Flame-Cleaving Slash: Greedy Wolf

In the Depths of the Monster Beast Mountain Range, dense ancient trees intertwined into a canopy that covered the sky and sun. Even when sunlight struggled with all its might to penetrate the layer upon layer of branches and leaves, it could only cast scattered, mottled patches of light across the ground blanketed in decaying leaves. The air was filled with the damp scent of humus, the rank smell of Demonic Beast fur, and the fresh green fragrance of crushed vegetation. Beast roars that shook the valleys and the rising and falling chirps of insects occasionally echoed through the forest, intertwined into a melody brimming with wildness and danger. On a natural stone clearing nearby, more than a dozen arm-thick torches burned fiercely. Their orange-red flames swayed wildly in the night wind, illuminating the surroundings as brightly as day. Seven or eight men in rough beast-hide vests, polished curved blades hanging from their waists, sat in a circle around a pitch-black iron pot. Unknown Demonic Beast meat simmered within, grease bubbling in the boiling water as a rich meaty aroma mixed with smoke drifted through the air. The men gulped down cheap spirits from clay bowls while shouting noisily, their crude laughter and curses, along with the crisp clinks of bowls, echoing through the woods and startling night birds from the branches.

Xiao Yan hid among the branches of an ancient tree that required three men to encircle. Dense leaves and hanging vines perfectly concealed his figure, leaving only a pair of black-as-ink eyes glinting sharply in the darkness. Like a crouching leopard, he watched the stone clearing intently. His fingertips moved slightly, and a wisp of pale purple flame silently emerged. Though only the size of a fingertip, it was crystal-like in its concentration, quietly flickering without leaking the slightest heat before vanishing again a moment later. Since refining the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire and advancing to a one-star Dou Shi, his control over flames had reached a remarkable level. He could precisely control their form, power, and temperature, and could even perfectly blend his own aura into the surrounding environment, becoming like a stone or blade of grass in the forest. He could even imitate the faint vitality of plants, drawing no attention whatsoever. The Purple Gold Winged Lion King Cub curled up inside his clothes, poking out only its fluffy little head. Its amethyst-like eyes warily watched the stone clearing, and its tiny nose twitched as though it were curious about the aroma drifting from the iron pot. Yet it soon furrowed its little brow, emitting a low rumble from its throat. Clearly, it was more wary of the savage aura stained with countless killings that emanated from those men.

"Teacher, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group should be here," Xiao Yan said quietly in his heart. His gaze swept over the Wolf Head Tokens hanging from the men's waists. The palm-sized tokens were forged from black sinking iron and carved with snarling wolf heads. Their fangs were sharp as blades, while fragments of dark-red First-tier Demonic Beast cores were embedded in the eyes, glinting with bloodthirsty fierce light beneath the firelight. They were the signature tokens of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, notorious throughout the Monster Beast Mountain Range. During his earlier training in the mountains, Xiao Yan had often heard of their crimes. They specifically targeted lone cultivators and small mercenary teams, robbing them of Demonic Beast cores, cultivation resources, and valuables. Any resistance was met with ruthless slaughter. Many had been left with ruined families and lost lives at their hands, so most cultivators in the mountains avoided them at all costs. Xiao Yan had originally come to seek a rare spiritual herb called Flame Spirit Grass, but along the way, he had detected numerous powerful Dou Qi fluctuations gathered here. Upon approaching, he discovered that they belonged to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Since this mercenary group had committed many evils, now that he had encountered them, he intended to take the opportunity to teach them a lesson and remove a scourge for the cultivators of the mountains.

