Lance Quinn pulled me up from the ground, a smile appearing on his face.
"You should thank me, Ethan Zhang. Otherwise, you’d definitely be dead right now."
Looking at Lance Quinn’s expression, I really didn’t feel like thanking him—especially since he let them go—but I still forced a smile and said thank you.
"Did you already know about their connection to the Immortality Society?"
I asked, and Lance Quinn nodded.
"I met them years ago—three times in total, always the same. I told them to go back, but they refused every time. This is the third time. This time..."
Lance Quinn said this, clenching his fist.
"Next time we meet, I’ll deal with them myself, since they won’t go back."
Lance Quinn spoke, then walked over to Master Zachary Wu, who was now unconscious. Lance Quinn quickly checked him over.
"How is he?"
I asked, and Lance Quinn shook his head.
"Ethan Zhang, I never intended to get involved in your affairs, but since those people are involved, I had no choice. Just now, I sensed an incredibly powerful, terrifying force—it must be the Transformation Spirit Technique."
Lance Quinn continued, and I grew anxious, not knowing what to do. Master Zachary Wu ended up like this because of me.
"There is a way. According to records in the Corpse Realm, the Transformation Spirit Technique has appeared thirteen times before. This is the fourteenth."
"What exactly is it?" I couldn’t help but ask. The ghostly part inside me was completely gone—I couldn’t feel it at all. Even though my limbs had regrown, the ghost part had vanished.
"It’s used to fight powerful ghosts or zombies. You’ve met that one called Mu Yunshang, right?"
I nodded. She was the subordinate of the Blood Fiend of Chaos—I’d seen her in the Corpse Realm. Lance Quinn continued speaking.
"Only she knows the details. Years ago, she was defeated by the Transformation Spirit Technique and suffered severe injuries. Now, she can only handle reconnaissance tasks—she probably couldn’t even defeat one of those blue-faced men. Even now, her body is tormented by the Transformation Spirit Technique. I suspect you’re the same, Ethan Zhang—I can’t sense any ghostly part in you anymore."
I nodded, staring blankly at Lance Quinn, then at Master Zachary Wu. He seemed almost beyond saving.
"Please, think of a way to save Master Wu."
Lance Quinn glanced at me, sighed, and shook his head.
"Ah, what a mess. We revenants and these Taoists are usually sworn enemies. Never thought I’d be saving one of them now."
Lance Quinn said as he crouched down, placing a hand on Master Zachary Wu’s forehead. Gradually, a water-blue glow lit up, accompanied by a creaking sound. The light enveloped Master Wu’s body, forming a blue, glowing cocoon around him.
"What is that?"
"Anyone who uses the Transformation Spirit Technique ends up miserable—almost instantly reaching the end of their lifespan. My only option now is to stop his vital energy from leaking out, at least to keep him alive. Beyond that, I don’t know. You’re on your own, Ethan Zhang. You’re now fully human, so be careful. Humans and ghosts are very different."
I understood what Lance Quinn meant. Before, I could risk my body again and again because I was a ghost—so long as my ghost soul remained, I could regenerate. But now, it’s different. I can’t become a ghost anymore.
"Also, Yuna Ji won’t be able to keep giving you things to strengthen your body."
Lance Quinn said, grabbing my hand.
"What are you doing?"
Suddenly, Lance Quinn dragged his fingernail across my arm, leaving a gash. I winced in pain as bright red blood flowed out—the wound showed no sign of healing, and the blood kept pouring.
I quickly pressed my hand to the wound. Lance Quinn just smiled.
"Take a look at your arm’s color."
I let out a cry and stared at my arm. Suddenly, a sharp pain hit, making me scream—the blood turned black, and my arm began to turn blue.
Suddenly, Lance Quinn grabbed my arm, and a stream of white energy flowed out. Gradually, my arm was restored, the wound disappeared.
"Don’t doubt it—I healed you and cleared out the corpse venom. Don’t be reckless again, Ethan Zhang. You’ll die."
I looked at Lance Quinn gratefully and thanked him again.
"Luckily, some of your remaining human strength is still there. If you can find a way to awaken it, you’ll be fine. But be careful—it could backfire and burn you up in an instant."
I responded, still unsure what Lance Quinn meant. At that moment, I heard a commotion nearby—it was Vivian Maple, who stood up holding Rufina Howard.
