Kale stood quietly in front of the stone platform. The sleeping wolf shadow in the depths of the fissure loomed faintly in the scarlet light, as if looking at him across endless years. His heart was pounding like a drum, and each beat seemed to respond to the call from afar.
Cangzhao walked forward slowly, his eyes shining with a complex light. "Kale, this place... is unlike anywhere we've been before."
The wolf pack crouched down and growled in a low voice. Their ears were pressed tightly against the back of their heads, and their bodies instinctively prostrated themselves, as if submitting to the overpower of a king out of instinct in the face of his might.
Yize stood not far away, with his arms crossed, staring at the huge sleeping shadow. The corners of his mouth curved into a meaningful smile. "The Wolf Soul King... It seems that he is more real than in the legends."
"What do you know?" Kale turned his head, and his sharp gaze fell on Yize.
Yize shrugged. "The fissure of the Wolf Soul Mountains is the place where the king fell, but not all falls are the end. Some souls, even in death, cannot completely leave this land."
Kale was silent. The restlessness deep in his heart became more and more difficult to quell, as if the sleeping Wolf Soul was gradually awakening and resonating with his bloodline.
Cangzhao warily examined his surroundings, sniffed the air, and reminded in a low voice, "Something's not right here... We're not the only visitors."
Kale's gaze turned cold, and he immediately gripped his long knife tightly. The cold edge of the knife reflected a faint light in the dimness. "Come out. Stop hiding."
The air twisted slightly, and a dark shadow slowly emerged from both sides of the fissure.
It was the Shadow Messenger.
He was wearing a black cloak, his face hidden under the hood. His hands were crossed in front of his chest, and his gaze was profound. "Kale, you've finally come."
"Were you waiting for me here?" Kale's tone was icy.
The Shadow Messenger chuckled. "The fissure is about to open. How could I miss this feast?"
Kale's gaze swept through the depths of the fissure. The sleeping wolf shadow seemed to sense the presence of the Shadow Messenger and trembled imperceptibly.
"The Wolf Soul King won't respond to someone like you." Kale said coldly, slowly raising his long knife, its edge pointing directly at the Shadow Messenger.
"Heh, are you sure?" The Shadow Messenger walked forward slowly, each step accompanied by fluctuations in the energy in the air. "The Wolf Soul King has been sleeping here. He just needs an heir who can wake him up. Whether it's you or me."
A trace of wariness flashed in Kale's eyes. "An heir?"
The Shadow Messenger stopped and stood on the edge of the fissure, raising his hand and pointing at the huge sleeping shadow. "He's already awake."
As soon as the words were spoken, a heavy breathing sound came from the depths of the fissure, as if the earth was slowly heaving. The sleeping Wolf Soul King slowly opened his eyes, and the scarlet light in his pupils illuminated the entire fissure like a raging fire.
The wolf pack immediately crouched down, trembling. A trace of fear and awe also flashed in Cangzhao's eyes.
Kale felt his blood boiling, as if his body was being pulled by some force and he couldn't resist.
The gaze of the Wolf Soul King slowly fell on him. His eyes were as deep as an abyss, exuding an ancient and majestic aura.
Kale took a deep breath, trying to steady his mind and meet that gaze.
"Do you think he'll choose you?" The voice of the Shadow Messenger rang in his ear, low and chilling. "You're just a vessel for the bloodline. The real Wolf Soul King will only choose someone who truly belongs to the darkness."
Kale suddenly turned his head and stared coldly at the Shadow Messenger. "Darkness doesn't belong to you."
The Shadow Messenger smiled slightly, spread his hands, and the black cloak spread out like a thick fog, revealing his arms covered with black patterns. It seemed that a strange energy was flowing within the patterns.
"Then let him make the choice himself."
With a stomp of his foot, countless dark shadows rose up around the fissure, as if the souls of the dead were awakening in the darkness. Whispering voices echoed in the space, making one's hair stand on end.
Cangzhao let out a low growl, and the wolf pack quickly formed a defensive circle, protecting Kale in the center, ready to face the enemy at any moment.
Kale's gaze was cold. He slowly raised the long knife in his hand. The power of the Wolf Soul surged, and a dark silver glow appeared on the blade, shining in response to the power in the depths of the fissure.
The Shadow Messenger's gaze darkened, and he made the first move. His figure turned into an afterimage and rushed towards Kale at high speed. The dagger stabbed towards Kale's heart like a venomous snake.
Kale stomped his foot, and the light of the knife was as fast as lightning, cutting through the darkness. It collided with the Shadow Messenger's dagger, and sparks flew.
The two engaged in a fierce battle quickly. Each clash made the stone walls at the edge of the fissure tremble violently.
The Wolf Soul King watched all this quietly. There was an indescribable light shining in his scarlet pupils, as if waiting for the arrival of the victor.
"You're no match for him, Kale." The Shadow Messenger sneered. The dagger was as agile as a ghost in the darkness, moving too fast to be caught. "Darkness will devour you."
Kale remained silent. The long knife drew an elegant arc in the air, bringing up a chilling gust of wind, and precisely forced the Shadow Messenger back.
"Darkness can't control me." His voice was low but firm. "I'll follow my own path."
A trace of anger flashed in the Shadow Messenger's eyes. "Foolish!"
Just as the two were in the heat of battle, a deep growl suddenly came from the depths of the fissure, making the entire space tremble.
The Wolf Soul King finally stood up. His huge figure was shrouded in scarlet light. With each step he took, the fissure let out a dull echo.
The Shadow Messenger stopped his movements and stared at the huge wolf shadow with fanatical eyes. "He's awake..."
Kale gripped his long knife tightly. His heart was pounding like thunder, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead, but he couldn't take his eyes off.
The Wolf Soul King looked down at the two of them and let out a low voice, as if a whisper that had traveled through a thousand years. "Which of you... can carry my bloodline?"
In the fissure, darkness and light intertwined, and the sleeping king was about to make his choice.