A series of smacking sounds echoed as Vivian Ouyang finished the food on the table. She stretched contentedly, as if she hadn’t seen sunlight in ages. Coldly smiling, she sucked her fingers and stared at me in silence.
"No matter how I look at you, you’re still Zhang Qingyuan. It’s really strange, the relationship between you three."
I looked at her in confusion. At that moment, she stood up and walked to the riverbank, drank a mouthful of water from the river, then sat down comfortably by the shore. Ouyang Meng watched from the side.
"Can you tell me exactly how you managed to bring the power of the Forsaken out from the world of light?"
I asked, thinking this might be the only way for the other Forsaken to strengthen themselves. Vivian Ouyang gave a wicked smile and nodded.
Vivian Ouyang kept laughing, her smile growing colder and colder. I stared at her, puzzled. The only time I’d fought her was at the Redmane Ghost Banquet, when I saw the Ghost Sovereigns clash. That wicked Vivian Ouyang unleashed an unknown power, and midway through, Mona Ouyang and that wicked Vivian Ouyang swapped places. Now that I think about it, the memory feels disturbingly unreal.
No one present at the time noticed. Mona Ouyang was always rather androgynous, so no one paid attention to her fighting style or the powers she used. The more I tried to recall that battle, the more I realized how utterly different it was from the Mona Ouyang I knew—the powers were fundamentally alien.
I kept observing carefully. At that moment, a Violet Soul Orb appeared in Vivian Ouyang’s hand, radiating a force that was neither human nor ghost. The instant I sensed it, it matched perfectly with the power and aura Vivian Ouyang displayed during that fight in the Redmane Ghost Domain.
"Want to spar with me? Maybe you should experience it for yourself—when I start explaining, you’ll understand even more."
I nodded. Vivian Ouyang lowered her head, drank another mouthful of water, then looked up at me, smiling flirtatiously and striking a provocative pose—completely different from the Vivian Ouyang I knew.
Suddenly, my eyes widened as my power surged forward, stretching out in front of Vivian Ouyang. Strands of white tree roots shot toward her, but she kept that cold, mocking smile. In a flash, she raised the Violet Soul Orb and lunged at me.
"None of that matters."
Before I could finish speaking, white light particles scattered as Vivian Ouyang closed in with impossible speed. A violet glow flared, and I instinctively pulled back, staring in disbelief at the Violet Soul Orb in her hand.
I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. All I knew was, the power I tried to use to restrain Vivian Ouyang had been effortlessly destroyed by her Violet Soul Orb. Behind her, the air was filled with broken white currents—remnants of my strength, slowly knitting themselves back together. I withdrew my power instantly.
I hummed in response. I had no intention of hurting Vivian Ouyang—my control over power was far superior to Zhang Qingyuan and the Earthly Soul.
Vivian Ouyang kept laughing, her smile growing colder and colder. I stared at her, puzzled. The only time I’d fought her was at the Redmane Ghost Banquet, when I saw the Ghost Sovereigns battle. That wicked Vivian Ouyang used an unknown power, and midway through, Ouyang Meng and that wicked Vivian Ouyang swapped places. Now that I think about it, it’s truly bizarre.
No one present at the time noticed. Ouyang Meng was always rather androgynous, so no one paid attention to her fighting style or the powers she used. As I tried to recall the previous battle, I realized it was entirely different from the Ouyang Meng I knew—the powers were fundamentally distinct.
Vivian Ouyang pressed in, and I kept releasing power to block her Violet Soul Orb. But, as expected, my strength was shattered each time. Every brush of the orb seared my flesh with pain.
"You can try attacking first."
I hummed, keeping my power strictly contained. But no matter what, the person before me was still human, so I planned to restrain her with the power of Divine Law and see how she would respond.
I nodded, ready to try again. I raised my power slightly and, with a whoosh, rushed right up to Vivian Ouyang. Just like before, a flash of violet light erupted—the Violet Soul Orb blazed fiercely and instantly scattered my power.
"It’s useless. This is Divine Law..."
With a deafening crash, the ground split and sank. I looked up at the Violet Soul Orb in Vivian Ouyang’s hand—it was fracturing, splintering bit by bit, then exploded with a thunderous bang. She landed and shook her head, defeated.
