Inside, I felt nothing. But my mind was painfully clear—this was the scene I had wished to see in countless dreams. No matter how much I struggled or yearned, there was nothing I could do.
"Because of the previous shock, Rachel Lan's body was utterly destroyed. Fortunately, she is a Hades Circle Born, protected by the power of Hades. When her form disappeared, the first thing we collected was the fragments of her soul."
I nodded, continuing to stare at the jar containing Rachel Lan. She seemed to be asleep, her face serene, but there was no consciousness—without her soul, she was just a corpse.
At that moment, the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit removed its hand from my head. Instantly, all I could see was the red liquid—Rachel Lan vanished before my eyes.
After collecting Rachel Lan's soul fragments, the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit immediately devised a plan to send Rachel Lan to the world of shadows to destroy the Wraithlord's corpse.
"At that time, I was selfish—I only wanted to destroy the Wraithlord's corpse. So we did not recover Rachel's body. This body was gathered by Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise, relying on Martin Lane and Helen Lane. For those born of the Hades Circle, if their body is damaged, it becomes Hades Power. As long as the soul remains intact, the Hades Power immediately restores the damaged parts, even if the body is reduced to flesh and mud. But the massive shock damaged Rachel's soul, and the Hades Power scattered. The two of them spent nearly a year collecting it all back."
Now I finally understood why Uncle Martin and Helen Lane showed no sorrow when I met them after leaving the Forest of Desire—they were calm. It turns out they had already found a way to bring Rachel Lan back to life.
I sighed helplessly and sat on the ground. Since coming out, I had done nothing—not even dared to recall the name Rachel Lan. I raised my hands, forcing a bitter smile as I spoke.
"What am I even doing?"
"Don't blame yourself, Ethan Zhang. The fact that you're still alive is already a miracle."
I let out a cry and stood up, staring at my hands. Maybe I should have disappeared long ago, but time and again, I endured—because deep inside, I still held onto my promise with Rachel Lan.
"After all, we made a promise. Rachel said I had to survive, so I did."
As I spoke, I turned to look at the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit.
"Tell me—what exactly is the situation now?"
The Vermilion Phoenix Spirit nodded.
"The part of Rachel Lan belonging to the living world is sealed within four Saints, each born from her childhood faith. The two Saints you saw before, who look exactly like Rachel Lan, are two of them."
"So it means that only when Rachel's body is fully restored can her soul be fused, allowing her resurrection."
"That's one way to put it, but it's nowhere near as simple as you think. To resurrect someone whose soul has been scattered is something even the gods would find nearly impossible."
I nodded. I knew this even without the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit saying it.
"The biggest problem now is the Forsaken. Our power has already been affected by them. To fully piece together Rachel's soul, we need a moment of power as pure and strong as reincarnation itself. We might have managed it before, but now, with the faith of the Four Saints completely faded and the Forsaken's interference, it's basically impossible."
Suddenly, I thought of the method used by the Wraith Monk, but I quickly shook my head. That approach would require sacrificing millions, even tens of millions, of souls. I couldn't do it, and Rachel Lan would never allow it.
After another glance at the glass jar, I returned to the nest with the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit. Aimee was already there, her face anxious as she looked at us.
"Lord Vermilion Phoenix, where did you go?"
Aimee immediately came over, grabbing my hand without waiting for an explanation.
"Hurry up, Lord White Tiger can't wait any longer."
The Vermilion Phoenix Spirit nodded to me and said,
"Go ahead. There are still things you need to understand. I have already accepted you. Next, you must earn the approval of White Tiger and Black Tortoise. Only then will you be qualified to help us save the Four Sacred Realm."
I let out a cry, looking at the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit.
"I'm afraid..."
Before I could finish, Aimee grabbed me and we flew off, heading quickly toward White Tiger's domain.
At this moment, I felt utterly helpless. If even the Four Saints couldn't solve this problem, how could I possibly hope to?
Soon, we arrived in a vast, dazzling world of white crystals. Aimee led me straight to a massive cluster of sparkling white stones. Bridges crisscrossed, connecting White Tiger's domain, and below were huge, irregular chunks of white crystal.
At the intersections of these broad, bright bridges stood gleaming white houses. But I saw no sign of a White Tiger Saint. Just as I was growing puzzled, Aimee dragged me straight onto the huge central platform.
