Thunder rumbled endlessly across the sky. From the cracks in the ground, a low buzzing resonated. I saw what looked like black cocoons—splitting open—releasing swarms of moths and other insects into the air. Instantly, the ghosts to the west began to scream in agony.
"Ghostworm, what are you trying to do?"
I roared and immediately charged toward the west, channeling Spirit Snake's guidance in my mind.
Those flying insects were devouring, tearing apart, and crushing the ghosts in the west. Any ghost that fell to the ground was instantly consumed by the black-green bugs emerging from the cracks.
I could sense it—this wasn't just Ghostworm's power, but many forces combined. It was his eight disciples. Suddenly, I remembered—his eight disciples had flown off in eight different directions earlier.
With a swift motion, I—Ethan Zhang—slashed down a moth that lunged at me. Yellow-green fluid splattered everywhere. The nearly two-meter-long moth hit the ground and was instantly torn apart and devoured by other insects.
Dense swarms of insects—black, green, blue, red, pink—crawled over the streets and occupied the buildings. In an instant, all of Jialan City was blanketed by them.
My right hand gripped the Spectral Shotgun, cutting down insects as I advanced. As I neared the west, more and more ghosts began to cry out. They tried to flee, running desperately, but their fate was to be devoured by the insects.
"If you don't want to die, follow me! I'll open a path for you!" Ethan Zhang shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
I shouted loudly. To these ghosts, my voice was like a lifeline. More and more of them began to gather around me, drawn by the supernatural force that pulsed from Ghostworm's tendrils.
I raised the Spectral Shotgun. Suddenly, a massive black centipede burst from the ground, blocking my path. Its two enormous pincers snapped toward me—red and green, menacing and deadly.
I brandished the Ghost Soldier, swiftly unleashing several wind blades. The centipede’s exoskeleton rang out with metallic clangs—it was incredibly tough.
No time to hesitate. I roared and charged forward, aiming the Spectral Shotgun at the centipede’s head. Bang! I pulled the trigger.
With a thunderous blast, the centipede’s entire upper body vanished instantly. The wild Deathbane Aura scattershot struck down dozens of insects swarming nearby, even those crawling on the ground were caught in the blast.
I shouted and kept rushing toward the edge of the Ghostrealm. The massive impact just now tore a gash in my ghost soul.
"Heh, Ethan Zhang, why go to such lengths for these strangers? I can see it now—that shotgun in your hand is a double-edged sword for you."
"Shut up."
I roared, my mind filled with Rachel Lan’s image. I put away the Ghost Soldier and gripped the pendant at my chest—Rachel Lan’s shadow kept guiding me. I would never turn a blind eye. Even if I died here, I would never break the promise I made to her.
With a few swift slashes, I cut down several flying insects and reached the edge of the Ghostrealm.
"If you’re not here yet, move faster! I’m about to open a hole in the Ghostrealm so you can escape."