I quietly stared at Wraithshade. He seemed to have something he wanted to tell me, and he was testing me. His words were somewhat cryptic. I shook my head.
"This isn't a joke. You reap what you sow. You destroyed Yuna Ji, so you must bear her hatred and fury toward you. I saw that battle very clearly—Yuna Ji held nothing but hatred for you."
"Maybe so, but the outcome would have been the same. Even if I hadn't intervened, the destruction of the Ji Clan was only a matter of time. Since you know our past, you should be well aware that in those times, weakness was a crime, and possessing fertile land was a crime. The neighboring tribes, as fierce as wolves and tigers, would naturally be drawn by the scent of food."
I couldn't refute anything Wraithshade said, but I didn't agree with him either. I shook my head.
"Conflicts between people shouldn't involve someone like you. What exactly are you trying to tell me, Wraithshade? Why not just say it plainly? There's no need to use Poison Dreadstar or an oblivious Ghost Fiend Star to fool me."
Wraithshade's eyes sparkled with even more amusement, and he burst out laughing.
"It seems you understand now, Ethan Zhang. You've truly grown. After all, there's no such thing as coincidence in this world. When Poison Dreadstar first asked for your help, and by chance, Ghost Fiend Star had that female ghost tell you about my past."
Wraithshade didn't seem to want to make a deal with me. Instead, it felt like he wanted to witness something.
"Alright, take your time and think it over, Ethan Zhang."
The scene shifted once again. I quietly watched Wraithshade in the corner. All I saw on him was loneliness—a kind of solitude that didn’t need to be understood, didn’t need acceptance, and didn’t need company.
After finishing her meal, Poison Dreadstar came upstairs, grinning mischievously at Wraithshade.
"Victor Shade, can you guess why I'm so happy?"
Wraithshade glanced at Poison Dreadstar and shook his head.
"Come on, just guess!"
All the way into the evening, Poison Dreadstar kept pestering Wraithshade, urging him to guess the reason for her happiness.
But now, Wraithshade's gaze grew somber, only to quickly return to a faint smile.
"Let's go. We have visitors."
Under the cold moonlight, in a patch of woodland, Elder Peter Pine stood before Wraithshade and Poison Dreadstar, accompanied by Elder Peach, who hung his head in misery.
"Sir..."
Just as Elder Peter Pine opened his mouth to speak, Wraithshade flicked his hand, and the page inscribed with last night's formation—given by Elder Peach—flew into Peter Pine's grasp.
Elder Peter Pine sighed heavily.
"Sir, my disciple has broken the sect's taboo, and you, I'm sure, already understand much about the Mount Mason Order. So..."
With a swish, Wraithshade's cloak rippled as he raised both hands. Poison Dreadstar giggled and stepped back to watch.
"No need to say more. This is only natural, Taoist. Since I know your sect's secrets, as a member, you must deal with anyone who learns them."
Elder Peter Pine nodded and drew a Peachwood Blade from his back. He glanced at Elder Peach, whose eyes were filled with despair.
"I hope you'll remember what happens tonight. If I die, I ask you for one favor—deal with my wayward disciple."
Wraithshade nodded, slowly rising into the air. Suddenly, Elder Peter Pine stepped forward with his left foot, tracing a circle, then bit his finger and drew a Taiji symbol on his palm. He quickly inscribed talismans on his arm and chanted a rapid incantation.
"So that's it—a thunder spell."
Wraithshade muttered. With a crack, a blinding bolt of lightning shot at him. He flicked his cloak and dodged instantly, the bolt smashing into a tree behind him.
"Traitor, why aren't you attacking?"
Elder Peter Pine roared. Elder Peach kept his head down, unwilling, knowing nothing could be changed. He had thought his actions flawless, but the evil aura in the woods last night had made his master see through everything. He couldn't understand why Wraithshade had chosen to unseal things so close by.
Wraithshade darted through the woods, dodging bolts of lightning and explosive talismans hurled his way. He gained a deeper respect for the Mount Mason Order's combat prowess, but even so, their power was far too fragile before him. He continued to observe, intrigued.
Watching Elder Peach's increasingly pained expression, Wraithshade knew words were useless. A master like Elder Peter Pine would never listen. From his gaze, Wraithshade could tell Peter Pine was ready to die.
