Towering volcanoes spewed steam into the air, while rivers of magma crisscrossed the ground. Beside these volcanoes, stone houses shaped like bird nests dotted the landscape. I saw many Vermilion Birds. At this moment, my hand was being pulled by Rachel Lan, who looked anxious as she hurriedly led me toward the highest mountain at the center of the island.
We were getting closer. Although the place looked unbearably hot, I felt no heat at all. Instead, I was comfortable, my body filled with strength.
Near the volcanic crater at the mountaintop, there was a massive, concave bird nest. The heat rising from the volcano spread to both sides. Inside the nest, I saw many pieces of furniture, all made of stone.
With a whoosh, Rachel Lan pulled me into the bird nest. I breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, a creature with a bird's head and a human body appeared before me—it was the Vermilion Bird.
"Aimee, why are you always in such a rush? Let go of Ethan Zhang already."
The Vermilion Bird sounded like a kindly old woman. The spirit called Aimee looked embarrassed, released my hand, and patted me on the shoulder.
"You weren't scared, right? I may be a bit rough, but you're Rachel's man, so you shouldn't be a coward. Isn't that right, Lady Vermilion Bird?"
I gave a stiff smile and nodded. Aimee had moved incredibly fast; it took less than a minute to get here. I looked at the Vermilion Bird, who walked over slowly and gently placed her hand on my head.
"Child, you've been through a lot. First, please accept my apology. I'm sorry."
I looked at the Vermilion Bird in confusion. Aimee sat down on a stone chair nearby, sizing me up as if I were some rare animal.
"Rachel actually chose someone like you? You're pretty ordinary. She used to say she wanted a handsome guy!"
I let out an awkward sound as the Vermilion Bird glared at Aimee.
"This isn't your concern. Leave."
Aimee stood up and spread her wings, floating into the air.
"I'll come find you when you're done, Ethan Zhang."
I responded, watching as Aimee disappeared from sight.
"Lady Vermilion Bird, what did you mean when you asked me to accept your apology just now?"
The Vermilion Bird extended a finger, pointing to the pendant on my chest. I took it out, and she sighed helplessly.
"You met Rachel in the shadow world before, right? She's inside this pendant now."
I nodded, took off the pendant, and placed it in the Vermilion Bird's hand. She examined it carefully, then a golden flame appeared in her palm as she slowly infused it into the pendant.
"I've restored the lost power, so there won't be any danger for now."
I thanked her and put away the pendant, looking at the Vermilion Bird in confusion. She took my hand and led me to the chair to sit down.
"From the moment we were created, Lady Nüwa assigned us a task."
I was startled and looked quietly at the Vermilion Bird, who then began to speak.
"It's about the Wraithlord, isn't it?"
The Vermilion Bird nodded and began to explain.
The Four Guardians were originally created as tribal totems. As they gained power, Lady Nüwa chose them for their special qualities, making them guardians. They were tasked with watching over the Wraithlord's corpse and maintaining the seals, providing power to the seals.
In exchange, Lady Nüwa granted the Four Guardians the power to travel freely through any space and time, and they would never die as long as even one person believed in them.
After the Wraithlord died, his body did not decay but became harder and exhibited strange phenomena. At that time, his corpse was kept by his three children, the rulers of Old Hell—Sylvia Yan and Emperor God—in Old Hell.
The Four Guardians acted like Lady Nüwa's secret agents, watching every move of the Wraithlord's three children, because Lady Nüwa did not trust them.
"In fact, Lady Nüwa's suspicions were correct. Those three tried to resurrect their father, so under Lady Nüwa and other lords' guidance, Old and New Hell were replaced. It wasn't just that they couldn't manage Hell anymore—they wanted to revive the Wraithlord."
I swallowed hard. Even a fragment of the Wraithlord's soul was so strong, and those three spirits—I had only seen the power of the one who wielded the light pillar, and it was immeasurable.
After discovering Emperor God's intentions, Lady Nüwa gave the Four Guardians a special permission: if they sensed danger, they could destroy the Wraithlord's body directly.
But before any crisis could occur, the Wraithlord's body was moved. The battle between Old and New Hell began, and those powerful beings nearly destroyed Old Hell. In the end, the Wraithlord's three children died and went to the shadow world.