Elder Yao's soul phantom quietly appeared beside Xiao Yan. His pale blue soul body flickered amid the firelight and shadows of the trees like a candle flame swaying in water. His gaze passed through the layers of foliage and settled upon the largest beast-hide tent in the center of the clearing, sewn from black tiger pelts. His tone was certain. "That's right. There's a seven-star Dou Shi aura inside that tent. He should be their leader, most likely the Third Boss you're looking for. Feel him carefully. His blood and qi are unstable, and his Dou Qi is impure and mixed with the scent of alcohol, grease, and even decadence. Clearly, his cultivation was forcibly piled up through plundered resources. His foundation is extremely unstable, and he normally neglects cultivation in favor of indulgence. You may only be a one-star Dou Shi, but the purity of the Dou Qi tempered by the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire far surpasses his. Combined with the power of the Black Heavy Ruler and your combat skills that exceed those of others at the same level, dealing with him will be more than easy."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly and quietly gripped the handle of the Black Heavy Ruler on his back with his Right Hand. The cool, hard ruler gave him a familiar sense of weight, calming him somewhat. He took a deep breath and slowly adjusted the Dou Qi within his body, allowing it to circulate steadily through his meridians while maintaining the taut readiness to erupt at any moment. His gaze locked onto the black tiger-hide tent like that of an eagle, waiting for the best moment to strike.

Just then, the curtain of the beast-hide tent was violently thrown aside, and a fat figure emerged while cursing. The man was less than five feet tall, yet his waist measured over three feet around. His entire body resembled a round lump of flesh. Loose fat piled across his face, squeezing his already small eyes into narrow slits. His nose was flat, his lips thick, and a ring of greasy meat residue clung to the corners of his mouth. He had clearly just emerged from a drinking and feasting session inside the tent. He wore a black Brocade Robe embroidered with a ferocious wolf-head pattern. The material was fine, with gold thread embroidered along the edges, but his abundant flesh stretched it taut enough for the whitening threads at its seams to show. Around his waist was a broad black beast-hide belt, from which hung a gem-studded curved blade, a bulging Money Pouch, and a dark-red sachet. With every step, the fat on his body trembled violently like jiggling meat jelly, while the sachet swung back and forth. Embroidered upon it was the image of a Fierce Wind Leopard, and faint but Violent Energy Fluctuations seeped from within.

"You bunch of trash! I sent you to search the eastern valley for Third-tier Demonic Beasts, and after half a day, you only caught a few First-tier little rabbits. You still dare come back and claim credit before me?" The fat man walked to the iron pot, raised a palm as large as a fan, and slapped the head of a man beside him who had been secretly reaching into the pot for meat. His voice was as hoarse as a battered Bronze Gong, making everyone around him frown. "By dawn tomorrow, bring me back a living Third-tier Demonic Beast! A living Fierce Wind Leopard would be best. If you can't even handle that, I'll throw you into the Demonic Beast nest in the western valley and let you become their snack!"

The beaten man shrank back, immediately piling a fawning smile onto his face as he nodded and bowed repeatedly. "Rest assured, Third Boss! We won't sleep tonight. We'll search through the night and definitely bring you back the strongest Third-tier Fierce Wind Leopard!" The surrounding mercenary group members hurriedly echoed him, their faces filled with fear. No one dared offer a word of objection. Everyone knew that although Third Boss Zhao Hu's cultivation had been piled up with resources, his methods were extraordinarily ruthless. A subordinate who had failed at a task before had been thrown directly into the nest of a Third-tier Demonic Beast, an Ironback Bear. In the end, only a few scattered bones had been recovered.

"That's him, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's Third Boss, Zhao Hu." Elder Yao's voice sounded beside Xiao Yan's ear as his gaze settled on the dark-red sachet at Zhao Hu's waist. "Be careful of that sachet. It contains the core of a Third-tier Demonic Beast, a Fierce Wind Leopard, and it has undergone crude refinement. Crushing it can briefly draw out the Wind Attribute energy in the core, increasing his speed by more than three times for a short period. It's the only Trump Card he has worth mentioning. However, this method puts a tremendous strain on the body. When the core's energy erupts, it burns his meridians, and it can last for at most half an incense stick's time. Once you endure his burst of speed, he'll be nothing more than a fat pig awaiting slaughter."

