"Rufina, that guy is really something." Rufina Howard muttered beside me. I nodded, glancing at the collapsed building on the right side of the street as Ironmask clapped his hands and laughed heartily.
Rufina Howard stared quietly at Ironmask.
"Just like you, Ethan—can't tell if he's human or ghost."
I nodded as Ironmask kept dancing with excitement.
"Ethan Zhang, did you see that? Did you see? Ha... This is the only thing you can rely on. There's nothing else. Nothing..."
Ironmask spoke, his tone dropping at the end, sounding a bit down. He squatted on the ground. Faced with his frequent rambling, I really didn't know how to communicate with him properly.
Rufina Howard walked over to the collapsed building, reached out a hand, and a faint blue glow flickered. She closed her eyes.
"What are you doing?"
I walked over and squatted in front of Rufina Howard, watching her movements. A pale blue light, like mist, spread from her outstretched hand, drifting outwards in all directions.
"Recording..."
As the two gentle words were uttered, Rufina Howard's other hand swept out, and the pale blue mist, floating above the ruins of the collapsed house, slowly receded toward the white folds, gradually disappearing into thin air.
"Alright, let's go, Ethan." Rufina Howard stood up and flashed me a faint smile as she headed for the steps.
"What are you doing?"
"Didn't I just say? Recording. Though I can't figure out what method Ironmask used, when I get back, I'll analyze it for you. Maybe you'll understand and learn to use his way of channeling energy. Ethan, you're a lot like him. If he can do it, so can you."
I nodded, stood up, and walked ahead to catch up with Ironmask, reaching out my hand.
"Get up, let's go. We don't have much time. I need your help."
Ironmask raised his head, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
"Ethan Zhang, you're really too weak. Why do you always rely on others so much..."
With a slap, Ironmask brushed my hand away and strode off down the street ahead, ignoring me.
Tonight, in Wraithhold, every household hangs a pair of large red lanterns at their doors. The city is ablaze with lights, yet the commotion Ironmask caused hasn't drawn the attention of nearby ghosts.
All the ghosts are immersed in the festive atmosphere of Lord Wraith's millennium birthday. The city is abuzz with rumors—tonight, Lord Wraith will be honored as Ghost Sovereign.
We walked through the alleys and main streets, heading for the long flight of steps where, every year, Lord Wraith would make his appearance. We had to get there and see what was happening.
Time ticked by, and it was already half past ten. Judging by the distance, we had about ten minutes before we could reach the street beside the steps.
Ironmask had quieted down, no longer noisy. Rufina Howard wore a solemn expression, and my own face felt tense. From nearby, waves of boisterous noise and music drifted over, mingling and overlapping.
After ten minutes, we reached a street packed with ghosts. At the entrance, tables and chairs were scattered along both sides of the avenue, and many ghosts were laughing and drinking.
We three slipped into a side alley on the left, looking around. I was a bit worried about Ironmask. He'd become withdrawn since earlier, muttering quietly to himself.
"Are you alright?" I asked, but Ironmask ignored me, continuing to mumble.
Nearby stood a five-story guesthouse, brightly lit but empty. It was just ten meters from the avenue. Rufina Howard and I exchanged glances, and the three of us entered the guesthouse.
On the fifth floor, I used my energy to pry open a hole in the roof. The three of us crawled up onto the rooftop.
From above, I looked out over both sides of the avenue—ghosts everywhere, gathered in groups around tables and benches.
On both sides of the avenue, every few meters stood a ghost soldier.
Looking eastward, I could see the procession of ghost brides had just passed halfway. It was already eleven o'clock; soon, they would reach the bottom of the steps, waiting for Lord Wraith's descent.
"What do we do when the time comes, Ethan? I don't see the others."
Rufina Howard asked, and I kept staring up at the steps, searching, but saw no sign of anyone.
As we spoke, twelve beams of light shot rapidly toward us from the edge of the sky. My heart skipped—it was the twelve Blue Wraiths. Meanwhile, changes appeared atop the steps.
