Under the dazzling starlit night, on a barren patch at the city's edge, I quietly sat on the ground after a fierce battle, my gaze vacant, a foolish smile lingering as I stared ahead.
Damian Chen crouched beside me, raising one hand.
"There's no saving you. It's better to release you now, otherwise, the suffering will only continue."
A strip of Spirit Shroud floated over, wrapping around Damian Chen's hand—it was Rachel Lan, looking urgent. This was the first time I saw her.
Fragments of memory flickered like a lantern carousel—every moment with Rachel Lan. In the end, what I saw was truly all of this.
Scene after scene of familiar sights appeared before my eyes. Maybe I once thought no one could understand, no one could share this loneliness within me. Childhood memories surged forth.
From my first day at school, I was always silent—perhaps it was the aura of rejection I carried that made everyone choose to exclude me. (Note: In Chinese culture, social exclusion is often linked to fate and spiritual isolation, shaping one's destiny and emotional experience.)
From elementary school through high school and into college, loneliness and solitude followed me. Only when my cousin visited would I smile; at home, maybe things felt a little easier.
I never imagined my life would be like this. At the beginning, those who made me feel human warmth—the couple who adopted me, the orphanage director, my parents, Master Zachary Wu, my cousin, Lily Wu, Nathan Li, and eventually Rachel Lan.
Looking back, I realize I was fortunate. Gradually, these images faded away. My body began to dissolve, immense curse power billowed behind me. I smiled—just now, it seemed Rachel Lan was calling out to me, but perhaps it was only a dying illusion.
I've consumed enough curse power already; I have no regrets. That world is safe for now, and the curse power shouldn't pose much threat to Rachel Lan and the others.
A warm yellow glow appeared before me. I knew exactly where I would go after death—I'd already been through it once before.
Gradually, I was enveloped in that warm yellow light. I clearly heard the sound of flowing water. The setting sun hung over the distant horizon. I stood once again by the familiar River of Forgetfulness.
I slowly walked to the riverbank and placed a hand into the River of Forgetfulness. Instantly, the water turned black as curse power poured from my body into the river, fading away bit by bit in the flowing current.
For some reason, I missed Rachel Lan deeply now. Even in death, I couldn't admit it. Hearing footsteps, I raised my head.
"Lady Meng." (Note: Lady Meng is the gatekeeper of the River of Forgetfulness, mediating the fate of souls; see glossary.)
I smiled and called out. Lady Meng on the opposite bank looked at me with helpless eyes.
"After death, you cannot enter the world of shadows. You're neither human nor ghost. When you die, you return to nature—neither the realms of yin nor yang will accept you." (Note: In Chinese cosmology, the yin-yang realms refer to the metaphysical division between the living and the dead, shaping the fate of souls after death.)
I nodded, feeling calm. It was like a long, heavy journey finally ending. Gradually, the surface of the River of Forgetfulness turned black. I sat by the riverbank, my feet already vanished. A faint, wispy white stream slowly flowed out from my body.
"Sorry, Ivory. You helped me just now, didn't you? When the curse power was about to explode, I dragged you along with me."
The Heavenly Soul was almost unrecognizable, just a wisp of white energy swirling around me. Yet he didn't blame me—he simply floated quietly by my side.
"Any last words, Ethan Zhang?"
Lady Meng asked. I thought carefully.
"If it's possible, can I not die?"
But Lady Meng shook her head.
"I see."
I muttered, quietly gazing at the distant sunset. A breeze picked up, making the sea of Red Spider Lilies on the riverbank sway. Petals floated across the surface of the River of Forgetfulness. (Note: Red Spider Lily is a mystical flower marking the boundary of the underworld and symbolizing the transition between life and death; see glossary.)
My consciousness began to blur. I raised my hand—my right hand was dissolving along with the dancing petals of Red Spider Lily, turning into bright white particles. The swirling energy around me gradually faded; I could no longer feel the Heavenly Soul.
"Truly no last words, Ethan Zhang? I'll make sure to pass them on for you."
Lady Meng asked once more. I shook my head, quietly lay on the ground as my consciousness faded. Before my eyes, Red Spider Lily petals danced beneath the dusky sky.
A dark, boundless space—this was the Unreal (a metaphysical category of entities and phenomena that exist outside the boundaries of humans and ghosts in Chinese spiritual tradition; see glossary). I knew it well: my last trace of consciousness, soon to vanish in the Unreal, unable to remember anything—not who I was, nor why I was here.
