First Battle with the Wolf Pack

When the thirty figures of Yellow Class Nine, as upright as spears, completely disappeared at the end of the mission hall's entrance under countless complex gazes filled with shock and pity, the deathly silence that had been forcibly suppressed for a long time was finally torn apart by an earth-shattering uproar that erupted like a landslide and tsunami!

"They're crazy! They... they actually left!" "My god! Am I dreaming? A group of Yellow Class students, whose average cultivation is not even Body Refinement Fifth Level, actually dared to challenge the wolf disaster in the Black Wind Mountain Range?!" "This isn't arrogance or confidence, this is simply... foolishness! Utter foolishness! They're going to die! All of them will be torn to shreds by those hundreds of Ironback Demonic Wolves!" "What a shame about Lin Xiao, he has talent comparable to the Heaven Class's top student, yet he's... a complete idiot! Not only is he going to his death, but he's also dragging his twenty-nine unfortunate companions down with him!"

The entire mission hall lobby was completely engulfed in frenzied discussion. Pity, mockery, schadenfreude... all sorts of emotions intertwined and fermented among the crowd.

Almost at the same time, the news that "Yellow Class Nine accepted a high-level B-grade death mission to clear the wolf disaster in the Black Wind Mountain Range" spread like wings to every corner of the outer courtyard at a speed more terrifying than ever before!

Countless students poured out from their dormitories, cultivation towers, and the Library Pavilion, gathering on both sides of the road leading to the academy gate, all wanting to witness firsthand what this "most foolish team in history," about to head to the underworld, looked like.

However, when they truly saw the team, the expressions of mockery and amusement that were originally on everyone's faces froze subconsciously.

What kind of team was that...

Thirty young men and women, dressed in uniform black combat attire, marched in an incredibly neat, chisel-sharp formation, their steps silent yet full of power, walking unhurriedly towards the academy gate.

There were no superfluous expressions on their faces. No fear of impending death, no tragic grandeur of heading to battle, not even a trace of the passion and excitement of youth.

There was only a chilling, tranquil calmness, as if they were not going on a death mission with a single chance of survival, but merely for a casual stroll after a meal.

The iron-blooded killing intent that naturally emanated from them, almost condensed into substance, formed an invisible force field that isolated all the surrounding noisy discussions three feet away.

All the students who were swept by their cold gazes felt as if their hearts were being squeezed by an invisible hand, and they subconsciously closed their mouths, clearing a path for them.

Silence fell.

Under the gaze of thousands, the road leading to the academy gate fell into an eerie, deathly silence.

It wasn't until those thirty figures completely walked out of the academy gate and disappeared from everyone's sight that the suffocatingly terrifying atmosphere finally quietly dissipated.

"Gulp..."

Someone in the crowd swallowed hard, muttering in a tone of uncertain dreaminess, "Are they... really... Yellow Class Nine?"

No one could answer this question. But in everyone's hearts, a thought that felt absurd to themselves emerged in unison: perhaps... perhaps this group of lunatics could actually... create a miracle?

At the same time.

Within an incredibly luxurious courtyard located in the deepest part of the Heaven Class area, where the spiritual energy was most abundant.

A burly young man with a rugged face, exuding a domineering aura like a primeval beast, was quietly listening to his subordinate's report.

He was the president of the "Heavenly Martial Society," the top student of Heaven Class One, and was known as the "Number One Person in the Outer Court," Wu Tianxiong!

"Oh?"

Upon hearing that Lin Xiao not only publicly humiliated Zhao Wuji but also snatched the high-level B-grade mission that their "Heavenly Martial Society" had already earmarked, Wu Tianxiong's sharp eyes, like a falcon's, narrowed slightly, flashing a dangerous glint.

"You're saying that brat named Lin Xiao, along with his group of Yellow Class trash, repelled Wuji, who was at the middle stage of Body Refinement Seventh Level, with just their combined aura?"

