Jay looked at the vanishing silhouette of the Ghost King in front of him, his eyes devoid of any emotion. His cold voice broke the silence:
"You're strong, but we are not weak."
He stepped forward, his gaze as cold as ice, piercing through the Ghost King's fading figure.
"Since you had plans to attack us, be prepared to be wiped out at any moment."
The Ghost King's figure gradually blurred, and an suffocating coldness lingered in the air. Jay continued, "You've lived for a hundred years, you should be content."
His tone was emotionless, as if he were stating the inevitable outcome.
The Ghost King's illusion finally began to collapse, slowly being devoured by the endless darkness, as though it had never existed. Its roar and resentment had long since vanished with the wind, leaving only the silent street and the faint sound of the breeze.
Jay stood there, his gaze coldly sweeping over the dissipating figure of the Ghost King, as if reflecting on a victory he had already foreseen. He turned and glanced at Virk, his eyes filled with a silent affirmation. Although Virk was covered in wounds, he still stood firmly, the exhaustion on his face instantly dissipated by Jay's gaze.
"Good job," Jay's voice remained calm, but the gratitude within it was undeniable. "Rest well." He knew that both Virk and himself had paid a great price.
Jay turned and cast a glance at Ares and Adam.
Both had given their all in the recent battle. Though no words were exchanged, their eyes conveyed an unspoken understanding and fatigue.
"You've worked hard too, take a rest."
He nodded slightly, his words carrying a hint of concern, but more than that, they were filled with calm and rationality.
Ares and Adam exchanged glances. Though no more words were spoken between them, the fatigue and gratitude in each other's eyes were enough to communicate everything. They understood that victory was hard-earned, and this brief rest might be the only comfort they could find.
Jay let out a soft sigh and turned his gaze toward the end of Youfeng Street. It had once been the epicenter of the battle, but now the air was filled with the peace that follows a victory. He turned and, with Virk by his side, began walking down the familiar street. The lights along the street gradually dimmed, as if bidding them farewell.
"Let's go," Jay's voice echoed in the quiet of Youfeng Street, sounding especially cold. Virk followed behind, silently.
The two figures gradually disappeared around the corner of the street, fading into the night. Jay did not look back, for he knew the road ahead was still long, and the battle had only just begun. And they, were destined to walk even further.
On the outskirts of Youfeng Street, a lone ancient white birch tree stood quietly, its trunk sturdy and its branches lush, as though it had been guarding this land for many years.
The night breeze gently blew, carrying a slight chill, yet it couldn't soothe the mysterious aura emanating from the figure standing beneath the tree.
The person was dressed in a dark cloak, his face hidden in the shadows, only faint light outlining his solitary yet imposing silhouette.
He stood atop a tree branch, his gaze deep, as if he had already seen through all the distant conflicts and changes. By now, Jay and Virk's figures had disappeared at the end of the street, yet the figure remained still, silently watching their departure.
He quietly murmured, as if speaking to himself or communicating with the air around him:
"Shenwu spirit Aries, truly formidable. As a combat-type guardian spirit, the power and strength he demonstrated are certainly noteworthy."
His voice was low, carrying an indescribable meaning, yet his eyes remained fixed on the distance.
Next, his gaze shifted to another participant in the battle—Adam. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a subtle, cold sneer:
"That Adam, though a human martial spirit, has managed to stand out among human martial spirits, marking him as a top-tier existence. His strength should not be underestimated."
He nodded lightly, as if acknowledging Adam's power to some extent, though there was an air of playful amusement in his demeanor.
He stood high, atop the branch of the white birch tree, observing the two figures gradually fading into the distance. Time seemed to freeze at this moment, the surrounding wind holding its breath as though waiting for him to continue his thoughts.
"But..." His eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing through the night sky, as if trying to see through everything.
"Perhaps someday in the future, they will become either a threat or an ally. But for now, clearly, they are still far from it." His voice grew deeper, laced with a sense of doubt and disdain.
In his words, it was clear he viewed Jay, Virk, and even Aries and Adam with indifference. In his eyes, their strength was nowhere near enough to pose a threat to his plans.
He turned, his movements graceful like a dancer, yet brimming with murderous intent.
His aura began to subtly shift, and the powerful pressure that had never been shown before quietly surged, causing the air around him to feel heavy and oppressive.
"However... that is precisely what makes it interesting."
He smiled faintly, a glint of coldness and contemplation flashing in his eyes. "If they can grow, they might become pawns worth nurturing. If not, they will be mere pawns destined to fade away."