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed as he firmly memorized the dark-red sachet. He had already devised a plan: first, eliminate the peripheral lackeys with lightning speed; then restrain Zhao Hu head-on. Once Zhao Hu used the core sachet, he would use the speed of the Purple Cloud Wings to maneuver around him and exhaust his energy and stamina before finishing him with the combined force of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire and the Black Heavy Ruler. He did not hesitate further. Dou Qi stirred faintly beneath his feet, and his body, like a leopard poised to pounce, silently slipped down from the branch. He landed as lightly as willow fluff without making the slightest sound. Then, like an arrow loosed from the bowstring, he shot out from behind the ancient tree. His speed was like lightning, bringing with it a fierce strong wind that shook the surrounding plants and sent leaves drifting down. The Black Heavy Ruler in his hand swung out with the motion. Its yard-long body howled as it cut through the air like black lightning, lunging directly at Zhao Hu, who was still berating his subordinates.

"Who?!" Though Zhao Hu was fat, his years of robbery in the Monster Beast Mountain Range had kept him alert. He immediately sensed the fierce wind attacking from behind, and his expression changed abruptly. He spun around, shock, anger, and panic flashing through the narrow eyes squeezed into slits by his flesh. He instinctively tried to retreat, but his overly fat body made him half a beat too slow. In his haste, he could only circulate the impure Dou Qi within him and gather an earthen-yellow Dou Qi Shield before himself. This was his strongest defensive method. Earth Attribute Dou Qi was naturally known for its heaviness, and its defensive power was decent enough. Yet under the activation of his impure Dou Qi, the shield's edges appeared unstable, its light flickering on and off like a Flickering candle in the wind.

Bang! The Black Heavy Ruler, carrying the lingering power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, heavily smashed onto the earthen-yellow Dou Qi Shield. Pale purple flames spread along the ruler like maggots clinging to bone, attaching themselves to the shield. The fire was not intense, yet it carried the tyrannical scorching power unique to Heavenly Flames. In an instant, it burned a pitch-black hole through the shield. The Earth Attribute Dou Qi upon it melted rapidly like ice and snow beneath the blazing sun. Zhao Hu only felt an enormous force transmit through the shield, as if a massive boulder had slammed violently into his chest. Blood and qi surged violently within him, his throat sweetened, and with a "Pfft," he spat out a mouthful of blood. Scarlet blood dyed the black Brocade Robe over his chest red, making it especially glaring beneath the firelight. His entire body Flew Backwards like a kite with its string cut, heavily crashing into the black tiger-hide tent behind him. With an earth-shattering loud noise, the sturdy beast-hide tent shattered apart. The crisp cracks of breaking wooden supports intertwined with the sound of tearing cloth, while Zhao Hu collapsed among the wreckage, gasping heavily as his bloated body twitched without end.

The surrounding mercenary group members finally reacted. They pulled out the curved blades at their waists, the blades flashing with cold light beneath the fire. The drunkenness vanished from their faces, replaced by savage expressions as they roared and charged Xiao Yan. "Kid, are you tired of living?! You dare touch our Third Boss? You're seeking death!" Most of these men were three- or four-star Dou Zhe. They could be considered experts among ordinary people and had long been used to bullying others around the outskirts of the Monster Beast Mountain Range. Yet before Xiao Yan, they were nothing more than ants.

Xiao Yan sneered, his steps not stopping in the slightest. A pale purple flame the size of a basketball rose in his palm. Under his control, the flame instantly split into seven or eight arm-thick Fire Serpents. As if alive, the Fire Serpents twisted their agile bodies and darted toward the charging mercenaries with hissing sounds. Those men had never seen such eerie and tyrannical flames. The savagery on their faces instantly turned to terror. They wanted to dodge, but it was far too late. Wherever the Fire Serpents passed, beast-hide clothing ignited at once, while skin sizzled under the flames and gave off a pungent burnt smell. Piercing screams rose one after another. Some men tried to use their meager Dou Qi to extinguish the flames, but the instant their Dou Qi touched the pale purple fire, it not only failed to put it out but instead fueled it like firewood thrown into a blaze. The flames burned even more fiercely, even igniting their Dou Qi into blue fire that wrapped around them. Within only a few breaths, all seven or eight mercenary group members fell to the ground, rolling and struggling in agony amid the flames. Soon, they fell silent, leaving behind only charred corpses and burning fire. The smell of blood and burnt odor intertwined in the air, making one nauseous.

