The scene before me was tense. I stared quietly at the two people in the room, unable to move forward—some force was holding me back.
Past Ethan Justice stared quietly at Agatha the Crone. Just now, Agatha's voice carried a trace of sorrow—I'd never seen her wear such an expression before: sadness mixed with deep fear.
"Sorry, although I don't know what's happened, I won't say a word. I was careful when I arrived, but how did Past Ethan Justice end up sent to this terminated past?"
"In the realm of truth, nothing can be hidden. That's Lady Meng's domain, so once I arrived, I saw you. Tell me, why did you seek me out—or use Ethan Zhang to find me? If you don't answer, I'll trap you here, or destroy you outright."
"Agatha, you said Rachel Lan is safe for now—what exactly do you mean by that?"
"Exactly as it sounds. Past Ethan Justice, go back where you belong. Don't come here again."
Judging by Agatha's demeanor, she wasn't going to say anything more.
"Don't lose hope, Past Ethan Justice. It's alright. Would you really stand by and do nothing if something did happen?"
"If you take off my mask, I'll die. Lady Meng, is that true?"
Seven looked at Lady Meng. I turned my head, and Lady Meng nodded.
I studied Past Ethan Justice carefully. He turned and sat down, while Agatha walked over, carrying a kettle from the stove.
"I've considered countless possibilities, but after all this time I've confirmed it: that person used Ethan Timms."
"Ethan Timms isn't me, and I'm not Ethan Timms."
I quickly replied, and Past Ethan Justice nodded.
"Of course you're not Ethan Timms. His real name is Zhang Xiao; 'Ethan Timms' is just a nickname. But the time of his birth matches yours—his so-called Eight Characters are the same. That person linked your consciousness in the dream realm to Ethan Timms, using him as a medium to transfer your awareness."
I swallowed hard.
"Seven!"
"Indeed, since that person understands the dream realm and knows what Ethan Timms will encounter, he can guide you. Repeated hints led you to search for a Taoist adept who could subdue the undead, so you became fixated on finding such a priest—which is how you eventually found me."
Past Ethan Justice spoke, his gaze growing sharper. Though he looked at me, it was as if he was seeing something else entirely.
I swallowed again, and with a sudden motion, Past Ethan Justice raised his hand. My eyes widened in shock as his hand passed straight through my head, grasping at something. Then I saw a streak of black being pulled from my body by Past Ethan Justice.
With a thunderous sound, golden swords of light appeared instantly all around us, standing upright and pointing at Seven, who was wearing a patterned mask, gripped in Past Ethan Justice's hand.
"Why can you...?"
Seven's youthful voice rang out. He looked at Past Ethan Justice in disbelief, but there was a hint of joy in his eyes.
"In the realm of truth, nothing can be hidden. That's Agatha's domain, so once I arrived, I saw you. Tell me, why did you seek me out—or use Ethan Zhang to find me? If you don't answer, I'll trap you here, or destroy you outright."
Seven panicked as Past Ethan Justice reached for his mask, quickly pressing Past Ethan Justice's hand away.
"Please, it's just the mask. I'm begging you, don't take it off."
"Are you like those guys from the Immortality Society—hiding behind painted faces too?"
"The heavier the burden, the more I must bear it. Lady Meng, I've known this for a long time. It's painful, but when I'm finally able to carry it all, it'll feel lighter."
"If you take off my mask, I'll die. Agatha, is that true?"
Seven looked at Agatha. I turned my head, and Agatha nodded.
"Lady Meng, find us a place—as secret as possible."
Lady Meng nodded and raised her cane.
A chill ran through me. Past Ethan Justice released Seven, then with a wave of his hand, the countless swords of light vanished.
The three of us followed Lady Meng into her house. When we reached the second floor, she pointed her cane and the door swung open. My eyes widened—the room beyond was a vast field of Red Spider Lilies beneath a clear sky. Lady Meng led us in; the door creaked shut behind us and vanished.
I swallowed, and Seven turned to Past Ethan Justice, bowing seriously.
"Please, Ethan Zhang, save me. Only you can help me survive."
"You don't seem to be joking. So what is it? Tell me first."
Past Ethan Justice spoke as Seven grabbed his hand and hurried off.
"I don't want a third person present. Only you and I must know."
A chill swept over me, but then I reconsidered.
"Could Seven actually be a woman?"
"He's a man."
With a thud, Agatha struck my head with her cane, sending a wave of pain through me. I clutched my head and turned.
"This body isn't mine—what if you break it?"
I had no idea how much time had passed. Seven and Past Ethan Justice hadn't returned yet. I sat quietly at Agatha's doorstep, with her standing behind me.
"You really do worry about everything, don't you? Ethan Zhang, it's because of this that you carry so much—and why it all feels so heavy."
I shook my head and smiled.
"The heavier the burden, the more I must bear it. Agatha, I've known this for a long time. It's painful, but when I'm finally able to carry it all, it'll feel lighter."
"Sigh! What a curse. Old hag like me, stuck with you—makes me wonder what sins I committed in a past life!"
Seven and Past Ethan Justice returned, both looking unusually grave—especially Past Ethan Justice, whose eyes brimmed with sadness. He stared straight at me, then placed a hand on my shoulder and sighed.
"Agatha, find us a place—as secret as possible."
Agatha nodded and raised her cane.
"Come with me."
The three of us followed Agatha into her house. When we reached the second floor, she pointed her cane and the door swung open. My eyes widened—the room beyond was a vast field of Red Spider Lilies beneath a clear sky. Agatha led us in; the door creaked shut behind us and vanished.
"This will do. Nothing you do here will ever leak out."
Past Ethan Justice looked at me.
"We have to save Seven. We'll need the Starshard Radiance inside you."
I let out a surprised sound and scratched my head, then looked at Past Ethan Justice in confusion.
"To you, it's just a stone full of Vital Energy. Its only purpose is to preserve your humanity, to keep your human part from fading. But your Ghost Souls can easily take its place."
I nodded, and Past Ethan Justice continued.