Ye Xuan’s face was a picture of gloom. “Am I that weak?”
Ghostess shook her head. “You’re not weak. You just can’t guard this place.”
Ye Xuan blinked. “Why not?”
She thought for a moment. “Those gods are strong. They love temptation. I reckon you’d fall for it.”
Ye Xuan grew curious. “Temptation? What kind?”
Ghostess eyed him. “They use everything. Beauty, mostly.”
Ye Xuan froze.
These gods were pure evil!
Ghostess suddenly turned to An Lanxiu. “She’s excellent. Want to be my disciple?”
Ye Xuan’s expression turned odd.
Recruiting already?
An Lanxiu faced Ghostess. “I already have a master.”
Ghostess nodded, a touch regretful. “Fair enough.”
Ye Xuan glanced at her. “Besides suppressing the gods, do you stop people from below?”
Ghostess replied, “I don’t. You can head to the Void Truth World anytime. But I advise against it.”
Ye Xuan asked, “Why?”
She said earnestly, “The further you go, the deadlier it gets. Really.”
Ye Xuan peered past the city. “What’s back there?”
Ghostess intoned, “Possibly broken gods. They’re the true danger. You’d be in grave peril.”
Ye Xuan and An Lanxiu exchanged looks.
Gods!
He had seen them inside the Primordial Divine Tree. The Primordial Clan suppressed gods too.
Ye Xuan asked gravely, “What exactly are gods?”
Ghostess shook her head slightly. “I don’t know the details. Just that they’re insanely strong and tricky.”
Ye Xuan eyed the ancient city. “Can we take a look?”
She considered, then nodded. “Sure. Come up.”
Ye Xuan glanced at her. Ugly face, kind heart.
Never judge by looks.
They joined her on the wall and peered inside. No buildings, only a vast plaza. At its centre stood an enormous well. Four blood-red chains, thick as pillars, rose from its corners, anchored deep in the ground. The entire plaza was etched with tiny, eerie black runes.
Ghostess pointed at the well. “They’re down there. Sometimes they pop out to cause trouble.”
Ye Xuan asked, “How long have you guarded this place?”
She thought. “A very, very long time.”
Ye Xuan glanced at her. “Never wanted to leave?”
She shook her head.
“Why?”
Ghostess said calmly, “The pay is excellent.”
Ye Xuan’s face stiffened.
In the end, it all came down to salary.
Ghostess looked at them. “You can train here a while before moving on.”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly. “Good.”
Then he added, “I have a great training spot. Want to see?”
Ghostess blinked. “What spot?”
Ye Xuan pulled An Lanxiu and Ghostess into the Little Tower. Inside, her eyes widened. “Time flows differently… incredible setup.”
Ye Xuan: “…”
Ghostess turned. “May I train here?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Of course.”
She asked, “How long are you staying?”
He exchanged glances with An Lanxiu. “No fixed time. The stronger, the better.”
Ghostess opened her palm. A storage ring flew to Ye Xuan.
One million Void Truth Crystals.
Ye Xuan was puzzled.
She smiled. “I don’t like freeloading. Call it rent.”
Ye Xuan shook his head, smiling, and returned it. “No need. If you insist on fairness, guide us instead. Deal?”
Ghostess refused the ring. “Guidance is free. But keep the crystals. I’m rich. You two just arrived from below; you must be broke. These will help you train better.”
Ye Xuan and An Lanxiu shared a warm smile.
He accepted the ring.
Next came cultivation.
Nothing motivates like a beating.
Ye Xuan and An Lanxiu sat, sparred, and drilled. They critiqued each other, patched flaws, and borrowed strengths.
Whenever stuck, they asked Ghostess.
With a mentor, their strength soared.
A millennium flew by inside the tower.
One day, they fought Ghostess again.
Three-way battle, one full month, no victor.
Ghostess had trained too; she was several times stronger.
Even together, Ye Xuan and An Lanxiu could not dominate.
BOOM!
A thunderous roar. They stopped.
Ghostess stood still, mighty aura pouring out, spacetime quivering.
Ye Xuan smiled. “Time for us to go.”
She nodded. “Alright.”
They exited the tower.
Outside, she pointed afar. “Never been further, but it’s called Heaven Abyss. Be careful. Strong guardians there too.”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Thank you.”
She shook her head. “I owe you. Without your tower, I’d never have grown so fast.”
Ye Xuan laughed. “Then we thank each other. Haha.”
Ghostess smiled. Still creepy, yet to them, utterly warm.
A millennium together revealed her true nature: easy-going, genuinely kind.
Suddenly she offered another ring. “A small gift. Two million gold crystals. Spend it.”
Ye Xuan started to refuse. She cut in, “You’re friends. Don’t reject my heart.”
He hesitated, then accepted. A thought struck. He opened his palm. A strand of Mortal Sword Intent drifted to her. “If you ever need help, trigger this. No matter the distance, we’ll come.”
She took it without refusal, smiling. “I’ll call if needed.”
Ye Xuan laughed heartily. “Farewell.”
He pulled An Lanxiu away.
Ghostess watched them go, a trace of loneliness in her eyes.
Guarding this lonely post for ages, living souls were rare. Two friends meant the world.
Just then, the well trembled. She spun, slapping downward.
BOOM!
Mighty force slammed into the well.
BOOM!
It shuddered, then stilled.
Ghostess flopped onto the wall, arms crossed, eyes closing.
Nap time.
Unseen, a wisp of mysterious aura slipped from the well and melted into the heavens…
