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

Alexander’s gaze quickly swept over the crowd and landed on one of the selected individuals. It wasn’t Selena, but this person had taken her place. Just as he was about to approach her for some information about Selena, the grand doors of the Lord’s Manor creaked open.

"Instance Alert: Phase One of Faction Selection has begun. All Chosen ones may proceed to one of the three main halls to choose a faction.

Left Hall: The Eldest Prince, the Hurricane Ghost Prince, possesses the talent of wind. He appears refined and has a preference for men.

Right Hall: The Third Prince, the HongMu Ghost Prince, has a spectral body fused with machinery and a brutal personality.

Rear Hall: The Princess, Anlan Ghost Princess, has the talent of enchantment, is of a free-spirited nature, and has a notorious reputation.

"Thirty Chosen ones, please proceed to the halls. A maximum of ten people may choose each faction," the voice continued.

"What should we do now? Each hall can only accommodate ten of us, so we’ll have to split up," Mebana frowned.

All eyes turned to Alexander. Though he wasn’t the most powerful in terms of sheer force among the Chosen ones—four people were at the ’soldier’ level—Alexander was a legendary figure. His exploits were unparalleled.

"Guys, due to my past high-rating clearances, I’ve received additional guidance for this instance," Alexander announced, sharing the strengths and weaknesses of each faction without reservation.

"Mr. Alexander, what would you recommend? Can I join your faction? I’ll do anything you say," Mebana hastily inquired.

"Why should the powerful ones get to team up? It makes the game unfair for the rest of us," another chosen one complained.

"If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen," sneered a burly chosen one named Alsas.

"My talent is shadow manipulation, so we’ll see who gets the last laugh," another chosen one retorted.

"Think you’re great because you’re at the ’soldier’ level? I have the Blood Curse talent; I can freeze you in place for three seconds using half of my blood. Enough time for all of us to choose a faction," a gaunt, yellow-skinned chosen one declared menacingly.

It was clear that tensions were high, and Alexander was the one everyone looked to for guidance. All awaited his next move as he checked the additional prompts for his unique ’participant’ status in the instance.

"Instance Alert: Dear Mr. Alexander, as the first person to achieve an ’ex’ rating in a large instance, you will have a new role—Participant—with extra tips.

The eldest prince’s faction poses the greatest risk but offers the most help, followed by the third prince. The princess’s faction is the weakest but easiest to assimilate into. However, her aid is limited due to her lower status."

Alexander mused, "This AI guidance is excellent. It really adds to the gaming experience."

Everyone waited in anticipation for his next move.

"You really don’t have to be in the same faction as me. On the contrary, if we’re in separate factions, it might be easier to maneuver," Alexander said, sensing the tension rising among the group.

"What do you mean? If we’re not in the same faction, we’re bound to be opponents at some point. I don’t want to be enemies with the legendary 44011!" Mebana spoke up, and others nodded in agreement.

Although they were confident in their abilities, the reputation of 44011 was too great. If they could be friends with him, nobody would want to be his enemy.

Seeing the expressions of the selected individuals, a smile curved at the corners of Alexander’s lips. Numerous plans flashed through his mind. These people are all perfect pawns.

"Mr. Alexander, if we’re going to keep stalling, why not let you decide? We’ll all follow your lead!" Mebana suggested, naturally wrapping her arm around Alexander’s.

Her confidence came from her own merits — she had looks, figure, and soldier-level abilities. If not her, then who?

"I agree with Mebana’s suggestion. Since we all want to follow Alexander, let him decide," Alsas nodded, and the other two soldier-level participants also agreed. Each faction had ten slots, and among them, there were only four soldier-level participants; they had the confidence to be chosen by Alexander.

"I also agree!" another voice rang out, it was Rexsas. "Mr. Alexander, the choice is yours!"

The others, lacking the confidence of the four soldier-level participants, hurriedly chimed in.

"Mr. Alexander, my talent is teleportation. I can teleport myself and others. Please consider me!"

"Mr. Alexander, I have a General-level ghost entity that can instantly kill regular soldier-level ghosts. I’m not that far behind them in terms of ability!"

"Mr. Alexander, my ability is cloning. I can create six clones. Although they’re not strong, they can serve you well!"