"Y-yes, President!" the reporting student replied tremblingly, "Everyone present saw it with their own eyes! That group from Yellow Class Nine is incredibly strange! The killing intent they unleashed together was simply... simply like a real ancient fierce beast!"

"Interesting."

Wu Tianxiong slowly stood up from the stone stool. His burly physique was a full head taller than an ordinary person! It exuded an explosive pressure!

"It seems our newly promoted 'Number One Heavenly Pride of the Outer Sect' not only has astonishing talent but is also first-class at training his subordinates."

The corners of his mouth curled into a smile filled with cruelty and savagery.

"But this is good too."

"Killing a sheep would be too boring."

"A pack of young wolves showing their fangs are qualified to be my final whetstone before I enter the inner court!"

He turned his head to look at Zhao Wuji, who had been standing by the side with a gloomy expression almost dripping with water, and issued an order in an unquestionable tone.

"Wuji, immediately gather all the elites of the 'Heavenly Martial Society'."

"Our 'training' should also begin."

"The target is also the Black Wind Mountain Range!"

"I want to make that ignorant brat and his ridiculous companions clearly understand an undeniable truth."

"In this Cloud Creek Academy outer court, no one can snatch what I, Wu Tianxiong, desire!"

"And those who offend my 'Heavenly Martial Society'..."

"Have only one outcome."

"That is -- death!"

Lin Xiao and his group had long since ignored the earth-shattering wave that had already been set off within the academy.

After leaving Cloud Creek City, they marched north at full speed.

Under Lin Xiao's leadership, the thirty-person team showed no signs of delay or disarray.

At times, they transformed into a sharp, keen blade, traversing rugged mountain paths; at other times, they were like agile fish, silently blending into the dense jungle.

Everyone's steps, breathing, and even heartbeats seemed to be connected by an invisible thread, reaching an astonishing level of unity!

This was one of the most valuable assets they had forged through the endless "hellish weighted runs" – teamwork!

In just half a day, they had covered three hundred miles, arriving at the Blood Mountain Range, a place that struck fear into the hearts of countless outer court disciples – the Black Wind Mountain Range!

Before they even truly entered the mountain range, a thick, almost suffocating scent of blood, mixed with the cold mountain wind, rushed towards them!

The mountain range was deathly silent.

Not a single bird chirp or insect buzz could be heard, only an oppressive stillness that made one's scalp tingle.

It was as if this vast forest had become a deathly graveyard belonging only to "predators"!

"Everyone, listen to my orders!"

Lin Xiao stopped at the entrance of the mountain range. His deep gaze slowly swept over the twenty-nine young faces behind him, faces equally filled with solemnity, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

"From this moment on, you are no longer students of Cloud Creek Academy."

"You are one entity."

"A wolf pack that lives by hunting!"

"And I am your alpha!"

"There are no chiefs or companions here, only... absolute obedience!"

"You must carry out my every command without any discount! Even if it means dying!"

"Do you understand?!"

"Understood!"

Twenty-nine low growls, suppressing excitement and fighting spirit, responded in unison!

"Very good."

Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction.

"Shi Lei!"

"Here!"

"You will lead the first squad of five people as the team's 'Sharp Shield,' responsible for frontal defense and assault!"

"Su Yue!"

"Here!"

"You will lead the second squad of ten people as the team's 'Fangs,' responsible for harassment and assassination on the left and right flanks!"

"Monkey!"

"Here!"

"You will lead the third squad of ten people as the team's 'Ghost Shadow,' responsible for rear vigilance, support, and... finishing blows!"

"The remaining people, including myself, will provide support to the center."

"Now, immediately execute the 'Wolf Pack Hunt' formation!"

"Target: the rubble slope three miles ahead, emitting a bloody scent!"

"Move out!"

"Yes!"

At Lin Xiao's command, the group, which had been gathered together, instantly began to operate at high speed like the most precise machinery!