"Still... for now, I should focus on the [Fallen Organization] first. Those guys..." He sighed.
"Those guys are no weaklings. The current state of this spirit domain is becoming increasingly unclear."
He stood there quietly for a moment before vanishing into the night, leaving behind the lonely white birch tree and the faint lingering aura in the air. No one knew his name, nor the power he held behind him.
Jay and Virk were unaware that someone was silently observing their every move from behind.
Their steps remained firm as they continued their journey to the next destination.
Although the road ahead was filled with uncertainty and danger, they traversed this beautiful yet perilous spirit domain, sharing an unspoken bond of understanding between them.
The beauty of the spirit domain was starkly different from the world they knew. The sky often displayed unreal colors, with violet sunsets and golden glows intertwining, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
White clouds floated like cotton, resembling a painting meticulously crafted by an artist, graceful and ethereal. With every step, it felt as if they were treading on soft beams of light, the air infused with the scent of fresh grass and the distant aroma of flowing rivers.
Along the way, strange trees stood tall, their trunks ancient and resilient, with branches swaying gently in the wind, producing a rustling sound as if whispering secrets.
The leaves shimmered with silver and blue, as if imbued with magical powers. Occasionally, transparent petals fluttered through the air like the dance of fairies—graceful and beautiful.
"To be honest, the scenery here in the spirit domain is quite beautiful. It's almost like a dream, far more stunning than the world of ordinary people," Jay remarked, his gaze turned towards the distance, his eyes reflecting a hint of admiration. "But at the same time, it's much more brutal." His tone grew slightly heavier, as if the beauty of the surface hid unavoidable dangers and unspoken cruelty beneath.
Virk, listening to Jay's words, nodded slightly, walking silently beside him. His eyes followed Jay's lead, gazing at the mesmerizing scenery around them.
Though the surrounding landscape was breathtaking, it did little to mask the ominous aura of the spirit domain. Here, besides the spirit-bonded humans like them, there were also the undead and the native inhabitants of the domain—mysterious and dangerous beings.
"True," Virk finally spoke, his voice deep with thought. "The spirit domain isn't just the world of us spirit-bonded humans. It's also home to the undead and the native inhabitants. The undead often carry a deep sadness, while the natives consider this their home. They're far more gentle than we might expect, but the current chaos has disrupted the region too much. The Domain Spirit City is having a hard time keeping things under control, though it isn't that severe for now."
Jay and Virk did not stop walking. They passed through an enchanting meadow, where the flowers seemed to never wilt. Vibrantly colored blooms swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze.
On the edge of the meadow, a clear river flowed peacefully, its surface reflecting the surrounding beauty like a flawless mirror. The river shimmered like sapphire, with ripples glistening on the surface. Occasionally, colorful spirit fish leaped through the water, their delicate bodies blending seamlessly with the liquid.
Yet, all the beauty and tranquility did not entirely obscure the danger of the spirit domain. Behind those seemingly peaceful scenes, powerful forces and unknown fears lay in wait. Jay and Virk both understood that despite the allure of the world around them, every cloud, tree, and drop of water here could potentially be a source of danger. The beauty of the spirit domain was like a double-edged sword—enticing, yet capable of swallowing anyone who was not careful.
"You're right," Jay's voice carried a touch of wistfulness. "The beauty of the spirit domain really makes it hard to leave, but once you're entangled in it, it's impossible to escape."
They continued onward, passing through a bamboo forest. The towering bamboo stretched toward the clouds, their branches sharp like blades, emitting a faint greenish glow, as though a subtle power flowed through them.
Melodious flute music echoed through the bamboo grove, as if some mysterious being were playing ancient tunes, the melody distant and peaceful, soothing the soul.
However, Jay and Virk knew that behind this music, countless dangers could be lurking. Every corner of the spirit domain could be a trap set by enemies.
They moved forward, crossing a bioluminescent grassland. Every blade of grass glowed faintly like a star, giving the ground an otherworldly appearance, as if it were dotted with starlight.
The night sky had no moon, only countless shimmering stars that resembled countless eyes, silently watching over this world.
"The spirit domain is truly a place that makes you lose your way," Jay sighed softly, his gaze profound. "Whether it's the scenery or the seemingly harmless things, everything is full of the unknown."
Virk didn't respond, merely nodding as though he deeply understood Jay's feelings. For them, the spirit domain was both a sanctuary and a battlefield. Everything here was filled with temptation, yet also hidden with lethal threats.
The two continued their silent journey through this beautiful yet dangerous spirit domain, their figures slowly disappearing into the depths of the night.