Aren't you going to think about it, Ethan Zhang?
Ah, no need to think too much about it, Ethan Zhang.
All around, the ground was scorched black, the sky woven with chaotic colors. Wind and sand danced through the air, and everywhere, there were desiccated bones half-buried in the sand.
On a stone that was crumbling inch by inch sat a person with long hair, dressed exactly like me. His red eyes were full of contempt and amusement as he looked at me.
At last, I understood what Xu Fu meant by 'choice.' Earth Soul Ethan Zhang wanted to end this world directly, with Black Moon opening the memory channel for him, and he sent Endbringer into this world.
"Since when did you start dressing like me?"
I joked.
"Heh, after all, I'm Ethan Zhang too, aren't I?"
Yes, you're Ethan Zhang—and so am I.
Step by step, I walked toward him.
"If you really wanted to, you could end it all, anytime you wish. So why are you waiting? What exactly are you waiting for, Ethan Zhang?"
"I'm waiting for you."
Earth Soul Ethan Zhang stood up, came over to me, and leaned his face close. The same smile, the same eyes—it was as if I were looking into a mirror.
"Then you’ll be waiting a long time."
As I spoke, I sat down. With a crunch, the stone beneath me turned to sand, and I landed right on the ground, swallowing mouthfuls of grit. I coughed and spat it out in a hurry.
A hand reached out. I grabbed it, and Earth Soul Ethan Zhang pulled me up.
"I won’t give up—not on any of this. Not on Rachel Lan, Lily Wu, or you."
I looked at Earth Soul Ethan Zhang with unwavering resolve. He smiled.
"By doing this, you’re helping those people directly. Later, you might even have to help them open up a passage to the living world. If you do nothing, then that world ends, and Rachel Lan and Lily Wu lose their chance to return. I didn’t expect you to hesitate at all."
I shook my head. At first, I did hesitate. But when I thought of Rachel Lan, Lily Wu, and Cao Wanzhi, and Grace Hu—who wanted nothing more than to save them—I knew I had to help, to draw Endbringer.
"Let me give you a friendly reminder: everything those three have done is to create the strongest body possible. Everything in this world serves that purpose."
"What exactly is their goal?"
I asked immediately.
But Earth Soul Ethan Zhang just shook his head—he didn’t know. He didn’t need to say it; I could tell he wasn’t lying.
"Ethan Zhang, if you’re going to do this, bring them all back—your former lover, your current one, and Nathan Li."
I made a sound, clenching my fists.
"I will. I’ll bring them all back. This time, nothing will go wrong."
"Oh? So you think now that Heavenly Soul Ethan Zhang has accepted you, your power has grown, and you’re getting arrogant..."
"No, I’m just lucky. You’ve always been alone, but I’m not anymore. I didn’t come to this world alone—I have friends I can rely on."
"Suit yourself. John Chou asked me to pass on a message: If you want to win this fight, anger Isabelle Frost."