I lay on my bed, recalling everything that happened in the Corpse Realm. Even now, the memories are vivid. The first time I met Luna Quay, I thought he was easygoing, someone I could get along with.
Luna Quay was also the kind of person who could give up everything for the one he loved. Later, he nearly died for Yuna Ji. That left a deep impression on me. But the Luna Quay now is cold and distant, no longer the same person I once knew in the Living World.
But then Lance Quinn said something that puzzled me: they only found Luo Yichen thanks to me.
Knock, knock, knock. Just as my thoughts were in turmoil, there was a knock at the door. I waved my hand and the door opened—James Grant stood at the entrance.
"Ethan, you and that guy have a pretty close relationship, right?"
I sat up and nodded.
"You could say that. But it's all in the past now."
"I don't really understand what happened. Even today, with everything they've said, I still wonder—why are we even alive in this world?"
I think I finally understood why James Grant looked so troubled.
"Live for yourself. Live for that stubborn love in your heart. There's no need to feel lost."
I looked seriously at James Grant. He didn't say a word, just stayed silent. I gave him a smile.
Seeing James Grant now, I felt much better inside. He was the Luna Quay I used to know, while that other guy was just a cold corpse. My mood instantly improved.
"Come on, let's go outside. I need to discuss a few things with everyone. After all, our predicament isn't over yet."
Once outside, everyone was gathered around the small pavilion, saying nothing. I drifted down to join them.
"Have you found an answer?"
Isabelle Frost asked, and I nodded.
"Yes, I have. Miss Frost, about your earlier suggestion—I'm sorry, I can't do it. I won't pretend to agree with them just to learn something."
"That's more like it. That's the Ethan Zhang I know."
Victor Duan suddenly chimed in, and I started laughing.
"You two, step outside for a moment."
I looked at Felix Zhou and James Grant.
"Ugh, we have to go out again. Such a hassle."
I opened the Ghost Domain. Suddenly, I was startled—outside the domain, Luna Quay and Lance Quinn flew in at once.
"What are you trying to do?"
Kane asked, full of hostility, as Luna Quay and Lance Quinn walked toward us.
"Of course we're here to talk to Ethan Zhang."
More and more, I felt Lance Quinn's smile was fake. No matter how bright it looked, there was no emotion behind it. He didn't even know what joy was.
The two of them approached. Luna Quay went straight to a tree, sat down comfortably beneath it. James Grant kept a close eye on him.
"Let me speak, Ethan Zhang. I know you're not the type to obediently agree to work with those people. Forget about the Hell Strategy, but you must use your Instinct. Otherwise, all of this is just wishful thinking. You're stubborn and tough, so I'm here to persuade you."
"No need, Lance Quinn."
I replied coldly. Lance Quinn came over, looked around, and found a spot to sit.
"Things aren't up to you now, Ethan Zhang. Aren't you going to think about these people? You're all trapped here, unable to return. A few months, maybe a few years is fine, but what if you can never go back? What will you do then?"
Lance Quinn gave a sly smile, hinting at something more.
"If we want to go back, I have to use my Instinct to connect this world to the Living World. Is that it?"
"Since you understand, there's no need for more talk. We don't want pointless conflict. We're all familiar with each other; if it comes to blows, none of us will look good."
"And what if I still refuse?"
I spoke each word deliberately. The smile disappeared from Lance Quinn's face.
"Then we'll have to use force."
In an instant, Ghost Painting Book Immortal and Ray Lin surrounded Lance Quinn.
"Don't get so worked up. When it's time to fight, we won't hold back. Ethan Zhang, if you refuse, you don't need to be polite with us either. We've already decided what we're going to do—even if we break with you, it won't move us in the slightest."
"Thank you."
I bowed respectfully to Lance Quinn.
"Your corpse is complete now. Ethan's Spectral Juggernaut is with Yuna Ji. When you go back, just find her and reclaim your body. We've done all we can for you. You should consider how many times we've helped you."
