The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 537-546: The Prelude to Destruction 2

Voldemort had lofty ambitions.

but.

The starry sky here seemed to have a strange resonance with the "deep space" perceived in the underground ritual, causing the newly formed chaotic imprint deep within Voldemort's soul to tremble slightly.

Say something.

As a secret base.

Of course, it has to be a place where it won't be easily discovered.

and so.

The island is small, with jagged rocks and sparse vegetation. Only some low, resilient salt-alkali shrubs stubbornly survive in the fierce winds. Apart from the sound of the waves and the wind, there is no other sound.

Absolute solitude enveloped this place.

Voldemort paid no heed to his surroundings, striding towards the center of the cliff platform. It appeared empty, containing only rough rocks. But he extended his wand, the tip drawing a complex and twisted symbol in the air—a symbol neither taught at Hogwarts nor common ancient runes.

Instead, he carried with him the inhuman qualities he gained from the "Deep Space Echoes".

"Sizzle!"

The moment the symbol was completed, the rocks in the open space ahead rippled like water, revealing a narrow opening extending downwards, just wide enough for one person to pass through. An ominous dark purple light flickered at the edge of the opening. From within the opening emanated an even stronger aura, a mixture of the smell of the sea, minerals, and some strange magical fluctuations.

Voldemort stepped inside without hesitation. Inside was a short, man-made passageway leading to a stone chamber about ten square meters in size. The walls of the chamber were inlaid with crystals that emitted a constant, cold white light, illuminating the simple furnishings: a stone table, a stone chair, and several tightly sealed obsidian chests against the wall.

"I remember, I put it there."

Voldemort walked straight to one of the smallest boxes. The box had no lock, but its surface was etched with layers upon layers of malevolent protective magic and curses that would deter most anti-curse experts.

"Gibberish, gibberish, gibberish."

Voldemort muttered a few incantations, and a wisp of newly acquired, chaotic magic gathered at his fingertips, which he then gently touched a point on the surface of the box.

"Clatter."

With a soft click, the lid of the box slid open silently. A strange energy wave, even more concentrated and almost tangible, surged from within, carrying a texture that was neither gold nor jade, cold yet seemingly pulsating with life. Inside the box was a deep purple velvet lining, upon which lay a crystal. This crystal was about the size of an egg, its entire surface displaying an incomparably profound dark blue, as if merging the darkest night sky with the most turbid seawater.

Its interior, however, seems to contain countless tiny, swirling, flowing silver-gray specks of light, like a nebula. The crystals are extremely irregular in shape, their surfaces covered with natural yet intricately beautiful facets and grooves, resembling fractal geometry, subtly forming an unsettling abstract form that seems to resemble the internal skeleton or unknown organs of some deep-sea creature.

If it were Ian.

Or perhaps Saruman and others are here.

They'll definitely recognize it.

This is a remnant of R'lyeh.

The energy fluctuations it emits are extremely unique, possessing both a strong magical reaction and a kind of... non-magical, more primal, and seemingly chaotic aura from the beginning of the world or the edge of the universe.

of course.

Voldemort was unaware of the crystal's origin.

This was taken by Voldemort many years ago from a group of smugglers who had excavated some extremely ancient relics that were suspected to be related to the long-extinct "Sea People" or a lost underwater civilization.

At the time, he only felt that this object was extraordinary, containing unknown and powerful energy, but he was unable to safely utilize or analyze it. Until tonight, until he came into contact with "Deep Space Echoes" and the chaotic imprint deep in his soul resonated with it, he suddenly realized that this crystal was very likely a tiny fragment of some "deep space" related existence or power.

Or it may be a natural wonder formed under extreme conditions and long-term radiation from its power!

Well, how should I put it?

Voldemort's mind wasn't completely broken.

He actually guessed some of the truth.

"It will be a great help to me!"

Voldemort knew how precious the crystal in his hand was.

It is the perfect "catalyst" and "amplifier" to help him better receive, contain and transform the chaotic power from deep space and break through the legendary barrier in one fell swoop!

therefore.

Greed and ecstasy overwhelmed Voldemort once again.

He carefully cradled the dark blue crystal in his palm. The crystal felt icy cold, yet it seemed to pulsate slightly, strangely resonating with the chaotic magic he had recently acquired. Even a faint but clear desire to be "devoured" or "fused" was transmitted through it. "Come!"

