I Am Your Natural Enemy-Chapter 690 - 265: Differences in Thought, Pink Taoist Soldier (5k)

Wen Yan, upon hearing these words, still felt a bit puzzled and perplexed.

How dare they? he thought. Where do they find the courage? In the nearby seas of the Divine Land, sending out Water Ghosts to attack ships, and all to capture me? This must be some old-fashioned antique who hasn't kept up with the times. There's always this sense of ignorance, using outdated perspectives and experiences to deal with current affairs.

Yet, it was precisely because of their foolishness that so much harm could be caused. They really dared to attack ships. Even if they were to regret it when facing a heavy counterattack and their impending death, the damage inflicted would be irreparable.

"Who dispatched you? What is it? Where is it?" Wen Yan asked.

"I don't know what it is; I haven't seen it," one replied. "Deep in a seabed cave, that one governs the Lost Souls of the sea. All the Lost Souls of this sea area will enter that cave. After we die, we are bound here, unable to escape. That one has been in slumber all the while. Even when feeding, it still maintains a state of sleep. This time, it merely awoke a little; most of its consciousness should still be asleep."

Just then, one of the Ghosts enveloped by Yang Energy, amid agonizing wails, knelt on the ground. Then, as if afflicted with madness, it burst out laughing wildly.

"I'm liberated! I'm liberated! I don't need to find a substitute anymore!"

The Ghost, under the Yang Energy, screamed frantically, ran about in every direction, and rolled on the ground insanely. Even as it began to evaporate, no longer resembling a human form, it still laughed wildly, sharing this good news with everyone. Amidst the laughter, the Ghost gradually evaporated in the Yang Energy, disappearing without a trace.

Watching the Ghost dissipate, Wen Yan knew he had triggered the trait of the Water Ghost Nemesis. The professional inheritance trait of this Water Ghost was erased. For this Water Ghost, the fundamental constraint for liberation—finding a substitute—had vanished. It dissolved in Wen Yan's Yang Energy, laughing maniacally all the while.

The other Water Ghosts, who were still struggling and contemplating other things, immediately stopped. They all looked up at Wen Yan. Even the Water Ghosts that had tried to escape by jumping off the boat forced themselves to climb back from outside the wrecked vessel, enduring the Yang Energy. They all stared at Wen Yan with wide eyes. One by one, acting as if mad, they flocked into the area covered by Wen Yan's Yang Energy, attempting to replicate the transformation.

The Long Blade Floating Ghost, held in Wen Yan's hand, had been subservient just a moment ago. Now, its eyes burst forth with a terrifying light, and the solidity of its Soul Body seemed to increase severalfold in an instant.

Two Ghosts had vanished. Following them, another began to wail and laugh, acting as crazed as the first.

"I'm liberated! I'm liberated too! It's true! I don't need to find a substitute anymore! Ha... hahaha..."

The Ghost knelt on the deck, madly kowtowing to Wen Yan. Then, it gradually turned into a phantom within Wen Yan's Yang Energy, disappearing without a trace. As it finally vanished, its face bore an exaggerated, crazed laugh.

In that instant, all the Ghosts completely stopped resisting, even actively seeking the harm of the Yang Energy.

Wen Yan himself was somewhat terrified by these Ghosts. Indeed, I've never seen such a scene, he thought. A group of fierce Ghosts, acting as if they've gone mad, actively seeking death.

He reined in some of his Yang Energy. The Ghosts immediately knelt, kowtowing frantically and begging for liberation.

Wen Yan released the Long Blade Floating Ghost, who also knelt, the word "obsession" almost visibly etched on his forehead.

Now Wen Yan understood. They weren't afraid of death; their only obsession was to seek liberation. This liberation, viewed through their past understanding, meant finding a substitute. The core purpose of finding a substitute was actually to rid themselves of the enforced inheritance trait of the Water Ghost profession. This was different from simply dissolving. In desperate times, dissolving was the absolute last resort, an option only when no other choice remained.

The Long Blade Floating Ghost knelt respectfully on the ground, his reasoning the most intact and clear. From Wen Yan's earlier questioning, he knew what Wen Yan wanted to know. Now, without waiting for Wen Yan to ask, he took the initiative to speak.

"I've heard the Old Ghosts say before that place is where the Lost Souls who die in this sea area end up. It's our last resort before we are driven insane: to offer ourselves to that one in exchange for eternal disappearance. I heard an Old Ghost say that one's existence spans a very long time. Previously, it wouldn't dare to make us do these things. There seemed to be an incident once where Lost Souls were taken, but at that time, whatever dwells in the depths of the cave suffered a setback. Now, with the Spiritual Qi Resurgence, and the ancient powerful beings gone, it dares to act this way.

"The cave is only half a day's journey from here; the locals once called it the 'Sea Cave.' Beneath the surface, where no light penetrates, a cave appears at night; that's the entrance. Besides us, there are many other Water Ghosts, but most of them are like unconscious wooden puppets."

The Long Blade Floating Ghost quickly told Wen Yan everything he knew, his eyes filled with hope. He looked at Wen Yan, hoping he too could find liberation.

Wen Yan looked at the Ghost before him and said sternly, "You don't need to look at me. Whatever the outcome, whether or not you will find liberation, doesn't depend on me. It depends on yourselves. I don't have the ability to ensure everyone is liberated. Nobody has such power. As for why some can find liberation while others cannot, you know best in your own hearts."

The Long Blade Floating Ghost showed a trace of disappointment but still believed Wen Yan's words.