C1896 Another God of Ghosts

The sleek Ghost Ship cut through the blood-yellow waters of the Levi River with the speed of lightning, yet it moved with the stability of traversing solid ground.

Even as they boarded the Ghost Ship, Wagner, who had not dismounted from the Skeleton Horse, revealed that his death had been caused by Yu Yuan. This revelation caused a subtle shift in the expressions of both Fernand and Yu Yiyi.

Fernand began to speculate whether Wagner's earlier actions were a ploy to trap Yu Yuan on the Ghost Ship.

The Ghost Ship was Wagner's domain, and his presence there was not akin to that of Branka, the Ghost King. He could immobilize Yu Yuan and Yu Yiyi, rendering them powerless aboard his vessel.

Indeed, he could even sink the ship along with Yu Yuan into the Levi River, erasing their thoughts and memories.

Given that Wagner had been slain by Yu Yuan, now that he had ascended to the status of a God of Ghosts in the Wraithlands, vengeance should be his!

Wagner's rise to power as a God of Ghosts in the Wraithlands was built upon the souls of innumerable ghosts. He was far from benevolent, and Fernand, having witnessed his tactics, was understandably concerned.

Yet, Wagner seemed to harbor no grand designs for conflict, mirroring Yu Yuan's own calm demeanor.

"Before my death, my bloodline had only just attained the eighth level. I was among a group of Shura warriors when you..." Wagner's gaunt face twisted into a grimace as he recounted bitterly, "Your effortless strike scattered the souls of those Shura warriors, and I was merely one among them."

As Wagner reflected on the past and Yu Yuan's former glory, he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

Yu Yuan paused, then responded, "I have no recollection of that."

"I understand," Wagner replied with a smile, unfazed. He noticed the nine mightiest Banes struggling to keep pace with the Ghost Ship and suggested to Yu Yiyi, "Let them enter the cauldron first. They won't be able to keep up with the Ghost Ship if they remain outside, and they'll gradually fall behind." Following his words, the Ghost Ship's speed decreased slightly.

"Let them go in first," Yu Yuan commanded.

"Okay."

Yu Yiyi's form-fitting armor, adorned with intricate glyphs, swiftly peeled away from her slender frame, transforming back into the dark cauldron and softly rising into the air.

As her thoughts were conveyed, the formidable Banes resembling Chebus and the Frost Queen reluctantly entered the cauldron. Once all nine of the mightiest Banes had vanished into the cauldron, the Ghost Ship's speed surged exponentially, astonishing Yu Yuan with its velocity. The landscapes and images on either side of the Levi River blurred into obscurity as the Ghost Ship sped past.

Yu Yiyi realized that if it weren't for the need to keep pace with the Banes, the Ghost Ship under Wagner's command would have traversed the skies at an even more terrifying speed.

"I hold no grudge against you because when you killed me, you didn't even recognize me. After all, at that time, I was nothing more than a minor character, as insignificant as an ant to you," she said.

Wagner's demeanor was nonchalant; he appeared unfazed by his demise and subsequent existence as a ghost in the Wraithlands.

"It was precisely because my death was a casual blow from you, without even knowing who I was or my name, that you awakened me," he continued.

"You drove me to strive in the Wraithlands, to become a God of Ghosts, to become who I am today—Wagner."

Under Yu Yuan's curious gaze, Wagner glanced at Fernand and said with a smile, "I never mentioned that I hail from the Griffin Clan."

Fernand responded with reverence, "The Shura Clan, the Griffin Clan known for producing the most prodigies!"

"Yes, in our time, my talent was exceptional! Initially, I was considered a hopeful for ascending to the rank of a Golden Shura. Yet, I never took seriously the challenge of breaking through my bloodline level or refining my combat skills," Wagner admitted with pride.

"I spent most of my life in a daze, barely reaching the eighth level bloodline."

"In life, I was the shame and laughingstock of the Griffin Clan. In death... I suspect it was much the same. The ones who killed me didn't even know my name. I died among a crowd."

Wagner chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"After death, my residual soul entered the Wraithlands, and my spiritual wisdom and memories gradually returned. I decided to live differently. I didn't want Wagner's life to dissolve completely in the furnace. I still want to make a name for myself, to prove something with what remains of me."

