Spittle flew from my mouth as I chanted Sanskrit incantations, clutching my chest tightly and forming a Buddhist hand gesture with my left hand. My head buzzed, my body burned, and black smoke continued to billow from my chest.
"Take your hand away, you damned monk! What are you trying to do?" A chilling, wretched voice rang out. The black mist emanating from my chest slowly condensed into a humanoid shape, reaching out to grab Vincent Swallow.
"Hmph. You’d better think carefully. I’m helping Ethan Zhang right now. Do you think, with his current abilities, he can fully wield the power of a ghost? If you want him dead sooner, I’ll stop right now."
The black humanoid figure paused, its outstretched hand stopping just in front of Vincent Swallow’s head, as if lost in thought.
"Fine, monk. I’ll trust you for now."
My eyes widened as the black humanoid dissolved into wisps of smoke and vanished into the air. After a long moment, Vincent Swallow finally released his grip. I took a deep breath, and the strange sensation inside me disappeared.
I hurriedly tore open my shirt and looked down. A black Buddha Sigil was etched on my chest, surrounded by a small golden circle. At five points around the circle were the words metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, with strings of tiny Sanskrit characters filling the rest.
"Give it a try, Ethan. You’re much stronger now than when you were a ghost. With some practice, you could become truly formidable."
I let out a confused cry, staring at Vincent Swallow. Still, I raised my hand, letting the ghostly power within me slowly seep out. Suddenly, Vincent Swallow pulled out a dagger and slashed at my raised hand. I yelped in fright.
With a swift motion, my right arm was severed at the elbow. I felt no pain, not even a sensation. The severed limb gradually turned into wisps of smoke and vanished into the air.
I immediately burst out laughing, delighted as I gazed at my missing right hand. Then, with a mere thought, my severed hand—along with the Deathbane Aura that had leaked out—gradually restored itself. I extended my hand, and with a whoosh, it slipped into the wall.
"Take your time, Ethan. Now, you can freely transform parts of your body into ghostly form. Once you get the hang of it, even weapons that could hurt a normal person won’t affect you at all."
I nodded quickly and thanked him.
I was thoroughly satisfied with the changes in my body. After Vincent Swallow left, I began experimenting, using my mind to freely transform parts of myself into ghostly form. I grabbed a kitchen cleaver and swung it at myself—there wasn’t even a trace of pain.
Then I raised both hands. A crimson flame flared up in my left palm, while Deathbane Aura continuously seeped from my right.
"Hey, Ethan, don’t get carried away. Be careful, or you might not be able to get up later." Just then, the Vermilion Bird emerged from my right hand.
I ignored it, too fascinated by my newfound abilities. I kept experimenting, trying all sorts of things. But after ten minutes, I collapsed onto the floor with a thud, completely drained, my body limp and weak. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead.
"Didn’t I warn you, Ethan? Don’t mess around like that. Whether it’s the yang fire I protect or your ghostly form, it all depends on your own stamina."
I barely managed to roll over and forced a smile.
"Got it."
At that moment, only one thought filled my mind: practice. With so many powerful ghosts in the courtyard, I figured I could train with them. I raised my hand, but memories of Mr. Blackmask and Ironmask warning me not to meddle with the Immortality Society surfaced.
Now I understood why they said that. Even now, I was still weak.
After regaining a bit of strength, I took a shower and went to bed. I slept soundly.
When I opened my eyes, it was already 8 a.m. on the dot. I woke up naturally, not a minute late, not a second early. Though I’d only slept a little over six hours, I felt completely refreshed.
As soon as I stepped outside, a delicious aroma greeted me. I hurried downstairs to the courtyard, where Oddball Moe had built a fire and was roasting corn and potatoes. I went over to him, and he handed me a corn cob skewered on a stick. I started eating.
"Haven’t had this in years. I really miss it. Back then, these two things kept me alive," he said with a chuckle.
I ate for a while, and after I finished, I shared my idea with the ghosts and people in the courtyard—I wanted to spar for real.
"It’s best to spar with a person."
Vincent Swallow said, and Elder Mortimer agreed.
"That’s true. Even if you turn your body into ghost form, we could still hurt you."
