"How did you manage to do that?"
I asked, watching as the Wraithlord raised a milky-white sword identical in appearance to my End Sword, smiling as he spoke.
"I just wanted a weapon to face you with, and I believed I could make it happen."
I stared calmly at the Wraithlord. He might have lost his memories, but his body still remembered—how to wield power, how to fight. These memories were long forged into his flesh. His strength might even possess its own consciousness, allowing him to perform feats that seemed impossible to others, all in accordance with his inner will.
"I have instincts too, kid. It's just that I've forgotten what my instincts truly are. It's a pity—otherwise, I could show you the power of my instincts."
I was once again taken aback, but with a whoosh, the Wraithlord appeared right in front of me. The white sword in his hand slashed toward my head in an instant. I reacted quickly, dodging to the side. In that moment, I transformed into a streak of black lightning. Red light burst out from the lightning, and a black bolt, like a rope, instantly wrapped around the Wraithlord's body. I appeared above his head, one hand stretched out, aiming at his skull as he looked up.
"Realm open—Thunder Fiend."
With a hum, accompanied by streaks of black mist, black lightning gathered from all directions like pouring rain. Wisps of black mist wrapped around the lightning, all surging toward the Wraithlord.
This was something I developed after obtaining Zhang Qingyuan's remaining power, successfully blending my End Power with fiendish energy. Not only was it powerful, but most importantly, it was stable.
My eyes burned with excitement as I stared at the Wraithlord. Spiraling currents wrapped in black mist pierced through his body. It worked—the Wraithlord's face grew solemn as he watched the snake-like energy gnaw at his strength, unable to believe what was happening.
"You're truly formidable, even though you've only existed in this world for just over three hundred years."
I stared at the Wraithlord in disbelief as he reached out with his ravaged hand and grabbed my wrist. Instantly, all the power I'd gathered—linked to my realm and body—collapsed. With just a glance, he saw through the source of my strength.
"But you're even stronger, old man."
As I spoke, a thunderous boom erupted. My vision spun as I hurled the Wraithlord away. The moment he hit the lake's surface, I raised the Endbringer Blade to shield myself. Another explosion—the waters of the Lake of Desire surged and overflowed, exposing the lakebed. Gritting my teeth, I braced myself against the Wraithlord's relentless assault.
A force of utter despair pressed down on me. The blade of my Endbringer Sword had already been notched by the Wraithlord's Ivory Blade. I steadied my breath, focusing on the scene before me, while the power within my body surged frantically. I knew I couldn't let go—if I did, I'd be crushed by these forces.
At that moment, the turbulent waters of the Lake of Desire vanished under the crushing power. Around us, the space itself twisted and cracked from the clash of forces, fissures spreading with sharp snaps.
I roared, mustering all my strength to throw the Wraithlord away from me. He shot through the chaotic space created by our collision of powers, flying into the distance. Without hesitation, I transformed into a mass of black lightning and struck at him.
A metallic ringing echoed as I made contact. The Wraithlord raised his sword, parrying my fierce attack, retreating step by step. Each block was precise and flawless.
With a deafening crash, our swords collided. I moved quickly to my left and back. Suddenly, I saw space split open—a massive rift filled with endless darkness. My Endbringer Blade was already broken. I released my grip, and the half-blade dissolved into lightning, surging back into my body.
"Your sword isn't physical, kid. If it were, I'd have lost this clash."
I knew exactly what the Wraithlord meant. The Endbringer Blade in my hand was only a manifestation of my Endbringer power, not a tangible weapon—just like how Zhang Qingyuan created firearms from baleful energy. But my manifestation was far easier than his.
"Want to keep going, kid?"
I nodded, manifesting the Endbringer Blade in my hand once more. The Wraithlord smiled and raised his sword, closing in. I dodged, swinging my fist at his chest—only to let my hand transform into the Endbringer Blade, slicing through him with a sharp hiss. He looked at me, utterly stunned.
A wet sound as blood trickled from the Wraithlord's mouth. I laughed wildly, instantly pouring more power into my attack. Electricity crackled. The moment the Ivory Blade slipped from his grip, I landed, pinning him to the ground. He coughed, staring at me, unable to comprehend this move. Before he could react, the Endbringer power surged through the blade in his chest, beginning to destroy his body from within.
I fused my ghostly essence, instincts, and flesh for this battle—so I could freely unleash any power, turning any part of my body into a blade sharp enough to pierce my foe.
"Old man, are you alright?"
I asked, but kept the Endbringer Blade lodged in him. Rising to my feet, I saw the Wraithlord's body begin to char and blacken. He gazed at me, still smiling. I stared back, for a moment tempted to finish him off with my current strength, but I abandoned the thought instantly.
I stepped back as his body slowly turned to stone. With a sharp crack, he crumbled apart. Desire gathered once more, and the lake slowly reappeared. Looking up, I saw the Wraithlord floating in the air. As I wrenched my Endbringer Blade free and charged, the Ivory Blade flew back into his hand. His gaze was now completely different.
Among the Threefold Soul, the Human Soul carries the seven emotions and six desires—the essence of human feeling. Emotion is tied to memory; memory is born from feeling. Only when the heart stirs for people and things do memories truly exist.
The moment the Wraithlord finished speaking, the power of desire responded. The shattered mountains and lake rapidly regenerated, and in an instant, the clear waters returned. The Wraithlord lay down on the lake's surface and closed his eyes to sleep.
I asked again. The Wraithlord simply shook his head.
"Forget it. I don’t want to fight anymore. It’s pointless, kid—you’re not my match."
The Wraithlord released the Ivory Blade, which instantly swelled and exploded in midair. I crossed my arms, bracing myself as the blast swept outward, obliterating everything. Soon, only a charred patch of earth remained beneath my feet, smoke rising into the air. The Wraithlord stood before me.
"Can you take me out of here, kid?"
The Wraithlord asked, and I shook my head.
"I can't take you out of here, nor do I intend to."
The Wraithlord nodded.
"Looks like I really did some detestable things in the past, but I just can't remember."
As he spoke, the Wraithlord slowly descended to the scorched earth, glanced around, and smiled.
"It's better to restore things to how they were."
"I'm going to sleep for a while, kid."
As soon as he finished speaking, I heard snoring—the Wraith Ancestor had truly fallen asleep.
I landed beside him, staring in disbelief. My heart was conflicted. Now I understood the gap between us—a difference I had no idea how long it would take to overcome. Yet I was more exhilarated than ever; the battle had revealed so much. I planned to fight him again once he woke.
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