Death and Rebirth

“Hu…”

Dustin let out a long breath—finally, it was over.

This was the first time he had faced an opponent of the same realm, and it truly wasn’t easy to handle.

Moreover, within the opponent’s body there was a very peculiar power, unlike the Grandmaster’s gangqi, but rather another kind of energy, indescribable and strange.

But regardless, the threat was finally eliminated.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps rang out.

In the distance, Margaret and the others cautiously walked out from the edge of the forest. Their eyes swept over the scene of devastation, yet still could not hide the fear in their hearts.

That apocalyptic clash of thunder and sword-qi just now made even these distant onlookers feel as though their hearts were being clenched in an iron grip.

Now that they approached, the scorched ground still warm, the blood-dyed waters by the lakeshore, and the heavy stench of blood in the air—all silently told of the battle’s brutality.

Qingzhu quickly walked to Dustin’s side. Looking at the scattered fragments of flesh and bone on the ground, her voice trembled: “Mr. Dustin, th-this man… what exactly was he? To actually summon the lightning of heaven and earth, and wield such terrifying power.”

She thought of the egret that had turned into a mist of blood, and still felt a chill down her spine. If not for Dustin’s intervention, their group would already have become corpses under that man’s hand.

Dustin sheathed his sword, his brow slightly furrowed. “I don’t know his exact identity. But judging from his words and the nature of his power after awakening, most likely he is a guardian of Penglai Island.”

“A guardian of Penglai Island?” Margaret softly repeated those words, her delicate face turning grave.

She had to admit—Penglai Island was fraught with deadly dangers.

When they had first come ashore, on the western shoals they encountered what seemed a harmless sea of pink-and-white flowers. When the petals drifted in the wind, they released a sweet fragrance. Yet two of their guards merely inhaled a few breaths of it and their bodies stiffened, unable to move.

Had they not brought detoxifying pills, those two would have surely lost their lives.

And just last night, while camping in the forest, they heard the laughter of children drifting through the trees. Following the sound, they discovered only a few stalks of “Wailing Soul Grass” that could mimic human voices.

The sounds of this grass could trap people in illusions, unable to free themselves. Even she had nearly fallen into its snare.

If Dustin had not been there to guard them, they all would have ended up as fertilizer for the plants.

“Penglai Island is full of mystery. No one knows what lurks here. From now on, we must be even more careful in our actions.”

Dustin reminded them: “This place has just seen a great battle. The fluctuations of spiritual power will surely attract other dangers on the island. We shouldn’t stay. We must leave quickly and find a concealed place to camp.”

“Mr. Dustin is absolutely right!”

Margaret didn’t hesitate and immediately ordered the guards to pack up the remaining supplies from their camp.

As Dustin turned away, his gaze unconsciously swept toward the northeast.

With his divine sense, he could clearly sense the position of Li Wenxing’s group.

The reason he had struck just now was partly because he felt the surge of powerful energy, and partly because he recognized Li Wenxing and the other two.

Back then, he had tricked them out of quite a bit of wealth and treasure. Inevitably, there was some guilt in his heart. Now, seeing them in danger, lending a hand seemed no big deal.

However, he had underestimated the strength of that handsome man.

If he had the choice again, he wasn’t sure he would meddle.

After packing up their belongings, Margaret’s group quickly left their former campsite.

When they had gone far, and dusk fell, the lakeside returned to silence.

The evening wind swept across the grass, lifting a few bloodstained leaves that fell beside the scattered remains of the handsome man.

It was then that something eerie occurred!

The fragments of flesh and bone scattered on the ground and in the lake were drawn together as if by an invisible force, slowly gathering from all directions.

First small chunks of flesh fused, then bones aligned and knit together. Even the tiniest shreds drifting on the lake flowed toward the shore, merging into the reforming body.

Moonlight filtered through the treetops, shining upon the body being reborn.

The flesh and bones healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. Skin re-covered the skeleton, and the shredded white robe fragments gradually gathered and rewove themselves into a complete garment.

After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the handsome man—whom Dustin had pierced through the chest and blown to pieces—stood there once more, whole and unbroken.

Only now, compared to before, his face was pale as paper, his body weak beyond measure.

Though he had used a secret art to come back from death, it had nearly drained him of all his essence and spirit. For at least ten years, he would be unable to recover.

To him, this was nothing short of a humiliation of the highest order.

“You just wait… today’s hatred, I will repay in the future!”

The handsome man gnashed his teeth, glaring in the direction Dustin’s group had gone, his eyes glinting with icy killing intent.

After resting for a short while, his figure flickered—and finally turned into a streak of white light, vanishing into the depths of the forest. - Marinien