Chapter 1129 Thieves And Wolves
As preparations intensify for departure, Sunny seizes a private moment with Jet, now integrated with the Song clan. He inquires about her life among them, and Jet admits, “Weirdly, I feel a bit of kinship with these women.” She explains that their shared flaws create a bond, musing on how she might have been a Song princess in another life. Sunny scoffs at the image of Jet in formal attire, stating, “I like the current you much more.” Jet somberly acknowledges that change is imminent in East Antarctica and asks Sunny what his plan is. He evasively replies he will likely do something stupid.
Their conversation grows serious as Jet urges him to stay in touch. Sunny, holding back crucial information about Mordret and his own shadow, decides the risk of burdening her outweighs any potential benefit. He reflects that their paths will inevitably cross again amidst the unfolding chaos.
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Leaving the departing forces of Song, Sunny prepares to travel with the Fire Keepers, abandoning Echo. Before joining them, he visits his Imp, finding the creature sprawled motionlessly in a shadowy crevice. The Imp has grown, his distended belly a grotesque balloon, and seems drunk. Sunny observes the creature, considering the role of his shadow in future events.
Chapter 1130 Closeness
The convoy of Awakened riders and vehicles charges toward the Valor enclave, mercilessly decimating any Nightmare Creatures in their path. Knights of Valor personally dispatch Corrupted abominations, their deadly skill a stark reminder of the threats Sunny faces. Sunny notices that several cohorts of Awakened are missing, deducing that Valor has set a trap for the departing Song warriors.
Observing the Valor warriors, Sunny reflects on his relationship with Cassie. He is struck by how little he knows about her outside their shared battles, never having met her family or knowing her hobbies. He notices that Cassie has withdrawn since Awakening, isolating herself even further after her Ascension. He wonders, “I don’t think I ever wished her a happy birthday.”
Haunted by this oversight, Sunny shifts and asks, “By the way, Cassie, how is your family doing?”
Chapter 1131 Foresight
An Awakened Squire, deemed overly pompous by Sunny, delivers Morgan’s summons to Sunny and Cassie to join her in the lead vehicle. Sunny reflects on the Valor warriors’ ardent devotion to their leaders, noting a distinction between seeing Nephis as the best among them, rather than better than them. Cassie, now more self-sufficient than on the Forgotten Shore, follows him, her hand resting on the Quiet Dancer’s hilt. Sunny reflects on the dreadfulness of facing an opponent knowing his every move, mirroring his own Shadow Dance tactics.
Inside the armored vehicle, Morgan, Madoc, and Nephis huddle around a holographic map, displaying potential ambush locations. Morgan addresses Cassie, inquiring, “Cassia, do you have anything to share with us?” Cassie points to a ravine marked on the map, revealing her use of her Ascended Ability to mark Song warriors during their shared time. These marked individuals unknowingly became Cassie’s informants, as she secretly listened in on a Song warrior discussing ambush details with an Ascended proxy.
Cassie details the ambush: three cohorts of Awakened lie in wait at the ravine, while the main striking force, hundreds of Nightmare Creatures controlled by Beastmaster, lurk in a nearby lake. Madoc, impressed, acknowledges, “Lady Cassia… ah, I wouldn’t want to be your enemy. Wonderfully done.” Cassie simply offers a curt nod, leaving Sunny to feel a mix of awe, admiration, and dejection at her incredible power.
Chapter 1132 Ambush
The Valor soldiers rest briefly, but Fire Keepers secretly advance, hiding their vehicles among Dark Times ruins and approaching the ambush on foot. Sunny scouts, overhearing the Fire Keepers, one noting, “…It’s been a while since I killed a human. Honestly, I sort of assumed that I would never have to do it again after leaving the Forgotten Shore. Should have known better, really.” Shim replies, “I don’t think I’ve ever killed a human,” sparking a debate about the definition of “human.” Sunny reflects on the notion that some humans are worse than Nightmare Creatures. Nephis, preparing for the battle, remains silent.
Reaching the ravine where three cohorts of Song Awakened lie in wait, Cassie confirms their presence, guiding the Fire Keepers to avoid detection. The lake housing hundreds of tamed Nightmare Creatures is nearby. Once within sight of the ravine, Nephis pauses, considering her soldiers. When asked for the plan, Changing Star replies, “Slaughter them all.” She then summons a torch-like Memory made of polished black wood with a cage forged of silvery metal, igniting a cold blue flame.
