"..."
Aether's mouth twitched as he watched the scene unfold. He was beginning to piece together the strange relationship between these three people.
It seemed he had simply witnessed too little of the world. The Continent of Romance truly lived up to its name.
Even something this absurd could actually happen…
But the man in the black cloak didn't spare the woman a single glance. His eyes were locked firmly on Aether.
"Who are you?"
His voice was hoarse as he spoke, eyes wary as he stared at the young man.
Only now did he truly take notice of Aether.
The woman had mentioned earlier that among the prey this time, there were two individuals with unusual martial spirits. At the time, he had felt quite pleased with himself.
He hadn't considered that they could pose any real threat.
After all, soul masters foolish enough to be lured into a trap like this—how powerful could they be?
But now, he realized these people had brought with them someone incredibly dangerous!
Damn it! If only he'd absorbed and refined her first!
Meanwhile, Xu Lai seemed to snap back to his senses. His eyes lit up with excitement as he looked at Aether.
That last attack from the black-robed man had been one he'd charged into with a death wish—but halfway through its flight, the ghostly shadow had miraculously dissipated, allowing his full-power strike to land.
There was no way the black-robed man had gone easy on him. That left only one possibility: the attack had been neutralized by a technique far stronger than his own.
Who at the scene could've done that?
The butler and the woman were obviously out. That only left the mysterious young man behind him with the strange martial spirit.
Xu Lai guessed mostly right—but he missed one detail.
The black-robed man's soul skill hadn't been canceled by any particular technique. Aether had simply waved his hand, and the elemental energy in the air had swallowed the skill whole.
Aether found this evil soul master revolting and clearly had no interest in talking.
He reached out, and from the void drew his Dull Blade, swinging it twice at the air before him. Two invisible blades of wind screamed through the air, slashing toward the black-robed man.
Though the attack covered only a small area, the very space itself seemed to split where they passed.
"No!!!"
The woman struggled to her feet with the butler's help, only to see the black-robed man sliced clean in half at the waist. She screamed, shaking off the butler's hand, and scrambled toward the fallen man, weeping uncontrollably.
"Still alive?"
Aether raised an eyebrow. The man's lower body lay motionless to the side, but his upper half was crawling backward with surprising speed using only his arms.
"My love! Are you alright? Don't scare me…"
The black-robed man had planned to escape. The moment Aether attacked, he realized he had no chance of winning.
But this woman, foolish with emotion, had thrown herself at him and clung tightly, making it difficult for him to break free.
"If you love me so much, then die for me!"
Unable to shake her off, the black-robed man's face twisted with cruelty. Gathering the last of his strength, he summoned his martial spirit. A ghostly figure materialized behind him and surged toward the woman in his arms.
"No!"
The butler immediately activated his martial spirit, sending an attack straight into the black-robed man's back. He staggered, and the woman was caught in the shockwave, her hands flung free as the man tumbled to the side.
"Miss, are you alright?"
The butler rushed to her side, holding her with concern.
"Cough… Save my husband!"
The woman had no soul power at all. Even though the attack hadn't been aimed at her, a level-50 soul master's soul skill was still powerful enough to injure or kill an ordinary person through collateral impact.
She ignored the blood pouring from her lips and struggled desperately to reach the black-robed man again.
"You bastard, die!"
Xu Lai knew this was the perfect chance. The black-robed man was seriously injured—he couldn't afford to let it slip by. Though his soul power was nearly drained, he still picked up his soul blade and charged forward.
He would avenge his sister!
"Quick! Someone save my husband!"
The woman shrieked in desperation.
The butler sighed helplessly, then released her and dashed toward Xu Lai with his soul power flaring.
After all, her orders were still orders…
"Sir! Please help me!"
Xu Lai wasn't as reckless as before. He called out behind him as he ran.
He knew—even at full strength, he wouldn't be a match for the butler. But behind him stood a young man of unknown depth. He needed help—now!
Aether didn't hold back anymore. With a flick of his hand, a wind blade slashed through the air.
The wind blade swept past the butler's neck. A cold shiver ran down the man's spine—then he watched his own body continue running before collapsing face-first into the mud.
He seemed to come to his senses, trying to turn his head for one last look.
But with only his head left, he no longer had the strength.
His severed head rolled a few times on the ground, and his final gaze happened to fall on the woman. He wanted to look at the one he loved just once more before dying.
But—
Thud!
A foot cruelly kicked the head into the mud. Filth splashed over his face, blinding him. Even in death, he was denied his final wish.
"My love!!!"
The woman tripped over a round object and stumbled, still crawling through the mud toward the black-robed man.
"Damn it! I'll remember you!"
Seeing Xu Lai charge in with blade raised, the black-robed man let out a furious snarl. He activated a dark, twisted soul skill, his body enveloped in black mist.
By the time Xu Lai reached him, there was nothing left but blood-stained mud. The man was gone.
But that eerie mist was like a living thing, burrowing into Xu Lai's body. He stumbled, planting his blade into the ground for support, blood pouring from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
"Sir… please… kill that monster…"
Xu Lai dropped to his knees in front of Aether, voice barely audible, before collapsing. He was still conscious, but the pain felt like a thousand ghosts devouring his soul. He couldn't even scream.
Aether watched silently.
In one hand, he summoned a pale blue orb of hydro.
In the other, a crackling sphere of electro.
He casually tossed the water sphere—when it landed on Xu Lai, it washed away the filth on his body, and his pallor faded as color returned to his face.
The thunderbolt flew toward a nearby tree trunk.
Crack!
The trunk split with a thunderous snap. A shrill wail echoed out as a half-formed figure dropped from the blackened wood and fell into the mud, unmoving.
What? You're worried Aether might've thrown the thunderbolt at Xu Lai by accident?
What to do, you ask…? Well, I'm sure Paimon would strongly recommend you throw a celebration banquet!
Although, she'd probably want her own table. No one ever manages to get food before her…
_
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