The Long Road to Jia Nan, Blood Wolves Bar the Way

(1)

The smoke of battle over Wutan City gradually dispersed, but the tension lingering in the air refused to fade. Inside the Xiao Clan estate, the clansmen were busy repairing houses and burying the dead. The fresh scent of timber mingled with a faint sadness in the air. Xiao Yan sat on the stone steps before the ancestral hall, watching the craftsmen recarve the "Xiao Residence" plaque as he rubbed the Storage Ring Fragment, now 40% restored, in his hand.

Gu Yuan had hurried away after leaving him three life-saving Dou Emperor-level scrolls. Before departing, he had repeatedly urged Xiao Yan to make for Jia Nan Academy as soon as possible-not only was the Fallen Heart Flame there, but so was a power that could shelter him from the Misty Cloud Sect's edge. Xun'er had also been forced to leave first because of clan business. When they parted, she had pressed a jade pendant engraved with the Gu Clan's mark into his hand and said softly, "When you reach the academy, use this to find me."

[System notification: Main quest "Find the Fallen Heart Flame" activated. Current progress: 0%. The host is advised to set out for Jia Nan Academy as soon as possible. Estimated distance: 1,500 li, passing through the Black Wind Mountain Range, Falling Goose River, and Iron Ridge City.]

"Little Yanzi, are you really going?" Xiao Ding approached with a bowl of medicine, steam still rising from its rim. "It's dangerous out there, especially in the Black Wind Mountain Range. Things haven't been peaceful there lately. They say a wolf pack has been roaming around, and it even dares to provoke Dou Ling experts."

Xiao Yan took the bowl and tipped his head back, draining it in one swallow. The bitter medicine slid down his throat, but left him feeling refreshed. "I have to go. The Misty Cloud Sect won't let this rest. Only by becoming stronger can I truly protect the Xiao Clan." He looked at Xiao Ding. "Big Brother, I'll leave things at home to you."

Xiao Ding patted his shoulder, his eyes full of gratification. "Go without worrying. When you return from the academy, I'll throw you a victory feast."

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan changed into practical clothes that allowed him to move freely. He put his iron ruler, pills, and Dou Emperor scrolls into his Storage Ring, then redeemed a "Dou Qi Acceleration Card" for 5,000 points before setting out alone for Jia Nan Academy.

On the main road outside the city, the morning mist had yet to clear. Xiao Yan unleashed Wind Walking Step, shooting into the distance like an arrow. The Dou Qi Acceleration Card increased his speed by thirty percent. Trees on either side raced backward, and the wind howled past his ears.

(2)

Three days later, Xiao Yan entered the outskirts of the Black Wind Mountain Range. The forest was dense, and miasma filled the air. Sunlight could only filter through gaps in the branches and leaves, scattering mottled spots of light. Faint beast roars drifted through the air, lending the mountain forest an even eerier air.

[System notification: Strong beast pack presence detected 5 li ahead. Approximate number: 50. Leader's strength: Intermediate Dou Ling.]

"A Dou Ling-level beast pack?" Xiao Yan slowed his pace and suppressed his presence as much as possible. "Is it the wolf pack Big Brother Xiao mentioned?"

He quietly climbed a towering ancient tree and peered ahead through the thick foliage. In a clearing, a pack of black wolves larger than water buffalo were tearing at a carriage. Their fur was like iron armor, and their fangs gleamed coldly. Most striking of all was the giant wolf standing in the center of the pack. It stood a full two zhang tall, with purplish-black fur and a lightning-shaped scar between its brows. Its scarlet eyes were fixed on the person inside the carriage.

A flag embroidered with the characters for "Mittel" flew from the carriage. A gash had already been torn in the compartment, and through it he could make out a young woman in Mittel Family clothing huddled inside, trembling.

"Someone from the Mittel Family?" Xiao Yan frowned slightly. He recognized the young woman as Mittel Tengshan's granddaughter, Mittel Ya Fei. He had met her several times at the alchemist exchange gathering. She was a quick-witted woman.

[Ding! "Rescue Ya Fei" side quest triggered!]

[Quest requirement: Drive back the blood wolf pack and protect Mittel Ya Fei as she leaves the Black Wind Mountain Range safely.]

[Quest rewards: 30,000 points, Mittel Family favorability +50, and a "blood wolf core" that can be used to refine a Beast Spirit Pill.]

Thirty thousand points! Xiao Yan's heart stirred. That was enough for him to redeem quite a few useful Dou Techniques and pills. Without hesitation, he leaped down from the tree, spun the iron ruler in his hand, and quietly kindled a dark red flame.

"Vile beasts, let her go!"

Xiao Yan's voice exploded like a thunderclap, startling the wolves as they tore at the carriage. The purple-scarred giant wolf whipped its head around, fixed its scarlet eyes on Xiao Yan, and let out a deafening roar, as if warning the uninvited guest.

Enraged, the wolves stopped tearing at the carriage and turned, baring their sharp fangs as they surrounded Xiao Yan. Greedy light flickered in their eyes. Clearly, they regarded him as new prey.

"You don't know the difference between life and death." Xiao Yan snorted coldly. Dou Qi circulated within him as he released the presence of a Two-Star Great Dou Master without reservation. Though a gap remained between him and the Intermediate Dou Ling-level purple-scarred giant wolf, he was confident he could fight it!

"Awoo!" One black wolf attacked first, pouncing like a bolt of black lightning. Its sharp claws whistled through the air toward Xiao Yan's throat.

Xiao Yan neither dodged nor retreated. He swept his iron ruler across, its crimson shadow carrying a searing heat as it slammed into the wolf's head.

Bang!

With a muffled thud, the black wolf's head burst apart as though struck by a massive hammer, splattering blood and brains across the ground.

