Sorcerer's Handbook-Chapter 571: Neither Are You

Some might believe that once Truth mages and other academic sorcerers are unable to harness spirit and spellforce, their combat prowess would be far inferior to that of martial sorcerers who hone their skills and strengthen their bodies through rigorous training.

This belief holds true in other Kingdoms, and even in the former Senlo Kingdom. However, it no longer applies in the Senlo wasteland of the past two hundred years-where even the Physical cult has gained popularity, a testament to the immense survival pressure in the Senlo wasteland.

Ashe and his companions did not have a smooth journey during the day either. The roads between towns were infested with Choking Green creatures. These creatures took on various forms depending on the race they had transformed from. Humans often became beastly and grotesque, growing rotting wings. Orcs decayed into mud-like masses. Goblins, on the other hand, grew tall and alluring, sprouting multiple arms and heads. Murlocs developed numerous mouth-like appendages capable of long-range attacks through sound… If a sorcerer were to be transformed, the mutations would be even more unpredictable and bizarre.

The most terrifying aspect was that the Choking Green creatures did not attack Ashe and his group.

Even though Ashe and his companions displayed no sorcerer abilities, the Choking Green creatures only dared to observe them from a distance. Even when they stopped to rest, no monsters dared to approach them. However, when they encountered a group of short-distance Travelers who were ambushed by the Choking Green creatures, the creatures immediately scattered upon seeing Ashe and his group, leaving no chance for them to engage in combat.

The Choking Green creatures not only possessed intelligence but also had a heightened sense of detection, allowing them to swiftly identify powerful sorcerers. While this made them wary of attacking major cults, it did not mean they were unwilling to ambush isolated individuals.

Every town Ashe and his group passed through organized daytime patrols around its perimeter. Yet, even with such measures in place, Choking Green creatures still managed to exploit gaps in the patrols to infiltrate the towns and hunt for prey. It was only because Ashe and his three companions had risen to the ranks of upper-tier powerhouses in Senlo that they could even consider pursuing Silver Lantern. For weaker individuals, simply traveling through this land would be an immense challenge.

For the weak, the Choking Green creatures were undoubtedly the ‘Green Calamity.’

In such an environment, those born on the surface had to master combat skills to fight against the Choking Green creatures. This was especially true for the strict and hardship-revering Tribulation Fire cult. Vesser, whose soul had been weakened by the Mirror Dragon Secret Toxin, which in turn affected her physical condition-since the soul and body are interdependent, any weakness in one would impact the other-had to rely even more on her combat techniques to protect herself.

Coupled with an intense sense of unease, Vesser had never let up on her combat training, even after ascending to the Sanctuary. After the Four Pillars Cult had wiped out multiple sects, she managed to obtain their ancient texts. Against all odds, in a land where Senlo’s knowledge had been severed, she mastered over twenty Spellcasting Sects.

Her greatest weakness had always been her frail physique, but after replacing her blood with silver dragon blood, that weakness was no more.

Clang!

The Chain Glove struck Ashe’s sword blade from the side, deflecting it. Vesser’s palm shot toward Ashe’s chin-a hit that could shatter his jaw and tear through his neck!

Ashe dodged and retreated to create distance, but Vesser pressed forward instead of backing off. Realizing the situation, Ashe immediately discarded the Honey Sword and engaged Vesser in close-quarters combat!

He, too, had the Golden-level Fist-Claw Sect shared by the Witch. Who was afraid of whom?

However, after several rounds of intense exchanges, Ashe began to regret discarding his weapon-he was starting to lose.

The ‘Raven Dance’ of the Raven Annihilation Cult, the ‘Killing Tribulation’ of the Tribulation Fire Temple, the ‘Spin Strike’ of the Spin Light Sect, the ‘Fog Erosion’ of the Fog Extinction Cult… Vesser had blended the combat techniques of various sects into her own fighting style. Every counter Ashe attempted was anticipated, and her relentless attacks pressed him to the brink, leaving him gasping for air.

He felt like a Blade Fish Dragon whose every move had been figured out, as if he were merely playing a part in Silver Lantern’s masterful performance. If it weren’t for his Golden-level spellcasting instincts allowing him to barely block critical strikes, he would have been knocked down by Silver Lantern long ago.

Ashe stole a glance to the side and saw the Observer engaged in a fierce back-and-forth with another Silver Lantern. Their swords danced like a tightly woven net, with the Observer even holding a slight advantage, though it was clear the fight wouldn’t end anytime soon.

He couldn’t use spellforce now, Igor and the others weren’t here, the hall was sealed, and the ambush they’d prepared hadn’t worked…

If I lose…

Vesser keenly noticed the shift in Ashe’s rhythm, but it didn’t matter. Her silver dragon blood physique far surpassed Ashe’s, and her combat skills were-

Slash!

