"I don't believe it."
Those three words—Rufina Howard glared at the Three Mimics, while John Chou smiled faintly beside her.
"There will be a fight here soon. If you don't believe me, just watch."
"Mason Payne isn't the villain you claim he is."
John Chou nodded.
"Maybe so. In your eyes, even the worst people have a good side. But you've never seen someone born evil. The Immortality Society is made up of thirteen such people."
Rufina Howard didn't believe a word John Chou said.
"Don't worry, little girl. Whether things are as the young master says will soon be clear. But with your current abilities, nowhere within miles is safe. I'll make an exception and let you enter my Shadow Realm. Just watch quietly inside."
Suddenly, John Chou smiled thoughtfully at Mr. Brown.
"If possible, I'd like to go in too."
John Chou spoke, and Mr. Brown glared at him.
You've seen it before, haven't you? My Shadow Realm, young master.
It was only once, but it was spectacular, little girl—Mr. Brown's Shadow Realm.
Rufina Howard's face lit up with excitement. She was extremely curious about the Shadow Realm, something she'd only heard about from her master.
Let me ask you one last time—what exactly are you here to do?
John Chou asked.
There's nothing much to do, so I just came by to check on these three. They haven't changed much—still no heart, though they can talk and think now.
At that moment, Mr. Brown raised his arm, his body swelling with bulging muscles. He crouched, lifting his right hand while pressing his left hand onto its back. A thunderous sound erupted as a surge of overwhelming ghostly energy was released instantly. Rufina Howard fell to the ground in shock, staring in amazement.
A cracking sound echoed as spatial fissures appeared in front of Mr. Brown.
Raging Ice Torrent... Frozen Fire Sea... Asura...
With a bang, a new space appeared, and an intensely cold aura poured out from the crack. The Three Mimics drifted inside. Rufina Howard was lifted by a force and brought into the Shadow Realm.
You've grown even stronger, Mr. Brown—stronger than me.
John Chou watched as Mr. Brown's body was halfway into his own Shadow Realm, speaking seriously.
Young master, as long as you understand why this power exists, that's enough.
Wow, it's beautiful.
Rufina Howard exclaimed in surprise. The Three Mimics beside her stared with wide eyes.
On a floating black boulder, there was a quaint little house. To the left, flames burned endlessly, and to the right, a vast frozen wave stretched as far as the eye could see.
White and red shimmered together as the flames surged, distorting the space above. Strange things occasionally appeared within, like ferocious human faces.
The icy plain on the right was endless, its pure white surface immaculate and sacred. A gust of wind sent ice blossoms flying, and the flawless ice contrasted sharply with the fiery sea to the left.
I can't feel any heat or cold.
Rufina Howard said, and Mr. Brown smiled.
Everything here is in a delicate balance.
What would happen if the flames melted the ice?
At that moment, the black figure asked.
If that happens, my rage will destroy everything in sight. All right, you just stay here.
Mr. Brown waved his hand, and a green light appeared before their eyes, gradually revealing the outside view, from the foot of the mountain to the summit, all clearly visible.
After Mr. Brown left, Rufina Howard seemed a bit absent-minded, as if something was weighing on her mind.
You three aren't...?
Aren't what, Rufina Howard?
The black figure watched Rufina Howard, who seemed hesitant to speak, then she shook her head.
Suddenly, the space below the mountain split open, and a car sped out. Inside sat the three ghosts previously seen by the gray figure, along with a red-faced man.
The red-faced man tried to invite Lin Rui to join, but Lin Rui immediately refused.
Mr. Brown was already standing at the mountain top, aware that someone was coming. He waited quietly.
Amazing, that old man.
Rufina Howard watched in astonishment as the previously confident group—one person and two ghosts—suddenly stopped moving, even losing the courage to attack.
Then, a large group of people wearing black hats appeared, along with many ghosts glowing green. Rufina Howard's excitement faded as she held her forehead. Among them, an old man with an eyepatch caught her attention—she watched him quietly.
