The cheerful, relaxed atmosphere lingered only briefly before tension took its place once more. After all, in this other world, brutal, fierce battles were the norm, and hardship and setbacks were the main theme of life. Just as on Earth, beauty and joy were often fleeting, while things went wrong eight or nine times out of ten. But whatever difficulties they encountered, only by facing them positively could they overcome one daunting hurdle after another.
After a brief rest, the group set off again and soon reached their destination-Wind Wolf Canyon. Within the canyon, chill winds howled. Five enormous fifth-level Wind Wolves stood in the center with their heads held high, surrounded by more than fifty other Wind Wolves, their imposing presence chilling to behold.
As soon as the battle began, everyone swiftly put their agreed-upon tactics into action. The three mages struck first, concentrating their firepower on the third- and fourth-level Wind Wolves. Under their fierce assault, more than half the lower-level Wind Wolves were killed or wounded, and their ranks soon collapsed.
Meanwhile, Shiheng stepped forward as agreed to protect the three mages, who had just exhausted their magical power and needed to recover, establishing a secure defensive line for them. Huohe, Xifaman, and Kelan Kai focused on dealing with the five fifth-level Wind Wolves, the most troublesome opponents.
Huohe fought two at once. Even under the pincer attack of two fifth-level Wind Wolves, he remained at ease, circulating his Battle Qi without haste. Kelan Kai, however, was in a much more difficult position. He also had to hold off two fifth-level Wind Wolves, and he soon found himself stretched thin. Before long, wounds had appeared on his body.
Xifaman had a comparatively easier time. Facing one fifth-level Wind Wolf and three fourth-level Wind Wolves alone, he could still barely maintain a stalemate.
Shiheng, meanwhile, activated Berserk at the critical moment, instantly rising to the limits of a Fifth-Level Warrior. While continuing to protect the three mages, he freed up a hand to eliminate the remaining third- and fourth-level Wind Wolves. His movements were swift and steady, and he handled them with considerable ease.
This time, everyone had fully taken to heart the lesson from their last battle against the Red-Blue Bees. Kelin Xiaoman had specifically cast a fourth-level defensive spell-Water Shield-on each of the three mages. Fourth-level magical beasts could not break through this magical defense in a short time. With this protection in place, Shiheng could devote his full strength to clearing out the lower-level Wind Wolves without reservation, needing only to spare a little attention for the mages' safety. Before long, he had wiped out all the remaining third- and fourth-level Wind Wolves. He immediately hurried to Xifaman's battlefield, raising his blade and cutting down the three fourth-level Wind Wolves in succession. Then the two fought shoulder to shoulder, joining forces against the most formidable fifth-level Wind Wolf.
After a harrowing, bitter struggle, they finally defeated the ferocious beast. Before anyone could catch their breath, however, Kelan Kai's resounding shouts as he battled the Wind Wolves rang out nearby. Shiheng and Xifaman exchanged a glance, then turned without hesitation and rushed to his aid.
Through the three men's coordinated efforts, those fifth-level Wind Wolves quickly weakened, their lives hanging by a thread, until they finally lost all ability to move. Meanwhile, Huohe also received support from Shiheng and the others. They beat the two remaining Wind Wolves until they had no strength to fight back and could only lie sprawled on the ground, barely clinging to life.
Just as the battle was settled, Huohe spoke while steadying his breathing, sighing with feeling. "What a shame! If only we had some magic scrolls! Then you three mages could form contracts with these magical beasts! Not only would you gain powerful magical beasts as guards, but we'd also be much better able to keep ourselves safe!"
At his words, Nalan Ruoshui shook her head helplessly as she rapidly recovered her magical power and sighed softly. "Ah... magic scrolls are far too precious for us! You know, they're treasures that can only be made using Level 7 Magic. With our current strength and resources, there's simply no way for us to obtain anything that advanced."
Everyone looked regretful upon hearing this, but there was nothing they could do. In the end, deeply reluctant, they slaughtered all the Wind Wolves before them and carefully removed the magic cores containing pure magical power from their bodies.
As for the magical beasts' meat, they could only abandon it with aching hearts. Without a legendary Space Ring, they had no way to properly store such a large quantity of meat and could not take it back.
Just then, Kelin Xiaoman wiped the sweat from her forehead and said lightly, "Wiping out this Wind Wolf pack didn't feel all that hard!"
Huohe nodded slightly at her words and replied calmly, "This operation went smoothly mainly because we worked well together, and because our strength really has improved during this time. But none of you should let your guard down. Let's recover here first, then go face that sixth-level Black Bear King."
Before you continue