I Am Your Natural Enemy

In other words, according to his own standards, his choices would significantly affect which Special Effect he might activate. This is similar to how one’s true intentions can influence the direction of their Professional Abilities. Once a direction is determined, he would then activate certain things within that direction that require probability to trigger.

After much deliberation, this was the only explanation Wen Yan could come up with. Otherwise, he couldn’t make sense of everything before him.

Wen Yan looked at the Long Blade Floating Ghost kneeling on the ground.

”The Water Ghosts with you, have any of them suddenly died off recently?”

”No, everything is as usual. Apart from some new Water Ghosts, there hasn’t been much change for several years,” the Long Blade Floating Ghost replied honestly, though he had no idea why Wen Yan would ask this, after giving it careful thought.

Wen Yan nodded. So, some of the Water Ghosts he had triggered for complete annihilation last time had vanished entirely. Even if time was reset, these Water Ghosts would cease to exist from the very beginning.

Wen Yan was inwardly shocked. The complete annihilation, which he had always felt was insignificant and made little difference, turned out to be the most powerful Special Effect! It truly was complete annihilation in the most literal sense. This meant that even after a reset, they could not exist again. Things like resurrection spells were also incapable of reviving them.

Wen Yan looked down at the Ghosts. They seemed somewhat crazed because their inherited Water Ghost professional traits had been erased. Some had already dissipated in the Yang Energy, and others were close to doing so.

Wen Yan pondered. What would I have done last time? Eradicate them all? Probably. If I had discovered that some had triggered complete annihilation, and that these creatures were attacking humans, I definitely wouldn’t have held back. But this time, the majority have had their inherited professional traits stripped away. Furthermore, these Water Ghosts are still struggling, which means they certainly haven’t harmed anyone; those who had would have already been liberated. What would happen if I make a different choice this time?

He reflected there, while the Ghosts obediently knelt on the deck, waiting.

After much contemplation, Wen Yan looked at the Long Blade Floating Ghost and said, ”I have already released you. Those who have attacked humans, take your own lives.”

As Wen Yan’s voice fell, the Long Blade Floating Ghost kowtowed three times, his head striking the deck with loud THUDS. He then calmly laid down his long blade and plunged into Wen Yan’s Yang Energy, burning and dissipating in the intense, flame-like energy. Even as he dissipated, the Long Blade Floating Ghost still wore a smile, thanking Wen Yan with his last breath out of gratitude.

One by one, the Ghosts stepped forward, none resisting. Their greatest obsession was liberation. Once liberated, they were indifferent to life and death.

The last Water Ghost to stand looked back at the remaining Water Ghosts, then walked before Wen Yan and knelt on the deck with a THUD.

”Your grace is immense, helping us find liberation.

”But we too had joined other Water Ghosts on their expeditions; it just never came to be our turn.

”Our lives are of little value, and we are willing.

”However, they have not committed evil, and yet in death they must become Water Ghosts, suffering torment every day.

”I hope you could show mercy and spare the other innocent Water Ghosts in the sea.”

As the Water Ghost vanished into the fiery blaze, Wen Yan looked at the remaining ones. He inquired and learned that among them, the one who had been dead the longest had been so for less than fifty years. They said that Water Ghosts who died in these waters relived their moment of death every day, enduring constant torment. In the past, they had been too weak—so weak that merely basking in the Sun could cause them to dissipate. Now, though much stronger, they could still do nothing.

Wen Yan didn’t go for complete extermination. Instead, he looked at the group of Water Ghosts and thrust the blade left by the Long Blade Floating Ghost into the deck.

”You have been freed and have become new Water Ghosts. Today, I will not kill you; I hope you will understand.

”You were liberated because it is hoped that you will carry on the aspirations of your predecessors.

”They once committed evil, harmed, and hurt people. Even if they didn’t personally act, people still died.

”Perhaps even they themselves were killed by Water Ghosts, thus becoming Water Ghosts.

”I know you are all quite united, but I hope you understand this:

”Your goal is not to harm others but to give everyone a chance at liberation.

”Your reliance on that being in the sea was out of desperation, hoping it would grant you oblivion when you could no longer endure.

”That was merely a reluctant choice born of helplessness.

”Now, you no longer need to do so.

”I can offer you an alternative choice.”

Wen Yan looked around at the Water Ghosts.

”I have a friend who was once a Water Ghost. She couldn’t erase her Water Ghost inheritance trait either. But through her own will, she prevented herself from harming others. Then, she underwent ascension and is now the Calamity Protector Goddess; her name is Wang Xueqi.

”I also have a little brother who is a Demon. For ten years straight, he was active in a section of the West River. He saved everyone who drowned there, and then the local people built a temple to worship him, and he became a Water God. Later, due to his great merits, he received an official title from the Divine Land, becoming a true Water God. He has his own temple, worshippers, and Temple Keepers. He has achieved true fruition.

”I hope you remember that you are not without choices. It’s just that when a choice presents itself, you might no longer be qualified to make it.

”I will not kill you. You may go. I hope no new Water Ghosts will ever emerge here again. What you do now is entirely up to you.”