Azure Wolf

"Hua Liang, take another look. Are you sure the route is correct?" the village chief asked again.

"That's right, the route is correct. We'll be there after heading west a little farther."

"There's a small gorge there. The mysterious cave lies deep within it. Feng'er disappeared there."

After Zhao Hualiang confirmed it once more, he replied.

"Let's go. We need to make haste."

At that, the village chief waved his hand, and everyone immediately set off again.

"Awoo..."

"Awoo..."

Suddenly, waves of wolf howls rose and fell, drifting continuously from the distant forest and drawing ever closer.

"This is bad—it's a wolf pack!"

"Everyone, fall back!"

The village chief's expression changed drastically.

Everyone quickly retreated, slipping back into the woods.

Fierce wolves came racing from the distant grass one after another. The group looked at each other, every muscle taut as though facing a great enemy.

More and more fierce wolves appeared.

Yet strangely, the wolves swept their gazes across the forest without pouncing.

Just as everyone was bewildered, a faint rustling came from deep within the forest. An exceptionally majestic, awe-inspiring Azure Wolf stepped out.

An Azure Wolf—a gigantic Azure Wolf—slowly came to a stop at the head of the pack.

"Awoo..."

The wolves all lowered their heads in submission.

The Azure Wolf tilted its head. Its vertical pupils brimmed with ferocity, cold and chilling. Through layer upon layer of cover, it cast a casual glance at the people hidden in the woods.

"Hold your breath. Don't move!"

The village chief lowered his voice, cold sweat seeping from his brow.

Everyone in the forest instantly held their breath.

The moment this wolf appeared, Xie Jinghan gripped the Thunderclap Sword tightly and thought to himself, This Azure Wolf is so powerful! What crushing pressure!

"Awoo..."

The Azure Wolf surveyed the pack, then let out a long howl carrying a certain oppressive majesty.

It leaped into the air and, after several bounds, vanished from sight.

The remaining wolves hurried after it and left as well.

"Village chief, judging from the direction that pack went, it should be the mysterious cave."

"You're sure?" The village chief frowned tightly upon hearing this.

"It really is that direction!" Zhao Hualiang said in a deep voice.

The village chief pondered quietly, then said:

"This is troublesome."

"That Azure Wolf was clearly extraordinary. It has already developed intelligence and is by no means an ordinary beast."

"If we come to blows, I'm afraid we won't be able to defeat it!"

He hesitated, silently considering it for a long while before giving his instructions:

"This is our only option."

"Black Boy, Zhao Wen, Zhao Wu, you three quietly follow them first and investigate."

"Remember to protect yourselves. Under no circumstances are you to clash with the wolf pack!"

"Understood!"

The three answered in unison.

All three were at the fourth grade of the Postnatal Realm and possessed some ability to protect themselves. They could be considered the cream of the crop within the group.

Xie Jinghan was immensely curious about that Azure Wolf, especially those ferocious, humanlike eyes. Unable to resist, he stepped forward.

"Village chief, I'll go with them too! Let me do my part."

The village chief could not help looking at him, his expression solemn.

"Jinghan, I know your cultivation is profound and your abilities exceptional."

"Please help me watch over the three of them."

"Sorry for the trouble."

"This old man will be endlessly grateful."

With that, he gave Xie Jinghan a deep bow.

Xie Jinghan hurriedly reached out to support him.

"Village chief, there's no need for this. You've all taken care of me these past few months. It's simply my duty."

The village chief turned and instructed the three again.

"You three will obey Jinghan's arrangements in everything. Don't act recklessly—especially you, Black Boy."

Black Boy scratched the back of his head. "Got it, Grandpa Village Chief!"

After briefly discussing their plan, the four headed west.