Jacob silently returned to the Soulless Palace, but Soul Ghost King wasn't present, and he knew where she was going. Furthermore, the Ghost Ministers were also tasked with arranging the ghost army, so Jacob was alone.
'It seems now is my chance to empty that vault…' Jacob thought as his eyes flickered coldly.
The treasury of the Soulless Palace was one of his goals, and now that he was finally alone, he knew this was his chance to empty it.
However, at this moment, the Dark Soul Ring, which was blinking continuously, suddenly turned crimson, and an eerie voice rang in his mind, "Absolute Faction Meeting has been started, forcibly pulling the 'Soulless Ghost King' in the Dead Nexus Citadel!"
Jacob was startled and instantly sensed something amiss when a chilling pull spread from the Dark Soul Ring and spread in his entire body. This sensation was very familiar because it was the same method the Soul Star Watch used, but this was quite overbearing.
Jacob could've stored the Dark Soul Ring in his infinity pendant but didn't because he didn't want to arouse the Soul Ghost King's suspicion. He also needs to keep in contact with the Ghost Race. He was even planning to explore the Dark Network after taking care of this treasury.
Yet, he had underestimated the meaning behind this meeting because of the missing memories. Now, it was too late, but he still could stow away the Dark Soul Ring, and this forceable summon would stop.
But then Jacob didn't do it since it wasn't a big deal, and he wanted to see what would happen and maybe he would find more information.
The next moment, his consciousness was yanked into an abyssal void. When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing in the Dark Nexus Citadel, the highest-ranking domain in the Virtual Dark World.
Unlike the shining radiance of the Legendary Spectrum Sky City, the Virtual Dark World was a shadowed reflection—a boundless realm of eternal dusk, where the sky churned with dark nebulae and violet lightning slashed across the like whips of destruction.
At the center of this world lay the Dark Nexus Citadel, a titanic obsidian fortress floating above a fathomless abyss held in place by twisting chains.
This was the highest gathering place for the ruling dark factions, a place where only the most powerful Dark Beings could convene. Beneath it stretched layers upon layers of cities, fortresses, and slaughter zones, segregated based on power and influence.
Jacob knew all this as he mused, 'The Virtual Dark World is governed by a brutal hierarchy where only strength dictated authority. The world is also divided by different ranking systems compared to Virtual Star World.
'The first is the Dark Slaughter Zones. The lowest level is filled with mindless virtual dark creatures, whereas newcomers are proving their worth. Here, battles never ceased, and only those who survived could advance.
'The second is the Dark Noble Domains, controlled by Legendary Dark Being and faction enforcers, these lands ruled by Dark Lords.
'The third is the Dark Lord Realms, home to recognized races under the top three races of Dark Being and their elite members.
'Finally, the Dark Council Chambers, this domain is exclusive to Faction Leaders and Ruler Races of Dead Faction, where knowledge and authority resided.
'The Dark Nexus Citadel is the ultimate seat of power in the Dead Faction and the Virtual Dark World. Only Faction Leaders and those acknowledged by the Dark Network could enter…'
Jacob has this basic knowledge of the Virtual Dark World. As the Soulless Ghost King, he materialized directly outside the Citadel's Judgment Hall, signifying his rank among the highest echelons.
With a peculiar look in his eyes, he entered the Judgment Hall through open gates. The vast chamber was dimly lit by floating torches of black flame, casting elongated shadows across the onyx floor.
The Judgment Hall had no walls—only a swirling expanse of endless darkness stretching beyond sight. At its center stood a massive obsidian throne with three distinct perches, each carved from the bones of an unknown entity.
The other two rulers materialized in a swirl of dark energy when Jacob arrived.
A towering figure cloaked in a crimson mist, his body a manifestation of writhing blood tendrils pulsing with an eerie life of their own. His blood-red eyes burned with endless hunger, and his presence alone carried the scent of decay and carnage. This was the Blood Doom King in his virtual form!
The second was a spectral entity draped in an ever-shifting form of root-like tendrils and abyssal mist, his hollow face revealing countless shifting masks of agony. His mere existence warped the surrounding space, corrupting the void with the aura of an ancient fiendish lineage. This was Underwood Fiend King in his virtual form.
Even Soulless Ghost King's virtual form was like the Soul Ghost King's Ghost Form. Like the Virtual Star Network, they have the freedom to select and alter their virtual clones to be compatible with their races.
Jacob looked at the two faction leaders, who were glaring at him with killing intent, but no one said anything as all three kings took their respective seats. The next moment, a black vortex appeared above them. From within the void, a deep, emotionless voice resonated.
"Summoning the Dark Network's Arbitrator: The Undying Will."
Jacob was astounded because he had no memories of this 'Undying Will.' But from what he could tell, it was clear this Undying Will should be like SAAI!
The next moment, a monolithic figure emerged from the darkness—a colossal, floating monolith, its surface inscribed with cryptic runes that pulsed with neon light.
This was Undying Will, the exclusive AI of the Dark Network, serving as an impartial mediator and judge for all high-level dealings in the Virtual Dark World.
The monolith's eye-like core flickered to life, scanning the three rulers before speaking in a mechanical yet ancient tone:
"The Dead Faction's ruling body has gathered. Declare your purpose."
The Dead Faction meeting had begun!