With a sharp whoosh, I released the bowstring. A white, gleaming arrow shot toward the skeleton in front of me, and I immediately rushed forward.
My wings flapped in an instant. Holding my Bush Knife, I reached the skeleton before the arrow did and slashed down with all my strength.
With a clang, the skeleton blocked my Bush Knife. The ground caved in slightly, debris flying everywhere. At the same time, it dodged the arrow with a sidestep, then forcefully pushed me back. I steadied myself midair, surprised as I looked at the skeleton below—it didn’t seem as strong as I remembered.
It was completely different from what I saw yesterday—a world apart. I grinned, pulling three arrows from the quiver on my back and nocking them on the bow, hovering in the air as I watched the unmoving skeleton below.
Is it stupid? Why isn’t it attacking me?
I turned to look at John Chou. He was resting his chin on his hand, watching me.
Step by step. I won’t say it a third time, Rachel Lan.
Annoyed, I turned back, eyes wide. With several sharp whooshes, the three arrows shot toward the skeleton. I accelerated, flying straight at it, planning to use my aerial vantage to coordinate with the arrows and block its movement.
The skeleton still stood there, dumb and unmoving, but as the arrows struck one after another, it sprang into motion, dodging them with ease. My Bush Knife was blocked by the skeleton again, the sound of grinding bone echoing. My strength was useless—I couldn’t gain any advantage. The skeleton just held its Belle, completely still.
With a boom, I was pushed back again, stopping midair. I had no idea how to hit this skeleton.
But I couldn’t worry about that now. The skeleton just stood there like a target, letting me strike at will. I decided to launch a series of rapid attacks—there had to be a weakness somewhere.
With a thunderous crash, I attacked again. Flames exploded out in an instant, but the skeleton before me was completely unaffected by the fire, even as it manifested from my yang energy. I kept attacking nearby, but no matter what I did, it blocked everything. What shocked me even more was that the force of its blows matched mine exactly—this feeling grew stronger and stronger.
The assault lasted nearly ten minutes, and I was already tired. It felt just like that night fighting John Chou. I turned to look at him, convinced he was deliberately toying with me.
But I quickly shook my head. What was John Chou really trying to say? That was the key to this fight. I carefully recalled everything he’d said to me along the way.
No one could have guessed.
I charged at the skeleton again. This time, I saw it crouch suddenly, and a chill ran through me. But my Bush Knife was already swinging down—missing. The skeleton didn’t block; instead, it slipped to my side and slashed at me with Belle.
With a swish, flames shot skyward as I crashed to the ground. It was exactly like that night. I turned to see John Chou standing in midair.
That’s enough for tonight.
I let out a cry. The skeleton sat cross-legged on the ground, handing Belle back to John Chou.
Just ten minutes of fighting had left me exhausted. When I got back to the village, I returned to my room and went straight to bed.
Tomorrow, we’ll start at noon—if you want to find out sooner.
John Chou left after saying that. I lay helplessly on my bed, thinking about how I’d fight that skeleton tomorrow. Its strength was clearly above mine—otherwise, it wouldn’t be able to match my force so precisely.
No matter what I did, I couldn’t break through. It felt completely different from any fight I’d experienced before. Suddenly, I remembered what happened at Ghost Mound Mountain. I sat up—back then, after my rebirth, I’d only gained purple flames, but somehow I managed to defeat Lao Chongyuan. Even if it was just his substitute, neither of us could handle that green-faced man.
I didn’t bother thinking too much. I’d just keep attacking tomorrow.
The next day, I woke up late. After lunch and a short rest, I called John Chou to the mountain top. The skeleton was still sitting there, right at the summit. It was the hottest part of the day, the sun blazing and yang energy abundant—a huge advantage for me.
Did you think of anything else after you got back last night?
John Chou asked. I shook my head.
I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hmph!
With a gust, I flew at the skeleton sitting on the ground. As it stood up with Belle in hand, it blocked my attack in an instant. I roared, swinging my Bush Knife even harder.
This fight lasted nearly half an hour. I plopped down on the ground, still completely baffled—no matter how I attacked, nothing worked.
There was nothing special about this skeleton—no trace of ghostly energy or yin aura. It was completely different from Yuna Ji’s skeletons.
Rest for an hour, then continue.
John Chou’s cold voice came. I turned, found a shady spot, and lay down comfortably. After the second round of fighting, I was even more confused. This was just like that night—why couldn’t I break through John Chou’s ghost aura, and why did my attacks have no effect on this skeleton either?
I looked over at John Chou, who was sitting nearby, his gaze coldly fixed on the skeleton. This skeleton was completely different from Yuna Ji’s.
This chapter isn’t over yet~.~ Click next page to keep reading!
But after two fights, I seemed to realize something—and things were starting to become clear.
Wake up. It’s starting.
Startled, I opened my eyes and climbed up, yawning. My body had recovered a bit. After standing, I raised my Bush Knife and faced off against the skeleton again.
Hurry up!
I grunted, staring seriously at the skeleton. Then, all of a sudden, I dashed at it—this time, I decided not to use my wings, since that would drain too much yang energy.
With a clang, as I struck down, the skeleton blocked my attack with the Bush Knife—but I immediately kicked at it.
With a dull thud, it felt like kicking a stone. I twisted my ankle, grimacing as I stumbled back several steps. Suddenly, I felt an icy, murderous intent—the air around me froze. Belle stopped just short of my forehead.
I swallowed hard. The air seemed frozen—I almost thought I was about to die.
Why?
I just couldn’t understand. The skeleton’s sudden attack matched my strength exactly, but it could easily slash at me the moment I retreated.
Clapping rang out. I turned to see John Chou walking over with a smile, reclaiming Belle.
Starting tomorrow, things will get interesting. Rachel Lan, you’d better figure out what I’m trying to tell you.
Still the same vague words—I was completely lost.
Night fell. My whole body ached. Tonight, I borrowed a family’s bathroom for a comfortable bath before bed—I was just too tired.
Hey, little girl, did you find anything out?
Almost, Granny Wu.
Outside the bathroom stood the owner of the house, Granny Woods—a kindly old lady whose cooking was delicious. Tonight, I’d eaten at her place.
Little girl, why don’t you climb up to the summit tomorrow? The plants are thick up there, but there’s a lake in the middle filled with stagnant, stinking water. Maybe that’s where you should look.
I stared wide-eyed and pulled open the bathroom door.
Granny Woods, isn’t the summit just a sunken pit?
Granny Woods looked at me, puzzled. Only then did I learn that the summit was a place birds and beasts avoided. There used to be a lake up there, always giving off a foul smell.
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine. That perfectly sunken pit at the summit, along with the crushed black dust inside, was the result of immense power. I thought back to my first night here—John Chou must have done something.
John Chou, where are you? Come out.
After my bath, I went outside and called for him. Soon, John Chou appeared behind me.
What did you do last night? That pit at the summit—was that your doing?
John Chou stared at me coldly.
So what if it was? You’d better think hard—figure out why.
I was about to ask more, but John Chou had already vanished. Frustrated, I stomped my foot and went back to my room.
Thinking back to the fight in that pit, I hadn’t felt anything—so strange. Normally, where there are ghosts, yin energy gathers naturally. But even when I rested in the shade today, I couldn’t sense any yin energy or other auras. There were plenty of plants around the pit, so there should’ve been life force, but I felt nothing. In fact, aside from when I first arrived, I haven’t sensed life or death energy at all. There’s something weird about this island.
Whatever. I’ll just sleep first.
I muttered, pulled up the covers, and closed my eyes. But suddenly I flipped over, my face changing, threw off the blanket, and rushed outside.