"Tammy Blade, why are you in there?"
I called out, but then I realized the Tammy inside was only her soul—not her real body. Alarmed, I backed toward the small cell behind me, raising the oil lamp as I approached.
Sure enough, I saw Tammy lying on the bed, clutching the silver Hidden Saber in her arms. In the room where the evil ghost was imprisoned, Tammy's soul stood silently before the ghost, emitting a faint silvery glow.
The evil ghost seemed terrified of Tammy; its howls grew low and subdued as it backed away. Tammy stared at the ghost, now curled in the corner, whimpering in fear.
Tammy didn’t move closer. I understood why—soul separation is dangerous. Overusing it can cause irreversible harm, even death. I’d nearly failed to return a few times myself; if not for the Ghost Burial Squad, I’d be dead.
I didn’t know what Tammy was planning, but her actions made one thing clear—the lamas’ ritual array couldn’t harm anything pure. But why imprison me? I still don’t understand. At least I know they’re not malicious; souls are fragile, and such a powerful array could easily destroy a human soul. But for pure souls, there’s no suppression.
Tammy, what are you trying to do? Come back now—if your soul absorbs too much Ghost Aura, it could be disastrous.
I watched the thick Ghost Aura swirling through the room. The array kept it turbulent, forcing most of it into the ground, but some still clung to Tammy. The ghost body kept leaking Ghost Aura—unlike any normal ghost I’ve seen. This one was forged by evil spirits. The thought made me sigh helplessly.
Tammy, you really need to return. This can’t go on—it’s too dangerous.
I called out again, and finally Tammy snapped out of it. She looked at me, her eyes filled with helplessness, and forced a bitter smile.
My enemy is right here, yet I can't take my revenge.
I gave an awkward smile and shook my head.
We should get out of here for now.
Tammy looked at the evil ghost again, her voice full of venom.
I will kill you. Listen carefully—no one escapes the consequences of their crimes. No matter how tragic your life was, how much you suffered, or how many years you've been locked up here—none of that matters to me. I only want to kill my enemy with my own hands. I dream of killing you, of making your soul scatter into nothingness.
For a moment, the evil ghost whimpered in the corner. As the black mist faded, I saw a face twisted with sorrow, eyes pleading with Tammy for forgiveness.
With a whoosh, Tammy's pale form passed through the door, returned to her cell, and lay back in her body. Minutes later, she awoke, clutching her forehead, setting the Hidden Saber aside, and stumbling over to me.
Let's keep thinking of a way out.
As I spoke, I recalled Mona Ouyang's warning not to let Tammy out yet. But I couldn't bear to see another woman living in a cell like this. As a woman myself, I understood her pain.
Tammy traced the Sanskrit script with her fingers, explaining its meaning. Gradually, I began to understand—it wasn't as complicated as it looked, much simpler and clearer than the characters I knew.
Tammy kept arranging the ritual array with barley grains. After nearly three hours, she finished a hexagonal array. I was amazed at how quickly she grasped everything I explained.
Back in the Forest of Desire, Vincent Swallow taught us a lot about ritual arrays. I hated those complicated things at first, but after centuries of exposure, I learned a lot. It was the only way to survive those endless years.
I hummed and kept thinking, planning to go back to the upper cell. Soon, the corpses would bring food—I’d wait for them to leave before returning.
Tammy, I really think you shouldn’t keep separating your soul like this. It’s too dangerous.
Tammy smiled and nodded, reaching out her hand. I took it, and she looked at me, her eyes bright with joy.
Thank you, Roxie. Your eyes are just like Ethan Justice’s—honest and brimming with hope.
I smiled awkwardly, feeling better as I returned to my cell. Logan started complaining as soon as he heard me come back.
What did the Nightmare Ghost Sovereign tell you, Roxie? Isn’t there an easy way to get me out of here?
No. If you don’t want to listen or think about it, then forget it. I can’t help you. This is the only way I know to get out.
I said this as I returned to my room. I wasn’t tired at all—just kept thinking about why the lamas had locked me up.
Logically, the evil energy of Rachel (Shadow Self) in my body shouldn’t be a big problem. But suddenly, I realized—the power John Chou left in me was the real cause.
The lamas must have sensed the power inside me and locked me up because of it. I asked, feeling confused.
Logan, did John Chou ever have any conflicts with the lamas?
I asked, and Logan chuckled, then sighed.
If you want to talk about grudges, John Chou had conflicts with everyone in the Arcane Society. When his power was out of control, he slaughtered many practitioners. So the Arcane Society hates John Chou and the other six Ghost Sovereigns—they’re all evil ghosts, and they’ve killed many members.
I sighed.
The first time I met John Chou wasn’t at Golden Temple, but on the edge of this land. Some lamas sensed him and chased him for days. Back then, John Chou was powerless against them, but in the end, they fought to the death—and all the lamas died.
I swallowed hard. This wasn’t just a grudge—it was mortal hatred. No wonder the lamas refused to work with ghosts. The Underworld Court may manage ghosts, but they’re still ghosts themselves.
Before I knew it, the corpses came to deliver food again. Now I was sure—only Tammy and I were left on this level and the one below. But I couldn’t understand why John Chou wanted the Buddha Relics left by the lamas. Why would a ghost need them?
After avoiding the corpses, I kept thinking about the ritual array. Just then, Logan called out to me.
Roxie, can you check if my array is correct?
Surprised, I walked over. Logan had used small stones on the ground, coated with his ghost energy, to arrange the array. Some glowed a dim light, others a green light—clearly representing Yin and Yang.
What’s right about it? Are you even trying?
I scolded him. Logan slapped his forehead, and since he was so lost, I started guiding him step by step. Eventually, he got the hang of it. After a while, I spotted the weak point in the Yin-Yang interaction and asked Logan to show me which Sanskrit script it was.
Logan pointed out a few spots. I understood immediately, but the spots were far apart—four on each side, two directly across, and one behind the door. Looking at my healed fingertip, I gritted my teeth and bit it open. Logan stared in shock.
Seeing blood bead from my fingertip, Logan quickly used his ghost energy to hold it. Then, following my instructions, he dripped blood onto the Sanskrit script. Sure enough, the script in the room shifted like a landslide, scattering across the floor with a rumble. I stepped aside as the door creaked open, and Logan stretched as he walked out.
This is a much better way to open the door than kicking it. Thank you, Roxie.
Logan said this and bowed respectfully. I raised my hand and replied.
No need.
But what puzzled me was Logan’s shocked expression when he saw the blood bead on my fingertip.
Why did you look so shocked just now?
Didn’t John Chou tell you? That’s Bloodbane Power—he stored it inside your body. I was surprised. I didn’t expect John Chou to put his Bloodbane Power in someone else.
My eyes widened. I grinned, my mouth twitching. So he did it without telling me—just like he used to do with Ethan Justice.
Alright, kid, let’s figure out how to escape.
Logan said, and I nodded.
You go down with me first. I think I’ve got an idea—if this is Bloodbane Power, maybe there’s a simpler way to break the array. Let’s get Tammy out first.