I stared blankly at Isabelle Frost, finally realizing just how difficult it is to truly master power. After trying for myself, this tiny amount of Ghost Aura—not to mention flying—even in the living world, I probably couldn't even walk through walls.
Now, with the oppressive backlash in the Forest of Desire, every time I use my power, the backlash multiplies. Forget flying—even walking is a struggle.
"Hurry up and keep going."
Isabelle Frost urged me. I blinked, glanced at her, then muttered an acknowledgment and began to release my Ghost Aura bit by bit. But instantly, the Ghost Aura I released spun out of control—ten times stronger than what Isabelle Frost had just demonstrated. Once again, I collapsed to the ground.
After getting back up, I was left dazed.
"Is there anything..."
"Until you can fly, I won't tell you anything."
Isabelle Frost said coldly, shot me a frosty glance, then turned and left.
I looked around at the Red Spider Lilies, sighed, and forced myself to keep practicing. In the end, after a whole day, I still couldn't release even the faint Ghost Aura that Isabelle Frost showed me.
Exhausted, I returned to my little nest and collapsed onto the bed, ready to rest. If I couldn't do it in broad daylight, there was no way I could manage it at night.
But today, during the day, I noticed something strange. Before, from a distance, I could still see the Ghoul Idols through the woods, but today, no matter how many times I looked, I couldn't see them at all.
Though puzzled, I steeled myself to practice hard, planning to check again tomorrow morning after breakfast.
The whole night passed peacefully; that thing didn't show up. Early the next morning, I got up, ate breakfast, and hurried toward the Ghoul Idols.
When I arrived, I was stunned. Most of the Ghoul Idols I'd seen before had vanished. Though new ones kept appearing, slowly filling the space, the area was vast and the rate at which the statues appeared was painfully slow.
I watched in silence. It took about ten minutes for a new Ghoul Idol to form. What puzzled me was, with so many statues here, where could they have all gone in just one day?
"Get back to practice, Ethan Zhang. I don't have much time for you."
Isabelle Frost's cold voice sounded behind me. I turned, forced a smile, and ran toward the patch of ground she had cleared for me.
Back on the clearing, I stood quietly in the center and began trying to release my Ghost Aura. As soon as the Ghost Aura appeared, the backlash multiplied instantly, making my body feel heavy.
My legs started to buckle; I still couldn't manage to release such a small amount of Ghost Aura. With a thud, I fell face-first to the ground again. Only after controlling my desire and retracting the Ghost Aura did my body recover. I got up, spat out several mouthfuls of mud from my mouth.
The whole morning, I kept repeating the process—releasing Ghost Aura, then being crushed by the backlash, then getting up again. I'd lost count of how many times I'd done it. Although the amount of Ghost Aura I released was gradually decreasing, it was still extremely difficult to match the tiny amount that Isabelle Frost had shown.
Such a faint Ghost Aura—there’s no need to even release it. When I use my Deathbane Aura, the Ghost Aura that pours out of my body is hundreds of times stronger than this.
I thought about it, but I still couldn't figure out how Isabelle Frost managed it—controlling her Ghost Aura so precisely. I decided to try something new, to release my Specter Web and see what happened. Just then, Isabelle Frost suddenly appeared in front of me, surrounded by a green glow.
"I told you, Ethan Zhang, if you can't fly with just this amount of Deathbane Aura, nothing else can begin. For high-level Blue Wraiths, the Specter Web isn't just for sensing—it's used in combat and, just as you thought, for controlling your Ghost Aura. But for now, don't skip the basics. If you don't master them, you'll always be useless."
Isabelle Frost looked furious, her face tight with anger, red eyes boring into me. I apologized, surprised by her severity, but maybe that was for the best. All I could do was keep practicing, so I forced a smile.
"Try to match the amount of Ghost Aura you release to hers first."
I said, and Isabelle Frost nodded before leaving. I started trying again, but even by noon, as the sun began to set, I still couldn't release as little Ghost Aura as Isabelle Frost.
I plopped down on the ground, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and clenched my fists, staring at my trembling hands. After countless attempts, my Ghost Aura was almost drained. I was exhausted and decided to lie down for a while.
