Thunder rumbled as the great gates nearly burst open. At this moment, Rufina Howard lay sprawled on Mr. Brown's back, yawning repeatedly. I smiled helplessly—it must already be night. If we went out now, we'd see the dazzling city lights and a sky full of stars. I hadn't seen such things in a long time.
"Ethan, thank you..."
I shook my head and looked at Yuna Ji.
"There's no need to thank me, Yuna Ji. Everything is moving in a good direction now. I hope that next time I come to the Ninefold Abyss, I'll see something new."
Yuna Ji nodded and waved at me. I nodded in return—no more words were needed. Smiling, I turned and stepped into the stone gate, waving back to Yuna Ji as I went.
A green glow appeared before me, with nothing visible on either side. But I knew the green light was gradually fading. I glanced back once more at the world behind me, slowly being masked by the emerald glow. The one who repaired the cliff, and the voice that appeared in my fading consciousness, was the Saint of the Underworld. The same thing happened when I gained John Chou's Bloodbane Power—he appeared then, too, and reclaimed the Abyssal Treasure Mirror.
"Next time, solve it yourself. You're much stronger than I am!"
"Ethan, who are you talking to?"
Rufina Howard woke up. I waved my hand and shook my head.
"Let's go get some barbecue."
A delicious aroma wafted over, and I felt Vivian Maple's genuine goodwill. When I looked again, the three of us were already standing atop a three-story building, with a bustling market street below.
The place was packed with people and ablaze with lights. Rufina Howard climbed off Mr. Brown's back, laughing joyfully, but I quickly realized—I didn't have any money.
After carefully checking our location, I realized we were in the city center. From here, we could see the headquarters of Redmane Entertainment Company towering in the distance.
"Vivian Maple."
I called out, and a streak of green light fell before us.
"Everyone's already waiting for you."
Rufina Howard gazed longingly at the food in the night market below, swallowing repeatedly. Vivian Maple seemed to understand.
"Tell me what you want to eat, kid. I'll bring it back for you. Let's head up to the company rooftop first."
I nodded and lifted Rufina Howard. We quickly floated to the rooftop of Redmane Entertainment Company. Noah Grimm was already waiting for us on the terrace. Seeing us land, he gestured for us to follow, and we went downstairs with him.
Immediately, I sensed that many people were present.
"To enter the Four Sacred Realm, you only need the approval of the Four Guardians: Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise. Previously, the Vermilion Bird even invited you as a human. At that time, you could have entered the Four Sacred Realm without any issue."
I nodded, starting to understand what Lan Yin meant. He continued, "Death Curse and Yi Xuehan have tried many approaches. The most direct is using curse power to mask their ghostly aura—it’s almost undetectable now. But even after Lan Yin unleashed his power, nothing changed."
This power is designed specifically to counter ghosts—sacred and inviolable, a sworn enemy of the ghost kind. No matter what method is used, it’s like the same poles of a magnet: they will never attract.
With a click, I pushed open the door. Behind me, voices echoed one after another.
"Ethan, where are you going?"
"I just want to go out for a walk. It’s been a long time since I’ve strolled through the city."
Things are far more difficult than I imagined. It’s not that there’s no way—it’s that there’s no possibility at all.
The Four Sacred Realm naturally rejects the presence of ghosts. It’s a holy land that ghosts cannot set foot on, built upon the immense faith in the Four Guardians.
Even though it’s diminished greatly now, as long as there are still believers, the Four Sacred Realm will never disappear.
"Ethan."
Just as I drifted to the elevator, Lan Yin called out to me. I turned and saw him smiling, hurrying over and patting me on the shoulder.
"Come on, let’s go drink."
We arrived at a nearby food stall. I intensified my Deathbane Aura, releasing the Specter Web—everyone could see me.
I took a sip of alcohol—bland and tasteless. Lan Yin kept smacking his lips, eating a bit of food.
"How about I go in your place?"
Lan Yin offered, but I shook my head and pulled out the pendant from my chest.
"If this thing can’t enter the Four Sacred Realm, Roxie will never come back."
"That’s true, haha. Sorry, I’m as useless as ever—can’t help with anything."