Voldemort didn't hesitate, nor did he need any auxiliary potions or complicated rituals. According to the fragments of knowledge brought by the "Deep Space Echoes," beings at this level of power often follow the most primal and direct laws. He opened his mouth, tilted his head back, and directly put the egg-sized dark blue crystal into his mouth!

It wasn't as hard or obstructive as I had imagined.

When the crystal touched the inside of his mouth, came into contact with his body tissues that had long been mutated by dark magic and Horcruxes, and the newly generated chaotic magic power, it seemed to "come alive" instantly! It transformed into a viscous energy stream that was icy cold yet carried a strange burning sensation, and slid rapidly down his throat as if it had a life of its own.

It rushed straight to my stomach, and then... it exploded!

"Well!"

Voldemort arched his back abruptly, letting out a suppressed groan of pain. It wasn't ordinary physical pain, but rather a violent tremor and tearing sensation originating from the very level of existence, caused by a power of excessively high energy level and wildly chaotic nature rampaging through his body, forcibly transforming him, and brutally fusing with his magical essence and even his soul!

"Aaaaah!" Voldemort couldn't help but feel pain, and dark blue and silver-gray energy light burst out uncontrollably from his seven orifices and pores.

The light shone through the entire stone chamber, making it appear bizarre and fantastical.

His long black robe fluttered and rustled even without wind.

The rocky ground beneath his feet cracked inch by inch, spreading out in a spiderweb-like pattern centered on him. The lighting crystals embedded in the walls of the stone chamber flickered wildly, their light erratic.

"That's it! That's it! That's the feeling!" Voldemort could feel the energy flow formed from the crystals, like the most violent invaders, ruthlessly washing over every magical pathway, every cell, and even directly impacting his fragile and fragmented soul caused by the Horcruxes! The intense pain almost made him faint, but at the same time, an unprecedented, immense "sense of power" that made him tremble also surged forth! This power was full of chaotic characteristics.

It does not follow the elemental classifications or spell logic of traditional magic systems, but is closer to the essence of "distorting reality," "causing disorder," and "amplifying chaos." It fiercely clashes with, devours, and strangely merges with Voldemort's original dark and curse-oriented magic.

During this brutal fusion process, Voldemort's previously stagnant total magical power and its quality rapidly expanded and transformed! The chaotic mark deep within his soul flickered wildly, like a greedy black hole, devouring the crystalline energy and transforming it into a chaotic magical power that was more suited to him, easier for him to initially control, and possessed the characteristics of "deep space".

"Ahhh, great!"

Voldemort finally couldn't hold back any longer and let out a roar that was a mixture of pain and ecstasy. He spread his arms, his wand already fallen to the ground, and his entire body was enveloped in a storm of dark blue and silver-gray energy, levitating him. The air in the stone chamber shrieked under the strain, and tiny pebbles and dust were swirled up, forming a miniature energy vortex.

The transformation continues.

The pain intensified, but the sense of growing strength became increasingly clear.

He could "hear" the sound of something breaking and reforming within his body—the sound of the "bottleneck" that had long hindered his progress shattering under the impact of violent power! He could feel his life essence and magical essence undergoing a fundamental upgrade! It was a leap forward!

legend!

That level, coveted by countless wizards and accessible only to a select few prodigies or those with extraordinary opportunities! Now, Voldemort is forcibly breaking through it in this extremely dangerous, almost suicidal manner, guided by the violent energy of the deep-space crystal and the chaotic imprints deep within his soul! How long passed—perhaps only a few minutes, perhaps as long as an eternity—is unknown. The raging energy storm within the stone chamber finally began to subside. The raging light gradually receded, and the suspended dust and debris settled down.

Voldemort's figure slowly descended back to the ground.

He kept his head down, his body slightly hunched forward, as if he had just survived a fierce battle that had exhausted him. His black robe was torn in several places, revealing skin beneath that was even paler, with an unnatural dark blue texture. His long, silvery-white hair was somewhat disheveled, with a few strands clinging to his sweat-dampened forehead.

But when he slowly raised his head...

