Chapter 131

Mola smiled noncommittally, not responding to Andre's sarcasm.

"So, young people, tell me..."

The hoarse voice echoed in the small pawnshop, her hunched figure casting a weird shadow under the dim light:

"What are you looking for here?"

Luo En cautiously observed every move of the old hag, especially the sharp light that did not match her age flashing in her deep-set eyes.

"We are looking for a material called 'Sands of Time'."

He said bluntly: "I heard you might know some relevant information."

For weeks, in order to figure out the advancement method of the Time Guardian Pocket Watch, he had read about materials capable of storing time energy in ancient books.

Among them, he mentioned the rare substance "Sands of Time."

Mola grinned, revealing a few yellowed teeth, a weird light flashing in her eyes:

"Sands of Time... what a precious material; do you know why it is so rare? Because it originates from the cracks of time and almost does not belong to this world of ours."

Andre stood beside Luo En with his arms crossed, his golden vertical pupils scanning the space filled with weird items vigilantly:

"Is there anyone who can provide this material? We are willing to pay the corresponding price."

Mola did not answer directly, but walked around to the back of the counter, her withered fingers stroking a row of bottles and jars:

"Price... yes, everything has a price. But the question is, what kind of price can you pay?"

She suddenly raised her head, looking straight into Luo En's eyes:

"Young apprentice, I can feel a certain... special fluctuation from you; your soul is different."

Luo En's heart tightened, but he remained calm on the surface:

"We just want to know the information about the Sands of Time; we don't need to delve into other topics."

"Too impatient, young man."

Mola sighed, a weird smile appearing on her aged face:

"Before discussing such precious items, I hope to confirm whether you have enough value."

As soon as the words fell, she suddenly raised her withered fingers and snapped them crisply at Andre.

Andre's body stiffened suddenly, his originally vigilant golden vertical pupils became empty and dull, and his whole person stood motionless like a statue.

"Andre!"

Luo En exclaimed, while his right hand had already quietly moved to the pocket watch at his waist, and his left hand gripped the ironwood sword tightly, spiritual power flowing rapidly in his body, preparing to cast Sonic Oscillation.

Luo En's spiritual power had already spread out, trying to detect the true identity of this mysterious old hag, but at this moment, a shocking change occurred—

Mola's hunched body began to twist and deform, the wrinkles receded rapidly, the yellow skin gradually became fair, and the whole body was reshaped into a brand-new image.

Luo En's eyes widened, his breathing almost stopped.

Standing in front of him was actually the image of Lady Ailan, and even the voice was exactly the same as that mentor:

"Luo En, my child, don't be nervous."

Lady Ailan's voice was gentle and steady: "I have always known your secret—you possess a dual soul; you don't belong to this world."

Luo En felt dizzy, as if hit on the head by someone.

The second biggest secret in the deepest part of his heart was now exposed so bluntly, which shocked him far more than facing any strong enemy.

"What the hell are you?" Luo En tried to stabilize his mind, his spiritual power already prepared to launch an attack.

"I am an existence that sees through everything, Luo En. Every secret of yours, every thought, is as clear as black and white on paper to me."

"Lady Ailan" smiled slightly:

"Your soul that doesn't belong to this world, your brain that possesses dual memories... I know it all."

Luo En felt a chill spreading from his spine to his whole body.

If this existence really knew all his secrets, then all his plans in the Black Fog Jungle would face collapse.

"Child, you should leave here."

The image of "Lady Ailan" suddenly underwent a subtle change, a greed that only predators have flashing in her eyes:

"This is not a place you should come to; some secrets are not something an apprentice like you can touch. I will keep it a secret from everyone, as long as you leave... now."

Just as Luo En was about to draw his sword, a semi-transparent prompt suddenly popped up on the interface in front of him:

【Detected "Rare Antique" — Skin of the Shapeshifter (Activated)】

【Effect:

1. Consumes energy to simulate the image and partial abilities of a specified target

2. Isolates spiritual power detection and allows oneself to possess a seamless disguise】

【Current Charging Status: 99% (Can be charged by devouring living souls)】

【Note: This antique is about to reach the charging threshold and advance into a Glorious Legacy, at which point it will completely break free from control and become an independent existence】

The transparent prompt was like a lamp, illuminating his thinking that had been shrouded in horror.

