Zhao Yingkong let out a soft laugh before speaking, "It was only after merging with my sub-personality that I comprehended my own Light of the Soul, the 'Mirror of Two'... that is the name of this Light of the Soul. Initially, I was me, and she was her. After the merger, I was not me, and she was not her. But with the emergence of this Light of the Soul, I am still me, and she is still her. During a fight, Brother will have to face two of me, so what about you, Brother? What is the Light of your Soul?"

"As for my Light of the Soul..." Zhao Zhuikong smiled gently, but the gaze in his eyes gradually filled with bloodshot veins, making him appear as if stained with crimson, looking profoundly terrifying.

He spoke word by word, "Inch of Ground."

"Brother... in the end, you still can't let go of the obsession in your heart, still can't overcome your inner demon, can you?" In truth, given Zhao Zhuikong's strength, he should have possessed the power of a mid-tier Fourth Stage long ago. In terms of sheer force, he was indeed one of the strongest at that level, but in reality, he had never conquered his inner demon—or perhaps, he himself was the inner demon... (Inch of Step? Judging by the name, perhaps it implies...) Zhao Yingkong didn't have time to ponder further.

Because Zhao Zhuikong's next attack was already upon her. It was merely a simple rush and thrust.

Yet, it gave her the distinct feeling of being utterly unable to evade. Although the crimson dagger was right before her eyes, Zhao Yingkong perceived it as stabbing from all directions simultaneously. No matter which way she moved, she felt she would be pierced.

This sensation was decidedly ominous.

(The pressure of mere momentum? Impossible. How could I be affected by the pressure of mere momentum?) Zhao Yingkong didn't hesitate. Her figure flashed, vanishing from her spot, even as another Zhao Yingkong materialized behind Zhao Zhuikong, sweeping a heavy, invisible greatsword horizontally toward him.

"Swish!" A light sound. Just as the invisible greatsword brushed against Zhao Zhuikong’s body, he, without the slightest pause, drove his dagger forward. The result was astonishing. Although Zhao Zhuikong's thrust appeared aimed at empty space, blood suddenly burst forth from the shoulder of the Zhao Yingkong behind him.

That entire shoulder was pierced clean through by the dagger. The grip on the greatsword faltered under the impact. Comparing the two scenarios, Zhao Yingkong decisively leaped backward.

"Zhao Zhuikong! How did you hit me?" Zhao Yingkong’s face was frigid, completely lacking the gentle, alluring smile from moments before.

Though her facial features remained unchanged, the dissipation of that charm lent her an air of heroic spirit. Her somewhat androgynous face now possessed a different kind of beauty. This was the sub-personality Zhao Yingkong.

"Little Apple, oh, you’ve turned into the unripe little apple... learn from the already mature little apple. Relying on others is inferior to relying on oneself. If you want to understand why I hit you, then figure it out yourself."

Zhao Zhuikong smiled tenderly, and as he smiled, he lightly stabbed out with his dagger. The Zhao Yingkong behind him instantly vanished again. The newly appearing Zhao Yingkong was tens of meters away, yet this single thrust still inflicted a wound upon her. It was only because Zhao Yingkong managed to raise her greatsword in time to block part of the attack that the wound was limited to her arm.

"Little Apple, you keep protecting her—she will forever remain just the unripe little apple."

"...But isn't that better than being forcefully plucked by Brother?" Zhao Yingkong replied with a gentle smile.

(My Light of the Soul creates two independent selves. Although only one of us can manifest at any given time, the other exists in a mirror-like alternate space, unable to attack or inflict harm... In other words, if one of us draws the enemy's attention while the other slips into a safe zone, then in short-to-mid-range combat, I am inherently undefeated. So how did he manage to strike me?) Zhao Yingkong furiously thought. What Zhao Zhuikong said earlier was true: the sub-personality Zhao Yingkong couldn't maintain cool, rational thought in every situation like the primary personality could. This was the inherent gap in talent between the two personalities.

(Inch of Step, Step by Step. If this is a spatial ability, does it perhaps mean...) Zhao Yingkong blocked several more of Zhao Zhuikong's attacks, helplessly accumulating more injuries each time. Each was a simple thrust, aimed seemingly at nothing but managing to strike her repeatedly. After several such instances, Zhao Yingkong finally discerned the pattern.

