"Ladies and gentlemen, I have finished preparing the feast. Please, come over and enjoy a few drinks. If I have neglected any of you due to my busy preparations, I hope you can forgive me."
Spider Wraith spoke as he gestured for them to proceed, but not a single wraith moved; they all continued to glare at him with predatory eyes.
"Cut the act, Spider Wraith. Bah! We brought gifts to attend your Hundred Ghosts Feast, and this is how you treat us?"
One of the wraiths couldn't hold back and roared, while Spider Wraith looked at them in confusion, then turned his gaze to John Chou.
"Everyone, I truly apologize for the poor hospitality. Please don't take offense. In order to prepare the banquet, my subordinates have been searching far and wide these past few days. Please, look toward the west side of the city."
As Spider Wraith spoke, bursts of fireworks exploded in the sky with a bang, releasing brilliant colors. The sound of drums and gongs echoed, mingling with waves of mouthwatering aromas. In the distance, the west side was ablaze with lights.
"Did we get the wrong place?"
No sooner had one wraith finished speaking than another beside him knocked him on the head.
"Idiot, we're inside that guy's ghost domain. Don't let yourself be fooled. Have you forgotten how you got caught last time, almost losing your life?"
At that moment, Spider Wraith's expression changed. He glared coldly at John Chou.
"Hmph, you think a few of you can overturn everything? Hahaha..."
A rustling sound echoed as the humped area on Spider Wraith's back split open with a hiss. Spider-like claws emerged, eight in total, writhing menacingly behind him.
In an instant, a surge of powerful ghost energy spilled forth. Spider Wraith grinned coldly, sweeping a vicious gaze over the wraiths, who now looked terrified.
"Alright, it's time to begin, my lovely morsels."
Spider Wraith spoke, licking his lips. His voice was chilling and strange.
"Afraid now? Heh, it's time for the real thing. Do exactly as I told you—no mistakes. That guy is nothing but a paper tiger."
John Chou stood up, placing both hands on the hilt of Hell's Sentinel, smiling as he gestured to the wraiths.
I saw the wraiths immediately rise, forming neat layers—three inner, three outer—splitting into four groups and occupying the sky above.
Spider Wraith glanced at the wraiths in confusion, letting out a series of bizarre laughs.
"That brat must have put you up to this, huh? Heh, hahahaha... Foolish dreams! I am... a Blue Wraith!"
Spider Wraith's final words were low and heavy. Inside his body, there was a creaking and rustling sound that sent chills down the spine.
Suddenly, Spider Wraith shed his outer cloak, and at once, many of the wraiths looked terrified. They stared at the dense mass of red, yellow, green, and multicolored spiders crawling all over his body.
"Against the likes of you, a single finger is all I need."
Suddenly, Spider Wraith raised his cane and swung it at the wraiths before him. In the moonlight, the ground and sky around them gleamed silver.
"Here we go, attack!"
John Chou shouted, and immediately the defensive wraiths surrounded the area. Violet Swallow closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, then suddenly opened her eyes and mouth. A deep, bell-like tone issued from her lips.
Ripples spread through the air. The wraiths all looked shocked, just as John Chou had said. With the vibration of the sound waves, the spider silk that had reached out to ensnare them began to sway.
With a thunderous roar, fire lit up the sky. In an instant, all the spider silk attacking the wraiths was burned to ashes.
"Attack group, move in!"
At John Chou's order, the armed wraiths charged at Spider Wraith with all kinds of misty weapons. The first support team followed close behind. I saw streams of water, mist, and ribbons flying toward Spider Wraith.
Spider Wraith stood there, mouth agape, staring in astonishment at these fierce wraiths who dared to turn their blades against him. He found it utterly unbelievable.
Suddenly, Spider Wraith panicked. He quickly raised his cane and shook it. From the ground, thick strands of spider silk shot out with a hissing sound.
But immediately, the supporting wraiths swung their weapons to deflect them. As long as they didn't touch the silk directly, they wouldn't be trapped. John Chou had already warned them: the silk would adhere to ghostly energy, so as long as you didn't touch it directly, it wasn't dangerous.
"The way is clear—take the enemy's head!"
At John Chou's shout, beads of sweat broke out densely on Spider Wraith's forehead. The eight claws on his back suddenly lengthened and stretched. Instantly, three wraiths armed with weapons charged at each leg.
At the same time, two other wraiths from the attack group swung their broadswords, while Spider Wraith stared in surprise at the blades coming for him.
"Hmph, with your pitiful skills, you think you can kill me? Dream on."
"The one who's going to kill you isn't them—it's me."
Suddenly, the two wraiths with broadswords leapt aside. A wisp of white mist appeared before Spider Wraith. John Chou's face wore a chilling, contemptuous smile as he stared at Spider Wraith.
"You..."
With a tearing sound, before Spider Wraith could say a word, John Chou's Hell's Sentinel pierced through his chest, and a splash of green blood flew out.
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"Ah..."
Spider Wraith roared. In an instant, a surge of overwhelming ghost energy erupted from his body. Under the green light, all the wraiths were blasted away.
"Hold the formation! Don't panic!"
With a series of thuds, wraiths crashed to the ground. With a metallic clang, John Chou stabbed Hell's Sentinel into the earth, finally steadying himself.
Spider Wraith was still howling, his form starting to collapse. With a snap, he completely dissolved into a smear of green.
In an instant, cheers erupted on all sides. The wraiths celebrated their victory, and John Chou finally allowed himself a relaxed smile.
"Alright, that's one ghost soul truly destroyed. As long as we keep following my plan, one by one, we'll wipe out all his ghost souls. In the end, his life will be ours."
John Chou sat on a chair, planting Hell's Sentinel into the ground. The wraiths, still excited, returned to their positions. John Chou assigned several nearly-limit-breaking wraiths to guard Violet Swallow.