"Having great power but not knowing how to use it is no different from being useless. Kid, power is both external and internal, because its transmission begins within, moves outward, and then returns inward."
I stared in amazement at the vast, pale blue ice field that stretched endlessly around me. Before my eyes sat a figure, naked, with pale skin and long hair. His face looked as if it had been molded—rigid in some places, chiseled in others—bearing an unnatural appearance unlike any human visage.
The figure sat atop an ice cliff. I walked toward him, step by step.
"Are you the Wraithlord?"
"Strictly speaking, I am a part of the Wraithlord. You can think of me that way."
I silently observed the Wraithlord. His eyes were filled with ancient loneliness, nothing like the destructive force Long-haired Zhang Qingyuan described—one who wanted to wipe out all of humanity.
"What does this world mean to you?"
I shook my head.
"To me, this world is like this ice field—majestic and beautiful, yet fraught with danger. It's both false and dazzling, real and dim. Watch closely now, and see what true power is."
Suddenly, I snapped awake to the sound of cracking ice. The silver substance around me was frozen by the pale blue ice, beginning to scatter across the ground.
Stunned, I watched as Xu Fu approached me from a distance. My mind was unusually clear—I knew exactly what to do.
"Face your opponent head-on, no matter the time, place, or circumstance. Never shy away. You must understand—the other side is stronger, so strong they could subdue you with a single finger. But... humans are weak by nature. It is precisely because of this weakness that we chase strength. From the dawn of our existence, we have been dwarfed by the forces of nature. To contend with them, we must become strong. Only strength allows us to survive among the powers of nature."
A streak of icy blue light flashed from my eyes. Xu Fu moved with impossible speed—so fast I couldn't even see him. Yet, my focus narrowed to a single point. My mind held only a vague concept, but I understood exactly what to do, how to defend, how to use my strength. All of it converged in my thoughts, and my body felt as if it no longer belonged to me.
"Focus your mind on a single point. Your concentration is lacking. Do you want to die, kid?"
The Wraithlord's voice echoed in my head again, a buzzing like bells ringing. My mind felt utterly clear, and the constant rumble outside faded away. All I could see was the false smile on Xu Fu's sinister face.
Slowly, I extended my right hand and opened it, raising it above my body at an angle. Deathbane Aura began to gather in my palm. I stared wide-eyed—this thick, powerful aura was unlike anything I'd seen before.
Suddenly, Xu Fu's fist appeared before my eyes. My right hand pressed down on his wrist, twisting my palm and forcefully pushing left. With a boom, a violent rush swept past my left ear.
Xu Fu looked at me in disbelief. My left hand had already shoved his chest, and a flash of icy blue light burst forth. With a crack, a large ice flower bloomed on his chest. There was a loud bang, and Xu Fu was sent flying into the distance.
With a thud, the ground caved in. Xu Fu crashed down hard, blood spilling from his mouth. I stared at this impossible scene—this should not have been possible.
"Such a foolish kid."
A fierce wind whipped behind me. Before I could react, my body moved on its own—twisting with a crack to grab Lao Chongyuan’s fists, leaping upward like a carousel horse. Facing forward, my legs twisted and snapped together, landing a kick on Lao Chongyuan’s shoulder with a resounding thud.
Pale blue shards of ice scattered everywhere. Lao Chongyuan’s body arched backward, his eyes filled with surprise as he looked at me. Inside, I felt a burning heat—I roared, my anger pouring into tightly clenched fists.
Punches landed in rapid succession—dozens in an instant—each one exploding into icy blossoms. With a crash, Lao Chongyuan fell into a green pool, sending water splashing and denting the bottom of the basin.
A sizzling sound filled the air. I watched in awe as my body underwent impossible changes—my skin turned icy blue, cracks appeared, and cold air poured from the fissures. Raising my hand, a swirl of frost erupted. Belle slowly materialized in my grip.
With a gust, I appeared before Luantian Xuekui, catching her as she fell, crouching quietly and gazing at her.
"Ah, your eyes have changed!"
