Black flames churned across my skin, coiling and surging until my body was completely engulfed. Power flooded my veins, just like that night I fought He Tongjun.
A restless force was building inside me, ready to burst out. The Taoist watched with a satisfied smile, already having sheathed his ritual sword.
"Heh, Ethan Zhang, now you truly look like a ghost—your whole presence suffocatingly cold. This is where it ends, Ethan Zhang. I have no interest in getting entangled with you any further."
In an instant, I unfurled my wings and soared toward the Taoist. Silver light enveloped him as his form began to fade—he was trying to escape.
Just as I was about to reach the Taoist, I swung the Phoenix Blade, but he had already disappeared.
"Come out!"
I roared, but the Taoist's presence had vanished completely. Not knowing where he’d gone, I raised my hand, ready to tear the building apart to force him out.
"Better not. The girl downstairs would die."
A booming voice rang out from afar. It sounded familiar, and I turned to look—a crisp sound of leather shoes approached. A man in a red suit walked over. Instantly, I became alert. He was from the Immortality Society—a Blue-Faced Man.
I hovered in midair, certain I’d seen him somewhere before. His voice was hauntingly familiar.
"First time meeting, Ethan Zhang. You can call me Wei Chengwu. I suppose that's my name now."
Clenching my fists, the flames covering my body burst forth. I knew instantly—I wasn't his match. This Blue-Faced Man was far more dangerous than the one Ma Yongjie defeated before.
"You're in good shape, Ethan Zhang. How about we have a proper talk?"
I shook my head, raising the Phoenix Blade and staring at the Blue-Faced Man.
"There's nothing to talk about between us."
The Blue-Faced Man laughed, his voice disturbingly familiar. This Wei Chengwu—I was certain I'd seen him somewhere before.
"You fought my old friend, Cao Wanzhi, didn't you? You won. Not bad, Ethan Zhang."
Suddenly, my eyes widened as I stared at the Blue-Faced Man—Wei Chengwu. He was the one who killed Grace Hu, used Huang Mingfa, and dragged Cao Wanzhi into the darkness. I never expected he would rise to become a Blue-Faced Man.
I tightened my grip on the Phoenix Blade, ready to unleash all my power. Even if I couldn't win, I had to try. My only target was Wei Chengwu's heart—the weak spot of every member of the Immortality Society.
"You want to pierce this, don't you, Ethan Zhang?"