A burst of laughter came from The Replicator, who stared intently at Wraithshade across from him.
"Are you trying to say I'll suffer Endbringer backlash? Unfortunately, it's not like it was centuries ago. Back then, our research was immature, so many nearly died from the backlash of stolen instincts. But in the past half year, my strength has increased dozens of times. Perhaps it's time to switch seats, Mr. Wraithshade."
The Replicator's words left Duskfall on the left somewhat shocked, while the Nightfall faction glared angrily this way.
"That's exactly what Earthly Soul meant. Your power is growing too fast. I've said before, aptitude varies, and Replicator, your talent is unquestionable, but you should be careful. After all, none of us here has ever gained an instinct before."
The Replicator stood up, swept his gaze around, his eyes filled with contempt.
"Let me make this clear: since East Cemetery succeeded first and now has so many excellent Instinct Bearers, the next instinct should go to us. You have no objections, do you?"
No one spoke. The others fell silent, seemingly in agreement. Wraithshade calmly watched The Replicator, then finally spoke after a long pause.
"Priority is fine, but you must be like Replicator—born with a soul unlike any other."
"The next stolen instinct is Funeral Rite. Isabelle Frost is completely catatonic now, so it should be easier to take. It's yours, Screamer."
The woman on the left burst out laughing, while the burly man leaned back. No one objected.
"Let's discuss how to deal with the Immortality Society now."
On the left, the shrill-voiced, short member of Duskfall spoke up.
"In my opinion, we shouldn't make any drastic moves."
Wraithshade spoke, resting his chin in his hands.
"We can't let Xu Fu run wild any longer."
As The Replicator spoke, those on both sides and across the table nodded. Many seemed to hate Xu Fu to the core.
"I think the Ghostlords should be a higher priority. And as for Deathcurse, his whereabouts are still unknown. He may not seem remarkable, but we know very little about him, so it's best to be cautious."
Wraithshade said, glancing around before continuing.
"As for the Immortality Society, they're like a hornet's nest—don't poke it recklessly. They've replaced all their hearts, so right now they can't threaten us. No need to worry. The real problem is the Ghostlords; each one's instincts are tricky. Even if we've made them forget their powers for now, as long as their Instinct Stones remain unbroken, they are immortal. They're the greatest threat to our Dark Banquet."
I laughed coldly and drifted to the center of the table, sitting down and resting my chin in my hand as I watched this group. They seriously underestimate the Immortality Society, the Ghostlords, and others from the world of arts. Their power may be strong in this darkness, but those summoned by it are born of darkness too. If they grow used to the darkness and learn to wield its power, it won't be so easy to control them anymore.
"Mr. Wraithshade, what you say is true, but likewise, there's no need to worry for now. We've embedded Instinct Stones into their synthetic souls, so they can't access their instincts for the time being. Our focus now is the final stage of the synthetic soul. No mistakes can be allowed. We've collected enough experimental data. Next, we can use Earthly Soul for experiments, but..."
"Who's there?"
In an instant, Wraithshade stared straight at me, but he couldn't see me. I looked at him coldly, sitting cross-legged, hands on the table, smiling with ease.
"What's going on?"
The Replicator immediately stood up and asked. The other Dark Banquet members watched, some with their eyes closed, as if sensing something. Then The Screamer spoke.
"It does seem like something is there, in the center of the table. The quality of darkness feels different."
Immediately, all eyes turned to me. I stood up, waves of dark power surging toward me, but I was like a phantom—the darkness passed right through my body.
"Who are you, really?"
The burly man spoke.
"Even if I spoke, you wouldn't hear me, haha, interesting. Though I don't know why."
With a thought, my consciousness began to fade. This time, I found myself passing through a space filled with lightning. When I opened my eyes, I was back in the big jar.
Everything that just happened was incredible. The Dark Banquet had noticed me and began trying all sorts of ways to detect my presence.
Sure enough, after a few minutes, Wraithshade was standing right in front of me.
"Where did you just go?"
I pretended to be surprised as I looked at him.
"Where could I go? Oh, right, you mentioned yesterday—the Founding Emperors are here. What are they like? Can you tell me?"
Wraithshade looked at me in confusion, then smiled as he slowly turned into mist and disappeared.
After a while, I tried following that feeling and lost consciousness again. When I opened my eyes, I confirmed it—this is indeed related to my Endbringer instinct. I quietly followed The Replicator, who walked slowly toward the city. I wasn't sure what he planned, but suddenly I remembered the Echo used by Yin Choujian. Maybe it's similar to my current state.
Finally, I saw some light. I hadn't seen anyone in half a year. Looking at everything in the city, The Replicator soon arrived at a residential area in District 13, knocked on a door, and a sly look flashed in his eyes.
The door opened—it was Yin Choujian. I stared in surprise.
"No progress at all. But it's rare for you to come find me in person."
The Replicator grinned wickedly.
"Hand your sister over to us. I have a way to temporarily restore her sanity."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Yin Choujian asked in confusion.
"Don't you trust me?"
"It's not that I don't trust you, but that I can't."
The Replicator's expression darkened. He widened his eyes, staring fiercely at Yin Choujian.
"Staring at me won't help. What exactly are you planning? I don't want to get involved, but if you try to force things, I won't surrender easily."
"Fine, if you don't believe me, forget it. I just came to ask, that's all."
The Replicator said, preparing to leave. Suddenly, Yin Choujian looked at me and smiled.
"Can you see me?"
I looked at Yin Choujian in surprise. He didn't close the door, as if waiting for me.
"Come in, brother. That guy's gone, but your realm has awakened, so there's nothing to worry about for now."
The door closed. I still looked at Yin Choujian in disbelief as he smiled and sat on the sofa.
"Tell me what you know. That guy really thinks he can fully seize instinct, but they can't comprehend what's above instinct—it's called realm."
I swallowed, quietly watching Yin Choujian.
"Do Xu Fu and the others possess instinct too?"
Yin Choujian shook his head.
"What they possess is realm, which is above instinct—or rather, beyond instinct. It's not something easily awakened. All right, brother, speak quickly, or you'll return to your body soon."
I nodded and told Yin Choujian everything about the Dark Banquet. He kept smiling.
"Things are getting more interesting. Looks like a turning point has arrived. So the Instinct Stones implanted in us—so that's it."
I felt my body gradually fading, my consciousness beginning to vanish.
"Remember, brother, the initial appearance of realm doesn't mean full awakening—it's just the beginning. To truly awaken, you have to rely on yourself. The sign of awakening is Echo."
In a daze, I woke up, still inside the big jar, but now a pair of cold eyes stared at me.
"Where did you run off to this time, Earthly Soul?"
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"I was just resting my eyes, Mr. Wraithshade. Is there something you need?"
"I've been watching you for a long time. Where did you go? You'd better tell me."
I shook my head.
"Figure it out yourself."
Anger flashed in Wraithshade's eyes. Then he sat cross-legged in front of me.
"I don't know why, but just now during the meeting, I sensed someone sitting among us, eavesdropping. I think that was you, wasn't it?"
I blinked and burst out laughing.
"You locked us in here, took our instincts, and left us powerless. How could I break out of this jar? What a joke!"
Wraithshade said nothing more, lost in thought. After a while, he started laughing.
"Long ago, I heard of a power that only those with instinct could use—a convenient ability that lets you travel places as long as you have a connection with someone. I don't suppose you followed The Replicator to the city, did you? You look happy. I used to ask you every day how you felt, but for 198 days, your expression barely changed. Only now do you seem to be smiling."
I said nothing, just smiled quietly.