Chapter 45: The Silvermoon Wolf King’s Fall

Once Xiao An had ascended to the second tier, further advancement demanded nine more second-tier Shadow Beasts of equal rank. In this particular forest, where only first-tier Shadow Wolves roamed, Bai Yu found herself relentlessly culling almost every one of them.

Ultimately, she managed to gather only three second-tier Shadow Wolves, a count that included Xiao An herself, leaving seven first-tier Shadow Wolves still at her command.

Considering the circumstances, this was a commendable haul, for the forest was a secluded patch of wilderness, surprisingly close to the imperial city’s bustling periphery.

Only after circling the perimeter several times and confirming the utter absence of any more Shadow Wolves did Bai Yu finally turn her attention, moving resolutely towards the very heart of the forest.

Moweila had cautioned her from the outset about a colossal spiritual presence emanating from the forest’s core, distinct from that of any ordinary Shadow Wolf.

This was precisely why Bai Yu had reserved it for last, intending to confront this extraordinary Shadow Beast only after she had made thorough preparations.

As if on cue, the sky above began to dim, surrendering to the encroaching twilight.

Bai Yu drew a deep breath, her form nearing the deepest recesses of the forest.

The influence of the Kin of the Night had been constant since her arrival; during the day, its amplification wasn’t overwhelmingly potent, and consequently, her spiritual energy wasn’t heavily taxed.

Yet, with nightfall imminent, while her own enhancements would undoubtedly surge, the Shadow Beasts would experience a similar boost, and her energy consumption would become astronomical.

The ‘Holy Hammer’ was clutched firmly in Bai Yu’s grasp, yet she remained concealed behind her pack of wolves, allowing them to serve as her living shields.

‘Nonsense,’ she thought, ‘how could I possibly scout ahead alone in such a perilous place? Wasn’t the very purpose of summoning these Shadow Wolves to handle this kind of task? I’m certainly not foolish enough to charge in by myself.’

A sudden, chilling gust of wind swept through, lifting Bai Yu’s bangs to fully unveil her flawless countenance.

Bai Yu’s eyes narrowed against the wind’s assault, and she instinctively raised a hand to shield them.

In that precise instant, however, an icy tendril of danger pierced her to the bone, sending a jolt of alarm through her entire being.

As if activated by the Witch’s body’s inherent defense mechanism, Bai Yu’s mind snapped to attention.

Faster than her physical form could react, Bai Yu commanded two first-tier Shadow Wolves to leap, interposing their bodies directly before her.

With a swift ‘whoosh,’ a sound tore through the air, and in an instant, a streak of power ripped through the two Shadow Wolves, causing them to dissolve into wisps of shadow.

It was a blade of silver-white light, its speed almost unfathomable, far surpassing the capabilities of even a seasoned second-tier Arcanist.

Nevertheless, Bai Yu managed to evade it, the deadly light blade passing so close it almost grazed her.

“Hoo… hoo…”

Bai Yu gulped in ragged breaths, for in that fleeting moment, she had genuinely believed death was but an inch away.

Raising her gaze, she saw a colossal, silver-white silhouette emerge from the deep shadows in the distance.

A distinct silver crescent moon mark adorned its forehead, and its sheer size dwarfed that of an ordinary Shadow Wolf by roughly three times.

“What is that?”

[It’s likely some kind of alpha or leader here, and it appears to have even mastered something akin to human arcana. Be cautious, this one is far from simple.]

Moweila’s warning echoed in Bai Yu’s mind.

“I can see that…”

Bai Yu retorted with a touch of exasperation, though she had no time for banter with Moweila. The sheer oppressive aura radiating from this wolf already far exceeded her current capacity to endure.

[This creature is an entity infinitely close to the fourth tier; once night truly falls, it will fully ascend to that rank.]

Moweila’s stark pronouncement utterly extinguished any lingering thought Bai Yu had of stalling.

Had the wolf remained in its third-tier state, Bai Yu might have harbored a slim hope of a desperate struggle. However, a fourth-tier creature was a true high-tier entity, an adversary she, in her current state, absolutely could not hope to overcome.

Not even her night-time enhancements could bridge such a formidable gap.

