The battle over the Divine Law rages on outside. I stare blankly at Zachary Justice before me, unable to believe it—he should be dead, nothing should remain. Yet here he stands. Is this a dream, or something else entirely? I can't bring myself to trust my own senses.
I've seen Zachary Justice several times through memories before, learning part of his story. In my heart, I hold deep respect for him.
"Thank you, Master Justice."
I stood up. Zachary Justice gently patted my shoulder, his face kind and wise, his eyes full of intelligence and determination. He looked just as I remembered, but I still didn't know what I was truly seeing. The only thing I could be sure of was that he was really Zachary Justice. From him, I felt a power so pure it surpassed the force of the reincarnation passage—even purer than the Divine Law itself.
It was the power of the dazzling stars, and I could feel it clearly. At the same time, I saw how dire things were outside.
Shenyan Lord, still fighting the Asura King, had almost no ghost energy left. Under the constraints of the Divine Law, the Ghost Sovereigns were heavily burdened; John Chou had just regained his complete ghost soul and needed time to recover, yet still forced himself into battle. He was locked in a one-on-one struggle with Tan Tian, while Yuna Ji and Yun Mei were entangled with Emperor God. But I knew Yun Mei was about to collapse—the Ghost Sovereigns were only able to hold their ground because of Yun Mei's strength.
Basil Bertram was still submerged, using his power to help the other Ghost Sovereigns dodge attacks. I closed my eyes—though the Asura King's assault was fierce and had nearly struck Shenyan Lord several times, it always landed on a phantom. Ripples appeared on the lake's surface from time to time.
Yun Mei and Yuna Ji were in the same situation. Basil Bertram was exhausting himself to help them evade Emperor God's attacks.
But things would only get worse—it was just a matter of time. Half the blackness on the Divine Law's surface had faded. Redhair was still struggling, refusing to give up. Most critical was that Ouyang Meng had dragged Phantom Sage into the world of dreams; otherwise, if Phantom Sage joined the battle, things would be even more dire.
"I need strength, Master Justice."
I looked intently at Zachary Justice. He nodded slightly, then smiled and spoke.
"I just said, didn't I? You and I are almost exactly the same—both standing between humans and ghosts. But what are humans and ghosts, really? Ethan, what do you think? What path are we truly walking?"
Faced with Zachary Justice's string of questions, I was taken aback, but quickly shook my head.
"Whether human or ghost, my path has never changed. It's the Human Realm, Master, just like yours."
Zachary Justice looked at me with moved eyes, then gave a hearty smile and shook his head helplessly.
"You're just as stubborn as I am, Ethan. The Human Realm—no matter where you are, no matter the circumstances, no matter your identity, you never forget your humanity. That's true strength. Let me ask you again: do you have the conviction to pursue what's right in your heart, no matter the cost?"
Zachary Justice asked again. I nodded and looked at him. Years ago, he sacrificed everything to fight the Immortality Society. The outcome was bittersweet, even a bit tragic, but I think I'm beginning to understand why John Chou chose his path now—and some of his later actions still shock me.
"Master, do you think John Chou..."
"Friend. Long ago, before he became a Ghost Sovereign, we met. He and I got along quite well, but perhaps now he feels a bit guilty—thinking I've given everything, while he failed to defeat the Immortality Society. So..."
I smiled softly and shook my head.
"You've never blamed John Chou, have you?"
Zachary Justice looked at me seriously.
"Not once. It was always my own choice—nothing to do with anyone else. Just like now, John Chou wants you to fully unleash your power, because someone has to get it done."
I replied with a hum, smiling.
"I'm the same, Master. If you blame someone or something, your choices become meaningless—your conviction vanishes. Meeting John Chou didn't make my once peaceful life chaotic; the world is already full of complexity. One day, I'll see it all. Even without John Chou, maybe the outcome would have been the same."
Zachary Justice smiled and nodded.
"Do you regret it?"
I shook my head.
"Regret—I've felt it before, but everything in my life is the result of my own choices."
Zachary Justice nodded, then raised his hand. In it was a bright white stone—the Starshard Radiance. I accepted it.
