With a thunderous crash, I came to a halt. Instantly, I let go of Zane Wu and Poison Dreadstar—here in this era, their powers were still far too weak, everything just beginning. What shocked me was that as I flew past the village, I was suddenly stopped by a wall, eerie and inexplicable, crackling with static. I quickly withdrew my own power.
I couldn’t see anything ahead, but I felt a piercing chill rush at me. My flames were instantly devoured by the intense cold.
"Get away from that wall."
Poison Dreadstar spoke, and I saw both their faces turn pale, ice crystals forming in their hair. I quickly dragged them back to the village’s edge, anxiously watching the city—everything had gone eerily calm. The Wraithlord hadn’t pursued us, but the sudden, invisible wall of cold before us was deeply unsettling.
"We’re doomed now. There’s no way out."
Poison Dreadstar said, while Zane Wu sat cross-legged, eyes shut. Spirit Charms scattered around us, and gradually, I saw them begin to self-ignite for no apparent reason—there were no flames, just the yellow talismans slowly blackening, then crumbling to dust and drifting away on the wind.
I couldn’t make sense of the situation, and it seemed neither could the other two. I was panicking; the power of the Wraithlord’s last strike still filled me with dread. If we couldn’t escape, those two would freeze to death from the intensifying gloom.
Poison Dreadstar shivered, stomping her feet, and I too felt the cold seep in. The gloom kept grinding against the power I released inside me, trying to invade my body. Soon, I saw a patch of white mist not far away—the chill growing sharper and sharper.
"Hey, are you dead or something? It’s freezing—how can you just sit there?"
Poison Dreadstar shouted. I realized something was wrong with Zane Wu—he seemed to have lost consciousness. Poison Dreadstar crouched over him, shaking him desperately, but Zane Wu remained motionless. The sight made my face turn ashen with worry.
Zane Wu has been dead for a long time in my era; his soul was imprisoned by the Underworld Court until later, when Ethan Zhang, with help from the Underworld, negotiated his release.
You really are something, little girl. Despite such intense yin energy, your body hasn't mutated.
Poison Dreadstar shivered as she looked at me. I smiled awkwardly, but my main concern was Zane Wu—his body was starting to freeze, black ice forming on his skin.
He’s done for—there’s no breath left in him.
Poison Dreadstar quietly watched the city’s direction. I sensed a violent aura approaching us. With a rumble, I looked down—houses were collapsing, cracks split the ground, and black liquid oozed from the fissures. It was yin energy, now manifesting physically—far beyond what we could handle.
I covered my nose, feeling the air burn inside me. Poison Dreadstar spat out blood with a sharp cough.
Damn it, I’m not dying here.
Shadows kept flying out from Poison Dreadstar’s back—suddenly, the sky was filled with black ghosts wielding weapons, charging toward the Wraithlord, who was striding away from the city gate.
The sky was full of black ghosts, their wails echoing. Swarms of ghostly shadows rushed the Wraithlord. The yin energy in the air made their bodies appear to flow like water, becoming more solid, as if dressed—their forms swelling.
I watched Poison Dreadstar raise her hand, consciously controlling the ghosts, laughing even as she trembled violently. I stared in shock as yin energy poured into her body, transforming and feeding the ghosts she commanded.
I don’t know what you are, but the power here is the perfect nourishment for us at Ghost Mound.
I tried to help Zane Wu up from the ground, but he seemed frozen into the earth—I couldn’t move him no matter how hard I tried.
Stop trying, Poison Dreadstar, you’ll die. I’ll get us out.
I glanced back at the wall of yin energy behind us. It was solid, but with purple flames, it could be broken.
The wailing faded. I stared in shock as the Wraithlord, after leaving the city gate, sat cross-legged and rested his chin on his hand as if sleeping. The ghosts were almost upon him. I wanted to stop Poison Dreadstar, but it was too late.
