"Interesting. Even though you've forgotten everything about your past, your temperament is still the same, Ethan Zhang."
I silently observed the figure before me—the golden-masked woman who called herself Nameless Woman (Wú). Her power was overwhelming, evident from her earlier blow. What unsettled me most was the multitude of souls within her body. Though she was clearly human, the number of souls layered inside her defied understanding.
No matter what, a person should only have one soul. Yet the woman before me seemed to harbor many, layered together as if stacked upon each other.
"Ethan, this is a matter for our Buddhist Order. Just stand aside and watch. There's no need for you to intervene."
I stepped aside, quietly watching. Some of the Masked Enforcers, rousing one by one, began carrying the wounded down the mountain. My confusion deepened—Nameless Woman (Wú)'s body contained multiple souls, and even Abbot Fortune beside me seemed to sense something was wrong.
With a thought, I appeared beside the black-red-purple formation. I watched as Masked Enforcer after Masked Enforcer vanished into the array. I hurried over, but felt nothing at all.
"Those without souls cannot pass through this formation and return to the Living World. Ethan Zhang, you can never go back."
Nameless Woman (Wú) was already behind me. I turned, my gaze fixed intensely on her.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"Blood Jade."
Nameless Woman (Wú) spoke, slowly walking toward me.
"After your death, we collected four fragments of the Blood Jade through certain means. One remains here, another is with the Earthly Soul, and one is still missing. Let me put it plainly, Ethan Zhang—the affairs of the two realms no longer concern you. Wouldn't it be better to simply live in peace within this Illusory Realm? Xu Fu foresaw this from the start, and now it's come to pass."
I stared blankly at Nameless Woman (Wú), then quickly shook my head and spoke.
"You're not my match. Go back. If you insist on forcing this, I won't hold back."
"When did you become so tough, Ethan Zhang?"
Nameless Woman (Wú)'s voice chilled, her short sword slowly pointing at me. I said nothing, and with a single thought, returned to Abbot Fortune's side.
"Can you tell me something, Abbot Fortune? About my past."
I looked seriously at Abbot Fortune, but for some reason, he stayed silent, seemingly unwilling to tell me anything. After a long pause, he sighed.
"Ethan, the past is but smoke and clouds. Even if you knew, nothing could be changed. You're already dead; you should let go of everything. The matters of the two realms no longer have anything to do with you. All of it is fleeting mist—let it go and wander freely in this world. Perhaps that's a new beginning. Please, consider it."
I gave a faint smile, then shook my head.
"Master, maybe you're right—maybe I really can't go back now. But..."
I tilted my head, quietly gazing at the pitch-black night sky, countless stars glittering above. Shaking my head, I continued speaking.
"Without the past me, there wouldn't be the present me. Maybe starting over is a good thing—rebirth is unique for everyone and everything. But the past is just as irreplaceable for a person. I don't know why, but I feel like someone is waiting for me to return. Master..."
Abbot Fortune raised a hand, cutting me off. A fierce aura surged from behind.
"Monk, what you're guarding will only harm you, not help. Why not hand it over to us? After all, this isn't something you can decide alone. We came with certain people's consent."
Nameless Woman (Wú) spoke coldly. All the other masked figures had already left; only Nameless Woman (Wú) remained. I looked helplessly at Abbot Fortune—he still seemed unwilling to tell me about my past.
"Madam, no matter who told you, there's nothing you want here. Please leave!"
Abbot Fortune bowed as he spoke, but Nameless Woman (Wú) showed no intention of leaving. Her eyes gleamed with a deadly sharpness, fixed on Abbot Fortune.
"Abbot Fortune, as the saying goes, 'well water does not mix with river water.' We've had no disputes with your Buddhist Order for years. What you protect brings you no benefit—only harm. Think carefully. Abbot Fortune, how many years has it been since you last acted in both realms? We now hold a Buddha Statue of Visions and have reached an agreement. We can trade it with you—what do you say?"
Nameless Woman (Wú) spoke coldly, her gaze drifting toward me from time to time. For a moment, Abbot Fortune's expression changed.
"Where did you all actually..."
"No matter where we got it, Abbot Fortune, think carefully. I'll come again tomorrow. If you still refuse to hand it over, don't blame us for what happens next."
