing exclaimed with disdain.

"You rascal, once out of danger, you start taking advantage again. If I had known, I wouldn’t have saved you, you smooth-talking thief."

Chu Xuan was speechless, "You didn’t even save me though."

"I don’t care, I made a move, and you should remember my life-saving grace." Qingqing said, puffing her cheeks in indignation as she crossed her arms.

"Well, I also saved your life; let’s call it even."

Chu Xuan spoke while glancing at the mysterious golden box in his right hand.

Qingqing also looked over curiously, "Quickly open it up. I can sense that what’s inside this box is at least a Celestial Tier treasure."

Chu Xuan was somewhat astonished, "That precious?"

Qingqing was equally perplexed, "I still think the owner of Ghost Street’s attitude towards you was abnormally good."

"The clever ghost earlier lied. Generally, big clients don’t get the same treatment as you."

"Typically, regardless of how big a client is, the ghost token is only effective for them personally."

"Earlier, I wasn’t being greedy in taking an extra item. I just wanted to test if that clever ghost would agree to such an ’unreasonable request’."

"And it did agree, which means the special one is you, not the ghost token."

Chu Xuan almost laughed and extended his hand, "Alright, since you’re not greedy, hand me that heart."

Qingqing slapped his palm, speaking unreservedly, "Oh, come on, I put myself in danger to test this. Can’t I at least get a reward?"

"Alright, alright, you always have a reason."

As he jested with Qingqing, Chu Xuan internally recalled their bizarre experience.

The ’Gentleman’ of Ghost Street, could he really be an old acquaintance of Tenebris?

Did he recognize me at all...

Forget it. I’ll return to Ghost Street once I’m stronger. By then, I can pay a visit to the owner of Ghost Street.

Chu Xuan put his thoughts aside and cautiously opened the golden box in his hand.

At that moment, both of them channeled their magical power and squinted slightly, as if worried that the bright light might blind them.

After all, the clever ghost had said the thing inside was dazzling.

Yet, to their utter surprise, when the box opened, no radiance emerged.

The bottom was lined with a layer of golden velvet, and atop it lay a hollow, cylindrical piece of jade white, one inch and two fen in length, flat below and round above, smooth inside and out, white with a hint of blue, fine and lustrous, with a square, large medullary cavity through which both ends were open.

"Is this... a finger bone?"

Chu Xuan was unsure, because a normal human finger bone isn’t that thick, nor is it hollow.

Qingqing stared at it intensely for a while and then exclaimed in astonishment, "No, this is a relic!"

"No doubt, this should be a ’Buddha Finger Bone Relic.’ I’ve read about something similar in ancient texts."

Chu Xuan was even more surprised, "The miserly old ghost of Ghost Street, collecting a Buddha’s relic?"

"Is that even possible, wouldn’t the other ghosts mind?"

At the same time, he understood why the clever ghost didn’t want him to open the golden box on Ghost Street.

Because in such an environment, the relic might unexpectedly emit intense Buddhist light, which would definitely make the clever ghost uncomfortable.

Qingqing remained unmoved as she stealthily reached for the relic in the box, but Chu Xuan immediately snapped it shut with a clap.

This annoyed her, "What are you doing?! Being so stingy, let me take a look."

Chu Xuan smiled, "Miss Qingqing, don’t think I’ve forgotten that you came to rob me, calling me ’fat sheep’ so arrogantly. I’ll never forget it."

Qingqing’s face turned red, and she forcibly defended herself, "That was then, this is now; I’ve given up on that idea."

"Now we’re travel companions, aren’t we?"

Chu Xuan asked seriously, "If I lend you the relic to look at, what if you take it and run?"

Qingqing’s face turned serious, "Look into my eyes, do I look like that kind of person?"

"Yes, you do." Chu Xuan replied bluntly.

Qingqing was furious enough to want to punch him, "What do I have to do for you to lend me the treasure?"

Chu Xuan extended his right hand, "Give me your hand; let me hold it to prevent you from running."

Qingqing immediately displayed a look of contempt, "You pervert, were you plotting this all along, waiting for me here?"

"Then what do you suggest?" Chu Xuan countered.

Qingqing bit her fingernail, her eyes flickering slightly.

"You can hold my wrist but over my sleeve; no touching the skin. Don’t blame me if I scream for help."

"So, you plan to leave a piece of clothing, take the relic, and sneak away. Is that right?" Chu Xuan saw through her instantly.

Qingqing was caught off guard, then retorted, "How can you accuse me of something I haven’t done?"

Chu Xuan simply put the golden box away, "If you’re not honest, I’m done playing mind games with you."

Seeing him leave, Qingqing quickly chased after him, "Chu Xuan, lend it to me, just one look, that’s all I ask."

Chu Xuan ignored her and walked straight back to the inn.

...

"Stupid Chu Xuan, bad Chu Xuan."

Qingqing lay on the bed in the guest room, gently patting the pillow, muttering to herself, yet she didn’t seem genuinely angry.

She knew well that if she got the relic, she would definitely run, for obtaining the relic or that token would both mean her victory.