Chapter 66: Old Ghost!

Karn looked around. There was not a trace of Qi in the air. His cultivation remained intact, but without Qi to draw upon, he was unable to use any of the Martial Techniques he had learned in the outside world.

“Koko… How exactly am I supposed to fight those massive creatures?” Karn muttered as he stared at the enormous beasts roaming in the distance.

He stroked his beard for a moment before turning his attention toward the mountain cave where he stood. Rather than remain there, Karn quickly descended the mountain.

As he made his way down, something in the distance caught his attention.

Smoke. Thin wisps of smoke were rising into the sky from somewhere beyond the mountainside.

“Is that smoke from a fire…?” Karn’s brows furrowed.

Curious, Karn continued downward. When his feet finally touched the soft green grass, he paused and looked around. Everything appeared the same as before. The only noticeable difference was the faint yellow hue that seemed to linger throughout the air.

Karn carefully made his way toward the source of the smoke, pushing through the dense brush. Leaves brushed against his robes as he passed, yet nothing strange happened.

“This world seems to be no different from the previous one.” Karn smiled but as he drew closer to the smoke, the air gradually became drier. The scent of burning wood entered his nostrils.

Eventually, the dense vegetation gave way to a wide clearing. At its center stood a simple tent beside a blazing fire. An old man sat beside the flames.

He appeared far older than Karn, his body covered in wrinkles and his hair almost completely white. Yet despite his ancient appearance, he moved with surprising vitality, as though the passage of time had never truly affected him.

“Oh…? Welcome, newcomer. Your first time in the Dream Plane?” The elderly man suddenly looked up and smiled. Several of his teeth were missing, while the remaining ones were stained and half-rotten.

“Koko… Indeed. Who might you be, old ghost?” Karn smiled in return.

“Old ghost? Ah…” The elderly man chuckled. “I suppose that is fitting. I have gotten quite old since arriving here.”

“I am Zhi Zhao. A resident of this realm.” He tapped his chest as his rotten smile widened.

‘This old man is quite strange…’ Karn narrowed his eyes.

Old Ghost Zhi Zhao suddenly looked above Karn. His normally calm eyes widened slightly.

“To think a newcomer would already have contracted such a rare beast as the Ethereal Eye.” A strange glint flashed through his eyes.

“The talent of the younger generation truly increases with every passing era. Kekeke…”

‘Younger generation…?’ Karn silently took note of those words.

“You seem quite knowledgeable about this world, Old Ghost.” Karn stroked his beard.

“I happen to have a few questions about this place. Perhaps an experienced hand could help this old man.”

“Yes, yes.” Old Ghost Zhi nodded enthusiastically. “That is what I am here for. Whenever a lost soul arrives, I provide them with the answers they seek.”

“Of course, there is a price.” His smile suddenly became wider.

“What price?” Karn raised an eyebrow.

“I require you to share one of your most treasured memories in exchange for information.”

“Share one of my treasured memories?” Karn repeated the words slowly.

“Indeed.” Old Ghost Zhi raised one finger.

“However, I shall give you one piece of information for free. In this world, combat strength is not necessary, although it can certainly be useful.” He gestured toward the surrounding wilderness.

“Every creature here can make demands of another. In return, the other party may offer something that cannot be obtained in the outside world.”

“I see.” Karn’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought for a moment.

“So, in exchange for one of my treasured memories, you will answer a single question?”

“Good. You aren’t as stupid as you look. Yes. That is exactly how it works.” The Old Ghost nodded with a hint of satisfaction.

“Nothing in this world is free.” He spread his hands.

“Koko… Interesting.” Karn smiled.

“Then answer me this. I require—”

“Oh, stop there.” Old Ghost Zhi suddenly interrupted him.

“I already know what you want.”

Karn’s expression froze.

“You’re looking for something that will help you against that green-haired girl, aren’t you?” Old Ghost Zhi’s rotten smile widened.

“You know of her?” Karn’s eyes widened slightly.

“Not exactly.” The Old Ghost chuckled.

“But I can read your mind, so I know what you desire.” He scratched his cheek.

“Keke… I suppose I should apologize for invading your privacy.”

“Koko…” A look of genuine curiosity appeared on Karn’s face.

“It is possible to read minds?”

“Anything is possible if you contract the right Mystic Beast, newcomer.” The Old Ghost smiled.

Suddenly, the skin around his ears began to ripple. One ear split into two and then two became three. Three ears now overlapped one another, each radiating a faint trace of Mystic Energy.

‘Koko… Another Mystic Beast.’ Karn’s expression became serious.

The Mystic Energy flowing from Zhi Zhao’s body reminded him of the Oni summoned by the green-haired woman.

“What you desire can be found with the Truth-Seeking Moth.” The Old Ghost Zhi pointed toward the distant wilderness.

“Continue in that direction. Eventually, you will reach a forest. The moth should be resting beside a glowing ball of slime.” He paused.

“I like to call it a slime ball, but its proper name is the Light Bringer Bison.”

“…A bison?” Karn stared at him.

“Keke. You’ll understand when you see it.” The Old Ghost’s eyes narrowed with amusement.

“Now, let’s eat.” He licked his lips.

“Wait. I haven’t even agreed to your question ye-” Karn suddenly trembled as his words were cut short.

Mystic Energy suddenly erupted around him and Karn’s pupils contracted. The energy did not originate from the old man sitting before him. Instead, it came from the world itself. It surged into Karn like an invisible tide, overwhelming his senses.

The moment the conditions of the exchange had been fulfilled, the Dream Plane itself enforced the contract.

Karn’s vision suddenly blurred as a familiar scene appeared within his mind. One of his most cherished memories. It felt as though he had been pulled back into the past.

But this time, something was different. Karn was not alone, he could feel another presence watching the memory alongside him.

It felt as though another spectator had been pulled into the memory with him, silently watching everything from the side.

“Koko…” Karn’s expression slowly changed.