Everything around us had already been transformed beyond recognition. Not far away, I saw the gigantic zombie corpse, now torn to pieces. The black scorpions released by Evan Zhao gathered beside the corpse and began devouring it.
"Hey, hey, damn, you see meat and just eat it—stop eating!" Evan Zhao floated over, looking disgusted, and kept barking orders at the cluster of black scorpions. But the scorpions ignored him, continuing to feast without a care.
"You just keep eating, huh. Damn."
Evan Zhao was both angry and annoyed, while the Shade Trio from Mount Shade burst out laughing. The black scorpions paid Evan Zhao no mind—he tried hitting and kicking them, but suddenly, one scorpion whipped its tail across his mouth. Its two pitch-black eyes glared at him before turning back to eat.
"Damn it, you—you actually dare not listen to me..."
"Sigh, still too young. Evan, how can you not even control your own ghost minions?" Wayne Harris said as he floated over, raising his cane. A flash of green light appeared, and the scorpions began to shrink, crawling back into Evan Zhao's sleeve.
"Oh, how embarrassing," Rose Harper giggled, her laughter echoing. My gaze drifted—almost unconsciously—to her face, pale as paper.
"Sigh, who’s really making a fool of themselves, yet doesn’t even realize it? Right, Master Ethan?"
I smiled faintly. Suddenly, a flash of green light illuminated the scene, drawing everyone’s gaze. As the light faded, a scholar in green robes and a pale face appeared—handsome and refined. He bowed upon arrival.
"Honored elders, greetings. My name is Julian Chu."
I glared at him fiercely.
"Where’s Justin Huang?"
Julian Chu, the Blue Wraith, looked at me and shook his head.
"He’s already been taken away."
"You’re lying," I said, clenching my fists, ready to strike. A surge of Deathbane Aura spilled from my body.
"Ethan, don’t get worked up yet. There are five of us here—he won’t escape even if he sprouts wings. Just look."
Wayne Harris floated over, grabbed my hand, and smiled, patting my shoulder. I glanced around, and suddenly, my eyes widened.
Somehow, we were now surrounded by a cascade of cherry blossoms, swirling like a waterfall, falling and flowing, clustering together in great sheets.
"Master Ethan, there’s no need to worry. I’ve completely sealed this place. If he tries to force his way out, he’ll never escape for the rest of his life."
"Wow, it’s beautiful," Rose Harper said, flying over to the cherry blossom wall.
"You little brat, don’t touch that. It may look pretty, but if you touch it, you’ll regret it," Wayne Harris warned. Rose Harper edged away.
"Like I need you to tell me, old man."
"Gentlemen, you’re all senior Blue Wraiths. If I had to guess, old sir, you’re the strongest of the five. Then there’s the sister who manipulates cherry blossom petals—really blades in disguise. And finally, the brother who commands scorpions. I’m truly no match for any of you."
Julian Chu spoke calmly, with utmost respect.
"You’re right, but I’m not the strongest. That title belongs to the Hanged Man."
Suddenly, I saw Julian Chu’s eyes widen in surprise as he stared at the lantern, his face full of disbelief.
"Is he hiding his ghost essence? Forgive my lack of perception, but if this brother is concealing his essence and still radiates such powerful ghost energy, that’s truly remarkable."
"Enough talk—where is Justin Huang?" I demanded again, my voice sharp.
"Ethan, I doubt he’d lie. It seems Justin Huang really isn’t here."
"Sir, I’m just a newcomer among the Blue Wraiths, so I understand your purpose here. I’ll tell you everything honestly, but I do have one humble request."
"Go ahead, kid. You’re pretty polite—I’ll hear you out," the old man replied with a chuckle.
I shot Wayne Harris a resentful look. Julian Chu was clearly a ruthless ghost—only someone like that would help the Immortality Society.
"I’m sure you all know, in this ghostly realm, for a ghost to become a Blue Wraith, it has to endure terrible suffering and torment. For ghosts, it’s pure cruelty."
As soon as Julian Chu finished speaking, I saw the five Blue Wraiths on my side grow serious.
"Those ghosts who die with resentment in their hearts and become Blue Wraiths aren’t true Blue Wraiths. They’re just a bit stronger than vengeful ghosts, but their ghost domains are fragile. But you seniors all started as lesser ghosts and climbed your way up to Blue Wraiths, right? So, all I ask is that you spare me. I’m only cooperating with those people—and I’m willing to work with this brother too."