With a clang, the blade of the first ghost to reach the Wraithlord struck his head but couldn’t pierce the black aura around him. Suddenly, the Wraithlord’s eyes snapped open and, with a swing of his fist, he struck toward us.
With a thunderous crash, I raised my arms to shield myself, but I was sent flying. The ground was wiped clean—nothing left. The three of us smashed into the wall. I coughed up blood, watching my skin turn black, as if cursed. I swallowed hard; Poison Dreadstar had collapsed.
No need to worry, ladies.
Suddenly, Zane Wu, still cross-legged, spoke. He opened his eyes, and a golden light burst forth. With a roar, the Wraithlord charged at us. I panicked, but before I could turn, golden light erupted from Zane Wu’s body, instantly dispelling the yin energy and burning a hole in the invisible wall behind us.
Golden beams shot in like countless fine swords, and a golden humanoid figure slowly emerged from Zane Wu’s body.
With a crash, I stared wide-eyed as streams of golden light surged forward. The golden figure instantly appeared before the Wraithlord, its hand transforming into a palm to strike—the Primordial Spirit, I recognized it.
With a bang, the surrounding yin energy was instantly dispelled, even the black aura around the Wraithlord vanished. What remained looked just like the Wraithlord I’d seen before—not a real being, but a clay effigy.
With a swish, Taoists wielding swords burst in, forming seals and chanting. Half-crouched, Zane Wu’s palm remained before the Wraithlord, unable to get closer, though much of the yin energy had already dissipated.
The scene stunned me—Zane Wu’s power kept growing. With a thunderous explosion, the Wraithlord was sent flying toward the city. Zane Wu instantly returned, his Primordial Spirit merged back into his body, and he regained consciousness.
Everyone, get out of here!
Zane Wu shouted, hoisting Poison Dreadstar and running. I followed, fleeing alongside the Taoists.
A furious roar echoed behind us. We finally escaped, reaching the outside of the sealing array.
Senior Brother, why didn’t you continue? If you’d kept going…
Zane Wu looked grave as everyone gathered, waiting for him to explain what happened inside. Chimei Wangliang came over and took Poison Dreadstar. The Ghost Mound people looked shocked, as if witnessing the impossible.
To leave you this weak, whatever was inside must have been really tough.
Chimei Wangliang spoke, and Zane Wu nodded slowly.
Even if all of us attacked together, we’d be wiped out instantly by that thing.
Everyone looked at Zane Wu in disbelief. Chimei Wangliang smiled and spoke.
Indeed, you’ve used the Taoist sect’s supreme technique—against ghosts, it’s unmatched. Even the Primordial Spirit that can rival Sheqing Ghost was useless against that thing.
Zane Wu nodded.
I’d already absorbed my junior brothers’ power, but still couldn’t touch that thing—not even a little. All I could do was use a powerful explosion to send it flying, then escape with everyone.
Wise decision, Master Xianming Yuanyi. If you hadn’t led them out, you’d all be dead.
Coming from Zane Wu, these words were convincing. Many instantly abandoned the idea of going in—the only option now was to wait for Laozi to arrive.
Mr. Su, didn’t the Underworld Court tell you the origin of this ghost?
Just then, Zane Wu asked. Su Yuanjie shook his head.
We’ve sent several guides to the Underworld Court, but none have returned. We don’t know what’s happening below—the fierce evil spirit before us makes it clear something’s wrong.
Everyone speculated about the Wraithlord’s origins, but nobody knew. Exhausted, I found a quiet spot and sat down.
Just then, someone appeared before me—Chimei Wangliang. He stared at me intently.
What do you want?
I asked, and Chimei Wangliang looked at me with a smile.
It feels like you never existed, little girl—or is what I’m seeing just an illusion?
A chill ran through me.
I’m tired. I just want to rest.
Chimei Wangliang walked away in silence, but glanced back at me. A chill rose in my heart—I felt he somehow knew my secret.