Long ago, I noticed that my Ghost Souls were independent entities. They chose, of their own will, to sever their ties with the outside world and become part of me, my power.
Strictly speaking, they aren't truly Ghost Souls. I once split off a Ghost Soul, but it died in my place. Only now do I fully understand everything my Ghost Souls once said.
"Sorry. I've been suppressing you all this time. Thank you for your hard work."
I muttered, and the Seven Ghost Souls all turned their gaze to Rachel Lan, who hovered in the sky.
"Ethan, is it wise to reveal yourself so early? You're still unstable. If something goes wrong, you'll be the one to suffer."
Spirit Snake spoke, and I smiled faintly. Everything we experienced in Darong Village had allowed the Ghost Souls to train independently, and it paid off. Today, the one before me wasn't anyone else—it was Rachel Lan.
"Let me go first. Seven against one isn't fair. I'll show this little girl what real combat means."
Yin Ghost twisted its body and strode out into the air, twin daggers in hand, glowing with white and black light.
"Hey, Sis, if you can't win later, I'll help you out."
"Little girl, hmph. Watch closely."
Yin Ghost spoke, and Rachel Lan stood frozen, staring at me in silence. Sweat beaded on my forehead—I was struggling. All seven had unleashed their power, so I spread my Specter Web in every direction, drawing yin energy straight from the air.
"Careful, Ethan. That much yin energy will backfire if you push too far."
Yin Ghost cautioned, and I nodded, turning to Curse Ghost.
"I'm counting on you."
"Understood, Ethan. Go ahead and do what you must."
With a snap, a red chain on Curse Ghost's arm sprang to life, piercing my chest in an instant. The chain split at the entry point, crawling over my skin and binding me. I sat quietly, focusing my mind, feeling the vast yin energy saturating the air around me.
"You all, I've used my charm to help you manifest your weapons. Don't go overboard, or you'll end up hurting yourselves."
With a whoosh, Yin Ghost floated up and looked at Rachel Lan.
"Ethan Zhang... ha, how laughable..."
With a flash, Rachel Lan swung her Phoenix Blade, unleashing an even greater power that made green smoke rise all around.
"Still relying on others, just like before?"
"That's right. The path I walk is built on that, Roxie."
Rachel Lan burst out laughing, raising her Phoenix Blade, eyes locked on me.
"Trash. You're nothing but trash. Gathered together or not, you're still worthless."
With a thunderous crash, Rachel Lan swung her Phoenix Blade at Yin Ghost.
"I'll deal with you first..."
Rachel Lan was about to speak when she felt the tip of a black dagger pressed to her throat.
"Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of times—I've used this dagger to sever my enemies' throats."
A fierce wind sliced through the flames. Rachel Lan leaned back, dodging the attack, then swung her Phoenix Blade again.
Yin Ghost's figure was once again engulfed in golden flames.
"Speed and power feel great, but if you can't land a hit, it's meaningless."
Yin Ghost appeared behind Rachel Lan, who, furious, immediately beat her wings, sending a barrage of flaming feathers toward Yin Ghost.
Black winds whipped through the dense flaming feathers, rumbling as they darted about. When the feathers struck the ground, they erupted into massive blazes.
Yin Ghost toyed with the black-and-white daggers, looking at Rachel Lan with contempt.
"Little girl, I've lived many times longer than you. Fought more battles than you can imagine. You gain a bit of power and think you're strong—it's nothing but an illusion."
The wind roared. With my Spirit Snake Eyes, I could barely track Yin Ghost's movements. Rachel Lan braced herself, metal clanged, and the wind whipped fiercely around her.
Rachel Lan wrapped herself completely in her wings.
"Can you see clearly, Ethan? In an instant, she made thousands of attacks."
I swallowed hard.
"She can go even faster."
Yin Ghost's sickly voice echoed in the air, and Rachel Lan's Vermilion Feathers began to scatter and explode.
With a spurt, I coughed up blood.
"Come back, Yin Ghost! Don't get carried away."
