As long as you have the courage, fierce ghosts go on maternity leave.

Chapter 212: Anlan’s Banquet

The hints given in the thrilling scenario indicate that there is an initial advantage after choosing a faction. The assistance given by the two powerful Ghost Princes undoubtedly surpasses that of the last Anlan Ghost General.

If Alexander cannot find the so-called fourth faction, it’s obvious that the other two factions will have an even greater advantage. Even if Alexander does find the fourth faction, having received initial help will naturally give them a head start over others, after the group had made their selections.

"In the choice of factions, the most powerful and popular is clearly the Hurricane Ghost Prince, since he provides the greatest initial advantage.

Next is the hot-tempered HongMu Ghost Prince; as a Ghost Prince with a bad temper, it’s easy to see that he would be more dangerous. The weakest, Ghost General Anlan, ends up being chosen by those who were slow to decide.

"Unlucky kids," Alexander said, shaking his head sympathetically at those who had chosen the left chamber.

"Why are they unlucky? You said we should choose the fourth faction in the end, so the initial choice doesn’t really matter. Plus, there’s an initial advantage this time! If I weren’t too slow, I would’ve definitely picked the Hurricane Ghost Prince.

Even if we have to rebel later, killing a Ghost Prince would surely be more rewarding than killing a Ghost General, wouldn’t it?" Gimel, who was closest to Alexander, asked, puzzled by his sigh.

"So, you guys don’t pay attention to the scenario hints? Do you remember the introduction of the Hurricane Ghost Prince?"

"I do," Gimel nodded. "Left chamber, eldest son, Hurricane Ghost Prince, has a wind talent, outwardly refined, likes men?"

Suddenly, it clicked for Gimel. "That was close. Had I picked the left chamber, I would have been in trouble."

Reminded by Alexander, the group quickened their pace, a sense of dread filling their hearts. Soon, another hint from the thrilling scenario rang out:

"Congratulations to those who have successfully chosen the Young Mistress’s faction. A banquet is being held by the Young Mistress. Please mingle according to your status. After the banquet, the official heir competition will begin."

"Esteemed participant Alexander, you are attending the Young Mistress’s banquet as an honored guest."

"Participant hint: The three heirs are unaware of the imminent heir trials, let alone the content of these trials. So, please be careful not to offend them before the competition starts."

"Participant hint: You are considered a surprise guest of the City Lord’s Mansion. You will be provided with a special item, a Guest Mask, which will greatly assist your plans."

Guest Mask

Tier: None

Description: A special item created for the banquet, will disappear after 12 hours.

Attributes: Conceals face, alters aura, can mimic the aura of a prince at its strongest.

As the hints resounded, a cat-face mask appeared in Alexander’s hand.

The attire of the ten individuals who entered the side chamber changed rapidly. Bartenders, waitstaff, cleaners, security guards...

Only Alexander was there, attired in a stunning black tailcoat with a long train that swept the floor. Complementing the look were polished leather shoes, a crisp white shirt, and an elegant black belt.

The outfit was eerily familiar, especially the blood-red skull pin adorning his chest. The only difference was that instead of sunglasses, he wore a feline mask, adding an additional layer of mystique to his appearance.

The surprise guest of the lord’s mansion turned out to be none other than Edward.

"Mr. Edward, you’ve finally arrived! Miss Anlan has been waiting for you in the hall for quite some time," said a provocatively dressed female ghost, wearing bunny ears, as she emerged from the hall.

Upon seeing Alexander, she approached respectfully and said, "Mr. Edward, you are the surprise guest Miss Anlan has painstakingly invited. Apart from her and me, no one knows your true identity. Please be sure not to reveal it until you are introduced on the center stage later.

Miss Anlan has promised you’ll be well taken care of. Any lady in the ballroom tonight can stay if you like her. Miss Anlan herself will lead them in attending to your every need."

"How open-minded this Edward is," thought Alexander, his eyebrows slightly raised.

