All the wraiths looked at John Chou with hope, sitting together in a circle. John Chou divided them into four groups and began making arrangements.
"That kid, heh."
Soren Black waited quietly outside the ghost domain, anticipating the miracle John Chou had mentioned. His expression was one of deep puzzlement, as if he still harbored doubts about John Chou's claims.
Within the Spider Wraith’s domain, John Chou was organizing the groups. It was now clear: the Spider Wraith spun webs from ghostly energy, which could absorb ghost aura but feared flames. The invisible webs in the sky, being part of the ghost domain, could not be pierced unless one’s power surpassed the Spider Wraith.
As for the entrance to the ghost domain, John Chou was still unsure. For now, his priority was to divide all the wraiths into proper teams. Only twelve of them could use fire.
John Chou split the 104 wraiths into four teams, each with 26 members. One team would attack, one would hold back, and the other two would assist. At every step, John Chou patiently and thoroughly explained the plan to them.
"Tell me, kid, what if the Spider Wraith finds out what we're planning?"
John Chou smiled.
"Why hasn’t the Spider Wraith come out, leaving you all here instead?"
John Chou asked, and many wraiths began voicing their opinions. The most common explanation was that the Spider Wraith planned to wait for the day of the Hundred Ghosts Feast, then devour all the wraiths at once.
"I've observed the ghost domain here. Its area isn't large, so the Spider Wraith is merely a newly ascended Blue Wraith who has just opened his domain. He can't eliminate such a massive amount of ghostly energy in a short time; he can only seal it away and consume it bit by bit. And as for time, it’s likely exactly eight months."
John Chou’s explanation left many wraiths looking at him in confusion. At that moment, one of them seemed to recall something and spoke up.
"I remember, the Spider Wraith once held a Hundred Ghosts Feast here. Someone I knew attended, but after that, there was no word from him. The timing should be about eight months ago."
Many had heard about the Spider Wraith hosting the Hundred Ghosts Feast. Some wraiths had mentioned it to John Chou when he was recording earlier.
John Chou began to explain. When the Spider Wraith first became a Blue Wraith, he held the Hundred Ghosts Feast as bait, gathering wraiths who wanted to join him so he could grow quickly in a short period.
He would then slowly lock them inside his ghost domain—a place filled with caves lined with spider silk. The Spider Wraith wouldn’t show himself, letting the wraiths wander until they were caught by the silk, their ghostly energy slowly drained and digested. He repeated this trick again and again until he was strong enough to fully open his domain.
Inside the Spider Wraith’s lair, the resentment, sorrow, and other negative emotions generated by the trapped wraiths helped the domain grow. The capacity for ghostly energy in a ghost soul increases slowly, so the Spider Wraith likely found ways to store ghost energy and used his domain to gradually strengthen his soul, eventually producing multiple ghost souls.
When multiple ghost souls are first formed, they aren’t immediately filled with ghostly energy. It takes time for the energy to accumulate. But with everything the Spider Wraith has set up, he can fill the new souls as soon as they’re born.
The wraiths below listened in stunned silence. Outside the ghost domain, Soren Black kept clapping. Many had only heard bits and pieces about Blue Wraiths, but to hear such a comprehensive account from a Shade Ghost like John Chou left them deeply shocked.
"Tell me, John Chou, are you really just a Shade Ghost?"
Many wraiths looked at John Chou in disbelief, but he simply smiled.
"I’m exactly what I claim to be—just a Shade Ghost."
John Chou continued to organize the plan. Of everyone involved, Violet Swallow was crucial. Her ghost soul was unique—it attacked with sound. Though weak and unable to harm wraiths of the same level, she would be the key to tomorrow’s battle.
"You’re the second support group. Listen carefully—risk your lives if you must, but protect Violet Swallow. If she dies, our entire plan collapses."
Violet Swallow’s task was to use her voice to attack, causing vibrations to reveal the invisible spider silk. The defense group—twelve wraiths able to wield fire—would, with the help of others, eliminate those unseen threats as soon as they appeared.
Night deepened as John Chou continued explaining every step. Yet many wraiths remained uneasy, fearing the Spider Wraith already knew their plan.