"It's fine, whatever happens doesn't matter anymore. I'm just tired."
A faint sound of crying drifted down from above. It felt familiar, the wailing heartbreakingly sad. Who was it, and why so sorrowful? But maybe none of it mattered to me anymore. I was so tired, I just wanted to sleep deeply in this silent darkness.
"Ethan..."
Suddenly, the urge to sleep lessened. Someone was crying out, calling a name again and again. My mind was still a mess.
"Maybe that's enough."
For some reason, I muttered, closing my eyes and sinking slowly, my mind left with nothing but darkness.
A touch of warmth—something dripped onto my cheek, scalding hot, deeply sorrowful, yet carrying a familiar, gentle scent.
"Ethan..."
Another urgent, heart-wrenching cry. Drop after drop of that hot substance fell on my face. I didn't know what it was, but deep inside, I wanted to wake up.
Gradually, I remembered—it was the scent of longing. My body still felt heavy, but I opened my eyes a little. Above me, a bright white light appeared, and a Spirit Shroud slowly descended.
Raising my hand slightly, sparkling droplets fell with the descending Spirit Shroud toward me. I tried to grasp it; the cold in my body faded, replaced by warmth. My cheeks were wet with hot tears.
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I grabbed the Spirit Shroud, and instantly it wrapped around my hand, trying to pull me upward. Cries echoed, each one clearer than before.
"Ethan... Ethan... come back... come back..."
Like a fairy, a woman appeared before my eyes. She wept and smiled all at once, reaching out to me with pleading eyes, as if hoping I'd take her hand.
"Ethan..."
In that instant, my eyes widened—I remembered. This woman was Rachel Lan, the woman I loved most. How could I have forgotten?
With a snap, I grabbed Rachel Lan's hand. Instantly, the darkness around me vanished, and I found myself once again at the River of Forgetfulness. My body, restored, was fading away at the riverbank. I stared in astonishment at myself dissolving by the river.
"It seems it's not your time yet, Ethan Zhang. Live well!"
Lady Meng on the opposite bank showed a rare smile, her face filled with relief. I lifted my head as a petal from a Red Spider Lily landed on my cheek. I reached out and caught it.
"I want to go back, I want to go back..."
A sudden roar snapped me awake. I opened my eyes to Rachel Lan's tear-streaked face. She hugged me tightly, calling my name again and again. I raised a hand, and Rachel placed it on her cheek, tears streaming down as the Red Spider Lily petal slowly fell from my palm.
"So this is faith! You did it—Ethan, Rachel..."
The light above was dazzling. Rachel Lan lay on my chest, tears flowing endlessly. I looked around in awe—wrapped in darkness, this world was full of vitality.
Bright white particles slowly floated up from the ground. Flowers and green grass swayed gently in the breeze, a nearby stream babbled, and clusters of lush green trees stood all around.
"Thank you both."
I turned in amazement and saw the Vermilion Bird crouching behind us, her form complete, golden feathers shining in the light. Lan Yin also stood before us, unharmed, though a cold aura surrounded him. Thick black veins bulged on either side of his nose and forehead.
"It's thanks to you, Ethan Zhang, for devouring so much of the world's curse power. Rachel Lan's instinctive rebirth brought life to this broken world, and Lan Yin's new body now bears all the curse power."
I nodded slightly and rested a hand on Rachel Lan's forehead. She had fallen asleep, her tears not yet dry, exhaustion plain on her face.
Lan Yin slowly walked over, crouched beside us, and tugged at Rachel Lan's clothes. I looked at him in surprise.
"Sorry, Rachel. Though I wish I could thank you properly when you wake, this world has just been reborn, and my long-held goal is complete. I must seek my redemption and end the cruel chains of Hades. I now officially pass the Lan Family's leadership to you."
Lan Yin pulled Rachel Lan's clothes aside, revealing her smooth, bright back. He placed a hand on her spine, and with a sizzling sound, Lan Yin began to float. I saw a blood-red ancient 'Lan' character appear on Rachel's back.
"Are you really going? To Oath Island?"
The Vermilion Bird asked, her eyes full of concern as she looked at Lan Yin. He nodded.
"Even with newfound power, defeating Hades may still be impossible."
I looked seriously at the Vermilion Phoenix Spirit. He seemed to know something, and Lan Yin was also surprised.
"How do you know? Only the Ten Soul Collectors of the Hades Circle know this secret."
"Lan Jun told me."