The atmosphere in the forest clearing was so oppressive it was nearly impossible to breathe.
The Abyssal Demonic Wolf stood a short distance away, its massive frame crouched low as if preparing for its next strike. It didn't charge immediately; instead, it seemed to be observing. Its crimson eyes were locked unblinkingly on Lin Ye.
Reg had noticed this as well. He slowly shifted his gaze toward Lin Ye.
"It's waiting for you."
Lin Ye was stunned. "What?"
Reg's voice was low and grim. "Monsters don't change targets without reason. It has been fixated on you this entire time."
Su Li frowned, her expression darkening. She had clearly realized the problem as well.
The air fell silent for a heartbeat. Then—
The Abyssal Demonic Wolf suddenly let out a low growl. It didn't sound like anger; it sounded more like... excitement.
Lin Ye's shadow began to expand once more. Darkness flowed across the ground like water. The voice in his mind grew clearer and clearer.
"Release me."
"Kill it."
Lin Ye grit his teeth. "I won't listen to you."
But the voice carried a faint sneer. "You are already using my power. It's just not enough yet."
The shadow suddenly jolted violently. Lin Ye felt a surge of power erupting from his chest, burning like black flames.
Su Li's expression changed. "Lin Ye!"
She could clearly sense the abnormality. The shadow was deforming. It was no longer a simple spike; it was slowly manifesting into a more complex, intricate shape.
Reg's eyes turned sharp in an instant. "As I thought..." he muttered.
The Abyssal Demonic Wolf roared. It seemed to have confirmed something. In the next second, its massive body lunged forward at a speed even greater than before, the ground shattering beneath its weight.
Reg barked, "Get back!"
The three of them scattered at once. The wolf drove straight toward Lin Ye, its massive claw descending from the air.
Lin Ye didn't retreat. He realized, with a start, that his shadow was no longer fully under his control. The darkness surged out like a living thing.
BOOM!
The claw slammed down. But at the moment of impact, the black shadow rose sharply from the ground, forming a wall that blocked the attack. The wolf's claw was ground to a halt by the solid barrier of gloom.
The air vibrated with the force. Reg's pupils contracted. "Shadow defense?"
He had clearly never seen such a power before. Lin Ye himself was stunned. The shadow began to shift again, extending from the ground like countless black tentacles that coiled around the wolf.
Pfft!
A shadow spike drove into the wolf's shoulder. Blood sprayed out. The Abyssal Demonic Wolf let out a pained howl, but at the same time, a searing pain ripped through Lin Ye's head—as if something were tearing his consciousness apart.
The voice in his mind laughed. "Good. Keep going."
Lin Ye's vision began to dim. The world seemed to be swallowed by blackness.
Seeing this, Su Li's face paled. "Oh no!"
She dashed forward, her shortsword glowing with a brilliant white light. She slapped a rune onto Lin Ye's back.
"Seal!"
The white light instantly enveloped Lin Ye's body. The shadow buckled and thrashed before slowly retreating back into the ground.
Lin Ye collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The headache gradually receded. The Abyssal Demonic Wolf also retreated a few steps, clearly wounded.
Reg didn't pursue the beast. His entire focus was now on Lin Ye.
After a few seconds of silence, he uttered a single word:
"Forbidden Book."
Su Li remained silent. Lin Ye looked up.
Reg continued, "I have seen this power before. Only the Seven Forbidden Books possess such an aura."
A heavy silence fell over the clearing. Su Li spoke softly, "Reg..."
But Reg raised a hand to cut her off. His eyes remained fixed on Lin Ye. Then, he spoke slowly:
"There is only one question." He paused, his voice turning cold. "How did you get it?"