Those who inherit the bloodline of Nuwa, when faced with things that exist only in legend, are confronted by the unknown. Long ago, when my Ghost Soul first manifested, I truly sensed a very unique power within Rufina Howard.
Now, behind this village, many of the phantom villagers have followed us. As dusk approaches, we come upon a cluster of round, small graves. Rufina Howard kneels before a row of conjoined graves, palms pressed together, eyes closed in sincere prayer.
This is, in her memory, the grave of her phantom parents. What I can sense is that every villager here is a real, tangible person, but what kind of magic created them remains unknown.
No matter what, regarding the current situation, I strongly reject the Four Guardians' use of such deception. Even if there are countless reasons, for Rufina Howard, growing up alone in a false environment, I can only sigh.
According to the Eastern Emperor, each generation's Prime Ancestor has a lifespan of exactly one hundred years, and on their centennial day, they must fulfill a certain mission. This detail concerns me greatly. When the Eastern Emperor spoke of it, he was extremely reluctant, his expression dark.
"Alright, everyone go back. I have something I want to say to my parents. Please, return now."
After Rufina Howard stood up, she looked at us. The villagers smiled and gradually dispersed. I planned to ask the Eastern Emperor again when I returned, to find out what kind of mission is required on that centennial day.
Back in the house, I felt uneasy. The Eastern Emperor seemed to notice something, while Nora Northwood followed us closely, never leaving our side, her gaze filled with hostility.
"On the centennial day, what kind of task must the Prime Ancestor accomplish?"
The Eastern Emperor stared at me in silence for a long moment, then averted his eyes.
"Ethan, you shouldn't ask. After all, the centennial day is still a long way off, in human terms!"
"On the centennial day, the Prime Ancestor must use their own soul and flesh to complete a ritual that exists between the worlds of yin and yang, to ensure this world's..."
"So you're telling me, you trick them from childhood until death, and then force them to fulfill some absurd mission?"
Before Nora Northwood could finish, I interrupted her.
"This is her fate—an inescapable destiny. It is for the peace of the living world, a duty every generation's Prime Ancestor must fulfill."
"Fate? Must she really..."
"Enough, Ethan."
Mr. Brown placed a hand on my shoulder, and I stopped. Indeed, with my current abilities, I cannot touch matters like these.
"Whatever fate or duty she faces, as her friend, I will do everything I can to help her."
"Are you hiding something from me?"
Suddenly, the door swung open and Rufina Howard appeared, her figure flickering like a shadow. A long white talisman dissolved in the air.
"Eastern Emperor, Sister Northwood, what are you hiding from me?"
Eastern Emperor and Nora Northwood exchanged silent glances. At that moment, Rufina Howard smirked mischievously, came over to me, and grabbed my hand.
"Ethan, you're always so honest. What are you hiding from me? Tell me, please."
I smiled awkwardly. I couldn't bring myself to say it. Faced with Rufina Howard's innocent expression, her big eyes blinked at me expectantly.
"Hey, girl, don't ask about grown-ups' business. Come on, wherever you want to go, I'll take you out for a walk. Mr. Brown, how about I tell you a story?"
"Hmph, don't think you can fool me just because I'm a kid. I am..."
I placed a hand on Rufina Howard's forehead, bent down, and looked at her seriously.
"It's just like long ago, when John Chou always told me, 'You'll understand when the time comes.' And when the time came, I really did understand. Believe me, girl, okay? Don't ask for now."
Rufina Howard made a sound of agreement and finally nodded. I saw the Eastern Emperor and Nora Northwood both breathe a sigh of relief, exchanging helpless looks.
In the center of the village, a towering fire was lit. The villagers cheered joyfully, as if celebrating a festival. Rufina Howard reveled in the moment, seemingly untroubled by what had just happened. I felt somewhat relieved.
Mr. Brown, the Eastern Emperor, and I sat to the side, drinking. Yuna Ji joined the lively crowd, having a great time.
"The previous Prime Ancestor—did you know? Her life was taken away at birth."
"She learned the truth in her thirties, but she didn't choose to run away. She tried to solve the problem, but ultimately failed. That girl may look fragile, but she's strong inside. And this girl now is the same, isn't she?"