I looked at Luna Quay. His eyes were cold and emotionless, but I no longer felt upset.
"You have your beliefs, and we have ours. Sorry, Luna Quay."
"If that's the case, there's no point in talking further. Lance, let's go. From now on, Ethan Zhang... is the enemy of the Corpse Realm."
Lance Quinn stood up and sneered, glancing at me.
"You'd better hurry back, Ethan Zhang. Let me give you some important intel—a gift for our mutual benefit."
"Go ahead."
"It's absolutely impossible for ghosts to enter the Four Sacred Realm. And if you keep waiting, that little girl might never come back."
I was startled. Lance Quinn floated behind Luna Quay. I opened the Ghost Domain, and he waved at me with his back turned.
"I've had enough of days without joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, Ethan Zhang. This time, I won't show mercy."
"Ah, same here."
Luna Quay and Lance Quinn vanished from my Ghost Domain. After I let James Grant and Felix Zhou out, I sat down.
"Looks like things just got more complicated. Those two zombies aren't ordinary trouble."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal said, and Isabelle Frost giggled.
"What, weren't you always bragging that you could handle zombies with just one finger?"
Ghost Painting Book Immortal grew embarrassed and chuckled. I raised my hand, extended a finger, and pointed at the sky.
"Qingyuan, tell me—after staying here so long, with your current power you must have sensed something."
"At the top of the Celestial Pillar, I can't sense any killing intent."
Isabelle Frost's expression turned to shock.
"Be specific."
"This world is built from Yin Energy, and hidden within it is Killing Intent. To freely use power, you must overcome this Killing Intent. Now that I've gained all my Instinct, it's like breathing—I coexist with this world. During our conversation, I sensed the top of the pillar, and there was no Killing Intent."
"What about the area?"
I thought carefully for a while.
"It's huge. That's why I could sense it right away—the place we were just in, at the top, had no Killing Intent."
Ray Lin immediately looked delighted.
"So, there really is a place where the world's power doesn't suppress us."
I immediately understood what Ray Lin meant. Even if they've overcome the Killing Intent and can use their powers freely, this world still works against us in many ways.
"Tomorrow, let's hear what they have to say. And you—figure out roughly how big that area without Killing Intent is."
I responded with a sound and looked at Isabelle Frost. Her eyes sparkled with delight.
"Don't get too optimistic. Even if that place really has no Yin Energy, whether we can reach it is still a big problem."
The next day, we left the Ghost Domain and returned to that spacious, round, white hall.
"When will you finally show us the core of this world?"
As soon as Emperor God appeared, Isabelle Frost asked. I closed my eyes and started to sense.
Gradually, my consciousness began to leave this place. Now, after coexisting with this world, my consciousness can extend little by little, sensing everything in it.
All around was a vast gray expanse. I kept sensing the straight-line distance from this room upward.
I was getting closer and closer. The place without Killing Intent wasn't far—at most, five hundred meters.
"What are you planning to do, Ethan Zhang?"
Suddenly, I opened my eyes and saw Phantom Sage before me. The people behind him stood up, all on guard.
"Just resting with my eyes closed."
Phantom Sage burst out laughing, then pointed upward with a finger.
"If you want to go, just say so. I'll take you up there directly. There's nothing up there—just a huge, insurmountable wall that separates this place from the living world."
"What are you doing?"
I stared in surprise as Phantom Sage grabbed my hand. In an instant, he took me to a gray, misty place. With a bang, I hit my head. I raised my hand—there was nothing above, just a gray haze and an invisible, uneven wall.
"What we need you to do is break through here and connect to the living world. Take your time to sense it. When you're ready to go back, just call out and I'll take you down."
Phantom Sage vanished—just his consciousness remained. I realized he sensed my awareness searching for something and knew what we wanted to do. Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fist and punched upward.
Bang—a solid hit. The gray haze above was as unchanging as ancient rock. I couldn't feel anything.