Past Ethan Justice nodded with a smile.
"Please wait a moment, young lady."
I looked at Future Ethan Zhang in confusion. Master Leo nodded with a smile, then sat cross-legged atop the ox, placing his hands on his knees. I noticed a strange change beneath the island—a rumbling sound, and nine beams of golden light pierced the island’s edges. All Daoist Order members who could still move were exerting their power.
"I will now impart to you the Ninefold Verity Incantations. Do as I instructed before. Leave the rest to your master."
The nine disciples looked at Master Leo in surprise, especially Zane Wu, who seemed particularly taken aback. What shocked me was that they couldn’t seem to see me at all. When Master Leo approached me earlier, he must have used some kind of power to make me invisible to the others.
I nodded, exhaustion weighing me down as I sank to the ground. A heavy ache gnawed at my heart—so many Daoists had sacrificed everything to seal the Wraithlord. Of all who came, nearly all were lost. The silence left behind was suffocating.
"From now on, everything is uncertain. Pass down what I have taught you. When the living world needs us Daoists again, that will be the day we reunite."
The nine disciples bowed again, knelt to the ground, knocked their heads three times, then quickly ran off in nine different directions. Just then, the ox that had carried Master Leo erupted in flames and charged forward, landing with a bang beside Master Leo.
"Are you the so-called strongest in the living world?"
The Wraithlord looked at Master Leo with great interest, but Master Leo simply smiled calmly and shook his head.
"I am nothing more than a humble seeker of the Way with a smile. But you, can you really quell the flames of anger in your heart? I am willing to discuss the Dao with you."
The terrain was changing. I stared in surprise as a pale blue pillar of light moved toward us. Meanwhile, the nine golden beams began to shift shape, accompanied by strange roars. I saw the golden light transform into monsters—the Dragon Nine Sons.
"My rage will only be quelled when all humans are wiped from existence."
"Then I have no choice but to seal you."
As Master Leo spoke, he suddenly took out a stone radiating intense white light. Instantly, the surrounding gloom was driven away. Startled, I raised my hand—the Starshard Radiance, now emitting black energy, appeared in my palm. The Wraithlord glanced my way and suddenly flew toward me. My eyes widened in shock.
With a ringing sound, a white sword blocked in front of me. With a thunderous crash, the Wraithlord was sent flying, smashing directly into the city. I saw a pillar of black light descend from the sky, and with a roar, the entire city turned to ash. I stared, wide-eyed—it was Past Ethan Justice, he had arrived. Master Leo walked slowly toward us.
Golden pillars rose all around, with the Dragon Nine Sons sitting atop each one. From every monster’s mouth came a golden rope, flying toward the Wraithlord.
I responded and handed over the Starshard Radiance in my hand. Instantly, the white energy from Master Leo’s Starshard Radiance flowed into the black Starshard Radiance in my hand. Gradually, the black faded, and the entire stone began to turn gray.
"Please, find a way to weaken him. Only then can we seal him."
I quietly gazed at the Starshard Radiance in my hand, now turned gray. The powers of yin and yang mingled within it, and a formidable force was beginning to take shape.
"So, it turns out this must be done by members of the Daoist Order. But once the sealing is complete, you will die as well. This might change the future a little, but it’s still far better than what would come otherwise. At least you’ll have the power to do what must be done."
I looked at Future Ethan Zhang in confusion. Master Leo nodded with a smile, then sat cross-legged atop the ox, placing his hands on his knees. I noticed a strange change beneath the island—a rumbling sound, and nine beams of golden light pierced the island’s edges. All Daoists who could still move were exerting their power.
"That one is truly belligerent. Let me lend you a hand."
As he spoke, Past Ethan Zhang tossed out the white sword, which instantly split into nine and flew in all directions, landing at the island’s edge. With a boom, I saw a violent black current surging toward us—it was Deathbane Aura.
The Wraithlord hovered in midair, fist raised, pressing Future Ethan Zhang as he flew toward us. But in an instant, Future Ethan Zhang stopped in place, glaring coldly at the Wraithlord.
"Where do you all come from?"
The Wraithlord asked, but Future Ethan Zhang said nothing. With a boom, he blocked the Wraithlord’s punch, then stared at him coldly as streams of black energy poured from his body. The Wraithlord stared at Future Ethan Zhang in disbelief.
