The wind howled on. I stood quietly, watching the practitioners of the Arcane Society. They remained clustered together, their gazes fixed on the distant mountain wall where the fighting flared and faded. The Wraithlord and Tan Tian had been locked in battle for two days now. For everyone here, this kind of conflict was pure terror.
A shadow had fallen over all of Gourd Village. I forced a faint smile. Roxie was still asleep in a nearby room. I remembered clearly what John Chou had told me—if things fell apart here, do whatever it takes to protect Roxie. The best way was to get her out, to escape.
I clenched my fists and stared at the Wraithlord, who was still sitting in silent meditation. Over these days, the Wraithlord had tried countless methods, but still couldn’t break through the Nether Syndicate’s barrier. The realm, built on the power of millions of undead, wasn’t something that could be shattered so quickly. Yet if the Wraithlord kept pushing, the Nether Syndicate would eventually collapse.
I could see the fear etched on many faces. Terror gnawed at them, forcing everyone to recognize their own helplessness. There was no solution, no hope.
The members of the Zen Order and Dao Sect appeared more composed, but the minor sects and many from the Hades Circle who had arrived over the past few days looked grim, as if awaiting death. Just then, I saw Samuel Young walking toward me, and I climbed down from the rooftop.
"Earth Soul, during your time with the Wraithlord, did you notice anything unusual?"
I knew exactly what Samuel Young was getting at, so I shook my head.
"I did notice a few peculiar things, but telling you now is meaningless. No one here can stand against the Wraithlord. Even if you all joined forces, at best you’d only buy a little more time."
Samuel Young nodded.
"So what do you plan to do?"
I glanced sideways at Rachel Lan’s room and smiled.
“What else can I do? If I can’t find a way to stop the Wraithlord, my only option is to escape with Rachel Lan when he breaks free.”
Samuel Young’s face darkened, and he fixed me with a cold stare.
“You can’t take Rachel Lan away.”
I immediately understood what Samuel Young meant and shook my head.
“Even if she stays here, it won’t help. Besides, things aren’t looking good in the Underworld Court either.”
The only place I could take Rachel Lan was Snowridge Springs. That place, formed by the Hell Imprint, is probably the safest in the world. As long as we get there, even the Wraithlord would be powerless to enter.
I didn’t say anything more to Samuel Young and floated up to the rooftop. The only thing that puzzled me was the Nether Syndicate’s people—none were in sight. Even with the disaster in Haven City, they hadn’t appeared at all, which was strange.
Now wasn’t the time to worry about that. I saw members of the Buddhist and Daoist Orders talking with the Ten Soul Collectors of the Hades Circle, their faces heavy with concern. Even Lucas Lu, who was usually talkative, was silent and grim.
I looked again toward Rachel Lan’s room. It seemed most of the Arcane Society had sensed the unknown power inside her. Maybe they hoped to gamble on her strength, but I knew—even if Rachel Lan’s power could hurt the Wraithlord, in a real fight, it would never be enough. John Chou and the others only meant to buy time.
“Maybe in ten years, we could take that risk. Right now, it’s far too soon.”
As I spoke, I leapt down, vanishing into thin air. When I reappeared, I was in Rachel Lan’s room. Helen Lane stared at me in shock while Rachel was still sound asleep. I shook my head.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Lane. I want to take your daughter away.”
Helen Lane hesitated, her expression uncertain, but she nodded nonetheless.
“What exactly do they want to do?”
I asked, but Helen Lane remained silent, shook her head, and after a moment, finally spoke.
“I don’t know what they’re planning, but I fear they want Roxie to become the vessel for their power.”
I nodded. I had already guessed as much. It was the only way for the Arcane Society—to use Rachel Lan as a medium, channeling power through ritual arrays so she could strike a fatal blow against the Wraithlord. But if they did that, even if she wounded the Wraithlord, Rachel Lan would surely die. That was something I could not accept.
“That’s why I have to take Rachel Lan away. I just need ten years. I believe that in ten years, I’ll find a way to defeat the Wraithlord.”
As I spoke, I glanced down at my chest. The Blank Desire Tome that the Wraithlord had given me was still there. If I can keep growing stronger, I’m certain I’ll defeat the Wraithlord in the end.