"Where is the Deathbane Ghost? He should have returned here, right?"
I asked, and Abbot Fortune nodded.
"Indeed, he returned here several days ago. However, I have sealed him away, because he has once again become that murderous Deathbane Ghost of the past. He wants to take my life, and I'm afraid, Heavenly Soul, you will have a hard time communicating with him again."
I kept watching the waterfall of deathly aura. The Deathbane Ghost should be in the space behind it now, and I wanted to go directly to him.
"Heavenly Soul, wait a moment. Listen to what I have to say first."
I hummed in response and followed Abbot Fortune to sit beside the stone table, where he began to brew tea.
"Let me briefly tell you about Ethan Zhang's current situation."
My eyes widened. Abbot Fortune smiled and began to speak about Ethan Zhang, who now exists within the Illusory Realm.
Ethan Zhang has changed greatly. He now possesses both Buddhist and Taoist powers, as well as a third power—his human nature. This human power serves as a foundation for the other two, and his abilities now far surpass those of the Ten Judges of Hell.
I stared at Abbot Fortune in disbelief as he continued talking about the Blood Jade. Several fragments of the Blood Jade have already been sealed within the Illusory Realm, but Ethan Zhang inside remembers nothing, and those who know him cannot speak of him. It is all very strange.
With a thought, white streams resembling whips coiled around me. I blocked Deathbane Ghost's attacks, noticing a clear smile in his eyes.
With a thunderous crash, a burst of deathly aura shot from beneath my feet and exploded. I raised both hands, letting white streams shield my body. After a while, the aura faded, and Deathbane Ghost stood before me.
"You're definitely stronger than the Earthly Soul."
Deathbane Ghost put away his deathly aura sword. I stared at him quietly and asked,
"What happened to the Earthly Soul?"
"Nothing much. After seeing Ethan Zhang, something inside the Earthly Soul changed. Now he's on a path completely opposite to Ethan Zhang, or rather, he's been led onto a road with no future."
I looked at Deathbane Ghost in surprise. He sat down, and I moved closer.
"You've also experienced self-devouring by the Law of Karma, haven't you?"
I nodded.
"In the Realm of Karma, we helped him find Ethan Zhang. After seeing Ethan Zhang, he used his strongest power, but was powerless before Ethan. This made the Earthly Soul crave overwhelming and desperate strength, which the Wraithlord noticed and led him down a path of power and despair."
I stared in shock.
"Isn't the Human Soul of the Wraithlord insane?"
Deathbane Ghost laughed.
"He's been fooling everyone for centuries. People think the Wraithlord is insane, but after following the Earthly Soul into the Forest of Desire and meeting the Human Soul of the Wraithlord, we learned the truth. He's been sane all along, just pretending. He's found a way to merge his Three Souls and Seven Spirits and become a ghost again."
What I heard from Deathbane Ghost was shocking, almost unbelievable, but judging by his demeanor, he wouldn't lie to me.
"So now the Earthly Soul is with the lucid Wraithlord?"
Deathbane Ghost nodded, a smile in his eyes.
"Many believe that if Ethan Zhang doesn't survive, the Wraithlord can't be resurrected, since the coexistence instinct helps him merge. But they don't know the Wraithlord has found another way, just waiting for the right time. His three souls share thoughts, and his Earthly Soul has made a pact with Xu Fu."
I looked at Deathbane Ghost in confusion.
"Why do you know all this?"
Deathbane Ghost laughed.
"Because after the Wraithlord died and his power scattered, we became fragments of his remaining consciousness—individuals shaped by his influence. Whenever we approach the Wraithlord, we understand everything. It seems intentional on his part. I've discussed this with Serpent Spirit: why did the Wraithlord make us recall the era of the ancient gods? What do you think his purpose is?"
I looked at the Earthly Soul in shock—the answer was already obvious.
"The Wraithlord wants you to spread word of his plans, accelerating his resurrection."
Deathbane Ghost nodded and burst out laughing.
"The Wraithlord is clever. He wants the living world to know about him ahead of time, so we sensed something was wrong before returning. Except for a few fools among the ghost fragments, most of us noticed. He even used Thought Ghost to plant the idea in us to spread the news after our return. Fortunately, Thought Ghost is on our side and told us everything, so we went back to our respective places. Some ghost fragments may have self-erased, to keep this secret. When you return, you'd best inform John Chou."
I nodded.
This must be reported to John Chou as soon as possible, and not to anyone else. If they learn the Wraithlord is lucid, war will erupt prematurely. There's still some time to prepare, since Ethan Zhang hasn't returned from the illusion. Ouyang Meng said he'd try to cross the dream and find Ethan Zhang.
"That's all, Heavenly Soul. We guessed you'd come looking for us, so we each returned to our own places."
I stood up. Deathbane Ghost smiled.
"This world is already scarred and ruined, though many believe it's still growing and full of hope. Maybe the world has already ended, and most people just can't see it."
Listening to Deathbane Ghost's cryptic words, I quickly understood.
"You mean the human heart, don't you?"
Deathbane Ghost nodded.
"The seven emotions and six desires of humanity, all negative things people create—including ghosts—are the root of chaos in the worlds of yin and yang. Take care, Heavenly Soul. The time to choose is near."
I nodded. Deathbane Ghost dissolved into deathly aura and sank into the ground. I turned and flew out of the waterfall, returning to the front of Luoyin Temple, but Abbot Fortune was nowhere to be seen. I called out, but no one replied.
After waiting a while, I finally saw Abbot Fortune coming down the path from the back hill.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Heavenly Soul. Amitabha."
I nodded.
"So, how did it go? Did you get the answers you wanted?"
I shook my head.
"I need to go to the Forest of Desire."
That's my most practical thought right now. I want to meet the Earthly Soul—maybe for the last time. The essence of the Earthly Soul has changed. Deathbane Ghost told me so, and I can feel it deep within myself.