"Interesting. I remember that guy was also called Ethan Zhang, but not you, haha. In an instant, he managed to coexist with my Deathbane Aura and then used my own aura against me."
I quietly stared at the Deathbane Ghost across from me. The layer of black mist covering him slowly receded into his body, revealing his appearance. I was a bit surprised by how he looked.
His features looked as if they were carved from stone, sharply defined and entirely lacking the softness of a human face—a rigid, unnatural visage. His whole body seemed encased in leather armor. I found it odd; by rights, he shouldn’t have a face at all. Like the Lust Wraith and the Grief Wraith, he was a manifestation of some power, given thought and form.
"It seems you still don’t know the true way to use Deathbane Aura, Ethan Zhang."
I nodded. Indeed, the Deathbane Aura I use now can only take the shape of tangible swords and blades, but their density never matches that of real weapons—they break easily under great force.
"Be careful, Ethan!"
Rachel Lan shouted from behind me. I nodded in response. The Deathbane Ghost before me was terrifyingly strong; his mastery of Deathbane Aura was eye-opening, unlike anything I’d ever felt before. The aura was like his limbs—its density was immense, as hard as steel.
I condensed another Deathbane Sword, using what little Deathbane Aura I had left after barely achieving coexistence. Its hardness was enough to sever his hand.
"Do you know how Deathbane Aura has been born since ancient times?"
"Is it murderous intent?"
I asked in confusion. The Deathbane Ghost laughed and walked toward me step by step. The sky was beginning to lighten, illuminated by that white waterfall flowing upstream. It was faintly glowing, and the light reached us. I found it odd—the waterfall seemed to be responding to the Deathbane Ghost.
Suddenly, the Deathbane Ghost sat cross-legged right in front of me, grinning as he stared at me.
"Deathbane Aura is the breath produced after taking another’s life. If you want your aura to become stronger, there’s only one way—kill. Only by taking lives will your Deathbane Aura make a qualitative leap in a short time."
I stared silently at the Deathbane Ghost, unsure of his intentions. But the method he described—I would never attempt it lightly. Suddenly, I thought of the Earthly Soul. A chill shot up my spine.
"Looks like you’ve figured out why that other Ethan Zhang’s Deathbane Aura is stronger than yours. It’s because he’s killed—not just one or two."
The Deathbane Ghost slowly stood up and spread his arms. The piercing light vanished instantly, as if blocked by him. I could see the glow, but it was as if a massive barrier kept it out.
"The greater the power in this world, the more it is bound to killing and being killed. I am the product of countless deaths since ancient times. The old monk behind you has always tried to dissolve me, hahaha..."
The Deathbane Ghost suddenly burst into manic laughter, his gaze drifting past me, seemingly toward Master Frank Yuan.
"Amitabha, well spoken. Indeed, as you say, this humble monk has spent his life trying to resolve you, but I fear it is impossible—unless no one ever takes another life again."
"Old monk, if you understand, then mind your own business. I want to leave this place—I don’t want to stay another moment. And now that I have this chance, I won’t let it slip away."
I knew the Deathbane Ghost was talking about me. Although he had a physical form, he wasn’t truly human or ghost—he lacked a genuine yin or yang body. That’s why he couldn’t leave this place.
"I have a proposal: if you want to leave here, become my Ghost Soul."
I looked quietly at the Deathbane Ghost as I stated my purpose, but he shook his head and started laughing.
"I won’t submit to anyone. I’ll take your body and leave this place. I’ve said enough—let me show you the true way to use Deathbane Aura."
With a whoosh, the Deathbane Ghost sprang up and flew right in front of me, reaching out to grab my throat. I gripped my Deathbane Sword with both hands and slashed at him fiercely.
Bang! The Deathbane Ghost caught my Deathbane Sword with one hand, a cold smile on his face.
Suddenly, I felt a tightness in my chest. With a ripping sound, I spat out black blood and immediately let go of the Deathbane Sword, stumbling backward.
I clutched the Deathbane Aura protruding from my chest with both hands—it was from inside me, the Deathbane Ghost’s aura. Roaring in pain, I tore it out, as if ripping flesh from my own body.
