“Josephine?” Jared’s voice trembled with disbelief as stared at her, eyes wide, flooded with confusion and shock.
Slash!
Before could process what was happening, the long sword in Josephine’s hand drove cleanly through his chest.
He gasped, looking down at the blade buried in him, then back up at her.
“Josephine… Why?” whispered. “Why would you do this?”
His gaze remained fixed on with bewilderment. There was no hatred in his eyes, only the echo of trust betrayed.
Josephine met his eyes. Her brows drew together, expression tight with guilt and discomfort.
Swish!
Without a word, pulled the sword free and stepped back, distancing herself.
Jared crumpled to the ground. Blood gushed from the wound, pooling beneath him.
“Josephine…” Jared gritted his teeth, struggling to rise, but the searing pain in his abdomen felt like fire licking through his insides.
Skylar burst into laughter, the sound cruel and triumphant. “Hah! Jared, I never thought I’d see you brought this low! We’re headed to the celestial realm. You? You can rot in the underworld!”
With that, began to lead Josephine toward the light.
Josephine paused, glancing back at Jared. A flicker of pain crossed face.
“Skylar… Does know me?” asked softly.
Skylar tightened his grip on hand, his tone dripping with false warmth. “No. He’s no one. Just a bad man who wanted to hurt us. You saved me, Josephine. By striking down, you avenged me.”
The lie fell easily from his lips. Together, they stepped into the glowing white light.
“Josephine!” Jared roared, his voice raw with desperation, but his body betrayed him. He could only watch, helpless, as disappeared into the light with Skylar.
Darkness consumed Jared’s vision, and lost consciousness completely.
After an unknown span of time, slowly opened his eyes, only to find himself back in the Emerald Cauldron Sect.
Surrounded by familiar faces, Corrado, Fraser, Catalina, Yelena, Viola, Yuvan, Ivasha, Feenix, Catina, Aislin, Quinley, Cloud, all of them were gathered around, their expressions lighting up with joy the moment they saw stir.
“Mr. Chance, you’re awake!”
“Jared, you’re finally awake!”
“Master, you’ve finally come to!”
The room filled with elation and relief.
Jared pushed himself up, his head still spinning. “How long was I out?”
Corrado stepped forward, his eyes wide. “Mr. Chance, you’ve been unconscious for three months!”
“Three months?” Jared echoed, alarm flashing across his face. Without another word, bolted for the exit.
He knew the Celestial Stairway only remained for three months. If it had already disappeared, then would have no way to reach the celestial realm to find Josephine.
Josephine was still by Skylar’s side, and the thought gnawed at Jared. He couldn’t shake the unease.
If Skylar were to snatch from me… I don’t want to live anymore!
But as burst out of the sect grounds, saw the stairway still there, standing tall. Relief poured over him, and let out a long, heavy sigh.
Just then, on the stairway itself, a young man turned to an elderly figure beside him. “Master, time’s up. We should get going.”
“Bullsh*t!” the elder snapped. “Who said time’s up?!”
“But it’s been three months,” the young man insisted. “I’ve been keeping track of it.”
The old man struck the youth with a sharp slap. “If I say it‘s not time yet, then it’s not! Now sit down and wait!”
The young man glared at the old man, frustrated, but said nothing. He knew exactly what his master was doing-stalling. They were waiting for Jared.
Until Jared stepped onto the stairway, no one was leaving.
Corrado appeared at Jared’s side, his tone filled with confusion. “Mr. Chance… The realms of the stairway sealed off long ago, but for some reason, it hasn’t disappeared. We’ve all been wondering why…”
“I think I finally understand why,” Jared said with a faint smile.
Without a doubt, the Celestial Stairway had been waiting for him. Now that knew it wouldn’t vanish without him, was no longer in a hurry.
Skylar and Josephine had already entered the celestial realm. Even if followed now, tracking them down would be near impossible in such a vast and unfamiliar place.
