A crackling sound echoed as my Specter Web easily purified the power within Howard Zhang's body, but I couldn't establish a connection with his inner world.
But no matter what, I have to try—Howard's life hangs by a thread.
"You don't have to do this, Ethan. If I really die here, when you get back, do whatever you can to make my parents and Susie forget I ever existed."
In that instant, my eyes widened. Howard lay there with his eyes closed, face twisted in pain, as if he'd completely given up. Pressing my forehead, I knew I had to find a way.
With a whoosh, the Earthly Soul returned, quietly watching me.
"I've been meaning to tell you, Ethan Zhang. Even if you rescue Howard Zhang from the Dark Banquet, he can't return to the Living World with you. Karmic Affliction is nearly impossible to cure. Brother Owen only survived by reincarnating and his extraordinary willpower—after all, he's a virtuous monk. But Howard is different. He became a monk late in life and hasn't cultivated his mind enough to resist the Karmic Affliction."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
I shouted in anger. Earthly Soul sat before me, sighing helplessly.
"Are you the kind of person who gives up so easily, Ethan Zhang?"
I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. The Deathbane Aura was depleting fast, and the evil ghost on my back was glaring at me, ready to pounce.