381 Darkness and the Wolf (1/2)

Wind and sand swept in from somewhere and the cold moon hung in the air. Deep in the dark atrium, Crowley felt that something out of his control was born.

It was fluorescent green light like will-'o-the-wisps.

One pair, another pair, another pair…

Wolves were coming from the darkness.

Hundreds of silver light arcs lit up. Huge wolves emerged soundlessly, coming from an unknown place like dream monsters. Anyone who saw them would be terrified. Wolf Flute's scepter had been completely unfurled. None of these wolves were lesser than that one silver wolf. They could only be stronger.

The wolf that had accompanied Wolf Flute all this time was only one of them. It was more like a scout. Under the wild melody that hinted at the start of a hunt, a chilling and powerful howl sounded in the wolf pack. It was the alpha's command—the hunt was starting!

In an instant, a chill spread from all directions and came whistling with the overlapping light! Crowley's disdain was wiped away. His expression stern, he clenched his hands.

A hoarse cry burst forth in the darkness. A disorderly piano melody like steel clanging sounded from the dark atrium. The grave singing began. Above him, the abyss opened up. The boundless power from the abyss swallowed Crowley. Under the deep well, he wore the Garment of Original Sin and bathed in the solid darkness. Behind him, a shadow emerged.

It was a giant tree with a human's face. It was rooted in the decaying soil of the abyss. The hundreds of branches reached out, heavy with fruits—countless rotting skin and fresh organs. The branches held the strange flesh like hands, gathering different strengths.

An eerie pale face grew on the trunk. The left eye was pitch black while the right was covered in countless compound eyes. The tiny pupils swept around. Everything under their gazes turned half-transparent, revealing the skeleton and veins beneath like a skinned specimen.

Being stared at by those compound eyes was not it. The most terrifying was the black left eye. Evil light shot from it. Under its gaze, Ye Qingxuan felt dazed as if his sanity was snatched away.

Seething sin from the abyss was called forth by the hoarse singing. The tree absorbed the will of the darkness. It sprouted with leaves. Strange and eerie, the countless branches grabbed at the silver wolves like arms.

The wilted branches left scratches in the dark air, like the remains of evil thoughts. Under the pressure of the fierce malice, Wolf Flute's symphony of predestination fell into chaos. It was as if weird static suddenly appeared in a light allegretto melody. Amidst the cold singing, blazing darkness shot out, attacking the foundations of Wolf Flute's scepter like a tidal wave. It forced the whimsical silver wolves back as well.

The fallen musicians sang an ode to Hyakume—Péchés de vieillesse. Sins of old age. With the hoarse singing, it was as if Hyakume had truly arrived. Even if the god did not speak, the will of the chaotic abyss would restrict all melodies, causing them to collapse onto themselves.

Wolf Flute trembled; his face paled. The wolves flew through the air, endlessly appearing beside Crowley. However, the branches of the giant human-faced tree swept across. Even if they were touched by only a shred of darkness, the wolves would lose control and decay. Finally, they would be pierced by a branch and become fertilizer for the tree.

As they died, Wolf Flute's expression grew uglier. With every loss, a crack appeared on his flute. They were all parts of his scepter's territory. The wolves' deaths were undoubtedly a grave damage to the scepter.

But for Crowley, he had an unlimited supply of power after the Garment opened the well of the abyss. He would cut off the parts tainted by beastly nature without hesitation because they would grow back immediately.

It was a competition to see who would burn out first. Crowley used his years of attainments to force Wolf Flute back.

The younger musician furrowed his brows. The melody of his flute grew more mournful. The wolf at the head suddenly swelled. It gathered all of the scepter's power and became as wispy as smoke. It pounced at Crowley.

Rather than teleporting, it bolted toward Crowley with incredible speed. Along the way, the branches swept at it but it was as insubstantial as smoke. It broke apart at touch and then regrouped like an untouchable spirit.

In an instant, the silver wolf jumped like a wraith with sharp fangs and pounced at the tree. It gnashed the face and tore it off. The tree cried out like an infant and trembled, having been gravely injured.

However, in the shadows, Crowley sneered. The bait had finally been taken!

The tree branches instantly closed in like thousands of arms going for a hug. It closed around the somewhat imaginary wolf. An enchantment rose from the shattered face and locked all of Wolf Flute's power within.

Wolf Flute's face turned white and he spat out blood. In the next moment, he could retract the power forcefully and summon the wolf again. But would Crowley give him the chance?

The answer was…no!

Cackling, Crowley controlled the solid darkness. It transformed into a giant hand that grabbed at Wolf Flute. The Garment's power sealed the surroundings, blocking all paths of retreat.

Wolf Flute was stuck there with nowhere to run to. His expression froze.

Then the hand of darkness tore through the illusion. The air rippled and Wolf Flute's figure shattered, disappearing. In his place, within layers of locks and murder, was a white-haired youth. He played Jiu Xiao Huan Pei with his eyes closed.

Sensing Crowley's blank expression, he looked up and smiled. ”Yup, it's me.” Now, Crowley finally realized that Ye Qingxuan had fused his music score into Wolf Flute's scepter, entrusted onto the rim of moonlight in the air!

What the f*ck? When did they go into coherence? Crowley thought in shock. He started doubting his eyes. This guy had only just become an official musician! How could a third level musician go into coherence with a scepter? They had worked so well together as if they were one person and totally fooled Crowley. And more importantly…If Ye Qingxuan was here, then where was Wolf Flute?