Fury Slays a Da Dou Shi

Blazing Fire Extinguishes Greedy Wolf, Fury Slays the Peak Commander

The night was as black as ink, and the mist in the depths of the Monster Beast Mountain Range grew increasingly dense, like thick ink that could not be dispersed, blurring the outlines of towering ancient trees into vague shadows. Moonlight strained to pierce the haze, yet could only cast scattered, mottled patches of light across the ground carpeted with decaying leaves. The air was mixed with the fishy stench of humus, the musky odor of beast fur, and a faint smell of blood. Occasional beast roars echoed through the forest, only to be swiftly swallowed by the dead silence, making the place all the more eerie.

Xiao Yan walked over the fallen leaves, his footsteps as light as a ghost wandering through the woods, yet his figure flashed like black lightning as he sped through the dense forest. The Black Heavy Ruler on his back trembled slightly, its body producing a faint hum as it rubbed against the air, as though it too craved the coming battle. Pale purple flames danced at his fingertips. Though small, they carried an overbearing power capable of burning everything to ashes, illuminating the unquestionable resolve in his eyes—ever since destroying the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's Falling Moon Valley branch, he had held only one thought in his heart: completely eradicate this malignant scourge, ensure that Greedy Wolf could no longer commit evil in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, and restore peace to these mountains and forests.

The Purple Gold Winged Lion King Cub in his arms had long since shed its initial timidity. Its little head was held high, its amethyst-like eyes gleaming vigilantly in the darkness. It occasionally turned its head to scan its surroundings, its tiny nose constantly twitching as it carefully caught the lingering scent of the mercenary group in the air. From time to time, it gave a low lion's roar, as if cheering Xiao Yan on and declaring its alertness toward danger.

"Teacher, according to the secret letter in Zhou Bao's tent, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's headquarters is at Wolf Fang Stockade. Their chief, Lei Batian, is stationed there," Xiao Yan said gravely in his mind, without slowing as he raced toward Wolf Fang Stockade's location in his memory. Earlier, while searching Falling Moon Valley, he had found an encrypted letter in the Secret Compartment of Zhou Bao's secret chamber. Only after soaking it in special medicine did its contents emerge: not only did it mark the hidden location of Wolf Fang Stockade against a cliff, it also described the strength of its chief, "Earth Splitting Wolf" Lei Batian—he had already broken through to two-star Da Dou Shi and was the entire mercenary group's core combat strength.

The letter also stated that Lei Batian came from a barbaric tribe and had grown up amid life-and-death battles. At ten, he had killed a First-tier Demonic Beast bare-handed. At twenty, he had single-handedly destroyed an enemy tribe's stronghold, emerging covered in wounds but never defeated. Years of slaughter had forged his body into bronze and iron, making ordinary blades unable to harm him in the slightest. He had also mastered the Mysterious-tier Low-grade defensive Dou Technique, Wolf Fang Shield, and the Mysterious-tier Low-grade offensive Dou Technique, Earth Splitting Fist. With both offense and defense, he was known around the outskirts of the Monster Beast Mountain Range as a desperate madman. His methods were ruthless. Any traveler or merchant caravan he targeted could scarcely escape intact; at best, they were robbed clean, and at worst, they lost their lives. Over the years, he had harmed countless innocent people.

Elder Yao's Soul phantom quietly appeared beside Xiao Yan. His pale blue soul body glimmered faintly in the mist like fireflies swaying beneath water—illusory, yet real. "Da Dou Shi and Dou Shi differ by only one word, but the gap between them is heaven and earth. A Da Dou Shi's Dou Qi is like refined steel—condensed and heavy. Not only can it form a stable shield for defense, it can also be released outward and shaped into fists, palms, blades, and other forms for attack. Its power far exceeds that of a Dou Shi. Lei Batian can command the Wolf Head Mercenary Group with the strength of a two-star Da Dou Shi not merely because of his cultivation, but because of his life-risking ferocity and rich battle experience. You must not be careless. You must use the tyrannical scorching power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire to break his defenses, then suppress him with the immense force of the Black Heavy Ruler. In particular, if you can perfectly merge flame with your Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, using the properties of the Heavenly Flames to restrain his Earth Attribute Dou Qi, then you will have a chance."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly. The flames in his palm abruptly withdrew, and the aura around him vanished with them. Like a boulder blending into the night, even the sound of his footsteps crushing the fallen leaves was suppressed to the limit. Only the occasional faint rustle of his clothes brushing against branches could be heard, quickly masked by the wind in the forest. He deeply knew that against a battle-hardened expert like Lei Batian, even the slightest oversight could be fatal. He had to ensure there was no room for error.

