The gentle sound of a trickling stream echoed in my ears. Blinding sunlight pierced through my closed eyes, and I woke with a start. Blue sky, white clouds, a small river, and shifting shadows of trees—I was lying beneath a towering ancient tree.
By the riverbank stood a figure, petite and dressed in a long robe. My body felt warm all over, a rare comfort I hadn't experienced in ages.
"Mona Ouyang."
I smiled and called out. Mona Ouyang turned her head and walked over slowly.
"Aren't ghosts supposed to be incapable of dreaming?"
Mona Ouyang remained silent, quietly watching me.
"Anything with self-awareness—be it human or otherwise—can dream. This time, I forcibly brought you into this dream."
"Thank you."
I said, standing up. He still looked helpless.
"Consider it a token of thanks for helping Vivian Ouyang. She has already left home. Though she's heartbroken, she's finally able to face herself. Thank you, Ethan Zhang."
I shook my head.
"How is Dalton Fang doing?"
"Still the same—a monster."
"I see."
I sighed and sat down on the grass, savoring the fragrance drifting all around as the flowers and grass swayed in the wind.
"Is everyone in Dream City doing alright?"
Mona Ouyang nodded and sat down beside me.
"What exactly are you doing now? I use dreams to help you, but it's not always easy. You're dead, aren't you?"
I nodded, saying nothing more. I simply gazed into the distance at the endless plains—lush green grass and vibrant flowers stretching as far as I could see.
"Let me ask you another question, Ethan Zhang. Are you seeking revenge?"
I said nothing. If I claimed I didn't want revenge, I'd be lying.
"It seems it's not just about revenge, is it? Heh, this dream will let you wake up and return to normal, but only this once. Lan Qinmo asked me to tell you: swallow your memories of Rachel Lan."
I was stunned, staring at Mona Ouyang as he began to smile.
"Both of them said so. They want you to erase everything about Rachel Lan from your mind, completely..."
"I can't do it. I won't."
Standing up, I stretched comfortably.
"Is that so? One day, you won't be able to bear the pain and darkness this grief brings. They don't want to see that day come."
I let out a sound. Right now, I can suppress the darkness in my heart, the kind that makes me feel like I'm going mad, wanting to destroy everything.
"So that's how it is? Heh, come on, I'll take you to see that guy. You must really want to meet him."
I stared at Mona Ouyang in surprise as he slowly floated upward. I followed him, flying over the sea of flowers. In the distance, things began to feel off—the sky flashed with streaks of black lightning, and waves of ominous energy surged toward us. I gazed at the scorched earth ahead, the apocalyptic sky looming overhead.
"I'm not running a charity. That guy's been recuperating with me lately. For your sake, I'll allow it."
As soon as I stepped onto the scorched earth, I immediately saw it—a small area, only a few hundred meters across. In the center, a figure sat quietly, long hair draped over his chest, a sword planted beside him. The sword was broad-backed, with a slanted trapezoidal tip, and its blade was covered in black vortexes flickering with silvery light. He sat motionless on the ground.
A biting aura swept in from all sides—hostility and killing intent. The wind kept lifting my cloak as I walked closer. With a whoosh, the sitting figure's hair was whipped up by the wind. He opened his eyes—golden-red, staring straight at me.
"Yo, Ethan Zhang. Long time no see."
"Ah, long time no see, Ethan... Zhang."
The same expression, the same face, the same smile, the same look in the eyes—Ethan Zhang, Earth Soul, sat right in front of me. I sat down cross-legged. He smiled, and I smiled too.
Suddenly, I moved. The blade called Beauty on my back flashed out with a swish. With a clang, Endtime and Beauty crossed paths. All around, streaks of black lightning flickered, sending tingling sensations through my body.
"Still too weak..."
With a boom, I was sent flying, spinning in the air before crashing to the ground. Half-kneeling, I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. Ethan Zhang, Earth Soul, stood across from me—unyielding as stone, black hair blowing in the wind, holding Endtime in one hand, radiating the aura of a true powerhouse.
"I'm no match for you, not as I am now."