The tangled clues connected rapidly in his mind:

The people who disappeared in Lizard Alley, Otto's warning, those inexplicable "tests," and this shapeshifter capable of peeking into memories.

Everything pointed to one fact:

This existence calling itself Mola was nothing more than a rare antique about to complete its advancement.

It used the special environment of Lizard Alley to collect souls, and now, it was only one last bit of energy away from completing the charge.

That's why it was bluffing here to scare him away, then collect the last bit of soul energy to complete the advancement and completely break free from the shackles.

"What a wonderful performance, Skin of the Shapeshifter."

He looked straight at the "Lady Ailan" in front of him, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth:

"You might have peeked into some fragments from my brain, but your understanding of these fragments is far less profound than you express; you don't know my past and that other world as well as you claim, do you?"

The expression of "Lady Ailan" stalled slightly; she could indeed only read the shallowest information.

She was smart enough not to refute directly, only saying: "What nonsense are you talking about, child?"

"If you really could read my thoughts, you should know that I am not someone easily scared away."

Luo En's voice became increasingly confident:

"Now, let me guess your truth—you are a special extraordinary item capable of shapeshifting and peeking into the memories of targets, accumulating energy by devouring souls."

Luo En looked around at the various weird items displayed in the pawnshop:

"And this 'Labyrinth Pawnshop' is nothing more than a trap you set to collect the soul energy you need."

The face of "Lady Ailan" began to twist, and her voice became no longer kind:

"Smart little guy, much sharper than I expected. Since that's the case..."

With a weird hum, the image of "Lady Ailan" completely collapsed, replaced by a semi-transparent, constantly wriggling substance similar to leather.

It twisted and deformed in the air, eventually condensing into Luo En's image: from hair to clothing, even the determination in the eyes was exactly the same.

"I intended to give you a chance to leave with dignity."

The creature that transformed into Luo En's image said, the voice also exactly the same as Luo En's: "But since you insist on seeking death, then..."

It suddenly raised its hand, and a Sonic Oscillation shot straight at Luo En!

Luo En dodged to the side, while casting his own Sonic Oscillation to counter.

Two invisible energy waves collided in the air, stirring up a ripple visible to the naked eye, and the shockwave shattered several bottles and jars on the wall.

"Useless." The shapeshifter revealed a cold smile exactly the same as Luo En's:

"Every ability of yours, every technique, I can perfectly replicate."

A weapon exactly the same as Luo En's ironwood sword suddenly appeared in its hand, even flickering with the same anti-magic patterns:

"Come on, let's see who is the stronger Luo En Ralph!"

Luo En adjusted his breathing rapidly, his body entering the best state of the "Corona Breathing Method."

At the same time, he noticed that Andre was still standing in place, motionless like a statue, clearly bound by some kind of powerful mental control.

"Don't worry, he has been completely hypnotized by me."

The shapeshifter said, the voice exactly the same as Luo En's: "This is a contest between us; no outsider interference is needed."

After speaking, the blade in its hand thrust straight at him with a sword style exactly the same as Luo En's.

Luo En raised his sword to block, the two ironwood swords collided, bursting out dazzling sparks and sharp metallic clashing sounds.

The moment the blades met, Luo En could clearly feel the powerful force contained in the opponent's sword style, almost equivalent to the strength he had after changing his profession to 【Bloodline Knight】 and significantly increasing his power.

Every attack of the shapeshifter was precise and incomparable, the tip of the sword always pointing straight at Luo En's vitals, forcing him to constantly change his defensive posture.

"Every rhythm of your breathing, every movement of your swordsmanship, I know like the back of my hand."

The shapeshifter's voice came from between the crossed blades, the tone carrying a bit of sarcasm: "You cannot defeat your own shadow."

