"One must never rely on the path of others. The reason for one's own existence is determined by oneself. If anything dares to trample upon this way of living, I will fight against it with everything I have."
Kane quietly fluttered his wings. His body began to change—I'd seen this before, during his fight with King Xavier, when his form had shrunk by an entire size.
"Gathering the yin energy to strengthen your body—you never change, Kane. Ha, among all the Wraith Enforcers, only you could do this. Yet you refused to teach us. During the revolution, you opposed us at every turn. That's why I took everything from you with these very hands."
King Xavier spoke, raising his hand. Kane had grown extremely frail, a curved blade appearing in his hand. He stared silently at King Xavier. I'd noticed before—Kane's weapon was a Wraith Armament.
"Do you think that by mastering those ghostly tricks, you can defeat me? You and I are fundamentally different. I am king, and you are nothing but a pawn."
With a thunderous crash, King Xavier struck with his claw. Kane desperately raised his curved blade to block, but was still sent hurtling toward the ground. He flapped his wings frantically in midair, spun several times, and just as he steadied himself, King Xavier's fist smashed into his cheek.
With a rumbling boom, a huge hole appeared in the wall. Kane was embedded in it. I swallowed hard as a fierce gust blew toward us. Strangely, the wall healed itself, squeezing Kane out from within.
"Kane, you were always dissatisfied with my rule, always trying to overthrow me—even now. I thought, after so long apart, that two brothers might enjoy a joyful reunion. But you're still the same, mixing with those others, just like the old days with Mr. Wraithshade and his ilk."
"King Xavier, Mr. Wraithshade once told me something I will never forget: my way of living is for me to decide. We Wraith Enforcers may have been created by those people, but we are not their playthings—and certainly not yours alone, King Xavier."
I was anxious—Kane's body and aura had grown much weaker. He couldn't possibly defeat King Xavier.
I still can't fathom just how powerful Xie truly is, but the others seem to have already grasped his level.
Heh, if I hadn't spent so many years surviving in this world, I might not be confident I could defeat that guy.
Lin Rui spoke, his gaze icy as he stared at Xie above. Huang flapped his wings again and soared upward.
There were once Yakshas who nearly changed, but you destroyed them with your own hands, Xie. You came into this world, not alone—no one survives alone. That was our greatest downfall.
Yeah, that's right. Our greatest downfall was simply not being strong enough.
With a sharp crack, my eyes widened. The weapon in Huang’s hand snapped. Xie’s hand plunged into his chest, and with a wet rip, he tore out a still-throbbing heart.
The defeated have no right to speak.
Rage surged inside me in an instant as I watched Huang collapse to the ground.
If you die for your beliefs, maybe that's happiness in its own way.
Lin Rui murmured quietly, drifting closer. Huang’s body was fading, the yin energy that made him whole dispersing—his form crumbled to dust.
With a whoosh, I drifted to Huang’s side, quietly watching him.
Qingyuan, I’m sorry.
I shook my head and pressed my hand against the gaping wound in Huang’s chest. There was no stopping it now—the core, something like a ghost soul or human heart, had already been crushed in Xie’s hand.
Suddenly, my eyes widened. I heard a sharp crack, and shards of bright red scattered around Huang’s body. It was Yi Xuehan—I stared in shock.
Miss Yi, it worked—your curse.
Huang’s body stopped dissolving and began to recover. The grief and rage inside him suddenly melted into joy.
Miss Yi, what is this...?
Back in the corridor, didn’t I give each of you an engraved red spider lily? It can save you once, but only once per person.
Yi Xuehan spoke coldly. With a boom, Xie lunged at us.
A thunderous crash—two immense forces collided, white lightning crackling in the air. Yi Xuehan raised her hand to block Xie’s fist, though a meter still separated them.
You lack the magnanimity of a king. That’s why you failed.
Yi Xuehan said, and surprise flashed in Xie’s eyes.
A streak of red—suddenly, I saw Xie clutch his throat as blood poured from his seven orifices. His body began to crack, and with a sharp snap, he broke apart.
