Three Heroes Battle the Wolf Bandits, the Thunder Dragon's First Cry

Chen Yuan (Yu Yuanchen) pushed his speed to the limit, racing low over the ground like a Thunder Falcon. Following the nauseating scent of blood and the disorderly tracks in the air, he pursued without relent. Fury burned in his chest, yet the more enraged he became, the calmer his mind grew. Electric Field Perception expanded to its fullest, like invisible feelers catching every movement ahead.

After chasing for roughly twenty or thirty li, the sight of a relatively open Rocky Beach appeared ahead. Deafening roars, the clash of weapons, and violent energy fluctuations entered his perception.

He silently slipped behind a massive boulder and focused his gaze ahead.

The Rocky Beach was packed with Wolf Bandits, nearly five hundred of them! Most of these monsters retained a half-human, half-wolf form. They stood over two meters tall, their bodies covered in tough blue-gray fur, fangs exposed and claws glinting coldly. Their eyes brimmed with bloodlust and madness. They let out low growls and surged toward the center of the battlefield like a tide.

These ordinary Wolf Bandits were individually about as strong as human Soul Grandmasters, but gathered in such vast numbers, their combined charge was enough to make any Soul Master's scalp crawl.

Among the ordinary Wolf Bandits were more than twenty larger, visibly more powerful ones. Nearly three meters tall, their muscles knotted like steel, their fangs and claws even sharper, and blue wind-attributed Soul Power coiled around their bodies. They were Intermediate Wolf Bandits, with strength comparable to Soul Ancestors!

But that was not the most troublesome part. At the rear of the Wolf Bandit horde, three especially enormous and ferocious Wolf Bandit Leaders roared repeatedly as they directed the pack's assault. Nearly four meters tall, they resembled three small mountains of flesh. Dark blue-green fur covered their bodies, muscles bulged like granite, their claws resembled short daggers, and foul-smelling saliva dripped from their mouths. The Soul Power Fluctuations they emitted had clearly reached the Soul Emperor level! Judging by how solidified their power was, they were far from newly advanced Soul Emperors.

Three Soul Emperor-level Wolf Bandit Leaders, together with hundreds of Wolf Bandits, formed an efficient killing machine capable of wearing even a powerful Soul Sage to death!

At this moment, the ones besieged by this terrifying Wolf Bandit horde were two figures weaving through the battlefield in flashes of dazzling light.

One of them was tall and upright, wielding a huge black war hammer. The hammer was ancient in design, its head seeming to contain the weight of an entire world. Every swing carried a terrifying howl and immense force. Each time he brought it down, it was like a mountain collapsing, its berserk power smashing the charging Wolf Bandits, weapons and all, into pulp. Even Intermediate Wolf Bandits did not dare meet its edge head-on. Six Soul Rings rose and fell around him—Two Yellow, Two Purple, Two Black. He was clearly a Level 62 Soul Emperor! That heroic face, those wild and unrestrained eyes, and that iconic Clear Sky Hammer—if nothing unexpected happened, he had to be Tang Chen, who was also out training.

The other seemed far more ethereal and refined. Dressed in plain white robes, with golden hair streaming behind him and a face as handsome as a god's, he spread a pair of snow-white wings that scattered holy feathers of light. He held a longsword burning with golden flames. His swordsmanship was exquisite beyond compare, and every thrust carried a sacred aura capable of purifying evil. Golden flames scorched the Wolf Bandits into shrieking miserably. He moved with incredible speed, leaving afterimages in the air, often escaping before the Wolf Bandits could encircle him and leaving behind fatal sword wounds. Six Soul Rings likewise circled him, in the same color arrangement as Tang Chen's, but his Soul Power Fluctuations were deeper, reaching Level 64! He had to be Qian Daoliu, possessor of the God-Tier Martial Soul, the Six-winged Angel!

Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu—these two future peak experts of the continent—were actually joining forces here against the Wolf Bandit horde! Yu Yuanchen found it rather surprising. He had not expected them to know each other this early.

The two were astonishingly powerful, and their coordination was quite seamless. Tang Chen led the assault, standing like an unshakable fortress against the most violent frontal attacks, his Clear Sky Hammer unstoppable. Qian Daoliu, meanwhile, used his speed and flight advantage to roam the battlefield, strike down enemies, purify evil, and share the pressure.

However, there were simply too many Wolf Bandits. The three Wolf Bandit Leaders were also extremely cunning. Rather than confronting Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu head-on, they continually directed the pack to wage rotational battles and attrition warfare, occasionally seizing opportunities to launch sneak attacks. Although Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu were fierce, they had already suffered injuries. Tang Chen's robes had been torn in several places, blood seeping through; some filth had also stained Qian Daoliu's wings, and his speed appeared to have been slightly affected. Their Soul Power consumption was tremendous. If this continued, even if they ultimately defeated the Wolf Bandits, they would surely pay a considerable price.

Chen Yuan took it all in and made his decision in an instant.

