Spirit Snake slithered ahead of us. The moment it entered the snowfield, it felt the chill immediately, and its movements grew sluggish as it navigated through the thick snow.
"By the way, Rachel, what exactly must I do to use the power of the Four Guardians?"
I asked, and Rachel Lan looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"What's wrong, Ethan?"
"If I keep using the Vermilion Bird's Power, my body won't be able to handle the strain for much longer."
Rachel Lan nodded and began to explain.
"You have to trust it—truly trust in that power. Or you can desperately focus, picturing the Four Guardians in your mind. Maybe that will work. Try it, Ethan. It's not easy. Before, you connected with Zhu Tang, and my father implanted the Phoenix Altar in your body, so you could use the Vermilion Bird's Power freely as its medium. But the other three powers are out of reach."
Rachel Lan explained earnestly. I raised my hand, trying to picture the Four Guardians in my mind. Then I settled on the image of the White Tiger. Right now, if anything goes wrong, only the White Tiger's Power could serve as a strong offensive force. It might not be as potent as the Vermilion Bird's Power, but with my body not fully recovered, it's my only choice.
Spirit Snake does have some power, but most of it now comes from my ghost side. As for his human side, we're basically separate entities now, so his strength is limited.
I felt nothing stirring in my body. I stopped, and Rachel smiled at me.
Try again, Ethan. Take it slow. It's not just about having a clear image in your mind, but in your heart.
I nodded, sat down on the ground, and kept recalling everything I had witnessed in the Four Sacred Realm. The four guardian spirits had helped me, and gradually I remembered the joy I felt upon learning Rachel Lan could still be saved. I am truly grateful to the Four Guardians for this.
Gradually, my consciousness focused completely, and the images of the Four Guardians in my mind grew stronger. Suddenly, I felt a stream of energy slowly flowing in my hand.
You did it, Ethan.
I nodded and looked at the transparent stream of energy slowly moving in my hand. I could truly feel power flowing out of my body. Suddenly, I waved my hand, and with a swish, a groove appeared in the snow. A blade of wind shot out, accompanied by a sharp, piercing sound.
Even I can't do that, Ethan.
Rachel Lan quietly watched me from the side. I stood up, feeling as if I had grasped the trick. Most importantly, in that instant, I felt something seemed to be pulling my body, channeling the power so I could release it naturally.
Just as John Chou said, all it takes is a bit of faith, and the Four Guardians will gladly lend me their power. There's no need for absolute devotion.
You should be able to do it too, Rachel.
I said, but Rachel Lan shook her head, lowering it.
I can't do it, Ethan. What I've learned isn't authentic Hades magic; it's just the basics my father taught me. No one taught me anything beyond that.
We continued walking, picking up the pace. We had to reach the Devouring Woods as quickly as possible.
At that moment, I was surprised by my own steps. After gaining access to the White Tiger's Power, I felt much lighter on my feet. Just to try it out, I focused on the space ahead, pushed off with my feet, and suddenly, like a gust of wind, I moved dozens of meters in an instant. I was even able to stand in midair, surrounded by swirling currents.
Immediately, I recalled those Underworld Denizens who could fly without relying on the Vermilion Bird's Power. They must have been using the White Tiger's Power.
Ethan, what are you doing all of a sudden?
I glanced back at Rachel Lan, feeling completely relaxed. My previously frail body was getting stronger, and now a warm current flowed through me.
Suddenly, Rachel Lan stopped in place, and Spirit Snake reared up, growing larger and coiling protectively in front of her.
Ethan, watch out behind you.
I immediately sensed something strange. With a thought, I moved away in a flash. A guy wearing glasses launched a flying kick at me, and as I dodged, I noticed the number 'Agent Seven' on his neck.
What do you want?
In front of me, Agent Seven was dressed in a simple white shirt, dark gray trousers, and black leather shoes. His long face and short hair gave him a sharp, professional look, almost like an office worker—refined and composed.
Without a word, Agent Seven attacked me. I leapt into the air, snowflakes flying with a bang as Agent Seven crouched on the ground, looking up at me. I raised my hands as if holding something, then hurled it with all my strength.
