"What are you doing here?"
Accompanied by a voice full of anger, the Taoist Order members had already drawn their swords, pointing them at Wraithshade and Poison Dreadstar. Behind them, the Ghost Syndicate members were uniformly dressed in black cloaks and conical hats, their faces covered with black veils. On their backs, they carried flat, elongated jars that sealed ghosts within.
"Everyone, I'm afraid this matter isn't something your Taoist Order can resolve alone. That's why we've come."
I quietly watched Wraithshade from the crowd. This guy was just as I remembered him—except in my correct timeline, he had already been finished off by Ji Yuner. But here, in the past, he's still alive. Seeing him made my skin crawl; Qingyuan had told me about him before—a man who endlessly pursued darkness, insidiously evil at heart.
I shrank back, not wanting any contact with Wraithshade. At that moment, Zane Wu led his fellow disciples over at a slow pace, and the Zen Order members arrived as well.
"You bunch of heretics and fiends."
As soon as Zane Wu spoke, he started cursing. Poison Dreadstar laughed with a chilling giggle.
"Is that really true?"
That single sentence riled up the Taoist Order members even more. It seemed the Ghost Syndicate was never popular in this era. It made sense—they spent their days among ghosts and did all sorts of shady things with them.
I remembered what Lan Yin once told me: when the Taoist Order was first established, it was cold and deserted. Only after Laozi traveled and founded many schools of thought did the Order begin to flourish in his old age.
But in this era, members of the Taoist Order aren't called Taoists—they're called Daoists. Clearly, many of their techniques are still in development, because I've seen most of them before. These Daoists might not even be as skilled as Miles Mao or Howard Lee.
The talismans they use are the most basic yellow ones, and their power is truly negligible. They'd have to be careful even against a fierce ghost, let alone a Green Wraith.
I was starting to worry. The Taoist Order once faced a catastrophic disaster—this must be it. After battling the escaped Wraithlord, too many died. Thinking back, the Dragon Plaza in Haven City must be where the Wraithlord was sealed. I looked at the city behind me, then at the surrounding mountains. I couldn't see any obvious similarities, but I was sure this was the future Haven City. To the south, in the direction Wraithshade and his group came from, was a range of rolling mountains.
After staring for a while, I realized this mountain range was the one behind South University Town. Even after two thousand years, its shape hadn't changed much.
The atmosphere grew tense. Voices accused the Ghost Syndicate of using ghosts to harm society and make money. In fact, much of the unrest in various regions was caused by the Ghost Syndicate. Most Taoist Order members despised them.
"Lord Wraithshade, surely this matter has something to do with your group?"
Zane Wu looked sternly at Wraithshade. Poison Dreadstar was about to speak, but Wraithshade stopped her.
"This matter has nothing to do with us."
As soon as Wraithshade finished speaking, doubts erupted. People kept saying the Ghost Syndicate was refining ghosts, and maybe the evil spirits here were released by them. The rumors flew.
"Can't you all sense it? These ghosts are from the Netherworld. These slanders are being forced onto us—are your eyes just decorations? We're only here to help you deal with the trouble."
Soon, the discussions flared up again, but after Zane Wu called out, the crowd quieted down.
"The Netherworld? We've already sent people to Necropolis. Lord Wraithshade, if you know anything more, please share it with us."
"We've been traveling for days and we're exhausted. At least let us find somewhere to rest first."
Poison Dreadstar complained. After Zane Wu persuaded them, the Taoist Order members dispersed. The situation finally calmed down, and it was clear that the Taoist Order couldn't handle this alone. The Ghost Syndicate might not be popular, but there were no other options. Before things spilled over into the human world, this had to be contained.
I returned to the forest halfway up the mountain, planning to be alone for a while. But I noticed something was following me—a ghost. I ignored it, assuming it was one used by the Ghost Syndicate. Suddenly, as I circled behind a tree, I grabbed the ghost that was trailing me.
"Get lost."
With a whimper, the female ghost following me quickly vanished. But soon I sensed someone else nearby. As a cloud of black mist faded, I looked up to see Poison Dreadstar smiling at me. At this time, she was still a vibrant, beautiful girl—not the flamboyant older woman I'd seen later.
