"Although it's a bit early, I need to summon the Crimson Night leaders scattered across the world. These seven are Crimson Night's last remaining strength."
Ray Lin looked at James Grant with suspicion and asked.
"Let's hear it—your plan. Even if it's just speculation, this level of detail should still be within their control. Breaking the current balance won't be easy, especially now that they believe they've truly seized Ethan Zhang's instinct. If we try to interfere, they'll kill us without hesitation."
"Or maybe we should just go back?"
The voice came from Felix Zhou, who looked reluctant. He clearly wanted nothing to do with this matter.
"After all, they've only obtained half of the instinct. It's impossible to connect this world with the Living World. Why not return there? Our strength would be fully unleashed, and we could get the Ghost Sovereigns to help. Wouldn't that be safer?"
I didn't refute Felix Zhou's words—what he said was one way of handling things. But Deathcurse immediately laughed.
"Returning to the Living World would be even more dangerous."
"If they forcibly initiate the Dark Banquet, then Ethan Zhang will only be swallowed by the Dark entity. The outcome will be the same."
Isabelle Frost added, and Felix Zhou fell silent, his face turning grim. The fear in his heart had already crept onto his cheeks.
Felix, if you really don't want to fight, just watch from the sidelines this time.
Deathcurse patted Felix Zhou on the shoulder and said. Felix Zhou lowered his head, silent, clenching his fists.
"There's no need to blame yourself. Everyone has things they can and can't do. You're still young, and you're human. This time, just be an observer."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal spoke. None of us blamed Felix Zhou—everyone fears death, and even ghosts aren't immune.
"So, what's your strategy?"
Isabelle Frost turned to James Grant. With a wave of his hand, a new scene appeared before our eyes.
Three towering spires, each topped with gold, blue, and fiery red.
"These three places are where Emperor God, Phantom Sage, and Sylvia Yan reside. They're also the foundation of this world. If we can destroy them, the world's mechanism will become chaotic. Our task is to lure the three back. You all will hold them off, while Ethan Zhang, you must reclaim your instinct and Rachel Lan once they've left her side."
"It sounds simple, but in reality, it's very difficult."
Victor Duan, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.
The key is their movement. Even if we manage to hold them off, if they return the moment Ethan Zhang appears, it'll be very difficult. In this world, we can't use the Shadow Realm, and even if we could, it would instantly drain our ghost energy, leaving us unable to fight.
I can open the Shadow Realm.
As soon as I finished speaking, everyone looked at me. Isabelle Frost stared in surprise, then smiled.
"Let me be the one to stop Emperor God."
No one doubted Isabelle Frost's strength or her words. Watching her profile, I felt something indescribable inside.
John Chou's goal has been met. He wanted to provoke me. Well then, let him see what I can do.
Ghost Painting Book Immortal quickly divided us into groups, and no one objected.
Deathcurse, Black Moon, Kane, and Cao Wanzhi would face Phantom Sage. Ghost Painting Book Immortal, Ray Lin, and Victor Duan would take on Sylvia Yan. We only had a basic understanding of the power and abilities of these three rulers.
Felix Zhou still hung his head, saying nothing, as if he'd done something wrong. I walked over to him.
Felix Zhou, I need your help—when I try to reclaim my instinct.
Suddenly, Felix Zhou lifted his head and stared at me, his eyes shining with resolve.
The other half of my instinct carries Curse Ghost—the only one I'm truly worried about. I still don't fully understand her power, and if I'm corrupted by curse energy, I'll need your help. You'll stay in my Shadow Realm, and since I have the instinct of Coexistence, I can make it work.
Don't worry, Ethan Zhang. I'll do my best to help you.
Felix Zhou smiled, and Deathcurse glanced at him.
Be careful. Don't be reckless, or you might end up dead.
Hmph, I don't need you to tell me. I value my own life quite a bit.
We all laughed. James Grant looked at me, and I roughly understood his meaning.
"Alright, let's head into my Shadow Realm. In here, they can't sense me at all. I'm hidden within killing intent, become killing intent itself—this is the Shadow Realm I've built from pure baleful energy."
I slowly raised a hand. The sound of cracking echoed as the space split open, revealing the shape of an apartment building inside.
