Thick smoke billowed upward as I stood in a vast wheat field at the foot of Universal Temple Mountain. The golden wheat was ripe and ready for harvest. I had taught them a simple method—just set the wheat husks on fire until they burst open, then eat them straight from the field.
Sure enough, those two quickly followed my instructions. I stood on the ridge, watching them devour the wheat—husk and all—completely unconcerned and looking perfectly content. I glanced back at Universal Temple; daylight was fading fast.
What amazed me most about this Illusory Realm was the cycle of day and night, and the existence of this temple, all sustained by Buddhist power. Even when damaged, everything restored itself instantly.
After a long while, the two were finally satisfied, and night fell. I returned to the temple and sat once more at the end of the steps, gazing out at the pitch-black world below the mountain. I’d visited the outskirts of this temple before—a vast forest ablaze with fire—but the heat never reached here.
Surrounding Universal Temple are mountains, and beyond them lies a massive burning forest. The flames never cease, crawling over the charred trees, all powered by the force of the Illusory Realm.
Eugenia had already found a corner, curling up within Zephyr’s body and closing her eyes, ready to sleep. Blueflame Warden, meanwhile, went straight into the Grand Buddha Hall, settling under a table for rest.
For them, sleep was optional. According to what they said, when asleep, they merely wandered through a realm of darkness, still able to sense everything outside. As supernatural beasts, sleep was perhaps a habit they were born with, but not a necessity.
I had no idea how long it would take for the Immortality Society to arrive. I kept waiting, watching for the light that appeared on the formation outside the mountain gate.
Soon, the gray-black sky was replaced by a dazzling starry night. I stood up, restless. Not far behind me, Eugenia remained motionless, while Zephyr’s breathing was heavy. I smiled helplessly. I had tried to sleep, but I didn’t know how; for me, it was a kind of torment.
As night deepened, the entire temple in the mountains became deathly silent. The Buddha statues that looked solemn during the day now seemed menacing and terrifying in the darkness.
I walked slowly to the row of Buddha statues on the outskirts. Though each statue was different, it was clear they were all carved by the same hand—majestic, especially in the detailed faces that seemed almost alive.
As I studied the statues, I suddenly sensed something strange coming from below the mountain. In an instant, I was at the end of the steps. The Ritual Array outside the Mountain Gate flashed red, black, and purple—someone was coming. I watched as the dazzling lights faded.
Only one person arrived. With a creak, the Mountain Gate was pushed open, and the figure walked up the slope towards the temple. I watched warily.
Gradually, I could see him clearly. He wore a loose black-and-white robe, his long hair tied up, and his face twisted into an evil grin. Under the moonlight, his eyes looked sinister and strange.
"Long time no see, Ethan Zhang."
As he approached, I saw his pale face—a handsome, slender man, but with a wicked aura.
"Who are you?"
I asked coldly.
"Ethan Zhang, I’m your good friend. Have you forgotten?"
I shook my head. The face was unfamiliar, but my body instinctively reacted—my fist clenched tight. If I hadn’t held myself back, I would have punched that wicked grin off his face.
"I'll ask you again—who are you?"
The man in front of me sighed helplessly.
"How tragic... you've even forgotten me. I am Xu Fu."
Xu Fu? I looked at the man in confusion. His wide robe really did look ancient, almost like a charlatan's costume.
"The Xu Fu from history?"
Xu Fu nodded.
"We really were friends, Ethan Zhang. It's just a shame you've forgotten..."
I sneered and shook my head. If we were truly friends, I wouldn't feel the urge to kill Xu Fu.
Xu Fu paused, then walked onto the plaza, passing by me and speaking slowly.
"The kind of friend who, if not for our differences in beliefs, could sit and drink and talk happily together. But if you must know, I suppose I'm really your mortal enemy."
I turned in surprise. Xu Fu had his back to me, his tied-up hair fluttering in the breeze as if he was observing something.
"What a dreary place! Ethan Zhang, you really surprise me. After everything you’ve been through, you still exist in this Illusory Realm. I can’t help but admire you."
I shook my head, still unsure what I’d gone through—but this man had already called himself my mortal enemy.
