Suddenly, his hands were empty. Looking up, he saw Morgan Shangguan already pulled into Damien Gray’s arms. Damien’s eyes were cold as he stared at him. “She will always be mine. Next life, the life after—don’t even think about it!” When he finished speaking, he checked Morgan Shangguan over. Seeing her wounded, his heart ached, but thankfully her life was not in danger. He would settle this score with the Blood Wraith. Glancing at Jin Locke, he reluctantly spat out two words: “Thank you!”
Though he hadn’t witnessed it all, he could roughly guess what had happened. He had always seen Jin Locke’s genuine remorse, but Morgan Shangguan was his—he would never give her up, nor could he forgive anyone who had hurt her!
Jin Locke smiled, but his eyes dimmed. Morgan Shangguan spoke softly, “You should know, the blood curse cannot be broken.” Unless she died—or rather, unless she completely disappeared.
Jin Locke murmured, “I know...” Who could he blame? Once missed, the chance was truly gone—never to return. At her loneliest, he had been by her side, yet only thought of revenge. He had personally pushed her further away, so far that no matter how hard he tried, he could never reach her again.
“I’m sorry...” he whispered, unwilling to look away from Morgan Shangguan as he slowly closed his eyes.
At that moment, Quentin Hua arrived, followed by Ethan Gu and Maxwell Jing. Seeing them appear, the Blood Wraith laughed loudly. “Quentin Hua, you came too!” He hadn’t expected Quentin Hua to survive—not only alive, but also freed from the curse’s control.
Now that he’d delivered himself, how could the Blood Wraith let a traitor go?
Another burst of laughter, sharper and more piercing than before. Wild winds whipped up, sand and stones flying, making it impossible to keep one’s eyes open. Blades of wind sliced through the chaos, as sharp as knives.
Ethan Gu frowned, his eyes flashing. Suddenly, he grabbed Maxwell Jing and turned to leave. Maxwell Jing hesitated, glanced back at the other three, but said nothing and let himself be led away.
Damien Gray pulled Morgan Shangguan behind him, narrowing his eyes at the Blood Wraith. His gaze was that of someone looking at a dead man—since Morgan Shangguan had been hurt, he would make him pay.
Quentin Hua shed his usual laziness, his expression growing serious. He knew how terrifying the Blood Wraith was, and dared not underestimate him.
Morgan Shangguan frowned slightly. Judging by Damien Gray’s demeanor, he clearly had no intention of letting her intervene. But after their earlier clash, she was well aware that the Blood Wraith’s martial power far surpassed Damien Gray’s.
“Damien...”
Damien Gray didn’t give her a chance to speak, his voice low and commanding: “Rest!” Seeing Morgan Shangguan wounded, his heart ached—how could he let her fight again?
Morgan Shangguan frowned but said nothing more, simply standing quietly to the side.
The three stood off for a long time. Suddenly, figures blurred and clashed. Morgan Shangguan narrowed her eyes at Quentin Hua, surprised by the depth of his martial power. That put her a little more at ease.
But as time passed, Morgan Shangguan’s frown deepened. She hadn’t expected the Blood Wraith to grow fiercer against stronger opponents, his face twisting and his attacks growing more vicious.
Bang...
With a thunderous crash, Damien Gray and Quentin Hua were flung away, both coughing up blood. The Blood Wraith, though still lounging on his chair, was clearly also injured internally. But things couldn’t go on like this—the Blood Wraith was too crazed, fighting as if he feared nothing.
After a brief pause, the three engaged again. Morgan Shangguan narrowed her eyes, no longer caring whether Damien Gray would lose his temper. She darted behind the Blood Wraith, and while he was tangled with Damien Gray and Quentin Hua, struck his back with her palm—a solid hit. The Blood Wraith spat blood, but enraged, he grew even more frenzied. With a roar, a powerful force erupted from him, sweeping out in all directions.
"Pfft... cough, cough..." Morgan Shangguan was already badly injured, yet for this strike, she channeled all her Spirit Power into her palm, aiming to deal a fatal blow to the Blood Wraith. But she hadn’t expected the Blood Wraith’s life force to be so tenacious—he survived. Worse, she hadn’t guarded against his counterattack and was gravely wounded instead.
Watching Morgan Shangguan cough up blood again and again, Damien Gray’s face grew cold and terrifying, but there was a hint of panic in his eyes. Ignoring his own injuries, he rushed to pull Morgan Shangguan into his arms, shouting angrily, “Who told you to act? I’ll kill him myself—I don’t need your help!” Though rage twisted his features, his arms around her trembled.
"If I die, my soul will scatter." Words Morgan Shangguan had once spoken seemed to echo in his ears. Later, she’d explained that only if she went too long without a suitable body to inhabit would she truly disappear.
But he couldn’t bear the thought of such a possibility—he couldn’t bear losing her.
His arms around Morgan Shangguan tightened. Damien Gray glared at her fiercely, gritting his teeth. "You’re not allowed to die. If you die, I’ll make everyone pay!" His face was shrouded in darkness, his eyes so fierce they looked ready to tear someone apart. At this moment, Damien Gray was as mad as the Blood Wraith.
Even Quentin Hua didn’t dare approach Damien Gray like this—one wrong move and he might erupt, burning everything to ashes. This Damien Gray was terrifying, but all Morgan Shangguan felt was heartache; she could sense his fear.
"I... I'm fine..." Morgan Shangguan reached for his sleeve, wanting to comfort him. But a sharp pain shot through her chest and she coughed up blood again, frowning. Was she really going to die again? She wasn’t even that badly hurt!
Dying again didn’t matter to her, but Damien Gray would surely go mad.
"Damien..." Her vision darkened. She wanted to tell him—even if she died, she could undergo Soul Transmigration and wouldn’t forget him. But she opened her mouth and no sound came; her consciousness faded, plunging her into darkness.
"Morgan..." Damien Gray shook her, but there was no response.
Quentin Hua stood frozen, unable to believe it. Morgan Shangguan was dead? How could this be? If Morgan Shangguan died, what would happen to Damien Gray? He couldn’t imagine what Damien Gray would become.