What’s happening?
I immediately asked. The Ghost-Painted Sage drifted over with a cheerful grin.
This probably isn’t a real entity. I’ve watched for a long time—it was created by thought.
The Ghost-Painted Sage spoke as Huang got up from the ground, looking dazedly at the sky above.
I remember this place. When I was very young, I think I used to live here.
Everyone, be careful. If your mind isn’t stable, these powerful thoughts will create enemies—and you’ll lose control of yourself.
Yi Xuehan said, and I swallowed hard.
Qingyuan, your thoughts are a bit scattered.
I made a sound of acknowledgment and hurried to steady my mind.
I started to understand—the Xie that appeared just now was born of obsession, Huang’s obsession. I’d experienced something similar in the Forest of Desire.
This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Click next page to keep reading!
Just then, a hole appeared in the ceiling, as if it had always been there and we simply hadn’t noticed.
Let’s go.
Yi Xuehan spoke, and we all followed, entering the pitch-black cave ahead.
In a blink, we found ourselves in an identical hall—almost nothing had changed, except the door we entered by was gone and the floor showed no sign of any large hole.
You could say all this is being controlled by someone.
Black Moon spoke. Huang sat on the floor, dazed, as if lost in distant memories.
Coming here reminded me of something. When I was a child, I really did live here—with Xie.
Everyone, was that fun?
Suddenly we looked up. Floating above was a figure with a strange grin, pale skin, long multicolored hair, and a white robe that covered his feet. His smile was forced, his face long, eyes narrowed—he looked both feminine and masculine, and his voice was oddly soft.
Who are you?
Huansheng.
What’s really going on here?
I asked, drifting to Huansheng’s side. He opened his narrowed eyes.
Oh, so you’re the leader of this group? Let’s start with you.
Qingyuan.
Lin Rui shouted, and from the corner of my eye I saw the others flying toward me. Dazzling light flashed as Huansheng pressed his hand to my forehead—I felt dizzy.
Don’t be so surprised, heh. I’m just checking what he fears most.
Huansheng was far away, pointing to the side. A mass of shadow appeared. Gradually, I saw black lightning—it was the Earth Soul, Zhang Qingyuan.
This guy looks strong.
Huansheng spoke. With a sharp crack, the Earth Soul Zhang Qingyuan unfurled his wings, raising his Endbringer blade, and charged at me.
But in an instant, with a bang, the Earth Soul Zhang Qingyuan exploded. The black lightning scattered, and Yi Xuehan grabbed me—we started dodging.
Cracks spread across the walls and floor, all marked by Endbringer’s power—real, tangible power.
Who... who are you, really?
Huansheng stared in terror at his side as the space around us began to warp.
Since you wanted to create me, I came. Long time no see, Zhang Qingyuan—still the same useless fool.
My heart skipped a beat. Huansheng raised his hand, and in the twisted black space, the head of the Earth Soul Zhang Qingyuan emerged—stronger than before.
Let’s start with this world—Endbringer...
A thunderous crash—a bolt of black lightning struck the ground. Instantly, Huansheng pressed his hand to the Earth Soul Zhang Qingyuan’s forehead, forcing him down.
Heh, even if I can’t enter, Endbringer is already here. This damned world is about to be destroyed.
The twisted space vanished. I stared at the sword stuck in the ground on the first floor—the real Endbringer. Huansheng’s face soured as he approached the blade.
Hmph, cheap tricks...
Before Huansheng could finish, his hands were torn to shreds and quickly turned to dust.
Huansheng vanished instantly. We gathered around Endbringer, feeling the rumble of the earth. Cracks spread across the walls, debris falling. The door opened—outside, the once-beautiful world had withered: the clear lake was black, ancient trees toppled, and the gray sky was split by red lightning and deafening thunder.
How did he get here?
I asked in confusion, glancing back—my gaze finally landed on Black Moon.
Ha, BOSS, isn’t a little excitement good for you?