The moment the Abyssal Demonic Wolf charged out, the very air seemed to tear apart.
It was a size larger than the previous Demonic Wolf Leader, its entire body covered in black crystalline scales, with several razor-sharp bone spikes protruding from its spine. Its crimson eyes resembled burning flames, locked firmly onto Lin Ye.
There was no mere animalistic ferocity in that gaze. Instead, there was a primal, instinctive greed—as if it were looking not at an enemy, but at a piece of precious food.
Su Li's expression shifted instantly as she shouted, "Lin Ye, get back!"
But it was too late.
The Abyssal Demonic Wolf's speed was terrifying. Its massive frame blurred into a streak of black lightning as it lunged at Lin Ye, the ground shattering beneath its paws.
Almost by instinct, Lin Ye took a frantic step back. In the next heartbeat—a massive claw slammed down.
BOOM!
A deep crater was gouged into the earth. Shards of stone and clumps of dirt sprayed in every direction.
Lin Ye managed to roll away just in time, but the sheer force of the impact sent him tumbling across the ground, a sharp pain blooming in his chest.
"Too fast..." he gritted his teeth, forcing himself up.
Su Li had already intercepted the beast. Her silver shortsword cut a cold arc through the air.
Clang!
The blade struck the wolf's neck, but it left only a faint, shallow mark. Su Li's face paled instantly. "The scales are too thick!"
With a furious roar, the Abyssal Demonic Wolf swung its tail in a massive horizontal sweep. The air hissed with the force of the blow. Su Li was knocked back several paces, nearly losing her footing.
At that moment, Reg moved. He became a silver shadow, closing the distance to the wolf's flank in an instant. His longsword flashed with a lethal light.
Chink!
The blade bit hard into the wolf's abdomen. The scales finally yielded, and a trail of blood sprayed out.
The Abyssal Demonic Wolf let out an enraged howl and swiped a massive claw at Reg. Reg retreated swiftly, and the two figures began a high-speed dance of steel and fur across the clearing.
Standing to the side, Lin Ye watched the scene with a sinking heart. This wolf was far more powerful than the previous leader. Although Reg could barely suppress it, he clearly couldn't end the battle quickly.
Worse still—the Abyssal Demonic Wolf never stopped watching him. That sensation was hair-raising, as if its true target had been Lin Ye all along.
Just then, the voice in his mind spoke again, its low tone carrying a hint of amusement.
"Do you see now?"
"It wants to devour you."
Lin Ye gnashed his teeth. "Shut up!"
But the voice persisted. "If you release your power... it wouldn't stand a chance against you."
Lin Ye's shadow began to flicker and sway, spreading out like black flames. He could feel it—a certain power within him was stirring restlessly. If he willed it, the shadow could become stronger, faster... enough to tear that monster to shreds.
But Lin Ye remembered Su Li's warning: The Forbidden Books will tempt you until you lose your sanity.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the impulse.
Suddenly, the Abyssal Demonic Wolf shifted its focus. It leapt high into the air, diving straight for Lin Ye.
Reg's expression changed. "It's going for you!"
A massive black silhouette pressed down from above. Lin Ye had no time to think. His shadow erupted. Black tendrils of gloom surged from the ground like spears.
Puff!
A shadow spike pierced the wolf's belly, but it only went an inch deep. The wolf hardly faltered. Its massive claw descended again. Lin Ye felt the breath of death against his face.
In that split second, a silver light slashed in from the side.
Boom!
Reg's sword slammed into the wolf's shoulder, the immense force knocking the beast off course. Lin Ye took the chance to scramble back.
Reg landed in front of him, his eyes cold as he looked at the boy. "Your power is growing," he said.
Lin Ye blinked. "What?"
Reg stared at the shadow on the ground. "That strike just now... it didn't look like ordinary magic."
Lin Ye's heart sank. But Reg said no more, for the Abyssal Demonic Wolf was charging again. This time, it opened its maw, its fangs glinting like daggers.
Reg barked an order: "Su Li!"
Su Li understood immediately. She raised her shortsword, and a pale white rune ignited on the blade.
"Sealing Array!"
Light exploded across the ground, forming a circular formation. The moment the Abyssal Demonic Wolf entered the array, its body stiffened, its movements visibly slowing.
Reg seized the opening. He leaped high into the air, his longsword thrusting downward.
Pfft!
The blade buried itself deep into the wolf's chest. Blood spurted out. The Abyssal Demonic Wolf let out a harrowing shriek, but it didn't fall. Instead, it grew even more frenzied. It violently broke free from the array, swinging a massive claw that sent Reg reeling back. Su Li's formation shattered instantly.
The air grew heavy with tension once more. Lin Ye watched, his unease mounting. If this continued, they might actually die here.
Then, the voice in his head whispered again, clearer than ever before.
"Release me."
"I will help you."
Lin Ye's shadow began to bleed outward, darkness spreading like water. His gaze gradually turned deep and hollow.
In the distance, the Abyssal Demonic Wolf seemed to sense something. It abruptly halted its attack. Its crimson eyes stared fixedly at Lin Ye... as if it were waiting.
Waiting for a true power to awaken.