A muffled, oppressive laughter echoed through the air. Zane Zhuang clutched the Flower of Rebirth, feeling as if his head would split open. He had no idea what was happening—his body was beginning to feel disturbingly wrong.
"Impossible. You haven't passed the test yet."
"The Sanzu Force can be crossed now."
Zane Zhuang clenched his fists, his eyes burning with anger as he stared into the distance. The voice—like a supernatural pulse—seemed to resonate directly inside his skull, and he had no idea where its owner was.
"You aren't needed right now. Only in the distant future will you be required. Go back, Zane Zhuang! And the one who brought you here—his intentions are truly malevolent. You'd better be careful; he's deceiving you."
"What do you mean? Is it because of the Flower of Rebirth?"
Zane Zhuang looked puzzled. Three-Eyed, despite his strange appearance, had given him an uneasy feeling from the very first encounter. The aura surrounding this ghost was deeply unsettling.
"No, he wouldn't."
Zane Zhuang immediately retorted, his mind flashing to the ominous River of Forgetfulness.
The laughter grew even more reckless and wild, echoing as Zane Zhuang gripped the Flower of Rebirth tighter in his hand.
"Why do you trust a ghost? Ghosts are the least trustworthy beings in this world—and humans are no better. You are far too naive..."
Zane Zhuang let out a cold, dismissive laugh and shook his head, the darkness in his eyes deepening.
"Whether it's worth it or not, I've already agreed to his terms. He will help me—he'll take me to the Sanzu Force."
Zane Zhuang shouted with a steely resolve. Suddenly, a flash of eerie green light burst forth—Three-Eyed appeared, standing right beside him, his presence warping the air with supernatural intensity.
"I know what you are, that's why I have to resort to this desperate move. If you refuse, I'll have no choice but to take him straight to the Ghost Gate. If something goes wrong then, I can't guarantee the outcome."
"Threats mean nothing to me."
The voice let out a cold, mocking laugh as Three-Eyed shook his head, the oppressive atmosphere thickening.
"This isn't a threat—if the Netherworld authorities discover certain things about you, your days will be numbered."
With a thunderous crack, Three-Eyed grabbed Zane Zhuang and whisked him away at unnatural speed, leaving a ghostly fist imprint scorched into the ground.
"What you wish to accomplish is far from simple."