The wolves tried to dodge, but Xiao Lianfeng adjusted his grip mid-swing, twisting his blade at the last moment.
A sharp arc of sword light cut across, slamming into both wolves and sending them crashing into the ground.
Nearby, the others were either finishing their battles or had already done so. The only one left was the true threat – the Lesser Grand Netherbone Wolf.
Yue Xueyan’s cold gaze remained locked onto the massive beast. She raised her sword again.
A deep, chilling howl suddenly erupted from the Lesser Grand Netherbone Wolf’s throat. The nearly dead Netherbone Wolves on the ground twitched violently.
Black qi seeped from their wounds, spreading like ink in water. Their broken bodies mended, their injuries vanishing as if they had never existed.
Their eyes, once filled with rage, turned hollow – soulless yet overflowing with killing intent.
Lin Yijun narrowed his eyes. ‘So it had this ability… Withering Ignition.’
‘Lin Yijun, explain.’ Yue Xueyan ordered.
Lin Yijun answered right away.
‘It’s a rare ability that only matured Netherbone Wolves can use. It forcibly restores their bodies and their pack members, making them stronger each time.’
‘Every revival hardens their bones, making them faster, tougher, and harder to kill. The more they revive, the deadlier they become.’
Hua Feixue clicked her tongue. ‘Tch. That’s annoying.’
‘What about the cost?’
Lin Yijun shrugged. ‘Their lifespan. But to a demonic beast in battle, does that even matter?
Yue Xueyan observed the wolves without a hint of concern. A plan had already taken shape in her mind.
‘Good. Then treat this as training. Learn to wield your new strength properly.’
Yue Xueyan’s tone left no room for debate.
The instant noodles from Senior Hao had given them a significant jump and even stabilized their cultivation, but power alone meant nothing. If they couldn’t control it in real combat, their strength was useless.
Rapid breakthroughs could turn into shackles if they lacked control. And if they couldn’t push themselves now, when would they?
This was a great chance to hone their newly gained power.
The change in the Netherbone Wolves was obvious. Their bodies had been restored, their fur bristling with vitality. But it wasn’t enough. In the moments that followed, the group adapted to their strength with every passing second.
Lin Yijun was smooth. With a swipe, his sword cut through the neck of a revitalized Netherbone Wolf, sending its head flying.
Hua Feixue spun around, her palm striking with lightning speed. The Netherbone Wolf attempted to evade, dodging a few of her strikes, but one palm landed squarely against its side.
A shockwave rippled through its frame as the impact crushed its ribs, causing the beast to crumple to the earth.
Yue Xueyan’s eyes never left the Lesser Grand Netherbone Wolf, noting all of its actions.
The creature’s body blurred as it used its speed to leave behind afterimages, attempting to confuse her.
She paused momentarily, but quickly snapped back, avoiding the attacks.
The wolf struck with its claws, elongated into jagged black blades. The first strike missed, but the second tore through her side, spreading a black rot through her flesh.
Yue Xueyan’s immediately froze the rot with a burst of ice, keeping it from spreading further.
She retaliated with a series of slashes. But the wolf wasn’t finished. It leaped back, launching bone shards in every direction.
Yue Xueyan raised her sword, deflecting the spikes with a sharp ring as they struck her barrier.
The wolf growled, charging at her once more with another bone-shattering strike. Yue Xueyan twisted her body, narrowly avoiding the blow, and in one fluid motion, she struck, her sword cutting deep into the wolf’s throat.
It staggered but didn’t fall.
With a final roar, the beast lunged again. But this time, Yue Xueyan’s strike was faster, a perfect cut through the wolf’s neck. Its head rolled to the floor.
Xiao Lianfeng launched a crushing kick to one of the remaining wolves, sending the beast tumbling.
‘Too slow.’ his eyes already locking onto last wolf.
His sword flashed, cleaving the last wolf in a single blow. The beasts fell with a resounding thud.
‘That’s what I’m talking about. The stronger the opponent, the more satisfying the fight.’
Hua Feixue rushed to Yue Xueyan’s side. “Senior Sister, you’re hurt!”
Hua Feixue held out her hand, a soft blue glow emanating from her palm, her spiritual qi flowing into the wound.
Yue Xueyan reached into her storage ring and withdrew a vial filled with a golden elixir. She poured the liquid over the wound. It hissed as it touched the skin, the golden elixir quickly absorbing into the gash, sealing it shut.
Yue Xueyan looked at her group. Xiao Lianfeng, who had been observing her from the side, stepped forward.
“Senior Yue, how is it?”
“All healed.”
As the leader, it was Yue Xueyan’s duty to handle the remains. With a flick, the carcasses vanished into her storage ring.
The others gathered, ready to leave. But a low growl rumbled in the distance. Yue Xueyan immediately broadened her spiritual sense. Something was off.
Yue Xueyan: “…”
Lin Yijun noticed the subtle change in Yue Xueyan’s expression.
“What is it, Senior Yue? Did you sense something?”
The wolves we fought were only a small part of the real pack. The rest are coming. Double the number we faced, with a Greater Grand Netherbone Wolf as their leader, along with another Lesser Grand Netherbone Wolf.
Lin Yijun’s face shifted to one of realization.
‘Ah. Shit, that explains it. Four wolves seemed too few.’
“Should we escape?”
Yue Xueyan, deep in thought, waved her hand. A can of cola appeared in her palm.
“Cola!” Hua Feixue blurted out, her eyes brightening.
Instantly, the others understood. How could they have forgotten about their heaven-defying drink? Lin Yijun, recalling his sparring match with his sworn brother, couldn’t help but smile. He had already felt the overwhelming power of the cola firsthand.
He was confident they would win this battle.
But then, as Hua Feixue and Xiao Lianfeng both took out their cans of cola, Lin Yijun’s smile disappeared.
He had already drunk his Cola earlier.
An imaginary Lin Yijun could be seen dramatically kneeling, clutching his head.
“Should we run after all?” Lin Yijun suggested as he returned to reality.