Shi Lei roared and, with his four equally burly teammates wielding heavy shields and battle axes, charged forward like a human-shaped heavy assault vehicle!

Su Yue and Monkey, each leading their own squads, silently melted into the dense forest along the roadside like two black lightning bolts, disappearing without a trace!

Lin Xiao, with the remaining few members, followed at a moderate pace behind Shi Lei's squad, like a chess player controlling the entire game.

A true "wolf pack," filled with a murderous aura, finally bared the sharpest fangs they had ever shown since arriving in this world!

The rubble slope.

As the name suggested, this was a complex area composed of countless strangely shaped, massive black stones.

The strong smell of blood emanated from the center of this area.

The moment Shi Lei's "Sharp Shield" squad stepped into this area.

"Awooo--!"

A wolf howl, filled with brutality and bloodlust, suddenly erupted from behind a giant rock!

Immediately following, seven ferocious wolves, each over three meters long, covered in black fur that shimmered with a metallic luster like steel, and with eyes as red as blood, leaped out from all directions!

Ironback Demonic Wolves!

Low-grade Second-order Demonic Beasts!

Their speed was as fast as lightning! Their incredibly sharp claws and fangs glinted with a chilling light under the sun!

In the blink of an eye, these seven Ironback Demonic Wolves, enough to make any ordinary student squad despair, had already pounced before the "Sharp Shield" squad!

However, facing this sudden, deadly charge, Shi Lei and his four teammates showed no panic on their faces!

"Shields up!"

Shi Lei's roar, full of power like a thunderous bell, echoed throughout the area!

"Boom!"

Five massive, heavy greatswords made of fine steel were slammed fiercely onto the ground at the same time!

The shields fit together seamlessly, instantly forming an impenetrable steel barrier!

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A series of dull, teeth-grinding impacts sounded densely!

The seven Ironback Demonic Wolves slammed hard into the indestructible shield wall, only to be dazed and their attack momentarily halted by the terrifying recoil!

However, this was just the beginning!

The moment they were briefly stunned by the impact...

"Fangs! Attack!"

Lin Xiao's icy voice rang out in everyone's ears like the judgment of death!

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The "Fangs" and "Ghost Shadow" squads, who had been ambushing on the flanks, moved!

Twenty black figures, like twenty reapers crawling from hell, silently burst out from behind the large rocks!

In their hands, they tightly gripped the sharp blades exchanged at the Merit Hall, capable of cutting through fine hair!

Their targets were crystal clear!

It was the relatively soft, unprotected bellies and throats of the Ironback Demonic Wolves!

"Squelch!"

"Squelch!"

"Squelch!"

A dense series of dull thuds of blades entering flesh rang out!

Blood sprayed into the sky!

The seven Ironback Demonic Wolves, which had been ferocious and arrogant just moments before, couldn't even let out a proper scream before their lives were instantly extinguished by twenty blades thrust from the most treacherous and deadly angles!

Their bodies crashed to the ground.

A trace of bewilderment and confusion from the brink of death remained in their scarlet wolf eyes.

As if until their last breath, they couldn't understand why... why these humans, who they saw as mere ants, were so... terrifying?!

The battle, from start to finish, didn't even last ten breaths!

The entire process flowed like water, seamless and complete!

Not a single superfluous movement, not a hint of hesitation!

As the last member of the "Ghost Shadow" squad expressionlessly slowly drew his dagger from a demonic wolf's neck, the rocky slope fell silent once more, as if dead.

Only the thick, nauseating smell of blood silently testified to the "artistic" one-sided slaughter that had just occurred here!

"Clea... clear the battlefield."

Shi Lei slowly lowered his heavy shield. He looked at the bloody scene littered with wolf corpses before him, then at his companions, each with a calm expression as if they had just done something trivial. His honest face was filled with disbelief and shock!

This... this was the current strength of their Yellow Class Nine?!