Wodell seemed unaware, and said lightly, “That undead has always wandered the Darklands. Kulangduo has tried several times to take her away, but I have always refused.”
“Because, in life, she was my wife.”
The sudden twist left Angel stunned. The reason he regarded Wodell with increased caution was because the appearance of the undead was too coincidental. Moreover, given Wodell’s ability to tear through the Space Rift, dealing with an undead should have been simple. Yet he allowed the undead to appear, which forced Angel to consider whether Wodell had done so deliberately.
But when Wodell revealed his relationship with the undead woman, those doubts seemed to have found an answer.
“My wife, before she was about to die, did not tell me, and secretly made a vow with an ancient being, wishing to stay by my side forever. But how could an ancient being easily fulfill her wish? In the end, she became undead, forever wandering these Darklands.”
Wodell simply explained the origin of the undead. There were probably more details involved, but Wodell did not bother to delve into them.
Angel did not know if Wodell was telling the truth, but he saw no reason for Wodell to lie.
At that moment, Greerwu suddenly said, “Was the undead woman named Naya?”
Angel turned to look at Greerwu, “You know?”
Greerwu: “Lord Aoluxiya had once gone to visit the Cruel Scholar, and I accompanied him; I stayed in that library for several years. Butler Tandin read many stories to me, among which one had a plot somewhat similar to this…”
Greerwu looked at Wodell, uncertainty in his gaze.
“The Cruel Scholar has records of this matter? That’s right… after all, the one who made the vow with Naya was the Demon God of Wicked Desire, who is said to be on good terms with the Cruel Scholar.” Wodell paused, “Yes, my wife was Naya.”
Although he’d guessed, when Wodell confirmed it, Greerwu’s pupils involuntarily constricted.
Greerwu could not recall the specific time of the story, but he was certain that it happened before the fall of the ancient gods.
Which meant—
“You’re an ancient being too?”
Wodell did not answer immediately but continued walking forward with his lone lamp, turning his head.
It was a long while before Wodell said, “I survived because I formed an inseparable bond with this continent. The continent lives, I live; the continent dies, I die. Actually, I am merely a withered consciousness that remains to this day, with no freedom or right to exist on my own. Strictly speaking, I am not an ancient being.”
People didn’t know how to respond to Wodell’s words.
Yet, from some of his phrases, they inferred certain details.
Earlier, Wodell had said that Angel saved him. At the time, Angel didn’t grasp what he meant, but now it seemed that Wodell was saying that his fate was intertwined with the continent’s fortunes, which offered an explanation.
After a quiet spell, Angel broke the silence.
“You just mentioned Kulangduo… what’s his deal? And what’s this gift about?” Angel touched the Heiyu feather in his hand, sensing nothing unusual about it.
“Kulangduo was also born in this continent,” Wodell began, revealing a shocking fact.
The Harbinger of Death who terrified demons and indigenous peoples alike was actually born here?!
“Kulangduo’s origins are deeply connected to the land. By saving the Continent of Yuantan, he might not say it, but he’s likely grateful. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left this crow feather for you.”
“This is, a crow feather?” Angel looked at the black feather in his hand.
“Yes, this crow feather contains the essence of death and is a symbol of Kulangduo… We have arrived.”
Angel was about to inquire about the function of the black feather, but at that moment, Wodell suddenly stopped and pointed ahead, saying, “This is our destination.”
“The Darklands.”