"Ah, Vivian Maple—haven’t seen you in years."
Lance Quinn said, forcing a smile as he hurried over to Vivian Maple, sizing her up. Vivian just looked at him coldly and didn’t respond.
"Really, you’re so beautiful—why do you always cover your face? Heh, I’ve seen you before, you know."
"Ethan, I’ll take the girl back first. Where are you going next?"
Vivian Maple still ignored Lance Quinn, but he edged closer. Suddenly, Vivian pressed her blade against his neck.
"You’re really annoying."
Lance Quinn raised his hands and backed off. Vivian Maple’s expression remained grim.
"Are you alright, Miss Maple?"
Vivian Maple shook her head, then slowly floated upward.
"This girl’s in bad shape. Some of her blood’s been drained—I need to get her back."
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I nodded.
"Don’t worry about me, Miss Maple."
Vivian Maple nodded, then turned into a streak of green light and flew off into the distance. Lance Quinn raised his hand, waving goodbye.
"Sigh, things are getting harder, Ethan Zhang. I advise you not to mess with the Immortality Society. Otherwise, you’ll end up miserable."
I had no intention of listening to Lance Quinn.
"It’s already begun—for me and for them."
Deep down, I knew the Immortality Society would never let me go—and I wouldn’t let them go either.
"Suit yourself, Ethan Zhang. Do what you want. I’m leaving—I don’t want to get involved in your mess."
Lance Quinn said, walking away. But I was still confused by what he’d said earlier—about my remaining human strength.
"Can you tell me? What strength do I have left?"
Before, I survived by relying on my ghost powers—but now, they’re completely gone. I’m just an ordinary person now. I can’t fly, and I’ve lost my fighting ability.
"Ethan Zhang, the Vermilion Bird and Spirit Snake are inside you—just ask them. I’m leaving now."
Lance Quinn seemed a bit impatient. I replied, and he quickly ran off, disappearing within moments.
Looking around at the ruined street, I saw dawn beginning to break. I needed to find a way to move Master Zachary Wu to safety. Then, I felt something stuck in my throat, and when I opened my mouth, a ball of golden light flew out—it was Zhang Jizheng.
"Master, please think of something for Zhang..."
"Alright, I understand, Ethan. Sigh."
Zhang Jizheng turned into a transparent figure, gazing sorrowfully at Master Zachary Wu, who was wrapped in blue light.
"You should thank him, Ethan. To save you, he used the Transformation Spirit Technique on you."
I nodded. Then I saw Zhang Jizheng walk over and gently touch the glowing blue cocoon.
"Usually, once this technique is used, there’s no saving them. My master used it once too—that zombie kid didn’t tell the whole story."
Zhang Jizheng said this, looking toward where Lance Quinn had left.
"Back then, my master risked everything to defeat the Blood Revenants’ chief, using the Transformation Spirit Technique. Most of the vampires present died or were wounded. Their chief, Luantian Xuekui, was gravely injured, and her subordinate, Mu Yunshang, was also severely hurt."
I started to understand just how powerful the Transformation Spirit Technique was—it could even injure Luantian Xuekui. I looked quietly at Master Zachary Wu, who seemed dead—no breath, no heartbeat.
Zhang Jizheng looked both sad and a little relieved.
"I never thought people like this still existed. On behalf of the Taoist sect, let me pay my respects."
Zhang Jizheng said, stepping lightly with his left foot, then his right, taking three steps to stand before Master Zachary Wu. He stood with his feet outward, bowed deeply, and paid his respects.
"All of this must be remembered, Ethan Zhang. He may never wake up again, so..."
Zhang Jizheng walked up to Master Zachary Wu, raised his hand, and gently tapped the pale blue cocoon. With a crack, it shattered.
"Master, what are you doing?"
Zhang Jizheng sighed.
"There’s no way to reverse this. He must have known he’d die, but he still chose to save you, Ethan."
In that instant, I choked up, my eyes grew moist. The cracking continued as the blue cocoon around Master Zachary Wu gradually fell away. Zhang Jizheng quickly walked over and placed a hand on Master Wu’s crown.
Suddenly, golden light burst forth. Slowly, Master Zachary Wu opened his eyes.