Grant Sullivan said this, and the four people opposite exchanged glances.

　　“What should we do? This kid is so arrogant, he’s not giving our Ghost Mansion any face at all. If we can’t get the girl back, the higher-ups will definitely blame us. There’s no one else here, so why don’t we just take him out? If no one reports it, what can the The Sullivan Family do to us?” The bull-faced man suppressed his anger and secretly sent a voice transmission to the other three.

　　“No, how do you know the The Sullivan Family doesn’t have soul-chasing and culprit-tracking spells? If we can’t get the girl back, we’ll just have a hard time explaining ourselves, but if we really provoke the The Sullivan Family, even returning to Dongyao won’t guarantee our lives. Do you think if those old monsters from the The Sullivan Family really find their way into the mansion, Lady Ghost Mother would offend the The Sullivan Family for a few Foundation Establishment cultivators like us?” The fire woman shook her head repeatedly in objection.

　　“This…” The bull-faced man was left speechless.

　　“The fire woman has a point, but we can’t just go back like this either. Have you forgotten the temper of the new Ghost Mother?”

　　The horse-faced man was clearly the highest ranked among the four. After a brief moment of contemplation, he made a decision, then looked at Grant Sullivan and said solemnly, “Even if the The Sullivan Family is powerful, we can’t just walk away after a few words, or we’ll never be able to establish ourselves in the Ghost Mansion again.”

　　“Oh? From your tone, you want an explanation?” Grant Sullivan vaguely understood their meaning, his eyes narrowing slightly.

　　“That’s right. It’s not impossible for us to give up this chance to capture the girl, as long as you can withstand a joint strike from the four of us. That way, even if we return empty-handed, we’ll have an explanation for Lady Ghost Mother.” The horse-faced man replied hoarsely.

　　The other three’s eyes lit up at these words.

Chapter 4: The Wager

　　“You’re really shameless, four against my young master alone! Young master, you don’t have to agree to this. I don’t believe they really dare to attack us.” Warren couldn’t help but shout.

　　“Benefactor…”

　　The beast-faced girl, hearing this, was full of gratitude and couldn’t help but want to say something as well.

　　“Just one strike?” Grant Sullivan waved his hand at the two, then asked the horse-faced man in a deep voice.

　　“That’s right, just one strike!” The horse-faced man confirmed decisively.

　　“Fine, then it’s settled. Since we’ve chosen the path of cultivation, settling disputes with magic is only natural.” Grant Sullivan looked over the four once more, then agreed with a chuckle.

　　“They’re skilled in joint secret techniques. Their combined strike is no small matter—benefactor, you must be extremely careful.” The beast-faced girl grew anxious and quickly interjected.

　　“Oh? From your tone, you’ve cultivated as well?” Grant Sullivan was a bit surprised and turned to ask.

　　“I once served by the previous Lady Ghost Mother’s side—how could I not have practiced magic? It’s just that my talent is limited, my cultivation is low, and now the backlash from my beast bloodline has completely wiped out my magic power.” The beast-faced girl replied with a bitter smile.

　　“The previous Ghost Mother? When did the Ghost Mansion change masters?” Grant Sullivan asked, a bit puzzled.

　　“This…”

　　The beast-faced girl hesitated.

　　“Grace, you’re saying too much! Friend Sullivan, the four of us will make our move now.” The horse-faced man’s expression changed drastically at her words, and he suddenly shouted harshly.

　　“You two, step back as well.”

　　Grant Sullivan could only set aside his doubts for now, instructing the two attendants, then slapped the bottom of the gourd in his hand. Instantly, the gourd’s mouth opened, spraying out a stream of clear water. At first it was only as thick as a finger, but in the blink of an eye it grew as thick as a bowl, swirling and dancing around him.

　　“Do it!”

　　The horse-faced man hesitated no longer. He tossed the black short sword in his hand into the air, where it turned into a streak of black light, circling above and emitting a strange wailing sound.

　　The blue skull-masked woman gave a low hum, pulled a blue jade ruyi from her sleeve, and with a flick of her wrist, it turned into a ball of blue light that shot skyward. In an instant, it merged with the black light, spinning rapidly and bursting into radiance, transforming into a giant black-and-blue bow.

　　The bull-faced man formed a hand seal and shouted. His body suddenly swelled to more than twice its height, turning into a giant over two zhang tall, veins bulging and muscles like iron.

　　At the same time, the fire woman gave a sharp cry and fiercely waved the feather fan in her hand.

　　“Whoosh!”

　　A red bird-shaped shadow, about a foot long, flew out from the fan. With a clear cry, it transformed in midair into a crimson feathered arrow, crystal clear and glowing with layers of red light.

　　The four finished casting their spells at the same time. The horse-faced man and the two women all looked drained, their eyes dull, as if most of their magic power had been spent. Only the bull-faced man was still brimming with energy. With a wild laugh, he grabbed the giant bow and feathered arrow, aiming them at the young man opposite.

　　A trace of surprise flashed across Grant Sullivan’s face, but he began chanting. The swirling water ring around him instantly gathered in front of him, forming a thick water shield. With a flick of his sleeve, a blue talisman shot out, flashing into the shield and releasing a surge of astonishing cold.

　　The seemingly transparent water shield instantly froze with a crackling sound, turning into a crystal-clear ice shield. Faint spirit patterns could be seen on its surface, and wisps of white mist drifted from it.