The black shadow crashed to the ground, then struggled to its feet and shook its head, swaying unsteadily.
Once she saw the shadow clearly in the firelight, Shi Lan couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath.
The beast's body was nearly seven feet long, its fur blue-black and bristling like steel needles. Its long tail hung straight behind it, and its sharp fangs were bared. Green eyes glinted with viciousness as it stared unblinkingly at Shi Lan.
Was this thing a wolf?!
Looking at the giant beast, which stood nearly as tall as her waist, Shi Lan felt a little uneasy.
Only then did the man and woman react.
"Uncle Song, save me!" the man cried in panic, rushing toward the ruined temple's entrance.
The woman seemed to have been scared witless and stood motionless.
The iron-backed wolf stared at Shi Lan for a couple of seconds, then bent its hind legs slightly. In the next instant, it sprang forward, jaws wide and full of sharp teeth, pouncing on her!
Shi Lan released the long case in her hands and bent backward, narrowly avoiding the iron-backed wolf's pounce. As the wolf's body sailed over her, her gaze sharpened. She drew her legs together and kicked with all her strength!
"Awooo!"
A piercing wolf howl rang out.
Shi Lan rolled and sprang to her feet, backing away several steps as she watched the iron-backed wolf, fully alert.
Seeing what the wolf was doing, Shi Lan couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
The iron-backed wolf arched its back and clamped its hind legs together. Its whole body trembled slightly, as if it were enduring tremendous pain.
A flash of snow-white blade light streaked past. The iron-backed wolf, still clamping its hind legs together, was sent flying once more. A nearly foot-long gash split its waist, and warm wolf blood spattered the ground.
"Beast!"
Killing intent surged in Song He's eyes. He strode forward, raised his blade again, and slashed at the iron-backed wolf's neck!
The sharp blade swept through and instantly severed the wolf's head, silencing the whimper caught in its throat.
After glancing suspiciously at the stone statue, Song He walked up to Shi Lan and bowed. "Young Master Shi, thank you for your righteous help. You kept my young master and young lady safe."
The young man behind Song He bowed as well. "I'm Lu Chengye. Thank you for stepping in and saving my sister and me."
"It was nothing. No need to mention it." Shi Lan took another look at Song He. Those two strikes just now had been enough to show how strong he was.
The commotion outside gradually died down. It seemed the trouble had been dealt with.
Lu Chengye walked over to the woman and called to her softly a couple of times before she came back to her senses.
The moment she recovered, she threw herself into Lu Chengye's arms and broke down sobbing.
Shi Lan looked around and suddenly remembered that the iron-backed wolf had leapt out from behind the stone statue. She hurriedly told Song He, then followed him to the back of the statue.
Sure enough, there was a gaping hole in the wall behind the stone statue. When they looked through it, Shi Lan and Song He both froze.
Beneath the moonlight, more than ten wolves lay quietly in two pieces. Their wounds were charred black, and not a trace of blood had flowed from them.
Song He had practiced the blade for years and could tell at a glance that the iron-backed wolves had died by the blade—and that whoever struck them had used only one slash.
One slash to kill more than ten iron-backed wolves. Could a Xiantian Realm martial artist have passed through?
No wonder he'd felt as though someone was watching from behind the stone statue.
Song He was secretly astonished. He stepped through the hole and called out, "May I ask which expert came to our aid? If it's convenient, could you show yourself? Allow me to thank you in person!"
Aside from the night breeze sweeping past, there was no reply.
After waiting for a while without hearing back, Song He returned to the ruined temple with Shi Lan.
The woman had gradually calmed down. After comforting her with a few words, Song He left the temple to assess the losses and casualties.
"I'm Lu Lingshan. Thank you, young master, for saving my life today." Lu Lingshan wiped the tears from her face and stepped up to Shi Lan, bowing.
Shi Lan waved it off. "There's no need for formalities. I didn't do much."
After taking a closer look at Shi Lan, Lu Lingshan's cheeks flushed slightly. It had been dark when she first came in, and with the poor surroundings, she hadn't had the presence of mind to look carefully at what Shi Lan looked like.
Now she saw that her savior was such a handsome young gentleman, and couldn't help letting her thoughts run wild.
Rescued by a handsome gentleman out in the wilderness—wasn't that exactly like one of those stories in the romance books?
Thinking of this, Lu Lingshan spoke shyly. "I can never repay you for saving my life..."
"Miss Lu, there's no need. Don't worry about repaying me." Shi Lan shook her head, dragged the long case wrapped in thick cloth over to the fire, and sat down.
Lu Lingshan's remaining words caught in her throat. In the end, she stamped her foot helplessly, burrowed into her bedding, and curled into a ball.
After checking it over, Shi Lan let out a sigh of relief.
The system's products really were reliable. Even after that violent impact just now, the wooden case hadn't suffered the slightest damage.
Lu Chengye came over and sat down beside Shi Lan, looking somewhat ashamed.
"I'm a student of Taixu Academy, yet today I lost my wits over a mere low-level wolf demon. It's humiliating. I don't even have the face to meet my teachers."
"Since you're not trained in martial arts, it's only natural that you'd be frightened when faced with a monster." Shi Lan warmed herself by the fire. Seeing Lu Chengye's guilt, she offered a word of comfort.
Lu Chengye shook his head, his shame deepening. "We students of the Confucian Sect cultivate the righteous qi within our hearts. If our conduct is upright, we need fear neither shadows nor any wicked spirits, demons, or ghosts. But today, when faced with a monster, I faltered. I've truly wasted my time reading the sages' books!"
Hearing him mention the Confucian Sect reminded Shi Lan of what Su Lanyue had once told her. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked, "You're from the Confucian Sect?"
"I'm ashamed to say it, but I suppose I count as a Confucian Sect disciple."
"How does the Confucian Sect cultivate? You don't seem to have any particular power about you."
"Read the sages' books, understand the principles of a noble person, cultivate righteous qi, and remain without shame before heaven and earth or your own conscience—then you'll be invincible in this world! As for me..." As he spoke, an awkward look surfaced on Lu Chengye's face.
"After more than ten years of studying by lamplight, I still haven't managed to cultivate that righteous qi in my heart."
"Young Master Lu, don't be in a hurry. You're a Confucian Sect disciple, unlike ordinary martial artists like us. If you truly cultivate righteous qi, you'll be the equal of a Xiantian Realm martial artist. You're still young, and you have a long road ahead."
Song He walked in and sat down beside Lu Chengye, smiling as he reassured him.
"Uncle Song, how are the casualties?" Lu Chengye asked anxiously.
"Nothing serious. Two were badly injured, and seven or eight suffered minor injuries. The losses aren't too great. Iron-backed wolves aren't high-level monsters."
"That's good." Lu Chengye breathed a sigh of relief.
It was not long until dawn. Shi Lan suddenly remembered the horses tied up outside and hurried out to check. The horse she had tied beneath a tree was gone, leaving only its broken reins.
Thanks to the reader Shixing Xukong Tianlong for the tip~
Before you continue