Half an hour later, the outline of a mountain stockade built against the slope appeared faintly ahead—Wolf Fang Stockade rested against a steep cliff, its cliff face smooth as a mirror and nearly impossible to climb. It was clearly a defense constructed using the natural terrain. The stockade walls were piled from enormous rocks taller than a man and stood three zhang high. Burning torches filled the walls, their flickering light making the three savage words "Wolf Fang Stockade," forged from black iron above the gate, especially conspicuous. Dark red traces remained in the gaps between the characters; whether bloodstains or rust, it was impossible to tell.

Guards holding bows could vaguely be seen atop the walls. They wore beast-hide armor, their bows drawn full, arrowheads glinting coldly in the firelight as they vigilantly watched their surroundings. The crisp clang of armor and weapons occasionally sounded, mixed with a few rough shouts, displaying the stockade's tight security.

"What formidable defenses." Xiao Yan concealed himself in a bush not far outside the stockade, his gaze sweeping over Wolf Fang Stockade's layout like a hawk's as he silently considered it. A five-zhang-tall arrow tower stood on each side of the gate, packed with archers. Two figures stood behind every arrow slit, clearly taking turns on watch. A moat one zhang deep had also been dug beneath the walls. It was filled with sharpened stakes, their tips stained dark red with blood, with even scraps of flesh visible upon them. Many living things had clearly died there. It was a deadly trap meant to guard against surprise attacks from Demonic Beasts and enemies.

Deep within the stockade, the largest stone house, built from enormous rocks, was brightly lit. Its walls were thick, its roof covered in black iron tiles, making it look exceptionally sturdy. Shadows could vaguely be seen shifting behind the window paper. A powerful Dou Qi fluctuation, like a giant beast lying in wait, continuously radiated from the stone house, pressing the surrounding air into slight stagnation. Even the forest wind seemed to halt there. It was precisely the aura of a Da Dou Shi.

"First, deal with the outer guards. Then strike straight at the heart." Xiao Yan had already formed a plan. His body darted from the bushes like a wildcat, and using the shadows beneath the wall, he swiftly approached the left arrow tower like a gecko. A thread-thin wisp of pale purple flame rose from his palm. The flame was no thicker than a hair, yet crystalline and condensed, with not the slightest heat leaking out. With a flick of his finger, it flew like a nimble firefly and silently landed upon the pile of dry grass stacked at the base of the tower.

The dry grass ignited immediately, but no open flame appeared. Instead, dense black smoke billowed out. As though alive, it crawled upward through the tower's gaps and soon engulfed the entire structure. The guards inside quickly noticed something was wrong. Choking smoke entered their noses, making them cough violently. "Cough, cough... Bad! There's a fire! Bring water and put it out!"

For a time, the guards on the stockade wall descended into chaos. They grabbed buckets and cloth, rushing toward the arrow tower, and a gap instantly appeared in the previously tight defenses. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yan moved like a phantom along the wall. The Black Heavy Ruler swung lightly in his hand, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle, yet accurately avoiding the surrounding branches and leaves. Without a sound, he knocked out two guards posted by the gate—he deliberately spared their lives to avoid causing too much disturbance and alerting Lei Batian in the stone house.

Then, with a tap of his toes on the ground, he floated upward like a willow catkin, climbed through a gap in the wall, and entered the stockade. The moment he landed, hurried footsteps sounded nearby—more than ten mercenary group members in beast-hide armor, holding curved blades, were running toward the arrow tower. Their faces were still flushed with drunkenness. They had clearly just risen from the drinking table, yet they still gripped their weapons, revealing the vigilance they had developed over the years.

Xiao Yan's gaze turned cold. He no longer hid himself. The Black Heavy Ruler swept horizontally, pale purple flames wrapping around it like living things and forming a burning long snake, its body twisting as it gave off scorching heat. Bang! Before the foremost mercenary could react, the Black Heavy Ruler smashed into his chest. Flames instantly slipped through the gaps in his armor and entered his body, scorching his meridians and flesh. His scream was cut short as he fell stiffly to the ground, soon burned into a charred mass that gave off a pungent odor.

The others sobered more than halfway at the sight. They pulled out their curved blades, savage expressions appearing on their faces as they charged Xiao Yan with furious roars. "Where did this little thief come from?! You dare cause trouble in Wolf Fang Stockade? Are you tired of living?!"