I quietly watched Nameless Woman (Wú) leave. Just as she turned away, Abbot Fortune suddenly transformed into a streak of golden light, striking at Nameless Woman (Wú) with his palm. The suddenness caught me off guard.
With a thunderous crash, a massive pit appeared in the ground. Nameless Woman (Wú) had already drawn her short sword, crouching on the ground, her body covered in fine wounds. She slowly stood up as her injuries began to heal bit by bit.
"What do you mean by this, Abbot Fortune?"
Nameless Woman (Wú) asked, but Abbot Fortune remained silent, his gaze sharp and fixed on her. It seemed he didn't want Nameless Woman (Wú) to leave.
"If you're trying to get something out of me, don't bother, Abbot Fortune. You know the state of both realms as well as I do—you have no choice. Even if your Buddhist Order has gained great power thanks to Ethan Zhang, you still must make a decision. No one can stay uninvolved. If you cling to your old ways, when trouble comes knocking, who will lend a hand? Isn't that right, Abbot Fortune?"
Abbot Fortune remained silent, staring intently at Nameless Woman (Wú). Golden light began to shimmer all around, and golden Infernal Runes rose from the ground, drifting slowly through the air. Nameless Woman (Wú) glanced around and then started to laugh.
"Interesting. So you really want to play, Abbot Fortune!"
With a hiss, I widened my eyes. In an instant, Nameless Woman (Wú) struck—her attack was swifter and more ferocious than the sword she had used against me earlier. Abbot Fortune dodged, but his Monk’s Vestment was sliced open.
I quickly dodged to the left, a powerful current swept past me, instantly cutting a wide gap through the golden Infernal Runes barrier behind me.
Nameless Woman (Wú) straightened up, glanced at me, and gave a cold smile.
"Abbot Fortune, your power may be strong, but it means little to people like us."
With a hiss, Abbot Fortune tore off his Monk's Vestment and lightly tapped the ground. Suddenly, golden beads appeared all around him. Nameless Woman (Wú)'s expression changed, and she began moving rapidly, slashing forward with her short sword.
With a clang, the golden beads shot toward Nameless Woman (Wú). She blocked them with her short sword, her body constantly shifting positions.
With a bang, Abbot Fortune suddenly pressed his palms together. The golden beads that Nameless Woman (Wú) had knocked away floated in the air, forming a complete encirclement. She lay sideways, short sword in hand, her face icy as she stared at Abbot Fortune.
For some reason, chills kept running down my spine. Something felt off about this situation, and Abbot Fortune seemed to be in pain.
"Abbot, I doubt you can last much longer here. After all, your time in this Illusory Realm is limited."
As soon as Nameless Woman (Wú) finished speaking, the golden beads shot toward her in a concentrated burst.
With a clang, Nameless Woman (Wú) swung her short sword, knocking the golden beads away. In a flash, she closed the gap and slashed at Abbot Fortune's head with her blade.
With a hiss, Abbot Fortune suddenly dispersed like mist and vanished. Nameless Woman (Wú)'s attack missed, but she quickly swung her sword to the left.
With a rumble, the ground around us sank again. Abbot Fortune grabbed Nameless Woman (Wú)'s short sword, fresh blood dripping down. He looked calmly at Nameless Woman (Wú).
"Ethan, just watch from the sidelines—you have nothing to do with any of this anymore. I don't wish to drag you back in. You've already done enough."
I abandoned my intention to act. For a moment, I wanted to intervene, but Abbot Fortune stopped me. The situation looked grim—part of Abbot Fortune's body had already faded away. I understood why: he had entered this world through special means, but now, the laws of this realm were erasing him. Even knowing Nameless Woman (Wú) wasn't his match, Abbot Fortune still chose to fight.
Though I couldn't explain why, I knew I didn't want Nameless Woman (Wú) to obtain the Blood Jade.
"Forget it, Master. Let me end this—all of it. Even if you don't plan to tell me about my past, it doesn't matter anymore."
I spoke as I walked forward. Suddenly, Abbot Fortune retreated, and Nameless Woman (Wú) lunged, thrusting her short sword at him. Abbot Fortune's face was grim, his strength fading bit by bit.
The short sword stopped just short of Abbot Fortune's forehead. A drop of sweat rolled down his brow. I grabbed Nameless Woman (Wú)'s short sword.
"So, Ethan Zhang, do you want to die again?"