Qin Yi snapped out of her daze, her voice laced with anger as she shouted, “Nan Shuang! What do you mean by this?”
“What do I mean?”
Nan Shuang didn’t even glance back, her eyes fixated on the silent Shang Can. With a wave of her sleeve, she dispersed the fire dragon roaring toward her. Though the action seemed to have cost her something, her eyes grew even brighter.
“I should be the one asking you that,” she finally turned to Qin Yi with a smirk. “I told you before, didn’t I? I’d help you, but when you make your move, I need to be present.”
Qin Yi’s throat tightened, and she let out a cold laugh. “Why be so rigid? If you truly wanted revenge, wouldn’t it be easier to wait until after my battle with Shang Can before showing up?”
“Revenge…”
Nan Shuang repeated the word quietly, her lips curving into a mocking smile as she gave Qin Yi a sidelong glance. Then, lazily turning her gaze back to Shang Can, who seemed to still be processing the situation without taking action, she replied, “I’m not like you. I didn’t come all this way just for something like that.”
It was so hot.
Shang Can gritted her teeth, fighting to keep her mind clear amidst the overwhelming heat that threatened to consume her. She waved her hand, stopping the downpour of fireballs from the sky. Each explosion of fire illuminated the Ghost Realm as if it were broad daylight.
Murderous intent. She had unleashed her true killing intent, allowing the long-buried flames in her heart to erupt. Now, as she forcefully tried to close that door, she wasn’t sure how long she could hold it shut.
It seems she’s grown a little over the years. Shang Can forced a wry smile. At least this time, she hadn’t lost her sanity to the familiar and despairing impulse in an instant.
The heat—it was the same as that day, the same as the cataclysmic event she had just relived in Qin Yi’s illusion. Who could have known she’d be thrown back into the same nightmare so soon after being forced to recall it?
But she was no longer the helpless person she had been. The years she had spent in the Ghost Realm had not been in vain.
“Though I’m not sure what exactly you did that day, I imagine it wasn’t a pleasant memory,” someone had once said to her.
It was probably when she had just arrived in the Ghost Realm. Wan Shao had set down the ancient scroll in her hands and sighed, “Your situation is quite peculiar. I don’t have a way to help you fundamentally, at least not yet. It’s going to be a tremendous challenge to control this power freely…”
“But for now, there’s a temporary solution, and that is—”
To carve the memory of that painful experience deep into your heart, along with the regret of never wanting to repeat it. Use that regret as a limiter for your darker impulses.
It was maddening.
Shang Can recalled this over and over in her mind, while the spell inside her continued to ravage her meridians. Yet, paradoxically, the pain only served to keep her conscious.
And so, she remained clear-headed enough to witness Nan Shuang’s sudden appearance and betrayal. Although it was unexpected, she wasn’t surprised. In fact, there was a sense of resigned understanding.
“As for the payment…”
In her memory, the Ghost King’s expression had been casual, but her tone held a certain seriousness.
“We’ll discuss that later.”
At the time, it had seemed like an offhand remark, but now, it was crystal clear—Nan Shuang had always harbored ulterior motives toward her.
But there were still unanswered questions. If Nan Shuang had truly been in league with Qin Yi, she had ample opportunity to strike during the time Shang Can stayed at the Ghost King’s abode. Like when Shang Can had first arrived, severely weakened, it would have been effortless for someone with Nan Shuang’s power to take her life then.
So, what exactly was Nan Shuang’s true intent…?
“Can’t figure it out?”
As Shang Can was lost in thought, Nan Shuang seemed to have reached some sort of agreement with Qin Yi. Qin Yi, with a look of hatred, turned and boarded a bamboo raft waiting by the shore of the Forgetting River. As the ferryman began to escort her across the water, Shang Can was about to chase after her when Nan Shuang casually stepped forward, as if walking on invisible steps in the air. With each step, golden lotus flowers bloomed beneath her feet, radiant and awe-inspiring.
“You startled me,” Nan Shuang’s face was glowing with life, far more animated than usual. “You actually still have your wits about you… did you manage to improve that spell over the years?”
“…It’s not a spell.”
Her voice was hoarse as she met Nan Shuang’s gaze. The latter simply waved her hand dismissively and sighed, “It doesn’t matter.”
“Whether you’re in control or not doesn’t concern me, as long as you’re not weaker than you were back then.”
Shang Can was silent for a long time. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she hesitated before looking at Nan Shuang. The other woman smiled lightly and spoke in a calm, gentle voice, “Shang Can, do you remember how many people you killed when you first became like this?”
“…”
Shang Can stared at her blankly before responding in a low voice, “Seventeen. Three of them were never identified.”
“You went back to investigate?” Nan Shuang chuckled softly, shaking her head. “How thorough of you.”
“I guessed you didn’t know at the time. I didn’t show my face, after all. I just watched from the sidelines, like an outsider.”
Nan Shuang’s tone was so casual it sounded as if she were talking about someone else. “I was one of those three.”
“Shang Can, I died that day under your heavenly fire.”
