Silent Crown

by Feng Yue

  Wolf Flute led the way and said to Ye Qingxuan, “You should show your face more for these occasions. It’ll be good for the future.”

  “I don’t really like going out in public like this.” Ye Qingxuan smiled wryly. “If I could, I’d still prefer to stay in the library alone.”

  Wolf Flute smiled and did not speak. He led Ye Qingxuan up the steps and they finally walked into the Central Church from the side entrance.

  The Holy Resurrection Church was one of the most famous churches in the Sacred City. It was not open to the public and was instead the venue for musicians’ activities. The Musician Union had its headquarters here. The clerk was usually a priest of the Sacred City. Half of them were from different places and had come to study. Coinciding with the sacrament of Samuel’s promotion, it suddenly became busier.

  Wolf Flute brought Ye Qingxuan past the musician responsible for maintaining order. After meeting the ones necessary, he took Ye Qingxuan straight to the center of the church.

  This was where Samuel’s breakthrough would take place tomorrow. The Musicians Union and the Sacred City have already begun to prepare. Dozens of alchemists hired have already entered the stadium and began to make arrangements for the alchemy needed tomorrow.

  The two supporting schools behind Samuel and his own family had almost bankrupted themselves for the precious materials and practically turned it into a treasure gallery.

  Ye Qingxuan did not dare to activate his aether sensing for fear of being shaken by the aetheric waves that would follow.

  In the huge central sanctuary, many musicians have already entered the stadium in advance. The young musicians from all the schools stared at the alchemy matrix on the ground and perceive the trajectory and structure of the music theory. They were so eager and excited. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

  Tomorrow, Master Samuel would break through here and be promoted to the Scepter level.

  This alchemist matrix was ​​of utmost importance. It combined the profound musical principles of the two schools, the core movements, and the hard work of Samuel. There was no reservation. For any musician, it was a rare learning opportunity and experience. The effect was second only to experiencing the changes in aether and music theory tomorrow.

  At this moment, the earth was engraved with notes and movements, in which the secret mercury flowed like the blood- transporting the aether, turning it into a whole. And this matrix contained the prototype of the scepter that Samuel had created for himself.

  Once Samuel was promoted, he would be able to open up his territory in the aether world and create a new path. There would be a new musician progression. Just like the Phoenix’s Descendant of Anglo’s School of Royalty, the alchemist of the School of Modifications, the Starry Eye musicians of the School of Revelations, the silent musicians of the School of Abstinence, and so on.

  These were paths carved by the Scepter musicians. Naturally, they could also allow later generations to walk down too.

  No one knew how many stuck musicians would rush over and enter this path to transform themselves into the advanced level he had created. If one did not know how to do it, one could take the path of Samuel and upgrade step by step. There were also geniuses who could follow the path opened by the teacher and reach a realm that the teacher had never reached. Of course, a scepter could also pull a whole school into the Dark World.

  Each scepter was the core of a school. For hundreds of years, the powerful ones who became scepters often opened up their own school of thought. That was why there were so many factions within the seven major schools.

  But Ye Qingxuan did not care about Samuel’s advancement. He had already done the advanced preparation for the Dreamweaver. Now that the integration of his music theory was complete, there would be no worries after he healed.

  As long as he built a dream that belonged only to him, he would be able to advance to success and have a great future. He would no longer have to gamble his future like others. What’s more, even if he wanted to follow the scepter…wasn’t there one right next to him?

  Thinking of this, Ye Qingxuan could not help but glance at the yawning Wolf Flute next to him. He did not look like a scepter at all.

  You are the disciple of the King of Back. Doesn’t it matter?

  He quietly looked away and looked intently at the alchemy matrix. He was more interested in the ‘legend’ that Samuel had created. Combining the symphony of predestination with legends, sublimating as a scepter, and opening up one’s territory in the aether world, one would become a scepter-level musician.

  Although it was difficult to create a symphony of predestination, there were still many musicians in the world. However, it was not easy to sublimate the scepter.

