"Wait."
Poison Dreadstar suddenly stepped forward, blocking Zuo Quanyi's path.
"I'm truly sorry for what happened. I just hope that from now on, both sides can work together. After all, if we go to the Hall of Malice now, we'll all get caught."
"You mentioned taking Instinct. Is there really a way to do that?"
Zuo Quanyi smiled. I looked at Poison Dreadstar in surprise; she seemed to know a lot about this.
"I assume you've seen it before. Normally, it's impossible to take someone else's Instinct. But Ethan Zhang's Instinct—Coexistence—is extremely unique. It can be taken."
I tried to struggle, but found my body weak and limp. Whatever Ghost Fiend Star had given me was continuously devouring the strength inside me.
Poison Dreadstar looked at me. I glared back at her, but at this moment, we were powerless. Even though John Chou had created a dilemma for our enemies, we were no match for them.
"That rain cloud across from us must be John Chou's doing. It hasn't dispersed yet. That powerful mass of Yin energy will be here soon, and we don't have much time."
As Poison Dreadstar spoke, everyone looked over. Sure enough, the sky was still covered by red rain clouds, and the crimson raindrops falling were clearly visible.
"I was careless. I didn’t expect John Chou to plan this from the start. That rain—he conjured it using ghost energy. He must have tampered with something, causing the barrier that once blocked the outside Yin Energy to collapse completely. Now the Yin Energy is raging out of control."
As Zuo Quanyi spoke, Lao Chongyuan nodded. The two of them walked toward the hall, one behind the other. My gaze remained fixed on Rachel Lan, who lay in a pool of blood.
"Rachel..." I shouted, and as I finally entered the hall, I saw Poison Dreadstar crouched beside Rachel Lan. My heart eased a little.
Zuo Quanyi dragged me directly into the elevator and pressed the button for Basement Level Three. I had no idea where they intended to take me. Watching the elevator slowly descend, I saw the doors open onto the third basement floor.
As soon as I entered, I was stunned. In the spacious room, a circular black formation was inscribed on the floor, surrounded by what looked like Underworld Court script. At the center, several diamond shapes intertwined.
Then Zuo Quanyi threw me into the center of the diamond pattern. I cursed loudly, but it felt as if all strength had been drained from my body—I couldn’t get up. The two Golden Mask Men stood like towering walls. I was powerless now, all hope impossibly distant.
"For safety’s sake, we’d better expel the Vermilion Bird’s Power as well."
Zuo Quanyi spoke, and Lao Chongyuan nodded, stepping toward me and crouching down before my face.
"Don’t blame us, Ethan Zhang. I warned you before, Ethan Zhang. I’ll remember this. Your sacrifice is a contribution to all humanity."
"Bullshit."