"So cold."
I grinned as I stepped into the large wooden tub. Only cold water—it's been days since I last bathed. My body reeks, but at least many of the wounds on my skin have healed.
These past few days fighting those living dead have made me understand even more clearly what vitality and death energy truly are. The icy water stings the wounds that haven't fully healed, a dull pain. I'm already exhausted. I haven't seen John Chou for days—maybe a week, or longer; I've almost lost track.
I'm so tired I don't want to move, but I'm not sleepy. When I first got back, I had to wait for my wounds to heal before I could bathe.
The room I'm staying in now is actually decent—a small two-story building near the center of the village. I live on the second floor, no longer forced to endure moldy blankets or the dust that always made my nose itch. After a whole day of exhaustion, this feels pretty good.
I raised my hand slightly and sighed, looking at the solid muscles on my arm.
"So ugly."
I glanced casually at my body. With just a slight movement, the muscles beneath my smooth skin became visible. My build is fairly balanced, quite sturdy. Long ago, I started training my body to fight off evil spirits. Unlike other women, I don't care much about dressing up; as long as the clothes fit, that's enough, and food just needs to fill my stomach.
I pressed my abdomen—hard as a rock, each muscle clearly defined. Especially my shoulders, a bit broad. I never wear sleeveless tops because they make me look burly. For a woman, this isn't exactly attractive. Honestly, I do envy those delicate, dainty types, but I've been on my own since I was little, always having to rely on myself. I wish someone could spoil me, too.
Thinking of this, I slapped the water's surface, and my father's face flashed through my mind. He and my mom always told me to change my temper, or else Qingyuan wouldn't be able to stand me.
"I turned out this way because of you two."
Thinking of this made my anger flare. Back in the Shadowlands, Zhang Qingyuan and I lived as husband and wife for a long time. The more I recall those days, the sweeter my heart feels. I leaned over the edge of the tub, gazing out at the pitch-black world beyond the window.
This place is a bit like the Dark Banquet. Though it's a ghost domain, there's no daylight. Lately, I've missed those times more and more. Every night, when we went to bed, I never let Zhang Qingyuan turn on the light—I didn't want him to see my muscular body. My cheeks started to burn. I plunged my head into the water, and after a while came up, gasping for air, shaking out my hair.
I ran my fingers through the ends of my hair—what I'd cut off before had grown to my shoulders again. I couldn't help but laugh. I still plan to let it grow longer. Zhang Qingyuan used to help me comb my hair every morning. I remember it so clearly, so vividly.
But maybe I'll never feel that again. My gaze dimmed. Wu Rong once told me that if someone dies, their instincts disappear. But Zhang Qingyuan's instinct didn't vanish—it exists inside me. I pressed my chest. Strangely, it doesn't hurt much anymore.
Maybe Wu Rong was right, and I want to believe him—Zhang Qingyuan is still alive. I got up, dried myself off with a towel, ready for bed. Tomorrow morning, I'll have to keep sparring with those Undying. They're surprisingly strong and can't be killed. No matter how I shatter their bodies, they revive quickly and attack me again.
Belle lay at my bedside. In the soft light of the room, the sword's outline appeared even more elegant, woven from light and shadow. It's truly a fine weapon—fits my hand perfectly. What surprised me is the chill inside Belle is almost gone; now it's warm, nearly fiery.
Even lying in bed, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned. Then a pink mist drifted out from Belle. I glanced over.
"What's wrong, Roxie? Can't sleep? You must be tired after such a long day."
I shook my head.
"Miss Cecilia, don't you want to reincarnate? Or are you still hung up on that man?"
I asked, sensing longing in Cecilia's consciousness, but mostly hatred. Lately, though, I've noticed that hatred fading. That's the benefit of gaining the Coexistence Instinct—I can feel so much more now, especially emotions I never sensed before.
"So what if I am? Roxie, the status of women in my era was nothing like yours. We were little more than men's accessories; love and romance were just wisps of smoke. Maybe some part of me still misses that man, but it's all in the past. I've seen something different in you and Zhang Qingyuan. It feels nice now. Roxie, get some sleep."
