Ghost Catching System

The toad said, ”This is just the outermost edge of the ancient city. The real opportunities lie deeper inside, where the true Divine Palace is.”

Along the way, they hadn’t seen a single Curse Mark, highlighting their scarcity. However, they discovered some faint souls, dressed in modern clothes from the outside world, seemingly guided by something and drifting forward. These people had been summoned from the outside world. Their physical bodies couldn’t enter, so their souls were called forth, perhaps even without their own awareness.

Following the human souls, they entered a weapon shop. The shop looked ancient, and its contents were decayed, but there was a worn axe with a fluorescent glow. That was a Curse Mark. As one soul approached, the axe with the Curse Mark merged into the person’s forehead, becoming his Curse Mark.

The toad muttered, ”He’s someone chosen by a Curse Mark.” This explained how some people from the outside world had found their opportunities here.

Emperor Bai Jiang asked, ”What kind of person can be chosen by a Curse Mark?”

The toad replied, ”It depends on one’s innate talent. Not everyone is suited for a Curse Mark. Once chosen, it can change one’s life. If one strives to understand the Curse Mark, their strength can become very formidable.”

”How powerful can it be?” Chu Hao asked.

The toad said, ”A First-Stage Curse Mark, if fully mastered, can kill a Ghost King.”

”That powerful?” Emperor Bai Jiang was also surprised. If the First Stage was this potent, what about the other ranks?

The level of the worn axe’s Curse Mark was probably just a First-Stage Curse Mark. This person had stumbled upon a tremendous opportunity. The soul that received the Curse Mark disappeared in the next moment, as if whisked away by some force.

Seeing this, Chu Hao muttered, ”Could it be that the most powerful individuals from a bygone era are still here, orchestrating all of this?”

The toad responded solemnly, ”It’s very likely.”

Following other human souls, they arrived at a well. One person jumped into it and emerged transformed, their soul seemingly strengthened. They approached the well’s edge and looked down. There was water inside, but nothing seemed unusual.

The toad said, ”Soul Cleansing Water. This is for ordinary people to use. It purifies the soul, opens the Heavenly Eye, and provides Yang Energy.” The water inside was useful for ordinary people but not much use to them.

Suddenly, not far ahead, a purple light twinkled, illuminating the sky. Their hearts stirred, and they hurried over. In the back garden of a residence, within a pond, a purple lotus lay submerged. It was this lotus that radiated the purple glow. The purple lotus, still a bud, had yet to bloom, but it emitted a mystical aura. On the bud was a Lotus Mark.

The toad exclaimed excitedly, ”A Second-Stage Curse Mark, and it’s a Lotus Mark too!”

Emperor Bai Jiang asked, ”Is it rare?”

”Any Curse Mark of a lotus inherently possesses a divine quality,” said the toad, excited yet clearly restraining himself from rushing forward to pluck it.

Emperor Bai Jiang, having learned his lesson from the Grass Sword Curse Imprint, also made no move. If a First-Stage Curse Mark was so powerful, how terrifying would a Second-Stage one be?

Chu Hao said, ”Let me try.”

He jumped into the pond and, using the Lightweight Water Floating Skill, quickly approached the Lotus Mark. As he reached out to grab it, suddenly, the Lotus Mark emitted a burst of purple light. The light was blinding, and he couldn’t keep his eyes open. His skin felt as if on fire, and he quickly retreated.

Chu Hao returned to the shore, his skin burning hot, his clothes scorched, and smoke rising from his body. That purple light was terrifying. Chu Hao drew in a sharp breath. If I hadn’t retreated just now, if I had gotten any closer, I might not have made it back. I could have been burned to death.

The toad, gloating over Chu Hao’s misfortune, said, ”Kiddo Chu, did you think a Second-Stage Curse Mark would be that easy to obtain? The Holy City isn’t open yet. Trying to take it now is just asking for trouble.”

Seeing the toad laugh at him, Chu Hao was very annoyed. He asked, ”System, with the Curse Mark right before my eyes, is there anything I can use to take it?”