The scene became chaotic, and a fierce battle broke out. In just a few minutes, the surrounding mountain forest had completely changed.
Mr. Brown seemed trapped, while those others rushed toward the place where John Chou's seal was.
Hey, are you okay?
The gray figure supported Rufina Howard, who was clutching her forehead in pain. The battle in the scene grew more intense. As those people touched John Chou's seal, giant transparent fists appeared and struck in all directions.
Amazing...
Rufina Howard stared blankly. Only the old man with the eyepatch remained. In a moment of crisis, he pulled down his eyepatch and gouged out his own eyeball. Facing Mr. Brown's attack, the floating eyeball stared at the blind old man, who seemed to be sucked in by a powerful force.
What is it? What exactly is...?
With a thud, Rufina Howard collapsed to the ground, fainting.
That was an intense fight, Mr. Brown.
Red Hair looked around and smiled.
Rufina Howard was resting nearby, having fainted for unknown reasons. Zifeng was taking care of her, while Wuming frowned from the side.
Mason Payne didn't show up.
The gray figure said.
So you still insist you have nothing to do with that girl? Red Hair, this isn't like you. Are you really worried about someone other than your own followers?
John Chou spoke softly, and Red Hair glared at him.
It's none of your business, John Chou. I won't help you. Hmph. What's the situation, Xiaoming?
She probably saw something that awakened memories from a previous life.
Red Hair walked over to Rufina Howard, looked at her again, then floated away.
Let's go, Xiaoming, Xiaofeng.
That's cruel—are you really abandoning her, Red Hair? She could die, you know. The Immortality Society's fraud didn't come, so something's up, especially with that girl.
It's none of my business, John Chou. I just came to check if you're still alive. That's all.
Red Hair was angry and left as John Chou laughed loudly.
Go back to the city and keep an eye on Mason Payne. He should still be there.
John Chou spoke to the Three Mimics, but the black and white ones shook their heads and refused.
Not interested, John Chou. It's boring. That guy clearly has feelings for Rufina Howard but just lets her go. I don't get him.
John Chou smiled and said nothing.
When the gray figure arrived, night had fallen. He quickly found Mason Payne in the apartment building where Rufina Howard and the others were staying.
It doesn't seem so easy. I feel a bit sorry for those at Ghost Mound, haha.
Wei Chengwu knelt on the ground, while Cao Wanzhi and Julian Chu stood to the side. Mason Payne sat on the sofa, resting his chin on his hand, smiling quietly as he watched the gray figure outside the window.
Well? Aren't you coming in?
The gray figure passed through the wall and entered the room.
I really don't like you. Leave now.
The gray figure spoke. Wei Chengwu glared, but Mason Payne waved his hand. You three go back for now. That's it for today. Don't come without my order.
After the three left, Mason Payne kept watching the gray figure.
You just said you dislike me. Let me ask you—what does 'dislike' really mean?
The gray figure looked at Mason Payne in confusion. He didn't have such feelings, and only spoke that way because of stories he'd read in books.
You don't have feelings, do you?
No.
Mason Payne suddenly burst out laughing, and his laughter grew louder and louder.
Do you want to become human? If you do, I have a way.
With a whoosh, the gray figure floated up to Mason Payne.
What way?
Do you know why that girl is called the Prime Ancestor?
The gray figure shook his head.
Nüwa created humans—it's a myth. She is someone blessed with Nüwa's bloodline, while you are beings formed by nature. What do you think a person should have?
Body, soul.
Mason Payne suddenly showed a fierce expression.
You don't have a body, nor are you souls. But you have the potential—the potential to become human.
Potential?
As soon as the gray figure finished speaking, Mason Payne laughed.
There's always been a way to become human, from ancient times until now. I've seen it myself. To become human, you need Nüwa's bloodline—that's the miracle. So, how about calling those two over as well? If you want to become human, just follow my lead. What do you say?
The gray figure nodded and floated away.