Xiao Yan sneered. His body moved like willow catkins in the wind as he nimbly weaved through the crowd. His footwork shifted as though he were taking a leisurely stroll, yet he always precisely avoided the enemy's attacks. The Black Heavy Ruler danced air-tight in his hand, sometimes chopping, sometimes smashing, sometimes sweeping. Every swing was accompanied by screams and blood. The pale purple flames were like Death's chains. Anyone touched by the ruler was scorched by the fire, their flesh burned black as they rolled on the ground in agony. Even if someone tried to use Dou Qi to extinguish the flames, it only caused the fire to burn more fiercely with the power of their Dou Qi, like adding fuel to the flames.

Several guards saw that they could not win head-on. Their eyes shifted as they quietly retreated behind nearby tents, climbed onto the roofs, drew their bows, and fired concealed arrows at Xiao Yan. The arrows carried fierce strong wind, aimed directly at Xiao Yan's back of the heart and head. They clearly intended to kill him in a sneak attack. But Xiao Yan had already noticed them. He flicked the flames in his palm, and several Fire Serpents darted out, accurately striking the arrows. The arrows instantly ignited, turning into fireballs that fell to the ground and set the nearby tents ablaze instead.

The flames crackled and rapidly spread. Thick smoke billowed, plunging the entire stockade into chaos. Other mercenary group members within the stockade were also alarmed and rushed out with weapons in hand, only to lose their sense of direction in the smoke and trample one another in complete disorder.

"An enemy has invaded! Protect the chief!" Alarms instantly rang out within the stockade. The piercing sound of a bronze gong spread throughout the entire place, shattering the stillness of the night. Lei Batian abruptly stood up inside the stone house. He was extremely burly, a head taller than ordinary men, and wore a set of heavy black mystic iron armor. The armor was covered in savage spikes, every one of them glinting coldly as though specially sharpened. He wore no mask, but a scar stretched from his forehead to his chin like a hideous centipede—the mark left by an early battle with a Demonic Beast. His bell-like eyes shone with Fierce Light, his stare as vicious as a hungry wolf. At his waist hung a broad-bladed saber, its hilt embedded with a Third-tier Demonic Beast crystal core. The core emitted a faint earthy yellow glow, displaying its extraordinary quality.

At that moment, he had two beautiful women in sheer gauze in his arms. Their thin garments were nearly transparent, their skin as white as snow. They were clearly innocent women who had been abducted. Lei Batian had one arm around each woman and was just about to indulge himself when the alarm interrupted him. A flash of violence crossed his eyes as he violently shoved them away. The women staggered and fell to the ground, but did not dare complain in the slightest. They could only curl up in the corner, their eyes filled with fear.

"Anyone who dares make trouble on my territory will die, no matter who they are!" Lei Batian roared, his voice exploded like thunder. He kicked open the door, shooting out like a cannonball. When he landed, the ground trembled slightly, and even the stone slabs beneath his feet cracked with fine lines.

The moment he reached the courtyard, he saw complete chaos within the stockade—the flames from the burning tents shot into the sky, their light staining half the heavens red. Thick smoke rolled forth, obscuring the moonlight. Dozens of subordinates lay scattered across the ground. Some were burned black beyond recognition, some had broken bones and tendons and lay groaning in pain. Blood dyed the ground red, mixing with burning ash to form a strange color.

Not far away, a black-clad youth stood amid a pile of corpses, holding a heavy ruler wreathed in burning purple flames like a god of slaughter. No mercenary group members remained standing around him. A cold aura radiated from his body, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding flames and making him especially glaring.

Lei Batian's pupils contracted sharply, killing intent surging in his eyes. The Dou Qi of a two-star Da Dou Shi erupted instantly, and an earthy yellow Dou Qi Shield condensed around him like heavy armor, radiating suffocating pressure. The surrounding air became heavy, and even the gravel on the ground was forced to tremble slightly by his Dou Qi. "So it's you, Xiao Yan. You're actually not dead? You dare break into my Wolf Fang Stockade and kill my men! Do you know that I, Lei Batian, have the final say in the outskirts of the Monster Beast Mountain Range? Surrender obediently, and perhaps I'll leave you an intact corpse!"

Xiao Yan raised his head, his eyes falling on Lei Batian's hideous scar. His expression did not change in the slightest, and his voice was cold as frost. "You're not dead, so how could I be? More importantly, your Wolf Head Mercenary Group has robbed travelers and merchants and slaughtered innocents throughout the Monster Beast Mountain Range. Your hands are stained with far too much blood. Today, I have come to seek justice for those who died unjustly!"