The identities of these two were anything but ordinary. If he could forge a good connection with them here, it might prove greatly beneficial in the future. More importantly, this pack of Wolf Bandits had slaughtered innocents and deserved death! Whether for public or personal reasons, he could not simply stand by.

Now that he had decided to act, there was no point in continuing to hide his Martial Soul and Soul Rings before such a force. It would only arouse suspicion. As for the true mysteries of Bloodline Power and Thunder God Power, he only needed to use them carefully.

With that thought, Chen Yuan stopped concealing himself. He took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the boulder!

"Roar—!"

A low, majestic Dragon Roar sounded as dazzling blue-purple lightning suddenly erupted from his body! The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul possessed him! His frame grew slightly taller, his muscles becoming more streamlined and powerful. His right arm was instantly covered in deep blue dragon scales, his fingers transforming into claws as threads of purple Electric Snakes slithered through the gaps between the scales. Even more strikingly, five Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet and spiraled upward!

Yellow! Purple! Purple! Black! Black!

This Soul Ring Configuration surpassed the optimal ratio, especially the fourth and fifth Deep Black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, instantly drawing every gaze on the battlefield!

That vast, pure Dragon Might and thunderous aura even temporarily suppressed the bloodthirsty frenzy of the Wolf Bandit horde!

Tang Chen sent several Wolf Bandits flying with one hammer strike, then stole a glance in Chen Yuan's direction. Surprise flashed through his eyes. "Good heavens! What family's monster is this? His fourth Soul Ring is already ten thousand years? And he has two?"

Qian Daoliu swung his sword aside, knocking away a sneak attack from a claw. Astonishment also appeared in his golden eyes. "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon? Someone from the Yu Family of the Heaven Dou Empire? Such talent is unheard of!"

The three Wolf Bandit Leaders let out wary roars. From this newly appeared human, they sensed an indistinct bloodline suppression even greater than what they felt from the other two!

Chen Yuan did not waste words. His first and Third Soul Rings lit up at once.

"Wrath of Thunder! Thunder Dragon Claw!"

Under the hundred-percent attack boost of Wrath of Thunder, a gigantic Thunder Dragon Claw took shape with savage force! Yet this Dragon Claw was completely different from before! It was no longer pure azure, but blue tinged with purple. The arcs dancing around its claws carried a heart-palpitating sense of penetration and destruction. This was the might of an attribute infinitely close to Ultimate Thunder after fusing with the Purple Lightning Dragon Soul Ring!

"Boom!"

The enormous Purple Lightning Thunder Claw descended like a thundercloud, slamming directly into the densest part of the Wolf Bandit horde!

"Awoo—!"

Miserable howls rang out instantly! More than a dozen ordinary Wolf Bandits were reduced directly to charcoal beneath the claw, while dozens more were struck by the scattered lightning. Their bodies convulsed as they collapsed, instantly losing all combat ability! The power of a single strike was terrifying beyond belief!

But it was not over! Chen Yuan moved like lightning and charged directly into the wolf pack. He did not use the Purple Lightning Domain, which required continuous consumption. Instead, he quietly infused Thunder God Power into his Soul Skills and physical attacks, using it purely as an immensely powerful enhancement.

His speed suddenly surged. Like a phantom, he darted through the Wolf Bandits. His draconic right arm struck with claw and fist alike, every attack carrying concentrated Purple-Gold lightning. He carefully controlled it, making the color appear to be merely a Soul Skill effect. Ordinary Wolf Bandits died on contact, while even Intermediate Wolf Bandits could not withstand a single blow! Wherever he passed, he was like a hot knife cutting through butter, forcibly tearing open a path through the Wolf Bandit horde!

"What powerful lightning! What tyrannical strength!" Battle intent flared in Tang Chen's eyes as he shouted, "Brother, your timing is perfect! Let's slaughter these beasts together!"

The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand blazed brightly, and his Fifth Soul Ring lit up. "Fifth Soul Skill, Earthquake Mountain!" The giant hammer crashed down with a shockwave, breaking the bones and tendons of several Intermediate Wolf Bandits attempting to surround Chen Yuan.

Qian Daoliu also gave a clear cry. With a beat of his wings, countless golden feathers of light shot toward the rear of the Wolf Bandit horde like sharp arrows, providing covering fire and relieving the frontal pressure. At the same time, his voice reached Chen Yuan clearly. "Friend, watch out for those three leaders. They are very cunning!"

The coordination among the three took shape almost instantly. Tang Chen stood at the forefront and bore the main pressure; Chen Yuan relied on extreme attack power and speed to cut through the wolf pack and widen their advantage; Qian Daoliu controlled the overall battlefield, offering long-range support, purification, and weakening.

With Chen Yuan, this fresh force, joining the battle—especially with his domineering lightning attacks clearly restraining the Wolf Bandits—the situation turned around in an instant!

Seeing that things were going badly, the three Wolf Bandit Leaders could no longer hold back. They let out savage roars at the same time and transformed into three dark blue-green afterimages, each pouncing on one of the three! They too had seen that unless these three powerful humans were dealt with, sending more Wolf Bandits forward would only mean death.