Impersonating other ghosts might have been a challenge for Alexander due to his unfamiliarity with them. But mimicking Edward was easy—all he had to do was be endlessly boastful.

Turning slightly, Alexander stared emotionlessly at the bunny-eared woman and coolly asked, "Are you telling me what to do?"

"No... of course not!" The bunny-eared woman took a step back, clearly intimidated by Alexander’s imposing presence.

Beneath his golden feline mask, the corners of Alexander’s mouth lifted at a 45-degree angle. Using his index finger, he gently lifted her chin and leaned closer, "Just joking. Don’t be so tense; I’m quite easygoing. Those who found me difficult are... no longer around. What do you say?"

"Absolutely, Your Highness, the Ghost King! You’re most gracious!" The bunny-eared woman nodded repeatedly.

With a flourish, Alexander swept his tailcoat behind him and strode into the banquet hall, leaving behind the echoing words, "Tell Miss Anlan, I don’t make choices. I want it all."

It wasn’t until Alexander had disappeared into the ballroom that the bunny-eared woman snapped back to reality. Her legs wobbled, and she almost collapsed, shivering as she watched Alexander’s retreating figure.

"So that’s Edward, the Ghost King? He’s so charismatic, so dominant. I like him so much! I have to change; I’m sweating through my clothes!"Flushed and shaky, she staggered off toward the restroom.

Behind her, Gimel looked at his own waiter’s uniform, holding a fruit platter in his hands. Elsewhere were bartenders, janitors, and provocatively dressed bunny-eared women.

They were all chosen ones, the best among Earth’s chosen, yet Alexander’s treatment was exceptionally superior.

As for Alexander, he strode into the hall and was taken aback when he saw the scene inside. This ghost named Anlan really knows how to throw a party.

Dim red lights flickered throughout the room, where scantily clad dancers with bunny ears and long, flowing hair were gyrating in the dance pool. In the center of the dance pool was a voluptuous woman in black leather, doing a fiery dance on a pole.

Instead of hair, she had green and black-spotted little snakes on her head, writhing and flicking their tongues in the air, looking both terrifying and seductively different in the dim environment.

That wasn’t all; around the dance pool were eight large round tables filled with various dishes. On them danced either voluptuous or sweet-looking young girls, no older than sixteen or seventeen at the time of their deaths.

Some wore revealing outfits while others wore innocent white stockings and princess dresses. Dancing either sultry or cute dances, their nimble feet maneuvered effortlessly around the dishes on the tables, as if they had eyes of their own.

A group of female ghosts, elegantly dressed with stunning beauty, gracefully sat at the dining table. But it wasn’t just female ghosts; next to some of them sat male ghosts who were either ruggedly built or strikingly handsome.

At the center sat an incredibly beautiful female ghost, who appeared young, wore a seductive cheongsam, black stockings, and purple high heels.

To her left was a bare-chested, muscular male ghost, and to her right... a familiar face: Soren.

Looking uneasy and somewhat reluctant, he flinched backward whenever the beautiful female ghost beside him touched his leg or torso, provoking laughter from the other female ghosts at the table.

"Sister Anlan, where did you find such an entertaining male companion? Would you mind lending him to me for a few days?" one asked.

"Of course, we sisters share the good things in life! By the way, how do you maintain such beautiful skin? You look better and better," replied Anlan, the stunning female ghost seated between two male ghosts.

Leaning over Soren, Anlan’s slender fingers traced the milky-white skin of another female ghost next to her, as she snugly pressed herself against Soren’s thigh. Soren quickly moved away, blushing, which resulted in giggles from the table of female ghosts.

Alexander frowned and stepped forward. "Soren, aren’t you a member of the Fierce Ghosts Association? What are you doing here?"

"I...," Soren, noticing someone calling his name, stood up abruptly, nervously saying, "I was just passing by the Lord’s mansion and was forcibly brought in!"

