Chapter 217: Chapter 191: Reincarnation
Emerging from that shell, Du Chengfeng was momentarily struck with a sense of disorientation, as if he had been away for ages.
It was because he had been killing for far too long on that blood-soaked battlefield, interwoven with willpower and spirit. From extinguishing the first Evil Qi of the steppe warriors, to the very last, a figure wielding an Overlord Halberd identical to himself, wiping out all those whose formed evil shadows opposed him. Who knew how long it took?
Fortunately, he finally succeeded.
It was a protracted process, an overly lengthy process, so long that even he couldn’t calculate it, long enough to surpass the memories of that colossal giant, or Nam Chen’s Emperor. After all, Nam Chen’s Emperor at his longest only outlived that Heavy Great Saber by a few decades, but Du Chengfeng genuinely killed for such a duration.
Unlike those experiences, this was something he accomplished himself, war achievements he forged personally.
When his actions far exceeded those experienced memories, the fragments that nearly split his mind, those long and complex memories, gradually became unified by his experiences, covered by his own will.
"Bearing another’s memories does come at a cost."
Upon realizing this, Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
He once believed it was his unique ability, where he could, through honing weapons as a medium, recklessly experience entire lives of others, even utilizing skills and experiences that would typically require years of painstaking learning.
But was it all truly devoid of cost?
When using their experiences and skills, when experiencing their entire lives, the residual will of those individuals also subtly influenced him.
And during this process, he was completely unaware, imperceptibly, day by day adulterated—finally, he transitioned from a peace-loving individual to a ruthless butcher who didn’t hesitate to kill.
Fortunately, he finally realized this, and managed to cover those memories with his own will.
And those memories, which lingered in his mind from the Evil Qi, finally authentically became his strength, becoming a part of him.
"So do you have anything left to say?"
On the now-cleansed battlefield, Du Chengfeng hoisted the saber, pointing the Longsword at the figure on the ground, holding the halberd identical to himself.
"Don’t say nonsense like you are me. If you truly were me, I’d have been battered by now... We are still different, because thoughts differ, styles in action differ, and thus, the rewards and results differ."
Du Chengfeng’s sword point already touched the opponent’s throat at this point.
"However, you have remarkable tenacity. Were I in your shoes, with half of those evil forms exterminated, I’d likely retreat, but you persisted to the end despite being the last one remaining... At least as a rival, you’re respectable. Any last words?"
"Madman... Madman!"
On the ground, the figure holding the halberd gritted teeth, but no matter how desperately it attempted to swing, the Overlord Halberd could not rise again.
Because Du Chengfeng stood upon its wrist.
It believed that after so many bloody trials, having completed consciousness-transfer technology, it was sufficiently mad, yet it now witnessed another form of indescribable horror. What kind of madman would engage those evil forms one by one, until they were incapable of reforming their shapes? What depths of madness could sustain this unending, seemingly-boundless carnage?
It spoke one truth, that its real-world foes were indeed weak. It invested merely a tenth of its energy in reality, but nine-tenths here.
Yet this was futile, for what it faced was too indomitable.
Just like the hard sword edge pressed against its throat.
The hard sword edge easily pierced through its throat.
"Eh, haven’t you learned more effective tactics?"
Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but shake his head repeatedly.
Perhaps having reclaimed himself in this long slaughter, or finding this mechanized killing too dull, he began speaking more—but his words weren’t completely useless. They effectively disrupted the enemy’s thinking and influenced their emotions.
Just like now, hearing his non-offensive taunts, the figure wielding the halberd materialized once again, charging forward.
"Eh, you’re too hasty again."
Du Chengfeng sighed, raising his saber against the halberd.
Meanwhile, his other hand thrust the Longsword forward.
Typically, a long weapon like a halberd has the upper hand over a short one, allowing suppression by leveraging its reach, making things difficult for Du Chengfeng. Even he was prepared for a tough fight—yet the halberd-wielder charged straight for him, granting him the opportunity for close-quarter combat.