"Inch of Step... Brother, does your Light of the Soul mean that within a certain radius, all perceived space is reachable within one step of you? In other words, you shrink space? No wonder your dagger can strike from a hundred meters away with just a slight wave. I truly thought it was telekinesis before. It turns out this is entirely your Light of the Soul—Inch of Step?" Ancient lore spoke of 'Ten Steps, One Kill,' meaning any location within ten steps was within the range of a single strike. Doesn't 'Inch of Step' imply that any distance around him is within the range of his measured movement? Considering the small size of the dagger, if the distance truly was only an inch, Zhao Zhuikong’s casual thrust would indeed be a hundred percent accurate. It was no wonder Zhao Yingkong couldn't dodge, no matter how she shifted.

Lin Lei (If that's the case... then I can't keep evading. Brother, is this what you mean? Do you want this to end quickly?) Zhao Yingkong sighed softly.

But she immediately rallied her spirits, stating aloud, "Brother, I'm sorry... I absolutely cannot lose. Even if... I absolutely cannot lose to you. My comrades are still fighting desperately. Even if I can no longer aid them, I absolutely cannot let Brother harm them. So, Brother, join me..." As her words faded, the Zhao Yingkong on the field suddenly vanished. No other Zhao Yingkong appeared nearby. This was a true disappearance, completely different from the previous pattern where one vanished as another appeared.

No matter how Zhao Zhuikong searched, he couldn't find the slightest clue.

"Little Apple. Just hiding won't solve anything..." Zhao Zhuikong hadn't finished speaking before a greatsword stabbed toward him from behind. He didn't turn around; instead, he lightly leaped into the air and thrust his dagger forward. But the greatsword behind him hadn't vanished when the dagger he threw forward suddenly had a light, soft little hand pressing down upon it. Zhao Yingkong stood before him, smiling charmingly, only a few dozen centimeters separating them.

"Brother, I've got you now..." Zhao Yingkong's hand gently closed around the thumb gripping the dagger. Time seemed suspended; all of this happened in a fraction of a second—from the appearance of the greatsword, Zhao Zhuikong's jump, to Zhao Yingkong's appearance and seizing his dagger-holding fingers. It was all accomplished in the blink of an eye. Then, Zhao Zhuikong’s body relaxed completely, save for his other hand, which wasn't holding the dagger, twitching slightly.

"Even nimble evasions require strength, Brother. You know me so well... but are you truly not using any force?" Zhao Yingkong smiled, not pressing the attack. Instead, her eyes flickered slightly toward the space behind Zhao Zhuikong. There stood another identical Zhao Yingkong, but this one gazed at Zhao Zhuikong with pure hatred, mixed with an indescribable blankness, and in her hand, she held the invisible greatsword.

"Brother, I have two Lights of the Soul. Mine is Annihilation—it extinguishes the opponent's Light of the Soul. And hers is the Mirror of Two... Do you understand now? Brother, you truly can't escape this time."

Zhao Zhuikong’s free hand twitched slightly, but nothing happened. Since Zhao Yingkong had gripped his finger, his own Light of the Soul began to vanish rapidly through annihilation. Of course, what is gained must also be paid for; Zhao Yingkong’s Light of the Soul was also depleting at an alarming rate, and hers was a double drain. One body bearing two completely different Lights of the Soul—only a powerhouse of Zhao Yingkong's caliber could sustain such a drain. Anyone else, even the exceptionally talented Hao Tian, would be withered to a husk.

Zhao Zhuikong showed no surprise. His face still bore that almost manic smile—yes, his eyes were bloodshot and wild, yet his expression remained a smile. He didn't move his upper body, only pushing off the ground with his feet to leap up. But as soon as he jumped, he saw the smile on the Zhao Yingkong before him deepen. Behind him, the Zhao Yingkong held the invisible greatsword, which began to pulse with intense light.

The invisible greatsword emitted fierce white light inch by inch, and the entire weapon phased out of its transparent state, revealing its true form: a golden-yellow knight's greatsword, its ancient blade etched with nameless runes. Then, as Zhao Yingkong swung the sword, a brilliant white ribbon of light enveloped both Zhao Zhuikong and the primary-personality Zhao Yingkong, dragging them rapidly upward into the sky.

As soon as they were propelled aloft, Zhao Zhuikong’s dagger-holding hand violently retracted. Because both were now caught within the ‘force’ of the blade, the sword-light ribbon couldn't kill them, but severe injury was certain. And the impact energy... although passive, it was still force. Under this close-range, nimble maneuvering, every move Zhao Yingkong made was a true killing blow.

But it was too late. As two individuals possessing Microscopic Control abilities, a slight movement allowed them to sense each other. As Zhao Zhuikong forcefully pulled back his arm, Zhao Yingkong pulled forward along that resistance with a gentle twist. With a light snap, the fingers gripping the dagger instantly dislocated. This wasn't all; Zhao Yingkong followed the momentum and seized Zhao Zhuikong's wrist.

