"What exactly are we going to do?"
I looked at Lan Yin with some concern. Right now, there were only three of us in the room. Lan Yin had asked me to stay, while Rachel Lan was bound by five crimson veils, tying her hands, feet, and neck, suspending her in the room. She faced the entrance to the cell, her back toward us.
"Phoenix Rebirth..."
I looked at Lan Yin in surprise. He nodded.
"This technique was developed to save Underworld Denizens on the verge of death. It was created by Wendy Hsieh, the strongest user of the Vermilion Mantle in the Hades Circle."
I nodded. The Vermilion Mantle in Uncle Mo's hands, and the one Lan Yin held now, both came from Wendy Hsieh.
"She has undergone Phoenix Rebirth four times now, and can withstand its power. In terms of raw strength, she surpasses me. But even now, she still can't control the power of the fourth Phoenix Rebirth."
I looked at Lan Yin in astonishment. Indeed, I had seen the purple flames released by Wendy Hsieh that day.
Lan Yin went on to explain that, long ago, Underworld Denizens always had to worry about being targeted by revenants and powerful ghosts while collecting souls. Many of them died or were devoured by these ghosts. The ghosts despised Underworld Denizens, calling them lackeys of the Hades Circle.
Even ghosts who didn't want to devour Underworld Denizens would still want to kill them on sight.
Over time, Wendy Hsieh developed this technique to address the problem: Underworld Denizens who couldn't use the Vermilion Mantle could undergo Phoenix Rebirth through this ritual. If they could endure it, they gained the ability to protect themselves; if not, at least they wouldn't end up as food for ghosts. This only changed after the great purge following the fall of the Seven Ghost Sovereigns.
"This ritual hasn't been used in a long time. Its purpose is to give Underworld Denizens the strength to fight when they're near death. Quite a few have survived the first Phoenix Rebirth, but the success rate is very low."
I nodded, and then Lan Yin looked at me.
"Ethan, I need your spiritual power. Only you can do this. You must synchronize your strength with Rachel Lan after her Phoenix Rebirth, so the power can coexist and ensure she survives the ritual. It should work."
I immediately nodded and, following Lan Yin's instructions, ignited flames and summoned the Vermilion Bird. Flames burned on my shoulder, and as soon as the Vermilion Bird appeared, it spoke.
"This method is far too reckless, Lan Yin. This ritual forcibly opens a gap for Underworld Denizens to access the Vermilion Bird's power, causing it to overflow. It could kill her if you're not careful."
Lan Yin smiled.
"Isn't that why I called you here? After all, if something does come out, you might know it. It'll be up to you then."
The Vermilion Bird seemed anxious, clearly unwilling to see things unfold this way.
But Lan Yin was already slowly rising into the air. A constant rumbling filled the room as balls of fire shot from Lan Yin's hands toward Rachel Lan. Crackling sounds echoed as the flames sank into the five crimson veils, like paintings coming to life.
Then Lan Yin began to chant silently, looking extremely devout. The Vermilion Bird stared intently at him.
"If only this kid could always be so devout... Sigh."
Suddenly, the balls of fire that had sunk into the five crimson veils began to change. Gradually, they transformed into five Vermilion Birds, moving like shadow puppets.
I watched in astonishment. Suddenly, with a rumble, walls of fire rose up all around the room.
"Jing Su Tianjing, Gui Su Tiankui, Liu Su Tianchu, Xing Su Tianku, Zhang Su Tianping, Yi Su Tiandu, Zhen Su Tianjie—South holds the sacred spirit, named Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Sacred Beasts, riding the image of Taiyi. Vermilion Bird, divine spirit, guide me... Ha..."
Suddenly, a sizzling sound echoed. The crimson veils binding Rachel Lan snapped completely. At that moment, Rachel Lan's face twisted in pain—her once dark skin now marked with streaks of deep red. I cried out in shock as her skin peeled away, layer by layer, turning to ash as if burned by fire.
"It's up to you now, Ethan Zhang. Get ready."
Lan Yin immediately shouted, looking at Rachel Lan with worry.
"Back in the day, her father, Martin Lane, that bastard, got the Vermilion Mantle through this ritual. I helped him."
I closed my eyes, my senses expanding several times over, feeling the restless flames on Rachel Lan's body. Yet I keenly noticed that these flames weren't as scorching as those within me. In front of me, they felt like the gentle warmth of morning sunlight.
"I can do this."
