Witches originated from ancient divination practices and thrived during the medieval period in Europe. However, their decline began in the same era. Witches were believed to be lovers of the devil, a deeply ingrained belief.
According to popular legends, witches had three lives, their greatest advantage over humans. Each life granted them a different form. It was said that they needed the fresh blood of men to maintain their vitality, which allowed them to live for extended periods. They could even surpass the lifespan of humans and live for hundreds or even thousands of years. However, all of this was based on the foundation of men's blood.
Furthermore, witches possessed some of the most malicious black magic spells in the world. However, they were not invincible; they had a fatal weakness - fire.
The woman rushed towards the roof, her only escape route.
Before her shadow reached the sky, it was pierced by the following shining light. Another scream of agony rang out, and the entire body fell from the sky, hitting the ground with a dull thud.
Before the body of the woman could react, the man lightly flicked his finger, and a faint flame accompanied by a threadlike light floated through the air and landed gently on the body.
With a slight bang, the flame ignited, instantly engulfing the entire body.
In that moment when the flame shot out, the man turned around and gently embraced the girl behind him. He said, "Don't look, just listen."
The man's warm hands wrapped around Sofia, his large body shielding her. It seemed that everything in the hall had nothing to do with her; they were completely isolated. It felt warm and touched her deeply.
The contorted body, surrounded by flames and emitting a scream of agony, was now isolated within this warm embrace. When the remaining life of the witch encountered the Threefold Primordial Fire, everything appeared so fragile. The woman's body twisted and changed into different forms.
Suddenly, all the sounds disappeared.
The body slowly turned into scattered specks, drifting in the air like stars. When the man released Sofia, and they turned around once more, they saw the scattered specks disappearing in the air.
"Where is she?" After a brief moment of confusion, Sofia asked.
"Just like those disappearing specks of light in the air." The man smiled. "Only fire can completely burn away all darkness in this world."
"Has she really disappeared?" Sofia turned around, facing the man, smiling. "Thank you, Jason. You're an amazing person. But... is she truly impossible to come back?"
Jason nodded and said, "Yes, she can never come back."
In truth, Jason couldn't say for sure whether she could come back. Witches had three lives, but the Threefold Primordial Fire could burn all evil to ashes. He didn't know if it could destroy her remaining life as well.
Regardless, the witch had disappeared for now.
He had helped this girl, Sofia, not because she had become beautiful overnight or because she was the most beautiful woman in the world. In Jason's eyes, beautiful women went through the inevitable process of youth and beauty fading into old age and ugliness. He had seen many beautiful women experience such stages.
He was just practicing his Dao in this world, cultivating his heart and mind.
Jason had come to this world through a jade pendant, but after arriving, the pendant disappeared. His greatest desire was to find the key to unraveling this world, to search for the largest jade stone in the underwater depths of the West Coast. But that jade stone didn't exist.
The only way was to first temper his Dao heart. Even if he started now, it wouldn't be too late.
He went from being indifferent to everything in this world to developing emotions and actively tempering himself. This marked a transformation for Jason. Perhaps the inheritance from Lü Zu required him to achieve perfection through continuous tempering, ultimately breaking free from this world.
But all of this was just his speculation; he still needed to explore step by step.
Sofia had become ordinary before she came of age and then transformed into the beautiful young woman she was now. Jason didn't know who had done this, perhaps to protect Sofia. Surely, Sofia must have many intriguing stories. But for now, her background remained a mystery.
Sofia didn't speak, and Jason didn't ask. After all, some things were secrets in one's heart, and even if he asked, he would only receive evasive lies.
Everything happened suddenly and disappeared just as suddenly. The whole process took only a few minutes. However, it left Sofia with an unforgettable image.
"I could never believe it!" Sofia said to Jason.
Jason smiled and asked, "Do you feel that you're different from others?"
"Other than becoming beautiful overnight, I don't think there's anything particularly special about me. Of course... except for not knowing who my parents are and why I'm so wealthy—someone deposits a large sum of money into my account every month. My God... this world is crazy, and I don't know if those people are my parents. But I've never met my parents..." Sofia's mood became a bit low, revealing a side that was difficult to imagine from the lively girl.
"You truly are pitiful," Jason said.
"No, I'm lucky because regardless of who my parents are, they gave me life and ensured I was well taken care of. Their absence must have their reasons." Sofia glared at Jason with dissatisfaction.
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Jason didn't say a word, shaking his head with a smile. Then he stood up and said, "Alright, let's consider today's matters done. Whether it's you, or Cathy and Royce, you all can finally live openly. Don't be afraid of the dark magic, for one day, the sun will shine in."
"You're like a life coach... a failed one." Sofia replied with a cheeky grin. "I'll make you dinner. Living alone has its perks, you see. You learn to take care of yourself, and you pick up survival skills. Cooking is one of them."
The girl didn't wait for Jason to reply. She headed towards the kitchen, her heart filled with anticipation.
Jason could sense the genuine kindness and sincerity in her. Sofia was pure and held a beautiful longing for the world. He couldn't bear to destroy that.
Sofia even whistled casually as she prepared the steak and soup, which looked quite delicious. After setting the table, she headed to the living room, intending to surprise Jason.
Only to find the living room empty.
Not only was Sofia's place empty, but even the villa rented by Cathy and Royce was vacant. Jason hadn't come back since he left.
Cathy had waited for several days, but there was no sign of Jason. Concerned, Sofia ended up staying at Cathy's for a few days. Her mood was quite low.
It was as if Jason had never existed at all. He vanished right before everyone's eyes. Even Royce's friend, the inn's waitress Nina, knew nothing.
Nina was upset upon hearing the news.
In the largest national forest of California's mountain range, where trees densely populated the landscape, there was a wooden cabin hidden deep within. The fireplace was still burning, filling the cabin with a bloody odor. A figure stood straight in the cabin, extending a hand to gently push open a door to another room.