The last trace of red light vanished into my instinctual space. I stared quietly above as the wounds left behind began to slowly heal, bit by bit.
Ironmask and I landed on the ground at the same time. With a whoosh, my shadow slipped out from my body, its golden eyes fixed intently on Ironmask.
"Sorry..." I looked at my shadow in surprise. With his head lowered, he spoke to Ironmask. Just then, Ironmask rose into the air, his body gradually fading away.
"Ethan Zhang, before you go in, remember to visit your parents. I... have to leave now."
I nodded, then looked at Ironmask and quietly said thank you.
"Where are you going next?"
Ironmask shook his head and looked at me.
"Ethan Zhang, your instincts were drained before, right? Who told those monsters about the Heavenly Phenomena Array?"
I remembered—before Lao Chongyuan was consumed by flames, he had said that someone tricked them. Earlier, Yu Mingxuan also mentioned that the Heavenly Phenomena Array originated from the Nether Syndicate.
"John Chou, you should know well about this Heavenly Phenomena Array."
John Chou walked over slowly and nodded.
"That's right. There are seven types of Heavenly Phenomena Arrays. Old Tom created them together when the Nether Syndicate was founded. I know the whole process clearly. Each array corresponds to one of the Seven Souls. Depending on how the array is used, it can attack or defend. But the idea that it could drain instinct—I've never heard of that before. Let's go ask Old Tom directly."
As John Chou spoke, I looked at him in surprise. Then, they both gradually faded away from my instinctual space. Soon, only Ironmask and I remained. I stared at him quietly, feeling something inexplicable—as if he and I were somehow alike.
"What exactly are you? You're neither human nor ghost."
"Just like you used to be—half human, half ghost. But I'm a bit different. Remember this, Ethan Zhang: even now, as a ghost, don't forget everything that person has done for you."
Ironmask pointed to his own heart, then pointed at me. I nodded. He vanished from my instinctual space.
"That guy will only get stronger, Ethan Zhang. The gap between you and him is now like heaven and earth."
My shadow looked at me. I nodded, clenching my fist.
"I'm counting on all of you. Help me truly master my power now."
My shadow smiled, patted my shoulder. I nodded and closed my eyes, slowly fading from my instinctual space. At that moment, I sensed two people outside, along with a ghostly aura—it was Yuna Ji's.
My consciousness returned. As I opened my eyes, I saw three streaks of light flying in from the direction of the half-ruined Ghost Tomb Mountain—one pale blue, one gold, and one green. Two people and one ghost, all of them radiating immense power.
"Amitabha, how fortunate, Ethan Zhang. Since we parted at Universal Temple, I never expected that the Buddhist verses I dreamt of would come to this... How tragic, how lamentable."
I stared in shock. Standing before me was Master Richard Ming, abbot of Universal Temple, along with Old Tom leaning on his cat-headed cane, and the ever-cheerful Yuna Ji.
"Little monk, what's so lamentable? Even if you become a ghost, you can still survive, can't you? Isn't that right, Ethan?"
I smiled at Yuna Ji and nodded.
I looked around, but Ironmask was nowhere to be found. He had already left, and a wave of sorrow welled up in my heart.
"You three—my passageway, made with such effort, and you just stroll right in." Lance Quinn looked at the three with clear displeasure.
"Mr. Brown, it's been over a hundred years, hasn't it? As a monk, I still think of you from time to time."
I looked at Master Richard Ming in surprise as he walked over to Mr. Brown, bowing respectfully and performing a Buddhist salute.
"Old Tom, what brings you here too?"
As Mr. Brown spoke, Old Tom walked over. At that moment, John Chou started laughing.
"What is this, a gathering for old folks today? Haha."
"Ah, Uncle John, I never imagined things would turn out this way." Old Tom sighed as he looked at me. I smiled back.
"Enough with the pleasantries, Old Tom. Why was the Heavenly Phenomena Array from your Nether Syndicate leaked?"
John Chou's face was filled with anger, his voice burning with rage as he stared at Old Tom. Everyone turned to Old Tom, who simply smiled kindly.
"The Heavenly Phenomena Array was indeed created by me, but that was many years ago. As you all know, I hardly concern myself with worldly affairs now. Over the years, each successive leader of the Nether Syndicate has modified the array countless times to gain greater power. I don't know the details. As for someone in the Nether Syndicate giving the array to the Immortality Society, I will investigate thoroughly and give everyone a satisfactory explanation."
