Joseph Qiao had no reason to argue. He was no longer as calm as usual—without considering any consequences, he attacked Shade Wraith alone. The death of Yuna Ji had completely disturbed the tranquil waters of his heart.
It wasn't until now, when everyone was already wounded, that he regained clarity. He realized that anger alone could not defeat the enemy before them; all the consequences had been the result of reckless impulse.
"Are you trying to escape?"
Lucille Xing shouted at Shade Wraith.
At this moment, Shade Wraith was deeply confused and fearful. He could see a black stream of energy swirling around Lucille Xing—he didn’t know what it was. This was the first time he had seen an ordinary person capable of hurting a ghost.
Meanwhile, Lucille Xing herself began to see something different. Around the courtyard, she noticed a thin, translucent layer of blackness.
"Let me deal with you first."
Shade Wraith made his decision—he didn’t want to run. Even though his body was beginning to fail and some of the ghosts were slipping out of control, his weakening power could no longer suppress them.
Shade Wraith raised his hand, and in a moment, a sword flew in from outside the courtyard wall. He grabbed it, sneered, and with a swift motion, lunged at Lucille Xing, thrusting the sword toward her.
Lucille Xing stared directly into Shade Wraith’s eyes, showing not a trace of fear. Her right hand, gripping her Bone Swords in reverse, swung upward—clang!—deflecting Shade Wraith’s attack. The force made her body tilt, but she quickly rolled to the left.
There was a hint of amusement in Wraithshade’s eyes as he watched Lucille Xing charge at him. He casually swung his sword several times, blocking her fierce attacks.
"We can’t keep this up for long. That idiot—he called me out, but he’s lost his cool too."
As Joseph Qiao spoke, Lily Mao moved. Suddenly, Lucille Xing was sent flying—she hit the ground and rolled several times before steadying herself. A fierce gust swept past, tearing a section of Shade Wraith’s face veil. Beneath the bright night sky, a pair of white fangs was revealed, his lips stretched tight around them. His eyes glowed red, making him look terrifying, and his body seemed to swell, growing larger.
"Don’t come any closer!"
Lucille Xing shouted, and Lily Mao stopped. Joseph Qiao seemed to realize what Lucille Xing was planning. Terry Mao had already taken the bow off his back, gripping it tightly in both hands.
"Wait for the right moment."
Joseph Qiao said, watching the fight intently. Lucille Xing might not be as strong as Sebastian Zhao, but she had never been afraid to fight. It had always been this way—she’d never matched him in skill, and he always won. But gradually, Joseph Qiao understood: on the battlefield, he’d be the one to die.
Wraithshade’s strength kept growing, and each blow made it harder for Lucille Xing to defend herself. She was knocked back again and again, but his attacks never aimed for her vital points—it was as if he was testing something.
Suddenly, Lucille Xing was sent flying again. She hit the ground hard, and when she got up, she nearly fell once more—Wraithshade was already in front of her.
Lucille Xing roared, swinging both swords at Wraithshade. But the result was the same—she couldn’t match his strength and was knocked away once again.
"So that's it? You're not afraid of death."
Wraithshade spoke calmly, staring at Lucille Xing. He finally understood—ghosts meant death, but this woman had never feared dying, not even a little. That was why she could stand against ghosts.
"Time’s almost up."
Wraithshade glanced at his right hand. Now, only a small patch of skin remained its normal color; the rest had turned black, and his fingers were tipped with black nails.
Lucille Xing stood upright, panting, but quickly bent over again—she was nearly unable to stand. She glanced at Qiao Yusheng; she was buying him time, hoping he’d come up with a plan.
Just then, he saw Qiao Yusheng lean in and whisper something to Maotian, who was behind him. Maoli immediately darted into action.
Shade Wraith moved again. This time, his sword aimed straight for Lucille Xing’s neck—a strike as fast as lightning. Suddenly, he noticed Leonard Lei and Sebastian Zhao rushing toward him from behind.
"It’s useless."
Lucille Xing dodged to the side as the sword came for her neck, but it was already dangerously close.
With a swish, Wraithshade abruptly halted his attack, raising his sword to deflect an arrow aimed at his forehead. Instantly, he felt a heaviness below—Lei Huo and Zhao Peng, each grabbing one of his legs, pulled him off balance. Wraithshade tilted in midair as Maotian readied another arrow in the distance.
Lily Mao had already reached Yuna Ji and Lona Long. She hoisted Yuna Ji onto her back and rushed toward the doorway.
