"So what should I do?"
This is what concerns me most right now. Just as Mona Ouyang said, I have betrayed my own Instinct, and talking it through won't solve anything anymore.
"That's why you need to ask this guy. As far as I know, in all of history, the only person with an Instinct who ever betrayed it and came out fine—still smiling with that innocent look—was John Chou."
I swallowed. John Chou's Instinct is called Slaughter. Although I've heard about it many times, I don't really understand what a Slaughter Instinct is. I've even fought him before, but John Chou has never explained what kind of power Slaughter truly is.
"It's simple. Once you betray your Instinct, the next time you encounter it, it will devour you, trapping you forever and subjecting you to endless torment. The only way out is to conquer it again."
I blinked. John Chou made it sound easy, but right now, I have no strength left at all.
"That's why you have to rely on Mona Ouyang's power—or rather, on Three-Eyed's power."
"Have you found the true forms of your Blue Wraith subordinates yet?"
I asked. Mona Ouyang shook her head.
"I remember Three-Eyed can perfectly copy any being he sees, right?"
"To be precise, that's correct, but there's a huge problem: can you handle it? That's a big question. Let's try it for real."
John Chou said this, looking at Mona Ouyang.
"Why are you hiding it? Take it out."
Mona Ouyang waved her hand, and a large eyeball appeared in his hand.
"Three-Eyed gave me his third eye through a dream, to prevent the Immortality Society from using his power to cause chaos again."
"Can I use it?"
Mona Ouyang nodded.
"You only need my permission. The method is to use your mind to recall those beings you've seen before. They will be perfectly manifested through this eye. You can't use abilities or spells you don't know, but you can use their raw strength."
As soon as I took the eyeball from Mona Ouyang's hand, I was startled—it moved and stared at me.
"It's fine, it's just a little wary, not hostile. Hurry up and do it."
"Brother, opening with a move like that—well, I’ve seen it plenty of times. It has its advantages."
A streak of blood-red particles gathered behind Zuo Quanyi, and John Chou reformed there. Zuo Quanyi was already attacking again.
Thunderous sounds echoed. In an instant, even I couldn’t see the flurry of fists closing in on John Chou. He dodged desperately, but his body was riddled with wounds.
"Impressive."
Only when John Chou crashed to the ground, battered and bleeding, did I use my mind to make the airborne Zuo Quanyi halt his attack.
"That’s why that corpse demon, weak as he is, can still stand up to us Seven Ghost Sovereigns, brother."
I glanced at Mona Ouyang, who wore a smug expression.
"Heh, John Chou, Three-Eyed—apart from us Ghost Sovereigns, probably only Zhuang Bo could fight him and never lose in the ghost world."
I nodded, but at that moment, I felt my consciousness begin to blur.
"It’s about to pierce you."
I screamed again. With a tearing sound, the image of the Soulreaver Blade flashed in my mind, stabbing into my heart. I clutched my chest and shouted, then looked over—John Chou had waved his hand, and the Soulreaver Blade he’d formed from ghost energy vanished.
Meanwhile, a huge hole had opened in Zuo Quanyi’s chest—like a phantom, he vanished. I collapsed to the ground, finally understanding: using something this powerful meant I’d face the same risks as the beings I conjured.
"How long you can hold out is the key, brother. If your consciousness gives out, you’ll lose everything."
I nodded. Once I lost consciousness, my Instinct would completely devour me.
"Alright, I just need to rest a bit. Mona, get ready to take me to my Instinct’s domain."
"Hey, brother, don’t forget what I asked you to do."
I smiled and looked at John Chou.
"Say it—who do you want to set up this time?"
"Simple. Don’t say it’s from me. Go ask Xu Fu what they really encountered and saw during their quest for immortality overseas. I want you to find out how the Immortality Society was formed."
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I stared at John Chou in shock, speechless.
"Most of what Xu Fu told you, we already know. But the core of it—the part where they took three thousand boys and girls overseas—what did they really encounter?"
"Why don’t you just ask him yourself?"
I said, and John Chou shook his head.
"He’d never tell me that kind of thing, but he’ll tell you. He definitely will."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because even now, he hasn’t given up trying to drag you into the Immortality Society. Haven’t you noticed at all?"
I waved my hand and shook my head.
No matter how he tries to tempt me, I’ll never join them or stand with them.
But then, a thought struck me. I asked:
"Tell me, John Chou—why do you want to know?"
"Suppose I’m interested in their story. What would you think?"
I shook my head.
"I’ll find out. I’m interested in that story too."
As I spoke, I reached out my hand. John Chou slapped it with a loud smack. I looked at him seriously and nodded.
"I won’t thank you again, John Chou."
"Ah, that’s better, brother. Alright, corpse demon, let’s go."
Mona Ouyang glanced at us and sighed.
"Gate of Dreams, open."
A purple door appeared before us. The three of us stepped through.
I’d figured out how to use the eye. I could even manifest two or three powerful beings at once, as long as I could hold on and keep my consciousness intact.
We entered the all-too-familiar dream corridor again, drifting through it behind Mona Ouyang.
"Did you also fight with Slaughter before you regained control over it?"
I asked, and John Chou gave me a half-smile.
"I don’t know the details, brother. Just remember—your Instinct was born because of you. Everything started with you."
At that moment, Mona Ouyang stopped ahead. I saw a streak of black on the left—a surge of Deathbane Aura. Though I was powerless now, I could clearly feel its murderous intent.
"We’re here, Ethan Zhang. Handle it yourself."
I glanced at Mona Ouyang, then smiled and reached out my hand.
"No need, Ethan Zhang. You and I are only allies by circumstance."
"Mona, I won’t thank you either."
As I spoke, Mona Ouyang reluctantly extended his hand. I slapped it, then burst out laughing and stepped into the area shrouded in Deathbane Aura.
Petals of cherry blossom danced in the air. The courtyard was filled with blooming sakura trees, and behind them stood a residential building. I walked over slowly.