After a sigh, he picked up Baldur’s head, body, scythe, and the twenty-three ghost essence. Then, he entered the damp cave, dismantled the magic circles, and shoved a few beast cores, rare plants and minerals in his spacial ring. Finally, he checked the few books lined by the walls before their disgusting contents about curses and ghost creations made him scrunch his nose.
"This knowledge is best left forgotten."
With a snap of his finger, roaring flames emerged from the ground and engulfed the knowledge and Baldur’s remaining possessions in their fury—revolting body parts suspended in purple fluids.
The stench of carbonisation accompanied his steps out as smoke billowed around him.
With the destruction complete, a soft smile crept over his face as he approached Misha’s sleeping figure.
He dismissed his spell, cradled her against his chest, and kissed her forehead gently.
A chuckle escaped his lips as he felt her tremble under his lips and noticed her fluttering eyelids and burning cheeks.
"I bet you’re so tired that you lost consciousness." He rolled his eyes, yet his smile brightened as she shoved her warm head against his chest and nodded. "I guess I can only carry you, then."
However, he cursed under his breath the next second. Dozens of approaching footsteps echoed by the mountain’s path.
Urgency fueling his movements, his grip tightened around Misha as the ground exploded under his feet. Their hair whipped against their faces, and the wind battered their robes as he blurred in the distance without looking back. After all, who would visit this secluded mountain but the cultivators on Baldur’s track?
While he sped in the distance, he couldn’t help but observe Misha. He knew more than anyone how resilient she was. Even the elements could hardly damage, much less disease. Instead, her body would kill any virus and repair damage in the blink of an eye. But magical curses? She was just not equipped to face them—something he hadn’t paid attention to.
’I let her radiant strength blind me from the slight exploitable weaknesses.’ A steely glint flashed in his eyes. ’But we’ll fix it with Baldur’s magic circuit.’
As the protective spells he would teach her rumbled in his mind and his figure flashed past the mountain, the cultivators reached the deserted battlefield.
Five stood out among them. Their mere presence commanded respect from the others, and the five golden dragons embroidered on their robes seemed to come to life each time they flapped.
Even those five looked up at a youthful lady’s raised, sharp brows as she scanned the caved-in ground and traces of blood.
Six dragons fluttered with her elegant movements as her midnight-blue eyes narrowed into slits and her aura chilled.
Noticing the change, one of her companions pinched the bridge of his nose and stepped forward.
"Someone stole our prey." The others gritted their teeth as he continued. "We can’t return empty-handed after mobilising so many people. I won’t accept this humiliation, lady Xian Yunxu."
Xian Yunxu straightened her back, putting her hands inside her wide sleeves and clicking her tongue.
"This brother doesn’t know how to work with others. He even burned everything behind." Yet, a deep frown creased her brows and her posture faltered slightly as she pointed at the large crater on the ground. "The culprit can wield gravity."
Shocked gasps erupted from the group before the same cultivator’s voice cracked.
"There is another genius who can manipulate space like you?" He scanned the surroundings again and shook his head. "The battle was too swift, and the traces of struggle are scarce. Perhaps an old, reclusive master who passed by. Sigh, what rotten luck."
"Indeed, Ling Tianhao, whoever killed Baldur is too powerful to confront for the corpse. I won’t shoulder this unnecessary risk."
Xian Yunxu exhaled, knowing how hopeless catching a space manipulator was. After all, even she could fold space and cross hundreds of kilometers in a single step. Even if the culprit didn’t focus on escaping, the idea of fighting him sent a shiver down her spine—especially when she felt the lingering essence of the crushed evil ghosts.
’He’s also in the soul transformation realm.’ She gazed at her team and sighed. ’They’ll all die if we fight. I’m not even sure I can defeat him.’
Then, her eyes firmed as she gave her commands.
"Put the fire out and salvage anything of value. We return to the sect and let the core elders investigate."
The five other core disciples acknowledged her decision.
Convinced it was an old master’s doing, they prompted the others to obey, missing the shadows dancing on Xian Yunxu’s perfect face.
’Is it a summoned? I specifically asked everyone not to interfere with the hunt.’ She bit her lip, finding the master’s explanation too convenient. ’I’ll ask in the dream place later.’ Her fists tightened around her wrists as anger flashed in her eyes. ’It’d better not be one of them.’
As she unknowingly touched on the truth, Adam stepped inside a village’s decrepit temple. The scent of root filled his nostrils, but he shrugged it off and stretched his palm through the thick, billowing dust.
The dark sphere containing Baldur’s soul glowed before he dropped it. With a wave of his palm, the sacred chains binding it rattled as they dug into the ground.
Freed from their pressure, the soul returned to its original appearance, and the ghost’s mouth opened to voice the terror dancing in his eyes.
Yet, no words formed, even when ethereal tears plopped to the ground as Adam turned to leave.
However, Misha’s warm palm rose. Without warning, it cupped Adam’s cheek as her lips curled into a tender smile.
"I can’t tell him everything. Anyway, weren’t you pretending to sleep?" Adam sighed before his eyes melted at her cute expression.
"Please? He’ll just fall into despair if you don’t show him he can find redemption."
"Tsk." He pointed his thumb toward Baldur and shrugged. "Your soul is dark. You’ll regain freedom the day it becomes gray again. Figure the method yourself."
With a grumble, he stepped out and moved to complete their random mission, leaving Baldur to cry in relief and regret.
Would he change or remain evil? Only time would say, and it didn’t particularly interest Adam. Instead, he ran his finger through Misha’s golden hair and smiled.
"You know he could have killed you?"
She nodded, her sparkling eyes making him smile.
"It doesn’t matter. Everyone deserves a second chance, and your decision to give him one is noble." She giggled in his embrace. "The execution is a little rough. But don’t worry. I’m with you, and I like seeing your compassion."