Mr. Brown laughed, looking at me.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it."
I took a sip of wine and exhaled deeply. Rufina Howard wasn't as fragile as I'd imagined. Seeing her happy now, I felt at ease.
The revelry lasted until nearly midnight before ending. These people, though phantoms, seemed full of life and blood. Perhaps they aren't mere illusions after all.
"Ethan, do you see? As long as something has feelings, whether it's a phantom or anything else..."
I looked at Mr. Brown. He seemed to have known all along, while I stubbornly believed they were deceiving Rufina Howard.
Mr. Brown and I drank until noon before the villagers gradually woke up. Just then, the Western Guardian rushed over, looking anxious.
"That girl is sick."
This single sentence shocked both the Eastern Emperor and Nora Northwood. Mr. Brown and I followed them. Outside the house, villagers gathered anxiously. Inside, Yuna Ji sat by the bedside, while Rufina Howard lay gasping, her cheeks flushed, clearly suffering.
(Irrelevant system message—skip translation.)
"It's probably just a common cold."
Yuna Ji said this, but the faces of the three Guardians were grim. After the villagers dispersed, we left the house. The Eastern Emperor seemed to be hiding something.
"From birth until now, that girl has never been sick. With the protection of the Four Guardians, her body is naturally strong and immune to illness—even to the day she dies of old age."
I looked at the Eastern Emperor in astonishment. Immediately, I thought of only one possibility: when Rufina Howard was born, that shadow tried to seize her.
"Let me take a look—her back."
Nora Northwood said, entering the house. After a moment, she ran out in a panic.
"The black birthmark on her back—it’s flared up again."
At once, the Eastern Emperor's face turned pale with terror.
"Didn't Redmond help before?"
With a creak, the door opened and Yuna Ji came out, sneering.
"It was only temporary. Redmond just absorbed all the malice directed at her. It was just a stopgap, not a cure."
"So what do we do now?"
The Eastern Emperor asked immediately, but Nora Northwood's face changed.
"Hmph, seek help from the ghosts. Hurry up and prepare. Take the girl to the Forest Within."
As she spoke, Nora Northwood went in and picked up Rufina Howard. The Eastern Emperor nodded. We watched him.
"Come along, all of you."
We followed at once. I glanced around—Shadow was resting in the forest, carrying the coffin.
After a while, we arrived on an island in the middle of a lake. Before us stood a Gaia Statue, the waters surrounding it were clear and pure, shimmering with glowing particles drifting up into the air.
The atmosphere here was exceptionally pure. Rufina Howard lay with her eyes closed, suffering. Nora Northwood set her before the Gaia Statue, then floated north. The Eastern Emperor went east, the Western Guardian west. Only Samuel Southgate was missing.
"Everyone, please be sincere. Let's work together to drive out the miasma from the girl."
I heard a deep, magnetic voice. In the distance, a golden light appeared, and a middle-aged man stood at the southern position.
Suddenly, the Four Guardians sat cross-legged in midair, hands clasped together. The white particles on the lake surface gradually turned golden, and an immense, purifying force began to rise.
Yet this power, though deadly to ghosts like us, was harmless now. I was amazed and approached Rufina Howard; she still looked miserable.
"Redmond really should have done more... sigh."
Yuna Ji said, and Mr. Brown laughed.
"No matter how careful you are, there's always a loophole. Yuna Ji, you should try something too. This miasma is the source of all illness—with your power..."
"There's nothing I can do, Mr. Brown. If there were, I'd have tried it already. But as for where the enemy is, I have no idea."
I slowly walked up to Rufina Howard, placed a hand on her forehead—it was burning hot. She was running a high fever.
"Instinct... coexistence."
In an instant, I was surrounded by black mist. All around me was vaporous darkness—I sensed something immediately.
A wave of chilling energy swept over me.
"Who are you? Show yourself!"
I shouted. Then, a deep, icy voice responded.
"Ethan Zhang, you'd best stay out of this. It's in your own interest. I've waited so long—countless years—for this opportunity."
"Show yourself!"
I shouted again. Deathbane Aura began to surge from my body, driving the black mist outward.
"Heh, if you want to find me, look carefully, Ethan Zhang. I can help you—so long as you stay out of this. My existence is beneficial to you."