"After this battle, you might..."
I shook my head.
"It's exactly because I'm here that I can create miracles, isn't it? Master, just like you did back then—you created countless miracles."
Zachary Justice smiled slightly, then placed a hand on my forehead.
"Ethan, this may be our last conversation. For some reason, you awakened my thought, but it can't last long. I hope you can live up to your name—Rectify the Source."
I gasped, and with a thought, two figures—one white, one black—flew out from behind me.
"Old man, what exactly do you want Ethan Zhang to do? If he really does it, Ethan Zhang is doomed."
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I turned my head slightly, quietly looking at the Earth Soul and Heavenly Soul behind me. Their eyes were filled with disbelief. Zachary Justice said nothing, his form growing increasingly blurred.
"Ethan, everything is up to you now. This time, I'm powerless—but someone has to do it."
Zachary Justice smiled gently, gradually turning into a wisp of white vapor and slowly disappearing. I raised my hand—the last trace of white vapor fell into my palm, and I clenched my fist.
I turned and quietly looked at the Heavenly Soul and Earth Soul behind me.
"Goodbye. This might be the last time. I truly thank both of you—without you, I couldn't have made it this far. Whether sadness or joy, thank you for staying with me and witnessing everything."
"What exactly are you trying to do, Ethan Zhang?"
Earth Soul angrily grabbed my chest, and Heavenly Soul came over, pressing Earth Soul's hand.
"Let him choose for himself. All this means nothing to us now, doesn't it?"
"You'll disappear, Ethan Zhang. This time it's no joke—you'll be finished for good."
I lifted my head, took a deep breath, then glared angrily at Earth Soul.
"Then tell me—what other way is there to resolve this? There isn't one, right? That's exactly why I have to choose. Sorry."
Earth Soul slowly let go, looking at me in disbelief, eyes full of grief and anger. There was no more time to wait.
"There is a way. If the three of us use our instincts together, and you use yours to absorb the power of the Divine Law—after all, you have the Heavenly Soul—then..."
"Stop. Earth Soul, even if we could absorb the power of the Divine Law, we still wouldn't be a match for those beings. And right now, the Divine Law utterly despises Ethan Zhang. There's no way it would give its power to him. That's simply impossible. Accept reality."
Heavenly Soul spoke calmly, then looked at me and slowly extended a hand.
"I respect your choice, Ethan."
I nodded. Earth Soul sat down, clutching his head as if still searching for a solution.
"Thank you both."
I slowly turned around, gripping the Starshard Radiance tightly, preparing to leave, but Earth Soul immediately grabbed me. He lowered his head, silent.
"I can't accept this, Ethan Zhang! No matter what, I just can't accept it!"
"One last thing—I hope you both can help me."
Heavenly Soul nodded. Earth Soul raised his head and roared in anger.
I pressed a hand to my chest and, in an instant, pulled out a pale blue Ghostblood Jade, handing it to Earth Soul behind me.
"Take good care of this."
Earth Soul weakly took the Ghostblood Jade from my hand, looking at me with a dazed expression.
"No matter what, I've made my decision. This Human Realm, in the end..."
"Is there anything you want me to tell Lan Ruoxi?"
I smiled faintly, knowing in my heart what my departure would mean for Lan Ruoxi, but I still shook my head.
"Tell Ruoxi she'll understand. I will never let them take away the Divine Law—no matter what."
"Is there really no room for negotiation, Ethan Zhang?"
Earth Soul's voice was cold. He stood before me, and I nodded again.
"There's no room for negotiation anymore."
A fist gently struck my chest. Earth Soul turned away.
"If you disappear, I'll destroy everything. I'll ruin the Yin and Yang Paths all over again."
I smiled wryly and shook my head helplessly.
"When that time comes, maybe someone else will stop you."
I glanced at Heavenly Soul behind me once more, saying nothing. Heavenly Soul nodded.
"If he really does that, next time I'll stop him. Rest assured, Ethan. Let them witness it—the true brilliance of humanity."
I let out a soft sigh, closed my eyes, and my consciousness gradually faded away in the space of instinct.