I said, opening my eyes to see Rachel Lan's body already burned black. Panic rose in me, but Lan Yin pressed down on my shoulder. Suddenly, the Vermilion Bird on my left shoulder transformed into a stream of fire, extending toward Rachel Lan.
"It's coming..."
"Phoenix... Rebirth..."
As soon as the Vermilion Bird finished speaking, I heard Rachel Lan weakly utter those two words. With a thunderous roar, fire burst forth—a massive fireball filled a third of the room, enveloping Rachel Lan. I instantly spread my crimson wings and soared upward, determined to reach her at once.
Gradually, the heat intensified. I sensed the immense power within the fireball before me. The ring of fire snakes encircling it grew unstable, about to erupt in an explosion. I clenched my fists.
"Now, Ethan Zhang—go!"
Lan Yin shouted urgently. In an instant, I spread my wings and flew into the exploding fireball. With a thunderous crash, I was completely surrounded by a sea of red flames—but it felt comfortable, warm, not scorching.
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"I've got it."
As I spoke, I was already holding Rachel Lan. Gradually, the flames faded. In an instant, I felt the fire on Rachel Lan's body grow wild, as if it wanted to devour everything.
Rachel Lan kept her eyes shut, her face twisted in pain, her whole body burning. I held her tightly, using my own flames to try to draw hers in, aiming for coexistence.
I failed. In an instant, I was thrown aside. Rachel Lan curled up, the fiery wings on her back half-formed, and parts of her body began to collapse.
"What do we do?"
"I said, stop messing around. Fine, I'll do you a favor."
At that moment, the Vermilion Bird on my shoulder suddenly spoke. Lan Yin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, landing on the ground with a broad smile. I looked at him, then at Rachel Lan, confused.
"Zhu Tang, we've been old friends for a long time. Never thought I'd see you here. After all, we can both be born from people's faith at the same moment. Hah, what a coincidence. Never expected it would be this little girl who summoned me."
I stared in astonishment. Rachel Lan's eyes were open, but it wasn't her—the voice was female, and I sensed the Vermilion Bird's anxiety and unease.
"The situation is special right now. Can I ask for your help?"
"Who is Zhu Tang?"
I asked, and the Vermilion Bird on my shoulder turned to look at me.
"That's my name in the Four Sacred Realm. Heh."
I let out a sound of surprise. Could there be more than one Vermilion Bird? Then I remembered—this Vermilion Bird on my shoulder, called Zhu Tang, had mentioned before that there isn't just one Vermilion Bird in the Four Sacred Realm.
"Fine, it's rare for me to come out, so I'll give you some face. Besides, this girl's spirit is strong—though she's a daughter, she's far stronger than you two men."
I breathed a sigh of relief, and Lan Yin sat down, visibly relaxed. Gradually, the flames on Rachel Lan's body faded. She landed on the ground, and I hurried over.
"Ethan, I did it..."
I nodded happily, seeing Rachel Lan in excellent condition. Just then, Lan Yin approached, flames flickering in his hand as he produced the Phoenix Blade.
"Take it, girl. But be careful—don't act rashly, or your body won't be able to handle it."
Rachel Lan nodded, and we headed out, planning to go straight to the Traitor.
"Be careful. Hugh Thompson should have already planned the next step."
Old Eccentric spoke, and I nodded. Indeed, Hugh Thompson is quick-witted. When the door opened, Rachel Lan and I walked out, and Lan Yin nodded.
"Remember, act according to the situation. This time, I won't fail."
Rachel Lan and I both unfurled our wings. My flames were deeper, a vivid crimson.
"Ethan, you don't need to keep carrying me now—I can fly too."
I smiled awkwardly, and then Rachel Lan gently leaned her head close, affectionately whispering thanks against my cheek.
"But still, I hope you'll hold me."
My face flushed, and I laughed, flying with Rachel Lan toward the canteen.
As soon as we landed at the canteen, the Traitor stared at us in utter shock.
"Impossible..."
"Oh my, looks like the plan over there succeeded. Heh, Lan Yin really knows what he's doing—he can make an ordinary person undergo rebirth. So, what do you plan to do now?"
Hugh Thompson stepped out, and Rachel Lan and I watched the Traitor warily.
"Ethan, troublesome, isn't it? Rebirth?"
I knew Hugh Thompson was doing this on purpose.
"Yeah, it's tricky—but the success rate is one hundred percent."
For a moment, the Traitor stared at us in shock and alarm.
"Alright, isn't it time to consider my proposal? Traitor, will you cooperate with us, or die here? The bargaining chips in your hand have already turned to dust."