Nephis draws the blue fire into her hand, preparing for a brutal assault. She instructs, “…Cassie, I’ll leave the Ascended to you.” Cassie nods, drawing the Quiet Dancer. The rapier floats momentarily, then speeds toward the calm lake, staying low to the ground, nearly invisible, ready to strike the Beastmaster.
Chapter 1133 Chilling Message
Returning to the Valor camp, the Fire Keepers elicit quiet admiration for their easy victory against the Song Awakened. Sunny, though, grapples with the waste of life, deeming it both odious and deserving of little pity. Nephis and Cassie report to Morgan, whose pleasure is tempered by disappointment at Clan Song’s performance. Madoc offers mild praise, while Changing Star remains impassive, seemingly untouched by the immense soul bounty she has likely acquired. Soon after their return, an order to move out is given, the convoy lurches forward, and is soon halted by an unresponsive APC, cut off from the rest of the convoy.
Communication attempts with the assigned Awakened cohort fail, and a chilling dread grips Sunny. Observing through his shadows, he witnesses Morgan emerge from the head vehicle, her vermilion eyes radiating a coldness that feels like a soul-cutting blade. She strides towards the stalled APC, her red cloak trailing like blood, followed by Madoc and Nephis.
Sunny hesitates briefly, then uses Shadow Step to join them. As they approach the silent APC, surrounded by concerned soldiers, one ventures to say: “My lady… please, it might be dangerous…” Whatever awaits within the APC promises to be anything but routine. Sunny, eyes wide with anticipation, thinks, “…This should be interesting.”
Chapter 1134 Peaceful Morning
Life returns to a semblance of normalcy as Sunny arrives back at the Valor siege capital. He learns Valor’s ambush against Clan Song fared slightly better, though the great clans have only exchanged slaps thus far. Sunny enjoys simple pleasures like a soft bed and hot shower, and even receives a video message from Rain. She shares news of her training progress, but more strikingly mentions her classmate’s sister being saved by a Master named Devil, urging Sunny to “stay close to him.” Sunny, amused, composes a playful response: “As for the Devil… he is indeed amazing. He is also very powerful, handsome, and disgustingly rich.”
Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, Sunny witnesses the stark contrast between the dire war and the everyday lives of refugees within the city. He resolves to prevent the impending clash between Clan Song assassins and Valor forces from endangering the city. Finishing his coffee, Sunny heads towards Valor headquarters, intending to fulfill his duties as a government envoy.
Before he can begin, Cassie interrupts his plans. “I’m not sure. She seemed excited about something… well, as far as Morgan allows herself to show genuine emotions, at least.” Summoned by Morgan, Sunny wonders what the Princess of War desires this time, setting the stage for a potentially significant encounter.
Chapter 1135 Rematch
Sunny recalls his humbling defeat against Morgan, a crushing loss that extinguished his nascent arrogance. He remembers her overwhelming skill and relentless killing intent, a stark contrast to his Dreamscape victories. This defeat served as a valuable lesson, reminding him of the many powerful individuals lurking among the Awakened. Ever since, he subconsciously measures every Master against Morgan’s impossible standard.
He wonders how he now compares to her, both Ascended, after surviving numerous trials: the Night Temple, the Red Colosseum, and the horrors of the Antarctic Center. Sunny is not the same person he was then, but acknowledges that Morgan likely hasn’t remained idle either. Entering her training room, she gestured for Cassie to sit. Morgan then asks Sunny what weapon he will choose. “Swords, spears, something more exotic?” He hesitates, then dismisses the idea of transforming. “No transformation. It only serves as a force multiplier… if the underlying skill is not there, using it is pointless.” Sunny then pulls a shadow from a pillar, forming it into a dark, featureless tachi.
Chapter 1136 Friendly Duel
Morgan’s attack is swift and merciless, a blur of motion that surpasses even her Dreamscape speed. Her training sword slams towards Sunny’s temple, forcing him to narrowly evade and parry with his shadow tachi. The impact sends vibrations through him, but he quickly turns the momentum to his advantage. Instead of mirroring her initial attack, Sunny strikes Morgan in the face with the pommel of his blade. He expects a clean hit, but Morgan unflinchingly takes the blow on her brow, the impact sounding almost metallic.
