Ethan Zhang, what exactly is going on? Hurry up and tell us.
Everyone looked at me with confusion. At this moment, Death Curse fell into deep thought, as if he had realized something.
I roughly told them what Xiaoyaozi had told me.
But what does making noodles yourself and cooking them for Rachel Lan have to do with this?
Ji Yuner immediately asked, while Ouyang Meng rested her chin on her hand and smiled.
So that's it. Ji Yuner, you really are clueless sometimes.
Ji Yuner immediately glared at Ouyang Meng in dissatisfaction.
"How long have the residents of darkness here lived? The dark power within them must have already seeped into their hearts, lungs, and bones. Anything they make themselves and handle for a long time, even if it comes from the world of the living, will naturally be tainted with high-density dark power."
Ji Yuner let out an "oh". At this moment, Bo Ziran spoke up.
In other words, these foods and drinks unintentionally contain dark power, as venomous as poison. Now, Rachel Lan's soul hasn't fully fused yet, so it's weak—like a slender strand of hair—unable to withstand the ravages of this darkness.
The things Xiaoyaozi noticed were things we had completely overlooked, even Master Mingde was the same.
"Amitabha. Since this lady is alright now, this humble monk should take his leave."
"Thank you, Master Mingde."
I accompanied Master Mingde downstairs and only returned to the room after watching him leave.
"The Great Dao maintains the balance of Yin and Yang. The so-called cultivators of the Daoist Sect seek immortality by tempering their flesh and bones—isn't it just like this?"
At this moment, Death Curse muttered to himself.
You know about these things too?
Bo Ziran asked, and he nodded.
"As ghosts, we naturally wouldn't know the training methods of the sects in the world of techniques. Among them, the Daoist Sect is the one that most emphasizes the balance of Yin and Yang. Body and soul must remain in perfect harmony, neither biased nor lacking. The so-called Great Dao is simplicity itself. You all know the summoning technique, right?"
As Death Curse spoke, we all nodded, but soon we understood.
As the supreme Daoist technique, once the spell is cast, an incredibly powerful force surges into the body. Both the flesh and the soul must share this force, so only when the two are balanced can the power be properly wielded.
It's not just the body—the soul must be tempered as well. I remember that Mao Xiaoyu was like this before. Though he got hurt, he recovered much faster than others and was physically robust.
Since ancient times, the Daoist sect has interacted with all things in heaven and earth. This law of balance must be maintained, so their perception of body and soul is stronger than ours—even stronger than other sects.
Many sects focus on spiritual matters, like the Buddhist sect. We ghosts, on the other hand, focus on strength and restraint.
"Miss Jingle, could I ask you to cook for Ruoxi every day from now on? Even though I..."
"No need, Qingyuan. I have hands and feet. After sitting and resting for a bit, I'll be fine."
I responded with a hum. The problem was solved—as long as Lan Ruoxi ate food she cooked herself, using ingredients from the world of the living, there would be no issue.
After a while, Lan Ruoxi seemed to regain some strength and pulled my hand, wanting to go out.
It was the same night street as always. I was already getting tired of it, never seeing daylight.
"It would be nice if I could eat."
Lan Ruoxi gazed longingly at the dazzling array of food on the street. I could only smile helplessly.
"By the way, Ruoxi, can you communicate with your instincts now?"
Lan Ruoxi shook her head.
Although her instincts have awakened, it takes a lot more effort to reach the point of communication. I was the same before.
"It's actually pretty nice to stroll the streets like this, Qingyuan."
Lan Ruoxi linked her arm with mine. I hummed in response. Her gaze lingered on a jewelry shop, and she pulled me inside, looking around with delight.
"Zhang Qingyuan, Lan Ruoxi."
Suddenly, a surprised voice came from behind. As I turned, I saw Ghost Shaxing, chewing on some skewers and holding a pile of games.
"How did you..."
"Aunt Poison is here too. It's really unbearable and boring here—no internet, nothing to do. Luckily, there are game consoles, even if they're old, at least I can have some fun."
I immediately stared at Ghost Shaxing, and he took a step back.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You know about the demons and monsters, right?"
Ghost Shaxing let out an 'oh' and then laughed.
"Boss, I saw them yesterday."
Right now, intelligence is most important. I followed Ghost Shaxing, who looked at me with obvious displeasure.
"By the way, Qingyuan, about that guy Earth Soul..."
Suddenly, my eyes widened and I stopped, stunned. I had almost forgotten that guy came too, distracted by the Immortality Society's business.
"Ah, that Earth Soul guy is here too."
