Changes in the Second-Layer Ghost Lake: Mimicry

The noise behind them grew louder.

Li Dan looked back and could now make out its shape. It was as big as a calf and wore the Black-Clothed Bride's wedding dress, though the dress had been dyed pitch-black. Its torn hem fluttered like a ragged banner, shedding charred scraps with every step.

The Black Forest Spirit was not fast, but even after nearly three minutes in the Dark Dimension, the distance between them had not closed.

Li Dan had no intention of waiting to be caught. His body grew damp, and water from the Ghost Lake ran down his legs. In the blink of an eye, puddles half a meter wide gathered beneath his feet, their surfaces glowing a sickly blue-gray, like dead fish.

The Fire-Faced Demon pressed a hoof into a puddle. The instant its scarlet flames touched the blue-gray water, a sharp hiss sent up acrid white mist. The water visibly receded.

Blue-black claws rose from the puddle, but the moment their fingertips touched the Fire-Faced Demon's body, they dissolved into wisps of black smoke.

The Ghost Lake was being suppressed too. To spread unchecked into a lake as it had in reality, it needed time to invade this place.

The Fire-Faced Demon clearly had no intention of giving Li Dan that time.

Li Dan could hardly tell whether the thing was an evil spirit, a demon, or some combination of the two.

"Josh, do you know any of a demon's weaknesses?"

"Sorry, exorcist." Josh's face was pale. He had already told Li Dan everything he knew. He truly had nothing left.

"Then there's no other way."

Li Dan threw caution aside. With the Fire-Faced Demon almost upon them, he interlaced his fingers, then spread them slightly. A Ghost Card appeared between each pair of fingers.

The Soul