"Was this your plan from the very beginning?"
I sat quietly at the top of a forest, surrounded by towering ancient trees that seemed to pierce the clouds. This was the instinctual space belonging to Ethan Zhang's Heavenly Soul—the Origin.
"Yeah, I planned this from the start. No matter how much help I get, there are things I have to overcome myself. If I can't surpass everything now, then in the future, when facing those powerful enemies, I'll have no chance at all."
"The Living World is already in chaos. Maybe sending those guys back was the right choice."
I looked at the Heavenly Soul. He nodded, and I let out a soft sigh before standing up.
"Every time I talk to you, I feel so at ease. I don't know why."
The Heavenly Soul burst out laughing.
"Because I understand you best. And that guy, too."
"Yeah, it's not just him. And the members of Blackfang, too. Only now do I start to understand what they've crossed over."
I clenched my fist and stared at the distant sky.
"I guess I'm finally starting to look like something now."
“Ah, that's already impressive. You're forging your own path now, much more resolute and daring than before. Xu Fu's goal might be to eliminate all the other Blackfang members as well, to wipe out every enemy.”
I nodded, then glanced once more at the Heavenly Soul.
“I'm entrusting this to you. My instincts alone can't withstand such immense power, but you—born of the Origin—can help me share this strength among them.”
“Seven against five, we still hold the advantage. Now it's time for them to reveal their true power. Don't worry, Ethan Zhang.”
“Thank you, Ethan Zhang.”
With a sharp snap, a clear chain rattled out—a red chain instantly twisted into a circle, repelling the attacking zombies. The chain, as if alive, swept around my body. The Curse Ghost raised her hand—her weapon, the Hexstar Shackles.
Tiny crystalline red lights shimmered on the chain, like stars. Luna Quay pressed her hand to restrain Lance Quinn, while Luo Yichen and Luo Yu also stopped, obeying Tan Tian's command.
Seven Ghost Souls had already encircled me. My whole body began to change—black and white intertwined. My left eye, white, glinted gold; my right eye, black, burned red. Cracks spread across my skin, and streaks of black and white light slowly broke through.
“This is how it should be.”