"Don’t worry about that. Right now, he’s probably emptying his stomach, waiting for tomorrow night’s feast."
As John Chou spoke, he sent several wraiths to check the cave entrances lined with spider silk. They found that even where the silk had been burned away, new threads had already grown back.
By the third morning, the Spider Wraith still hadn’t emerged. John Chou began assigning tasks, instructing every wraith to count how many such caves existed in the ghost domain.
All the wraiths searched hopefully, making detailed records. John Chou sat quietly in the center of the city, while Violet Swallow poured drinks for the others.
"I’m telling you, John Chou, I still don’t believe you’re just a Shade Ghost."
John Chou just smiled.
"That guy is probably still dreaming. When he wakes up, he’ll have a feast waiting for him."
Many wraiths burst out laughing. They were full of confidence about the Hundred Ghosts Feast that would begin after midnight.
(Skip: Irrelevant website prompt.)
Even Blue Jun, who had always been prejudiced against John Chou, stayed silent. Every wraith loyally followed John Chou’s plan, as if he had always been their leader.
They had nearly finished surveying the ghost domain, finding dozens of caves lined with spider silk. After careful consideration, John Chou chose a street slightly to the right of the center of the domain as the site for the final battle.
"Now, I need you to demolish every building in the area."
As John Chou gave the order, the wraiths flew out and began demolishing the buildings. He sat quietly on the street, drinking, while the wraiths vented their energy, destroying house after house in rapid succession.
The ruined buildings gradually turned into wisps of blue smoke and faded away, confirming that this was indeed the Spider Wraith’s ghost domain.
These structures were built from ghostly energy. When destroyed, they dissolved into drifting ghost energy. I couldn’t help but marvel—the amount of energy needed to construct a ghost domain is staggering. I’d wanted to ask other Blue Wraiths how to build one, but now I understand: my own ghost energy is nowhere near enough.
Soon, the area was cleared. The wraiths who had used up their ghost energy replenished themselves from the drifting energy, and John Chou gathered everyone together.
"Can we really escape?"
One wraith asked, and John Chou just smiled.
"In this ghost domain, whenever anyone hears 'Blue Wraith,' they’re terrified. That’s always been the case. Tomorrow, forget all that. Our opponent is just someone who’s absorbed a lot of wraiths—nothing more. Don’t worry about escaping. What you need to do is follow the plan and defeat him, step by step."
As John Chou spoke, he swept a cold gaze over the wraiths. In that instant, they all cheered, eyes shining with admiration for him.
"So that’s it—it’s all about energy, isn’t it?"
Soren Black spoke coldly, then his face turned serious.
"John Chou, where are you headed? You’re still just a lowly Shade Ghost right now. I look forward to seeing the day you truly grow strong."
John Chou dragged over a chair and sat in the middle. The wraiths took up positions at the four corners, waiting quietly and in perfect formation. It was already late, and some wraiths kept repeating their tasks, preparing for the night.
"John Chou, you’ve assigned us all these roles—what about you?"
Blue Jun couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked. At that moment, many wraiths realized John Chou had yet to say what he would do himself.
With a swish, John Chou drew his ghost weapon and, with a metallic clang, stabbed it into the ground. He rested one hand on it, crossed his legs, propped his chin on his other hand, and smiled.
"I’ll take his head—with this ghost weapon."
John Chou added,
"I tried before—this ghost weapon can wound a Blue Wraith. As soon as the Spider Wraith exposes his weak point, that’s when I’ll drive this blade into his heart."
None of the wraiths doubted John Chou’s words; they all looked at him with deep respect.
It was nearly midnight. The wraiths drew their weapons, ready for what was to come.
Just then, a cold wind howled through the air, growing stronger. In the distance, a green glow appeared in the center and rushed toward them at great speed.
"What are you all doing here? My Hundred Ghosts Feast is about to begin. Well then, enjoy the banquet."
The Spider Wraith spoke in a mocking tone, raising his hands. But he soon realized every wraith was glaring at him fiercely, while John Chou sat among them, watching with a half-smile.