Sand and gravel drift slowly through the air, caught in the force unleashed by the Deathbane Golem before me—a force so extreme it threatens to scatter everything in its path. Yet, within the aura I released, these grains seem to freeze in place, as if time itself has stopped.
Long ago, I experimented with this: when Deathbane Aura covers a large area, and I continue to release even higher concentrations, the flow of time within that space slows to a crawl.
Within that Deathbane Aura-shrouded space, I can move freely, but that's the limit. Against those with immense power, I can't create an aura zone where time stops entirely.
"Because Deathbane Aura has substance, time cannot penetrate it. But that's not its true essence, is it?"
I muttered to myself. Wraithlord smiled and nodded.
Just then, I watched as the Deathbane Golem, having unleashed such overwhelming power, began to mend its shattered body piece by piece, the cracks vanishing until it was whole again. At the same time, the amount of Deathbane Aura within it started to surge rapidly. I had never seen this phenomenon before—clearly, it possessed no soul, just a mass of Deathbane Aura.
"Do you sense any difference?"
Wraithlord asked. I shook my head—the Deathbane Aura within this Golem far surpassed what I held inside me, making it impossible to use as a reference.
"It seems you still don't understand why I'm showing you this."
I shook my head.
I don't know what you're trying to say. If you have something to tell me, just be clear about it. Why so roundabout?
I stared at the Wraithlord, annoyed. He smiled and replied.
"Even if you're anxious, it won't help, Earth Soul. Things have to progress step by step. John Chou must have told you about the importance of fundamentals. If he hadn't spent years teaching you all those basics you couldn't even understand, you'd spend your whole life mimicking humans without ever gaining self-awareness, let alone true wisdom."
As the Wraithlord spoke, Desire Ghost came running over, grinning.
"Try fighting this Deathbane Golem. You just need to watch from the side."
I looked on, puzzled. The Wraithlord raised a finger, and the humanoid Deathbane Golem turned to face us. Its aura flared up again, like flames.
"Can I kill this thing?"
Desire Ghost asked, and the Wraithlord nodded with a smile. I floated upward, following the Wraithlord to the top of a tree, watching the battle about to begin below. In my memory, Desire Ghost never had any real combat ability. When she inhabited Ethan Zhang's body, her only role was to amplify his desires—especially the urge to defeat his enemies—while Curse Ghost boosted his strength.
Watching Desire Ghost stand before the Deathbane Golem, I found myself growing worried. She turned and made a face at me.
"Earth Soul, do you really think I can't fight? Back when I was with Ethan, there were plenty of people far stronger in combat, so I wasn't needed. The ghosts in Ethan's body quietly taught him many things—things you'd never understand. Because of what we did, Ethan's true self, the will of Hell, awakened early. I can tell you plainly, when Ethan went to Luoyin Temple and met the Deathbane Ghost, the will of Hell inside him had already awakened."
I stared at Desire Ghost, surprised. Suddenly, with a whoosh, the Deathbane Golem lunged at her. But in an instant, I was stunned—Desire Ghost raised a single finger and pierced its chest. Immediately, cracks spread across its body, Deathbane Aura surged out, and the Golem seemed ready to explode. But soon, it collapsed entirely, and the aura dissipated.
"How did you do that? That thing was so strong!"
I looked at Desire Ghost in disbelief. She came over, grinning, and twirled her finger.
"Of course I could do it. I know the essence of power, and that thing is just a construct of power. It's close to the essence, but not quite. Once I understand its nature, I can make it collapse. Did you forget what I told you about how to deal with those trees formed by Heavenly Law power and how to save the Wraithlord? I could've done it myself, but I just wanted to see if you'd figure it out. Turns out all you know how to do is flail around. Honestly, you're hopeless."
I glared at Desire Ghost, frustrated, but couldn't find a way to argue back.
"If you can't figure it out, keep thinking until you do. Consider the differences and similarities between you and the Deathbane Aura construct I just released. I'm going back to sleep. When you understand, come find me at the bottom of the lake over there."
With that, the Wraithlord left. I stared, wide-eyed, as Desire Ghost giggled in front of me.
"Want me to give you a hint?"
Desire Ghost had just spoken when the Wraithlord stopped her.
"Don't say a word. Let him figure it out himself."
After the Wraithlord left, I sat at the edge of the forest and the open field, quietly lost in thought. I had no idea what he was trying to tell me. Whenever this happened, I grew especially restless, replaying memories of my former self.
"What's the point of understanding the essence of power? I just need power, don't I?"
As I spoke, Desire Ghost leaned against me.
"Want me to tell you about John Chou?"
I looked at Desire Ghost in confusion. She grinned and replied.
"Long ago, John Chou understood the essence of power right here in this forest. Ethan Zhang did too, but if you ask him to explain what it is, he can't. He grasped it through his body, but you're different from both of them. Honestly, you're just lazy."
I let out a noise of protest, but Desire Ghost just laughed and started talking.
A long time ago, an evil ghost came to this forest. Desire Ghost noticed right away, because unlike other ghosts who wandered in due to their own overwhelming desires, this one had not a trace of desire. He moved through the forest with ease, drinking and eating meat every day, never showing the slightest tension.
Desire Ghost thought it was strange, so she watched him every day. He did nothing, wasn't crushed by the power of desire here, and even seemed to enjoy it. Desire Ghost disliked him—he was completely relaxed. All the others who came here turned to stone, unable to bear their own desires, but John Chou was different.
Then something terrifying happened. That evil ghost began training his Ghost Aura using the Desire Force in this place. Desire Ghost realized that on his very first day, he must have understood what the Desire Realm was all about. Every day, he would control his desires, suddenly release the strongest ones to draw in Desire Force, then abruptly suppress them again. He repeated this, training his Ghost Aura.
"What do you mean? How does that train Ghost Aura?"
I asked, and Desire Ghost pressed her hand against my chest.
"You can suppress the power of desire here now, but do you dare to release the deepest desire in your heart? You don't, do you?"
I didn't nod, but what Desire Ghost said was true. If I ever let myself feel a strong desire for power, the power of desire would invade my body and begin to turn me to stone. So I always suppress my innermost thoughts.
"John Chou's method was just that—he let Desire Force invade his body. When he was about to turn to stone, he'd use his Ghost Aura to fight back. But as long as you have desire, no power can resist Desire Force. John Chou's way was to let desire appear, and when Desire Force entered his body, he would suddenly suppress his desire. Normally, Desire Force would leave, but he used his strength to hold it inside, gradually teaching his Ghost Aura to restrain Desire Force."
"Is that even possible?"
Desire Ghost gave me a sideways look.
"But John Chou really did it. That's how he developed his Bloodbane Power here. I was shocked—he created a force that could collapse all other powers. He practiced here for a long time. I was afraid of him, because he knew I was watching, but said nothing. He tried to lure me out, wanting to use me to test his Bloodbane Power."
I smiled helplessly. That was exactly the sort of thing John Chou would do.
"What about Ethan Zhang?"
I asked.
"As for Ethan, he relied on relentless practice. He's incredibly determined. You've seen him condense Deathbane Aura into a gun, right?"
I nodded.
"He practiced countless times, repeating the same thing every day. That's why I say you're too lazy."
I lay down on the ground, at a loss for what to do.
"Alright, let's go. I'll take you somewhere special—the core of the Desire Realm. You've never seen it, have you?"
I looked at Desire Ghost in surprise. She floated up with a mysterious smile, and I followed. Seeing her like that, my mood lifted a little.