Soul Avatar

"Forget it, Ethan," Mr. Brown said. "There's no reasoning with someone like the Young Master. The more you think about it, the more it'll mess with your head. Back in the day, when I ran into problems like this, guess what I'd do?"

I smiled, then asked tentatively.

"Beat him up?"

To my surprise, Mr. Brown nodded. I burst out laughing, then gripped the pendant and hung it around my neck. Instantly, I felt Zhang Jizheng’s Soul Avatar—whoosh—a ball of golden light emerged from the pendant, slowly taking on Zhang Jizheng’s form: pale, translucent, shimmering with flecks of gold.

"Ethan, what brings you to Mount Immeasurable?"

Zhang Jizheng glanced around and immediately spoke up. Mr. Brown quickly explained the situation to him.

"The Nine Yang Nine Yin Seal, so that's what it is."

I let out a surprised sound, staring at Zhang Jizheng. He seemed to know something.

"Let me put it this way: back when I was still alive, there was already a Nine Yang Nine Yin Seal at the summit of Mount Immeasurable. No one knows what it’s sealing—not even my master. It seems to have existed for countless years."

"So how do we get to Mount Immeasurable?"

I asked, and Zhang Jizheng pointed at the pillar.

"Defeat what's inside first."

As Zhang Jizheng spoke, I let out a surprised sound. He explained that only the Dao Sect's orthodox successor can enter Mount Immeasurable. Ordinary people need the Nine Sons to perform a ritual together to gain entry. Inside this pillar is the Soul Avatar of a Dao Sect member, sealed within.

There are ten pillars in total. Each contains the Soul Avatar of a Dao Sect ancestor, who, to protect the sacred mountain, volunteered to seal their Soul Avatar inside after death, forming a vast array. Every direction has one of these Soul Avatars.

Mr. Brown looked thoughtful, glanced around, and with a few whooshes, sent out thick, green ghostly strands. Soon, he smiled.

"This position is the Death Spot."

Zhang Jizheng nodded and told us that to enter Mount Immeasurable, we must break at least three positions at the same time, defeating the Soul Avatars within.

"Heh, looks like the Young Master did his homework."

Mr. Brown laughed, and I sighed helplessly. The three of us ghosts matched exactly what Zhang Jizheng described.

"By the way, what exactly is a Soul Avatar?"

I asked, and Zhang Jizheng explained that possessing a Soul Avatar is what separates Dao Sect orthodox practitioners from wild Taoists.

A Soul Avatar is a manifestation achieved by Dao Sect members after reaching a certain level of cultivation. The soul remains within the body, but after training, the Soul Avatar appears—similar to a soul, but here, it lacks consciousness, because the soul itself has already reincarnated.

I started to understand why Zhang Jizheng’s Soul Avatar was conscious—he still possesses his soul.

As I thought this, Zhang Jizheng nodded.

"Ethan, in the Dao Sect, every generation, the master personally teaches the disciple how to cultivate a Soul Avatar. These methods are handed down, generation after generation. Wild Taoists don’t have access to this. Even if some, like Zhang Wuju, seem powerful, having a Soul Avatar and not having one are worlds apart. The Dao Sect’s Nine Sons all possess Soul Avatars. If there’s a conflict at that meeting, you’ll be at a disadvantage."

I let out a surprised sound and looked at Mr. Brown, who smiled.

"It’s true. Of the seven Ghost Sovereigns, only the Red-haired one has regained and even surpassed his former strength. The other six are nowhere near their peak. I’ve met Dao Sect people before—they’re formidable."

Even Mr. Brown said so. No wonder John Chou kept stalling that day, trying to calm the other Ghost Sovereigns. He knew there was no way to win in a direct confrontation, especially at Dragon Plaza.

"So, the Dao Sect’s Nine Sons are even stronger than the Nether Syndicate...?"

"Not necessarily, Ethan. Ever since Little Cat founded the Nether Syndicate, they’ve dominated the arcane world for a hundred years. Each generation keeps inventing new techniques—most practitioners can’t keep up."

Mr. Brown spoke, and Zhang Jizheng nodded in agreement.

"As much as I hate to admit it, during the great purge in the Ghost Dao, the Nether Syndicate were the main force. They have the Ten Stems and Twelve Signs—even those who aren't heirs are incredibly strong. Some heirs among the Twelve Signs are especially powerful. If they join forces, their strength multiplies several times over."

"Heh, Ethan, do you remember the time you and Rachel Lan went to that haunted house? Later, the Nether Syndicate showed up, and the Young Master fought them, right?"

I nodded. Back then, John Chou was beaten and transformed several times.

"The Young Master is all about pride and suffering. And last time, at the start, he was hit by the Nether Trifold Binding—he didn’t show up during the day at all."

I nodded again. Only at night did John Chou appear. Later, because of my soul issue, he fought with the Ghost Syndicate and was thoroughly beaten.

"The Young Master was seriously wounded then. Later, when he met the Nether Syndicate again, if he hadn’t relied on certain methods, Yuna Ji would’ve had to step in that night."

I smiled and nodded. Now, we had to break the Soul Avatar in this pillar. According to Zhang Jizheng, Soul Avatars are indestructible—even if you wipe one out, it will eventually return somewhere to recuperate, then revive.

"That’s the meaning of Dao follows nature. The Soul Avatar inside is probably a Sword Avatar—it’ll be fierce. When you break it, just force it back into the pillar."

"This one's yours, Ethan. The other two are the Middle Spot and the Life Gate. Later, I’ll contact you through the ghostly strands. You’re the weakest, but with the Dao Sect guy here, you can start. Think of it as practice."

I let out a sound of acknowledgment as Mr. Brown turned into a streak of green light and vanished.

I swallowed and stared at the pillar.

"This must be a Dao Sect master. Can I beat him?"

"If it had consciousness, you’d stand no chance, Ethan. But this Soul Avatar is mindless. Right now, you have a shot. To defeat it, you’ll need overwhelming force to sever its flow. That’s how it’ll break."

I nodded, and Zhang Jizheng whooshed back into the pendant.

"How do I sever it?"

I asked, anticipation rising.

"Let the Soul Avatar activate first. I’ll guide you through the fight."

I nodded, but immediately froze, staring at the pillar. I had no idea how to activate it.

"That’s easy. You’re a ghost, Ethan—just release your ghost energy. Once it reaches a certain level, the Soul Avatar will naturally emerge."

I nodded and began to release wisps of black smoke—my ghost energy spilling from my body. I didn’t convert it to baleful energy; instead, I let it envelop me, growing stronger and stronger.

"Not bad, Ethan. You’ve grown a lot in just a few days."

I smiled and kept my eyes on the pillar. Suddenly, it moved. White light burst out as the Daoist depicted—a young man in a gray-blue robe, sword reversed behind his back, left hand extended in a two-finger gesture, hair tied in a casual braid—came to life.

He looked young, barely in his twenties. I couldn’t see his eyes—just two pale hollows. Slowly, the Daoist began to step out of the image. I tried to back away.

With a swish, black blood splattered. I was knocked backward, feeling a cut open on my jaw. The Daoist, glowing with golden light, raised his sword and flew straight at me.

"Ethan, that’s the Starfall Blade. Be careful—defend yourself!"

Zhang Jizheng shouted urgently.