I fulfilled our destiny in the Wraithlands, becoming a God of Ghosts, and even sought out the esteemed Lord Taiyin."

"Yes, I was defeated once more. But this time, he recognized me. And his only adversary was me—Wagner!"

Wagner, who had been deceased for tens of thousands of years, spoke of the past with a youthful vigor and an unconventional flair.

...

After an indeterminate amount of time, the Ghost Ship came to an abrupt halt.

"We've arrived."

As Wagner spoke, the Ghost Ship, which had previously contracted to the size of a small boat, suddenly expanded and broadened.

Yu Yuan followed Wagner's gaze, turning to see a grayish-white expanse of land floating in the void.

This grayish-white terrain had formed from a severed Shadow Mountain, with a murky stream diverging from the Levi River and flowing toward it.

To Yu Yuan, this tributary felt like a branch of the Lunar Meridian beneath Zekrica.

The stream coursed beneath the suspended land before ascending.

Numerous springs bubbled up on the land, gushing with clear water rich in shadow energy.

A colossal ancient tree, its roots seemingly drawing strength from the spring water, was firmly planted in the soil.

The tree was lush, its branches and leaves home to innumerable ghosts, using the foliage as their nests.

Beneath the ancient tree, amidst the springs, a bewitching evilkind specter leaned against the trunk, conversing with Kaiya.

This enchantress, far younger than Rebecca of the outer world, had long black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, resembling a multitude of supple serpents.

Upon closer inspection, Yu Yuan noticed her waterfall-like hair was actually a flowing stream.

Astonishingly, the shadow energy within these hair-like streams flowed up toward her head, seeping into her mind.

She seemed to have deciphered the flow of the Levi River, mastering the essence of Mind Magic at the heart of the Wraithlands, infusing it into her hair. "Wagner has arrived."

The enchantress, speaking with Kaiya, detached herself from the ancient tree and stood to welcome the newcomer.

"But Wagner isn't the only one here."

Kaiya, statuesque and striking, stood taller than most men. Her vibrant red hair and pronounced features gave her an air of grandeur and majesty rarely seen in a woman.

Her eyes were a deep purple, as if capable of ensnaring the souls of all who gazed into them, regardless of their gender.

"Who is he?"

Matina, an enchantress of the evilkind, reached the edge of the gray-white land and peered down at the Ghost Ship moored below. "Is that Yu Yuan?"

"No, not quite."

"Within the depths of his soul, there are three distinct life paths. Has he reincarnated... twice?"

As a fellow God of Ghosts from the Wraithlands, Matina recognized the extraordinary nature of Yu Yuan immediately upon seeing him, much like Wagner had, but with even more clarity.

In mere seconds, Matina's demeanor and speech took on a grave tone. She bowed slightly at the edge of the gray-white land, gesturing respectfully, "Welcome to the Wraithlands, Lord Taiyin of the Boulderdawn!"

Matina needed no explanation from Wagner or Kaiya; she had already pierced through all the veils.

Yu Yuan's attempts at concealment and the hiding of his dominant soul mark were futile before the two Gods of Ghosts of the Wraithlands.

The moment he entered the Wraithlands, the moment he encountered a God of Ghosts, his identity and secrets could no longer be hidden, laid bare for them to see.

Reincarnation, rebirth, and the masking of different memories are the very mysteries that the Gods of Ghosts of the Wraithlands command.

The Root of the Lunar Meridian also originated from the Wraithlands. The arcane secrets of the cycle of life and rebirth that pervade the Everlands stem from here.

In the presence of Matina and Wagner, any attempt to disguise one's soul was akin to a novice trying to impress masters with their own craft.

"I knew you would understand everything at first sight, which is why I didn't elaborate," Kaiya said with a smile. She had watched Yu Yuan and Wagner approach the land together and then added, "Qiyan is outside. Has he passed on my message?"

Yu Yuan nodded, his curiosity piqued. "How did you manage that?"

"With Matina's assistance, I was able to connect with a branch of the Lunar Meridian within Zekrica. It just so happened that Qiyan was investigating the area. He treated me with great respect and followed my instructions to the letter."

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