Both fighters disengage, each assessing the other. A wide smile spreads across Morgan’s face as she examines a smear of blood on her fingers. “Wonderful. Simply wonderful,” she exclaims, revealing a starved hunger for worthy opponents that Cassie and Nephis also satisfy. She praises Cassie’s fighting skills and precognition, noting they force her to use muscles she forgot existed. Puzzled that Sunny and Cassie have not sparred, Morgan finds it “their loss”.
Her smile becomes dangerous as she prepares to attack again. “I won’t hold back, then,” she declares, launching into a furious whirlwind of steel. The chapter ends with Morgan’s relentless assault, hinting at a fierce and potentially enlightening battle ahead.
Chapter 1137 Loser’s Game
Sunny and Morgan, though already locked in a ferocious battle, hold back their true strength. Both refrain from using their Ascended Abilities, turning the spar into a contest of pure skill, which disadvantages Sunny. He realizes that the fewer resources he can use, the more restrained he feels, while Morgan only needs her sword—or even just her body—to be deadly. He begins to question his goal in this spar. He wants to create a specific impression for the observing great clans, Valor and Song.
Sunny decides he wants to be seen as strong and exceptional, but ultimately controllable. Therefore, defeating Morgan might not be in his best interest. “What I really need to do is lose in a way that will make it easier for me to gain access to her secrets,” Sunny muses, “So, lose in a way that would leave her wanting for more.” He knows he could obliterate her in a battle of pure power, considering his Shadows stem from within while her mighty Echoes come from outside of her Aspect.
Despite his potential victory, Sunny understands the strategic advantage of a well-played loss. Becoming Morgan’s sparring partner would allow him to get close to her, fulfilling the adage of keeping his enemies closer. While dangerous, it could be the perfect position for a spy aiming to uncover the secrets hidden within the great clan Valor.
Chapter 1138 Suffering From Success
Sunny manages to slow Morgan’s relentless attacks, captivating her with his evolving techniques. Morgan, intrigued, murmurs to herself, “Interesting. Very interesting…” Shifting her strategy, she seems hesitant to overwhelm him too quickly, testing his skills instead. He realizes he has already exceeded his previous endurance record against her. During a brief pause in their furious exchange, Morgan inquires, “That style… who taught you?” Sunny, deflecting her blade, answers hoarsely, “No one taught me. I just learned it… from a Nightmare Creature…” She presses further, “…In the Nightmare?” He confesses it was “in front of a Nightmare Gate,” earning her impressed comment: “You’re a fast learner, then…”
Realizing she is deciphering his fighting style too rapidly, Sunny decides to introduce a surprise. Mid-swing, he transforms his shadow tachi into a great jian, catching Morgan off guard. The unexpected shift nearly connects, cutting a strand of her hair. “Ah! Devious!” Morgan exclaims, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Technically, Sunny has cheated by using his shadow ability, but he believes this aligns with her expectations of an outskirt rat. He hopes that Morgan will enjoy this “little twist” as an act of a fighter, and transforms the jian into a spear.
Chapter 1139: Performance Review
Sunny sits in his office, ignoring paperwork as he contemplates his recent spar with Morgan. Though his Ascended physique and the Shroud of Dusk swiftly healed his physical soreness, a thoughtful mood lingers. He reflects on what true Legacies represent: the austere warrior caste revered for battling the Nightmare Spell. While Sunny has grown powerful himself, brushing against divinities, he acknowledges the Legacy Clans, especially the Great Clans, as authorities in combat prowess, tempered by a hellish world. Morgan has reminded Sunny about that, exemplified by Nephis and Mordret, the two most dangerous people he knows, both products of Legacy culture.
He wrestles with his loss against Morgan. A small part of him desires to win, resenting defeat at the hands of someone he disdains. He admits she is simply too strong, even for him. Remembering Jet’s words from years ago, “No one survives in the Dream Realm alone,” Sunny realizes his personal power seems insignificant before a collective like a great clan. Worse still, that collective gatekeeps greater strength, as they control who gets to become a Saint.
The spar replays in Sunny’s mind. He considers what he could have done better, what mistakes avoided, even if everything is easier in hindsight.
