Enjoying the Battle

"Things are looking rather grim..."

Jin Wenxin frowned deeply and tightened his grip on the battle saber.

Huang Jiancheng swiftly assessed the monsters' combat strength. "Two yellow dogs, two Black Dogs, three mixed-fur dogs—all Elementary Monsters. And one more is... damn! A Blood Claw Demon Wolf! That thing won't be easy to handle!"

"Blood Claw Demon Wolf? What's that?" This was Qin Heng's first time hearing the name.

Huang Jiancheng explained, "It's a mutated canine Monster that can briefly walk upright and fight like a human. Its forelimbs have long claws, sharp enough to rival an A2 Grade Weapon. Once it reaches adulthood, it's an Intermediate Monster!"

Intermediate!

Zhao Dongxing and the others' expressions changed at once.

An Intermediate Monster was equivalent to an Intermediate Martial Warrior among humans. Its attacks could reach three thousand kilograms of force, far stronger than people like them who had only just crossed the threshold of Elementary Martial Warriors.

Fighting a Monster like that meant there was almost no chance of survival!

But fortunately...

Huang Jiancheng quickly added, "Judging from that Blood Claw Demon Wolf's size, it probably hasn't reached adulthood yet. If everyone is careful, we might have a chance!"

The eight Monsters had already formed an encirclement and were slowly closing in.

Clearly, this was a battle they could not escape!

"Then let's fight!"

Qin Heng's gaze settled on the large dog walking upright, and fighting spirit surged within his chest.

The Blood Claw Demon Wolf stood 2.4 meters tall when upright. Its hind legs were powerful, its forelimbs slender, its back arched, and its waist and belly trim. It possessed a pair of blood-red claws twenty centimeters long, and seemed to have greater intelligence and combat power than ordinary canine Monsters.

The distance between both sides shrank to less than seventy meters.

"Back to back, stay alert!" Zhao Dongxing shouted in a low voice.

The eight Monsters were closing in from three directions. To cover every side, they could only each hold one front and entrust their backs to their companions.

"Qin Heng, leave this side to me. I have more combat experience."

Huang Jiancheng had already climbed down from the tree and wanted to switch places with Qin Heng.

Because the Monster directly facing Qin Heng was the Blood Claw Demon Wolf.

But Qin Heng did not switch with him. He replied, "I'll handle it. Just support me when you can."

His strength was the greatest among them, so he had a better chance against the Blood Claw Demon Wolf.

"But..."

Huang Jiancheng wanted to say more, but the Blood Claw Demon Wolf was clever. Seeing them discuss a strategy, it immediately let out an angry howl and gave the order to attack.

Roar!

Woof!

A pack of massive dogs, each larger than tigers from the old era, charged forward with roaring barks.

"Kill!"

Zhao Dongxing, Jin Wenxin, and the others shouted low in unison, gripping their battle sabers as they met the charge.

In an instant, seven humans and eight beasts clashed in a savage melee.

Qin Heng faced the Blood Claw Demon Wolf, and it felt entirely different from fighting the giant Black Dog just now.

This Monster was incredibly fast. With one leaping pounce, its legs seemed fitted with springs as it shot straight at Qin Heng, swinging its claws at his throat.

Qin Heng had been prepared. He darted away, then slashed horizontally in retaliation.

The Blood Claw Demon Wolf knocked aside the battle saber with its claws, producing the ring of clashing metal, then swiped again.

Rip!

The sharp claws tore through the air with a piercing whistle. Though Qin Heng was not struck, he still felt as though a blade had sliced across his chest.

If not for the Combat Suit being tough enough, that strike would have drawn blood!

This beast is faster and stronger than me. Looks like I can only hold it off first and slowly search for an opening.

That brief exchange gave Qin Heng his judgment.

Back at the Trial Martial Hall, he had often sparred with Chen Yuan, Su Kuang, and the others. His practical combat skills were still sharp.

But a Monster was a Monster. This kind of life-and-death struggle was still his first today.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The Blood Claw Demon Wolf's claws were too fast. Its sharp talons brought shrieking gusts of wind, forcing Qin Heng to retreat step by step.

"The pressure is huge, but I'm starting to feel excited!"

Although Qin Heng was finding it difficult to cope, he was not the least bit flustered or afraid. Instead, his blood boiled with heat, and he felt an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

"Battle... so this is battle!" Light shone in his eyes.