Julian Chu said this, grinning at me, but I kept glaring at him.
"I don’t know why you seniors listen to one person, but I can tell this one hates me. So, I have a suggestion—what do you think?"
"Spit it out, kid," Evan Zhao said impatiently.
Julian Chu stared at me, grinning.
"Today’s business is between me and him. Seniors, if you want me to tell you everything, you’ll have to earn it. I trust you won’t bully a newcomer."
"Damn it, you bastard, always talking in circles. I hate people like you the most," Evan Zhao snarled, charging at Julian Chu. I saw black scales ripple across his body, and his eyes burned with murderous intent.
"Stop." A deep voice cut through the chaos—John Chou stepped in, dressed in a black suit, striding through the air. Behind him followed the giggling Yuna Ji.
[Irrelevant system message skipped.]
"What are you doing here?" I asked. John Chou smiled, and Evan Zhao quickly backed off.
"Boss Chou, what brings you here, huh?"
"Mind your own business. Brother, he’s right—you want something, you’ve got to earn it. So how about this: you try your hand against him."
John Chou spoke, and Evan Zhao forced a smile, stepping up to him. Before Evan could say anything, John shoved his head aside.
"Butt out. Go cool off somewhere else."
I nodded and turned my gaze to Julian Chu.
"Oh, and these two are...? Their ghost energy is pretty ordinary..." Julian Chu started to say, but the other Blue Wraiths silently stepped aside, looking at John Chou in surprise.
"Kid, you’re a Blue Wraith too. Here’s the deal: if you can defeat Ethan Zhang without leaving a scratch on him, I’ll make an exception and let you go. Fair enough?"
"It’s fair," Julian Chu replied, eyes full of disdain as he looked at me. I glared back.
"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to—pretty nasty, John Chou," Yuna Ji muttered quietly.
"Shut up, bitch," John Chou barked, grinning as he walked up to me.
"Brother, your Deathbane Aura has grown stronger. Give it a try—fighting a Blue Wraith is different. Before, when you fought Redmane’s men, it was like a toddler going up against a grown man."
I shot John Chou a resentful look. It was true—when I forced through the Earth Fang in my chest, the restraint shattered. In that instant, I realized my Deathbane Aura now came naturally and had grown much stronger. Like the Iron Mask Man, I kept recalling how he wielded his aura.
I’d tried before, but my aura could only reach half a meter from my body before dissipating. Now, things were different.
"By the way, let me ask—have you stopped growing flowers?"
John Chou suddenly asked, making Julian Chu laugh.
"I’m not who I used to be. I don’t mess with that stuff anymore. Now, I just want to climb higher as a Blue Wraith—because I’ve heard there’s something above us: the Ghost Sovereign!"
Julian Chu spoke. I glanced at him, then at John Chou. It seemed this guy really hadn’t had contact with the outside world for years, just holed up in his own ghost domain.
After that, all the ghosts stood at the edge. Samantha Simons expanded the Cherry Blossom Barrier a bit more, and Julian Chu and I stood in the center.
By now, my body had mostly recovered, brimming with strength. It was strange—what exactly did Yuna Ji have me drink? My mind was hazy at the time, but I remember seeing Wayne Harris looking at Yuna Ji with suspicion.
“Brother, good luck!” John Chou called out with a laugh from the side. I shot him a glare.
“I don’t need you to say it. I’ll beat him myself.”
As I spoke, Deathbane Aura overflowed from my hands, forming two half-meter-long blades. I charged straight at Julian Chu.
Just as expected, I raised both blades—slashing with my left and thrusting with my right—but Julian Chu dodged them easily.
It was the Specter Web. That thing’s tricky. I’d have to catch him off guard if I wanted to land a hit. No time to overthink—I kept slashing at Julian Chu.
He deflected every attack, looking at me with an easy, relaxed expression.
“So, if I just knock this kid out, I win? You better keep your word.”
Julian Chu glanced at John Chou, drifting backward again to dodge my attack, clearly not taking me seriously.
“Don’t worry. As long as you knock him out, I’ll let you go. Heh.”
Suddenly, Julian Chu’s eyes changed. Green light flared beneath my feet. Instantly, I wrapped myself in Deathbane Aura, but with two sharp cracks, my aura was shattered and I was sent flying.