Chapter 3 Overlord
Skin Stripping's mind was greatly shaken. From his perspective, everything that had happened was incredibly bizarre.
Severely wounded and on the brink of death, Li Yelai suddenly burst up after saying certain words, while also manifesting a strange Face and growing a terrifying set of Heavy Pupils.
An attack was launched against him with an extremely terrifying force.
This individual seemed to have become a different person, and his aura oppressed Skin Stripping enough to instill Fear in him.
As a Hunter, Skin Stripping felt like he had become Prey at this moment!
And up close, looking at those dreadful Heavy Pupils, Skin Stripping felt as if he was being gazed upon by a Demon God.
Overlord of Western Chu? What was the Overlord of Western Chu? Was it some character from before the Calamity?
Skin Stripping didn't have time to speak; his muscles tensed as he crossed his arms to resist the knives of hands.
Previously, when Li Yelai was hacking with an axe, he managed to catch the blade with his bare hands, but now facing the hands as knives, he dared not be careless at all.
The moment the hand knife came crashing down, Skin Stripping only felt a numbness in his hands, the skin he had obtained from Doctor Wang on his arms cracked instantly, his bones made faint sounds, and his flesh was a blur!
It was as if the hand that was chopping at him was not just any hand, but a giant spear capable of splitting mountains and rocks.
His bizarre air Barrier had no effect—or to be precise—was cancelled out or neutralized by another force.
This made Skin Stripping's heart skip a beat.
That was his Spiritual Barrier, and as a Spiritual Ability User, after gaining initial control over his powers, he would unconsciously gather a Spiritual Barrier around his body.
His Spiritual Barrier could even defend against handgun bullets. That was why he feared no resistance. As long as the Spiritual Barrier was in place, the Prey couldn't harm him. This was also the biggest characteristic that set Spiritual Ability Users apart from ordinary people.
However, now that the Barrier had been neutralized, it meant... he was facing his own kind!
Skin Stripping quickly retreated, his skinless face showing astonishment.
"You've actually... became a Spiritual Ability User?" Skin Stripping couldn't believe it.
Indeed, only a Spiritual Ability User could fight a Spiritual Ability User; only a Spiritual Barrier could neutralize a Spiritual Barrier.
This Prey had become a Spiritual Ability User! In such a short time, without any warning, he had become a Spiritual Ability User, his own kind?
How absurd!
However, Li Yelai felt something wonderful; he didn't know what a Spiritual Ability User was, but after making some sort of deal with Black Shadow.
His soul's world seemed to have opened up a hole, and through it, Li Yelai could glimpse the dazzling Star Sea. And from within the Star Sea, a mysterious force poured into his body, making his perception sharper and as if an invisible force was coursing through him.
At the same time, he acquired a marvelous ability.
Wanxiang Wumian? He didn't know why he wanted to call this ability that.
It seemed to allow him to witness past heroes and emulate their powers.
Perhaps it was the wound on his neck that guided him to see the peerless hero who ultimately took his own life at Wujiang's shores!
Thus, he emulated the Overlord!
As an employee of an antique shop, Li Yelai naturally knew of the existence who had led twenty-eight Cavalry to charge against thousands of Cavalry!
That one, the Overlord of Western Chu, Xiang Yu, who uprooted mountains and whose spirit subdued the world!
Now, through Wanxiang Wumian, Li Yelai emulated, or rather, Mimicked, and displayed the Overlord's Might!
Every bone and muscle in his body trembled, and his physique, strength, and speed were all enhanced.
He now had an explosive force far beyond that of an ordinary person!
And when those Heavy Pupils opened, Li Yelai's vision was filled with many black lines.
These black lines were connected to various objects, vehicles, walls, pillars, and even to Skin Stripping and Li Yelai himself there were twisting black lines.
'What are these black lines? Are they the power of Wanxiang Wumian? Or the power of the Overlord?' Li Yelai pondered as he looked at the black lines.
When he reached out to touch a nearby black line, he discovered it was not tangible.
Then, following the line instinctively, he tapped on the wall from which the black line extended; he hadn't used much force, but the wall cracked instantly. It was as if his fist had struck the wall's 'Weakness,' causing the concrete to break with a single punch. A crack, half a meter long, appeared on the wall, spreading outwards like a spider web.
Li Yelai then understood the ability of these Heavy Pupils; these black lines were the Weaknesses or flaws of objects, the most fragile point of concentration on the item. As long as he attacked along these black lines, even with a small exertion of force, he could shatter the target!
And on Skin Stripping, who had previously seemed invulnerable to any method of attack, there were numerous black lines. For Li Yelai, he was no longer invincible!
In the eyes of Skin Stripping, however, it was Li Yelai who lifted his hand and smashed the wall with a light punch.
Fuck, what kind of power is this? A light punch to break concrete?
This unbelievable power made Skin Stripping even more cautious, causing him to swiftly retreat and widen the distance.