As she spoke, a swirl of pink mist coiled around me. It felt like I was resting on soft thighs, a sweet scent filling the air. My body relaxed, drowsiness washing over me, as if a hand was gently patting my back. Every night, I chatted with Cecilia about light, pleasant things. Maybe that's why my mood has improved so much lately.
Gradually, I drifted off completely, floating in a bright, moving world. Everything around me was wonderful.
I wandered through a forest glowing with green light, surrounded by vitality. Insects chirped and birds sang endlessly, and everything was so peaceful.
I lingered in this world full of life, running through fields of flowers, my heart carefree and happy. Just then, I saw someone.
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"Xiaowei, why are you..."
"I'm not Vivian Ouyang, I'm Rachel Lan."
A strange, mocking voice drifted over. A gentle aura settled beside me. Draped in pink and white gauze, Cecilia slowly descended to my side.
"Mona Ouyang?"
I asked in confusion. The person before me should be Mona Ouyang, the Dream Sovereign.
"It took a lot to connect to your dream, Rachel Lan. Remember this: just trust what Zhang Qingyuan trusts, now and in the future."
I looked at Mona Ouyang in confusion, then smiled and took a deep breath.
"You didn't need to come all this way to tell me that, Mona Ouyang. It's because I trust Qingyuan's choices that I'm here. Still, thank you."
I smiled as I spoke. Mona Ouyang before me turned into a wisp of purple smoke and vanished. I took a deep breath, and the sound of commotion reached my ears.
I jolted awake, panting as I looked at my phone by the pillow. It was just after 5 a.m.—I'd only slept four hours. Outside, footsteps echoed continuously.
"What's going on, Uncle Lee?"
I opened the window and saw Uncle Lee on the street, assigning something to the Undying. He looked up at me and spoke.
"Someone entered this ghost domain, Roxie. Don't worry, it's a small matter. We'll handle it ourselves."
I looked at Uncle Lee in confusion. A crowd of Undying armed themselves and headed into the forest, while others hurried along the beach, searching for something. But Uncle Lee just said someone came in?
I quickly got dressed, slung my bow, grabbed Belle from the bedside, and jumped straight from the second floor. Landing, I looked around—Uncle Lee didn't stop me. I joined the Undying, heading into the forest.
After a while, I still found nothing unusual. I started using my powers, gradually expanding their range. The Coexistence power activated naturally, much smoother than the last few days.
Suddenly, my eyes widened. Through the Coexistence connection to the island's life and death energy, I could sense every blade of grass and tree. On a slope at the southern cape, two people appeared clearly in my mind. I ran quickly toward them.
"Uncle Lee, bring everyone back. No need to keep searching—I know where they are. One of those two is my friend."
I shouted, and the Undying gradually dispersed. Smiling, full of excitement, I ran toward the southern cape. I knew one of them instantly—it was Vivian Ouyang. I’d visited her after returning from the darkness, and she’d been recovering. Though Mona Ouyang controlled her body most of the time, she’d grown much brighter lately.
I never brought up the past. Zhang Qingyuan had warned me—never mention it to Vivian Ouyang. I knew maybe he did something to help her, and now her life was normal again.
"I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon."
I arrived at the southern cape, full of joy. Looking at the woods on the slope, I was sure Vivian Ouyang and another person were there.
"Xiaowei, it's me—Rachel Lan. It's okay, come out."
I called out, and soon I saw two figures moving on the hill. In the moonlight, I could see clearly—it was Vivian Ouyang in a Ghost Burial Squad uniform, and the other person stunned me.
"Miles Mao?"
I slapped my forehead, suddenly remembering—the Earth Soul told me the Ghost Burial Squad members weren't dead. The Immortality Society had already released them.
"Rachel, are you alright?"
As soon as we met, Vivian Ouyang rushed over and hugged me, looking very emotional. Miles Mao was covered in wounds, but seeing them made me so happy.