All night, I sat silently in the apartment building, pondering the strange powers within 001 and Agent Seven.
There are many such people in the living world, descended from families whose lineage stretches back through the ages. Perhaps these two are among them. The only thing these families share is their possession of power, yet their inability to act—they cannot find a way, and as a result, their strength is limited.
Compared to those in the occult world, their powers are weak. Maybe that's why, over time, these families fractured and faded away, their abilities rendered useless to them despite their uniqueness.
I once asked Agent Seven; he said his parents were just ordinary people. My reason for linking them to these families is simple: in the world of dreams, and long ago, Ethan Zhang once met a woman—Vivian Ouyang—whose aura was seductive and sinister. Her powers were baffling.
After experiencing everything in the world of the living, I finally understood—she is The Forsaken, 003. The realization stunned me. I asked 001 and Agent Seven; both said they'd only met 003 a few times and barely remembered her face.
Thinking about how 003 wields such power in the dream world, and how she sometimes replaces Vivian Ouyang's personality, it became clear—003 is the true Vivian Ouyang.
Previously, the Immortality Society had Celestial Hound alter Vivian Ouyang's memories to monitor the Ghost Burial Squad. The old Vivian Ouyang remembered nothing. Later, she briefly recalled the past, but Ethan Zhang, out of kindness, had Celestial Hound erase those dark memories again—to save her from breaking down.
That was the right thing to do. Ouyang Meng belongs to one of those families, gifted with unique powers—she's the vessel for the Nightmare Ghost Lord, and remains so even now. Her body is exceptionally strong, and it's not because of Ouyang Meng herself, but because The Forsaken, 003, exists within Vivian Ouyang.
I've never told anyone about this, not even Earth Soul. My reasoning is that Vivian Ouyang is one of those family members, and she also harbors The Forsaken within her. I don't know what she once believed, or how her faith collapsed and spawned The Forsaken in the living world. But her body showed no signs of change—likely because Celestial Hound devoured her memories completely.
From what I've observed, The Forsaken's true form in the living world slowly dies over time, afflicted by incurable disease. That dancer named Lidong, 016, is disabled in reality and suffers from chronic depression. Though cared for, he's barely alive, and when Ethan Zhang visited his home, I saw the mark of death clearly on him.
I don't talk much in daily life, but when inside Ethan Zhang's body, I spent more time observing. Seeing these things, it's easy to understand once you think about them.
Last night, I already contacted Ma Yongjie. He said it would take some time. I also managed to get Vivian Ouyang's number, still debating whether to call her.
I can't figure out the problem with The Forsaken. Their power is so difficult to increase. I plan to observe for a week to see if 001 and Agent Seven's powers grow. If not, I'll have to ask Vivian Ouyang—003, The Forsaken within her, should know.
Most importantly, in the world of the living, if a Forsaken is killed, the next number takes their place. But the real 003 hasn't been in the living world for a long time. If I hadn't asked 001 and Agent Seven in detail, I'd never have known—they've lived in the Forsaken's world for nearly seven years.
Agent Seven didn't get up until ten o'clock. He looked exhausted, probably from all the drinking last night, still half-asleep. 001 was still sleeping.
It was lunchtime before 001 woke up, looking extremely tired. I decided to let them rest after eating before asking them to use their powers again.
I bought some nutritious food. After they ate and rested a bit more, we began.
001 started first. Just like yesterday, she broke off a piece of the stone table made of ghost energy. I pointed to the nearby tree and flowers, telling her to change them freely and try several times.
Gradually, 001 grew tired, nearly unable to stand. After only three transformations, she had reached her limit.
Then Agent Seven tried. I asked him to see how much of that green liquid he could produce. After two attempts, Agent Seven was also exhausted, unable to use any more power.
"Maybe tomorrow we should try something softer—mud?"
001 muttered. Her attitude seemed to have changed a bit today; maybe she spent last night thinking things over by herself.
Seeing their condition, I decided to continue tomorrow. All I could do was make sure they got enough nutrition and rest each night.
Days passed, but their powers stayed the same as when we started. 001 tired after three attempts, Agent Seven after two—both suffered severe fatigue. I checked their bodies: their life force was somewhat depleted, but not much, and their souls were intact.
As expected, this kind of training couldn't really increase their strength. On the fifth day, I ended the practice.
At night, with 001 and Agent Seven asleep, I took out my phone and dialed Vivian Ouyang's number. It rang for a long time before hanging up—she didn't answer, probably because it was a strange number. I kept calling, and finally, on the thirteenth try, she picked up.
"Who are you?"
Vivian Ouyang's voice came through, tinged with anger.
"I'm Sky Soul. Miss Ouyang, if possible, I'd like you to come by the apartment building when you have time."
"Sky Soul?"
Vivian Ouyang was confused at first, but quickly understood.
"Is this Ethan Zhang's Sky Soul?"
I responded with a quiet 'yes.' Vivian Ouyang didn't ask anything else and agreed to come by early tomorrow.
By nature, I don't like bothering others—it's troublesome, and I'm not fond of socializing. Thinking this, I glanced at the apartment building and let out a helpless laugh and sigh.
Whether it's Ethan Zhang or Earth Soul, someday they'll need support. This ghost realm belongs to Ethan Zhang, so I can only do my best to help him restore it, to balance yin and yang. As for Earth Soul, he said long ago he needs an army, but he doesn't know how to help The Forsaken grow stronger. Now, it's up to me.
At night, with nothing to do, I wandered through the city where the ghosts live—a bustling ghost market, expanding all the time. Private fights aren't allowed, and many ghosts live peacefully together. Life here seems easy, even hunger isn't a worry.
At dinner, the three of us went out. I briefly explained some things about Vivian Ouyang to the others. They found it unbelievable—being Forsaken, their own bodies are frail, but Vivian Ouyang has no issues at all.
"If she really is Forsaken, maybe there's a way to grow stronger. Otherwise, as Forsaken, when we sleep, our consciousness enters the world of the living, but our living selves can't come to the living world, not even in dreams."
I nodded. Their consciousness really does enter the world of the living, where a special environment shapes their bodies. But now, that world should be a black ocean—we don't know the details.
Cursed power has almost destroyed that world. Now, reborn, the two can no longer enter the living world in their sleep. All these mysteries will have to wait until Vivian Ouyang arrives—maybe she'll give us answers, if the Forsaken within her is willing.
The night passed quickly. At dawn, I wandered along the edge of the ghost realm, senses fully open—I could feel everything around me.
Around nine, I saw a pale blue convertible. Vivian Ouyang sat inside, driving straight toward the ghost realm. The car stopped in front of the apartment building. I hurried out. Vivian wore cool sportswear and sunglasses, striding up confidently.
"You really do look just like Ethan Zhang. But you're not Ethan Zhang, are you?"
Vivian Ouyang asked as soon as she approached. I smiled, nodded, and replied.
"Strictly speaking, Ethan Zhang and I were once the same person, but now we're not. Or maybe, we never really were. Ethan Zhang is Ethan Zhang. I am myself. And Earth Soul is Earth Soul."
Vivian Ouyang burst out laughing.
"You're nothing like Ethan Zhang—not even a little. He'd never talk like you. Besides, you seem much smarter than he does."
I looked at Vivian Ouyang in confusion.
"Do you know why I asked you here?"
Vivian Ouyang shook her head, but then smiled.
"Maybe it has something to do with the other me inside this body. I've heard a bit about you from Ruoxi. You wouldn't ask for me without a reason, right?"
I nodded and invited her in. Vivian Ouyang strode inside, looking around the courtyard with a nostalgic gaze.