"What do you want?"
"I didn't expect to find someone from the Hades Circle."
I stared at Poison Dreadstar in confusion, wondering how they'd figured out so quickly that I was from the Hades Circle.
"Move aside. This is my spot to rest."
Poison Dreadstar crossed her arms, leaning flirtatiously against a tree, smiling with a provocative stance.
"Haven't we met somewhere before, little girl?"
"No."
Just as I was about to turn away, a streak of green, like a ribbon, drifted before my eyes. Without hesitation, I raised my hand and flames instantly dispersed the now-materialized Yin energy.
"Not bad, little girl."
"Move aside. I don't associate with your kind—heretics and fiends."
I added, and Poison Dreadstar slowly walked over to my side.
"We know each other, don't we?"
"It's the first time we've met."
I hurried away, but Poison Dreadstar was relentless and chased after me.
"Little girl, you really can't lie. Your eyes give you away. You don't look unfamiliar—you look like you know me very well. Have we met before?"
"Can you not be so annoying?"
I muttered, finally shaking off Poison Dreadstar and finding a quiet spot to rest alone. I planned to wait for the two Ethan Zhangs to arrive, but they were taking so long. Thinking back, they disappeared for a while before leaving and told me to come ahead. It made sense—neither Ethan Zhang truly belonged to this world. Their immense power couldn't transfer here easily, because illusion exists in past, future, and present, where time doesn't flow and power can be used. But at this correct point in time, they would be restricted.
The one that escaped was the Earth Soul of the Wraithlord—the strongest of his three souls.
It was just past noon. I ate some tasteless rations given by the Taoist Order and planned to nap. The Ghost Syndicate had already set up camp on the other side, probing around the huge formation set by the Taoist Order.
By dusk, I woke up hungry, drawn by the smell of food from the foot of the mountain. I couldn't help but head down.
At the foot of the mountain, I saw many people waiting for someone. Soon, clouds of dust rose on the road in the distance. My expression changed instantly—I gulped down my hot porridge and hurried into the woods, suppressing my aura. The newcomers were from the Hades Circle, which shocked me, and their aura was very familiar.
I hid in the woods, watching a large group of Hades Circle members riding fast horses, fully equipped for battle. At the front were Jason Su, Lucas Lu, and a young man I didn't recognize. But soon I saw the Lan family crest on his clothes. My heart skipped a beat—I absolutely couldn't go down there, or I'd be exposed.
After the Hades Circle members arrived, they all dismounted in unison—nearly two hundred of them, an impressive force. The Taoist Order treated them with great respect, and Zane Wu personally greeted them. In this era, the Hades Circle was highly esteemed by the rest of the supernatural world, in stark contrast to the Ghost Syndicate.
After the two sides exchanged pleasantries, they headed toward the edge of the Taoist Order's formation. Jason Su was very young in this era—a strikingly handsome youth. I was surprised that Lucas Lu hadn't changed much. The other of the Ten Soul Collectors must be Lan Miu.
At that moment, Wraithshade and Poison Dreadstar came over as well. The Hades Circle members didn't treat them kindly. The three sides seemed to be discussing something. I didn't care—I planned to hide deep in the mountains. The reason they knew I was from the Hades Circle must be my aura; it's nearly impossible to conceal.
Just then, I felt a breeze behind me—it was someone from the Hades Circle. I quickly ran.
"Wait, little girl, why are you running?"
Startled, I heard a swoosh as Lucas Lu landed behind me. I stopped, awkwardly turned around, and smiled.
"Huh? Little girl, which family are you from? Why did you get here so early? And your aura really is that of the Hades Circle. Zane Wu just mentioned that a prodigy has emerged among our younger generation. I was wondering who it was, but seeing you now, your Four Sacred Powers are strong—maybe you'll rival the elite soon. Why aren't you saying anything? Are you mute, or is there some reason you can't speak?"
I frowned slightly. This guy had always been like this—a chatterbox who never let anyone get a word in. As Lucas Lu kept asking questions, I didn't know what to do. He grabbed my hand.
"Come on, let's go. Why are you hiding here alone? Are you sneaking off to relieve yourself?"