"Seek justice for others?" Lei Batian laughed in rage, as though he had heard the greatest joke in the world. His laughter was as grating as a broken gong. "Brat, in this Monster Beast Mountain Range where the strong devour the weak, a hard fist is the only law! How much is justice worth? You're merely a one-star Dou Shi, and you dare boast before me? Today, I'll show you the consequences of offending me, Lei Batian!"

Before the words fell, Lei Batian shot forward. He was as fast as rushing thunder, and his broad-bladed saber swung with fierce strong wind, chopping straight toward Xiao Yan's face. Earthy yellow Dou Qi on the blade became nearly tangible, condensing into a saber radiance one chi long. It carried the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, slicing the air with a sharp wail as though it could cleave space itself.

Xiao Yan did not dare be careless. Dou Qi surged beneath his feet as he dodged to the side, while the Black Heavy Ruler swept horizontally. The ruler and saber collided. Clang! The deafening sound of metal striking metal shook the entire stockade, sparks scattering like blooming fireworks. Xiao Yan felt his arm go numb as the Black Heavy Ruler was jolted slightly upward. His tiger's mouth ached faintly, and he staggered back three steps, his chest tightening—Da Dou Shi strength truly was terrifying. That single strike had already made him feel enormous pressure.

Lei Batian pressed the advantage, his saber chopping toward Xiao Yan like a raging storm. Layers upon layer of blade shadows came down, every strike aimed at a vital point. The blade wind howled, making Xiao Yan's cheeks sting. As it swept over the ground, it sent broken stones flying like raindrops. "Brat, is this all you can do? And you dared storm my Wolf Fang Stockade? If I'd known, I should've killed your parents along with you back then, so you wouldn't be here bothering me today!" Lei Batian snarled, his saber growing faster and faster until its shadows filled the sky like countless stars, sealing all of Xiao Yan's paths of retreat.

Relying on the agile movement technique granted by the Purple Cloud Wings, Xiao Yan weaved back and forth through the blade shadows. The Black Heavy Ruler danced air-tight in his hands like Bronze Wall and Iron Battlements, barely blocking the attacks, but he remained in a state of passive defense. Several bloody wounds had already been cut into his body by the blade wind. Blood seeped out and dyed his robes red, yet it did not affect his movements in the slightest. Instead, the battle intent in his eyes grew ever fiercer.

This can't go on. I have to take the initiative! Xiao Yan thought. He suddenly feinted, sweeping the Black Heavy Ruler close to the ground and forcing Lei Batian to step back. He seized the opening and rapidly retreated several zhang, gripping the Black Heavy Ruler tightly with both hands. Dou Qi within his body poured madly into the ruler. The pale purple flames instantly expanded, wrapping around the entire weapon. Specks of seven-colored radiance mixed within the fire—the Origin Power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire—giving off a Heart-palpitating aura.

"Lei Batian, take my Flame Splitting Wave Ruler!" Xiao Yan shouted, his voice like thunder ringing through the valley. He poured all the power of the Blazing Art and the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire into the Black Heavy Ruler. The flames upon it condensed into three enormous waves of fire, like roaring tsunamis, layer upon layer, sweeping toward Lei Batian with a World-destroying aura. Where the fire waves passed, the air was scorched into distortion, and even the rocks on the ground ignited, turning into tiny fireballs. The sight was spectacular.

Lei Batian's pupils abruptly shrank. Feeling the Terrifying power contained in the fire waves, his expression finally turned grave. He did not dare be careless in the slightest. His hands rapidly formed seals, and earthy yellow Dou Qi condensed before him into an enormous shield. A savage wolf head was carved upon it, its eyes set with red crystal cores that radiated a vicious aura. Its mouth stood open, exposing sharp fangs. It was his prized defensive Dou Technique, Wolf Fang Shield. "Brat, don't think you're impressive just because you know a little fire! Watch how my Wolf Fang Shield breaks your flashy tricks!"

Bang! The first wave of fire crashed into the Wolf Fang Shield, producing a deafening blast, like a thunderclap. The earthy yellow Dou Qi Shield underwent a Violent tremor. The Wolf Head Phantom let out a roar, but it still firmly blocked the fire wave's impact. A smug smile appeared on Lei Batian's face. "That little strength? It isn't even enough to scratch my itch!"

