I sat, restless and uneasy, watching the others around me. They were all laughing and chatting, but I kept feeling chills rising inside. None of these people were trustworthy, especially Mr. Wu, who kept asking me about the outside world. I only told them a few simple things about modern society.
This cave has three levels, all supposedly dug out by themselves. Everyone has their own separate cavern. Mr. Wu led me to the third level, to the innermost cave, telling me to rest here. She said if the Deathbane Ghost came in, they'd find a way to deal with it. Everyone here was getting ready to sleep.
With no other choice, I agreed. Alone in this cavern, I had nowhere else to go. If I left, the Deathbane Ghost would never let me escape. But the people here are all dangerous—no one can be trusted. Maybe, just as the Deathbane Ghost said, they really do want to take my body for themselves.
I've made up my mind—I'll wait for the right moment to run. I can't stay here any longer. This place is full of Children of Malice, and my only way out is the cliff face opposite the waterfall. I have to climb back up.
The cave fell silent. After I stepped out and looked around, I suddenly widened my eyes. Just moments ago, there were people in these caverns, but now they're empty—completely deserted. Where did everyone go?
Nervous and uneasy, I headed to the second level. But it was the same—no one was there. I slowly made my way up.
"Keep your voices down, that kid's still below. There's no need to fight over this. I was the first one here. Whether any of us get saved depends on that kid."
It was Mr. Wu's voice. My heart sank. As expected, they were discussing how to take my body. Amid their arguing, I heard them say they wanted to climb up.
The Deathbane Ghost had tried to climb up before. But when it reached the top, it was forced back by a pure, cleansing force. Still, the Deathbane Ghost saw that there was a temple on the summit—Hidden Falls Temple. They all sensed that the pure force up there could purify Deathbane Aura.
But these people can't climb the cliff. Some have tried, but halfway up, they're thrown back by the pure force above. There's no way to move forward.
They know I climbed down from above—and that I'm a ghost.
"Hmph, Mr. Wu, you failed before, didn't you? You took over the consciousness of a ghost we rescued, but before you could climb up, the Deathbane Ghost killed you. That guy's no pushover. Whenever someone new shows up, he's always lurking near the waterfall."
A woman's voice rang out. Mr. Wu sighed.
"Why can't you trust me? There are so many of us now. If you all try your best to stop the Deathbane Ghost, I can take the chance to climb up. I've tried twice already, so I've got experience. The rest of you have all failed too. Especially you—last time, you got halfway up, lost your grip, and fell. The one who took your consciousness ended up dying at the hands of the Deathbane Ghost as well."
The argument grew louder. I had no idea how they stole consciousness, but I couldn't wait any longer. It looked like they'd reached an agreement—this time, the chance went to Mr. Wu, while the others would do their best to stop the Deathbane Ghost.
I shouted, pulling out the Endbringer Fragment and charged forward. It crackled, black lightning arcing out. Several of them panicked and dodged, but just then, something tripped me. I fell to the ground—it was a strand of Deathbane Aura. Instantly, more strands appeared around me, like ropes, binding me tight. Mr. Wu moved fast and pinned my hand. None of them dared get too close to the Endbringer Fragment, controlling the Deathbane Aura to hold me down.
"You bastards!"
I roared. There was a vicious gleam in Mr. Wu's eyes.
"Hold him down. I'm going to take this kid's consciousness."
In that moment, I was pinned tight. Mr. Wu leaned in close, and fear gripped me. Then I saw his shadowy face split open on both sides, like a huge, pitch-black mouth. I stared in horror as something even darker emerged from within—long and worm-like. Suddenly, that black thing shot out and pierced my skull.
Suddenly, my body felt weightless, my consciousness fading. My head felt like it was melting, everything spinning and twisting before my eyes. My mind was about to explode—something was tearing my consciousness away. My body no longer felt like my own; I couldn't control my limbs at all.
Strange, mocking laughter echoed all around.
With a sudden swish, a Deathbane Aura Blade flew in, slicing into Mr. Wu with a crackle. Deathbane Aura still clung to the sword.
"If you don't want to die, grab the sword now!"
