Great Black Mountain.
An endless expanse of primeval forest.
Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky and sun, their gnarled branches intertwined.
Rotting leaves lay piled over the soil.
Low cries of birds and beasts drifted through the woods from time to time, and a wild, primeval air pervaded every corner.
Xie Jinghan stepped slowly into the forest.
His purpose this time was to find the Azure Wolf he had encountered before.
Ten-thousand-mile tracking!
He activated the Tracking Art, scanning the claw marks left by beasts as he slowly made his way through the mountain forests.
He searched along the way, crossing ridge after ridge and passing through stretch after stretch of dense woods.
At last, he reached a valley hidden among the mountains.
The valley was broad and open, with thousands of wolves living within it.
This was Wolf Valley.
Xie Jinghan concealed himself and slipped inside.
The wolves in the valley had clearly defined duties and were remarkably orderly.
Two massive, powerfully built wolves guarded the entrance, while a pack patrolled back and forth along the valley path...
In the deepest part of the valley, an Azure Wolf lounged lazily atop a huge bluestone platform.
Compared with their last encounter, his body was even larger, his azure fur glossier and brighter, his bearing magnificent and imposing.
"Awooo..."
A long, drawn-out howl rang out.
The Azure Wolf turned his enormous head, his cool eyes looking toward the spot where Xie Jinghan was hiding.
Seeing this, Xie Jinghan stopped concealing himself, revealed his figure, and strode over openly.
"Brother Wolf!"
Xie Jinghan raised his hands in a cupped-fist salute and spoke calmly.
"Forgive me for arriving uninvited and disturbing you."
"I've come to make a deal with you."
"Awooo..."
The Azure Wolf remained on the platform and gave a low