With a swoosh, Yin Ghost stopped. Rachel Lan roared, spreading her wings as her Phoenix Blade stabbed toward Yin Ghost. With a creak, the blade scraped across Yin Ghost's black dagger, but Yin Ghost dodged nimbly.
"Enough, little girl. You're too reckless—Ethan can't hold out much longer."
With a gust, Yin Ghost returned to my side. I panted, watching her as Rachel Lan, furious, charged at us.
"What do you think something without emotions truly is?"
Suddenly, Rachel Lan stopped, her eyes growing wet. Tears streamed down as Desire Ghost, petite and delicate, stood before us, raising her hands.
Rachel Lan angrily wiped away her tears, but they kept flowing uncontrollably. The flames around her grew unstable.
"Get out of my head. Get out!"
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Rachel Lan roared, and with a crash, Desire Ghost tumbled toward me. Spirit Snake grabbed her with one hand.
"Better not use that power for now. Be good, just watch quietly from the side."
With a hiss, Spirit Snake darted to Rachel Lan, thrusting the strange Viper's Fang at her.
"Little sister, you dodged, but your power is about to collapse, isn't it?"
I stared in astonishment as the flames on Rachel Lan began to fade. She beat her wings desperately, flying backward.
"After all, the Vermilion Bird is still a bird, and birds are born with a deep-rooted fear of reptiles."
Hissing, Spirit Snake extended her pointed tongue. The golden serpent on her sword came alive, coiling around her neck.
With a rush, Spirit Snake closed in on Rachel Lan, stabbing repeatedly as Rachel Lan dodged. The flames on her body kept fading, and her wings shrank.
"You liar..."
With a thunderous crash, Spirit Snake was struck by a flame from the Phoenix Blade. Zhu Tang flew over, raising his black Phoenix Blade. With a clang, he caught Spirit Snake with one hand while blocking with the Phoenix Blade in the other.
Black and gold flames collided instantly, sending both fighters flying backward from the force.
Rachel Lan clutched her wounded shoulder, her Vermilion Mantle nearly gone, golden flames flickering restlessly.
"It's over, little girl. The poison has reached your bones."
Spirit Snake smiled smugly. My consciousness blurred—I was almost at my limit.
Rachel Lan struggled to stay upright, her Phoenix Blade drooping as she nearly collapsed.
"You all..."
Rachel Lan roared, and in an instant, the Phoenix Blade returned to her hands. She raised it high, gathering blazing flames.
With a boom, a mass of golden flames surged toward us.
"Damn it! Do something, idiot!"
Resentful Ghost shouted, and just then, Wailer, who was lying on the ground, suddenly surged forward. His body arched, swelling up, and a huge mouth opened on his chest.
"I'll eat you."
Wailer roared, sucking the golden flames into his gaping mouth. His body swelled even further.
A wailing sound rang out as Wailer's chest-mouth spewed scorching jets of steam, like boiling water. Rachel Lan fell to the ground, clutching her shoulder in pain.
"That's enough, Ethan. Let's call it a day—you can't hold out much longer."
I nodded.
"Thank you, everyone."
With a rush, the Seven Ghost Souls returned to my body.
I struggled to my feet, stumbling toward Rachel Lan, who could barely stand.
"No matter how great the power, in this place of extreme yin, opposed to yang, it can't be fully unleashed."
"Ha, trying to show off, Ethan Zhang...?"
I crouched in front of Rachel Lan as she slowly collapsed. I caught her with one arm, holding her in my embrace.
"It's not about showing off, Roxie. There's nothing here worth boasting about. Only you—I want you to see what my power truly is, what it can do, the possibilities, Roxie. The possibilities of someone named Ethan Zhang."
I leaned in, and Rachel Lan struggled. My lips pressed against hers, drinking her breath.
A scorching power surged back into my body, nearly choking me. Rachel Lan kept struggling, her hand gripping my arm tightly.
"You..."
I smiled faintly, lifted my head, then carried Rachel Lan on my back.
"Hungry? Let's go home. I'll make you something good to eat."