The swirling air currents brushed past as I quietly watched four military helicopters slowly ascend. All I wanted was to quickly find the entrance to the Four Sacred Realm; the town at the foot of the mountain had already been completely sealed off.
There were guards stationed all around. The Ghost Burial Squad had finished the blockade, and Redmond had called in some of his men to help. In the temporary liaison command center, Hugh Thompson had already arranged all the tasks.
The deaths of the Immortality Society members a day ago had already been suppressed. Though many people still had doubts, all the major news media came forward to speak in unison, claiming many reports were false, that rumors had been spread deliberately to exaggerate the situation, and that this was a large-scale collective fabrication. The responsible individuals had already been arrested by the police.
Everything happened so quickly—within just 24 hours, all evidence and witness statements had been settled. As I sat in my chair, quietly contemplating, Julian Lu had already been driven away by Black Moon. Though I didn't know why Black Moon was so intent on recruiting Julian Lu, perhaps he wanted something from him.
Elder Peach also made contact, saying that as long as I release the power of darkness, the array could be activated. The current substitute for the array was working perfectly; once the location was confirmed, Hugh Thompson would immediately send someone to pick him up.
Hugh Thompson sat in the command center wearing a headset, seemingly making arrangements. After a while, he put down his headset, smiled, and walked over.
"There's a location to the east that looks promising."
I responded with a simple 'oh' and nodded. He sat down beside me, lit a cigarette, and handed one to me. I took a puff, but felt nothing—it was like inhaling air.
"Ethan, after this is all over, you and that crazy girl should take a good rest."
I nodded, tilting my head back.
"Any results?"
I asked, and Hugh Thompson nodded.
"Huiming Welfare Third People's Hospital, the fourth largest hospital in the city. It's a private hospital, and the owner is Edward Ouyang, part of the Ouyang family's holdings."
I nodded, and Hugh Thompson continued.
"I've already sent Ghost Burial Squad Team 1 over, just to observe for now. Only I know about this; I haven't told anyone else. You have to use a long line to catch a big fish—there's no rushing it."
"Hugh, what about you? Your wife..."
Hugh Thompson laughed, then shook his head.
"Same as always, but we did have a meal together recently. You don't need to worry about me, Ethan. But what about you—how long has it been since you went home?"
I replied with a quiet 'mm.'
"When you come back this time, take Roxie with you. My parents will be very happy too."
The command center contacted us again. Hu Tianshu immediately got up and rushed over, then joined the others around the computer, studying the cross-section map of the surrounding terrain.
Deathcurse and Isabelle Frost had already left ahead of us. The waiting was agonizing—especially now, I felt even more restless, my thoughts tangled and chaotic.
"What's going on?"
Suddenly, Hu Tianshu's face changed dramatically. I immediately got up and swept over to him. He held his headset up to his ear, his expression grave as he stared toward the west.
"What's wrong, Tianshu?"
"The helicopter carrying the White Tiger Token crashed in the west. We've lost contact—its signal is completely gone."
My heart skipped a beat. I looked toward the west, where mountains and forests stretched out for miles. I immediately floated up, intending to head that way, but Jason Su's furious voice burst through my headset.
"Stay put, Ethan Zhang. There's no need for you to worry—our people from the Hades Circle can handle this ourselves. If we find anything, I'll contact you."
I stopped, glanced around, and landed back on the ground. Hu Tianshu looked deeply concerned, constantly checking the computer. He'd pinpointed where the signal was lost—about three hundred kilometers away from us, as the crow flies.
"Something's not right, Ethan."
I nodded. The helicopter had only been gone for about half an hour before something happened—and it was in a remote, uninhabited forest.
But since Jason Su insisted, all I could do was wait. Wendy Hsieh was no pushover—among the Ten Guides, she was especially strong, particularly with her Crimson King form. Taking down a Guide from the Hades Circle so easily in the world of the living would be tough. Even if her soul was shattered, she could recover.
Even the Immortality Society would have a hard time, and if it was a ghost, unless it was someone on Isabelle Frost's level, there was no way it could defeat Wendy Hsieh.
"Don't worry, Ethan. Even if she's a woman, you should know better than anyone what the women of the Hades Circle are capable of."
I forced a bitter smile and went to sit outside the command center. It wasn't until dusk that good news finally arrived—Old Moe, carrying the Black Tortoise Token, had pinpointed the location. I breathed a sigh of relief. Jason Su and Helen Lane were already heading toward the token.
Only Wendy Hsieh's team hadn't reported in. Following Jason Su's orders, Hu Tianshu didn't send anyone to search for them.
Night had completely fallen. Redhair's subordinates had all left, apparently for some important task, and sent others in their place.
When the moon rose over the mountains, I sensed two powerful ghostly auras approaching. I immediately stood up as two green beams of light intertwined in the distance, moving closer.
They were getting closer and closer, and soon I could tell who they were.
"I'm the first one here."