Without hesitation, I grabbed the Deathbane Aura Blade. Suddenly, spikes of Deathbane Aura sprouted from the sword, blasting everyone away. I was yanked out, crashing down in front of Shadow Falls.
Gasping for breath, I looked inside. The Deathbane Ghost was right beside me. I immediately raised the Endbringer Fragment, glaring at him. He just smiled.
"I'm not planning to kill you anymore. I've found a way. Heh, it's just an experiment—before, when I threw the sword in, the Deathbane Aura would break. But after you grabbed my Deathbane Aura Blade, the connection became smooth. Ha! Now I can climb up."
I started climbing the cliff above, Deathbane Aura wrapped around my body. The Deathbane Ghost was right below me. We'd already climbed dozens of meters, but the top was nowhere in sight.
"Hurry up, Zhang Qingyuan, there's still a long way to go."
The Deathbane Ghost urged me on. I glared at him.
"You really won't attack me again?"
"No. If I can get up there, I won't harm you at all. I just want to leave this sunless pit as fast as possible. My previous methods were a bit rough, that's all. Hurry up and climb."
I don't know how much time passed, but a thin mist appeared ahead. Just then, I felt my body squeezed tight, pulled downward.
"It's starting to resist. Hurry up and climb, and be careful not to fall."
The higher I climbed, the harder it got. I could barely move forward, the pull getting stronger and stronger, wrapping me in fog.
"Come on, Zhang Qingyuan, push harder. If I make it up, I'll teach you how to use Deathbane Aura properly."
I stared up, dazed. I could faintly see the cliff edge, but it felt like something heavy was dragging me down. If I let go, I'd fall. The weight was unbearable.
"Heh, keep going, Zhang Qingyuan."
The Deathbane Ghost urged me again, but I couldn't hold on much longer. My fingers gripping the cracks were about to slip.
"Amitabha, Benefactor Zhang, let this old monk lend you a hand."
Just then, on the cliff above, I saw a figure—Master Frank Yuan. A golden light swept down, and as I raised my hand, the golden light wrapped around it, pulling me up.
Finally standing on solid ground, I breathed a sigh of relief. But behind me, wild laughter rang out.
"Finally, I made it! Ha ha ha..."
The Deathbane Ghost's laughter grew louder, and I felt the air tremble slightly. Deathbane Aura dripped from him, flowing like water.
"Monk, there should be an exit here, right? Where is it?"
Master Frank Yuan smiled. My heart skipped a beat—he was already walking toward us, his golden eyes filled with merciless intent.
"Master Frank Yuan, don't—"
"The exit is right above Hidden Falls Temple."
Suddenly, my eyes widened—strands of Deathbane Aura had pierced through Master Frank Yuan. My mouth hung open as blood dripped down. Master Frank Yuan was dead.
"You..."
"I'm evil—completely filled with malice. Ha, die! Even if the exit is fake, now that I'm up here, I can just keep searching."
Strands of Deathbane Aura tore Master Frank Yuan apart and came at me. My eyes widened, but just then, a hand pressed down on my shoulder.
"Master Frank Yuan, aren't you..."
I stared wide-eyed at the Deathbane Ghost, but in front of him was nothing. Instead, Master Frank Yuan and I were at the entrance to the Grand Buddha Hall, while the Deathbane Ghost laughed maniacally.
"That benefactor is already consumed by malice, driven by murderous intent. In his eyes, all things are just one word—kill. Amitabha."
I had no idea what was happening, but it seemed the Deathbane Ghost couldn't see us. He was wild with excitement, laughing uncontrollably, as if pouring out everything inside him.
"Finally, peace. Ha, they're all dead. Once I'm out, anyone I see—I'll kill them all."
The Deathbane Ghost muttered, walking toward us, his eyes sunk in madness. His golden eyes were filled only with murderous intent. The chilling malice made me instinctively stand up and hide behind Master Frank Yuan.
"Amitabha. Wake up, benefactor. All you see is killing, but the world is all around you. Open your eyes and look."
With a crisp sound, I saw Master Frank Yuan press a finger to the Deathbane Ghost's forehead. With a bang and a flash of golden light, the Deathbane Ghost was sent flying, crashing to the ground.