In that moment, realization flashed across John Chou's face. He seemed to recall something else, but I chose not to ask.
Emperor Yan fell into deep thought, as if remembering something, but couldn't quite recall it for now. I didn't disturb him. Holding Rachel Lan in my arms, I quietly watched her. She had grown thinner, and all this time, her suffering left me helpless and heartbroken.
"Right, I've seen places like this before—two, in fact. But they weren't the same as here. I remember one was near a snowfield and the other beside a desert."
"That's quite the place, isn't it?"
"Maybe there's something here. Let's look around. After all, it was that guy who brought us here."
As he spoke, Emperor Yan stood up, crouched down, and started inspecting the stone plaza paved with massive bricks. He checked each stone, hoping to find something.
"Vitality, right, brother? That sort of thing shouldn't exist in the darkness. If it truly does, then it's fascinating. The Immortality Society—those guys fear vitality more than anything."
I looked at John Chou in surprise, my expression puzzled. Then he mentioned the Earthly Soul, saying it had already awakened its realm.
But this forest can't be mapped at all. Most places look exactly the same—it's impossible.
"You'll understand one day, brother. When your own awakening comes, we'll talk about it in detail."
Then John Chou brought up Basil Bertram, Redmond, and Yuna Ji. A month ago, Redmond and Yuna Ji moved into Basil Bertram's house—something I never saw coming. They get along well and sometimes drop by.
As for the Immortality Society, they seemed to vanish overnight. Originally, Redmond and Yuna Ji set things up so that many members who hadn't gotten their memories back were left struggling, but just over a month ago, they disappeared without a trace. Redmond and Yuna Ji had already confirmed seven Immortality Society members.
"I'm full, Ethan. I want to rest a bit longer. Could you find me some soft grass?"
"Brother, maybe Felix Hsu already figured out a way to slip through the cracks."
After making a simple bed, Rachel Lan lay down comfortably, grabbed my hand, and used it as a pillow. Soon, she was asleep again. What they really need now is a good ten days or half a month of rest.
John Chou's smile grew twisted, a chill in his eyes. After a sip of wine, he said:
After a while, seeing Rachel Lan asleep, I quietly left and floated up, drifting out and rising into the sky. It had been so long since I'd looked down from above like this.
Wind blew in from all directions. I closed my eyes, sitting in midair, quietly observing.
I stared wide-eyed in shock. John Chou nodded.
I asked a series of questions, but there was no response at all.
After a while, I sensed Rachel Lan waking up below and immediately returned.
"Ethan, I want to go up and have a look too."
Smiling, I reached out as Rachel Lan wrapped her arms around my neck. I held her and floated up into the sky.
"Looking closely, this place is really incredible, Ethan. Even though it's filled with darkness, I can still sense the vitality in this forest."
"Of course I saw through his little tricks. After reading everything, I copied the whole thing from memory."
My jaw dropped in disbelief as I stared at John Chou. Just then, Rachel Lan stumbled over, already drunk and laughing happily.
I asked immediately.
"Naturally, he'll make a deal with one of the three Dark Banquet factions. Maybe spin a frame or something. At a time like this, the power of a frame is immense—it's easy for someone to fall into it. And Felix Hsu is best at weaving frames, isn't he?"
"It's just like in the city, where breathing feels normal. But in the forest, every breath feels fresh—it's that kind of feeling."
Back on the ground again, Rachel Lan pointed to the round Stone Plaza.
"It's right here—the air feels especially fresh, full of vitality."
It's clear now—what Rachel Lan calls vitality isn't just a feeling, but something real. Her Genesis Instinct inside must have sensed something.
I released a mass of Specter Webs, probing the plaza, but still found nothing.
"Ethan, what's going on?"
I pondered in confusion. The power in my body kept growing—something unimaginable. Vitality shouldn't exist in this darkness, but my connection with my Ghost Souls was completely severed, especially with the Deathbane Ghost. I couldn't sense nearby vitality through the Deathbane Aura as I normally would.
"What's wrong, little Ethan? Why do you look so pale?"
Emperor Yan woke up, looking well-rested. He yawned and glanced around.
"Old Yan, could I ask you to stay here on guard?"