I had no idea what had just happened. All I knew was that the power I tried to use to restrain Vivian Ouyang was effortlessly destroyed by her purple orb. Behind her, the air was filled with broken white streams—remnants of my power, slowly repairing themselves. I withdrew my power at once.
"So? Pretty impressive power, isn’t it? You can keep trying—this ability of mine is quite special."
I nodded, thinking to increase my power but quickly abandoned the idea. Vivian Ouyang was human, and if I recklessly hurt her, her true self would also be harmed in this True Dream.
I let out a slight sigh of relief. This time, I quickly closed in on Vivian Ouyang, pressing my hand forward. A sizzling sound rang out—I felt a burning pain, and when I pulled my hand back, my palm was badly burned. The power I released to suppress her was instantly broken apart, completely unable to stabilize or launch an effective attack.
I looked at Vivian Ouyang, even more puzzled. She plopped down on the ground. At that moment, Mona Ouyang walked over with a smile.
After more than a dozen exchanges, I felt something strange. Vivian Ouyang kept smiling, her gaze sharp on me. I was already burned in several places.
"Well? Not bad, right, this power?"
I nodded, ready to try again. I raised my power slightly and, with a whoosh, rushed right up to Vivian Ouyang. Just like before, a flash of purple light appeared—the orb radiated a fierce purple glow and instantly dispersed my power.
I stared in shock as the orb pressed against my chest, sizzling. But just as that strange power was about to pierce my body, it stopped. My deep, immense Divine Law began to release on its own, and I instantly shifted to the ground.
With a crash, the ground cracked and sank. I looked up at the purple orb in Vivian Ouyang’s hand—it was fracturing bit by bit, then exploded with a bang. She landed and shook her head.
"See, I really can’t beat you. This is as far as I go. If you fought for real, even this special power of mine would be useless. In the face of absolute power, nothing works. Besides, my power source has already been cut off."
"What do you mean by that?"
I asked. Vivian Ouyang shook her head, yawned, and continued speaking.
I could only keep waiting. Though I’d been anxious, I now understood part of Vivian Ouyang’s power. I looked at Mona Ouyang, who grinned wickedly and spoke.
I looked at Vivian Ouyang, even more puzzled. She plopped down on the ground. At that moment, Ouyang Meng walked over with a smile.
"You should be able to feel it, right? The truth behind this power—it can break through other powers."
Mona Ouyang continued.
"Let’s rest over there and I’ll tell you a few things—quite interesting, really. After all, we Forsaken are a special group in this world. It’s because of this uniqueness that we’re called Forsaken. As for family matters, that’s another story entirely."
I hummed and went to the table. More food had appeared, all things Vivian Ouyang liked to eat. As soon as I arrived, she started wolfing it down. In no time, the table was cleared.
"It’s been ages since I’ve eaten. Really nice. In this kind of dream... it’s just a pity..."
Vivian Ouyang looked at me as she spoke.
"When you go out, tell Vivian Ouyang I want a few days of peace and relaxation. I won’t do anything strange with her body."
I hummed. Vivian Ouyang yawned and said she planned to nap for a bit. Using this power was a heavy burden—she’d just woken up and was too exhausted. If she didn’t rest, it would affect her true self.
I could only keep waiting. Though I’d been anxious, I now understood part of Vivian Ouyang’s power. I looked at Ouyang Meng, who grinned wickedly and spoke.
"This power can even deal with some low-level Green Wraiths. Back when Vivian Ouyang hadn’t forgotten her past..."
"It’s clear this power can shatter the opponent’s abilities completely, and even directly harm their body."
Ouyang Meng continued.
"This power is indeed inherited from the family, but I don’t know much about it. I’ve spent most of my life in the dream world—sometimes for centuries. I’m not clear on what changes have happened in the Ouyang family over the years."
I hummed in response.
"What else do you know? When exactly did she come to this side of the world?"
Ouyang Meng nodded and replied.
"It was around when she was twelve. This Forsaken suddenly came to this world. At first, I didn’t understand and thought something had trapped her. Later, I learned more and let her go. When she arrived, her power was formidable—she could easily handle mid-level Green Wraiths. But things changed. After Vivian Ouyang forgot everything about her past, her power began to fade. The fight you just had was already pushing her limits."