"Brother, what will you do now?" Zhao Yingkong asked with a soft smile.

She gave another sharp jerk, easily dislocating Zhao Zhuikong's wrist. But that was as far as it went. Before the wrist completely dislocated, the few remaining fingers on Zhao Zhuikong’s hand flicked lightly, sending the blood-red dagger flying toward an unknown location. Then, his single dislocated wrist free, Zhao Yingkong reached toward his arm, following the rotation.

Zhao Zhuikong seemed to have entirely abandoned that arm. He ignored Zhao Yingkong's action. Instead, his free hand lightly flicked the empty air where the dagger handle was, imparting a force that sent the dagger flying away, while he himself violently twisted the controlled arm.

He snapped his own arm effortlessly, seemingly feeling no pain. While breaking his arm, he even let out a faint chuckle, his body trembling slightly as if in excitement, allowing Zhao Yingkong to dislocate the other arm as well.

"Little Apple... everything should end now."

Zhao Zhuikong smiled. The dagger he had flicked away had, at some unknown point, returned behind him, skimming past his dislocated arm and thrusting forward toward her. Because his arm was obscuring the view, Zhao Yingkong couldn't see the dagger aimed directly at her. Furthermore, due to her positioning while twisting his arm, she was on the closest possible straight line to the dagger's trajectory... Even stripped of the spatial Light of the Soul, Zhao Zhuikong would never be a weakling to be played with at will.

"Hiss!" With a light sound, the dagger easily sliced through Zhao Zhuikong's dislocated arm and plunged straight through Zhao Yingkong's palm. Simultaneously, freed from her grip by the severed arm, he instantly activated his Light of the Soul, Inch of Step. His remaining hand tapped lightly, and the dagger, as if guided by a hand, began to spin on its own. Still lodged in Zhao Yingkong's palm, the rotation cleanly severed her entire hand. It didn't stop there; with a flash of red light, the dagger lunged toward Zhao Yingkong's throat.

"Brother, it's not that simple. How could I die without defeating you?" Zhao Yingkong smiled faintly. She didn't spare a glance at her severed palm. Her figure shimmered slightly, and with a sharp clang, an invisible, transparent greatsword suddenly blocked the blood-red dagger. Upon closer inspection, the smile on her face was gone, replaced instead by profound hatred.

"Sub-personality?" Zhao Zhuikong barely had time to react before a soft, white, petite palm pierced through from behind his shoulder, easily latching onto his collarbone, with two fingers just about to brush his Adam's apple. In that split second, Zhao Zhuikong's remaining hand tapped the air lightly. Before his Light of the Soul could be sealed, the blood-red dagger was controlled again and turned back upon him.

"Brother, if we grow up... Hey, Brother, listen to me seriously. I'll marry you then, and I'll find a good husband for Ruikong... Heh heh, then we’ll be together forever. If those old geezers from the family dare bother us, we'll destroy the Assassin Clan first. Don't you agree, Brother..."

"...Brother, I feel terrible. The demon inside my body seems like it's about to break out... Brother, how much longer can I suppress this demon?"

"...I've told you many times, when facing an enemy, you must always smile like this, but look at them with cold eyes—don't smile foolishly like that, Brother..."

"...Don't die! I said we would all live together! We'll find a way to fix the hidden defects in our bodies, and then we'll live happily together forever... I don't want to be alone! I don't want to live alone in solitude! Waaah, Zhao Zhuikong! I hate you! I will hate you forever!" In the past, the three children watched over each other in isolation, encouraging each other to survive, hoping to become each other's pillar, hoping the other could be their pillar too. Even without a visible future, seeing each other brought profound happiness... But all of that had finally ended, leaving behind the darkness and coldness of a lost pillar. On a path with no foreseeable future, they sank deeper and deeper... (Brother, I have found my new pillar... I absolutely will not let you sink into loneliness and despair again!)

With a deafening crash, the entangled pair slammed onto the ground, driving a deep crater into the earth. Zhao Yingkong remained tightly pressed against Zhao Zhuikong's back, while Zhao Zhuikong stood silently on the ground. If one ignored the surroundings and their predicament, they truly looked like a couple.

"Brother. That won't do, will it? Trying to force me again? Trying to bear the pain and solitude alone once more? Brother, this time I absolutely won't let go!" Before Zhao Zhuikong, the blood-red dagger was thrusting toward his heart. It had only pierced halfway when the little hand that was clamped around his collarbone unexpectedly shifted, gripping the dagger tightly with its palm, preventing it from sinking further.

