At night, Universal Temple loomed like a vast fortress in the darkness. The mountain was still teeming with people; crowds of pilgrims came every weekend, bowing every five steps, slowly making their way up the slope with devout reverence.
To many, Universal Temple is a spiritual sanctuary—a place of fortune. Countless worshippers believe that after offering incense here, their businesses prosper and their families become harmonious.
"It's really nothing like our Ghost Syndicate," Ghost Fiend Star muttered.
Ghost Fiend Star mumbled as we stepped onto the bustling street, having just finished dinner in H City. The air here felt remarkably pure. Most who came, as long as their hearts were sincere, could cleanse themselves of much of the filth clinging to them. With less corruption, their luck naturally flowed smoother.
That's why Universal Temple draws massive crowds year after year; every day, pilgrims from all over come to offer incense.
"Are Ghost Syndicate members still secretly selling ghosts these days?"
I asked. Ghost Fiend Star shook his head.
"I'm not really sure. Back then, our Ghost Syndicate's ghost-selling business was huge. Every ghost was refined on Ghost Tomb Mountain. But now, I don't really know."
As we spoke, we reached the long staircase. We hurried up and soon arrived at the grand plaza before Universal Temple. Even at this hour, the place was packed with pilgrims, many gathered beneath the temple's Buddha statues.
Universal Temple's main gate was wide open, with monks welcoming pilgrims. We walked straight in, and as we did, one monk in blue robes approached us.
"Please, this way, honored guests."
As expected, this monk could see Black Moon. I nodded, and we followed him, entering a bamboo-lined path on the right side of the temple's middle section.
"Master Ancestor is waiting for you. Please proceed on your own, honored guests."
I thanked him and hurried inside. Soon, we saw a small building, its door half open. I went straight in and climbed to the second floor, where, just as expected, Grandmaster Mingde sat quietly before a low table.
"Master."
I called softly. Grandmaster Mingde opened his eyes, but I saw that his gaze had lost its former brightness. His arm was empty, his frame thinner than before. I could sense his soul drifting toward death—he didn't have much time left.
"Benefactor Lan, on behalf of all of us in the Zen Order, I sincerely thank you."
Grandmaster Mingde rose to his feet, and I quickly supported him.
"Master, it's all right. I'm here this time because I want to go to Hidden Falls Temple."
Grandmaster Mingde nodded, understanding my purpose. He explained that Hidden Falls Temple was built long ago by the Zen Order to contain Deathbane Aura and protect the Living World. Every leader of the Zen Order would visit it once in their life, seeking guidance from Abbot Fortune.
Originally, that place was just a gathering ground for Deathbane Aura. Many who died with extreme Deathbane would end up there, causing the aura to accumulate.
Long ago, Abbot Fortune discovered the site and built a temple atop the Deathbane Aura. Monks chanted day and night, guiding the aura into the Buddha's world, preventing it from piling up and harming the Living World.
But things are different now. The path to that Deathbane space was severed when Abbot Fortune transformed into the Buddha Statue of Visions—the way in is gone.
"Didn't you leave any passage open?"
Black Moon asked. Grandmaster Mingde shook his head and explained: When the Wraithlord descended, Abbot Fortune became the Buddha Statue of Visions, cutting off the connection between that space and the Living World. This was to stop the Deathbane Aura from leaking out and being used by the Wraithlord.
Now, even though the Wraithlord is gone, there's no way back in.
"If Abbot Fortune could become the Buddha Statue of Visions, maybe some part of his mind remains. Grandmaster, why not bring out the statue and try?"
Ghost Fiend Star made the suggestion. I looked at Grandmaster Mingde, urgency in my eyes. He nodded and led us onward.
After leaving the small building, Grandmaster Mingde led us up a narrow mountain path. At the summit, I sensed a presence—Ghostworm. As we approached a row of cabins, Ghostworm emerged just as we arrived.
"What are you doing here, Rachel Lan?"
