Many villagers gathered, completely unaware of the black mark on Xiao Yan's back, nor did they know what it was. Tan Tian and Phantom Sage had the same black mark below their necks.
Luo Shui remembered clearly that when the three children were born, there were no such marks on them. The mark radiated an ominous feeling. Upon detailed questioning, Luo Shui learned that on the day they went to seek the Wraithlord, all three lost consciousness for a moment. Sensing something was wrong, Luo Shui began contacting the Gods.
Sure enough, within a few days, strange symptoms appeared. Tan Tian, Xiao Yan, and Phantom Sage grew weak, coughing up blood from time to time. Luo Shui was at a loss. Many villagers tried using their powers, but nothing could ease the trio's suffering. Their bodies were slowly dying.
As the black marks on their spines grew larger day by day, the three’s symptoms worsened.
"I’ll use all my strength and give it a try. If anything goes wrong, please don’t blame me."
Huang Quan looked nervously at his three ancestors before him, panic rising in his heart. These three were his most capable allies; their strength had ensured the survival of the village time and again.
Yet neither Huang Quan nor his wife Jiu You could help at all. Their powers not only failed, but backfired—the force tormenting Tan Tian and the others began to afflict Huang Quan and Jiu You as well.
Only then did Tan Tian recall the figure from that day—the one shrouded in an unknown power, called Deathcurse.
Huang Quan and Jiu You also began to show the same symptoms from exposure to these mysterious forces. The child in Jiu You’s womb died because of it.
Tragedy struck the village again and again. Luo Shui watched helplessly as her three children died one after another. Xiao Yan died first, followed by Tan Tian, and finally her youngest, Phantom Sage, who was left with only a single breath.
Just as Tan Tian finished speaking, the ground before The Unreal Covenant trembled. A black island silently rose into the sky, accompanied by wails. The village was instantly surrounded by evil ghosts, who began their attack.
The battle between humans and ghosts began instantly, and the carnage was extreme. It seemed to be exactly what the Wraithlord wanted—his cruel laughter echoed from the island.
The ghosts far outnumbered the humans, and their powers targeted human weaknesses. The humans began to fall back. Even with the power Tan Tian gained in the Unreal, he couldn’t lead everyone onto the island.
With the Wraithlord’s three children joining the fight, victory tipped instantly in his favor. After death, the three gained even greater power—something Tan Tian never expected. He fought them repeatedly, but could not win.
The Wraithlord had yet to act; he simply watched the battle from the island. More and more people died, and more ghosts were born. The human population dropped below a thousand, their numbers dwindling after years of struggle.
Only many children remained in the village. Forced to take up arms, they prepared to join the fight outside. But then, with a thunderous noise from the sky, Tan Tian failed.
The Wraithlord appeared. As Tan Tian and the Wraithlord’s three children fought fiercely, the Wraithlord joined the battle. With a single finger, he defeated Tan Tian.
Tan Tian, gravely wounded, brought the survivors back to the village. The village was protected by the Gods and did not belong to this world. The Wraithlord needed time to break in with his ghosts.
Tan Tian was sorrowful, muddy tears of blood streaming from his eyes. He was close to death.
All these years of effort were just a dream.
Tan Tian’s words shattered all hope in the village. After witnessing the Wraithlord’s overwhelming power, everyone fell into deep despair.
The Wraithlord did not intend to enter The Unreal Covenant, but sat quietly outside, as if watching something amusing.
Loraine, don’t stay with those people any longer. Come to us, quickly.
Amid the calls, Loraine Locke gazed quietly outside. Her loved ones had become beings utterly unlike herself.
Eventually, Loraine Locke left the village and approached the Wraithlord. She gazed sadly at the scene before her. Only the village behind her remained untouched by darkness—the end seemed near.
See? Humans are so fragile. I told you long ago—come quickly, and our family can be together again.
But Loraine Locke refused. She shook her head and returned to the village. She had an idea: to lead everyone to the Shattered Unreal Realm, hoping to temporarily escape the Wraithlord.
Then, something unexpected happened in the village. Hades and Ninefold Abyss, once tortured by the curse, devoured the force tormenting them and unleashed powerful new strength.
Fueled by grief for their fallen kin and hatred of the ghosts, the couple stepped forward. The Wraithlord was astonished—how could humans wield ghostly power, and so strongly?
Amused, the Wraithlord did not intervene, but sent Three-Eyed and Deathcurse instead. Faced with the ghosts who had tormented them, Hades and Ninefold Abyss unleashed unexpected power together.
Three-Eyed and Deathcurse were quickly defeated, nearly killed. Then, the Wraithlord’s three children battled Hades and Ninefold Abyss for a month.
Neither side would relent, while the Wraithlord enjoyed the spectacle, watching the battle with excitement.
Meanwhile, Tan Tian recovered each day by drinking Loraine Locke’s blood. He watched the battle, as if seeing a glimmer of hope.
As long as hope remains, perhaps there is still a chance.
Hope shone in Tan Tian’s once-dim eyes.
Loraine Ancestor, you once said there was a way. Tell me—what is it?
Tan Tian stared at Loraine Locke. Her last hesitation vanished. As the Wraithlord struck, Hades and Ninefold Abyss died—the brutal battle ended.
Kill yourself—destroy everything about yourself. If your will is strong enough, you might awaken unknown power.
This was Loraine Locke’s final method. Years ago, the Wraithlord gained immense power through self-sacrifice in the Shattered Unreal Realm. Tan Tian must do the same.
This act defied the laws of the world. The sword made by Mother Goddess Nuwa, forged after she mended the sky, is a remnant of that defiance.
Though the sword was damaged by the Wraithlord, a fragment remained. Loraine Locke gave the fragment to Tan Tian.
The fragment, shining with rainbow light, was placed in Tan Tian’s hand.
Tan Tian looked once more at the survivors in the village and at everything outside. He stood up, ready to sacrifice his life, consciousness, emotions, and soul—all for power.
This was Loraine Locke’s final plan. Years ago, the Wraithlord’s self-sacrifice in the Shattered Unreal Realm led to his transformation and immense power. Tan Tian must do the same.
At last, Tan Tian unleashed all his power, plunging the stone into his heart and sacrificing everything by instinct.
But nothing happened. As the Wraithlord’s laughter rang out, Tan Tian fell into a pool of blood. It seemed all hope had failed.
Tan Tian stared at Loraine Locke. Her last hesitation vanished. As the Wraithlord struck, Hades and Ninefold Abyss died—the brutal battle ended.
Kill yourself—destroy everything about yourself. If your will is strong enough, you might awaken unknown power.
This was Loraine Locke’s final method. Years ago, the Wraithlord gained immense power through self-sacrifice in the Shattered Unreal Realm. Tan Tian must do the same.
This act defied the laws of the world. The sword made by Mother Goddess Nuwa, forged after she mended the sky, is a remnant of that defiance.
Though the sword was damaged by the Wraithlord, a fragment remained. Loraine Locke gave the fragment to Tan Tian.
The fragment, shining with rainbow light, was placed in Tan Tian’s hand.
Tan Tian looked once more at the survivors in the village and at everything outside. He stood up, ready to sacrifice his life, consciousness, emotions, and soul—all for power.
This was Loraine Locke’s final plan. Years ago, the Wraithlord’s self-sacrifice in the Shattered Unreal Realm led to his transformation and immense power. Tan Tian must do the same.
At last, Tan Tian unleashed all his power, plunging the stone into his heart and sacrificing everything by instinct.
But nothing happened. As the Wraithlord’s laughter rang out, Tan Tian fell into a pool of blood. It seemed all hope had failed.