Chapter 591: Diana
Vincent stepped forward. "You’ve all demonstrated remarkable talent."
His deep voice echoed across the silent arena. "But this alone isn’t enough."
He slowly looked across the remaining contestants. "Anyone here is capable of locating and exorcising a two-hundred-year-old ghost."
His tone became much more serious. "So your next task is simple. Find the highest-level ghost that you’re capable of exorcising. For this challenge, the church will assist all of you."
As he finished speaking, he nodded toward the entrance. The heavy wooden doors slowly opened.
A church priest dressed in spotless white robes calmly walked onto the stage.
The silver cross hanging from his neck gently swayed with each step.
He respectfully nodded toward the remaining eight contestants.
Although they were still young, he knew better than anyone that these eight mystical cultivators would almost certainly become extraordinary figures in the future.
Seeing this, Lana shifted her gaze toward Vincent.
Vincent continued. "There’s another condition. You must complete the task as quickly as possible."
He paused before emphasizing every single word.
"However, if someone exorcises only a two-hundred-year-old ghost in fifteen seconds and considers that enough... then remember this."
"If another contestant successfully exorcises a ghost far stronger than that, regardless of taking a little longer... that person will ultimately be the winner."
As the rules were announced, everyone nodded in understanding.
In simple terms, Vincent was telling them to locate the strongest ghost they could possibly handle.
Their goal was to challenge the very limits of their own exorcism abilities.
Lana silently considered her options.
’I should directly challenge a seven-hundred-year-old ghost.’
This wasn’t overconfidence. If anything, she was deliberately holding herself back.
Axel had already warned her countless times.
"Don’t reveal all your trump cards too early."
Remembering his advice, she chose a level that still left plenty of her true strength hidden.
Soon afterward, everyone followed Priest Jacob out of the arena.
Before long, they arrived at the church. The priest stood before them.
"Tell me the age of the ghost you wish to challenge."
One after another, the contestants announced their choices.
Finally, it was Lana’s turn. "Seven hundred years."
The moment those words left her mouth, Priest Jacob stared at her in surprise.
His eyebrows instinctively rose. "This choice may affect you negatively."
His tone became much more serious.
"Remember this. Once you’ve made your selection, you won’t be allowed to change it."
Lana merely chuckled. "I know exactly what I’m doing."
She smiled faintly before adding, "Please proceed with my request."
Hearing her unwavering confidence, the priest felt somewhat flustered.
He had personally witnessed how effortlessly she had dealt with the two-hundred-year-old ghost earlier.
Because of that, he had held extremely high expectations for her.
Yet now...
’Could I have been mistaken? Was this young woman simply... arrogant?’
Meanwhile, the drones continued broadcasting everything live.
The comment section had already split into four completely different factions.
The first group simply enjoyed watching the competition unfold. They rarely commented, choosing instead to silently enjoy the spectacle.
The second faction wholeheartedly supported Lana.
"Let’s go!"
"Looks like she’s about to perform another miracle!"
"Honestly, I’m still shocked that someone this young keeps creating miracle after miracle."
Of course, there was another group that absolutely despised Lana’s arrogance.
"Just eliminate her already."
"I don’t want to see her on this show anymore."
Their comments flooded the live stream, filled with irritation and resentment.
Apart from them, there was also a fourth group that remained completely neutral.
They didn’t leave a single comment and simply watched the competition unfold like ordinary passersby enjoying a public spectacle.
Lana, however, was completely unaware of the storm raging inside the livestream.
At that very moment, she stood inside a dimly lit room.
In the very center of the room sat a woman, tightly bound to a sturdy wooden chair with thick iron chains.
Her eyes remained shut. However, her appearance was utterly devastating.
Her body was so thin that every bone beneath her pale skin was clearly visible, making it appear as though she had suffered from years of starvation.
There wasn’t a single part of her body that suggested she was a healthy woman.
Long strands of messy black hair completely concealed her face, hanging down like a dark curtain.
Even without seeing her features, Lana noticed countless faint markings covering the woman’s skin.
Those ancient symbols glowed ever so slightly beneath the dim candlelight. They looked incredibly old.
At the same time, they radiated an indescribably eerie aura.
It was almost as though the markings themselves were quietly calling upon something dark, ancient, and full of malice.
Lana narrowed her eyes. ’So this is a seven-hundred-year-old ghost...’
Honestly, after previously encountering ghosts that were over one thousand years old and even one terrifying existence that had survived for ten thousand years, this opponent genuinely felt like a breeze.
However, for countless viewers watching through the livestream, this wasn’t a simple challenge.
It was nothing less than a death sentence. Many people couldn’t help but nervously comment,
"Even though I dislike her. I don’t want to watch her die."
"Just tell her to withdraw."
Meanwhile, Lana slowly raised one hand.
Streams of mystic energy began gathering above her palm, slowly condensing into a glowing mystic sphere that continuously grew denser with every passing second.
Just then, the woman suddenly smiled. "Hello there."
Her voice sounded strangely elegant despite carrying an unnatural chill. "My name is Diana."
Lana lightly chuckled. "Lady Diana, don’t worry. I’ll cure you."
Hearing those words, Diana burst into laughter. "No. I think you’ve misunderstood."
Her lips slowly curled upward. "I’m the ghost. My name is Diana."
She tilted her head slightly. "This woman’s name is Rosalinda."
Lana simply nodded. "Thank you for telling me."
Diana looked completely unconcerned. It was as though nothing in this world possessed the ability to threaten her.
Completely ignoring the fact that Lana was preparing to exorcise her, Diana calmly continued the conversation.
"You know, it’s been a very long time since anyone came to visit me."