"Xiao Qi, don't just eat vegetables, have some ribs too!" Aunt picked up a piece of rib and placed it into Lin Qi's bowl.Lin Qi smiled, "Thank you, Aunt.""Today's a great day; eat more! Don't hold back on Aunt's account!""Got it, Aunt. Ah Jin, you eat more too. You're still growing, you know... Ah Jin? Ah Jin!"Lin Qi called twice, looking at Yang Jin, who seemed to be lost in thought."Huh? Oh, I'm eating!" Yang Jin snapped out of it, scratching his head."This kid, what's he daydreaming about? Picky about food now? Not even eating meat?" Aunt glared at Yang Jin, adding a few more pieces of meat to his bowl."Ah Jin's probably stressed out about homework." Lin Qi chuckled, picking up the bone he'd just gnawed clean. He glanced around the room, his face showing a trace of confusion.Aunt seemed to realize something as well and asked, "Strange, where's Xiao Hei Lai? That little dog is usually so eager during meals, but now that there are bones, it's nowhere to be seen?"As if hearing its name, Xiao Hei Lai poked its head out from the balcony and barked once."Woof—!"Lin Qi waved the bone in the air, signaling Xiao Hei Lai to come over. But instead of rushing over as usual, the dog alternated between looking at the bone and gazing outside, appearing conflicted."What's gotten into this little guy today?" Aunt muttered suspiciously.Lin Qi hesitated, then stood up with the bone, walked to the balcony, and gently patted Xiao Hei Lai's head."What's wrong? Hmm? Is there something outside?"He dropped the bone on the floor. While Xiao Hei Lai chewed on it, Lin Qi stood up and peered out the window.The pitch-black night was filled with nothing but the torrential rain, endless and consuming.Even the distant residential buildings had gone dark, leaving the world eerily silent, as though only the relentless rain remained."Strange, there's nothing out there..."Lin Qi muttered to himself, just about to turn away when suddenly, a sound came from outside the window, like someone knocking.He turned back and spotted a small bat clinging to the window.The bat, seemingly drenched by the rain, kept bumping into the glass, as if seeking shelter.Lin Qi's eyes lit up.Come to think of it, he hadn't yet tested the ability given by the Starry Night Dancer to communicate with nocturnal creatures. Here was a bat—a perfect opportunity.So, Lin Qi stood silently by the window, gazing at the bat."Xiao Qi! What are you doing over there? Come back and eat! The food's getting cold." Aunt called out when she saw Lin Qi spacing out.But Lin Qi stood motionless, like a statue.Just as Aunt was about to say something else, Lin Qi suddenly turned around, his eyes trembling.He rushed to the door and slipped on his shoes."Xiao Qi, where are you going?""Just remembered something. I need to head out.""Are you crazy? It's dark out, and it's pouring rain. Why go out now?""It's important, very important!""What about your meal?""I'll eat when I get back!"Before Aunt could react, Lin Qi had already finished putting on his shoes, opened the door, and hurried out."Xiao Qi, wait! It's pouring outside. Take an umbrella at least!"But Lin Qi's footsteps were already fading down the stairs, leaving no response behind.Aunt sighed helplessly, returning to her seat with a heavy heart. Suddenly, the meal seemed less appetizing.Yang Jin, on the other hand, just sat there quietly, staring out at the rain, saying nothing.In the rain.Click. Click. Click.Zhao Kongcheng flicked his lighter a few times, but each spark was immediately snuffed out by the relentless rain.With a cigarette dangling from his lips, he sighed in frustration."What a lousy day...""Skreee—!!"Not far from him, the Ghostface King loomed like a devil in the rain, exuding an overwhelming sense of menace.The Ghostface King was vastly different from ordinary Ghostface creatures. It was at least twice their size, resembling a small mountain from a distance.Unlike the four-legged gait of regular Ghostfaces, the Ghostface King stood upright on two legs, its posture eerily human-like. But its pale ghostly face and blood-red tongue made it anything but human.Yet despite its fearsome appearance, the Ghostface King's body was covered in deep gashes, each wound etched into its flesh, dripping with blood.Zhao Kongcheng clicked his tongue as he surveyed the injuries."Captain really went all out... To injure it this badly, he must've been holding back during our sparring sessions. Even a 'Chuan'-level creature is a nightmare when wounded. I wonder how many moves I could last against it?"He muttered, gripping the hilt of the straight blade on his shoulder and slowly drawing it.The pale blue blade gleamed faintly as it sliced through the rain, emitting a soft hum.A downpour, a cigarette, a cloak, and a blade.The Ghostface King locked its blood-red eyes on Zhao Kongcheng, its tongue writhing in anticipation, hunger glinting in its gaze.In an instant, both of them sprang into motion.Zhao Kongcheng shot forward like an arrow, blade in hand, his eyes sharp and brimming with killing intent.He was fast, but the Ghostface King was faster.The monstrous figure plowed through the rain, its twisted face gleaming with manic glee as if it had found its prey.Clang! Clang! Clang!The moment their figures clashed, the sound of metal rang out, cutting through the downpour. Blade met claw, sparks flying with every collision.Zhao Kongcheng's three swift strikes aimed precisely at the Ghostface King's vital points, but each was blocked by the creature's superior speed.He only managed three strikes before the Ghostface King's immense strength sent him flying, crashing into the muddy ground.The disparity was clear.One was a 'Chuan'-level mythical creature, its power bolstered by a forbidden realm and monstrous physique.The other was a mere mortal, relying on skill and experience.Zhao Kongcheng spat out his now-soaked cigarette and grumbled as he climbed to his feet."Damn it, so what if you're a mythical creature? Think being stronger makes you special?"The Ghostface King roared in response, its thunderous voice echoing through the rain."Rooaarrr!!"As it roared, a giant, grotesque ghostly face began to form on the ground beneath it, radiating malice.Zhao Kongcheng's expression darkened instantly."Forbidden Ruin Sequence 176: [Ghostface Dominion]."