A cold, pale hand pressed gently against my cheek.
I gazed quietly at Luantian Xuekui, my heart tangled with sadness. Suddenly, I seemed to understand everything—the journey I’d taken, the truth reflected in my heart like a giant, flawless mirror.
"Is it because they’re human?"
I uttered a sound, lowering my head. I couldn’t deny or refute what Luantian Xuekui said.
"It’s precisely because they’re human that they’re terrifying. And because you see them as human, you fear... killing them."
I raised my head and gazed at the sky, so angry I wanted to kill them. But I couldn’t do it, nor could I imagine it.
My heart thumped wildly. Luantian Xuekui gently placed her other hand on my chest.
"You feel it, don’t you? This heartbeat, this gentleness. It’s because humanity gave you warmth that you want to return it. But gentleness can’t save anyone, nor can it change anything. Isn’t that right?"
I let go of Luantian Xuekui and stood up. She smiled—though the smile was stiff and its meaning unclear, it was imprinted on my heart in that instant.
"Just hold onto that gentleness. But when others trample on it, what will you do then?"
I quietly watched Xu Fu rise in the distance, that same sickening smile on his face. The air around us grew feverish.
"Xu Fu..."
With a roar, I charged forward. In a flash, Belle slashed down from my hand. With a clang, Xu Fu caught Belle with one hand, the blade creaking as I pressed down with all my strength.
"That’s more like it. That’s enough. You’re already a wraith—what are you still holding back for?"
Xu Fu’s hand pressed down on me bit by bit, his face drawing closer—still wearing that same fake, insincere smile.
The blade creaked. I gritted my teeth, icy breath pouring from my mouth.
"You want to kill me, don’t you? If you do, then show me all your power, Ethan Zhang..."
"You don’t need to tell me—I’ll do it anyway."
Our eyes locked, rage overlapping—both of us roaring, each seeing only the intent to kill in the other’s gaze.
With a crash, my body tilted left. My left foot kicked toward Xu Fu, but he grabbed it—my vision spun, and I saw the ground. With a slam, Xu Fu smashed me down.
"Stay back, Lao Chongyuan."
Xu Fu suddenly roared. Lao Chongyuan, who had been about to approach, stopped a few meters behind me. Xu Fu glanced at me, and I stared back, furious.
"Ethan Zhang... I'll kill him myself."
With a crack, my body twisted forward. In a flash, Belle swept coldly toward Xu Fu’s head.
With a bang, Xu Fu blocked my wrist with his left arm. I let go of Belle, grabbing Xu Fu’s left hand and roaring. A surge of Deathbane Aura burst out toward Xu Fu. Two thuds—my chest caved in and I spat blood as Xu Fu kicked at me.
With a swish, the flying Belle vanished in the air, but slowly reappeared in my left hand. I reversed my grip and pulled Belle upward.
Excitement gleamed in Xu Fu’s eyes. He laughed maniacally as I pressed my right hand onto his head, roaring. His left leg was severed and sent flying.
With a crash, cracks spread across the ground. I straddled Xu Fu, and as I let go, a streak of black light flashed—a shotgun appeared in my hand.
"Die."
With a click, I pulled the trigger. A flash of gold shot from Xu Fu’s eyes. With a bang, Xu Fu grabbed my gun barrel. Another explosion—something struck my back and sent me rolling forward off Xu Fu. My right arm was gone. Just as I tried to turn, a fist smashed into my cheek.
A buzzing vibration filled the air. I felt as if I were being sucked in. Xu Fu’s fist loosened; he grinned wickedly, staring at me.
"Just a single ghost core, and you’re already this strong? Hahaha... You’re definitely worth obtaining."
Just as I tried to move, Xu Fu’s fist clenched tight. With a crash, black ripples radiated before my eyes. I spat blood, my skin splitting all over, and I was sent flying backward.
With a crash, an arm wrapped around my waist. Lucas Dao spun his giant brush, swinging to the side. With a boom, a powerful shockwave blasted past his right hand, and much of Limbo’s buildings were reduced to ashes in an instant.