Cold sweat beaded on Bai Yu’s skin as she meticulously tracked the Silvermoon Wolf King’s every twitch. The Wolf King, in turn, seemed to perceive the diminutive human as a formidable challenge, mirroring Bai Yu’s intense scrutiny.

It was then that the realization finally struck Bai Yu: no wonder this entire area was populated solely by first-tier Shadow Beasts. The higher-tier creatures, she surmised, had likely all been devoured by this monstrous alpha, leaving them no chance of survival.

As Bai Yu locked eyes with the Wolf King, the surrounding Shadow Beasts quivered uncontrollably under its terrifying aura. Only Xiao An, among them, managed to cling to a semblance of her ferocious demeanor.

‘I cannot afford to prolong this any further!’

Observing the deepening gloom of the night, Bai Yu knew she had to dispatch this formidable foe with utmost haste.

In a flash, Bai Yu exerted her will, coercing her entire wolf pack to surge forward, assailing the Wolf King from every conceivable direction.

She held nothing in reserve, for the present circumstances offered her no quarter, no luxury of restraint.

“ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!!!”

The Wolf King’s furious roars erupted, unleashing a massive sonic wave that momentarily halted the advancing wolves in their tracks.

Seizing this fleeting opportunity, the Wolf King burst from the encirclement, leaping into the air. There, it brandished its massive claws, conjuring a multitude of silver-white blades that shimmered menacingly.

‘This move again!’ Bai Yu gasped inwardly, a wave of alarm washing over her. Just moments ago, these very silver-white blades had nearly cleaved her in two.

[Blade of the Faceless Moon]

As her sole primordial arcana activated, a spectral white mask shimmered into existence over Bai Yu’s face, while the Holy Sword in her hand transmuted into a transparent, broad greatsword.

Witnessing this transformation, Bai Yu finally grasped the true effect of the arcana known as the Blade of the Faceless Moon.

It didn’t merely conjure a blade; rather, it manifested an enchantment perfectly suited to the very weapon being wielded.

Bai Yu gripped the immense, broad greatsword. Its colossal form, resembling a massive stone slab or an ancient stele, was considerably larger than Bai Yu’s own petite frame.

Yet, her small body effortlessly lifted the immense weapon, driving it forcefully into the earth.

“Clang! Clang! Clang!”

The silver blades struck the broad greatsword with resounding clangs, each impact effortlessly deflected by Bai Yu.

‘Now!’

Seizing the Wolf King’s momentary paralysis, Bai Yu commanded her entire pack to swarm his body, tearing and biting with savage frenzy.

These Shadow Beasts, bereft of any special abilities, could only resort to their terrifying fangs and claws for attack.

The Silvermoon Wolf King thrashed wildly, desperately fending off the relentless assault of the surrounding pack. His colossal claws shredded Shadow Wolf after Shadow Wolf, leaving a trail of dissipating shadows.

Witnessing this carnage, Bai Yu’s heart bled. This was the strength she had painstakingly cultivated, strength she still needed to aid Cecelia, yet here it was, being torn to shreds by this accursed wolf.

A surge of pure fury coursed through Bai Yu. Gripping the colossal greatsword, she eschewed any elegant slash, instead flipping the massive blade over. With a primal roar, she brought the flat of the sword crashing down upon the Silvermoon Wolf King, who was still embroiled in a desperate struggle with her pack.

At that precise moment, as the sky plunged into absolute darkness, Bai Yu’s Kin of the Night ability surged to a tenfold amplification. The Silvermoon Wolf King, however, was a crucial step too slow.

With a sickening ‘splat,’ the Silvermoon Wolf King’s abdomen instantly caved in. It seemed even a Shadow Beast could not escape the inherent vulnerability of a wolf’s soft belly.

“AWOOO!”

After a final, defiant howl, the Silvermoon Wolf King, its body utterly crushed by Bai Yu’s strike, finally collapsed, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.

Only two of Bai Yu’s Shadow Wolves remained: the steadfast Xiao An, and a single first-tier Shadow Wolf.

The cost of this victory had been steep.

Though her heart ached with the loss, Bai Yu knew she had to depart immediately; the forest at night was a perilous place.

Yet, a moment later, Bai Yu noticed a strange anomaly: the deceased Silvermoon Wolf King had not dissolved into dark particles for her absorption.