Zane Zhuang stared in shock at the Trinity Ghost—a three-eyed spirit radiating green light. He had never seen such a ghost before. Fear welled up inside him. In the cold, bloody night, Zane began to tremble.
"It feels like we've known each other forever, Zane. Are you afraid?"
He shook his head, silent. He clutched the Spirit Jar, filled with Yin Death Breath collected all night. Anxiety gnawed at him. Though his mother said the baby wouldn't last three days, this morning her breath was nearly gone.
"I have to go back. I need to save the baby."
The Trinity Ghost laughed.
"You've always sensed ghosts strongly. Haven't you realized? People like you are exactly what ghosts like us crave."
Zane's heart skipped. He clenched his fist, glaring at the Trinity Ghost. Suddenly, the ghost floated closer. Zane swung his fist without hesitation.
With a thud, the Trinity Ghost snatched Zane's fist.
"Not bad... As I thought, there's an incredible power in you."
"Trinity Ghost, why bother talking to this kid? Just eat him already."
Suddenly, the Trinity Ghost glared at the White-Faced Ghost.
"Get lost."
With just a word, the White-Faced Ghost shuddered and floated away. Earlier, after the flames on Zane's shoulders went out, the roaming ghosts in the graveyard all tried to get close and devour him. But now, looking around, not a single ghost remained.
With a wave of the Trinity Ghost's hand, Zane was sent flying backward by a powerful force. He clung to the jar, crashed to the ground, then quickly got up and turned to run.
"Wait a moment."
The Trinity Ghost appeared before Zane again. In an instant, Zane's face twisted in anger, and he threw another punch.
With a bang, a burst of black energy shot out. The Trinity Ghost was sent flying, crashing to the ground. Zane's right sleeve was completely torn, and black energy swirled around his arm.
"You saw it, didn't you? This eye."
The Trinity Ghost stood up and pointed to the third eye on his forehead, laughing loudly.
"Get out of my way."
Zane roared in anger.
The Trinity Ghost floated upward, its smile vanishing. Zane clenched his fists, and with a crack, stepped forward, snapping a thick branch underfoot.
"Get out of my way, or I'll kill you."
The Trinity Ghost turned sideways, gesturing for him to go. Zane bolted forward, not looking back.
"You want the pure breath of the living to save someone. It might help extend a life, but to truly save them? Probably impossible. If you fail, come back and find me."
Zane sprinted through the blood-soaked night, feeling something change inside him—a surge of power rising. Soon, he was back at the inn. He pushed open the door; the shopkeeper possessed by his mother was still tending to the baby girl.
"Mother, how is she?"
As soon as he entered, Zane asked, breathless. The shopkeeper walked out and closed the door. Moments later, with a whoosh, Zane's mother drifted in.
"Zane, you're hurt. What happened?"
Zane quickly explained to his mother. Suddenly, her eyes widened.
"Blue Wraith."
"Mother, hurry, or Youchen's child..."
With a thud, Zane collapsed to the ground, then quickly got up. He was battered from the chase and exhaustion. After taking out the jar, his mother accepted it and approached the baby girl.
The baby's body was already tinged purple, her breathing almost imperceptible.
"Her fate depends on this night."
She opened the jar, and a wisp of gray-blue breath slowly gathered in Zane's mother's hand, then entered the baby's nose. The process lasted a long time.
"Zane, you managed to collect so much."
After about half an hour, the Yin Death Breath in the jar was used up. Zane, gasping for breath, stared at the baby, tormented by hope and fear—he desperately wanted her to survive. The thought consumed him.
"She's responding."
Seeing the baby's hand move slightly, Zane shouted, then looked at his mother, wild with joy.