Still, John Chou eyed Old Tom suspiciously. Just then, Mr. Brown walked over.
"Young master, don't be so paranoid. Don't you trust Old Tom's word?"
John Chou shook his head and smiled, then turned to Master Richard Ming.
"Little monk, your situation seems rather dire, especially since you arrived here."
John Chou spoke quietly, and Master Richard Ming nodded.
"John Chou, it's true that I've encountered a few problems, but it's nothing serious. When I return, I will devote myself to meditation and cultivation."
I walked over and bowed respectfully.
"Master Richard Ming, about my cousin's family..."
"Ethan Zhang, don't worry. My disciple Chong Sheng and his family have been recuperating at Universal Temple for several days. However, the young girl is acting strangely, so I've entrusted her to my disciple Jian Yun for treatment."
[Irrelevant system message skipped.]
I nodded gratefully.
Just then, Yuna Ji walked over to Master Richard Ming, giggling.
"Hey, little monk, do you still remember what happened a hundred years ago? Haha, everything you saw along the way..." Before Yuna Ji finished, Master Richard Ming suddenly sat down cross-legged, his brow furrowed, and began chanting scriptures.
"You wretch, stop tormenting him! You really do enjoy making others suffer!"
John Chou said with a broad smile, while Mr. Brown muttered quietly at his side.
"Young master, aren't you the same way!"
At that moment, John Chou looked at me, still smiling. He raised his hand, and with a buzzing sound, a streak of red light flashed—he gripped the Bloodbane tightly in his hand.
"Thanks, partner."
John Chou addressed Bloodbane directly.
"You really are devious, coming up with such vicious methods. Now, the three guys from the Immortality Society have all been dealt with—one's in the River of Three Crossings, one was consumed by flames, and one is locked up in the Hall of Malice. John Chou, you..."
In an instant, John Chou's expression darkened. He looked at me seriously.
"Brother, I miscalculated in some ways. I didn't expect..."
I shook my head.
"It's not your fault—it's mine. All of this..." A dull ache began to rise in my heart, and my form started to fade again. Just then, Old Tom hurried over, raised his cat-headed cane, and tapped me on the back. Instantly, the pain vanished and my form stabilized.
"You can only suppress it for three days, Ethan. Keep your desires in check. You have three days to finish all your unfinished business—leave no regrets behind."
I looked at Old Tom gratefully and nodded. Then I turned to John Chou, feeling a surge of killing intent rise through me. My black cloak billowed, and I slowly floated upward, accompanied by a flash of red light. John Chou rose to face me.
"Catch, brother."
With that, John Chou raised his hand and tossed the Soul-Stealing Ghost Blade he'd gotten from the Ghost Burial Squad over to me. I caught it, and a cold laugh echoed in my mind.
"Oh, Ethan Zhang, you've become a bit more presentable. But..."
Suddenly, the voice cut off, saying nothing more. The killing intent within me surged like flowing water, spilling out in all directions.
"Oh, fledgling, are you finally ready to soar? Brother."
"Ah, thank you, John Chou, for everything along the way."
I slowly raised the Soul-Stealing Ghost Blade and aimed it at John Chou. He held Bloodbane, looking at me with a half-smile. It was just like the first time I saw him—he hadn't changed, but I had.
"Do you finally understand, brother?"
"Yes. As long as I still have a heart, I am myself. Ethan Zhang—beyond that, nothing else matters."
A burst of applause rang out. John Chou laughed, then looked at me seriously.
"The fighting spirit in you is strong, brother. I'll give it my all too."
"Me too."
Suddenly, I raised the Ghost Soldier and swung at John Chou. With a clang, my Ghost Soldier and his Bloodbane crossed.
"Good strength, brother."
John Chou gritted his teeth and smiled. In an instant, red and black light collided with a thunderous boom, and we each leapt apart. My hands tingled from the impact.
With a swish, fine cuts appeared on both my hands, while a tear was sliced into John Chou's suit. In our first clash, I lost by a margin.
"Let's continue, brother. Show me—have you become a sharp blade, or are you still a dull knife?"
As John Chou spoke, his manifested evil spirit appeared behind him, wielding two blood-red swords. In an instant, a streak of crimson flashed across the sky.