Sonny Four sat me down at a table. That powerful ghost aura was emanating from the rear of Old Vine Hill. I watched that direction in silence, feeling its oppressive weight.
Tonight, everyone—eat well and enjoy yourselves. Only a few days left.
I saw a domineering Blue Wraith in his thirties stride out. Sonny Four whispered that this was the boss here, Derek Lee, who'd replaced Frank Wu. Something was off—Derek Lee was clearly no match for Frank Wu.
"What does he mean by 'only a few days left'?"
But Sonny Four didn't know. He only told me that lately, banquets have been held on the mountain every night, with all kinds of ghosts invited to feast and revel—all organized by Derek Lee.
Soon, I heard that in two days, something called the Ghost Pact would be formed here. I told Sonny Four to stay alert, and if anything felt off, to escape immediately.
I couldn't contend with the ghost aura drifting from the rear hill. I began to wander, unleashing Specter Webs as I moved. With so many ghosts here, as long as I kept my own ghost aura hidden, no one would notice me.
All of a sudden, I sensed another surge of ghost aura—a Blue Wraith was nearby. It sensed me as well, so I hurriedly retracted my Specter Webs.
Derek Lee immediately started prowling around, as if searching for someone. I quickly put distance between us. None of the ghosts nearby noticed me, so I slipped straight into the Shedding Skin—my ghostly disguise—and made my way toward the rear hill.
An ancient tree stood there, thick and long dead, its trunk crawling with dense, tangled vines. Waves of powerful ghost aura seeped out from beneath its bark.
I walked over slowly. All of a sudden, something twisted around my foot—a stabbing pain shot through me, and I drifted upward, weightless.
Black blood dripped, pattering against the ground, as a black vine rose up, clawing and writhing menacingly beneath my feet.
It looked ready to devour me whole. I closed my eyes, unleashing Specter Webs. Gradually, I sensed its intent—this Blue Wraith wanted to consume every ghost here.
My instincts warned me: in two days, this thing would break loose and devour all who came to the banquet. As for the reason—I had no idea.
Suddenly, a surge of ghost aura struck from behind. I twisted aside, dodging just in time—Derek Lee, broadsword in hand, slashed straight at me.
"Where did this brat come from, daring to trespass in Lady Bone Wraith's resting place?"
I smiled, then suddenly raised my arms—boom! I struck Derek Lee, sending him flying across the room.
Outside, the crowd was noisy and chaotic. Derek Lee stormed after me, and in an instant, every ghost nearby fell silent, sensing the surge of ghost aura radiating from him.
I sensed another Blue Wraith here too, lurking in the shadows, watching.
"Damn it, kid—speak! What are you doing here?"
I burst out laughing, wild and unrestrained. Derek Lee's fury only deepened.
I was about to ask you all—what are you planning? Luring these people here, you actually want to eat them, don't you?
As soon as I finished speaking, Derek Lee's face twisted. Green light radiated from him as he raised his broadsword and charged. I steadied myself, gripping Hell's Sentinel, ready to finish him in a single blow. My Specter Webs had already locked onto his three ghost souls.
I opened my mouth and let out a long breath. Just as I was about to draw Hell's Sentinel, a burst of green light shot over from Derek Lee's side—boom! It slammed into him, knocking him aside.
"Faceflayer, what are you doing? Move aside, don't block me—I want to..."
Hearing that name, my heart jolted. The newcomer was an old man—a Blue Wraith who looked seventy or eighty.
"Idiot. If I hadn't held you back, you'd already be dead."
I raised Hell's Sentinel and smiled.
"I've already swung."
The two stared at me in shock. Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted from where the Blue Wraith was buried. Black Deathbane Aura surged skyward, obliterating everything nearby. Thick, black vines burst out, whipping toward us like mad serpents.
A fierce ghost got tangled up and screamed in terror. I darted over, slicing through the vines. Black wind blades erupted around me, shredding every attacking tendril.
If you don't want to die, run now!
I shouted, and the banquet ghosts stampeded down the mountain in a frenzy. In less than a minute, they were all gone.