"Who dares to disturb my feast?" Anlan snapped to her feet, turning around. Upon seeing Alexander’s attire, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "Sir, you’ve finally arrived! I thought my heart would break waiting for you!"

Though wearing a mask, Alexander’s outfit was indistinguishable from Edward’s, who had recently been promoted to Ghost King due to his victories in the Fierce Ghost street fights. Edward was now a favored person in the mansion, so nobody suspected an impostor, and they immediately assumed Alexander’s identity.

Unaware of the imminent contest for the heir’s position, Anlan favored Edward for his elegance and current favor in the mansion. Wrapping her arm around Alexander’s, she pressed herself tightly against him, as if her bones had melted away, longing to collapse into his arms.

The eyes of the other female ghosts at the feast turned toward Alexander.

"Is that Ghost King Edward? Truly extraordinary! I can hardly contain myself just from one glance!"

"You floozy! Do you think you’re worthy of ogling Lord Edward? Come here, my lord, my pair of stockings legs can perfectly serve as your chair!"

Idle chatter filled the banquet hall.

Alexander’s expression was placid as he pulled a pack of King-Grade Ghost Cigarettes from his breast pocket. With a flick of his fingers, a cigarette flew dramatically from the pack, landing perfectly between his lips.

This was a reward he had earned from grinding through hundreds of instances. Although most of the rewards were trivial trinkets, quantity had its quality. Among the loot, he’d found this pack of King-Grade Ghost Cigarettes.

Ghost Cigarette

Rank: Ghost King

Description: Feisal, one of the Seven Sage Kings of the Abyssal Hell, had an insatiable craving for smoking. He tried to create the ultimate ghostly cigarette using the blood of the Ghost Emperor and countless precious materials but accidentally stumbled upon the formula for these King-Grade Ghost Cigarettes.

Attributes: Smoking it will cause one’s ghostly essence to boil, temporarily boosting all ghost abilities and further enhancing their special traits.

Unquestionably, this was the ultimate item for showing off. Sure enough, the eyes of the surrounding female ghosts filled with heart emojis.

"Mr. Edward, allow Anlan to light your cigarette for you!" Anlan’s body grew softer. Her red lips came close to Alexander, the ethereal fire around her lips lighting the cigarette clenched in his mouth.

Taking a puff, Alexander noticed that Anlan didn’t flinch. With an indifferent expression, he blew a smoke ring onto her pretty face.

Anlan seemed not to mind; instead, she inhaled deeply, looking utterly pleased.

The female ghosts around them looked on with envy and admiration.

"This Anlan really is as promiscuous as her profile suggested," Alexander mused, showing no sign of it on his face.

Gently pushing Anlan away, he pointed at Soren nearby. "Who brought him? Don’t you know I’m a high-ranking member of the Fierce Ghost Association?"

"Don’t be angry, sir!" Anlan quickly responded. "I brought him in forcibly, but he was crying at the time, so we didn’t know he’s a member of the Fierce Ghost Association!"

"If it was Miss Anlan who brought him, then I won’t blame you," Alexander nodded and said, "Let him go. Do not harm members of the Fierce Ghost Association in the future, or I won’t be pleased."

"Edward, who do you think you are? Just because you’ve cozied up to Louis, don’t forget you’re in the presence of the City Lord’s daughter!"

Before Anlan could speak, the muscular man sitting next to her slammed the table, materializing a large cleaving blade in his hand and pointing it angrily at Alexander.

"Oh?" Alexander’s lips curled slightly. "You want to fight me? I bet your blade isn’t sharp enough. Believe it or not?"

"What does it matter? I am Miss Anlan’s male pet!" The muscular man’s eyes remained fierce, showing no signs of backing down.

He didn’t actually intend to fight Alexander; he was just Anlan’s male pet, a mere soldier ghost.

But Alexander was masquerading as the Ghost King Edward. The man was just displaying his loyalty, doubting Alexander would dare act here.

Clearly, he bet wrongly. And the stake was his life!