"Let's go. We'll grab something to eat and then get some sleep."
As soon as I came downstairs, Entity 001 started muttering, yawning. Agent Seven stood nearby, smiling with narrowed eyes. At that moment, a thought surfaced within me—something I needed to do by taking 001's hand, even though her strength was still faint.
Living with these two, I gradually discovered that their powers were born from the soul—an incredibly rare force. It felt almost instinctual, yet somehow ran counter to instinct itself.
"We'll stay here for a while."
No sooner had I spoken than Entity 001's mouth dropped open, staring at me in disbelief.
"If we stay here too long, we'll lose it. Don't forget—we're still human."
I nodded and took a seat beside the little stone table, shaking my head.
"It doesn't matter if you're human. Aside from the apartment block and the ghost district behind us, which is heavy with yin energy, the front is still teeming with yang energy. Besides, you've played enough for now, haven't you?"
Entity 001 pouted, looking at me with obvious displeasure.
"That Earthly Soul isn't coming back anytime soon. I have no idea what it's up to, but it's not returning in the short term. I need to figure out how to gather all you Forsaken. Ma Yongjie has already found a few of them. Once they're assembled, they'll head for Haven City."
"That guy is so outrageous, it's best if he never comes back."
001's ability doesn't just twist matter—it can even distort a person's soul. It's shocking, especially in the world of the living, where her power is so overwhelming she could turn Ethan Zhang into an animal.
It was also because of 001 that Mason Yu recovered and became a corpse ghost. I witnessed it firsthand—001 forcibly twisted and fused Mason Yu's soul into his long-dead body, binding flesh and spirit together.
She used this ability on Earthly Soul once, showing him the possibility of new power. But her strength is still too weak—she can't fully fuse soul and power as Earthly Soul envisions.
Doing this makes the flow of power smoother. When using it, there's no loss from transmission—the power is fully realized.
My goal is simple: have 001 use her power to restore this space—warped by Ethan Zhang's will and affecting the memories of those nearby—back to normal. In my eyes, this is the root of karma here. I don't know what this distortion will lead to, but if Ethan Zhang wants to return, this power will be crucial for him.
Karma here is like a dead knot—the balance of yin and yang is completely broken. If we can untwist things and restore normalcy, yang energy can reach this place, and a fragile equilibrium will return.
This ghost domain, now self-aware, is in a dire state. Worst case, it will begin devouring the people and ghosts within, turning them into ghost spirits—absorbed into the domain itself.
Seeing the ghost domain's consciousness, I immediately knew—I can't just let it be. I'm not like Earthly Soul, who only pursues power and ignores everything else. These Forsaken, their power is far too weak for the world now, and Earthly Soul isn't the type to patiently nurture them.
Thinking this, I smiled helplessly. Maybe unconsciously, Earthly Soul has already left these Forsaken to me. Deep down, he knows I'll help Ethan Zhang, and help him too.
Maybe it's because I'm not competitive and have too much free time. I watched 001 and Agent Seven—001 lay bored on the table, while Agent Seven seemed to know what I wanted. He raised a finger, and a smear of green, viscous liquid appeared at his tip, burning through the ghostly stone table as it dripped down.
What are you doing? It stinks!
001 immediately jumped back, clutching her nose. Drops of green liquid fell onto the table and chairs, corroding shallow pits before disappearing, with wisps of black smoke rising.
This power is pretty weak. If we run into a fierce ghost, we'll probably be killed instantly.
I nodded. It can burn through yin energy, but it's such a tiny amount—barely worth mentioning.
So I have a suggestion: let's slowly build up your power here.
As I spoke, 001 hesitated but eventually nodded, on the condition that I buy her tasty food every day. I smiled and agreed.
Let's try the table first.
I said, and 001 focused on the table. But after a long while, nothing happened—the table was too solid, made of condensed yin energy, and she couldn't twist it with her current power.
Only at the edges did a few crumbs appear under 001's power. She can twist anything, but there's no good way to make her stronger right now. After months of close observation, I still haven't found a solution.
Gradually, the crumbs at the edge of the table turned into black streams of air, then, under 001's distortion, formed a square stone. With a soft thud, the stone landed on the table, but the table itself barely changed.
At this moment, beads of sweat appeared on 001's forehead. She sat down, exhausted and gasping for breath.
No, that's my limit.
I picked up the stone made of yin energy, completely twisted by 001's will. Such transformation is extremely difficult for most ghosts—only the strongest can manage it. But to control power this precisely is rare. Compared to human abilities, ghost powers are much cruder.
Most techniques in the art world are the result of layer upon layer of accumulation—years of practice and repeated trials. The most refined spells require delicate control and thousands of repetitions to master.
What I care most about is 001's power. She can easily achieve the kind of transformation that takes ghosts and practitioners years to master.
Try again—make it look different.
I looked around and pointed to a branch outside the pavilion.
Make it look like that.
001 replied with an 'okay,' but her tone was already tinged with annoyance. I quickly spoke up.
I know a barbecue place nearby with great food. When you're hungry and tired, I'll buy some for you. After you eat, you can shower and sleep soundly.
Looking at 001, she still had her little temper—after all, she's just a child. Sure enough, she soon brightened up and got back to work.
The black square stone slowly rose. 001 glanced at the branch on the left side of the pavilion, then at the stone. Gradually, the yin-energy stone began to break down, turning into a stream of air, which started to rebuild itself.
Soon, the shape of the branch in the middle appeared, while yin energy kept gathering around it.
With a soft thud, the process ended after nearly ten minutes. 001 was panting heavily, nearly collapsing, and Agent Seven quickly supported her, smiling as he offered her water.
I looked at the branch on the table, amazed. I still remember Ethan Zhang practicing weapon-making with baleful energy in the Forest of Desire, day after day for nearly two years before mastering such complex transformation.
But 001 could do it so easily—this complex transformation was completely unexpected. I took the yin-energy branch, went to the left side of the pavilion, and compared it to the branch I'd pointed at earlier. It was a perfect match.
Can you keep going?
I asked, and 001 looked up at me blankly.
Do you want me dead? My head is exhausted.
I smiled and nodded. It looks like I'll have to increase her training to see if her power can grow. Glancing back at the apartment block, I realized that restoring everything here will take a long time.
It's all worth it. It's just past 7 o'clock, and 001, after using her power, was in pain. I went to room 410, held her, and laid her on the bed.
Take a nap first. When you wake up, there'll be food.
001 looked around.
Is this place really safe?
I nodded. After closing the door, the lights came on in the room. I went back to the pavilion—now it was Agent Seven's turn. As far as I know, his power in the living world is corrosive.
Agent Seven came over, stretched, and got ready. I watched quietly. Here, anything damaged by ghost energy repairs itself naturally. He raised his hand, green liquid oozing from his skin, but his face tensed and the liquid began to drip.
Sizzling noises sounded as the yin energy burned. I focused, and a drop of green liquid appeared at my fingertip. I began to sense it—white roots appeared, wrapping around the green liquid.