  The most difficult thing was to create the ‘legend’ that best suited you.

  -

  There were all kinds of legends in this world. There were reliable sources, but there were many whimsical ones as well. There were unreliable ancient myths and of course modern ghost stories. Most of them were strange talks created by awkward novelists. Of course, there were also miracles created by musicians.

  Creating a legend meant turning distant legends into reality, distorting rules and regulations, and creating miracles.

  For example, the most famous deed was how the first King of Red was resurrected seven days after dying under the witness of six disciples. This laid the majesty and sanctity of the Sacred City for hundreds of years since then.

  It contained the elements of life, death, rebirth, and the existence of God.

  With this scepter as the core, all Kings of Red created a sacred city in the aether world, a shining territory of mankind, expelling the darkness, and fighting off demons with the Holy Light. Creating legends, avatars, become legends, and even…myths!

  Starting from the limitations of material and human beings, one became the creator of rules. This was the most honorable aspect of a Scepter musician.

  Even scepter musicians had rankings. Among them were powerful men like Paganini who became dark followers but were still unbeaten. There were also those who had toiled for decades but still could not become a Holy Spirit.

  The difference lies in the legend created.

  “The ‘elements’ contained are different, and the ability and effect of the scepter are naturally different.”

  433 The Theory of Elements

  “The ‘elements’ contained are different, and the ability and effect of the scepter are naturally different.” Wolf Flute explained, “For example, if the legendary elements are created by the elements of God’s punishment, then the scepter will be biased toward punishment. If the Sunnah and redemption are the elements, then it will favor salvation.

  “The School of Modifications likes to create and destroy. The School of Revelations tends to be knowledgeable and insightful… The schools have different focuses and of course, the elements are also divided

  “The element decides the quality of the scepter.

  “The reason why the Sacred City is powerful is that the Holy Scripture contains many elements. The division is clear and the effect is obvious. More importantly, there are many believers so there’s no need to spread the belief. Therefore, the difficulty of this advanced level will be much lower.

  “Throughout history, so many musicians became advanced scepters with the scripture’s legend. Even the first twelve saints were inspired by the Holy Scriptures to create their own Gospel.”

  Ye Qingxuan looked at the mammoth matrix in front of him. After a long time, he nodded. “It seems that Samuel is also looking for his elements from the Holy Scriptures?”

  “Yes.” Wolf Flute nodded. He looked to the core of the matrix, that large and complex chanting movement, and sighed. “Blood Race. This is the legend that Samuel wants to create. The chapter of sinners from the Holy Scripture contains the middle elements of blood, inheritance, and so on. The upper element, ‘life,’ is the core. He modeled the life form of the Moon Spirit, designed a
new race, and prepared to turn the legend into reality.

  “If he succeeds, he will become the first Blood Race of history, the ancestor of the Blood Musicians. As long as one receives his blood as a medium, later musicians can be transformed into Blood Musicians like him.”

  Here, Ye Qingxing immediately looked to Wolf Flute with curious eyes. “What about you?” he asked. “What is your legendary element?”

  “Me? I just winged it.” Wolf Flute scratched his head slightly. “My legendary element is nothing but a wolf from the beast branch. It can kind of count as a phantom beast but it can only be a lower element. It’s the lowest kind of the scepters. It’s easy to accomplish, but it’s hard to advance.”

  Wolf Flute did not seem to mind and just patted Ye Qingxuan’s shoulder.

  “I’m clear about myself. I just managed to become a scepter and all that matters is that I can have a livelihood. Don’t worry about me. Speaking of, do you want to consider my advancement? Wild Wolf Musician! Sounds very powerful…”

  Ye Qingxuan recollected his wretched gaze and did not speak.

  -

  As the old saying went, “I’m here anyway.” Since he had come and it was such a rare opportunity, he should at least look carefully. However, when he looked at the matrix for a long time, he could not help but frown.

  “This Samuel is a pedigree?” Ye Qingxuan asked.

