Various scenes shifted rapidly around me, as if time itself was fast-forwarding. All changes swept past my eyes in a blur. The figure shrouded in black mist gripped my arm tightly. I struggled to break free, but found myself powerless.
Where exactly are you taking me?
The scenes sped up even more, and a wave of pain swept over my entire body. It felt as if my ghostly soul was being ripped apart. I cried out in agony, my consciousness growing increasingly blurred.
You'll arrive soon—your future awaits.
The figure before me spoke with excitement. Suddenly, everything around us stopped. I exhaled, clutching my chest in pain. A streak of golden light appeared around us.
Ksitigarbha, you cannot stop me.
The figure shrouded in black mist laughed loudly, crackling sounds echoing. I clutched my forehead, feeling two intense forces colliding around me as the scenes flashed by.
I collapsed to my knees, unable to move at all.
If this continues, Ethan Zhang will be strangled to death. That's not what either of us wants, right, Ksitigarbha? Put away your nauseating tricks. Buddha? Ha! Ridiculous.
As the figure spoke, the scenes around us began to move again. The pain was so intense that I could barely think, but I knew I was spinning through time at incredible speed.
The scenes began to speed up again, and the figure before me grabbed my hand tightly.
Keep going—toward the future that belongs to you.
Struggling, I opened my eyes. A sorrowful sigh echoed through the air around me.
Gradually, everything around me began to slow down. The pain in my body eased until it disappeared entirely. I looked around: a deserted, ruined city, land turned to sand, trees like fossils, and howling winds whipping up sandstorms, their wails echoing between the buildings.
The figure before me laughed heartily.
Thank you, Ethan Zhang. I think I've found the destination. The wager with that guy is complete.
A pair of golden eyes stared at me with excitement. I climbed to my feet, sensing no trace of life anywhere. Everywhere I looked, there was only death—human and animal bones scattered everywhere.
What exactly is this?
Getting to my feet, I looked at the figure before me. A powerful aura radiated from him, giving me a sense of foreboding.
To travel through past and future, you need a medium. You, as a natural entity attuned to the changes of all things, can serve as that medium. That's why you can return to the past. Any other questions?