Army Sweeps Wolf Valley

Six hundred people formed a column and marched through the mountain stronghold, entering through a hidden passage behind it.

The new clones, participating in their first mission, were both nervous and excited, constantly looking around.

"Everyone, perk up!" Lin Er shouted sternly from the side of the formation.

"When we encounter the wolf pack later, remember what I taught you:

Form groups of three, back-to-back, don't get separated! Wolf packs are best at flanking and encircling!"

"Yes!" the new clones responded in unison.

The passage was narrow, stretching the line out.

Torches formed a winding ribbon of light in the dim cave.

Lin Mo walked in the middle of the formation, with Lin Yi and Lin Er flanking him, one in front and one behind.

"Lord, how should we fight when we reach the valley?" Lin Yi asked.

"Use the Blood Badger Powder first," Lin Mo said.

"Since the old hunter kept this, it must be useful. Scatter the powder upwind, and let the wind carry it into the wolf pack's gathering area."

"And then?"

"Wait until the wolf pack has largely killed each other off, then we go in and clean up the mess," Lin Mo sneered. "It'll save time and effort."

"What if the Blood Badger Powder isn't effective enough..."

"Then we fight head-on," Lin Mo gripped the Mountain Splitting Axe.

"We have six hundred people, and the advantage of poison blood.

If a wolf bites us, it'll be poisoned itself. Our wounds will bleed and contaminate the battlefield."

Lin Yi's eyes lit up. "Lord, you are brilliant!"

The formation traveled through the passage for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and light appeared ahead.

The exit was near.

It was still the cave entrance on the cliff face, with thick vines hanging down.

"Lin Yi, take fifty men down first to scout," Lin Mo ordered. "Confirm the area is safe."

"Yes!"

Lin Yi selected fifty agile veteran clones and climbed down the vines.

A moment later, a signal came from below – it was safe.

"Descend in batches!" Lin Mo waved.

Everyone began to descend in an orderly fashion.

This was the first time the new clones had climbed such a high cliff, and many felt their hands and legs go weak.

Fortunately, they landed without incident, and all eventually reached the ground safely.

Standing in the valley now, they could clearly hear the wolf howls coming from deep within the forest in the distance.

They rose and fell, and there were quite a few of them.

"Judging by the sound, the wolf pack is to the northwest, near the water source," Lin Er deduced.

Lin Mo nodded. "Lin Yi, send a team of brothers to scout their exact location, numbers, and distribution, especially where the Wolf King is. Be stealthy, don't alert them."

"Yes!" Lin Yi took the order, turned immediately, and selected ten men from the veteran clones. "Lin Wu, lead the team. Report back immediately once you have the situation!"

"Understood!" Lin Wu and the others selected looked serious. They quickly removed any unnecessary items from their bodies that might make noise.

Like a group of nimble mountain cats, they silently melted into the dense forest to the northwest.

The remaining people waited in place.

Time slowly passed in tense anticipation.

About half an incense stick later, Lin Wu's hushed, awestruck voice came through the mental link:

[Lord, we found them! About two miles northwest, there's a large clearing in the forest, right by a bend in the stream.

The wolves... there are so many wolves! A dense mass, I estimate at least three hundred!]

[In the center of the clearing is a large blue stone, and on top of it squats a huge silver wolf!

It's a whole circle bigger than an ordinary wild wolf, like a small calf, its fur is shiny, it must be the Wolf King!

There are over a dozen particularly strong male wolves around it, like guards.]

[The other wolves are scattered around the clearing in twos and threes, some lying down, some tearing at prey bones, and a few small teams are moving in the surrounding woods, as if on patrol.]

The information was clearly transmitted, and Lin Mo nodded. He took out the bag of Blood Badger Powder from his怀.

"Now, the wind direction is..." He raised his hand, feeling the air currents. "Southeast wind. Perfect, the wolf pack is to the northwest."

"Lin Er," Lin Mo handed him the Blood Badger Powder. "Take fifty men, watch for the right moment, and circle around to the upwind side of the wolf pack's gathering area.

Scatter this entire bag of powder, make it widespread and even, using the wind to carry it over the wolves' heads."

He paused and emphasized, "After you scatter it, immediately retreat to a safe distance. Don't linger. Wait for the wolf pack to start panicking on its own."

"Understood!" Lin Er took the Blood Badger Powder, assembled a team of fifty, and silently infiltrated the forest.

To get a better vantage point, Lin Mo and Lin Yi climbed a nearby, extremely tall ancient tree.

Hidden within the dense canopy, they looked toward the front through the gaps in the branches and leaves.

Two miles away, the scene in the forest clearing could already be largely seen with their extraordinary eyesight.

Just as Lin Wu had said, the wolf pack's numbers were considerable.

They lay or stood, their gray-brown fur rippling under the dappled forest light, forming a heart-stopping "tide."

Around the perimeter, seven or eight particularly robust male wolves with alert eyes patrolled back and forth, acting as sentries.

In the center of the clearing, on a giant boulder, squatted a massive wolf with pure white fur.

Its shoulder height exceeded five feet, and its size was double that of an ordinary wild wolf. Its eyes were fierce, and as it looked around, it exuded an undeniable kingly presence.

"That's the Wolf King," Lin Yi whispered.

Lin Mo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the entire wolf pack.

The wolf pack's discipline was better than he had imagined.

"I hope the Blood Badger Powder is effective..."

Time ticked by.

About fifteen minutes later, a signal finally came through their mental link, indicating Lin Er had reached his position and was ready.