Those scarlet pupils had undergone a dramatic transformation! Their color had deepened, resembling two solidified, blood-red gems containing endless storms and madness. The shape of the pupils was no longer merely a narrow vertical line, but rather, extremely fine, eerie patterns, like forked tendrils or distorted stars, were faintly emerging at the edges.

"All things shall submit to my will!" Wherever Voldemort's gaze fell, the air seemed to distort and stagnate slightly, carrying a terrifying and chaotic pressure.

The magical energy emanating from him was completely different from before! It was much larger, more solid, and carried a distinct chaotic and cold quality.

It was no longer simply "powerful," but rather an aura of "high status" after a qualitative change, although it appeared somewhat unstable due to the recent breakthrough and the chaotic source of its power.

But it's absolutely true!

Voldemort has entered the realm of legend!

This is absolutely a major deviation from history.

"Now, I am invincible!"

Voldemort slowly straightened up, flexing his somewhat stiff fingers. He could clearly sense that the unprecedented surge of magical power within him had increased thousands of times, his control over magic was more precise and nuanced, and his ability to sense and manipulate the surrounding magical elements had reached a whole new level. More importantly, he could begin to utilize that newly acquired power—chaotic magic with "deep space" characteristics! Although still clumsy and with limited control, he could feel that this power possessed eerie effects in "distortion," "erosion," and "causing disorder" that were difficult for traditional black magic to achieve.

"The power of God".

Voldemort raised his hand, a thought flashing through his mind.

Instead of gathering any common magical light at his fingertips, the surrounding air instantly became blurry and viscous, and the light was strangely refracted.

A small patch of rock on the ground silently softened and writhed, as if turning into living mud, before quickly solidifying and returning to its original state. Of course, it left behind indescribable twisted marks on the surface.

"This is... my power as a legend..."

Voldemort's voice was hoarse, yet filled with unparalleled satisfaction and an overwhelming sense of confidence. "And... the blessing of the deep space..." He bent down and picked up the fallen yew wand.

As soon as he held the wand, he immediately felt a stronger connection with it, and the wand itself seemed to resonate slightly, adapting to his new and more powerful magic.

"Da da da~"

Voldemort emerged from the stone chamber and returned to the platform atop the cliff. The night wind of the North Atlantic was still biting, but at this moment it only made him feel comfortable.

He looked south, towards the British Isles.

His scarlet, eerie eyes pierced through the darkness and the sea, as if he could already see London, Hogwarts, and the silver-bearded, blue-eyed old man who always stood in his way.

"Dumbledore..." Voldemort's lips curled into a cold, sinister smile, a smile brimming with the arrogance of a newly crowned legend, confidence in the power of chaos, and boundless anticipation of the impending "crushing." "Are you still clinging to those laughable notions of 'love and justice'?" "Are you still striving for 'order' in the wizarding world?" Voldemort felt as if he were speaking to Dumbledore, whom he had once feared. Now, Voldemort held Dumbledore in utter contempt.

He seemed to see himself descend upon the wizarding world in a completely new guise, and with a wave of his hand, Dumbledore's renowned and powerful magic crumbled like paper before his chaotic and twisted power. He saw the members of the Order of the Phoenix crumble in fear and despair; he saw the Ministry of Magic grovel at his feet. He saw the glory of pure-bloods reshaping the entire world under his will.

"Soon...soon you will understand how fragile and laughable everything you cherish and protect is before true power and the forces from the depths of the stars." Voldemort murmured to himself, his voice carried on the sea breeze, yet with an undeniable certainty. "And I will become the master of all this. Not just the magical world...perhaps...more."

He stood there.

As the wind howls, the newly born legendary power intertwines with the chaotic whispers deep within the soul, constructing a future vision that is both incredibly grand and incredibly insane and dark.

Really.

Unbeknownst to Dumbledore, who was about to embark on a quest for the "Raven" with Grindelwald, his greatest enemy had undergone a dangerous and deadly transformation, gaining an enhancement far beyond his expectations. He now possessed chaotic power originating from deep space. Voldemort's breakthrough on this deserted island in the North Atlantic was like a boulder of madness and chaos thrown into the river of fate; the ripples it created would inevitably spread throughout the entire magical world, bringing unpredictable variables and disasters. And in response...

Voldemort's enemies remained completely unaware.