I didn't expect it to be so stable. Heh, not bad, Ethan Zhang.
Ghost Painting Book Immortal led the way, entering first, and everyone else followed in turn.
"Nice place you've got here, Ethan Zhang."
Petals of cherry blossoms fluttered through the air, while in the surrounding flowerbeds, the strange black Sixfold Blossoms had grown nearly as tall as a person.
With a thought, black humanoid figures formed from baleful energy appeared, bringing tea. We all gathered at the small pavilion, while Deathcurse and Felix Zhou went over to examine the Sixfold Blossoms closely.
"Don't touch it with your hands—there's a powerful curse on these, brat."
All these Sixfold Blossoms are real, things that exist in my Shadow Realm. But since we're in this world, I can't meet the folks from the Shadow Realm, as the two worlds aren't yet connected.
[Irrelevant system message about reading the next page—skip translation.]
"Let's take a day to prepare. I'll go contact all the leaders. This place seems to be hidden from their detection."
James Grant said, and I nodded. Raising my hand, I tore open a rift in space. He nodded back and left my Shadow Realm.
Ghost Painting Book Immortal drifted around my Shadow Realm, sighing and nodding from time to time, deeply moved.
"It's a bit different from ordinary Shadow Realms—the main body is baleful energy. Not bad, it really does blend perfectly with the killing intent of this world. When the time comes, let James Grant take you straight up to the central tower for a surprise attack, while we hold off the three rulers."
Old Bookman, that's easier said than done. Those three are the rulers of the Old Hell—they're probably much stronger than we imagine.
Deathcurse took a sip of tea and glanced at Isabelle Frost. I knew Deathcurse was worried—against someone like Emperor God, a King of Hell-level opponent, even Isabelle Frost had no guarantee of victory.
At that moment, Isabelle Frost turned into a streak of red light and floated into the room below the apartment, which was filled with baleful energy. Her face showed anger.
I smiled awkwardly and hurried after her. On the floating boulder, Isabelle Frost surveyed everything around her.
"Just how much has that bastard kept from me?"
Outside, everyone had started discussing tomorrow's battle.
I had no intention to butt into matters between John Chou and Isabelle Frost, nor could I. But I could roughly understand why Isabelle Frost hated John Chou so much.
Isabelle Frost is fiercely competitive—that's the feeling she gives me. Both she and John Chou are geniuses, and maybe there's an unspoken rivalry between them. Plus, John Chou has failed to keep his promises several times, which is why Isabelle Frost is angry.
"Ethan Zhang, do you really intend to help John Chou break through the Sanzu Force?"
"Yes."
My answer was firm, and Isabelle Frost sneered.
"Suit yourself, Ethan Zhang. John Chou's goal is pretty much achieved. I'm furious right now—absolutely furious."
A chill ran through me. I'd never seen Isabelle Frost smile like that before—her anger had reached its peak. Her facial muscles trembled as she forced a stiff smile, squinting her eyes.
"Tomorrow's task is in your hands, Miss Frost."
I spoke respectfully and bowed. She looked at me, said nothing, floated past, and landed atop a cherry tree. Sitting cross-legged, she closed her eyes.
"No way, can such a childish plan really work?"
Outside, Sky Duan was making a racket while Ryan Lin smiled faintly.
"Catch them off guard, strike when they least expect it—that's the only way to win against the odds. At the very least, we need to show them we're not pushovers. That's the point."
I floated over and saw Ghost Painting Book Immortal silently watching the two of them.
"Why not? Old Book Sage will set up the formation first, then the two of us—both speed-type Green Wraiths—will move in. At least in terms of speed, we won't lose to Phantomborn, and that guy doesn't seem all that strong. So, surprise is everything."
"What do you think, Old Bookman? After all, in this world we don't have our Shadow Realms. If we want to fight head-on, I think we should start by observing, at least probe some of the enemy's strength before making a decision."
"You both make good points, but I think at least one of us should stay hidden to observe, while the other two go all out from the start."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal said, glancing at Sky Duan and stroking his mustache.
"Sky, you'll take the lead. For the first strike, I'll support you, Ryan."
Ryan Lin waved his hand and smiled helplessly.
"I'll go all out from the start—there's no room to hold back. This is a battle where our chances of victory are slim."