The night was still and silent. I sat quietly in front of the house where Ghostworm resided, holding a glass of liquor, waiting for Howard Zhang to arrive.
According to what the Deathbane Ghost told me, the Yin-Yang Realm wasn’t completely destroyed by the Wraithlord’s power. Instead, it was compressed into a hidden crevice between the worlds. Because the Seven Ghost Souls all have curse energy implanted by the Curse Ghost, they can sense each other. The Curse Ghost and Thought Ghost are still present as well. The only way to find out where the Yin-Yang Realm has gone is to use the soul of a beggar.
Since long ago, the Yin-Yang Realm has been the resting place for beggar souls. Those beggars twisted by the realm’s power into monsters can sense each other distinctly. So, all we need is to use a beggar’s soul. Once it resonates with the unique curse energy in the Yin-Yang Realm, we can pinpoint the location. After that, I only need to use my power to break open the space—which I’m fully capable of now.
Every second, power is circulating and increasing within my body, and I’m growing stronger. Even as the power keeps expanding, it doesn’t burden me at all. The corpse flesh Luna Quay gave me has already fused perfectly with my own.
I raised my hand. The skin felt normal to the touch, but I knew my bones and flesh were no longer human—even harder than a zombie’s. My body was undergoing changes I never imagined I could withstand.
I smiled bitterly. Beside me, the Deathbane Ghost poured me another drink with a gentle smile.
“Rachel Lan, when I get the chance, I’ll look into the whereabouts of the Immortality Society for you.”
I nodded, downed the drink in one gulp, set the glass down, and nodded again.
“Once I find them, I won’t hesitate to take them out.”
Black Moon chuckled.
“With your arrival, the very structure and essence of power have been completely overturned. The Immortality Society will likely avoid you now, Rachel Lan. After all, you’ve become the strongest in the Yin-Yang Realm.”
I shook my head.
There’s no such thing as a true strongest. Take the Wraithlord, for example—he possessed immense power, yet in the end, he was undone by John Chou’s step-by-step schemes.
At that moment, I heard a sound coming from the path below.
“I know, Senior Brother. I’ll just have a little, it’s fine.”
I looked curiously at Howard Zhang, who now had a shaved head. He smiled and walked up when he saw me.
“Are you really planning to become a monk?”
I teased with a grin, and after Howard Zhang sat down, he sighed.
“That old monk is such a nuisance, always trying to persuade me. How could I possibly become a monk? At most, I’ll come for two or three months a year. I have a wife and kid—there’s no way.”
Howard Zhang casually picked up the liquor and gulped it down. I smiled and shook my head. Mingde had told me before that he’d chosen Howard Zhang as the next abbot of Universal Temple, but with his temperament, he’d never truly become a monk.
Earlier, Howard Zhang had been meditating and chanting with several monks in the Grand Hall. Now that it’s midnight, he’s finally able to join me, and Universal Temple seems to have relaxed its rules for him.
“Tonight, I’ll keep you company for a few drinks. Honestly, dying is not a pleasant experience.”
Howard Zhang said this, and I nodded, then looked toward the Deathbane Ghost.
“Get me something to eat.”
The Deathbane Ghost stood up helplessly.
“Alright, I got it.”
A chill wind swept through. Before long, several ghosts brought over plenty of food and more liquor. Howard Zhang and I ate and drank happily.
“But honestly, you’ve changed a lot, Rachel Lan.”
“In what way, exactly?”
I asked with a smile. The truth is, I’ve changed a lot—I know it myself. My state of mind is nothing like it used to be.
“You’ve become more mature and steady, I suppose. And I heard from those old monks that your power is incredibly strong now.”
I nodded.
At that moment, I noticed Ghostworm was still awake, watching outside. I glanced over at him.
“If you’re not sleeping, come out and have a bite.”
Ghostworm came over after the door opened, licking his lips.
“Why is a kid up so late? Go to bed.”
Howard Zhang teased.
“Brat, don’t forget I’m technically your master. I still need to teach you how to control the power of the Buddha’s image.”
Ghostworm said, coming closer. Howard Zhang placed a hand on his head—he looked just like a kid of about ten.
“You’re way younger than me, and you dare call yourself my master?”
Ghostworm brushed Zhang Hao's hand aside.