Zhao Zhuikong's single hand, however, pressed down on the hilt, attempting to drive it deeper into his own heart.

"Brother. This is the Vampire's Touch, right? A legendary A-rank magical weapon, but it offers no attribute bonuses. Its sole feature is the ability to absorb the attribute of the opponent's Light of the Soul—not the Light of the Soul directly. It only absorbs the special property of the Light of the Soul, and only for a fleeting moment. To others, this weapon is utterly useless, a true liability. But for us... no, for all the incomplete beings created by the Assassin Clan, this is the only salvation that allows us to live."

As she spoke, tears suddenly streamed from Zhao Yingkong's eyes. She leaned against Zhao Zhuikong’s broad back, weeping uncontrollably. The blood-red dagger in her hand was slicing through her palm. The blood flowed from her palm along the blade toward his chest; their blood slowly mingled.

"Our Lights of the Soul have been incomplete since birth. While we are superior to normal people in certain aspects, and our Lights of the Soul are easily controlled, this very fact makes us more susceptible to being controlled by inner demons. And the closer we get to mid-tier Fourth Stage, the more hopeless we become. It wasn't until I merged with my sub-personality that I truly understood all this... The Vampire's Touch happens to perfectly complement the part we lack. That's why I researched this. As long as the absorption is from a Light of the Soul that lacks the same component—like yours and mine... As members of the Assassin Clan in this reincarnation world, only we carry incomplete Lights of the Soul, and our strengths are nearly equal. Once this dagger pierces us, whoever dies first by having their heart stabbed will transfer their Light of the Soul to me through the blade. Then, I can live on with a complete Light of the Soul... You colossal idiot!" Zhao Yingkong's tears flowed nonstop, her small face gently rubbing against Zhao Zhuikong's back.

"...I am foolish, sometimes, when I manage to wake up," Zhao Zhuikong murmured, still facing away from Zhao Yingkong. The bloodshot veins were gone from his eyes, as was the savage smile; only a contemplative expression, as if recalling yesterday, remained. "In the brief moments I am awake, I always recall the times the three of us were together. I can never forget. So... even if it’s just you, Little Apple, live on with the effort for both of us. Knowing you have found your own pillar and will no longer sink into darkness and solitude fills me with joy..." Having said that, he suddenly exerted force with his hand, driving the dagger a few more points into his own heart.

"No! Brother, you are so selfish! Trying to force me to point the blade into you again? You did this before, and you're doing it now. I hate this kind of Brother... so..." Zhao Yingkong suddenly looked toward a spot not far away. Another Zhao Yingkong appeared between them, her expression slightly distorted, as if her body wasn't her own. She walked toward them mechanically, step by measured step.

"After all, she is the sub-personality. Even if only for a few seconds, let me take control during this time... I'm sorry, other self, for making you do something against your will, but there will not be a next time." Zhao Yingkong smiled brilliantly, speaking softly to the other Zhao Yingkong. With that, the other Zhao Yingkong suddenly raised the transparent greatsword and aimed it directly at Zhao Zhuikong's chest. Behind him, Zhao Yingkong was pressed tightly against his back.

“...Little Apple, is this your revenge on me? Truly...it makes me want to kiss you. I have liked you for so long, but we have always been..." Zhao Zhuikong struggled slightly, but the Soul Light within him was completely suppressed by Zhao Yingkong. She, in turn, exerted all her strength, pinning him so he couldn't move an inch. Helpless, he could only gently release the dagger and move his bleeding hand toward his shoulder blade. There, his *** was pressed tightly against his body—it was the sole anchor of his existence... His bloody fingers softly touched his face; the blood was still warm. He traced it gently, as if touching a loved one, as if touching a lover... (Brother, let's be together, this time I won't let you be alone anymore!) "No, this isn't revenge, silly brother... This is my repayment to you. This time, it’s my turn to drive the blade, piercing both our hearts... Let me push it this time."

As she spoke, the other Zhao Yingkong propelled the invisible greatsword forward, skewering them both, piercing cleanly through the centers of their hearts, binding them together inextricably... (...Other me, thank you, I'm sorry... If the body dies, my Soul Light can probably last another hour. During this time, please take my place to fulfill the responsibilities we must see through. You must ensure Zheng Zha wins this final battle! And... tell everyone, I'm sorry, and thank you...) Zhao Yingkong smiled softly and closed her eyes. Just as her small hand was about to release the dagger and let it drop, Zhao Zhuikong's hand suddenly reached out and gripped it tightly. Both their faces held smiles, and their eyes slowly closed... Leaping to