A surge of electricity flashed through my mind. Staring at Tan Tian's agonized expression, I was utterly stunned—my heart pounding with shock. Under the pale blue glow, Tan Tian's entire face twisted in pain, the muscles contorting in a way that seemed almost inhuman.
It was pain—I was certain of it, real pain. For zombies, pain is almost incomprehensible, something they can't even recognize or understand.
What shocked me even more was how The Wraithlord manipulated the powers within my body, fusing every strand together in a way I couldn't comprehend. He then condensed it into a single bullet, wrapped in high-density Deathbane Aura, and fired it straight into Tan Tian's skull.
A roar erupted, and a fierce aura burst from Tan Tian's body. In an instant, I was blown backward, but a hand caught my spine—Lady Meng swiftly grabbed my hand, dragging me away from Tan Tian's reach.
"Corpse Manifestation."
A thunderous roar followed. With a sickening squelch, Tan Tian plunged his hand into his own head, sending brownish liquid splattering everywhere. As rainbow light flared—likely the supernatural essence released from the bullet—he extracted the projectile from his skull.
"Careful, old woman."
Not far from us, Redmond and Lord Shenyan were rushing over. Two Hell Judges and The Twin Reapers followed close behind. Lady Meng shoved me aside, then called out sharply, blocking Tan Tian as he lunged at us from behind.
It was a mass of black energy, swirling like a supernatural flame, with a chilling aura lurking deep within the darkness.
With a whoosh, my vision went black. It was Tan Tian. The moment I drew Belle, I was already immobilized—a hand scattered with embers reached out, grabbed The Wraithlord on my shoulder, and pulled him into its body.
My eyes widened, and suddenly a smile flickered in my mind—a head of flowing black hair, and a murderous intent so vast it felt like I was deep underwater.
"What are you trying to do, Tan Tian?"
Xu Fu roared, and that black hand stabbed toward me. In a flash, a vision appeared in my mind—barren fields of scorched black earth.
With a crack, I stared in disbelief at everything before me. My right hand rose and easily deflected Tan Tian's hand. The black smoke and flames dispersed, revealing Tan Tian’s true form.
Long black hair draped over my shoulders. My body was suddenly out of control—I couldn't even make a sound.
"Though doing this means rewriting the past... Get lost. Or should I just kill you right now?"
Unnaturally calm and tinged with amusement, the words came from my mouth. Tan Tian stared intently at me, and everyone approaching stopped in their tracks.
"Don't move. Absolutely don't..."
At my warning, Tan Tian whooshed to my side, his hand darting toward my head.
Suddenly, my left fist clenched and I punched Tan Tian in the chest. His hand froze beside my forehead.
"Who the hell are you...?"
"Ethan Zhang."
With a crack, Tan Tian flew toward Xu Fu and the others—a crystalline gleam flashed in the air. Tan Tian clutched his chest, and I saw a hole punched through it, exposing a brownish, blackened crystal—the Golden Soulstone, now partly shattered.
With a smack, Xu Fu caught Tan Tian with one hand and looked over at me.
"Interesting... Ethan Zhang, is it?"
A faint smile curled my lips as a voice echoed in my mind.
"Just this once—never again. By accident, you've already rewritten the future. But the worst possible ending hasn't changed at all."
With a whoosh, my long hair fell from my shoulder, vanishing slowly in the air. I spat out a mouthful of black blood, staring blankly at Xu Fu in the distance, who held the pale blue Second Blood Jade Fragment.
"Looks like I win again, Ethan Zhang."
Xu Fu grinned wickedly. Behind him, a black space opened up. Luna Quay supported Tan Tian as they stepped into the darkness. Instantly, the air filled with cracking sounds—the Corpse Barrier was on the verge of collapse.
"None of you saw any of that—got it?"
A furious voice burst from Lady Meng. Everyone stared at her in shock as Xu Fu slowly stepped into the black space, waving at me.
Gritting my teeth, I swung the half-broken Belle in anger toward him. A surge of Deathbane Aura blasted forth, shattering the black stone beneath their feet into pieces.
"Qingyuan, hurry and follow me!"
A golden spark flashed past my ear—Master Zachary Wu's voice reached me. The space around us was cracking, and waves of overwhelming ghostly energy began pouring in.
"Come with me."
I called out to Redmond and Lord Shenyan. The two floated over in a rush. I followed Master Zachary Wu's spirit deeper, and soon we saw an icy blue floor with a strange black array glowing on its surface.
With a boom, a flash of red light appeared before us—it was Lord Quintus, glaring at me with fury.
"You still want to keep going?"