Chapter 1140: Staring at the Wall
Sunny is stuck staring at the wall. He chuckles, dismissing the idea forming in his mind as “crazy,” but the thought refuses to leave. He mutters, “No… that’s crazy! It would never work.” He continues to stare as he rationalizes the idea.
To test his bizarre theory about the limitations of his Shadow Shell, Sunny leaves the Valor compound and heads to his more private living quarters. He dispatches his four shadows as guards and mentally prepares himself. The principle revolves around his mastery of Shadow Dance. Each step enhances his understanding of combat techniques. The first allowed him to shadow simpler styles, the second, more sophisticated ones and grants glimpses into advanced battle arts. The third, attained in the Red Colosseum, allows him to perceive the flow of essence, at great risk to his own sense of self. He had almost lost it, but he was saved when he anchored himself with his True Name.
He feels that the fourth step lies far beyond battle techniques. Shadow Dance is his Aspect Legacy but it is also something he has to invent all on his own.
Chapter 1141 Self-Actualization
A matte, jet-black version of Sunny now stands in the room, experimenting with his newfound form. He raises his hands, fingers moving, a strange expression on his face. “Well, that’s…” he mutters, scratching the back of his head, surprised even by the presence of hair. “…that’s certainly something.” He feels alien, a human perhaps inhabiting a shadow vessel, or a shadow brazenly walking the earth.
Despite the strangeness, Sunny finds his new shadow body eerily familiar. His strength and agility remain, his shadow sense sharpens, though his vision loses color, reminiscent of his time as a shadowspawn. The form mimics his own, but lacks the crucial elements of a living being. There is no heart, no blood, only essence pathways where veins should be. “How did it all work?” Sunny wonders, utterly baffled. It simply does.
He glances towards his hidden shadows for insight. The haughty shadow appears utterly “befuddled,” while the creepy shadow scratches its head in confusion, breaking its stoic facade. The jet-black Sunny smiles, revealing teeth as dark as night. “Yeah…” he acknowledges, the mystery of his existence deepening.
Chapter 1142 Tangible Shadow Form
Days blur as Saint Madoc covertly transports Valor retainers to the Dream Realm, vanishing into Song’s territory to assassinate Mordret. Clan Valor masks Madoc’s absence, projecting an image of him supporting their Awakened warriors pursuing an unknown objective led by Knight Shtad. Sunny discerns the truth, understanding the great clans’ war has commenced, blood already shed and more is inevitable.
Meanwhile, Sunny immerses himself in experimenting with his shadow form. He successfully transforms into a shadow fiend without the Shadow Shell, realizing this represents his maximum size, albeit a vulnerable state. Reducing his size proves easier, shrinking to the Imp’s dimensions, eliciting a distinct reaction from the creature. Further tests involve altering his appearance, shifting facial features, hair length, and body type, yet his jet-black hue remains constant. “I won’t be masquerading as other people any time soon…” Sunny realizes.
Combat and stealth become his focus, adding extra arms and morphing claws and fangs with ease. However, attempts at more complex alterations falter. When Sunny tries to grow wings, his inexperience manifests, resulting in a “borderline disastrous” failure. The limitations of his knowledge restrict his shapeshifting abilities, hinting at both immense potential and the arduous path ahead, but also pushing Sunny to learn even more.
Chapter 1143 Collateral Damage
Sunny’s shadow experiments progress, but elsewhere, Knight Amiran of Clan Valor surveys the siege capital from atop a dormitory tower. He notes the masses of refugees and acknowledges the inevitable “collateral damage” of the escalating war, justifying the human cost as insignificant in the face of victory, “None of these people would have had to die if the enemy had abided by the agreement to keep the hostilities away from the cities…” An Awakened warrior approaches with news: Song’s assassins have been located.
Valor anticipated this infiltration, deliberately allowing the assassins to penetrate the city to ensure none escape. Lady Morgan orchestrated their entry, setting a deadly trap. Amiran prepares his valiant Awakened, a cold smile playing on his lips. “Prepare, then. We strike as soon as they make their move.”
Meanwhile, deep within a decommissioned factory, Ascended Morrow, a retainer of Clan Song, gathers with her group around a ghostly, blue fire. The Awakened are tense, listening to scratching sounds emanating from beneath the floor. A newcomer, a man in an Evacuation Army uniform and their contact within the capital, voices his unease. “That thing… it’s not going to break free, is it?” Morrow smiles, a hint of the horror to come.