"Sir, surely you don't expect a Taoist like me to make the first move. Please, strike."
After a while, Elder Peter Pine was gasping for breath, having used many techniques. Wraithshade had seen most of them by now.
With a whoosh, Wraithshade turned into a mass of shadow and lunged at Elder Peter Pine. Instantly, Peter Pine pressed his hands together, preparing to form a seal.
There was a tearing sound. Elder Peter Pine's eyes widened as both his arms vanished, blood gushing out, and he let out a scream of agony.
"Master..."
Elder Peach cried out, rushing at Wraithshade with the Peachwood Blade. But a hand like a vice gripped the sword in Elder Peach's grasp. Wraithshade shook his head at him.
With a rush, a wisp of black energy shot from Wraithshade's chest, forming a claw that instantly pinned Elder Peach to a tree. Tears streamed down Elder Peach's face as he shouted in despair.
Footsteps echoed. Elder Peter Pine coughed up blood, then dipped his foot in it to draw a talisman on the ground. He stomped rhythmically, chanting incantations. Wraithshade's eyes lit up with excitement—he had never seen such a technique. A surge of immense power flooded into Elder Peter Pine's body.
A blinding golden light flashed. The severed arms of Elder Peach reappeared as shimmering phantoms, both hands gripping a spear that thrust toward Wraithshade.
With a hiss, the attack came at blinding speed. Wraithshade's eyes widened as wailing filled the air—ghosts within him were being purified. He tried to call to Elder Peter Pine, but found himself powerless.
"What is this, Taoist? What..."
The light faded. Elder Peter Pine had closed his eyes—dead. As the glow vanished, Wraithshade was stunned; the ritual had killed hundreds of ghosts inside him in an instant.
"Master..."
Elder Peach sobbed, staring at his master's lifeless body.
"I'm sorry."
Wraithshade crouched nearby and spoke quietly. Elder Peach shook his head.
"It was me who killed my master. It's not your fault, Victor Shade."
"Will you come with me? Your master is gone now—nothing binds you anymore."
Elder Peach shook his head.
"I'll inherit my master's wish. I will find a way to restore the Mount Mason Order to glory."
Wraithshade said nothing, simply stared at Elder Peach with a murderous glint. He slowly raised his hand, aiming at Elder Peach, but Poison Dreadstar suddenly stepped in and grabbed Wraithshade's arm.
"Sir, let's go."
Wraithshade lowered his hand, casting one last look at Elder Peach's sorrowful face.
"Here's some advice: When your life nears its end, it may be the most painful time of all. Many in the supernatural world can sense their impending death—your master was likely the same. Why did he choose this moment for such a decision? Think carefully."
Elder Peach's eyes widened as he slowly raised his head.
"Why..."
Wraithshade had already turned and left.
Much later, back at the inn, Poison Dreadstar glared at Wraithshade, displeased.
"You were going to kill that Taoist, weren't you? Why?"
Wraithshade shook his head.
"Maybe I didn't want to kill him. Maybe I wanted him to taste death. His master did it on purpose. When that kid showed me his techniques those nights, I noticed his resolve was shaken. Nearly dying against a vengeful ghost—such fear will burrow deep and hinder his future cultivation. But tonight, that old Taoist used his life to wake him up. I saw how desperately he looked at his disciple. Strange, that kind of master-disciple bond."
Poison Dreadstar shook her head helplessly.
"Isn't that just your imagination, sir? Who would use such a method..."
Wraithshade shook his head, then with a rush, flew up, passing through the wall and into the dark night sky. He scanned the surroundings, searching for something. After a while, a smile appeared and he drifted quickly northward.
In the woods, darkness prevailed. A pale ghost shimmered faintly as Wraithshade descended.
"Sir, thank you for your trouble."
"Just as I thought, Taoist."
It was Elder Peter Pine, now dead. He sighed helplessly.
"My disciple has talent and a good heart, but his will isn't strong enough. I can tell you some things, but I ask you to do me a favor—help him survive this ordeal."
"Seems you've already foreseen your disciple's tribulation. The Mount Mason Order truly is unique!"
Elder Peter Pine shook his head.
"It's necessary. My disciple is the only one in the Mount Mason Order who might achieve a Soul Avatar. Since I've helped you, you must repay me."
Wraithshade nodded slightly.