The worst scenario she had feared became reality. Shang Can’s throat tightened, and she barely managed to suppress the blood rising within her. A low, buzzing noise began to fill her ears, leaving her disoriented.
“So that’s why…” she murmured, “That’s why you’ve been…”
“I’m not here for revenge. Don’t jump to conclusions.”
Nan Shuang cut off her unfinished sentence. Shang Can, still dazed, glanced at her hesitantly. If it weren’t for the palpable battle intent radiating from Nan Shuang, Shang Can might have been fooled into thinking she was the same as always.
“I’ll admit it. When you first arrived in the Ghost Realm, I had already joined forces with Qin Yi.”
Nan Shuang made no effort to hide it and continued casually, “But aside from deceiving you on that matter, I’ve never done anything to harm you.”
“…”
Shang Can was stunned as she heard Nan Shuang add, “If anything, I’ve sincerely helped you. Whether it was nursing you back to health or providing a place for you to avoid the Ghost Clan and Qin Yi’s attacks, I’ve never laid a finger on you.”
“Even the tea I brewed for you when you first arrived at the Ghost King’s residence…” Nan Shuang raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips. “You really are too trusting. Good thing I only used a secret medicine to heal your injuries from the Forgetting River. If it had been Qin Yi, you’d have fallen right into a trap.”
“You…”
Instinctively, Shang Can touched her throat, her astonished gaze fixed on Nan Shuang. “Why?”
Nan Shuang lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long moment.
“Shang Can, I don’t hate you,” she said softly. “Back then, when I was traveling the world, I happened to stumble upon you being captured by Qin Yi’s people. That’s why I followed them.”
“But don’t get me wrong. I didn’t follow to help you. I was just curious to see what Tianwaitian planned to do with you.”
“The world outside may not show it, but within Tianwaitian, they have a strong sense of pride, and everyone is out for themselves. I was no different,” Nan Shuang chuckled lightly. “At the time, I didn’t think they were wrong for attacking you, and I had no intention of stepping in. I watched from the sidelines the entire time, from when Qin Yi tied you up to when your junior apprentice sister arrived. Even being caught in the flames wasn’t unjust.”
“I accept that it was my own fault, and I don’t blame you.”
She smiled wistfully as she sighed.
“But, after I died, I realized… I wasn’t exactly satisfied.”
“You’ve probably heard this before, but I’m a rather selfish person.” Nan Shuang shrugged helplessly. “I’ve always been aware of that. I only obsess over people or things I’m interested in, and once I get what I want, I quickly lose interest. It’s the same with cultivating. At first, it was intriguing, but the stronger I became, the duller it felt.”
“Until that day.”
Her voice grew softer, almost dreamlike, as she gazed at the fading remnants of the fire that had just exploded in the sky.
“That day, I saw something truly unbeatable. It was breathtakingly beautiful.”
Shang Can, who had always known Nan Shuang to be aloof and indifferent, was now witnessing a rare and intense display of emotion from her. Though their time together had been brief, Shang Can had always sensed a certain world-weariness in Nan Shuang.
Now, Shang Can was at a loss for how to respond, but despite her disbelief, she found herself trusting Nan Shuang’s words. Hesitantly, she asked, “So what is it that you want from me?”
At this, Nan Shuang looked at her sharply, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
“I’m not satisfied,” she repeated. “I’m not satisfied with only getting a fleeting glimpse of that power before I died in the flames.”
On the surface, Nan Shuang appeared calm, but Shang Can could sense the seething lava beneath her exterior. Nan Shuang slowly reached out a hand toward her, restrained joy lighting up her face.
“Sorry, Shang Can. You’ve had terrible luck, running into people like me and Qin Yi.”
Her voice carried a genuine tone of apology, but there was no hint that she intended to back down.
“I want to see it again.”
Nan Shuang suddenly smiled, and it was a genuine expression of joy.
“I’ve spent all these years focused on growing stronger, waiting for this opportunity to meet you again, to lure you back into this state…”
“Now I will attack you with everything I have, and I won’t hold back. I suggest you do the same—give it your all against me. After all, I’m not who I used to be. If you don’t take me seriously, you might really die here.”
“This is the obsession I carry as someone reborn into the Ghost Clan, Shang Can.”
She said softly, “No matter who wins or loses, let me see more… more of your power.”
Shang Can never imagined she would one day personally experience what Yuan Ge had once said: “A-Shuang is very strong.”
She sidestepped to avoid Nan Shuang’s attack, but her opponent’s claw-like fingers struck at her face with incredible speed. Shang Can barely managed to dodge, but the force of the blow left a sharp cut across her cheek.
“What’s the matter? Just dodging won’t get you anywhere.”
Hearing this taunt, Shang Can tried to widen the distance between them, but Nan Shuang immediately saw through her intent. Like a shadow clinging to her, Nan Shuang closed in swiftly. Shang Can raised her arm to block a kick, feeling her limb go numb from the overwhelming strength. Once again, she was forced into close combat.