  “Yes.” Wolf Flute nodded. “Mr. Samuel is a famous pure-blood noble. Have you heard of him?”

  Ye Qingxuan said lightly, “I can tell.”

  “Oh?” Wolf Flute raised his brow. “I know you’re from the School of Revelations but this is such a large alchemy matrix. You’ve already finished interpreting it in a few short minutes?”

  “The interpreting method is best at finding the core of the music theory as quickly as possible. You can ignore the details. What’s more,” Ye Qingxuan paused and made a weird face, “I also know a little alchemy.”

  As he spoke, he walked around the Alchemy Matrix. “Alchemy, however, must follow four stages: activity, formation, creation, and outflow. These are the four forms of aether, and it is also the process of material being born from the Originator and being endowed with form. As above it, as under it, so is the beginning of all things. Using this rule, you can understand the operating principle of the matrix.”

  He paused and pointed to the area in front of him. “You see, here, the source’s ‘initial blood’ represents the blood after Samuel combined the legendary elements. Then using it as a medium, the one receiving the blood can follow the ritual and turn himself into a blood musician with this advanced unique expertise and ability.

  “Let’s call it ‘second generation’ for now. The second generation musicians can also pass on their blood to other musicians and create the third generation… The relationships in this school are based off of familial inheritance. It will certainly be united with the family’s situation to ensure the centripetal force of the school’s members.”

  “It sounds good,” Wolf Flute agreed. “Maybe Samuel does not want his students to compete as brutally as the other colleges. It’s like Deva’s blood. Everyone sits together and shares it like a family…”

  “Is that possible?!” Ye Qingxuan laughed and looked queer: “Wolf Flute, there is indeed no competition in this system. There is only unilateral plunder. Moreover, Deva’s blood passes down music theory. It’s not the disciplines or vows of the School of Abstinence.”

  He looked down and gazed at the alchemy matrix. Among the matrix, the intricate music theory that was engraved under the blood notes was the irresistible contract formed by the strict School of Abstinence. Once implanted, there was no room for the return. This was a poisoned apple. It looked delicious but was a different story after entering the stomach.

  “The superior’s control over the younger generation is absolute,” Ye Qingxuan murmured. “All the power and music theory of the blood musicians are placed in the initial blood of their inheritance. Whether or not they have power depends only on the thought of the superior.

  “The person who likes this style of reign is a tyrant. I am afraid that, compared to the aether, this Samuel master is more thirsty for power.”

  Wolf Flute looked at him with a weird look and patted him on the shoulder. Behind Ye Qingxuan, a slight cough began.

  “What are you guys saying?” Someone slowly came forward. The middle-aged man didn’t look old but his hair was gray and he walked with a slight limp. He held a crutch in his hand.

  Wolf Flute straightened and then bowed. “Mr. Handel.”

  Ye Qingxuan froze and looked at the man who had seemingly aged prematurely. His expression was awed and serious. He quickly saluted him.

  Handel.

  There was only one person who was qualified to call this name in the Sacred City. This was the pinnacle of all musicians in the world. One of the twelve saints was given the name of Handel. This musician was already ninety-four years old but he still seemed to be middle-aged. He was full of energy and looked majestic with stern eyes. Few people knew that this saint who lived in abbots was one of the actual controllers of the Silent Authority and was hated by dark musicians all over the world.

  Handel scanned Ye Qingxuan with a look of indifference and looked to Wolf Flute. “He is Ye Qingxuan?” Wolf Flute nodded but Handel frowned. “Sure enough. Contemptuous, and more annoying than the rumors.”

  Ye Qingxuan froze. He looked up in shock and opened his mouth to speak.

  “Hey, Mr. Handel, scaring the youngsters again?” A hand reached out and stopped Handel’s shoulder. The hand was greasy from food but it was well maintained—white and plump. There was a ring of gold and amber on the index finger. Two snakes entangled into a black symbol.

  It was Hermes.