Whoosh! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Claws and battle saber collided without pause, attacking and blocking one another in turn.

Every exchange was a thrilling experience for Qin Heng.

It was as though he had found the meaning of training! Found the meaning of living!

Three years of grueling toil, drenched in sweat; three years of rising early and working late, training tirelessly—all of it had been for battles like this!

To personally experience a fight on the brink of life and death felt wondrous beyond words!

Clang! Keng!

The battle saber and claws collided repeatedly, each impact carrying over a thousand kilograms of force and leaving both hand and paw aching from the shock.

"Wonderful, wonderful! Hahaha, come again!" Qin Heng grew calmer the longer he fought. His blood surged through his entire body as he began seeking chances to strike back at the Blood Claw Demon Wolf.

Whoosh!

The edge of the battle saber swept across a pine tree. Its twenty-centimeter-thick trunk was severed instantly, crashing down with a crackle.

Whoosh!

The Blood Claw Demon Wolf's claws swept across another tree, leaving three claw marks. They passed straight through it, snapping it apart on the spot.

Both man and beast attacked with extreme ferocity. Every move carried killing intent, neither holding back in the slightest.

Qin Heng's arms had been numbed by the impacts, but his heart was filled with excitement and joy!

Maybe I can kill it!

A thought flashed through Qin Heng's mind.

If this Blood Claw Demon Wolf had been fully grown, with the strength of an Intermediate Monster, he would not have stood a chance no matter what.

But it was not!

An adolescent Blood Claw Demon Wolf with the strength of an Elementary Monster might possess rich combat experience, sharp and agile movements, and an intelligent mind, but... how could it compare to a human?

Humans were the leaders of all living things, the cleverest and most dexterous creatures. At the same level, they ought to be invincible!

"Kill!"

Qin Heng had fully adapted to the Blood Claw Demon Wolf's fighting style and began targeting its openings.

This beast's weakness should be its flanks and back. Its claws could only move within roughly one hundred and twenty degrees in front of it; its forelimbs could not spread open beyond one hundred and eighty degrees like a human's. Furthermore, the bent structure of its hind legs prevented it from turning sharply in place as quickly as a human could.

Qin Heng began circling, trying to launch an attack from the flank.

The Blood Claw Demon Wolf was very clever. It understood his intentions and maneuvered with him, guarding its back tightly.

Qin Heng was not in a hurry. While ensuring his own safety, he made repeated attempts.

Though his arms were somewhat numb and the fight was quite strenuous, at least he was not injured. His combat power remained intact.

His companions' battle was just as intense.

Zhao Dongxing in particular was being besieged by two Monsters, and his situation was extremely dangerous.

"Can someone help me? I can't hold on much longer!" Zhao Dongxing shouted.

He was already injured. One large dog had bitten his left forearm, tearing through his Combat Suit and leaving the flesh inside mangled and bloody.

"Hold on, I'm coming!" Liang Yunkai, a student from the Heavenly Dao Martial Hall, immediately responded.

This student had been quiet and reserved before, rarely saying much.

Yet his combat power was astonishingly formidable. Wielding a Battle Axe, he faced a large yellow-furred dog with a shoulder height of 1.4 meters alone and held the absolute upper hand.

Splurt!

With a savage chop of his axe, the yellow-furred dog was cleaved in half at the waist. It howled miserably as its organs spilled all over the ground.

Liang Yunkai killed the Monster in a single blow without pausing for an instant, immediately rushing to Zhao Dongxing's aid and drawing one Monster away.

Zhao Dongxing breathed a great sigh of relief and endured the searing pain in his left arm as he continued fighting.

Huang Jiancheng shouted from the other side, "We need to finish these beasts quickly, or Qin Heng won't be able to hold on much longer."

"Damn, are you serious? The ones who can't hold on are obviously us!" Jin Wenxin could not help complaining.

Other than Liang Yunkai, all of them had suffered injuries to varying degrees.

Meanwhile, Qin Heng was not only fine, but was gradually gaining the upper hand and beginning to press the Blood Claw Demon Wolf back.

Huang Jiancheng had never imagined Qin Heng would possess much combat power. Hearing Jin Wenxin's words, he turned to look.

Just then, Qin Heng successfully circled to the Blood Claw Demon Wolf's side and thrust his battle saber forward fiercely!

Splurt!

A hole was immediately stabbed through the Blood Claw Demon Wolf's unguarded side waist and abdomen.