With two whooshes, two streams of transparent energy wove together and shot toward Agent Seven. He quickly leapt back, and with a bang, a cross-shaped groove appeared in the snow. As the snowflakes danced, Agent Seven pushed off and leapt toward me.
With a bang, Agent Seven's fist struck my cheek, but a swirling barrier of chaotic energy had already formed around me, blocking his punch. With a tearing sound, his extended fist was instantly shredded, flesh flying and bone exposed. He quickly pulled back his hand and quietly looked at me, a smile in his eyes.
What exactly do you want?
Suddenly, Agent Seven charged at me again. I raised my hands, gathering two streams of transparent energy like spears. Just as he was about to reach me, Agent Seven changed direction and rushed toward Rachel Lan on the ground.
With a sizzle and a crash, a violent explosion erupted. I punched 007 in the chest, and he screamed. The green ooze covering him instantly dissolved, and a large dent appeared in his chest, as if it had been scorched, with black smoke rising. He was sent flying.
With a swish, I swung my hands, and with a tearing sound, my clothes were instantly ripped apart. The explosive energy pushed me to the ground.
The snow immediately caved in, and I roared, spreading my arms wide and swinging them powerfully. The air whistled, and sharp, piercing sounds filled the air as streams of energy shot at Agent Seven like arrows.
With whooshing sounds, Agent Seven twisted in midair, dodging the wind blades again and again. My mind was gradually understanding how to use the White Tiger's Power. This power was even more convenient than the Vermilion Bird's Power—it could gather and compress the surrounding air, then release it. It was much more efficient, and consumed far less energy than the Vermilion Bird's Power.
But then I saw a hint of green—Agent Seven's body was oozing some kind of sticky green substance. The wind blades that shot toward him disappeared as soon as they touched the green ooze, like sinking into a lake. With a crash, Agent Seven charged at us.
Take Rachel to the back.
I shouted, and without hesitation, Spirit Snake coiled around Rachel Lan and moved her to the back.
My mind raced for a strategy as my hands kept moving. Suddenly, I raised my arms, and patches of black-brown, shell-like material appeared on my arms, forming patterns like a turtle’s shell.
With a bang, Agent Seven punched my arm. I barely felt any impact, but the ground around us caved in, exposing the black earth beneath the deep snow, which was now cracked all over. Agent Seven looked at me in disbelief.
I stared quietly at Agent Seven. Suddenly, with a crack, the black-brown shell patterns split open. With two swishes, green vines shot out from my shoulders, wrapping around Agent Seven’s body. I raised a hand, and with a sizzling sound, white lightning danced in my palm.
With a sizzle and a crash, a violent explosion erupted. I punched Agent Seven in the chest, and he screamed. The green ooze covering him instantly dissolved, and a large dent appeared in his chest, as if it had been scorched, with black smoke rising. He was sent flying.
It was a sensation I’d never felt before, as if a voice in my head was guiding me. Now that I understood how to use the White Tiger’s Power, I realized just how powerful the Four Guardians were—and that their power was truly effective against these Forsaken.
With a whoosh, the wind at my feet sent me flying after Agent Seven. I raised my left hand, recalling that feeling, and with a sizzle, lightning blossomed in my right hand, forming into the shape of a sword. I aimed at Agent Seven and stabbed down.
I surrender.
As he fell to the ground, Agent Seven raised his hands and smiled innocently. I stopped just in time, and with a hum, a huge bolt of white lightning shot out.
With a sizzle, a huge puddle formed, instantly melting the snow and sending up clouds of steam. The water boiled, bubbling and misting.
I’m no match for you. But you don’t seem like the Ethan Zhang I know. Sorry, I was just testing you.
I reached out and helped Agent Seven up. He brushed the snow from his clothes, then bowed to Spirit Snake and Rachel Lan, placing his right hand over his chest.
Miss, and my friend, I meant no offense. I apologize for my rudeness just now.
There was no hostility in 007’s eyes—I could tell. But suddenly, I felt dizzy and stepped back. Someone grabbed my hand, and 007 smiled.
Looks like using so much power at once isn’t a good idea. You’ve reached your limit!
My vision went black, and I fainted in the snow.