Evan Chu sat on the hillside, slowly focusing his mind on the Star‑Siphon Method. With a cheat like Luna, the Sword Spirit, guiding him, cultivating this technique was a breeze—he mastered it in less than a day.
After exhaling a long breath, Evan stood up, glanced at the distant horizon, and said, “It’s about time to check out the Ghost Clan. This Star‑Siphon Method really is overbearing. With my current strength, I should be able to absorb the energy of even a sixth‑layer Saint Martial Realm expert, right?”
"Keep dreaming! With your current level, you can only absorb someone at the Divine Martial Realm—and only if they’re seriously injured. If this Star‑Siphon Method was really as overpowered as you think, wouldn’t it be a heaven‑defying martial art?" Luna retorted.
"So it’s just a chicken‑rib martial art, huh? Got me all excited for nothing. Still, being able to disguise myself isn’t bad—I guess I should thank you anyway," Evan said helplessly.
"Lin Feng, I deliberately sealed part of this technique, and it’s for your own good. The Star‑Siphon Method is an evil martial art that lets you directly boost your power by absorbing others’ energy at insane speed. It’s fast, but also extremely dangerous.
A lot of people have different energies in their bodies—some are fire‑attribute, some are water‑attribute. If you absorb all those at once, you should know what could happen." Luna said.
"That’s simple! I’ve already mastered the Fivefold Element‑Shift, so I can absorb any attribute I want. You really shouldn’t have held back—you should’ve given me the full version. That way, my power would skyrocket," Evan insisted.
"I’m done arguing with you. I did this for your own sake. When you reach fifth‑layer Saint Martial Realm, then we’ll talk. For now, your priority is to go test out the Star‑Siphon Method, since this is your first time using it," Luna said.
"First time using this technique? Luna, are you seriously making me the guinea pig? What if something goes wrong? I’m still so young, and I’ve got a bunch of gorgeous wives waiting for me!" Evan joked.
"You’re not wrong. Honestly, I can’t stand how many wives you have, can’t stand how lovey‑dovey you are with them, can’t stand how you fall for every pretty face you see. If you died, I’d probably have fewer headaches," Luna shot back.
Evan Chu fell silent, then in a flash, activated teleportation. His figure streaked across the night sky like a shooting star, vanishing instantly.
Half a day later, Evan appeared above a city shrouded in deathly stillness. "Evan, we've reached Ghost Clan territory. You need to be extra careful now—don't let anyone realize you're human. Find a chance to absorb some ghostly qi!" Luna's voice reminded him.
Evan surveyed the city and found it stretched as far as the eye could see, but he knew this wasn't the Ghost King's Blackspirit City. This place was just another mid-sized ghost city, much like Shadowlin City.
There were plenty of figures moving about the city. Evan noticed some were floating as they moved, while others walked with their feet on the ground but had skulls for faces—no flesh at all.
Some had faces where all the muscle had rotted away, yet they strode energetically; some had no heads at all, and some had tongues that stretched impossibly long. The whole scene was enough to make anyone lose their appetite.
At that moment, Evan regretted his decision—how could he survive in a city like this? If he had to deal with these creatures every day, he thought he might lose his mind.
But since he was already here, there was no turning back. He steeled himself, quietly descended to a remote corner, concealed his presence, and waited for a Ghost Clan member to appear.
After waiting a long time, a disheveled Ghost Clan woman wandered near Evan. He immediately struck out with a palm attack, but to his shock, it was like throwing a stone into the sea—his blow did nothing, only alerting her to his presence.
"Haha! A human, here? I haven't tasted human flesh in ages. Looks like my luck's finally turned!" the wild-haired ghost woman cackled.
Evan knew exactly how strong his palm strike was—he could flatten a small mountain with it. Yet this ghost was completely unharmed. That could only mean one thing: ordinary attacks were useless. He'd have to use thunder, fire, or soul attacks instead.
Having figured this out, Evan didn't rush to kill her. After all, he was a stranger in a strange land and needed intel. This place was so remote that it had taken him nearly an hour just to encounter someone.
"If you want to eat me, fine—but I have one condition. Can you promise me that?" Evan pretended to be hopeless, his body trembling in fear.
"Heh, about to die and still bargaining with me? Lucky for you, I'm in a good mood today. Go ahead, what do you want? If you're hoping I'll spare you, forget it—it's been way too long since I've tasted human flesh," the ghost woman replied.
"I just want to ask—where is this place? Why haven't I seen any other humans?" Evan asked deliberately.
"Humans? There aren't any here. Only Blackspirit City has humans, and those are all eighth- or ninth-layer Saint Martial experts—no one dares mess with them. This city is called Grimchart City, and it's all Ghost Clan here. Now that I've answered you, is your dying wish fulfilled?" the ghost woman sneered.
A breeze swept through, blowing aside the ghost woman's hair and revealing a face so hideous Evan nearly threw up.
One side of her face was delicate and pretty, while the other was so rotten that bone gleamed through—and, most disgustingly, maggots wriggled in the exposed bone.
Enduring unspeakable discomfort, Evan said, "I know I'm doomed today, but I have one last wish. Big sister, could you help me fulfill it?"
"Kid, you sure talk a lot. But since you called me big sister, I'll humor you. Let's hear it—what kind of ridiculous wish do you have?" the ghost woman snorted.
Evan felt goosebumps rise all over—her words were just too revolting. "I've never seen a Netherghost Violet Orchid in my life. Big sister, do you have one? Could you show it to me? Even if I die today, I'd die satisfied!"
"Netherghost Violet Orchid? That's an extremely rare treasure. There used to be many, but now only the truly powerful possess one. In Grimchart City, only the city lord has a Netherghost Violet Orchid. Your wish is beyond me. Time's up—it's time to eat you!" the ghost woman grinned.
Evan's heart leapt—he'd finally gotten a lead on the Netherghost Violet Orchid. Instantly, he drew the Frostbane Sword from his storage ring and unleashed Soul Rend, his attack flashing toward the ghost woman as she lunged at him...