She had heard rumors in the cultivation world that Nan Shuang’s weapon was a horsetail whisk. But judging from the ferocity of Nan Shuang’s current fighting style, it seemed she had learned much during her time in the Netherworld. Her techniques bore no resemblance to the graceful methods of Tianwaitian cultivators; every strike was aimed to kill. Yet, despite this ruthlessness, Nan Shuang’s footwork still utilized the famous, ethereal “Lotus Step,” making her incredibly difficult to deal with.
Though Shang Can wasn’t inexperienced in close combat, her strength lay in using spiritual energy to cast spells and overpower her foes. But right now, all her focus was required to handle the relentless storm of attacks from Nan Shuang, leaving her no room to harness the Heavenly Fire she had sealed within herself. She couldn’t afford to lose control over it—not here.
“What are you holding back for?”
After several rounds of exchanges, Nan Shuang seemed to grow more and more impatient. She yelled, “Fight back! Don’t you want to live? Where’s your Heavenly Fire? Use it! Use it!”
“…!”
Shang Can gritted her teeth and twisted her body, escaping Nan Shuang’s onslaught. She backed off three paces, and this time Nan Shuang didn’t immediately follow. Instead, she walked forward slowly, a slightly manic smile on her face.
“…Do you know, the talisman you saw on the tree earlier—that was my doing.”
“The talisman allowed me to sense what was happening nearby, which is how I arrived so quickly.”
“I’ve been waiting for today for a long time… Don’t disappoint me, Shang Can.”
Just as she finished speaking, Shang Can used the brief pause to conjure dozens of fireballs behind her, sending them charging straight at Nan Shuang with a wave of her hand. At the same time, she summoned a flaming sword and swung it to force Nan Shuang back.
The Heavenly Fire scorched Nan Shuang’s sleeve, but she quickly ripped it off and tossed it aside, watching as it turned to ash midair, her eyes still blazing with battle intent.
Shang Can retreated slightly, pressing her hand against her chest as she panted lightly. She knew her condition was far from ideal, even though she tried to deceive herself into thinking otherwise. Yet, a stray thought suddenly surfaced in her mind.
Unable to suppress it, she blurted out, “Does Yuan Ge know about all this?”
“—”
To her surprise, this question seemed to strike a nerve with Nan Shuang. The wild smile on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold, emotionless expression. She glared at Shang Can.
“—You’d better mind your own business, Shang Can, and keep your mouth shut.”
With that, Nan Shuang leaped forward, completely disregarding the fireballs chasing her down, aiming directly for Shang Can. Shang Can raised her sword to meet her, feeling Nan Shuang’s attacks grow even more vicious than before. Though Nan Shuang was unarmed, she didn’t hesitate to punch directly at the sword of flames, even sneering, “If you have time to ask about that, you’d be better off thinking about how to survive—oh, and by the way, I already told you, I’m not the one who pushed you into the Forgetting River.”
“And neither was Qin Yi. That incident was an accident for both of us. I even had to spend extra time treating you, just to ensure you were in good condition for this fight…”
Nan Shuang’s relentless attacks continued, and finally, with a low grunt, Shang Can’s sword of flames was shattered. She stumbled back, and Nan Shuang, shaking her hands now scorched from the Heavenly Fire, smirked coldly.
“Maybe there’s a third group of people trying to take your life… have you thought about that?”
“…”
Shang Can took a moment to catch her breath before straightening herself up again.
Even though Nan Shuang had become part of the Ghost Clan, the Heavenly Fire still affected her—quite the opposite, in fact. Heavenly Fire was highly effective against ghosts. Despite the chaos in Shang Can’s body and the weakened state of her flames, the damage to Nan Shuang’s hands was undeniable.
But this person seemed utterly reckless, as if she didn’t care about the consequences. Even though she had taken several direct hits from the fireballs, she continued her assault without so much as a flinch.
Shang Can had never faced such an opponent. As Nan Shuang charged at her again, Shang Can gathered her resolve and prepared to face her with all her strength.
Suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the air.
Shang Can watched as Nan Shuang’s expression suddenly changed, and she flipped away. Instinctively, Shang Can also stepped back, and in the next moment, a sword descended from the sky, embedding itself in the spot where Nan Shuang had just stood. The sword hummed, its blade gleaming with a cloud-like glow, and the red tassel on the hilt swayed gently.
The unexpected interruption left Nan Shuang momentarily startled, but she was quicker to react than Shang Can. She clicked her tongue in frustration and lunged forward, trying to seize the sword.
But as soon as Nan Shuang’s hand touched the hilt, a blinding white light burst forth, as if she had been struck by some immense force. She was sent flying backward, finally managing to stop herself, clutching her trembling right wrist, her voice filled with venom.
“What a fine spirit sword, with a spirit that allows no one but its master to touch it!”
Shang Can stood there in a daze, staring at the sword’s familiar hilt, which bore the inscription of the name “Wu You.”
Her head snapped up, looking in the direction from which the sword had come, and saw a tear in the space—like a rift had opened, revealing a part of the Netherworld that both resembled and differed from the one they were in now.
And soon, the person Shang Can had been longing for emerged from the rift. Clad in pure white robes, with graceful eyebrows and clear, cold eyes, the figure was as distant and unattainable as a dream Shang Can dared not speak of.
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