The phantom retracted its tendrils, ceasing its absorption of energy from the female supreme's heart.
Its eyes, a deep, eerie green, fixed on the heart as it turned black, and it let out a wild laugh.
The blackened heart pulsed with incredibly terrifying energy fluctuations, containing unimaginable power. If it could be refined and integrated into its own body, the benefits would be immense.
It could ascend to immortality in a single step, or even reach higher realms.
However, the female supreme was still alive. To completely devour the heart, the female supreme had to die.
But to kill the female supreme, the phantom was not confident in a direct confrontation. The safest method was to destroy the heart and make her perish.
Now, the phantom faced two choices.
One was to immediately drain the energy contained within the heart, gaining temporary benefits.
The other was to find a way to devour the heart and claim it as its own, obtaining endless advantages.
Without much deliberation, its appetite immense, the phantom chose the second option.
"Blackened heart, containing infinite energy, you will be mine before long."
The phantom laughed wildly again.
Once it refined the female supreme's heart, it would be the most powerful being in existence. The Ghost Realm would be its, the Xuanling Realm would also be its, and the Demon Realm would belong to it in the future.
Unifying the three realms was within reach.
Therefore, the next step was to find a way to eliminate the female supreme.
But before that, it had to clear the last obstacle.
Just then, a voice drifted from afar.
"Phantom, what are you laughing about?"
The last obstacle had arrived, the strongest of the four titans, Ghost Fire.
The phantom immediately hid the crystal box containing the female supreme's heart. It absolutely could not let Ghost Fire discover the heart's blackening.
It gazed at the drifting Ghost Fire, a hint of solemnity flashing in its eyes.
The layers of barriers set outside the cave had failed to stop Ghost Fire; this fellow was indeed very strong.
"I just heard about Golden Skeleton's crushing defeat, being dismantled by humans until only a head remained, and couldn't help but laugh. From now on, Ghost Fire boss, you'll be in charge of the Ghost Realm."
The phantom was skilled at disguise, maintaining a submissive posture before Ghost Fire, willingly placing itself below him.
But in its heart, it was plotting how to kill Ghost Fire.
Ghost Fire was not so easily fooled. It said indifferently, "I'm in charge? Are you content to be beneath me, with no ambitions of your own?"
Having just heard the phantom's extremely arrogant laughter, how could such a personality yield so easily to others?
"Boss Ghost Fire worries too much. I know my place. I know you've been hiding your strength, unfathomably deep, and I am no match for you. In the cultivation world, the strong are revered. I am truly convinced by you."
The phantom spewed more lies, flattering Ghost Fire to deceive it.
And surprisingly, Ghost Fire did enjoy hearing such words.
The main reason was its immense confidence in its own strength. As an anomalous fire, it was virtually immortal and had nothing to fear.
Ghost Fire showed a look of "you're wise to know your place" and said, "I won't treat you unfairly. As long as we brothers work together, the three realms will fall into our hands."
The phantom nodded and continued to utter words of praise, making Ghost Fire ecstatic.
"Let the female supreme take action. I've learned about the situation from Golden Skeleton. That human is not simple; his strength is immense. He dismantled Golden Skeleton's body with his bare hands."
Ghost Fire revealed the purpose of its visit, intending to use the female supreme to deal with Ji Mo.
Although it was arrogant, it was not foolish. Before understanding Ji Mo's true strength, it would not act rashly.
Using the female supreme was the best and most stable method.
The phantom naturally refused. The female supreme was currently undergoing blackening and could not be affected.
It spoke up to persuade, "Boss Ghost Fire, I think it's time for you to display your invincible strength. You've been too low-key all along; many beings in the three realms don't know your name. You will be the overlord unifying the three realms in the future. It's time for the world to know your might."
"Hmm, you speak very reasonably. It is indeed time for the entire world to know my might."
Ghost Fire was stirred by the phantom's words, feeling that it had indeed been too low-key before.
Since it was going to unify the three realms, it could no longer be low-key. It had to let the world know its true strength, making all beings prostrate and worship its invincible might.
"I'll go and kill that guy named Ji right now, and clear out those flies in the Southern Domain."
A sky-piercing killing intent erupted from Ghost Fire, revealing an aura of disdain for all under heaven.
Its heart surged with emotion, and it immediately set off to deal with Ji Mo.
After Ghost Fire left, the phantom revealed a disdainful smile. In terms of schemes, everyone else was just a weakling.
"While Ghost Fire is dealing with that Ji Mo, it's my time to make a fortune in silence and reap the rewards."
The phantom already had a complete plan in mind, aiming to become immensely powerful, capable of surpassing Ghost Fire and rivaling the female supreme.
Subsequently.
It began to act, returning to the Ghost Realm and heading for the vampire's lair.
The ancient castle was gloomy, with countless bats circling the perimeter, guarding the place impenetrably.
But with the phantom's status, it naturally had unimpeded passage and was led into the castle's underground palace.
The old vampire Adman lay in a blood-colored coffin. His condition had recovered considerably, and he had regrown a physical body.
The blood coffin was interwoven with runes, and immortal spiritual energy permeated it, exuding an extraordinary aura. It was an immortal artifact.
"Why are you here? How is that guy named Ji? Did you kill him?"
When mentioning Ji Mo, Adman gnashed his teeth, his face contorted with anger.
The phantom meticulously observed Adman, revealing a chilling smile. "He's not dead. That human is very strong; even Golden Skeleton fell. Don't worry, I will avenge you, but I'll need to borrow some of your things."
"You're eyeing my immortal coffin? This is my life-saving item, I can't lend it to you."
Adman flatly refused, believing the other party coveted his precious coffin.
He still needed the blood coffin to recuperate and would not lend it out.
Moreover, the phantom's gaze made him feel uneasy; this fellow was definitely harboring ill intentions and was not well-meaning.
"The immortal coffin, I want it. And you, I want you too."
The phantom finally stopped hiding, revealing its wicked countenance.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Adman was not afraid and sneered, "Don't think I'll let you slaughter me just because I'm injured. This is my lair, and with the immortal coffin, I'm not afraid of you. If it comes to a life-or-death battle, you might not be able to leave my castle."
"Based on you?"
The phantom wore a confident expression and reminded him, "After all this time, haven't you felt anything amiss with your body?"
Adman's face changed drastically. Just as he was about to examine his body, he felt a surge of evil energy erupt within his blood, immobilizing him.
It turned out that when he had fled back from Ji Mo last time, the phantom had secretly tampered with him.
Now, unable to move, he was like a fish on a chopping block.
"This is a unique sorcery of the Netherworld Clan? Who exactly are you..."
Adman's blood-red eyes stared fixedly at the phantom, flames of rage burning within them.
He couldn't understand why the phantom knew the Netherworld Clan's sorcery, unless this fellow's true identity was an evil being of the Netherworld.
"Dead people don't need to know so much."
The phantom's face was cold as it extended countless tendrils, piercing Adman's body and beginning to devour him.
Half a day later, it left the underground palace, reminding the servants in the ancient castle that Adman was in seclusion and no one was to disturb him, then left with a smile.
No one knew that only a mangled corpse remained in the underground palace, and the immortal coffin had also disappeared.
"Golden Skeleton, the next victim will be you."
The phantom headed towards the territory of the Skeleton Clan.