Ghost Shaxing muttered with a hint of fear. I nodded and then stepped forward.
"Can you tell me anything about your boss's situation?"
"It's no use asking me. I really don't know. Back when Boss was at Ghost Mound, he only taught me a few things and usually just scolded me. Yesterday, when we met, Aunt Poison talked to him for a long while. I was playing games and wasn't interested."
Ghost Shaxing glanced around.
"That lunatic Earth Soul—I want nothing to do with him. I didn't do anything, it was Fierce Shaxing and the others. Has nothing to do with me."
On the seventh floor of a hotel in District 3, we entered the room. Poison Shaxing looked at me and Lan Ruoxi with a solemn expression.
"Why did you bring Zhang Qingyuan here?"
Ghost Shaxing immediately laughed awkwardly and slipped into another room, pretending to be clueless.
"If it's about our boss, don't ask me, Zhang Qingyuan."
Poison Shaxing said softly. As always, she wore a sheer gauzy dress and lay on the sofa, parts of her body faintly visible. Lan Ruoxi kept signaling me with her eyes, so I had to look elsewhere.
"If possible, can you tell me what those people at the Dark Banquet are really after?"
I still held onto a bit of hope in my heart. Poison Shaxing wasn't like the others from Ghost Mound.
"No comment."
The result was the same as before, and Poison Shaxing's attitude was just like when I went to see Wu Zheng.
"Then what can I offer for a trade, like before?"
I immediately asked, and Poison Shaxing sneered before replying.
"I'm afraid you can't afford what I'd ask for in a trade."
"Go ahead and say it."
Poison Shaxing got up, draped a pink robe over herself, and walked over to us.
"Your side's intelligence—what are you planning? If you tell me, I'll tell you what I know, even about our boss's situation."
My expression grew serious, and I nodded.
"This isn't something I can decide on my own."
"Before the Dark Banquet opens, that's fine."
Poison Shaxing said this, and I hummed in response.
"Qingyuan, don't trade with a woman like that. I just feel she's dangerous."
I let out an 'ah' and looked at Lan Ruoxi. She pouted.
"Why?"
"Women's intuition."
I nodded. My mind was a mess—where had Earth Soul gone? Weren't we supposed to cooperate? But since entering, he'd vanished. These past days, I've been worried about Lan Ruoxi, and if she hadn't just asked, I would've forgotten all about him.
On our way back, we stopped by the factory and grabbed some ingredients. After returning, I relayed Poison Shaxing's conditions to the group.
"Hmph, Zhang Qingyuan, what exactly are you up to?"
Red Hair glared at me in frustration, while Lan Ruoxi started cooking for herself at the stove.
"Just refuse her outright. That woman is not simple."
Ouyang Meng immediately chimed in.
"She's definitely not simple. Before, after you and Yin Chou slaughtered Ghost Mound, it was on the verge of collapse. But that woman single-handedly revived and expanded it. We only learned about it when Ghost Mound resurfaced."
Red Hair muttered gravely.
"Her implication is that she already knows we'll trade with her."
At that moment, Yi Xuehan suddenly spoke, and we all looked at her.
"Yi Xuehan, isn't that a bit one-sided? This was Zhang Qingyuan's own suggestion."
"Women's intuition."
At this moment, Shen Yanjun floated up, and we all turned to look at him.
"I'll go keep an eye on things over there."
With a whoosh, Shen Yanjun flew out, looking a bit anxious.
"Bo Ziran, have you found out where the Immortality Society people are staying?"
Red Hair asked, and Bo Ziran shook his head.
"Not yet, but it should be soon. At least before the Dark Banquet officially begins, we'll have it."
"Are you really not considering it?"
At this moment, Yun Mei spoke up. We all looked at her, and she seemed troubled.
"Strike first to gain the advantage—it's necessary. After observing these past few days, the Dark Banquet group is strong, but now they've run into trouble with the Immortality Society. Even if we kill them, those people can't do anything about it anymore."
"I agree, Yun Mei. If we don't resolve this, the Dark Banquet journey won't go smoothly."
Bo Ziran spoke up, Ouyang Meng nodded, Ji Yuner giggled, her eyes full of fighting spirit.
"Sorry, Miss Yun Mei, I agree too. We should act before the Dark Banquet officially starts and give them no chance."
A look of helplessness appeared on Yun Mei's face as she stood up.
"Alright, I'll help you, Bo Ziran. With my power, we should find them even faster."
"Thank you, Miss Yun Mei."
Soon, Bo Ziran and Yun Mei left. Jingle sat silently on the sofa, seemingly lost in thought.