"Kid, keep going. It's not mealtime yet."
In an instant, I turned my head in shock and scrambled to my feet.
"It's you?"
Beside me, among the Red Spider Lilies, stood a figure. I stared at him in disbelief—I’d seen him before, in Lan Yin’s memories: the Black-Energy Cloaked Stranger, his entire body wrapped in dark mist, only two golden eyes visible.
Then I noticed something even stranger. The sunlight seemed to avoid him, bending away as if unwilling to touch him. This bizarre phenomenon left me shaken.
"Oh, kid, don’t mind me. I’m just passing by, curious to see you practicing here. Have you seen me before?"
I shook my head, then nodded.
"I’ve seen you—in someone else’s memory."
The Black-Energy Cloaked Stranger let out a quiet "Oh" and nodded.
"Kid, you need to push harder. Back when I was young, I’d rest only two or three hours a day, practicing from dawn till dusk."
"Who… are you?"
I asked, my voice trembling. The stranger stood there, thoughtful for a moment before answering.
"I've forgotten who I am. It's been years since I've spoken to anyone. You're special, kid. If you keep practicing, one day you'll be powerful too."
I smiled, then stood up. The fatigue I'd felt moments before seemed to vanish with his words, and I started practicing again.
"Kid, where’s your shadow?"
He asked, and I stopped—another failed attempt. Only then did I notice I really didn't have a shadow. But then I realized, aren't ghosts supposed to be shadowless?
"That's right. Ghosts usually have no shadows—without a physical body, light just passes through, never casting a shadow. But you’re different, kid. Maybe you’re the only ghost in this world with a shadow."
I stared at him in surprise. It was as if he could read my mind.
"Keep practicing. Don’t mind my chatter; I’ll watch a bit longer, then I’ll leave. I won’t disturb you."
I felt nothing toward him—not even hostility. Though he stood before me, he seemed insubstantial, just an image. It was strange.
I kept at it, trying again and again, reducing the amount of Ghost Aura each time. But I still couldn't match Isabelle Frost’s control. After failing over ten more times, it was finally mealtime, and Isabelle Frost drifted over.
"Come on, Ethan Zhang, time to eat. Otherwise, you'll go hungry again."
I let out an "Oh" and looked at the stranger.
"Do you want to eat with us?"
I asked, and just then, Isabelle Frost swooped over, giving me a puzzled look before glancing in the direction I was staring.
"Who are you talking to?"
"Him."
I pointed at the Black-Energy Cloaked Stranger with the golden eyes. Isabelle Frost looked over, and I saw strands of green Specter Web shoot out, but she sensed nothing. I watched the Specter Web pass straight through him.
"This little girl is impressive, but she still can't see me. Only someone as unique as you can."
I repeated the stranger's words. Isabelle Frost was puzzled at first, but after a moment, she raised her hand. Suddenly, a warm yellow Red Spider Lily bloomed beside the stranger, and her confusion vanished.
"There really is something there. I've sensed it now."
"Oh, this little girl is remarkable, but she can only sense a tiny bit. Well, I won't keep you from your meal. Go on."
Isabelle Frost and I ate quickly, but she still looked confused.
After eating, I went straight back to the clearing. The Black-Energy Cloaked Stranger was still there, sitting as if lost in thought.
"Had your meal, kid? I’ll stick around and watch for a few days before I leave. Don’t mind me."
I was deeply puzzled by this strange figure. Who was he, really? Why did sunlight bend around him, unable to touch his body?
I decided to keep practicing for a while, then wait for nightfall to see how my strength fared in the dark.
Gradually, after the sun set and the moonlight appeared, I didn't hesitate—I started practicing right away. With a thunderous crash, my whole body slammed into the ground, leaving a deep impression in the earth. Instantly, I forced myself to control my desires and got back to my feet.
Yet at that moment, I discovered something that sent chills down my spine—the Black-Energy Cloaked Stranger, covered in dark mist, stood unmoved. Even the moonlight twisted away from his body; not even the moon could touch him.
"What… are you?"