Luo En remained unmoved, gripping the sword hilt with both hands, spiritual power and bloodline power surging in his body simultaneously.

He tried to break the opponent's attack rhythm with the special rhythm of the "Corona Breathing Method," while avoiding falling into the shapeshifter's rhythm.

The shapeshifter seemed to sense Luo En's intention and changed its attack method three times in a row.

The sword style was like a storm, every strike carrying crimson scorching magic power, tearing through the air and emitting sharp whistling sounds.

Luo En was forced to retreat continuously until his back was against a wall of the pawnshop, making it difficult to retreat further.

"Cornered?" The shapeshifter sneered, the tip of the sword pointing straight at Luo En's throat:

"With just this ability, you want to become my master?"

Luo En looked at the shapeshifter calmly; he tried to cast the Ring of Radiance, hoping to break the opponent's defense.

Golden-red energy condensed in his palm, rapidly expanding into a shining ring of light, sweeping toward the shapeshifter.

The ring of light grazed the air, bringing up a scorching heatwave, illuminating the entire interior of the dim pawnshop.

However, what was shocking was that the shapeshifter also condensed an exactly identical ring of light.

Two energy rings collided in the air, producing a deafening explosion, canceling each other out, turning into golden-red light fragments all over the sky.

"I have already said, every ability of yours, I can perfectly replicate."

The shapeshifter emphasized repeatedly to exert psychological pressure, a ferocious smile appearing on its face that Luo En had never seen before:

"No matter what technique you use, no matter what spell you cast, I can counterattack with equal or even stronger power!"

Luo En's heart sank.

He was indeed at a disadvantage in the battle: the shapeshifter not only replicated his appearance and abilities but even his way of thinking was imitated vividly.

What was worse, the shapeshifter seemed to possess richer energy reserves than him, every attack full of violent power, and without any state of fatigue.

The battle between the two spread from inside the pawnshop to the alley outside.

The clanging sound of blades clashing echoed in the narrow space, and the energy fluctuations of the spells shook the surrounding walls, dust flying, and stone fragments collapsing everywhere.

Luo En unleashed a series of precise sword strikes, every sword aiming at the shapeshifter's vitals, the sword style like flowing water, continuous and endless.

The subtlety of the "Corona Swordsmanship" was fully displayed at this moment, the sword edge drawing complex and graceful arcs in the air with crimson-gold trajectories, light and shadow intertwined, like a deadly dance.

But the shapeshifter could always defend perfectly with the same moves, and could even find gaps to launch counterattacks.

Its movements were so smooth, as if it had long predicted every intention of Luo En.

"How about it, starting to feel despair?"

The shapeshifter mocked, a deeper crimson color igniting on the blade in its hand—that was the performance after the Red Blood Flying Dragon bloodline was fully stimulated:

"I not only possess all your abilities, but also power you don't know about!"

Luo En was forced to retreat, sweat already soaking his clothes, and his breathing became rapid.

He tried all the skills and spells he had mastered, but the shapeshifter could always deal with them one by one, and could even counterattack with faster speed and stronger power.

What was even more worrying was that he could feel his physical strength being consumed rapidly.

Both muscles and spirit began to send signals of fatigue, while the shapeshifter seemed to have infinite vitality, its offensive becoming increasingly fierce.

"You are Luo En Ralph, but you are not the best Luo En Ralph." The shapeshifter's voice echoed in the alley:

"I possess all your power, and support from the energy collected before; how could you possibly defeat me!"

A powerful Sonic Oscillation suddenly struck; Luo En didn't have time to dodge completely and was partially hit, hitting the wall, the huge impact almost suffocating him, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

The shapeshifter walked closer slowly, its footsteps steady and full of oppression, a victorious smile on its face, and every step it took, the ground shook slightly:

"Accept reality; you are no match for me."

Luo En exhaled slowly, the scale protection and self-healing effects brought by activating the "Red Blood Flying Dragon" bloodline making his injuries far from reaching a desperate situation.

He quietly touched his bosom; he had something the other party absolutely didn't have...

(End of chapter)