For years after, the Four Guardians kept searching for the Wraithlord's body. When they finally found it again, they realized the shadow world had already formed, and the seals on the corpse had been broken.
"Lady Vermilion Bird, how does this relate to your apology to me?"
"A few years ago, we accidentally discovered the location of the Wraithlord's corpse, so I extracted the yin part from Rachel's body and gave her my power to enter the shadow world. Originally, I wanted her to be destroyed along with the Wraithlord's corpse, but you appeared and used your instinct to seal Rachel's yin part in the pendant, so my plan failed."
I stared silently at the Vermilion Bird, finally understanding why Rachel had such great power. The Four Guardians wanted her to be like a bomb—when she touched the Wraithlord's corpse, their power would explode and destroy it.
If it weren't for the Earth Soul secretly giving me some information, I wouldn't have known Rachel was still alive. It seemed the Four Guardians didn't plan to tell me.
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Forget it, I'm here now, and Rachel is fine, right?
I asked, but the Vermilion Bird neither nodded nor shook her head. I sensed something was wrong and quickly asked again.
Can you tell me where Rachel actually is?
The Vermilion Bird nodded.
"Let me finish, Ethan Zhang. In the shadow world, we sensed an unprecedented power, somewhat similar to yours—natural force of heaven and earth, from the Dao Ancestor. Do you remember?"
I was startled and nodded. It was indeed Li Er who saved us at the most critical moment, driving away the Immortality Society and Corpse Realm people.
Rachel's soul in the shadow world was saved thanks to Dao Ancestor. He did something, completely severing our connection to Rachel and removing the power we gave her so she wouldn't be destroyed by it.
Then just now...?
I looked at the Vermilion Bird in surprise, recalling how she had just infused the golden flame into the pendant.
We won't do anything else now, and we'll return Rachel to you. Please trust us.
I stared blankly at the Vermilion Bird, then nodded. The Vermilion Bird continued speaking.
After Rachel Lan died, they collected all her belongings. The Vermilion Bird immediately proposed this plan, but Xuanwu and Qinglong opposed it. Over the years, they observed the shadow world, but finding and unsealing the Wraithlord's three souls and seven spirits was extremely difficult, and Emperor God did not make any major moves.
Doing so would mean Rachel Lan might never be human again. Since she was saved, she should be saved completely. In the end, the Vermilion Bird persuaded Qinglong and Xuanwu, so Rachel Lan was sent to the shadow world as an investigator.
During the investigation, the Four Guardians discovered something terrifying: Emperor God and the others repeatedly experimented to create the strongest body possible—a vessel capable of containing everything of the Wraithlord.
At this point, I suddenly thought of the strange beasts and monsters on Nine Yin Island. The higher the island, the stronger the monsters. We never visited the ninth island, but from what we saw, it was home to incredibly powerful creatures.
It turns out that no matter how strong the Wraithlord's body is, after so many years, it can no longer contain his powerful soul. But the danger remains, so I decided to use Rachel to destroy the Wraithlord's corpse.
So the Wraithlord's body obtained by the Immortality Society is useless, right?
The Vermilion Bird nodded.
But the situation is still grim. Several factions are involved with the Wraithlord—Immortality Society, Corpse Realm, Old Hell, and perhaps the Dark Banquet. The situation in the Art Realm, and possibly Naraku, may be connected. As for other sects, apart from the Buddhist and Daoist ones, I know nothing.
Follow me, I'll take you to see Rachel.
I was startled, my eyes wide. In the center of the bird nest appeared a sunken fiery cave. I swallowed and followed the Vermilion Bird, jumping down.
In a daze, we arrived in a separate room. In front of us was a round glass jar filled with fiery red liquid. Nothing inside could be seen clearly.
The Vermilion Bird placed her hand on my forehead.
Of the Four Guardians, my recovery ability is the strongest, so I will restore Rachel's body. For now, I'll lend you my eyes.
Suddenly, my eyes widened. There was Rachel Lan, completely naked in the glass jar, soaking in the fiery red liquid. I walked over and placed my hand on the glass.
Rachel.
Rachel Lan's body was covered in cracks, especially her cheeks, which were lined with fine fissures, making her look like a broken porcelain doll. I turned away.
Thank you, Lady Vermilion Bird.