I stared at my phone screen, bathed in a vivid green glow. The Bing App kept vibrating, as if it were delighted—it seemed to pulse with excitement, the whole app bouncing energetically.
"According to current calculations, there is 1 day, 23 hours, 35 minutes, and 13 seconds left before you vanish from the mortal world and enter the Forest of Desire. Please rest well. Recommendation..."
Without another thought, I smashed the phone with a loud crack.
But only a few seconds later, my pocket vibrated again. Surprised, I pulled out another phone.
"One last thing—the database has finished downloading. I am the Bing App. If you have any questions, ask Bing."
The green glow at the edge of the screen faded. The phone fell silent. I casually flipped through it, then put it in my pocket, smiling as I gazed out the window. The night breeze gently caressed the air, brushing past me again and again. I felt no fatigue, no drowsiness—just a strange sensation.
In the past, when I became a ghost, my powers would eventually run out, and when I returned to human form, I would be utterly exhausted. But now, that no longer happened.
I held the purple crystal at my chest, raising it and watching quietly. A wave of bitterness welled up inside me. Gradually, I began to hum a song: 'Goodbye, never to meet again...'
This was a song Leah King sang when she debuted. The melody was sorrowful from the very start, with a slow rhythm, as if telling a tragic story. Leah King won a major award for this song, which launched her career in the music world.
I had heard it several times before. For some reason, the melody felt especially familiar now. I hummed softly, staring blankly at the purple crystal, my heart feeling empty.
The next day, I stayed at home. Early in the morning, before my parents woke up, I prepared breakfast and tidied up the house, helping out as much as I could.
My father looked surprised when he got up. I didn't say much, only that I'd be gone for a few months and wanted to do something for them before leaving.
The time spent with my family was pleasant. On the evening of the third day, I said goodbye to my parents.
"Ethan, be careful when you're out. Take a few extra clothes so you don't catch cold."
My mother said this, and I nodded, moved. My father just looked at me silently.
"If only Rachel Lan could come with you. Remember to give her our regards."
I nodded and, watched by my parents, walked toward the elevator. When the doors opened, I quickly stepped aside as someone came out, seemingly not noticing me. I hurried into the elevator, and with a whoosh, I felt the eyes of the Resentful Ghost and Tong Ghost return to my body.
My father seemed to notice that moment, his expression strange. But I didn't dare dwell on it, nor did I want to. I fled upward, reaching the top floor, where the three Blue Wraiths awaited. I sat on the edge of the rooftop, watching the sun slowly set.
The afterglow tinted the clouds red—golden-red clouds stretching across the sky. The last rays of sunlight were gradually disappearing.
"It'll be over soon, Ethan."
Wei Lao spoke, and I nodded.
"Don't worry, Ethan. The three of us will be stationed here permanently."
"Thank you all for your trouble."
I said, and Wei Lao patted my shoulder.
I sat on the rooftop, waiting for the time to come. The deep longing inside me surged forth—I could no longer suppress my hope that Rachel Lan was still alive. My body began to emit a faint blue glow. Soon, I would vanish and enter the Forest of Desire.
This intense, burning longing scorched my heart like wildfire. Every memory with Rachel Lan surfaced in my mind. Sadness overwhelmed me, and my body began to blur.
"Time's up."
My pocket vibrated; I knew it was midnight. The more I recalled Rachel Lan, the more memories flooded my mind.
"Rachel Lan, no matter what, I will keep our promise and survive..."
Clutching Rachel Lan's Crystal, my body began to turn into sparkling white particles, slowly fading away as my consciousness slipped into darkness.
"Back here again."
I smiled. Before me stretched a vast, empty world. It was daytime; everything was unchanging, the trees tall and nearly identical except for their leafy tips, and a river flowing steadily with water.
"Ethan... I'm here, come over..."
Suddenly, Rachel Lan's voice rang out behind me. I spun around, excited, and saw her standing in the middle of the woods, dressed in a soft white gown, barefoot, smiling gently and waving at me.
I wanted to step forward but found my feet unbearably heavy. I quickly suppressed the urge to go to her, closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, Rachel Lan had vanished from the woods. Then I noticed, at the end of the river, a three-story Octagon Tower. Surprised, I rushed over, but suddenly my feet felt rooted to the ground.
"That's right, this is the Forest of Desire."
I smiled again and slowed my steps. By the river, I crouched down, scooped up some water, and drank—it had no effect. I crossed the river and walked onward. The river's depth changes according to one's desires, but I've been through so much that I can control mine.
The stone table was still there. Now, it was covered with fragrant food. I swallowed once, ignored it, and walked straight toward the Octagon Tower. In a patch of cultivated forest, the ancient Octagon Tower stood, its wind chimes shaped like Red Spider Lilies, ringing with the wind.
This section isn't finished yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading!
"You've arrived, Ethan Zhang."