I slowly opened my eyes. Warren Qi was still smiling, his gaze fixed on me. A faint layer of Deathbane Aura had already begun to appear on his body, shrouding me like a mist.
The body that Warren Qi had nearly destroyed before was now gradually coming back to life. The Deathbane Aura covering my skin grew thicker and heavier. My eyes opened—black and red—seeing everything around me with utter clarity.
It was Warren Qi. Inside his body, a pitch-black mass radiated a despairing aura. I slowly rose, half-crouching on the ground.
A tremendous power was roaring within my body, while inside, my heart was bleeding. I had been completely abandoned. The Ethan Zhang of the living world and I—this version of Ethan Zhang—had walked utterly different paths. He remained so weak, always like that. But I can’t afford to be weak any longer.
As Ethan Zhang, I absolutely cannot allow myself to be weak like before, to the point of losing everything. I don’t blame him, but maybe, deep down, the resentment toward Ethan Zhang has long been buried in my heart. Honestly, I hate him. The vanished Ethan Zhang, Earth Soul, isn’t dead—he exists right here.
The Ethan Zhang of the living world survived, led through all this by that evil ghost from Yin Chou. But me, at this moment, am already dead—a ghost, an incomplete evil ghost.
I slowly stood up, suppressing everything within. The Deathbane Aura surged from my spine like flowing water, steaming and wildly dancing around me.
Inside, I was roaring. I’m going to settle things with him—and from now on, whether human or ghost, nothing can stop me. I’ve already decided to walk this path, named Destruction, and drown myself in the end.
"Look, if you use the right method, this guy is perfect material for refining ghosts."
Warren Qi burst into loud laughter. The members of the Ghost Syndicate stood nearby, ready to act. Above, the sky was crisscrossed with streaks of darkness, woven together like a cage.
Stay out of this. This is between Ethan Zhang and me—a personal grudge. I even helped you draw out his power, didn't I? I rarely get the chance to stretch my legs; I deserve a little fun, don't you think?
With a thunderous crash, I drifted right up to Warren Qi and unleashed a punch. Deathbane Aura exploded violently, fracturing the ground all around us.
The blast of energy swept over Ghost Tomb Mountain, caving in the earth. Deathbane Aura surged outward in every direction.
Warren Qi didn't flinch. He simply raised his right hand, blocking my fist with his palm. I stared, shocked, seeing amusement flicker in his eyes.
"Go on, Ethan Zhang."
With a guttural scream, I kicked at Warren Qi. There was a heavy bang as he blocked my foot with his arm. Deathbane Aura tore the ground apart, stone shards flying everywhere—yet Warren Qi didn't budge.
"Keep going."
Warren Qi's words were mocking, his gaze filled with contempt as he looked down on me.
I swung my fists wildly, Deathbane Aura spraying everywhere. Warren Qi blocked every blow with both hands, never once acknowledging my existence.
My furious shouts grew louder as my strength surged. My body began to split open, black Deathbane Aura pouring out every second, like water bursting from a broken dam.
Suddenly, with a loud bang, I struck out with my fist again. But in front of Warren Qi, it was all futile; my attacks meant nothing to him—not even a scratch.
Inside, my anger had reached its peak. I kept attacking, smashing the ground and nearby houses to rubble, but Warren Qi remained motionless.
"What's wrong? You've gained immense power, but this isn't how you use it."
Suddenly, my eyes widened. Warren Qi bent down and punched me hard. With a thunderous crack, a huge hole burst open in my chest, black blood spraying everywhere as I was sent flying, crashing to the ground.
The earth around me split with a deafening roar, collapsing in on itself. Yet I felt no pain. A flood of Deathbane Aura instantly filled the gaping wound in my chest.
I got back to my feet, glaring fiercely at Warren Qi as he walked toward me, step by step.
"What's wrong, Ethan Zhang? Keep going. I'm just getting started—it's been ages since I've felt this exhilarated."
There was madness in Warren Qi's eyes. With a whoosh, he appeared right in front of me. My chest caved in even more, black blood splattering as I was sent flying again.
In midair, Warren Qi grabbed my head and, with a crash, sat on top of me, pinning me to the ground and slowly pressing me down.
I roared, Deathbane Aura spilling out chaotically—but none of it could break through Warren Qi's body. It was as if his body blocked the aura completely; I couldn't even touch him.
"Come on, Ethan Zhang, keep trying. Maybe if you push a little harder, you'll actually beat me. I'm so scared right now—your power is incredible, and it's only getting stronger."
"Stop, Mr. Warren Qi. That's enough. Could you hand Ethan Zhang over to us now?"
Grandpa Crybaby approached slowly, but Warren Qi suddenly glared at him.
"I told you, I'm just getting started. Relax, I won't break him—at most, I'll destroy everything he is. Isn't that what you all want to see?"
I screamed and struggled to break free, but Warren Qi's grip on my head was like an iron vise. I couldn't muster any strength, couldn't escape. Even with all the Deathbane Aura, I couldn't get up.
"This world is just that cruel, Ethan Zhang. What's wrong? You want to kill me, don't you? You hate me. And as for that Endbringer—he came to you. If he hadn't, maybe you'd already be dead, and you wouldn't have to carry all this hatred. The Ethan Zhang who was abandoned by the world of the living is long gone."
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I let out a scream, slamming my hands against Warren Qi's body, but he was like steel, not budging an inch.
At last, Warren Qi let go. With a whoosh, I shot to my feet, glaring at him. He stood there, calm and composed, hands raised.
"Don't stop. Let your hatred for this world, for humans and ghosts alike, feed you. It's your strength. Hate everything—this world means nothing to you now. I am your instinct. As long as you keep hating, you won't disappear. Keep going, Ethan Zhang."