"What kind of monster are you?" Ethan asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

The voice from the mask chuckled darkly, answering, "Monster? I like that title."

"I made a bet with that old boy Ebon Azure. If anyone could pass through my mind-asking illusion, I'd go along willingly."

"I didn't expect your kid to succeed; your memory world is so unlike anything I've ever seen. Truly a different continent altogether. Tell me, which continent do you hail from?"

Ethan's expression darkened with skepticism. How was this being able to invade his memories so freely? What kind of power was this?

"Why can you breach my memory?" he demanded.

"That is my innate ability," the voice replied proudly.

"But if your realm were higher, I wouldn't be able to invade your consciousness."

"I see… Are you human, or something else?"

"No point explaining further. Just know this—I am not human."

Ethan scoffed, "Then get off my face fast."

"This won't work," the voice confessed.

"I'm in a parasitic state, unable to move freely without a body. Unless you help me find my true form, I'm trapped."

"Body? What in the world are you?" Ethan's confusion deepened. The mask, brown and hardened like caramelized sugar, clung stubbornly.

It didn't seem useful, yet couldn't be discarded.

"Watch your words. I have a name—Onyx Orchid," the voice declared inside Ethan's mind.

"Here's my offer: use your power to nourish me, help me find my true form, and I will grant you incredible power in return. How's that?"

Ethan laughed bitterly, "You really think I'd believe that?"

"Don't believe me?" Onyx Orchid smiled darkly. "Then watch this."

Suddenly, Onyx Orchid's voice filled Ethan's mind as black liquid poured forth, covering his mask and then spilling across his entire body.

His blood boiled. Power surged from his muscles and bones like molten lightning.

He clenched his fists, feeling his strength, speed, and reflexes more than double.

"How?" Onyx Orchid asked, incredulous.

Ethan was surprised—this mask was more intriguing by the moment.

"Try an attack," Onyx Orchid mocked.

Ethan condensed a blood needle from his essence and struck toward a flowerpot on the windowsill.

With a sharp _pierce_, it shattered into dust.

But the attack's power wasn't done.

The blood needle spilled thick black liquid into the air, coalescing into a swirling black vortex.

It swallowed the dust whole.

Ethan felt the devouring power's terrifying pull—reminiscent of when the mask had first solidified on him.

"This is the power of devouring!" Onyx Orchid's arrogant tone roared in his mind.

But suddenly, Onyx Orchid coughed violently.

"What the hell did you swallow?"

"Uh… just the dust from the flowerpot," Ethan replied.

"Can you swallow something better? Like spiritual energy, blood essence?"

"Why are you so anxious? I want to research this further," Ethan snapped.

He delved deep, analyzing the devouring attack's nature.

His conclusion: the mask manifested a devouring power, consuming everything it touched and returning energy to Onyx Orchid—who resided within the mask.

Though he didn't grasp the full principle, the power clearly worked in Ethan's favor.

As for Onyx Orchid himself, it seemed Ethan could only wield this cunning force by relying on him.

"In this surprising world, such a power…" Ethan mused. "Onyx Orchid's strength is formidable. When activated, it can skyrocket strength almost immeasurably."

"And the devouring attack… it can consume spiritual weapons, even spiritual fire!"

"In battle, it could tip the scales unexpectedly."

"What do you think you're doing, kid? Devouring spiritual weapons and torturing me by devouring spiritual fire?" Onyx Orchid scolded.

"Don't worry, I'll study it more carefully," Ethan replied calmly.

"Fine, but help me find my true body first," came the impish request.

At that moment, Ethan noticed a curious shift in the sea of consciousness.

The mask's shape morphed, becoming an illusory doppelganger of the him—an uncanny reflection of Ethan himself.

"Why do you look just like me?" Ethan couldn't hide his surprise.

"I'm with you, so I naturally use your face," Onyx Orchid said slyly. "And I have to admit, you're not so bad-looking."

"Well, if you like my face, I won't argue," Ethan replied with a smirk.

"I've been wandering countless millennia," the mask murmured, "maybe a hundred thousand years—maybe more. Time blurs."

"But I'm no idle spirit. Since leaving my body, I've only served two masters—now you're the third. Fail to meet the criteria, and you won't be worthy of wielding my power."

"Though you passed my test," Onyx Orchid added grudgingly, "if that old fellow Ebon Azure hadn't begged me, I wouldn't have stuck around."

"Really?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Why do I feel like you're just itching to get out?" he chuckled.

"Nonsense!" Onyx Orchid blurted, before his voice trailed into silence.

"When creating a trial, aren't you waiting for the destined one? The one who will pass and bring you freedom?"

"If you didn't want to be freed, why set it up at all?" Ethan pressed, smiles teasing in his voice.

"You brat, you talk too much… damn annoying!" Onyx Orchid cursed yet again, voice fading.

Suddenly, the mask on Ethan's face vanished.

Ethan was at ease now, having understood the mask's true purpose.

Despite its age spanning millennia, Onyx Orchid's mind retained the innocence and playfulness of a child.

He closed his eyes, sensing another connection—a secret link to Onyx Orchid.

When needed, Ethan could summon him, revealing the mask and gaining tremendous power—a new trump card at his disposal.

With each added weapon, Ethan felt his confidence rising.

He withdrew the cold jade bottle containing the Profound Purifying Fire.

Next was the fusion—the Divine Flame Body Building Technique to harmonize with the Profound Purifying Fire.

The fire flickered white, translucent yet potent, pouring from the jade bottle and instantly heating the chamber.

This original spiritual fire surpassed innate spiritual fire, purifying blood and spirit, accelerating cultivation, nurturing the divine fire, and tempering the blood pills.

"Let's do this," Ethan said, inhaling deeply.

He swallowed the Profound Purifying Fire.

With his prior experience, the process was smoother, less agonizing.

Three hours later, the flames were fully integrated into his fire core.

Two flames now danced within his chest—azure and white, fire and purification.

Thanks to the mystery of divine flame body building technique.

He can now easily control the two flames to perform various operations, such as fusion, separation, changing shapes, etc.

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Capsule - 1 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 3 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

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