Her hand blade pierced through Ashe’s shoulder, but Ashe didn’t retreat. Instead, he surged forward, his arms locking around Vesser like a vice. He pulled off his Mask, revealing a calm face and a set of white teeth-

“Mmh!”

Vesser grunted, realizing she couldn’t break free from Ashe’s grip. Her right foot snapped upward in a short, brutal strike to his shin, delivering unbearable pain even without much force. Though Ashe fell, he didn’t let go. Instead, his teeth clamped down harder, sinking into Vesser’s neck with ferocity!

The searing pain spread through her body like poison, yet Vesser’s eyes only grew brighter. She used her tongue to push up her fox Mask and then sank her teeth into Ashe’s throat!

The two of them rolled on the ground, locked in an embrace as intimate as lovers, yet their teeth were desperate to tear through each other’s throats! Just as this brutal contest of fangs was about to reach its conclusion, a sudden force pulled them apart.

The Observer had grabbed Ashe, while Yolan held Vesser. It was unclear when they had silently agreed to rescue their respective Fate Twins first.

Ashe wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up, declaring, “I almost had her.”

Vesser adjusted her Mask, her voice dripping with mockery. “Were you licking my neck, Ashe Heath?”

The four of them stood facing each other, and then the battle erupted once more! This time, Ashe charged at Yolan, while Vesser went after the Observer!

The injury to his throat would undoubtedly affect his combat ability, so Ashe naturally intended to let the stronger Observer deal with Silver Lantern as quickly as possible, while he would intercept the other Silver Lantern. Vesser, on the other hand, wanted to see who Ashe’s Fate Twin was.

However, as soon as they clashed, Ashe noticed the differences between the two Silver Lanterns. Compared to Vesser’s ruthless lethality, Yolan’s fighting style was more fluid and adept at using her opponent’s strength against them. Her movements weren’t fast, but she always managed to throw Ashe off balance and land hits.

Though not fatal, within seconds Ashe’s back of the head, back, waist, buttocks, and even his face had been struck. If fighting the real Silver Lantern was like battling a wild beast, then fighting the phantom Silver Lantern felt like a child being toyed with by an adult!

After taking a kick to the backside, Ashe managed to adjust his stance, but his frustration was mounting. He had hoped that someone like Silver Lantern would have an opposite Fate Twin here, but it seemed this twin, though slightly different, was just as malicious-truly birds of a feather!

Meanwhile, Vesser wasn’t faring much better. Though skilled in close-quarters combat, the Observer’s twin swords kept her at bay, never allowing her to get close. The Truth sorcerer was seething with annoyance. Why was Ashe’s twin stronger than the original, while her own twin had become weaker due to her playful nature?

But a stronger, calmer, and more flawless Ashe… Vesser suddenly spoke up, “Do you have a name?”

The Observer ignored her, his swords weaving a relentless melody of attacks, leaving Vesser little room to breathe. Yet, she still found a moment to negotiate through the storm of blades: “If Ashe dies, you’ll be the only Ashe Heath. You’ll inherit everything he has. You’ll no longer be his twin or his half-you’ll be the real him.”

“You are free to chase your dreams and weave your own fate, rather than existing as ‘the false Ashe’ or becoming ‘another Ashe.’ You can be yourself.”

“How about this proposal?” Vesser sidestepped the blade, avoiding the sword’s edge. “Of course, you might be worried about it turning into two against one… In that case, when we gang up on Ashe, you can freely choose which one of us to betray. No matter what, only two people will walk out of this hall.”

“You don’t have to answer,” Vesser quickly retreated, moving out of the Observer’s sword range. “I’ll go kill Ashe now. All you need to do is decide with your actions who gets to live.”

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Vesser didn’t lower her voice, so Ashe naturally heard her proposal.

But he didn’t look in her direction. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Yolan.

As if in response to Vesser’s proposal, Yolan’s attacks suddenly intensified. Ashe’s left hand, already injured by Vesser, was in poor condition, and now it became even worse. He could barely resist, so he resorted to desperate measures, trying to grab hold of Yolan.

Yolan seemed to have anticipated his reaction, but she didn’t try to escape his grasp. Instead, her hands coiled around Ashe’s wrists like water snakes, and with a swift hook of her left foot, she tripped him, pinning him down with force!

She leaned in close, her fox mask nearly pressing against Ashe’s face. He stared into the cold, indifferent eyes behind the mask and heard the soft, cruel whisper that emerged from it: “Look at me. Don’t be afraid. It’ll be over soon.”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Ashe heard Vesser’s footsteps approaching from the side. His body tensed, his heart pounding, but surprisingly, he felt no anger or fear-only a chilling coldness that began to seep into his eyes-

Clang!

In a dizzying whirl, Ashe found himself once again in the Observer’s grip. Vesser stood with her arms raised, shielding Yolan. A clear Sword Mark had appeared on her arm, blood soaking through her clothes.

“What a pity,” Vesser said coolly, speaking words Ashe couldn’t understand. “Neither are you.”