Before the words fell, however, the second fire wave had already arrived. More seven-colored radiance mixed within it, making it several times more powerful than the first. Like a galloping wild horse, it slammed violently into the Wolf Fang Shield. Crack! Fine fractures instantly appeared across the Wolf Fang Shield. The Wolf Head Phantom's roar became shrill. Lei Batian's smile froze on his face, his arms began to tremble slightly, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

Before he could react, the third fire wave, carrying the Origin Power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, crashed heavily into the Wolf Fang Shield with unstoppable force! Crack! With a crisp sound, the Wolf Fang Shield shattered, turning into scattered Dou Qi fragments that dissipated through the air. The Wolf Head Phantom let out a mournful cry and vanished completely. The remaining fire wave swept toward Lei Batian like an unbridled wild horse, scorching his Dou Qi Shield until it hissed. Even his mystic iron armor was burned red-hot, releasing a pungent burnt smell. The spikes on his armor melted and dripped to the ground with hissing sounds.

"Impossible! How is this possible?!" Lei Batian's face was filled with disbelief. His pride and joy, the Wolf Fang Shield, had actually been broken by a one-star Dou Shi youth! This shield had once withstood the Full Power Attack of a nine-star Dou Shi expert, yet it was Unable to Withstand a Single Blow in a youth's hands. He could not accept it.

Before he recovered from his shock, Xiao Yan had already closed in. The Black Heavy Ruler, wreathed in pale purple flames, chopped straight toward his waist—where the sections of the mystic iron armor connected, and where its defense was weakest. Lei Batian hastily twisted aside, but he was still a step too slow. The Black Heavy Ruler swiped past his waist, and flames instantly ignited his armor. The burning pain spread across his skin, making him bare his teeth as he let out a scream.

"Ah! You brat, you've completely enraged me!" Lei Batian screamed as he hurriedly used Dou Qi to extinguish the flames on his body. But his waist had already been burned, the flesh a bloody mess, with even white bone visible inside. The muscles around the wound had been scorched into curls. Madness flashed through his eyes as he suddenly pulled a dark red pill from his robes. Violent energy fluctuations radiated from it, and blood-vein-like patterns covered its surface. It was clearly no ordinary item.

Without hesitation, he swallowed the pill. It melted the moment it entered his mouth, and powerful Dou Qi instantly erupted from within his body. His muscles instantly expanded, his already burly frame growing even more massive. His arms thickened by a full circle, the muscles throughout his body bulging and hard as iron. His aura surged in a short time, faintly showing signs of breaking through to three-star Da Dou Shi. "This is the Berserk Beast Pill. It can raise my cultivation by one star for half an hour and awaken the savagery inside me. Today, I'll let you taste despair!"

Lei Batian grinned viciously, his eyes turning blood-red like a frenzied beast. He abruptly put away his saber and threw both fists forward. Earthy yellow Dou Qi condensed around his fists into enormous fist phantoms like two small mountains, smashing toward Xiao Yan with dull sounds that tore through the air. It was his prized offensive Dou Technique, Earth Splitting Fist. Where the fist wind passed, the ground was crushed into depressions, broken stones flying everywhere as though the entire stockade would be overturned.

Xiao Yan's Gaze sharpened. He did not dare slacken in the slightest and once again activated the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler. This time, he condensed flame and Dou Qi into a concentrated fire blade. Seven-colored radiance flickered along its edge, and it carried a Heart-palpitating aura of destruction as it slashed toward the fist phantoms. Though the fire blade was small, it contained Terrifying power. Where it passed, the air was split apart, forming a vacuum.

Clang! The fire blade collided with the fist phantoms, and a tremendous explosion erupted. The entire stockade shook, the surrounding stone houses swaying as though about to collapse. Smoke and dust filled the air, as though the place had been covered by thick fog. Xiao Yan Flew Backwards and slammed heavily into the stockade wall with a thunderous crash. A large pit was blasted into the wall. He spat out blood, and the robe over his chest was shattered, exposing his sturdy chest. Fine bloody wounds covered his skin, yet he Straightened her back and did not fall.

But Lei Batian was not doing much better. The fire blade pierced through the fist phantoms, scorching both his arms black and leaving them dripping with blood. Even parts of the bone could be seen. The pain made him howl, his arms trembling slightly as he could barely clench his fists. He stared at Xiao Yan, his eyes filled with horror. "You... how can your Dou Technique be so powerful? How can a one-star Dou Shi possess such strength? Impossible!"

