"Master, do you know what this is?"
Zachary Justice looked at Samuel Young in surprise, then nodded.
"This is called the Boundless Vine, a supremely yang object. I fear this is what remains of Master Boundless's soul after death. Alas, how tragic."
Suddenly, Zachary Justice and Samuel Young stood up at the same time, both looking toward the mountain path as a chilling, fierce wind swept by.
Footsteps echoed, and two figures appeared—one old, one young. The elder held a red umbrella for the younger, dressed in a long white robe. The younger had shoulder-length hair and wore a deep crimson robe embroidered with gold patterns, his face twisted in a wicked, mocking smile, holding several incense sticks.
"Brother Zachary, if you see an opportunity, withdraw first. These two are not here with good intentions."
With a whoosh, Samuel Young burst forth in a blaze of golden light, flying out as he swung his fan. From the embroidery on his left hand, a long spike extended, gripped tightly as he thrust it forward in an instant.
"Wait..."
Zachary Justice shouted, and suddenly the old man behind him released the umbrella, flying straight over and swinging both fists at Samuel Young.
With a thunderous crash, the golden radiance around Samuel Young was swept away by a surge of fierce ghostly energy. He was blown backward, sliding to a halt after some distance.
"It's John Chou."
Zachary Justice gazed quietly at the man before him.
"Bloodshade Sovereign?"
Samuel Young stared in disbelief at the young man before him, who looked to be in his twenties. It was his first time meeting him, but the name Bloodshade had reached him even in childhood, before inheriting the Nine Sons Duel.
John Chou stopped, and the old man walked forward. Samuel Young recognized him too—the right-hand of Bloodshade Sovereign, the Wrathful Asura.
"Taoist, the young master says this matter does not concern you. Please leave the mountain."
Samuel Young stared motionlessly at the old man before him. He looked to be in his sixties, his skin shriveled, yet that one blow just now had shattered Samuel's spell without harming him.
"Brother Zachary, be careful."
After Samuel Young left, Zachary Justice stood up, quietly watching John Chou approach. He had visited the Bloodshade Hall once before—not a pleasant memory. Of the Sevenfold Ghost Sovereigns, this one was the most repulsive, cunning and sinister.
"You have the Starshard Radiance, don't you?"
For a moment, Zachary Justice's eyes widened, staring at John Chou in disbelief.
"Why do you...?"
"I'm merely here to fulfill an old agreement—one that Master Boundless may have already forgotten. What you hold is the key to unlocking something. You'd best open it now, or nothing will survive within hundreds of miles."
Zachary Justice sized up John Chou. Previously, he had visited each of the Sevenfold Ghost Sovereigns to confirm certain matters. They represented the pinnacle of ghost power, and regardless of how much time had passed, Zachary still pondered the problem of ghosts and humans.
"It's alright, young man. We're reasonable people. The young master truly is here to fulfill an old promise. I remember when we first came to Mount Immeasurable, wasn't there a Boundless Sanctuary?"
The old man glanced around.
"The Boundless Sanctuary has been destroyed, Mr. Brown."
The old man, whom John Chou called Mr. Brown, sighed helplessly.
"The world is harsh. Even the greatest in the human realm can't defeat those monsters. Truly worrying for humanity."
"Mr. Brown, could you step aside? I have important matters to attend to."
Mr. Brown chuckled softly.
"Important matters, young master? You just want the vine on the ground, don't you? Do you think my old eyes can't see through you? Trying to keep me in the dark again."
John Chou turned and glared at Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown burst out laughing.
"Well, young master, I'm not who I used to be. You..."
"Was it Xiao Rong who told you?"
Mr. Brown's face immediately fell, looking displeased.
"I deduced it myself based on your words and actions along the way..."
Of all the Ghost Sovereigns, Zachary Justice understood this one the least.
"Enough talk. Come with me."
John Chou started walking, and Zachary Justice followed. There was no hostility in his eyes, but Zachary remained vigilant, gripping the Starshard Radiance tightly.
"That's a Taoist artifact—useless to us ghosts. I won't take it from you. But be careful: those Taoists outside aren't so simple. They may not have said anything, but they all know it's in your hands and are watching, hoping to keep it for themselves."
Zachary Justice's eyes widened as he remembered what Jade Quinn had told him before—how everyone was watching his chest. He felt a chill down his spine.
"Why does the Boundless Sanctuary exist here, do you think?"
"Why tell me so much?"
John Chou smiled and shook his head.
"There aren't many people as pure-hearted as you. You don't harbor ill intentions, so I'm willing to share a few things. Of course, since ancient times, humans and ghosts have been at odds. You've met many ghosts over the years and seen some good among us. But are ghosts evil? Are humans good? Are you human, or ghost? You must look not only with your eyes, but also with your heart."
"Thank you, sir."
As Zachary spoke, he took out the Starshard Radiance from his chest. Under the sunlight, the translucent, softly glowing stone was revealed—a strangely shaped, conical gem.
John Chou raised a hand, and with a thunderous sound, the stone shattered and the ground split. Beneath the Three Pure Seal, a carved, spiral-like pattern appeared with a small hole at its center.