Only Zhao Hu remained on the stone clearing, still collapsed amid the remains of the tent. He struggled to prop himself up, his hands pressing against the rubble-strewn ground, but his fat body was too heavy. After several attempts, he failed and could only raise his head to glare resentfully at Xiao Yan as he approached. His eyes were filled with terror and disbelief. "You... who are you? You dare ambush me? Do you know I'm the Third Boss of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group? If you know what's good for you, get lost now! Otherwise, when my First Boss and Second Boss arrive, they'll tear you into ten thousand pieces and make sure you die horribly!"

Xiao Yan walked toward Zhao Hu step by step, the Black Heavy Ruler angled toward the ground. Faint purple flames coiled around its body, and with each step he took, the surrounding temperature slowly rose. Even the fallen leaves on the ground began to curl from the heat, making faint crackling noises. He looked at Zhao Hu, his eyes cold as frost and utterly calm. "The Wolf Head Mercenary Group has committed many evils. You have made robbery your habit in the Monster Beast Mountain Range and harmed countless innocent people. Since I encountered you today, there is naturally no reason to let you go. As for your First Boss and Second Boss, if they dare come looking for me, I won't mind dealing with them as well. It will save the mountains from even more scourges."

When Zhao Hu saw that his threats were useless, ruthlessness and despair flashed through his eyes. He knew that if he did not fight desperately today, he would truly die here. He suddenly stretched out his Right Hand, tore the dark-red sachet from his waist, and crushed it without hesitation. Bang! With a Muffled Sound, the sachet shattered, and fragments of the Fierce Wind Leopard's core scattered in every direction. Violent Wind Attribute energy erupted instantly like an invisible tornado, sweeping across the entire stone clearing. The surrounding torches swayed wildly, and many were directly extinguished. Zhao Hu took a deep breath and forcibly absorbed that violent energy into his body. Though he remained fat, a faint green glow appeared across his skin. Empowered by the energy, his speed abruptly increased by more than threefold. His once sluggish movements became extraordinarily quick, and his entire body charged toward Xiao Yan like a ball of flesh driven by a gale, carrying the howling wind with it. His hands formed claws. Infused with energy, his nails became sharp and keen, covered in earthen-yellow Dou Qi like a beast's talons. Glinting coldly, they grabbed toward Xiao Yan's throat, intending to kill him in a single strike.

He really did use the core's power. Xiao Yan had long been prepared and was not flustered in the slightest. He could clearly sense that although Zhao Hu's speed had increased considerably, the Dou Qi in his body had become even more chaotic and disordered. There were even Signs of collapse, and the Energy Fluctuation around him was extremely unstable. Clearly, this method of forcibly increasing his strength was a huge burden on his body and could not last long. Dou Qi surged beneath Xiao Yan's feet, and a pair of pale purple Purple Cloud Wings instantly spread from his back. The wings were as thin as cicada wings and covered in dense energy patterns, glimmering faintly in the firelight. His body drifted to the side as lightly as willow fluff in the wind, easily Avoiding Zhao Hu's attack. Zhao Hu's claws swiped past Xiao Yan's clothes and struck the hard rock beside him, instantly carving five deep claw marks into it. Flying Rubble scattered everywhere with a piercing tearing sound.

"Damn it!" Zhao Hu missed with his attack, growing even more frantic. He knew speed was his only advantage. He had to strike Xiao Yan quickly, or once the core's energy was exhausted, he would be at another's mercy. He gritted his teeth and once again activated the energy in his body. His speed increased by another degree as he continuously circled Xiao Yan like a crazed beast. His claws grabbed toward Xiao Yan's vital points in a wild storm—his throat, heart, and Dantian—each strike carrying lethal intent. For a time, the wind howled across the stone clearing. Zhao Hu's body became a series of blurry afterimages beneath the firelight, and dense claw winds fell like raindrops, sealing every route of retreat available to Xiao Yan. The air even rang with the moaning sound of claws Tearing the air.