Xiao Yan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and Slowly stood up. Determination flashed through his eyes as the remaining Dou Qi in his body once again poured madly into the Black Heavy Ruler. The Myriad Beast Spirit Fire burned even more fiercely, enveloping his entire body in purple flames like a fire god descending upon the world. "The strength of power has never been decided by cultivation level alone! You have Committed many evils, and your hands are stained with innocent blood. Today is the day you die!"

Voice Fell, Xiao Yan activated the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler again. This time, he held nothing back, pouring all the Dou Qi in his body and all the power of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire into the Black Heavy Ruler. The flames around the ruler condensed into a Seven-Colored Fire Dragon several dozen zhang long. The fire dragon opened its massive jaws and spewed scorching flames as it Swept towards Lei Batian with a World-destroying aura. Its scales were clearly visible, every one glimmering with seven-colored light. Its Dragon Claw was sharp enough to tear apart anything, and its draconic might was immense, freezing even the surrounding air.

Lei Batian was scared out of his wits. He turned and tried to flee, only to discover that the fire dragon's aura had locked onto him. He could not move at all. His Both feet were as heavy as though filled with lead, and he could only watch helplessly as the fire dragon pounced toward him. Despair flashed through his eyes. He remembered the innocents he had harmed, remembered the looks in their eyes before they died, and fear rose in his heart for the first time.

"No! I don't want to die!" Lei Batian let out a Roar of Despair, but it was useless. The fire dragon instantly swallowed him. Violent scorching sounds and screams echoed through the valley like ghosts wailing and wolves howling, making one's scalp tingle. A moment later, the flames dispersed, and Lei Batian's figure was gone. Only a pile of blackened remains was left behind. Even his bones had been burned into ashes, scattered across the ground and lifted by the wind into dust.

Seeing this, the remaining mercenary group members in the stockade were terrified out of their wits. None retained their previous viciousness. They threw down their weapons and tried to flee through the gate or toward the cliff. Xiao Yan's eyes turned cold as he swung the flames in his palm again. Several Fire Serpents darted out like nimble venomous snakes, igniting the fleeing mercenary group members one by one. Screams rose one after another. A moment later, not a single Wolf Head Mercenary Group member remained standing in Wolf Fang Stockade. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group, which had Committed many evils, was completely destroyed.

Xiao Yan put away the Black Heavy Ruler, and the flames gradually subsided. He walked to the entrance of the stone house and looked at the two women curled up there, his tone softening somewhat. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

The two women raised their heads, their eyes filled with fear and gratitude, tears welling in their eyes. One of them, wearing pale pink gauze, said tremblingly, "I... we are villagers from Clear Wind Town at the foot of the mountain. Last month... last month, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group abducted us. They said... said we had to serve Lei Batian, and if we refused, they would kill our families... Thank you, young hero, for saving our lives. If not for you, we might never have seen our families again..." As she spoke, tears flowed down her face, and her voice choked with sobs.

Xiao Yan nodded and took out some dried provisions and water from his robes, handing them to the women. "It isn't safe here. Follow the small eastern path, and you'll reach Clear Wind Town in less than an hour. Be careful on the road. If you encounter danger, run somewhere with more people. Do not approach the depths of the Monster Beast Mountain Range again."

After saying that, he turned to leave—the Wolf Head Mercenary Group had been completely destroyed, and it was time for him to continue his training and search for Flame Spirit Grass. The little lion in his arms rubbed against his chest and let out a cheerful low roar. Its little head nudged beneath his chin, as if celebrating for him and expressing affection.

Xiao Yan rubbed the little lion's head and looked toward the distant forest shrouded in mist, his eyes filled with resolve. "Teacher, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group has been destroyed. Next, it is time to focus on finding Flame Spirit Grass."

Elder Yao's Soul phantom drifted to his side. His pale blue soul body swayed faintly in the firelight, and a Relieved Smile appeared on his face. "Good boy. With the strength of a one-star Dou Shi, you used the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler to kill the two-star Da Dou Shi Lei Batian. This achievement is enough to let you establish yourself in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. But Flame Spirit Grass grows near the volcanoes of Crimson Flame Valley. There are not only many fire-attributed Demonic Beasts there, but also many cultivators and mercenary teams searching for spiritual herbs. It is a mixed bag, so you must be extra careful. Remember, you must not be careless."

Xiao Yan nodded. His figure once again became a black shadow and vanished into the night and mist. Within Wolf Fang Stockade, only the burning flames, collapsed buildings, and the grateful gazes of the two women remained. The flames lit up half the sky, as if proclaiming the end of evil. Meanwhile, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Yan's path of training continued to stretch onward, leading toward loftier and more distant heights of cultivation.