I ignored him. Grandmaster Mingde glanced at Ghostworm, telling him to return to his cabin and meditate, but Ghostworm still followed us. We passed the cabins and reached a mountain pass. From a distance, I sensed an incredibly pure power slumbering behind Universal Temple.
Beyond the pass, a pristine lake appeared before me. A crescent moon reflected on its shimmering surface, scattering points of light. The Buddha Statue of Visions rested within the lake.
Grandmaster Mingde walked to the shore, raised a hand in a Buddhist gesture, and began chanting. Golden light rippled across the water, followed by waves, and a golden sphere soared out from the lake.
"Benefactor Lan, this is Abbot Fortune's Buddha Statue of Visions."
I hummed in response. Though I could sense the statue's immense power, there was no trace of consciousness. I floated closer and unleashed the power of Coexistence.
But nothing happened—not even a whisper. This was just a vessel of pure Zen Order power, utterly devoid of consciousness.
It seemed finding the remaining ghosts would be nearly impossible. Deathbane Ghost was lost to the space of Hidden Falls Temple. With the Yin-Yang Realm gone, Curse Ghost and Thought Ghost were missing, Mourning Ghost had vanished, and only Spirit Snake and Desire Ghost remained within reach.
Just then, I sensed something strange. Instinctively, I looked at the Buddha Statue of Visions, reached out, and grasped it.
Suddenly, a black aura seeped from the statue. It quickly took shape—the power of darkness. I stared at the spreading blackness. Grandmaster Mingde looked on in shock.
"It's a shame. I can sense your presence because I once harbored this power within me. What are you planning?"
I demanded harshly. Three dark humanoid figures appeared, each with golden eyes—agents of The Dark Banquet. The once pristine lake erupted with black currents, rising slowly into the air.
I didn't recognize these three. They weren't the leaders of The Dark Banquet—their aura was different. Their ability to infiltrate the Buddha Statue of Visions shocked me. I'd heard stories about Ethan Zhang before, so maybe this was all reasonable. The brighter the light, the deeper the darkness. Light and dark are opposites, yet inevitably connected, their existence always relative.
"Benefactor Lan, perhaps this is the darkness within Abbot Fortune."
Grandmaster Mingde spoke from behind me. I nodded, but this darkness had already been exploited by The Dark Banquet's agents. For now, I didn't act—I wanted to keep watching.
"What are you trying to do?"
I asked, but the three figures didn't answer. Instead, they attacked, swords thrusting at me. With a thought, I unleashed the Corpse Shroud—every strike passed harmlessly through my phantom-like body.
As they attacked, I sensed the dense darkness within them. They couldn't touch me. I could easily destroy them, but I wanted to capture them—to learn The Dark Banquet's true purpose from their minds.
Realizing they couldn't win, the three agents dissolved into black mist and fled in different directions.
I closed my eyes. In an instant, a barrier rose around us. The three crashed into it and rebounded. I didn't know how I created the barrier, but I knew how to stop them.
"I swear, Rachel Lan, you're the strongest in this world now. Even The Dark Banquet and Emperor God are no match for you."
With Ghost Fiend Star behind me, I raised my hand and beams of white light pierced the agents' chests, pinning them to the mountainside. They couldn't move. White patterns spread over the rock like vines, connecting to the pristine lake below.
I stared in disbelief at my hands. I'd only thought about how to restrain them, and my body acted on its own. Now the three were completely immobilized. Applause rang out below—Black Moon's crescent eyes trembled with excitement.
"No wonder you're the boss's woman. Your talent is extraordinary."
I turned and glared at Black Moon. He quickly waved his hands in surrender. I dropped back down.
"What exactly are you planning? If you don't answer, I'll trap you here—forever."
I threatened them. The middle agent's eyes flickered with emotion.
"We're only transmitting everything we see here back to the darkness. Rachel Lan, let us go."
I stared in surprise at the agent—they actually knew who I was.
"That's right, Rachel Lan. We're just following orders to transmit everything we see back to the street."