A purple figure appeared at the far left of the top step, and a white figure at the right. I recognized them—Mia Lin on the left, Rachel Lan on the right.
The platform was a bit far; I couldn't see clearly and strained my neck.
"Can't you see, Ethan?"
I turned to see Ironmask, sitting beside me with a look of regret, gazing blankly at the steps.
"Can you see?"
Ironmask nodded. I glanced again at Rufina Howard; her eyes glimmered with a faint blue light, staring dazedly at the platform.
Suddenly, Ironmask reached out and placed a finger near my temple. I glanced sideways—waves of energy seeped out. Instantly, my vision sharpened, and the scene before me began to shift.
The first thing I saw was the north side of the avenue: a table laden with dishes, every detail visible, even the color of the soup and stray bits of garnish.
I turned my head, looking at the avenue. Black insects crawled in the cracks of the tiles; I could see several of them moving clearly.
There was no time for astonishment. I looked up at the sky—twelve green beams streaked overhead. I saw clearly: twelve Blue Wraiths, each wrapped in green light.
Abruptly, Ironmask withdrew his finger. My vision returned to normal; the twelve beams now showed no figures, just light descending at the foot of the steps.
Ironmask placed his finger again, smiling at me.
I saw Rachel Lan and Mia Lin, both standing at the steps, their faces expressionless, eyes vacant. I grew anxious.
After the twelve Blue Wraiths landed, one—the old ghost with a wok on his back—held a delicate little brocade box.
"Everyone, quiet down."
The old ghost's voice rang out like a bell, instantly silencing all the noise.
I saw, near the steps, two large tables surrounded by ghosts in fine clothing, followed by their retinues. Among them was Ma Tao, the limping Blue Wraith, seated at the back. On the north and south sides, dozens more Blue Wraiths watched.
Unease crept into my heart.
"Listen up, everyone. Today is Lord Wraith's millennium birthday, but humans have snuck in, trying to cause trouble. We've already caught a few. Guests, enjoy the show—consider it the opening ceremony. Soon, these captured humans will be yours to feast upon."
As the old ghost finished, the nearby ghosts cheered.
Suddenly, the limping Blue Wraith stepped forward, took a deep swig, and with a shout, tore open the air, revealing a massive iron cage.
I stood up cautiously. Hugh Thompson, Mason Yu, Justin Huang, and my cousin were locked inside, looking unharmed. Justin Huang had regained consciousness. The surrounding ghosts stared hungrily at the four prisoners.
"Where's Xuexiu?" I asked.
Rufina Howard shook her head.
"That girl got separated from us after the fight up north. No idea where she went."
I grew worried. Ironmask kept smiling.
Suddenly, the old ghost flew to the top of the cage, smiling as he set down the box.
"Tonight, I present a treasure for everyone to admire."
With those words, the old ghost opened the box, lifting the lid. Inside, on a soft yellow cloth, sat a fist-sized, golden orb—its surface rough and uneven.
"Excuse me, Elder Mortimer, what is this?" Ma Tao stood up, cupping his hands respectfully.
"Has anyone here ever heard of the Buddha Statue of Visions?"
My heart skipped. Staring at the golden, fist-sized object, I realized—it was the Buddha Statue of Visions, the legendary treasure of the Renegade Monks, now in Lord Wraith's possession.
"About a century ago, Lord Wraith encountered a monk. After countless battles, the monk perished, and our lord claimed this treasure."
"Amazing, truly amazing..."
I saw many Blue Wraiths giving enthusiastic thumbs up, faces filled with admiration.
"Alright, everyone, it's almost time. Soon, Lord Wraith's millennium birthday begins. Tonight, you may enjoy the Rakshasa Fruit. By tomorrow, we'll all be one family, thriving under Lord Wraith's rule. Tonight, our lord will ascend as the eighth Ghost Sovereign."