"But why do you have consciousness?"
Future Ethan Zhang asked. Suddenly, the Wraithlord attacked again, but as the immense Deathbane Aura approached, Future Ethan Zhang opened his mouth and absorbed it all. Abruptly, he drew the Phantom Greatsword and stabbed it into the Wraithlord’s chest. The Wraithlord stared at Future Ethan Zhang in disbelief, eyes wide.
With a thunderous crash, cracks appeared all over the floating island. Suddenly, I felt the ground slip beneath me—Past Ethan Zhang grabbed hold of me, uncorked the gourd at his waist, and sprayed out a jet of black blood.
The terrain was changing. I stared in surprise as a pale blue pillar of light moved toward us. Meanwhile, the nine golden beams began to shift shape, accompanied by strange roars. I saw the golden light transform into monsters—the Dragon Plaza Guardians.
The Wraithlord struggled constantly, but soon I realized his power was fading. Once Future Ethan Zhang pinned him with the black Phantom Greatsword, he couldn’t break free. The black blood merged into the pale blue pillar of light, floating within it.
"We spent so much effort fighting this guy in the illusion before, so why is it..."
"The Wraithlord we fought before wasn’t truly human or ghost, but this one is a real ghost. That guy knew ghosts too well—he himself is a terrifying evil spirit."
I swallowed, watching Future Ethan Zhang laugh maniacally. I finally understood—he was frantically absorbing the Wraithlord’s power through the black Phantom Greatsword embedded in the Wraithlord’s chest. The Wraithlord’s strength was nearly gone, though he kept struggling.
Golden pillars rose all around, with the Dragon Plaza Guardians sitting atop each one. From every monster’s mouth came a golden rope, flying toward the Wraithlord.
"Hurry back!"
Past Ethan Zhang shouted. Instantly, Future Ethan Zhang leapt back. The golden ropes bound the Wraithlord tightly. I felt the island sinking. Though the Wraithlord still resisted, he was completely powerless. As the island slowly descended, the Wraithlord’s physical body began to change. His once solid form, shrouded in black energy, started to turn transparent.
With a violent wail, the Wraithlord’s body slowly sank into the ground, and the island began to descend even faster.
I noticed that Master Leo’s body was starting to look like stone—much of him had already turned to white rock.
"What the..."
Before I could finish, Past Ethan Zhang took me up into the sky. Overhead, a violent space of swirling black and white appeared.
"We have to go back. If we stay any longer, you’ll be exposed—or rather, you’ve already revealed some issues. Didn’t I tell you to stay put?"
I nodded. For some reason, a deep, indescribable sadness welled up inside me. With a thunderous crash, the island landed, sending up clouds of dust. My eyes widened—in the haze, I saw Daoists collapsed on the ground, dead from exhaustion.
Those still alive were desperately pouring power into the formation to seal the Wraithlord, doing everything possible to keep him contained. What surprised me was that, despite all this, the Underworld Court hadn’t sent anyone.
"Let’s go, Rachel Lan. It’s time to return."
I nodded, glancing back one last time. At that moment, a gentle smile echoed in my heart.
"Young lady, this is the last time I can help you. From here on, you’re on your own. Please thank Ethan Zhang for me."
Suddenly, I felt the world spinning. Everything vanished, replaced by vibrant colors. I closed my eyes against the dizziness. After a while, a brilliant white light flashed before me, so dazzling that when I woke again, I found myself in front of the bamboo lodge. Everything felt like a dream—I swallowed hard.
"Is it over?"
"Ah, it’s over now."
Future Ethan Zhang’s lips curled into a faint smile.
"Rest for a few days, then we’ll send you home. Everything will return to normal."
I nodded, exhausted, and sat on the ground. For some reason, my heart felt uneasy. The Daoists must have paid a terrible price to seal the Wraithlord—almost all who came were wiped out.
After spending so many days together, I really thought they were good people.
"Do you want me to erase your memories, young lady?"
Lady Meng smiled at me. I shook my head and stood up.
"Just make me something delicious."
I quietly gazed at the Starshard Radiance in my hand, now turned gray. The powers of yin and yang mingled within it, and a formidable force was beginning to take shape.