"See? Even if you can coexist with my Deathbane Aura, you still can’t fully control it. You’re lacking in death."
Suddenly, the Deathbane Ghost hurled the Deathbane Sword at me, then followed it, flying straight at me. I was about to turn into mist and dodge, but remembered how easily he’d dragged me out of the mist just a moment ago.
A streak of red light twisted around my hands like vines, crackling as two red chains shot toward the Deathbane Ghost. Surprise flickered in his eyes, but then he smiled.
Sparks flew as the two Curse Power chains I released wrapped around the Deathbane Sword, then circled the Deathbane Ghost, trying to bind him.
"So that’s it—not just Deathbane Aura, but Curse Power too. But it’s far too weak! Such feeble curses."
With a hum, I saw a faint, transparent black current expand like a shield, passing through my Curse Power chains. Instantly, the chains disintegrated to dust.
Right now, Zhu Tang is absent from my body, so I can’t use fire. Helpless, I watched as the Deathbane Ghost approached. I raised a hand and sent blades of black wind flying at him.
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"Yin energy, huh? Not bad, interesting."
Clang! The wind blades struck, but the Deathbane Ghost blocked them with his arm. He was right in front of me now. My feet felt as if they were melting, the ground turned to black water beneath me. As he stepped forward, it was like he’d walked into a swamp—his feet sank completely.
"Resentment energy—what else do you have?"
The Deathbane Ghost laughed wildly. The black water kept spreading, and in it appeared a gaping mouth with a lolling tongue and sharp white teeth. The Deathbane Ghost was bitten and slowly swallowed. But I knew he was just playing—none of this affected him at all.
The Spirit Snake still slumbers inside me, exhausted from the last ordeal in the Four Sacred Realm. It won’t recover for a while yet.
"Ethan, you can’t defeat him."
Yin Ghost’s voice echoed in my mind. I knew it was true. All my Ghost Souls rely on Deathbane Aura as their power’s foundation, but against the Deathbane Ghost, I really stood no chance.
The Deathbane Ghost still watched the gaping mouth below, arms folded, unconcerned as his body was slowly swallowed.
Just then, the Deathbane Ghost raised a hand. With a whoosh, black mist burst forth, and I saw black particles swirling in the air, instantly enveloping me. I felt unbearably heavy.
I tried to act, but as I raised my hand, I felt myself slow down. The Deathbane Ghost pried open the Wailer’s mouth and leapt in front of me, grabbing my throat with one hand.
Suddenly, I could move again—time had stopped for an instant, affected by the Deathbane Aura. I’d seen the Earthly Soul use this trick before and tried it myself, but found it incredibly difficult.
"It’s over. Second time you’ve been caught. This time won’t be as easy as last."
"Leave it to me, Ethan."
Yin Ghost shouted urgently. I nodded slightly, and most of my strength flowed into Yin Ghost. A stream of energy burst from my nostrils. Just as the Deathbane Ghost tried to react, his hand was severed from my throat, and a whirlwind erupted from my body, sending him flying.
With a whoosh, the Deathbane Ghost crouched on the ground, calmly gazing at the black wind swirling around him. The wind had substance and slowly gathered.
A black cloak fluttered. Yin Ghost played with a pair of black daggers shaped like the wind—Gale and Severance. I remembered their names.
"You’re pretty strong, aren’t you?"
The Deathbane Ghost stood up, his fine wounds slowly healing. I got up and returned to the main hall entrance of Hidden Falls Temple.
"Ethan, are you alright?"
I nodded. For now, I was fine. The Deathbane Ghost could easily defeat me, but he seemed to be toying with me.
"Kid, want your big sister to teach you how to fight? You’ve got power, but your technique is terrible—and your speed too."
The Deathbane Ghost sneered at Yin Ghost, then looked at me.
"So these are your Ghost Souls, Ethan Zhang? I’d like to see more."
All my Ghost Souls grew restless inside me, especially Curse Ghost, who suddenly showed an intense desire to come out. I couldn’t hold her back any longer. With a flash of red, Curse Ghost appeared beside me, crouching and quietly watching the two before her.
"If you can’t beat him, let me handle it."
Yin Ghost turned and sneered.
"Big sister couldn’t beat him? Ridiculous."