C1895 He Saw Through His Identity
Wagner was brimming with excitement as he surveyed Yu Yuan from the mountain's peak, growing increasingly convinced of his observation.
"I just knew you wouldn't go down so easily!"
Under Wagner's intense gaze, the thirty-six gray whirlpools in Yu Yuan's Mindscape, shaped by the Wraithbinding, began to vanish one after the other. The fragmented spirited bodies also receded into the dominant soul, as if cleansed by a cool, shimmering light.
Yu Yuan's face took on a somber tone as he commanded, "Stop!"
It appeared that Wagner, the God of Ghosts, was employing some form of theurgy to delve into the deepest reaches of his soul, searching for vestiges of his past life—and he was indeed seeing something.
With a respectful bow, Wagner apologized, "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist taking a peek."
Clad in gleaming silver armor and a body forged from Shadow Moon Essence, he radiated a fierce and formidable presence. His arrival set the once-stagnant Levi River flowing naturally once more.
The previously disrupted rules of the Wraithlands, thrown into chaos by Yu Yuan's cultivation, suddenly smoothed out. The Skeleton Horse beneath him had its deep eye sockets ablaze with green soul fire.
The twin orbs of green soul fire in the Skeleton Horse's eyes glanced at Yu Yiyi, setting the glyphs on her armor, wrought from the Crucible of Evil, into a frenzied spin.
Yu Yiyi, with a grave look on her face, communicated telepathically, "Be careful."
She couldn't gauge Wagner's strength, but the flames within the Skeleton Horse's modest frame could likely incinerate a formidable Bane like the Chebus—if one lacked special armor or a protective body.
Even she would struggle to cleanse herself if touched by the eerie green flames from the Skeleton Horse's eyes.
"You must be mistaken," Yu Yuan stated, facing the stranger Wagner with a composed demeanor. "My name is Yu Yuan. True, I hail from Boulderdawn and wield the Dragon Slaying Stage, but..."
Uncertain of Wagner's background or stance, and ignorant of his true might within the Wraithlands, Yu Yuan was unsure if there were any old scores to settle with his former self, so he opted for caution.
"You're not wrong!" Wagner said with a grin, cutting him off.
"The original owner of the Dragon Slaying Stage, Taiyin?"
Among the ghosts, Fernand, whose cultivation level was the lowest, quivered as he voiced his skepticism, "Lord Wagner, there must be some mistake. His name is Yu Yuan. I've shared his background with you. Although he's the current master of the Dragon Slaying Stage, he..."
Wagner gestured dismissively, cutting off Fernand mid-sentence, a habit he seemed quite comfortable with.
His gaunt face bore an expression of unwavering conviction as he slightly smiled and said, "Fernand, the Yu Yuan you're familiar with is indeed Lord Taiyin! Trust me, there's no error."
Yu Yiyi remained silent, gazing at Wagner with a stunned expression, wondering if her lord truly knew Wagner.
In the past, her lord had waged wars across the extraterrestrial Star River, encountering numerous demons and spirits. Could Wagner actually be someone her lord had met?
The mightiest Banes, including Chebus and Grimlantern, who had gathered from all directions, now stared in disbelief.
Was Yu Yuan truly the most formidable expert from the Boulderdawn sect of millennia past?
"Sir, have you truly sealed away your past memories?"
Wagner slapped his forehead, as if struck by sudden insight, "That must be it! Your distinctive Spirit Magic and the essence within your dominant soul prove you are none other than Taiyin himself! Sir, do you require my assistance to awaken your original memories and recover all that has been buried?"
"Can you truly see?" Yu Yuan asked, his brow furrowed.
"I achieved the state of God of Ghosts right here in the Wraithlands. Plus, being in the Wraithlands, I can discern the original traces of any soul that enters," Wagner boasted confidently, "Without coming here, without seeing you in person, I assumed you were merely a descendant. But having seen you, I now understand completely."