I asked, and Emperor Yan nodded.
"Sure. Since you're a ghost, you should be able to fly straight back, right?"
I grunted in acknowledgment—no more words were needed. Raising my hand, I quickly condensed Deathbane Aura into the shape of a sword. My strength had recovered so much, and returning from here to the Dark Place wouldn't be difficult. I planned to bring Rachel Lan back with me.
"But you all should rest a few more days."
I said, and when we return, we'll have John Chou and the others come over. As long as Old Yan creates smoke and fire here, we'll be able to find this place and cure Isabelle Frost of The Stilled.
For seven days straight, Rachel Lan recovered a lot. I decided to take her back to the Dark Place for a while, then return here. Now I have to keep her close at all times—the Dark Banquet crowd has already set their sights on her Instinct.
"Are you ready, Roxie?"
Rachel Lan was dressed in animal skins, looking furry and cute, like a little rabbit.
"I'm about to speed up. If you feel uncomfortable, let me know."
My strength had basically recovered, though I still didn't understand what had happened.
Wind howled past my ears as I carried Rachel Lan, speeding through the air. Using Deathbane Aura, I created a shield that blocked out most of the wind.
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"It feels great, Ethan. Hurry up, since this is urgent."
I grunted and sped up.
Three days later, I saw the familiar Ring City, glowing like a ribbon of light. Since I left, John Chou had been helping run my barbecue shop every day after class.
With a whoosh, I landed at the shop entrance. Several people looked surprised, but said nothing.
"Yo, bro, back so soon? Looks like things are getting better—so my dumb little sister might be saved, huh?"
I nodded. Rachel Lan walked into the shop. I noticed Isabelle Frost sitting behind the counter, her gaze vacant—she wasn't even breathing anymore.
After the shop emptied out, I grilled a huge table of food. Rachel Lan happily ate.
I started recounting our journey. When I mentioned Emperor Yan, I said:
"John Chou, if you go over there, never mention anything about Emperor Yan in front of him!"
"Who would've thought the Founding Emperors really exist? This is fascinating, hahaha..."
In that instant, understanding dawned on John Chou's face. It seemed he remembered something else, but I didn't ask.
"The Unreal Covenant?"
John Chou immediately muttered.
"That's really a great place."
"You know about it?"
John Chou shook his head.
"Vitality, right, bro? That kind of thing shouldn't exist in the darkness. If it really does, that's fascinating. The Immortality Society folks fear vitality most of all."
I stared at John Chou in surprise, puzzled. Then he started talking about the Earthly Soul, and how it had already awakened its realm.
"Realm? What do you mean?"
"You'll understand someday, bro. When you awaken, we'll talk about it in detail."
Then John Chou started talking about Basil Bertram, Redmond, and Yuna Ji. A month ago, Redmond and Yuna Ji moved in with Basil Bertram—something I hadn't expected. They got along well and sometimes visited.
As for the Immortality Society, it was as if they suddenly vanished. Originally, Redmond and Yuna Ji had set things up so that many of the Society's members who hadn't regained their memories were left struggling. But over a month ago, they disappeared completely. Redmond and Yuna Ji had already identified seven Immortality Society members.
I hadn't expected that. John Chou laughed.
"Bro, maybe Felix Hsu already came up with some scheme to slip away."
"What do you mean?"
John Chou's smile turned a bit sinister, cold. After a sip of wine, he said:
"Did you forget, bro, about the pages he took?"
"The last ten or so pages?"
I stared in shock. John Chou nodded.
"You're getting smarter, bro. Why do you think he took the last part?"
"Did he think from the start that what the Dark Banquet wanted was recorded on the last few pages?"
John Chou nodded.
"That bastard, why did you..."
Suddenly, John Chou burst out laughing.
"Of course I saw through his little tricks. After reading everything, I copied it all down from memory."
My jaw dropped as I stared at John Chou in disbelief. Just then, Rachel Lan stumbled over, already drunk, laughing happily.
"So what do you think Felix Hsu will do?"
"Of course he'll make a deal with one of the three Dark Banquet factions. Like spinning a frame or something. At a time like this, the power of that frame is huge—people will jump right in. And Felix Hsu is a master at spinning frames."