Chapter 19: Clash with the Spectral Guardian

The Wraith solidified, its form flickering like a black flame in the dense, cold fog. The hateful pinpoints of light that served as its eyes fixed on Lin Fan, and without preamble, it attacked. It didn't charge like the Alpha wolf; instead, it glided forward, seemingly unaffected by the mud and water of the stagnant pool, covering the distance with unnatural speed.

Its spectral claws, elongated and shimmering with dark Yin Qi, lashed out. Lin Fan met the attack with his Flowing Shadow Sword, expecting a clang of resistance. Instead, the claws phased slightly, passing partially through the physical blade. A wave of intense cold, laced with corrosive Yin energy, washed over the sword and up Lin Fan's arm, attempting to seep past his Iron Skin Art.

He felt a chilling bite, not just physical cold, but a deeper energy drain, pulling at his Qi. His Iron Skin flared, resisting the worst of it, but the sensation was deeply unpleasant and confirmed his suspicions – this was no physical beast.

He retaliated instantly, channeling Qi into a powerful Wind Blade. The spectral construct flew true, striking the Wraith's torso. Instead of gouging flesh, it passed through the flickering form, causing the Wraith to waver and dissipate slightly, like smoke disturbed by wind, before reforming almost instantly, seemingly unharmed but visibly annoyed.

Physical attacks and basic Qi constructs have reduced effect, Lin Fan confirmed, dodging another chilling claw swipe with Wind Step. The Wraith pursued relentlessly, its movements eerily silent, its claws constantly phasing, making parrying difficult and dangerous due to the life-draining cold. It also unleashed bolts of concentrated Yin Qi – dark, streaking projectiles that forced Lin Fan into constant evasion. His enhanced Wind Step was crucial, allowing him to weave through the attacks, but landing a meaningful blow was proving difficult.

The Wraith's chilling mental pressure also continued unabated, trying to sow fear and despair. Lin Fan kept his mind shielded, relying on his firm will and the lingering effects of the Spirit Recovery Pill, but it was a constant, low-level drain on his focus.

Need to disrupt its form more drastically, or find a way to inflict lasting damage. He recalled the System Identification mentioning susceptibility to Yang Qi or Holy Light – attributes he didn't possess. But fire... fire often carried Yang properties. He remembered the effect the Fireball Talisman had on the Shadow Domain, and how it had made the Alpha recoil. He only had one left. It had to count.

He also considered the skull in the pool – the formation's core node. Was the Wraith tied to it? Could damaging it weaken the spirit? It was a gamble.

He decided on a combined approach. He needed to force the Wraith into a vulnerable state or position, then hit it with the talisman while perhaps simultaneously targeting the skull.

Lin Fan changed tactics. Instead of just dodging, he began launching multiple Wind Blades, not necessarily to damage, but to constantly disrupt the Wraith's spectral form, forcing it to expend energy reforming. He combined this with swift, probing sword strikes, aiming for moments when the Wraith seemed most solid after dodging or attacking.

The Wraith hissed, clearly irritated by the persistent harassment. It tried to overwhelm him with a flurry of Yin Bolts, forcing Lin Fan into a rapid sequence of Wind Step maneuvers, dancing around the dark projectiles within the confined, foggy space.

Seeing the Wraith momentarily focused on its ranged assault, Lin Fan saw his opening. With a burst of speed, he dashed past the Wraith, directly towards the stagnant pool and the blackened skull resting within it.

The Wraith shrieked – a truly terrifying sound that resonated directly in the soul – and spun around, abandoning its ranged attacks to intercept him, clearly protective of the skull. This was the reaction Lin Fan wanted!

As the Wraith glided rapidly towards him, claws outstretched, Lin Fan didn't try to attack the skull yet. Instead, he activated his last Fireball Talisman and threw it directly at the charging spirit.

FWOOM!

The talisman detonated mere feet from the Wraith. Blinding light and intense heat exploded outwards, momentarily burning away the dense fog in the immediate vicinity. The eruption of pure fire and Yang-aligned energy struck the Yin-based Wraith with devastating effect.

The spirit screamed again, a sound of pure agony this time. Its spectral form flared violently, sections seeming to burn away like dark paper touched by flame. It was thrown backward, its form flickering erratically, visibly weakened and disrupted. The oppressive cold in the area lessened significantly.

Lin Fan didn't waste the opportunity. Ignoring the fading heatwave, he pushed his Qi into the Flowing Shadow Sword, aiming not for a physical cut, but for maximum energy discharge. He channeled the principles of the Wind Blade, concentrating the Qi along the edge of his blade into a sharp, disrupting wave, and slashed horizontally through the Wraith's midsection while its form was unstable from the fire blast.

VZZZT!

The Qi-laden strike didn't cut cleanly, but it tore through the Wraith's disrupted form like static discharge through smoke, causing the spirit to convulse, its shape wavering even more drastically. It felt like he'd landed a significant blow against its very essence.

He simultaneously risked a glance at the skull. Perhaps he should destroy it now? He used Basic Appraisal. [Item: Ancient Ritual Skull (Humanoid). Material: Bone (Heavily Infused with Yin Qi & Resentment). Quality: Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact (Damaged, Functioning as Array Node). Effect: Concentrates Yin Qi, Anchors Spectral Energies.] Anchors spectral energies! Destroying it might severely weaken or even dissipate the Wraith.

But the Wraith, though grievously wounded and its form unstable, wasn't finished. It let out one final, soul-chilling cry. The dark energy surrounding the cracked skull flared, pouring directly into the Wraith. The trapped, whispering voices Lin Fan had heard earlier seemed to scream in unison as their residual energy was forcibly drawn upon.

The Wraith's form began to swell, becoming larger, darker, its indistinct features twisting into a horrifying visage of pure hatred. Its aura surged, momentarily touching the unstable threshold of the Foundation Establishment Realm. It was gathering power for one final, devastating attack, seemingly drawing on the very essence of the formation and its victims.

Lin Fan felt a genuine wave of danger wash over him. This was it. He braced himself, sword held ready, his own Qi surging, preparing to meet the Wraith's final, desperate assault. The fog swirled violently around the monstrously expanding spectral form.