"I won’t beat around the bush, Ethan Zhang. I came here for the Blood Jade. Can we find a place to sit down, have some tea, and talk?"
I glanced around, then led Xu Fu. Soon, we reached the far end of a small bamboo grove halfway up the mountain and entered a little building.
On the second floor, I waved my hand and a few candles lit up. Xu Fu busied himself with the kettle, preparing tea.
"After your death, the times changed. The world started heading in unpredictable directions. It’s sad, really—when a person dies, the tea grows cold, and the monkeys scatter when the tree falls."
I kept studying him. He was just like Wu—no multiple souls, only a single spirit.
"I’m just like Wu. Standing before you is the true Xu Fu. No need to check—I’m amazed by your current power, Ethan Zhang. But you earned it, just as I took a huge risk to act as a medium for the Buddhist Order and Taoists, helping them cross that darkness. Through you, they entered the realms of Yin and Yang and became masters of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. You died, and I got my reward. Still, you’re better off. I always wanted power, but..."
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Xu Fu turned around, holding the kettle and standing by the stove. With a wave of my hand, flames sprang to life inside, and he set the kettle on top.
"Someone like me could never gain the power of the Buddhist Order. But you—you faced them head-on and accomplished something that ended one era and began another. Impressive."
"I don’t know what you’re talking about. Tell me about my past."
Xu Fu looked at me in confusion, then after a long pause seemed to understand.
"You have to find your own past. If you’re capable, use your power to reclaim everything. If I told you now, it would mean nothing. Besides, you’re dead—dead as can be. The affairs of Yin and Yang no longer concern you. This time, I came for three reasons: to thank you, to seek the Blood Jade, and to ask—where has your Instinct gone?"
I chuckled.
"First, I don’t need your thanks. No matter what I did in the past, aren’t we mortal enemies?"
Xu Fu slapped his forehead and laughed as he began to brew tea.
"Second, if I don’t intend to give you the Blood Jade, are you going to try and take it by force?"
Xu Fu shook his head.
"I don’t want to get hurt. Everything in this Illusory Realm is just too bizarre—not just you, but those two outside aren’t simple either. If we really fought, I’d be at a huge disadvantage. So I won’t do anything so troublesome for no benefit."
"Third, where my Instinct went has nothing to do with you."
I rejected Xu Fu’s question outright. He looked at me helplessly, resting his chin in his hands, his eyes pleading.
"Can’t you reconsider, Ethan Zhang? We’ve decided to turn over a new leaf. We kept our promise to spare the Ghost Burial Squad—not only that, but now in the world of the living, the Immortality Society acts as night police, keeping humanity safe."
I looked at Xu Fu in confusion. He sighed and continued.
"You taught me something important: a kind act can truly change things. Even if we’ve done evil before, as long as we do good every day, someday everyone will understand us. We’re born human, and as humans we should control our own life and death—not leave it to those in the Underworld or some Sixfold Cycle. What do you think? Humans should have the right to choose, but Heaven gave us life without the right to choose death. That’s why the Immortality Society aims to let everyone control their own fate. What do you think?"
I shook my head.
"It’s none of my business. Whether you do good or evil, you already said it—the affairs of Yin and Yang no longer concern me. So whatever I have or do has nothing to do with you."
Xu Fu clutched his head in pain and slumped over the table.
"You really won’t give it to us?"
I shook my head.
"Sigh, Ethan Zhang, you must feel it—someone’s waiting for you to return."
Xu Fu suddenly changed the subject. I didn’t hide anything and nodded directly.
"That’s right. You still have a wife—a gentle, beautiful wife waiting for you. Did you forget? And your parents, who probably haven’t seen you in years. Don’t you want to go back?"
Suddenly, my mood grew heavy. I didn’t know why, but it felt like he’d touched a nerve—though I couldn’t remember anything.
"I could enter here because I possess the power of the Buddha—a small gift I received after being imbued by the Buddhist Order. That’s how I could come to this temple, though I can’t go anywhere else in the Illusory Realm. I think you still have a chance to return to the world of the living. Want to cooperate, Ethan Zhang?"
Xu Fu reached out his hand. I stared at him, suddenly feeling panicked.