"Brother, we haven't offended you, have we? Why are you causing trouble?"
The Blue Wraith called Faceflayer spoke, and in a flash, I appeared right in front of them.
"Idiot, run!"
Faceflayer shoved Derek Lee aside. In a flash, I slashed down, splitting Faceflayer in two. He whimpered, dissolving into green light that vanished before me.
I slowly raised my left hand, aiming Hell's Sentinel to the left. A burst of green light flared.
Tell me—why do you collect human faces?
At that moment, I stared in shock as Faceflayer transformed, becoming a beautiful woman who shrieked in a piercing voice.
Brother, you walk your sunny road, I cross my single-plank bridge. As ghosts, we shouldn't go too far—everyone just wants a bite to eat.
Is it the Immortality Society?
I spoke each word deliberately. In an instant, Deathbane Aura surged from me like a waterfall, roaring in my ears. My five ghost souls appeared at my side—except for the Desire Ghost and Yin Ghost, the other three looked identical.
Oh, brother, you know about them.
Suddenly, everything beside Faceflayer began to freeze. He instantly turned into a cloud of green mist, but my Hell's Sentinel had already pierced his chest.
Faceflayer stared at me in disbelief.
How did you do it so fast?
Then he turned into green mist again. I still couldn't locate his main ghost soul. The two ghost souls I'd slain were just duplicates.
Then Faceflayer appeared again—this time, as a young, handsome man.
Are all those faces you've collected attached to your ghost souls?
I asked, and Faceflayer laughed.
I've done business with the Immortality Society, that's true. Brother, as ghosts, we shouldn't go too far. Whatever grudge you have with them, it's not my problem, right?
Faceflayer said, and I smiled.
Then can you tell me what kind of deal you made with them?
Well, business is business. Brother, a businessman must keep his word.
I smiled, placing my right hand on the thing wrapped in black energy on my back.
Then I'll have to rely on strength.
Brother, I know you're strong, but if it comes down to a real fight, I'd have the upper hand. But I don't want to risk my life against you—there's another powerful figure here, you sense her, right? In two days, it's her day to rise.
As soon as Faceflayer finished speaking, a cloud of green mist surged up from beneath the dead tree. I heard the mournful, lingering whispers of a woman. Gradually, I saw her—a figure in tattered clothes, her right side exposed, all white bone. Her face was half human, half bone.
Lady Bone Wraith...
I muttered quietly, glancing over—it really was Lady Bone Wraith. I'd seen her before, in Ouyang Meng's dream.
"Oh, after all these years, someone still recognizes me?"
"Ah, Lady, your day to rise is still two days away—why have you come out?"
Derek Lee shouted loudly, and just then, Lady Bone Wraith floated before me. The Wraith zipped into my body, while the other four ghost souls stood guard—I didn't want what happened here to be exposed.
"Oh, you carry resentment in your body, just like mine—though mine is much stronger."
Lady Bone Wraith spoke, drifting closer and beckoning. Faceflayer flew over at her call.
"Child, if you plan to seize it by force, you'd better give up that thought."
I nodded, knowing full well I wasn't Lady Bone Wraith's match. She used to be Three-Eyes' leader and was formidable—even Ouyang Meng couldn't defeat her, unless Three-Eyes was present.
So tell me, what will it take for you to tell me?
Lady Bone Wraith raised her bony right hand, the joints creaking as she lightly rested it under her chin, and laughed with a chilling edge.
Naturally, there's an appropriate price to buy our information. That's not unreasonable, is it, child?
I nodded, then spoke.
Name your price.
Suddenly, Lady Bone Wraith waved her hand, and a barrier of resentment rose behind her, instantly isolating Faceflayer and Derek Lee outside.
How are Ethan Zhang and Ouyang Meng?
I looked at Lady Bone Wraith in surprise.
Same as always. So, what's your condition?
Help me find Three-Eyes. I have something I need to ask him.
Three-Eyes has been jointly sealed by the Immortality Society and the Ghost Burial Squad. How can I find him so quickly?
You don't have to find him right away. Just notify me as soon as you do.
I looked at Lady Bone Wraith and nodded.