A second arrow shot through the air, but Wraithshade immediately swept past Maotian. Qiao Yusheng shouted, leaping to grab Wraithshade, but missed. Maoli, still carrying Ji Yuner, made it to the doorway.
Sebastian Zhao and Leonard Lei were thrown aside. Facing Shade Wraith, who now stood before her, Lily Mao raised her staff and struck.
With a bang, Wraithshade caught the staff in one hand, instantly shattering it into pieces. Maoli was thrown aside, and Maotian immediately charged forward.
"Lucille Xing!"
Joseph Qiao shouted. Lucille Xing, who had already rushed forward with her sword, failed. He wanted Lily Mao, who still had her strength, to take Yuna Ji and escape, while the rest would hold off Shade Wraith. The moon was already setting—if they could just hold out until dawn, they’d be safe.
Maoli quickly let go of Ji Yuner, reaching out to grab Wraithshade. But in that moment, a chill flashed in Wraithshade’s eyes—something struck Maoli’s neck, sending her flying.
With a sharp sound, just as Shade Wraith grabbed Yuna Ji, Lucille Xing hurled her sword. It struck Shade Wraith’s neck with a hum, and the Bone Swords shattered into fragments.
"I didn’t want to do this myself, but die, Ji Yuner."
Two arrows whistled through the air toward Wraithshade. They were so close that in the blink of an eye, they were right in front of him—but they stopped in midair. Black mist surged from the ground toward Maotian, instantly wrapping around his legs and dragging him, tossing him violently to the side. With a crash, Maoxing hit the ground hard.
Wraithshade raised his sword, aiming it at Ji Yuner, who was frozen in shock, and stabbed down.
"Thank you, everyone. Sorry I’m late."
Just then, a hearty laugh rang out. Everyone turned—Phoenix Yu was there, holding a large wooden bucket, which he splashed at Shade Wraith. In the night air, liquid drenched Shade Wraith’s body, and a nauseating stench spread instantly.
"You’re asking for death."
Wraithshade spoke, but in an instant, his eyes widened.
"This is..."
Yu Huang burst out laughing. Lucille Xing was already in front of him—her sword hissed as it pierced Wraithshade’s neck, but he immediately knocked the weapon from her hand.
With a furious roar, Wraithshade erupted. Black mist surged from within him, as if trying to escape, but he grabbed Lucille Xing by the neck and slammed her into the ground.
With a spurt, Lucille Xing coughed up blood. Yu Huang cried out as a wave of black mist dragged him away. With a crash, Wraithshade punched him in the stomach, making Yu Huang spit blood before being flung against the wall.
Chaotic gusts of black wind swept through the courtyard. Wraithshade glared, roaring endlessly, and everyone was swept up in the chaos.
Qiao Yusheng crawled step by step toward the bow and arrows lying on the ground. If he could hit Wraithshade’s forehead, it would be over—his weakness was there now.
"Where do you think you’re going? Where do you think you can go..."
Wraithshade roared, as black, ghostly figures seemed desperate to escape, but were tethered by black mist—the source was Wraithshade’s own body.
Because of the filth in this world, the ghosts within Wraithshade rioted—his strength was greatly diminished, unable to suppress the spirits inside him. Suddenly, Wraithshade saw Qiao Yusheng had grabbed the bow and arrows. Furious, he waved his hand, and a black shadow swept by—Qiao Yusheng was sent flying, his weapons falling to the ground.
"Die—all of you!"
One by one, everyone was lifted into the air, each ghost gripping their throats as Wraithshade laughed madly.
Ji Yuner struggled in agony, the grip on her neck tightening. At that moment, she saw a fast-moving black shadow drop from the sky.
With a scream, Shade Wraith howled in pain—a hand gripped the Ninefeather Bird that had pecked at his eye.
"Xiao Xiao..."
Ji Yuner cried out. At that moment, a petite figure rolled over, picked up the bow and arrow from the ground, half-knelt, and nocked an arrow.
With a swish, Long Nu fired an arrow. With a hiss, Wraithshade’s eyes widened as he watched—Ji Yuner’s maid slowly collapsed to the ground, and an arrow was embedded in Wraithshade’s forehead. To avoid risk, he had shifted his wound to the top of his head.
With a scream, a violent wind swept through. Black shadows soared into the night sky, and the whole sky shone with a blinding white light.
"So dazzling..."
Wraithshade tilted his head back, his body slowly collapsing to the ground. At that moment, he saw those nine people stand up, roaring as they charged at him—their reckless determination burned into his eyes.