"Have you and I... met before?" Yu Yuan probed cautiously.
"More than just met!"
Wagner nodded vigorously, his pride evident as he proclaimed, "I've been a God of Ghosts for many, many years, and I am able to leave the Wraithlands. Our past encounters were more than mere acquaintances. If you wish, I can help you recall everything, but ultimately, the choice is yours."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Yu Yuan shook his head, his simple gesture and a firm "no need" causing an uproar among the ghosts present. It was as if he had indirectly confirmed his identity as Taiyin.
"Taiyin!"
"You're actually Taiyin!"
Fernand, along with Branka's ghostly followers and the many Ghost Kings and Spectres loyal to Wagner, were all astounded. The dragon slayer, whose renown surpassed even that of the Dark Phoenix and Lin Daoke, had once carved a path of destruction through the extraterrestrial. His fame was not something Han Miaoyuan could even approach.
Beside Wagner stood numerous Ghost Kings and Spectres, many of whom were Shura, warriors who reveled in battle. They held a natural admiration for those with formidable strength.
"Our Master is... the dragon slayer!"
After Wagner disclosed Yu Yuan's true origins, the nine most powerful Banes scattered across the mountain peak regarded him with a newfound sense of awe and reverence.
"It seems you have your own thoughts and plans," Wagner observed, silencing the clamor with a gesture. The ghosts fell silent as he scrutinized Yu Yuan with a serious gaze. "I had a feeling you wouldn't die so easily. I even considered that you might reincarnate, knowing you're aware of the method."
"I just didn't expect your return to be so swift, nor that you'd regain your strength so quickly."
Wagner's demeanor shifted instantly upon recognizing Yu Yuan as Taiyin, a sign of their familiarity. "Master, allow me to escort you to Matina. Oh, and Kaiya as well! By the way, Youyu, who arrived from the Everlands, is currently using an Origin Gate within the Wraithlands to establish a connection with the Origin Realm."
As a God of Ghosts, Wagner's knowledge surpassed that of both Caren and Fernand.
"Youyu intends to breach the Origin Realm," Wagner said with a sly grin, "and he's scouting out the situation on behalf of our Wraithlands' ghosts. The Origin Realm is teeming with powerful Abyssal souls incapable of inhabiting physical bodies—perfect for us in the Wraithlands!"
"The Wraithlands is home to a multitude of ghosts and a wealth of formidable beings. Our dream is to venture into the Origin Realm and consume the souls of the Abyss's mightiest!"
Wagner was visibly elated, his excitement palpable as he practically danced with joy.
Yu Yuan's brow lifted in surprise. He hadn't anticipated that upon entering the Wraithlands, Youyu would reach out towards the Origin Realm, seemingly with the blessing of both Wagner and Matina.
"How's Han Qi?" Yu Yuan called out.
"Han Qi? We can discuss him as we go."
Wagner's expression turned grim at the mention of Han Qi. He shook his head and muttered, "A contemptible character!"
He rode his Skeleton Horse and made a swift descent onto the stationary Ghost Ship, promptly expelling all the spectres aboard before gesturing for Yu Yuan to join him.
"Fernand, you may follow. The rest of you, stay behind."
This meant that Branka, along with the rest of the Ghost Kings and Gods of Ghosts, were not summoned by Wagner.
Yu Yuan, slightly bewildered, held his tongue and reboarded the Ghost Ship, only to witness it rapidly contracting under Wagner's influence.
In no time, the Ghost Ship had condensed into a compact, narrow boat, drastically reduced in size and now only able to accommodate a few individuals.
"The smaller it is, the faster it will move," Wagner remarked, a hint of reminiscence flickering in his eyes. "Sir, it was after you killed me that I became a ghost of the Wraithlands."
At his words, Yu Yiyi's face transformed with shock, and she braced herself for battle.
Yu Yuan uttered an "Oh," indicating his eagerness to learn more of the story.
