Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2580: 1422: Gravity and Uplift (Part 2)

“The situation is quite straightforward. While others focus solely on bracing for the Great Catastrophe, I am haunted by the mystery of my own origin. I do not understand why I was birthed in the abyss-like depths of the magical ley lines, nor why I am compelled to fight the Ten Thousand Clans of the surface. For three millennia, this riddle has plagued me. It is certain that I have lost a memory of vital importance.”

A faint glimmer of yearning flickered within the hollow eyes of the “White Knight” as he spoke.

Listening to this admission, a look of deep contemplation settled over our group.

Though his explanation was succinct, it offered a pivotal revelation.

It suggested that his awakening occurred following the Era of Blankness, and much like the survivors among the Ten Thousand Clans, he suffered from an inexplicable loss of memory.

This undoubtedly indicates that his past mirrors our own in many ways.

“Does this mean you are also a survivor of the Era of Blankness?”

After a brief moment of reflection, Leo Ray voiced his question.

“By the reckoning of your calendar, my kind and I did indeed awaken three thousand years ago after the Era of Blankness, stripped of all prior memories. This much is certain.”

The “White Knight” gave a small nod of confirmation. “Only a single fact remains etched in our minds: our name is ‘Eclipse.’ We are fated to one day become the font of calamity, triggering a Great Catastrophe that will engulf the world and leave nothing but ruin. It is this very purpose that has caused friction between me and my brethren.”

“However, I find myself less interested in becoming a harbinger of doom and more obsessed with the origins of our race. I want to know why this singular fact is all we retain.”

“Is it not peculiar that we only remember our role as a source of disaster? I refuse to accept that we were created for the sole purpose of annihilation.”

With a voice heavy with confusion, the “White Knight” went on, “It wasn’t until I began my parasitism of the White Knight, wandering the Human World alongside him for a thousand years, that I saw the parallels. The Ten Thousand Clans were in a state nearly identical to the ‘Eclipse,’ and they too referred to that forgotten age as the Era of Blankness.”

“Then it appears we have discovered a common objective.”

Leo Ray raised an eyebrow slightly and remarked, “Ultimately, your aim is simply to uncover the truth of the Era of Blankness. Only by reclaiming the knowledge lost three thousand years ago can you understand your roots and the reason you are haunted by thoughts of destruction.”

“Through the eyes and memories of the White Knight, I am aware that you are also hunting for the world's hidden truths. Even if our interests align for a moment, we are ultimately like moons reflected in a pool—visible to one another but never truly touching.”

The “White Knight’s” tone shifted back to its usual coldness as he stated indifferently, “This is because the Great Catastrophe cannot be avoided.”

“Your Excellency, what makes you so certain the Great Catastrophe is a certainty?”

Ariel Watson spoke up, her brow furrowed in a tight frown.

“The answer is simple: the will of the ‘Ruins Returner’ is absolute. Neither your people nor mine can stand against it.”

The “White Knight” responded by introducing a term we had never heard before.

“The ‘Ruins Returner’? Does that refer to your commander?”

Leo Ray asked the question without a second's delay.

“Commander? Such a title is too restrictive and inaccurate for us. The ‘Ruins Returner’ is a far more transcendent entity. I am the ‘Ruins Returner,’ and every ‘Eclipse’ is the ‘Ruins Returner.'”

Despite the directness of the “White Knight’s” explanation, it left our party in a state of bewilderment.

His words implied the ‘Ruins Returner’ functioned as a leader, yet his claim that he and all ‘Eclipse’ were one and the same was baffling.

“Stay alert, my Lord! It seems this individual is actually the head of the ‘Eclipse’!”

Xiao Jing reacted with the most speed, stepping in front of Leo Ray and leveling her sword at the opponent’s face while scowling.

“If he truly held the position of leader, he would not have been forced to parasitize the White Knight out of desperation a millennium ago.”

Leo Ray tapped Xiao Jing’s shoulder lightly to calm her nerves. He then turned back to the “White Knight” and asked, “Could you explain the nature of the ‘Ruins Returner’ more clearly?”

“I have already spoken of it, but it is beyond your grasp, much like an ant cannot comprehend the complexities of human behavior.”

The “White Knight” remained unmoved but chose to elaborate further. “Unlike the various clans who exist as separate beings with individual minds, we of the ‘Eclipse’ possess both personal consciousness and a grand collective mind that binds us all. This higher consciousness permits us to exchange thoughts instantly and synchronize our every move.”

“To put it another way, every ‘Eclipse’ serves as a fragment of this supreme mind. Therefore, each one is an extension of the supreme consciousness itself—the ‘Ruins Returner.'”

The “White Knight” added, “To use an analogy you might understand, the ‘Ruins Returner’ is the spell, while we ‘Eclipse’ are the particles of Qi that form it. The spell and the Qi are one; while the number of particles dictates the spell's potency, the spell itself endures even if some particles are lost. That is the essence of it.”

“I see. I never imagined the ‘Eclipse’ possessed such a heaven-defying trait.”

Grey Elder’s expression turned grim and serious. He nodded somberly toward Leo Ray. “Your Majesty, this means that any information gathered by a single ‘Eclipse’ is immediately relayed to the ‘Ruins Returner’ and shared with the entire swarm. Such a capability is almost beyond belief.”

“It’s true. On a field of battle, they could broadcast orders to every soldier simultaneously and manage the smallest details of combat in real-time. It is terrifying.”

Crisis’s eyes went wide as she spoke the realization aloud.

If we were to compare units of equal power, our army of ten thousand could never hope to match the perfect coordination of their forces.

Even more critically, for most powerful cultivators, such an enemy would be an unbeatable nightmare.

“It is no wonder the ‘Eclipse’ are the harbingers of the Great Catastrophe. With their immortality, parasitic nature, and the shared mind of the ‘Ruins Returner,’ they are enough to drive the Ten Thousand Clans to total despair.”

Ariel Watson looked deeply troubled, her brow knitting again, while the other experts in our group nodded in grim agreement.

“You finally grasp the horror of our existence, don’t you? The more you understand, the more hopeless your situation becomes.”

The “White Knight” seemed pleased as he observed our reactions, but his satisfaction was short-lived as he noticed something strange.

He could feel the atmosphere of gravity and tension, yet the stench of true despair was missing.

“How is this possible? Is it because of that man?”

After looking around the group, the “White Knight” fixed his confused stare back onto Leo Ray.

“As long as we stand with the Lord, the light of dawn will never fade!”

Crisis stood tall, her voice ringing with conviction. “Do you honestly believe a few threats can break us? Have you forgotten that we have faced your kind before and emerged victorious?”

Following Crisis’s lead, the others voiced their support, instantly dispelling the heavy, oppressive mood.

“Ruler of the Human Clan, you continue to surprise me.”

The “White Knight” stared directly into Leo Ray’s eyes and sighed. “But what does it matter? It is a meaningless struggle; the end remains the same.”

“Hmph, don't dream of making us back down so easily!”

Xiao Jing stepped forward with a defiant sneer. “The Father God created the [Stone of God] specifically to deal with monsters like you!”

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Xiao Jing. Her eyes widened as she turned to Leo Ray. “Wait a moment, my Lord! If this person is linked directly to the ‘Ruins Returner,’ doesn't that mean our every move is being watched by the enemy right now?”