I glanced at Lan Yin—there was a trace of sadness in his eyes. Just then, I sensed something flying toward me from behind. I didn’t panic; it was only a slip of paper. I reached out with two fingers and caught the black card with gold embossing.
If you want to know how to reach the Four Sacred Realm, meet tomorrow at New City Food Plaza, Room 410 on the fourth floor. Come alone.
Lan Yin took the card, staring at it in confusion, then looked at me with concern. But in my heart, it felt like hope had finally appeared. No matter who it was, I’d go alone.
"To approach us silently and toss a card like that—there are fewer than twenty people in the living world who could pull that off."
Lan Yin said gravely. I smiled and put the card away, picked up the bottle, and drank deeply.
Lan Yin and I drank all night. No matter how much I drank, I couldn’t get drunk. Lan Yin, on the other hand, was completely wasted, his mind foggy. Even I could taste a hint of alcohol.
At dawn, I took Lan Yin back to Redmane Entertainment, then left alone. I went straight to New City Food Plaza, located in the north of the city—close to where my cousin lives. It’s a huge food plaza, with everything imaginable. By morning, the crowds were already surging. I released the Specter Web, but sensed nothing odd. I could only wait atop the building opposite the plaza.
The waiting was torture—like anticipating sunrise before dawn. No matter what, not a soul from the ritual world appeared, not even a ghost.
Finally, the sun set. I stood up and took out the card, having already confirmed Room 410’s location. It was the same number as my old apartment. I began to wonder: who could it be?
After the last ray of sunlight faded, I took human form and entered the brightly lit, bustling food plaza. I went straight to the main building, took the elevator to the fourth floor. The hallway was busy with waiters, the rooms packed with voices, and the aroma of food filled the corridor.
I arrived at Room 410 and knocked. There was no response.
"I’m Ethan Zhang. I’m here."
I spoke, and the door creaked open. I glimpsed a shadow, then slipped inside. There was a sofa, a large round table, carpeted floors—it looked like a VIP suite.
A tableful of fine dishes had already been set out, with several expensive bottles of liquor. As I looked around, I realized suddenly who the inviter was. In one corner of the room sat a Wraith Messenger—a spirit the Immortality Society uses to pass information, embedded in their members.
"Sorry, sorry—I just went to the restroom."
I turned abruptly. The woman before me was striking—sultry makeup, blazing red lips, a white fur coat over a red dress, shiny black heels. She walked in, her large gold earrings with silver crescent moons catching the light.
"I’m Fiona Fox. You’ve probably heard of me. Not sure if those guys ever mentioned me."
I nodded warily. In those memories of origin, I had indeed seen her—one of the Immortality Society’s Thirteen Golden Masked.
"Sit down, Ethan Zhang—why are you still standing? I brought a few bottles of rare liquor, aged over three hundred years."
"Oh, Miss Fox, we were looking all over for you. The two of us searched everywhere."
The man with the long beard was Dominic Bixby, and behind him, tall and broad-shouldered like Ada, was Roy Lee. He wore a buzz cut and looked very alert, his expression unreadable.
Deathbane Aura was already leaking unconsciously from my body.
"If you want to fight, take it outside. If a fight breaks out here, everyone in this place will die."
Roy Lee spoke quietly, watching as I clenched my fists.
"Relax, Ethan Zhang. We’re not like those other maniacs—we’re the reasonable ones in the Immortality Society, the peaceful faction. The three of us aren’t like those lunatics whose minds are already gone."
Fiona Fox immediately tried to stand but nearly stumbled. Dominic Bixby quickly caught her. Annoyed, Fiona kicked off her high heels and walked barefoot to Roy Lee, dragging him to the table. Roy Lee quietly unwrapped a bottle, and as soon as he broke the seal, I caught the aroma. He poured four glasses, sipped one, and his eyes lit up.
"It’s excellent, Ethan Zhang."
Roy Lee raised his glass to me, but I didn’t take it. I just sat down.
"I’m not here to drink with you, and I don’t intend to."
Fiona Fox dropped her smile, resting her face on her hand, one foot on the table, the other crossed over—a seductive pose as she watched me.
"Then let’s get to business, Ethan Zhang."
In that instant, my eyes widened. What Fiona Fox held in her hand was something I knew all too well.