Yet Xiao Yan remained utterly calm. He pushed the power of the Purple Cloud Wings to its limit, weaving back and forth through Zhao Hu's claw winds as though strolling through a garden. No matter how fast Zhao Hu became, he could never touch even the corner of Xiao Yan's clothing. Occasionally, a few claw winds broke through his defenses, but Xiao Yan easily blocked them with the Black Heavy Ruler. The ruler and claws collided with crisp clangs, scattering sparks in every direction. Xiao Yan even took the opportunity to observe Zhao Hu's condition between dodges. The fat on his face shook violently from the intense movement. Beads of sweat the size of soybeans covered his forehead, mixing with the blood he had spat out earlier and leaving dirty streaks across his face. His breathing grew increasingly labored, wheezing like a broken bellows. Every breath came with heavy panting. Clearly, his stamina was nearing its limit.

"Only know how to dodge? If you've got the guts, fight me head-on!" Zhao Hu roared. His voice had become hoarse and unpleasant from lack of oxygen, while the flesh on his face twisted in rage and anxiety. His eyes were bloodshot. The Violent Energy within his body was being rapidly consumed. His speed had already begun to decline, his vision was starting to blur, and waves of stinging pain coursed through his arms from the energy backlash.

Xiao Yan's gaze turned cold. He knew the time had come. He no longer dodged. Instead, he abruptly stopped, and the Purple Cloud Wings on his back instantly folded away, creating a powerful current of air that blew the surrounding flames and fallen leaves backward. He gripped the Black Heavy Ruler tightly with both hands and poured all the Dou Qi in his body, along with the power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, into it. Pale purple flames erupted wildly across the ruler's body like a roaring fire dragon, wrapping the entire weapon within. Flecks of seven-colored light were mixed within the flames—the power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire's origin. Xiao Yan spread his feet slightly and steadied his stance. With a shout, he exerted force through his arms and Swept out the Black Heavy Ruler toward Zhao Hu with a World-destroying aura! Driven by the ruler, the flames condensed into an enormous fire blade over a yard long and half a yard wide. Seven-colored halos flickered along its edge, and it radiated a Heart-palpitating aura of destruction. Wherever it passed, the air warped under the scorching heat and emitted sizzling sounds.

"Not good!" Zhao Hu's face changed drastically, and his Pupils shrank to the size of needlepoints. He could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within the fire blade, and an intense premonition of death rose in his heart. He wanted to dodge, but his body could no longer keep up with his thoughts. The core's energy was nearly depleted, and his speed had returned to its original sluggish state. He could only watch helplessly as the enormous fire blade slashed toward him. In despair, Zhao Hu used every last ounce of strength to gather all the remaining Dou Qi in his body before himself, forming a thick earthen-yellow Dou Qi Shield. This shield was several times sturdier than the previous one, and its glow was far more stable. At the same time, he crossed his arms before his chest and even tensed every bit of flesh in his body, hoping to barely block this strike with his final defense.

Screech— The fire blade collided with the Dou Qi Shield. There was no earth-shattering loud noise, only the piercing sound of flames scorching an object. Like a knife slicing tofu, the pale purple fire blade easily tore through Zhao Hu's Dou Qi Shield, which had been formed from all his strength. The Earth Attribute Dou Qi melted away instantly before the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire like ice and snow beneath the blazing sun, offering no resistance to the fire blade's advance. Its Unabated momentum carried it onward toward Zhao Hu. It first struck his crossed arms. With a "Pfft," like rotten wood being cut apart, both of Zhao Hu's arms were severed at the shoulders. Blood Gushed out like a fountain, turning into a mist in the air before being instantly Evaporated into red vapor by the high heat. Then the lingering power of the fire blade Spread out, wrapping Zhao Hu's entire body within it. The pale purple flames, like greedy beasts, devoured his body wildly. His fat sizzled under the heat, releasing a thick, choking burnt smell. The crackling of bones being scorched apart could even be heard.

"Ah—!" An incomparably piercing scream rang throughout the valley. Zhao Hu fell to the ground, his massive body twitching continuously, his eyes filled with utmost pain and terror. He tried to extinguish the flames on his body, but having lost both arms, he could only roll frantically over the ground. He could not put out the flames at all. Instead, he only caused them to burn even more fiercely, and they soon reached his head. He looked at Xiao Yan with eyes filled with pleading and despair. His voice was hoarse and distorted by unbearable pain as he spoke in broken fragments. "Spare... spare me... I was wrong... I'll never dare again... please... let me live... I'll give you all my resources... cores, spiritual medicine, money... and the treasure I hid away... as long as you let me go..."

