Silent Crown

In the very next instant, beams of light shot out from the hole of the Ultimate, along the crack that have been produced by the Heaven Ladder. The musicians that have been trapped in the Ultimate were still alive. It seemed that they have remained unharmed, although some of them did look like they have been scared out of their wits… along with the conspicuous-looking church badge pinned on their chest.

Despite so many people converting to church so suddenly, the church fleet did not seem pleased. This was because the church badge actually contained the symbols of flame and the holy emblem, signifying the Religious Court of Inquiry.

To think that the Religious Court of Inquiry has managed to recruit so many people under such circumstances?!

The Archbishop, who has been observing the scene, was stunned for a long time even as he gritted his teeth in anger. He could not believe that Ye Qingxuan was capable of finding a way out of such terrible circumstances, and also recruiting people to his cause at the same time.

“Indeed, that Chief Inquisitor cannot be underestimated…” He muttered coolly. He turned around to look at the red-robed clergyman behind him, “My Lord, Chopin, are we going to sit by while the situation turns for the worse for us?”

“From the very beginning, it has never turned out well for us at all. That’s so sad. There’s no hope after all. No hope, whatsoever.” The man, whom others call ‘Chopin’, shrunk into a dark corner and muttered under his breath, “When Schubert lost control, that should have been a very clear warning. But the Sacred City lacked the courage to make a decisive move. This would never have happened if they had sent me earlier, don’t you think? I’m much more suitable than Schubert, why didn’t they let me go instead?”

Chopin seemed oblivious to his surroundings as he talked about how he should have taken Schubert’s place, when his tone suddenly seemed to carry a tinge of expectancy, “If only we had done so earlier, then we would not have had to deal with all the subsequent problems.”

The Archbishop looked awkward and spoke softly, “My Lord, Chopin, you are the only person amongst all musicians that is capable of becoming a saint. Please preserve yourself…”

“Here we go again. Stop nagging.” Chopin waved his hand. Half of his palm looked absolutely perfect. It was simply exquisite and was definitely the perfect hand of a musician.

However, the other half of the palm looked extremely wounded as there were layers upon layers of injuries on the wrist. There was even a huge burn mark on the back of his hand. Now, a finger pointed at the Ultimate, at the origin of that Heaven Ladder.

“Take a look over there.”

—

“Prepare the God’s way and repair his path.” Ye Qingxuan heard a soft voice from behind him, “You used your own music theory to suppress the outside world, without fear of the Dark Zone or chaos. I once spent 30 years in order to achieve this, yet you managed to do in just a few months’ time…”

Ye Qingxuan turned back suddenly and saw a figure in the darkness. That figure was slowly approaching, yet it did not feel real or substantial. An androgynous face peeked at Ye Qingxuan and its eyes were filled with envy.

“This is probably down to the talent that I never had.”

“Paganini?” Ye Qingxuan frowned, “Instead of guarding over the top of the Ultimate, you actually have the time to come and find me?”

“The cage has been broken, naturally I have to come and take a look. But I never expected you to level-up under such pressure.” Paganini sighed, “I have always been given a free reign because of my talent and abilities, but a century later, I was easily surpassed by your father. I had thought that a person with his abilities was one of a kind but now, you have caught up as well. Perhaps back then, I should have just killed you at Auschwitz. Amongst all the musicians, other than King of Blue, you are the only one whom I see as a threat.”

Ye Qingxuan felt no joy in being compared to the King of the Blue because this could only mean that Paganini was serious about killing him now. He might not have done it back in Auschwitz but it was still not too late to try and do it now.

Subconsciously, he made sure that the old nun was behind him. He did not have the time to look for escape and instead, he had to focus all his energy on dealing with the pressure that Paganini was exerting on him.

“Even until now, you still worry for the church?” Paganini took a glance at the old nun and almost seemed to smile, “It’s a pity that it will not matter to the church.”

“I don’t care what the church thinks.” Ye Qingxuan replied coolly, “But I cannot allow such meaningless sacrifices to take place in front of me.”

“You and the church are not the same, Ye Qingxuan. I knew that from the moment I first saw you. Your father’s path was not the same as the church and neither is yours. You may not like him but you have inherited his disregard for authority and preference for what is right and correct. In fact, you have done better than him. He has always sought to hide but you will always prepare early.”

“So what?” Ye Qingxuan asked indifferently.

“Join my side, Ye Qingxuan. This is the last time I am extending this invitation to you.” Paganini stretched out his hand and the expression on his face was sincere. “Hyakume is already dead. I will rule the abyss and become the new God. From here on, I will change the abyss, change the Dark Musician and change this world. This world will welcome a new beginning. You will have a hand in how this new world will be created and how it will function. As long as you join me, we can control this entire world.”

“No.” Without any hesitation or consideration, Ye Qingxuan shook his head and declined. He was so firm that even Paganini was stunned.

“Why?”

“No reason.” Ye Qingxuan did not wish to pay more attention to him and grasped his Staff of Fate tightly, “Just take it that there is something wrong with my brain.”

Paganini looked at how he was preparing to fight. After some time, he finally sighed.

“Have you always been so stubborn about those trivial things, Ye Qingxuan… How funny.” He raised his eyes and looked down on Ye Qingxuan coldly, “Even if you have become a Master or even a Scepter, do you think you are my match? Just based on your Clothes of Original Sin?”

“So, you haven’t forgotten about that.” Ye Qingxuan could not help but laugh, “Don’t be so petty. Isn’t it just a piece of cloth? I thought it wouldn’t bother you, and that you would already have forgotten about it. To be honest, it is nice to wear and it stayed loyal to you till the very end. Please forgive it.”

“Let me tell you, Ye Qingxuan. The reason why the Changing Music Theory is so powerful…” Paganini looked solemn. He only raised his palm and fog seemed to swirl around his fingers. Dust and aether gathered before vanishing, as if they have been dismantled. In such a short instant, they were converted to become part of the Changing Music Theory. “… is because I am the user.”