"Here are 30,000 ghost coins, Mr. Alexander. No ulterior motives; I’ve just long admired you and would like to be friends!"

Amid the rising tension and clamor, Alexander raised his hand. "Everyone, please quiet down," he said before continuing, "In reality, the faction we choose doesn’t matter. Who said we must be enemies?"

"What do you mean by that?" a puzzled expression spread across the crowd.

Alsas spoke, "Sir, if we’re in different factions, we will certainly be enemies! According to the rules of the Thriller Instance, those who fail cannot exit. Each faction has slots for only ten people, meaning that out of the thirty of us, only ten can survive."

"Who says so?" Alexander smiled, "What if the fourth faction wins?"

"A fourth faction? What fourth faction?" Mebana was puzzled, "Aren’t there just three factions? Even though there are four adopted sons, the second son, Louis—"

She paused abruptly. Louis! That name sounded familiar.

During the initial Fierce Ghost Street showdown, many people recorded videos. Louis, hailing from the City Lord’s Mansion, was the true mastermind behind the Fierce Ghost Street battle, and his fame has naturally spread across the Earth.

Many have speculated that Alexander’s rapid rise to prominence was due to the support of his older brother, Louis.

"Sir," said Rexsas from the side, "I understand that Mr. Louis is your older brother, but hasn’t he already given up on competing for the inheritance? How can he be considered part of the fourth faction?"

"His giving up is his business; whether or not he can become the heir is mine! Feel free to choose any faction this time around. Don’t worry, it won’t affect your final evaluations. I’ll figure out a way to get you all into the fourth faction. Louis will certainly be the heir!" Alexander declared without hesitation.

"But Louis isn’t in the City Lord’s Mansion. How can we enter the fourth faction? And even if we do, how can we help him claim the position of heir?" Mebana was still confused, and so were the others.

After all, Louis had voluntarily withdrawn from the inheritance race and had even gone to Blood Moon Town, clearly showing his resolve. We can’t just forcibly bring him back and thrust the title of heir upon him, can we?

"Why do you think there’s this factional instance this time?" Alexander asked a seemingly odd question and then calmly elaborated: "It’s because the City Lord has too many sons and daughters! Filial piety to this extent is a bad thing, you understand?"

The group was shocked by his words.

Too many children? Naturally, some would have to be eliminated. If all three heirs in this instance were to die, then Louis would have to be the heir, no matter how far away he’d run.

"Alexander... This involves two Ghost Princes and a Ghost General! Moreover, they are the adopted children of the Dark Hell Empress," Sarufar voiced with concern.

"So what if they are Ghost Princes? Remember, with the right strategy, anything is possible! Just choose your factions without worries and wait for my command," Alexander said.

Alexander could roughly guess why Louis had opted out of the inheritance race: either his reputation was too high or his forbidden power too outrageous. But Alexander thought it was still worth pursuing. Everything would have to wait until he used an invitation to enter the fourth faction.

Given the City Lord Mansion’s "filial" task requirements, whether Louis becomes the heir or not, the few who dare to stay and compete are likely doomed, or else there wouldn’t be a fourth faction.

To obtain the Abyssal Ghost Crystal of soldier-grade, one can’t rely on conventional missions. As it stands, the only option is to join the fourth faction and eliminate the other three heirs to achieve an ’EX’ rating.

So regardless of whether Louis can become the city lord or not, Hurricane Ghost Prince, HongMU Ghost Prince, and Anlan Ghost General must all be eliminated. With this in mind, those who can infiltrate the enemy factions have become incredibly useful.

Alexander’s words left the others deep in thought. Eventually, Rexsas was the first to speak up. "Since Mr. Alexander has already laid out the plan, let me be the first to commit. I’ll go to Hurricane Ghost Prince’s camp."

"I’ll go to the HongMu Ghost prince’s faction!" Arthas was the second to speak.

"Alright then, I guess I’ll also go to Hurricane Ghost Prince’s camp," Mebana chimed in.

The group quickly allocated themselves into factions. The four most powerful soldier ghosts opted for Hurricane Ghost Prince, while Arthas and a Korean player chose the camp of HongMu Ghost Prince.

As for Alexander, it seems his only option is to join the faction led by Ghost General Anlan.