Xiao Yan stood before Zhao Hu, his gaze still cold and without the slightest pity. Watching Zhao Hu struggle painfully in the flames, he thought of the innocent people robbed and killed by the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, of the despair they might have shown before death. His heart did not waver in the least. He slowly raised the Black Heavy Ruler in his hand. The flames upon it still burned fiercely, radiating scorching heat. His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable resolve. "When you robbed others and took their lives, did you ever consider giving them a way to live? For your Selfish desires, you harmed so many innocent people. What happens to you today is nothing more than what you brought upon yourself."

As his Voice Fell, Xiao Yan's arm came down violently. Carrying the violent power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, the Black Heavy Ruler heavily smashed onto Zhao Hu's head. Bang! With a dull, heavy crash, Zhao Hu's head was smashed apart instantly like a watermelon struck by a massive stone. Blood, brains, and shattered bone fragments splattered everywhere, dyeing the ground and burning flames around him red. Zhao Hu's enormous body twitched a few times before falling completely silent. Only the flames on him continued burning until his corpse was reduced to a heap of charred ash, merging with the decaying leaves on the ground.

Xiao Yan put away the Black Heavy Ruler and looked at Zhao Hu's remains and the charred corpses strewn around him. There was not the slightest ripple in his eyes. He turned to the shattered black tiger-hide tent. Many items lay scattered inside—several heavy bags of Demonic Beast cores ranging from first-tier to third-tier, more than a dozen bottles and jars of medicinal pills, most of them ordinary healing medicine and Body Tempering Fluid, as well as considerable gold, silver, and jewelry. They were clearly spoils Zhao Hu had plundered. Xiao Yan did not bother with them. Though such resources were useful to him, they were far less satisfying than eliminating the Third Boss of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Besides, his purpose in coming here was Flame Spirit Grass, not these worldly possessions.

"Teacher, there shouldn't be anyone else inside, right?" Xiao Yan asked in his heart. His gaze swept over the tent wreckage and every corner of the stone clearing as he carefully searched with his spiritual perception. He detected no other Dou Qi fluctuations.

Elder Yao's soul phantom drifted to his side. His pale blue soul body swayed faintly in the firelight as his gaze swept across the stone clearing. He shook his head. "No one else. Other than those people just now, there are no more Dou Qi fluctuations here. But the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's other members may be active elsewhere in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. We should leave quickly, lest we run into their people and create unnecessary trouble. You've just broken through to Dou Shi. This is a good time to find a quiet cave, consolidate your cultivation, and digest the insights from this battle so your Dou Qi can stabilize completely."

Xiao Yan nodded and did not hesitate further. He glanced at the flames still burning on the ground and the scattered torches, then casually waved several streams of Dou Qi. Like invisible hands, they extinguished each flame one by one, preventing a forest fire. The Monster Beast Mountain Range was densely vegetated; once a fire began, the consequences would be unimaginable. Then he turned and headed toward the dense forest beyond the stone clearing, his steps light yet firm. The little lion in his arms also relaxed its guard and curled back into his clothes, leaving only a pair of amethyst-like eyes exposed as it curiously observed its surroundings, occasionally letting out a tiny whimper.

After the torches were extinguished, the stone clearing sank into darkness. Only the lingering burnt smell and smell of blood remained in the air. Nothing was left on the clearing but devastation—charred corpse remains, shattered beast-hide tents, scattered weapons and clay jars, along with congealed bloodstains and scorch marks on the ground, silently telling of the brutal battle that had just taken place. Xiao Yan's figure gradually disappeared into the dense forest, as though he had never appeared at all. He knew this was merely a minor episode in his training within the Monster Beast Mountain Range. In the future, he would encounter stronger Demonic Beasts, more treacherous enemies, and more difficult challenges. But he was already prepared. With Heavenly Flames and the Black Heavy Ruler in hand, and an unwavering conviction to grow stronger in his heart, his path of cultivation continued to stretch onward toward a higher and farther peak.