"Tammy Blade, I think you’re the best fit for this," Mr. Blackmask said. Tammy, who was finishing a stack of pancakes, swallowed the last bite, drew her hidden blade with a flourish, and walked over with a cheerful grin.
Watching her, I swallowed nervously.
"Normally, I wouldn’t use any anti-ghost powers—just helping you get used to things. Don’t worry."
I murmured in response and nodded.
"Still, it’s not ideal to spar here. Let’s go to Julian Chu’s ghost domain. It’s not fully formed yet, and there’s plenty of space."
Evan Zhao spoke up. Julian Chu, who was tending to black flowers, let out a surprised sound. Evan Zhao immediately went over and dragged him along.
"Alright, alright, I get it. You two, come to my ghost domain."
Julian Chu looked a bit reluctant. He set down his watering can, stretched out a hand, his eyes flashing, and shouted.
This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Click next page to continue reading!
"Asylum, open—"
With a sharp crack, the space before us split open, revealing a wide, waterlogged floor. As Tammy Blade and I entered, I suddenly noticed a six- or seven-story building standing tall in Julian Chu’s ghost domain.
"What’s this?"
I was about to ask when Julian Chu appeared at my side.
"Research building. Mine. Hehe, let’s go." Julian Chu said, raising his hand. Instantly, the six- or seven-story building slid quickly to the edge of the iron railings.
The other ghosts and people entered one after another, standing at the edge.
"To help you adjust, I’ll start slow."
I nodded, focusing intently on Tammy Blade. Though she said she’d take it slow, I knew I was no match for her. As I raised my hand and took a stance, Tammy suddenly roared and charged at me, swinging her gleaming Hidden Saber straight for my head.
Without hesitation, I drew my Phoenix Blade, its crimson flames blazing. With a clang, water splashed everywhere as I was forced back several meters by the immense pressure before I finally stopped.
"Damn, wasn’t this supposed to be slow?" I barely finished speaking before Tammy Blade flashed to my side, her Hidden Saber slicing swiftly toward my neck.
With a whoosh, my head was cleanly severed and soared high into the air.
Suddenly, my severed head turned into black smoke. Deathbane Aura shot up around Tammy Blade, who immediately leapt back. My head, enveloped in the aura, reformed itself.
Although my senses weren’t as sharp as when I was a ghost, and I couldn’t clearly track her attacks, the moment my ghost network sensed Tammy Blade’s strike, I transformed my head into ghost form.
"Quick reflexes, Ethan," Tammy Blade said, resting her Hidden Saber on her shoulder. I grinned, already thinking about how I could land a hit on her. As I pondered, she suddenly charged at me even faster than before.
"I’ll use a bit more strength this time," she said. I immediately jumped back, crimson flames igniting along my spine as the Vermilion Bird’s wings unfurled. With a whoosh, I soared into the sky.
With a thunderous crash, the ground split open beneath me. I’d already anticipated Tammy Blade’s attack and dodged just in time. As I flew upward, I flapped my wings and dove straight at her.
Roaring, I thrust the Phoenix Blade at Tammy Blade. With a flick of my other hand, wisps of black aura appeared around her, instantly transforming into black arrows that shot toward her.
Yesterday, I realized something: my ghost network can remotely control Deathbane Aura. As long as it’s connected to my body, the aura that escapes won’t dissipate.
"Aren’t you underestimating me, Ethan?"
A flurry of saber shadows flashed. I lost my balance, unable to see how Tammy Blade attacked. The arrows aimed at her dissolved into black mist, and I suddenly felt emptiness along my back—my Vermilion Bird wings had been cut off without me even noticing.
Now I saw her Hidden Saber lowered, and I sensed my ghost network had been completely severed within the surrounding space.
I still didn’t understand what had happened, but the ghost network enveloping my body sent a wave of fear—yes, fear. It was faint, but I felt it clearly, as if I were plummeting into a roaring meat grinder.
Suddenly, I felt a tight grip around my waist as someone yanked me away, instantly dispelling that fear.
"Hey, Tammy Blade, are you losing your head again? You said you’d help Ethan practice—why so serious? If he’d taken that last hit, he’d be done for!" Oddball Moe scolded, pulling me to his side.
I stared blankly at Tammy Blade, who was awkwardly laughing. Just what was that move?