System: ”Recommended for Host: Purchase Stealing Curse. Stealing Curse is available as Junior Steal Curse Technique, Intermediate Steal Curse Technique, and Advanced Steal Curse Technique. Junior requires 60,000 Pretentiousness Points, Intermediate requires 120,000 Pretentiousness Points, and Advanced requires 180,000 Pretentiousness Points.”

Chu Hao said, ”Exchange Merit Points, use the 20% Off Discount Card, and purchase the Intermediate Steal Curse Technique.”

”DING... Host has exchanged Merit Points, receiving 20,000 Pretentiousness Points.”

”DING... Host has purchased the Junior Steal Curse Technique, consuming 48,000 Pretentiousness Points. Remaining Pretentiousness Points: 10,000.”

At this moment, the effectiveness of the discount card was evident; the more expensive the item, the greater the Pretentiousness Points saved.

Item: Junior Steal Curse Technique

Rarity: ★★★★

Ability: Can steal Curse Marks of Fourth Stage or below. The higher the level of the Curse Mark, the more difficult it is to steal, requiring 30,000 Mana Points each time.

Emperor Bai Jiang then said, ”Looks like we’ve arrived too early.”

Chu Hao walked to the edge. He formed hand seals and used the Stealing Curse. Runes of the Stealing Curse appeared in Chu Hao’s palm as he thrust his hand forward fiercely.

”DING... Host has consumed 30,000 Mana Points. Curse Mark theft: Failed.”

Again. Chu Hao formed the seals again and reached forward.

”DING... Host has consumed 30,000 Mana Points. Curse Mark theft: Successful.”

A purple lotus appeared in Chu Hao’s hand. He was ecstatic. I got it!

This Stealing Curse is incredible! Chu Hao mused. Once stolen, the purple lotus seemed oblivious, its self-defense mechanism completely neutralized by the Stealing Curse.

Chu Hao directly handed over the Lotus Mark to the System.

”DING... Host has exchanged the Second-Stage Lotus Mark, obtaining 3,000,000 Experience Points.”

”DING... Congratulations to Host for leveling up! Show-off Little Prince: Level 5.”

Show-off Little Prince: Chu Hao

Level: 5

Experience Points: 0/60,000,000

Pretentiousness Points: 10,000

Mana Points: 60,000

Merit Points: 0

Treasure Chests: Green Diamond Treasure Chest x2

Chu Hao was overjoyed. Three million Experience Points just like that! This is amazing!

The toad pounced, but it was too late; the purple lotus had vanished from Chu Hao’s hand. The toad stood dumbfounded, saying incredulously, ”Where is my Lotus Mark?”

This toad was truly something else; the instant Chu Hao obtained the Curse Mark, it had already considered the item its own.

Chu Hao said disdainfully, ”Didn’t you just say this Taoist Master was looking for trouble?”

The toad was driven to distraction, staring at Chu Hao as if seeing a ghost. ”How did you do that?” it demanded.

Chu Hao boasted arrogantly, ”Want to know? Fine. Become this King of Show-offs’ pet, and I’ll tell you.”

”DING... Host has successfully been pretentious, earning 5,000 Pretentiousness Points.”

The toad felt like vomiting blood. It had just been mocking Chu Hao, and now reality had slapped it in the face. Emperor Bai Jiang was also astonished; he hadn’t clearly seen what method Chu Hao had just used.

After his successful display of pretentiousness, Chu Hao felt a thrill. This place is a true treasure trove for me! There must be plenty of Curse Marks here. If they all fall into my hands... I can’t even imagine! By then, even if an Underworld Deity showed up, I could beat the crap out of them! That’s just how badass I’ll be!

Chu Hao tilted his head back, nostrils flared towards them, in a way that made one inexplicably want to punch him. ”Stick with Brother Hao,” he declared, ”and I’ll guarantee you a life of luxury. I’ll reluctantly take you, Toad, as my pet. Even though you’re ugly, you’re not without value.”

The toad’s face darkened, and it looked ready to bite someone.