The fierce clash continued, the collisions escalating with every moment. At this point, the contest between the two had become a battle of sheer strength—technique no longer mattered.
Watching the white and green rays collide again and again in midair, I realized this was the most intense battle I had ever witnessed. My eyes couldn't look away, and somehow, my heart felt at peace.
Many times, there's simply nothing you can change, not even a place to start.
In a situation so full of powerlessness, all you can do is wait—until one stands and the other falls.
Mr. Brown slowly landed in front of me. With a thunderous boom, a powerful surge of air pressed down toward the ground. We all raised our hands, powerless against the force crashing down.
With bones strewn everywhere, Mr. Brown and I now stood in a deep pit—the fight had shifted to a farther spot.
Mr. Brown, may I ask you something?
Mr. Brown looked at me and nodded, then started to smile.
Why did you give up so easily, when you could have...
Mr. Brown placed a hand on my shoulder and grunted in response.
"Perhaps that's how it is. Throughout the long history, I've seen countless people—some held on till the very end, yet left nothing behind, achieved nothing, dying quietly, their souls sent to the Underworld Court, their bodies turning to dry bones. Nothing remains, not even a record in history of where or how they died."
I looked at Mr. Brown, puzzled. He wasn't the kind of person to say things like this. In my memory, Mr. Brown was a stubborn old man.
"But who can prove they had no value? We're not gods, just living, breathing people. Even if our forms differ—whether human or ghost—we all have hearts. Why worry so much? Ethan Zhang, it's human nature to give up; it's common to be unable to overcome suffering. No one can save anyone else. As long as you want it, nothing in this world is impossible. Maybe I once gave up, but then the young master came to me. He was just a weak Shade Ghost, unable to do much, but he succeeded—he pulled me out of the Underworld Court. So believe, Ethan Zhang, believe in what you see. There's so much in this world that doesn't make sense. So think about what you want to do now... right...?"
I smiled knowingly, tilting my head back to look at that one bright white glimmer shining through the black-green light in the distance.
"I'll find a way. This is the choice I've made."
With a crunch, I crouched down, plunging both hands into the ground.
"My instincts exist for this very purpose."
Mr. Brown nodded.
"When you get back, you'll go to the Four Sacred Realm, won't you, Ethan Zhang?"
I let out a sound of surprise; Mr. Brown nodded again.
"This time, I won't be joining you. I need to find a way to gather everyone together. The reason he's called the Ghost Lord is because he commands a hundred ghosts, and my task is to help the young master, to bring back those ghosts who've lost their purpose. I haven't felt this urge for a grand fight in ages—it seems I'm not quite old yet."
If I close my eyes, I can feel it—far away, Yuna Ji is still struggling. Her fierce willpower is something I've completely sensed. She shoulders everything, determined to end the chaos here.
"Maybe now I can finally give an answer, Qiao Yusheng."
I muttered to myself, then quietly closed my eyes.
"Everything that's gone hasn't truly vanished—the brilliance of Jiuling still remains, within Yuna Ji."
With a whoosh, I opened my eyes. The spirits sensed my presence and had already gathered together.
"I need everyone's help."
"Count me in."
The Thought Ghost raised a hand. I looked at him and finally nodded.
"What you're trying to do... it's nearly impossible, Ethan Zhang."
I shook my head and looked at the Spirit Serpent.
"I saw that pile of fire. Even if hope is slim, they can still feel its warmth. That's why the flame exists—the fire given by heaven to drive away the darkness."
"I need everyone to work together. Everything I want to achieve depends on your strength."
Zhu Tang looked at me with some concern.
"Even if Yuna Ji defeats that thing, the impact of War Absolute won't just disappear. That's where you come in, Desire Ghost."
I reached out my hand. Desire Ghost happily came over and rubbed against my palm.
"To fight against the will of battle, we must awaken everything here."
My meaning was fully conveyed. Soon, I vanished from the space of instinct. When I emerged, Mr. Brown nodded thoughtfully.
"It's possible, indeed."
"Let's begin, Mr. Brown."
Mr. Brown nodded, extended a hand, and a mass of oily green ghostly energy appeared in his palm, reaching toward my shoulder.
"I'm counting on you, Wailing Ghost."
On my left shoulder, a mass of miasma, thick as mud, began to ooze out. A mouth slowly opened, just as Mr. Brown was about to put his hand inside.