  “Don’t scare my kid. Young people need encouragement.” Hermes patted him on the shoulder. As he spoke, he pulled Ye Qingxuan to the side. “I need to talk to him. Please do what you need. He’s working for you now so don’t give him a hard time.”

  Confused, Ye Qingxuan was dragged by Hermes to the second floor of the church. He did not process everything until he sat down in the lounge across from Hermes who had started eating his second breakfast now.

  “Do you want some?” Hermes generously raised a bottle of red wine. “The welfare of the Holy Resurrection Church is good. Even the communion of red wine is a rare good product.”

  “…No thanks.” Ye Qingxuan leaned back a bit. “Boss, please eat slowly.”

  “How did you piss off Handel?” Hermes asked while eating. “That guy holds grudges. Is it because you eliminated his nephew in the Romulusian trial? Or because you said bad things about his junior, Samuel? Or is it because Handel’s unclear connection with the Ecclesiastical Order and the Chainsaw Fraternity?”

  Ye Qingxuan was speechless. He thought, if you say everything, what’s left for me to say?

  “Boss, why are you…in the Sacred City?” he asked.

  “I’m vacationing here. There are still some industries that need to be taken care of. If you don’t have a job anymore, you can come work in my shop.” Hermes took out a business card. The greasy card looked familiar but Ye Qingxuan had no interest in the antique shop. He just stuffed it in his pocket.

  “Oh, right.” Hermes hit his forehead. “I heard you’ve resonated. I can’t believe someone so dull could break the Barrier of Knowledge… And now you’re already at the Disturbance level? Oh, I haven’t given you a gift yet…”

  Ye Qingxuan was silent.

  “What do you want?” Hermes wiped his mouth and said with a flamboyant flair. “Everything is okay. Soon it will be the Winter Festival. It’s time for the boss to give you year-end benefits!”

  Ye Qingxuan was silent.

  “Oh, what if I give you more pocket watches?” Hermes fluttered his lashes. “Then next year, you can say that you bought it last year…”

  “Boss,” Ye Qingxuan interrupted him with lowered eyes and low voice, “I want to
know what exactly…happened in Romulus.”

  Hermes stopped smiling. He straightened, put down his red wine, and examined Ye Qingxuan. After a long time, he could not help but sigh. “Young people’s’ curiosity is really strong and enviable.”

  Ye Qingxuan looked at him and said nothing, waiting for a reply.

  After a long silence, Hermes shook his head awkwardly. “Just see it as I owed Romulus a sum of money and sent you to help me repay my debt. Thank you for doing so much for me.”

  Ye Qingxuan shook his head. “This is not what I want.”

  “I know.” Hermes patted him on the shoulder: “Come by if you have time. I will compensate you. Remember to come as soon as possible. If you’re late, you may be too late.”

  “Does Bai Xi know that you’re here?” Ye Qingxuan asked.

  “She doesn’t know yet. Maybe she thinks I’m sunbathing at some beach.” Hermes smiled and looked at him. “You know already?”

  “Avalon is only so big. A girl with white hair is very conspicuous. What’s more, Bai Xi is not that smart and can’t disguise herself well.” Ye Qingxuan lowered his eyes. “I didn’t talk to her after I came out. When I wanted to talk to her, she started ignoring me. How has she been doing recently? “

  “She has grown up, Ye Qingxuan.” Hermes shook his head. “Girls mature early and she is already strong. Even if no one protects her, she can live well so you can be rest assured.”

  “Maybe.” Ye Qinguan sighed and looked up at Hermes. “There is a question I’ve always wanted to ask… Boss, who are you?”

  434 Ask for Advice?

  “Who am I? Haha, who knows?” Hermes lay on the couch and whistled.

  “Some people think I’m the shelter for homeless travelers and some think I’m the trader of Avalon. I am the originator of the steam scourge and I am an unattainable pinnacle for artists. Some regard me as a monster while others worship me. Many people call me the sage, saying that I am in charge of one-third of the world’s truth. I like this title, although the other two-thirds are in the hands of a b*tch and a loser.