With a whoosh, I found myself standing on the enormous platform. In the distance, a shadow raced toward us. I saw black and white—a white tiger with black stripes came charging, leaping before me. He stood up, wrapped in a loose white robe thrown casually over his body.
"Aimee, you finally made it! I've been dying of impatience."
White Tiger's voice was that of a robust middle-aged man. I looked at him, and suddenly he grabbed my arms, lifting me up. He turned me over in his hands like a toy, then set me down.
"Can't see anything special about you. Is placing hope in you right or wrong?"
I forced a bitter smile and asked,
"Why are there no Saints here?"
White Tiger scratched his head and laughed.
"It's that brat Lan Yin—he's been gone for ages and hasn't returned. I had no choice but to send the White Tiger Saints and Black Tortoise Saints out to search. With fewer people, they could be attacked by the Forsaken, and if they go out, they might not come back. The terrain outside is about to change, so we need to find them quickly. And there's that kid who came with you under Vermilion Phoenix Spirit's command."
I gave an 'oh' of understanding—that's why there wasn't a single Saint here. Just then, Aimee flew up.
"Mission accomplished, Lord White Tiger!"
White Tiger nodded, then tossed a bright white object to Aimee. Her eyes lit up with excitement and she happily flew away toward the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit.
"Fine, I'll accept you. It doesn't matter to me anyway. Let's treat a dead horse as if it were alive."
I looked at White Tiger, even more puzzled.
"What exactly has happened to the Four Sacred Realm? What do you need my help with?"
White Tiger squatted down, thinking for a moment.
"Go ask Black Tortoise about this mess. I hate explaining things here—besides, I've got other things to do."
White Tiger immediately pointed to my right.
"Follow this road and you'll see a waterfall. Down there is Black Tortoise's domain—he's waiting for you on the central island."
As soon as he finished speaking, White Tiger vanished before my eyes. I only felt a strong gust of wind—White Tiger was nowhere to be seen.
I spread my wings and flew up, speeding along the road White Tiger pointed out.
"What does that guy want me to do, anyway?"
White Tiger was as inscrutable as ever. I shook my head helplessly and picked up speed.
Soon, I spotted the waterfall White Tiger had mentioned. It was at the edge of the mountain cliffs in White Tiger's realm—a bright, white waterfall pouring down. Below lay Black Tortoise's domain, islands scattered across the lake. Just as I was about to descend, I stopped—a dark shadow appeared at the mouth of the waterfall.
With a splash, two shadows shot out from the mouth of the waterfall. My eyes widened in disbelief at 016 and 013 before me.
"You two?"
Immediately, 016 smiled and grabbed me, and together with 013, they dragged me into the mouth of the waterfall.
I felt a chill, but soon found myself standing on solid ground. It looked like an underground river—soft, bright light flickered in the cave, and the stone walls were studded with glowing white crystals.
"How did you two get here?"
016 burst out laughing.
"Anyway, we're in. Next, I'm just looking for a chance to go on a killing spree."
A chill swept through me. I clenched my fists, and 013 immediately gave a mocking laugh.
"A killing spree? With so many high-ranking Saints here, any one of them could wipe you out. You're hopelessly stupid."
I fell silent, thinking of what Azure Dragon, Vermilion Phoenix Spirit, and I had discussed. To the Saints, the Forsaken were foreign invaders; to the invaders, the Saints were the ones rooted here as conquerors.
Both sides were right—there was no fault in either perspective.
"Go back. Please."
I looked seriously at 016 as I spoke, but he just grinned wickedly.
"I'm never going back. I have to do something—after all, my hatred for these Saints is probably the strongest among all the intelligent Forsaken!"
A cracking sound rang out. Suddenly, I felt my body begin to freeze—a chill ran through me as I looked up. 013 was standing behind me, one hand pressed to my back.
"We won't do anything to you, Ethan Zhang. Just stay here quietly. Thanks to you, we were able to get in."
As she spoke, 016 floated up, his form slowly changing—he gradually transformed into the appearance of an Azure Dragon Saint. My eyes widened as 013 beside him also turned into a Vermilion Phoenix Saint.
"How is this possible?"