The Shadow Lord paced the length of his dimly lit chamber, his thoughts consumed by the impending hunt for Zhang. As he brooded, one of his most trusted servants, a gaunt figure with eyes that gleamed with dark cunning, approached cautiously.
"Master," the servant began, bowing deeply, "if I may be so bold, why is Zhang's power so crucial to our plans? Surely, there are other sources of energy we can tap into."
The Shadow Lord's piercing gaze snapped to the servant, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of irritation and contemplation. He motioned for the servant to rise, a gesture that spoke of both authority and the gravity of the situation.
"Come closer, and I will tell you," the Shadow Lord said, his voice a low, resonant whisper that filled the chamber with an air of menace.
The servant stepped forward, trembling slightly under the intensity of his master's scrutiny. The Shadow Lord resumed his pacing, his mind drifting back to the reason behind his relentless pursuit of Zhang's unique power.
"My need for Zhang's power goes beyond mere desire for strength," the Shadow Lord began, his tone measured and deliberate. "It is a necessity born of my impending mortality."
The servant's eyes widened in shock, but he remained silent, eager to hear more.
"You see," the Shadow Lord continued, his voice taking on a reflective quality, "I am not as eternal as I appear. My life force, though sustained by dark magic and the energies I have consumed, is waning. There is a ritual, an ancient and forbidden ceremony, that can restore my vitality and grant me true immortality."
He paused, his gaze growing distant as he recounted the details of the ritual in his mind. "This ritual requires an immense and specific source of spiritual energy and emotion—one that is both pure and potent. Zhang, with his high spiritual energy and intense emotions, is the perfect vessel. His essence will provide the necessary power to complete the ritual and secure my dominion over life and death."
The servant nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of his master's words.