"Li Yelai, perhaps we can talk! We are both Wild Spirit Ability Users, we are the same kind! To the officials of the Giant City, we are on the same side, we are natural allies... There is no need for conflict. I'll leave now, and I won't disturb your life. I can atone for my offense, I know some Spiritual Ability Users of our kind. I can bridge connections for you... don't be rash, we're all..." Skin Stripping said this out loud, but his heart was rapidly calculating Li Yelai's strength, considering which Spiritual Ability Path he belonged to.
Out of the seven Spiritual Ability Paths he knew of.
Those who could manifest strange forms were likely the same as him, Wanxiang Spirit Users.
Among the abilities of the Wanxiang path, many involved Mimicry of living beings. This was also why he could emulate others.
But... those Heavy Pupils seemed to have a different power; perhaps they belonged to the Spiritual Eyes Path.
Which path was it from?
Skin Stripping thought distractedly, being a Spiritual Ability User himself, he rather preferred to wield his knife against the weak than to engage in battle with his own kind.
So, in this moment facing Li Yelai, a chill crept up his spine, and the thought of retreating had already taken root in his mind.
He was nobody special. Otherwise, he wouldn't be killing humans at will to enjoy life, stripping their skin off to relish in their lives, and misbehaving under their identities.
He not only murdered his victims but also made them carry unspeakable guilt.
Just a few hours ago, under Doctor Wang's appearance, he assaulted a nurse at the hospital. Causing Doctor Wang, a man full of medical ethics, to have no peace even in death, bearing an indelible stigma. He was proud of himself and had set his sights on Li Yelai.
He hoped to control everything, taking pleasure in toying with all living beings, feeling like a deity!
And how could such a petty man dare to attack someone stronger than himself?
Now, when faced with a bigger monster, the only thought was to flee.
'Must open the garage door and escape directly. Damn it, I don't even have a face right now, unable to hide even on the streets! This bastard, it's all because of this bastard!' Skin Stripping quickly contemplated, his hatred for Li Yelai growing with the intent to seek revenge after his escape. Speaking was purely a tactic to distract Li Yelai.
But during Skin Stripping's retreat, Li Yelai bent down to pick up the previously discarded axe.
Now he was stronger than ever before.
But what was the cost?
What was Black Shadow's identity and intent?
What kind of Calamity would ensue once the chains on Black Shadow were all broken?
Li Yelai didn't know any of this, and it wasn't his problem to consider at the moment.
His raging anger hadn't subsided, this monster threatening his vulnerability, he wouldn't let Skin Stripping live!
Surely, he wasn't going to keep this monster who knew his personal information around for the New Year, right?
Such a threat must be eliminated!
Cut down, root and branch!
Hence, without any words or hesitation, Li Yelai with axe in hand charged at Skin Stripping with the greatest speed!
Skin Stripping could only suppress the horror in his heart and rapidly brandish his internal meat knife with his right hand. Although not adept at fighting, as a Spiritual Ability User facing a newly Awakened fellow, there should be at least a chance to escape if not victorious!
At least... that's what he thought.
But when Li Yelai swung his axe, Skin Stripping heard the roaring of thousands of troops and saw the Overlord charging through a sea of corpses and rivers of blood, brandishing his spear!
In the next instant, the axe followed the spreading black lines, striking directly at the 'Weakness' of the meat knife.
With a 'crack,' the Sharp meat knife splintered. Several knife fragments flew through the air, reflecting the end of Skin Stripping.
The sudden breakage of the weapon filled Skin Stripping's eyes with astonishment.
The next second, the axe slammed heavily into Skin Stripping's skinless face.
The blade tore through muscle, shattered bones, and cleaved off half of Skin Stripping's head.
Escape? Survive? Revenge?
Ridiculous, who did he think he was facing?
A brother who was a protector, one who traded with the strange to protect his last kin!
A brother whose rage was unstoppable!
Faced with such a being, he couldn't even withstand a single strike!
Head and knife split by one blow of the axe!
The succeeding Li Yelai didn't stop, continuing to swing his axe until he completely severed Skin Stripping's head. Only after crushing the skull underfoot did he confirm that the opponent was thoroughly dead.
Li Yelai felt no joy, but leaned weakly against the wall. The Face on his own face gradually dissolved and vanished.
His body bore a tremendous burden, his heart beating violently, bones and muscles groaning. Even breathing became extremely painful.
It seemed... he was about to die? Was this the price demanded by Black Shadow?
In a daze, Li Yelai heard the sound of police sirens and saw the violently torn open garage door.
A group of people had arrived by his side, seemingly trying to save him.
Li Yelai's eyes widened, but his vision was blurred and he could see nothing clearly.
He could only ask with difficulty, "Am I... about to die?"
"Do you have any last words?" someone quietly asked beside him.
"Just say I've gone out of town, don't scare my sister, she's very afraid of people..." Li Yelai said softly, then fell into unconsciousness.
What Li Yelai didn't know was that, after he uttered these words,
The guns pointed at him were slowly lowered.
They looked at the body of Skin Stripping, falling into a deathlike silence.