Time flows like water; in the blink of an eye, more than two months have passed. Today is the day the Dark Banquet begins, coinciding perfectly with the total solar eclipse.
The media are scrambling to report that this total solar eclipse is a rare event in centuries. Crowds in H City are surging, with many people bringing equipment to higher altitudes to watch the eclipse. The city's roads are now severely congested.
I sit quietly at the top of the Redmane Entertainment Company building, waiting for Rachel Lan to arrive. I miss her a bit. In these two months, I've faced off against Earth Soul more than fifty times, but not once have I beaten him—all ended in my defeat.
Isabelle Frost and Deathcurse have devoted themselves to teaching me many things—not learned intellectually, but physically. After being battered by them time and again, I've gained deep insights.
I tilt my head up, gazing at the glaring sun, and smile. I have made considerable progress.
"What are you doing here all alone?"
Behind me, Earth Soul's voice comes with a hint of amusement. I frown—the rare quiet of the afternoon is broken by him.
"Nothing, just waiting for Rachel Lan to come."
Earth Soul sits beside me gruffly, crossing his legs and resting his hands comfortably at his sides. I quietly study him—he's grown even stronger in these short two months.
"Come to think of it, that power you used when fighting in the Hades Circle—you haven't used it once since. Why is that?"
I let out a soft "oh" and shook my head.
"Don't you already know the nature of this power?"
I countered, and Earth Soul burst out laughing.
"Vital energy and death energy. Unfortunately, I can't sense them at all. That's our difference, isn't it? The paths our powers take are now completely different."
I let out a sigh and stood up. I could already sense Rachel Lan nearby—probably seven or eight kilometers away. At that moment, I felt a familiar power from my ghost thread touch me, gently tugging. I smiled in excitement, and Rachel Lan sensed my presence as well.
Today's sky is a bit gray; the sun hides behind a thin layer of gray clouds, its rays faint. In three hours, the total solar eclipse will begin. When the southeast wind picks up, the clouds will scatter just in time for the eclipse, and we'll be able to see the whole spectacle.
"Don't you think those people down there are a bit foolish?"
I looked down at the road below the building; in the distance, all I could see were streams of cars and people, moving slowly.
"People always love to chase after novelty."
"That's humanity, isn't it? It's because of this that we become human."
At that moment, I sensed waves of ghostly energy. Turning around, I saw six Ghost Sovereigns already standing on the rooftop. Noah Grimm and Vivian Maple followed behind them. The others hadn't come—I had said my goodbyes one by one, not knowing how long I'd be gone. We knew nothing about the Dark Banquet.
Seeing Mona Ouyang immediately reminded me of Vivian Ouyang. I quickly looked away, and Mona seemed to notice, chuckling as she slowly walked over to me.
"Is there something on my face, Ethan Zhang?"
I quickly shook my head.
"Have you spoken to Miss Ouyang?"
Mona Ouyang laughed heartily, then spoke in a mocking tone.
"She's staying in my Dream Kingdom now—she won't be coming back for a while. As for Entity 008, there's nothing I can do. I can't find her."
Just then, the door opened. There was the sound of heavy breathing—Leah King bent over, gasping for air.
"Sorry I'm late."
Basil Bertram immediately walked over.