The Wolf Bandit Leader charging Tang Chen directly entered a state similar to a Martial Soul Avatar. Its body swelled again, its claws carrying sharp radiance that seemed capable of tearing space apart as they met the Clear Sky Hammer head-on with a thunderous Clash of Metal.

The leader attacking Qian Daoliu opened its mouth and spewed out a corrosive storm breath, attempting to resist Angel Holy Light.

The one pouncing on Chen Yuan was clearly the fastest among the three leaders. Its body blurred as its claws shot straight for Chen Yuan's heart from behind, vicious and precise.

"Good!" Purple lightning flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes. Rather than dodging, he spun and struck back with a Thunder Dragon Claw from his draconic right arm! He did not fully activate Bloodline Power, but the Thunder Dragon Claw infused with Thunder God Power was already far stronger than an ordinary Soul Skill!

"Clang!"

Claw met claw with an ear-piercing screech! Purple-Gold lightning and dark blue-green Soul Power collided violently!

The Wolf Bandit Leader felt an irresistible surge of force crash into it. The numbness and tearing pain traveling through its claw made it howl in agony as it staggered backward, its eyes filled with horror. It could not understand why a Soul King's Physical Strength and control over thunder could be so terrifying.

Chen Yuan pressed his advantage without mercy. His movement technique unfolded as he followed like a shadow, his Thunder Dragon Claw lashing at the Wolf Bandit Leader in a torrential barrage. His attacks were not only powerful and fast, but carried a unique rupture effect. With every collision, subtle thunderous shockwaves penetrated the enemy's body, damaging its muscles and bones. Its surface was further split open with scale-patterned wounds that carried numbing pain!

Though this Wolf Bandit Leader possessed Soul Emperor-level Soul Power, Chen Yuan's exquisite yet violent attacks drove it steadily backward. It could only defend, completely unable to strike back!

Elsewhere, Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu had each suppressed their opponents as well. Tang Chen's Clear Sky Hammer was immensely heavy and powerful, smashing his foe until it kept coughing blood. Qian Daoliu's Angel Sacred Sword purified the dark breath, its sword light arching like a rainbow and leaving charred sword marks across his opponent's body.

Seeing their leaders suppressed, the Wolf Bandit horde's assault immediately descended into chaos.

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Yuan shouted to Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu, "You two, clear out the small fry first!"

Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu immediately understood. Tang Chen forced his opponent back with a fierce strike, then raised the Clear Sky Hammer high as his Third Soul Ring lit up. "Third Soul Skill, Whirlwind Dance!" The giant hammer, carrying a terrifying whirlwind, charged into the Wolf Bandit horde like a meat grinder.

Qian Daoliu folded his wings together, and his Fifth Soul Ring shone brilliantly. "Fifth Soul Skill, Holy Light Judgment!" An incomparably condensed pillar of golden light, filled with sacred purifying power, swept across the dense Wolf Bandit ranks like divine punishment. Wherever it passed, the Wolf Bandits melted away like ice and snow.

Chen Yuan was even more direct. Temporarily abandoning the Wolf Bandit Leader he had been fighting, he moved like a swimming dragon through the wolf pack at extreme speed. His Second Soul Skill, Thunderous Might, unleashed hundreds upon hundreds of lightning bolts, paralyzing all the nearby Wolf Bandits. Then he drove his Dragon Claw forward, forming claw radiance over three chi long. Every swipe cleared out a small area.

Under the combined purge of the three, the number of Wolf Bandits plummeted at a visible rate. Neither ordinary Wolf Bandits nor Intermediate Wolf Bandits could withstand the joint attacks of these three peerless geniuses, falling in great swaths.

The three Wolf Bandit Leaders let out anxious and furious roars, trying to stop them, but each was held tightly in place by his opponent.

In less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, nearly five hundred Wolf Bandits had been slaughtered, aside from a few quick-witted ones that escaped into the Mountains and Forests! The vast Rocky Beach was littered with Wolf Bandit corpses, and the air was thick with the mixed stench of burnt flesh and blood.

Now, only the three battered, panting Wolf Bandit Leaders remained.

The three humans stood in a triangular formation, surrounding the three Wolf Bandit Leaders in the center.

Tang Chen wiped the blood and grime from his face and grinned, his battle intent blazing. "That was satisfying! I never expected to run into two experts like you out here in the wilderness! Let's finish off these three beast leaders first, then have a proper chat!"

Qian Daoliu gave a slight nod. A trace of appreciation appeared in his golden eyes as he looked toward Chen Yuan. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan truly lives up to its name. May I ask what you are called?"

Chen Yuan dispelled his draconic transformation, though his Soul Rings still pulsed around him. He spoke calmly. "Yu Yuanchen." He did not hide it. Since his Martial Soul and Soul Rings had already been exposed, hiding his name was pointless.

After giving his name, he fixed his gaze on the three Wolf Bandit Leaders at the end of their rope, revealing a dangerous look.