"Let me tell you, Zhang Hao, when you go down the mountain, take me with you. I need to gather the Renegade Monks."
I looked at Ghostworm suspiciously.
"Aren't the Renegade Monks already scattered and broken?"
Ghostworm shook his head.
"Our sect is merely hidden, not destroyed. And right now, the Living World needs help—investigating the Immortality Society and the issues with the Yin Aspect."
I nodded, my expression growing serious.
"If you dare do anything evil again, don't blame me for what happens next."
I spoke in a threatening tone. Ghostworm glanced at me and started eating the dishes on the table.
"Yeah, yeah, your fists are tougher now. You're the boss. Whatever you say, we'll do."
I laughed and patted Ghostworm on the forehead. He pouted in annoyance, and we both dropped our joking expressions, growing serious.
"It's alright, Rachel Lan. No matter what trouble you face, I'll help you."
Zhang Hao raised his glass to me. I smiled and shook my head.
"It's fine. Don't worry about me. I'm nothing like I used to be."
I looked at Zhang Hao and continued.
"Just spend more time with your wife and child."
After a while, Zhang Hao was drunk, slumped over the table, laughing to himself. Ghostworm had already gone to bed. Soon, a few of Zhang Hao's senior brothers came to help him away. It seemed Universal Temple was much more lenient with Zhang Hao now.
I remembered Zhang Qingyuan once told me that if Zhang Hao broke the precepts, he'd be punished by reciting sutras for a week, tending vegetables by day, and quietly chanting by night.
"Maybe we should just rest for the night."
Deathbane Ghost spoke, but I shook my head. Black wings formed of Deathbane Aura unfurled from my back, infused with the power of Yin ghosts and Zhu Tang. They were light and flame-like—I've never seen anything like this before.
"It's truly astonishing. If you were hit by this power, your soul would be annihilated instantly."
I shook my head, using Yin energy to lift Deathbane Ghost and Black Moon. My wings beat furiously. I drank the last sip of wine and, with a violent flap, shot straight into the sky.
I looked around, stunned. During my movement, I felt something strange—white lights flashed before my eyes, and the sound of shattering echoed in my ears.
I realized it was time itself. My movement had torn through time—a sensation so unbelievable it felt like nothing could restrain me anymore. I looked south, and with a thought, I felt time rip again. Instantly, I was standing at the old site of the apartment building.
I took out the token and a vermilion door appeared before me. With a creak, I led Deathbane Ghost and Black Moon straight into the Yin Realm.
From afar, I saw the floating island. Around its perimeter, red pillars had been erected.
A strong surge of ghost energy rushed toward me. In the blink of an eye, Isabelle Frost appeared before me. I'd already contacted her through the token. She held a small orange-red gourd and nodded at me.
With a flash of black light, Deathbane Aura flowed from my body. A man in a sharp red suit appeared before me—myself, but male, staring wickedly at Isabelle Frost. Deathbane Ghost took the orange-red gourd from her and twisted off the lid. A gray mist poured out, and I heard sobbing.
One by one, filthy, disheveled souls appeared, reeking of garbage. More than a dozen beggar souls sat on the ground, eyes full of pain, wanting to escape but restrained by thin red chains around their necks.
Deathbane Ghost approached the beggars, landing among them. Black tendrils of Deathbane Aura wrapped around them. He closed his eyes, and I sensed he was investigating the rotten, apple-like stench coming from their bodies.
If we can locate the Yin-Yang Boundary, Isabelle Frost and I will find a way to restore it to its rightful place, acting as a barrier to keep the realms apart. Only then can we prevent people from accidentally entering the Yin Realm. These incidents are happening so often in the Living World that the Yellow Springs must deal with them daily.
Some souls, after death, enter the Yin Realm before the Yellow Springs can collect them. They quickly become ghosts and can cross into the Living World through certain places.
Deathbane Ghost sat down completely. My senses were linked with his, but so far, I hadn't detected the same rotten aura as those beggars. It seemed all we could do was wait.
I began telling Isabelle Frost about the surveillance agents sent by the Dark Banquet after I visited Universal Temple. She listened, her face grave.
"Let's discuss that later. Right now, finding the Yin-Yang Boundary is most important!"