[Ding! Killed Black Wind Blood Wolf (Advanced Dou Shi). Gained 50 points!]

The other black wolves saw this, and fear flashed in their eyes. But at the purple-scarred giant wolf's roar, they still charged forward fearlessly.

"Good!" Battle intent surged in Xiao Yan's eyes. He swung his iron ruler, sending crimson ruler shadows crashing down like a raging storm.

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler: Flowing Fire!"

The ruler shadows darted through the pack like a lively stream of flame, every strike claiming a black wolf's life. Fire scorched their fur, releasing a pungent burnt stench, while screams rose and fell one after another.

[Ding! Killed Black Wind Blood Wolf (Peak Dou Shi). Gained 80 points!]

[Ding! Killed Black Wind Blood Wolf (Initial Da Dou Shi). Gained 150 points!]

System notifications rang out without cease, and Xiao Yan's points climbed rapidly. But there were simply too many black wolves. As soon as one group was killed, another came at him. Gradually, several wounds appeared on his body. Though they were not deep, they still hindered his movements.

"Human, you have some skill." The purple-scarred giant wolf finally moved. It strode toward Xiao Yan on its thick limbs, each step making the ground tremble slightly. "But you've killed so many of my kind. Today, you must die!"

Its voice was unexpectedly a little hoarse, and it spoke human words. Clearly, it had awakened its intelligence.

The purple-scarred giant wolf drew a sharp breath, its chest swelling, then spat out a purple wave of energy. Highly corrosive, it shot straight for Xiao Yan's face.

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted. The power of this energy wave far surpassed an ordinary Da Dou Shi's attack! He dared not take it head-on and pushed Explosive Step to its limit, instantly retreating.

Boom!

The energy wave struck where he had just stood, instantly corroding a crater several meters deep into the ground. Purple smoke rose from its walls.

"You dodged quickly enough." The purple-scarred giant wolf sneered and blurred forward, appearing before Xiao Yan like a ghost. Its enormous paw came crashing down, trailing a fierce wind that tore through the air.

Xiao Yan raised his ruler to block. With a tremendous clang, he felt a powerful force strike him. Agonizing pain shot through his arm, and he stumbled back several steps involuntarily.

"Dou Ling-level strength really is formidable." Xiao Yan was secretly alarmed. It seemed he had no choice but to use his trump card.

He took a deep breath, a flash of resolve in his eyes, and pushed the Burning Heaven Art to its limit while activating his Heavenly Flames Affinity talent!

[Ding! "Heavenly Flames Affinity" talent activated. Green Lotus Core Flame's power increased by 50%!]

In an instant, the dark red flame on the iron ruler surged into a raging blaze. The heat it gave off made even the surrounding air begin to warp.

"What flame is that?" Wariness flashed in the purple-scarred giant wolf's eyes.

"The flame that will send you on your way!" Xiao Yan roared and smashed the iron ruler at the purple-scarred giant wolf with the force to burn the heavens and destroy the earth.

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler: Flame Prison!"

A crimson sea of fire instantly engulfed the purple-scarred giant wolf. The tearing force contained within the flames made it roar in agony.

"Awoo-!"

The purple-scarred giant wolf struggled wildly in the sea of fire, purple waves of energy bombarding the flames without cease. But beneath the Green Lotus Core Flame's scorching heat, its energy waves grew weaker and weaker, and its fur was burned black.

"It's over!" A brilliant light burst from Xiao Yan's eyes. He poured all his remaining Dou Qi into the iron ruler, and its shadow swelled like a burning dragon, bursting from the sea of fire and piercing straight through the purple-scarred giant wolf's heart!

The purple-scarred giant wolf's struggles stopped abruptly. Its enormous body slowly fell, and the scarlet faded from its eyes, revealing a trace of relief.

[Ding! Killed Black Wind Blood Wolf leader (Intermediate Dou Ling). Gained 1,000 points!]

[Ding! "Rescue Ya Fei" side quest completed!]

[Rewards distributed: 30,000 points credited, Mittel Family favorability +50, and one "blood wolf core" obtained!]

As the rewards arrived, a warm current surged through Xiao Yan's entire body. His depleted Dou Qi rapidly recovered, and his wounds began to heal. He caught his breath and looked toward the battered carriage.

(3)

"Who... who are you?" Ya Fei cautiously poked her head out of the carriage. When she saw Xiao Yan's face clearly, surprise flashed in her eyes. "Are you... Mister Yan Xiao? No, are you Xiao Yan?"

She had seen Xiao Yan's true face at the alchemist exchange gathering and had also heard the rumor that "Yan Xiao" was Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan put away his iron ruler and nodded. "It's me. How did you end up here?"

Ya Fei jumped down from the carriage and brushed the dust from her clothes, lingering fear on her face. "My grandfather sent me to deliver a batch of medicinal herbs to Iron Ridge City. I didn't expect to run into this pack of blood wolves... Thank you for saving me, Mister Xiao Yan."

"It was no trouble." Xiao Yan waved a hand. "Are you all right? Can you keep traveling?"

"The carriage is broken, and the herbs..." Ya Fei looked at the medicinal herbs scattered across the ground, somewhat dejected. "But I'm fine. Thank you." Suddenly remembering something, she pulled a map from inside her clothes. "Oh, right. This is a map to Iron Ridge City. It marks a shortcut and safe places to rest. Perhaps it can help you."

Xiao Yan took the map. Its markings were indeed detailed; even the mountain springs and caves hidden in the Black Wind Mountain Range were marked. His heart stirred. "You're going to Iron Ridge City too?"

"Mm. Even though the herbs are gone, I still have to go there and explain." Ya Fei nodded. "Are you going to Iron Ridge City too, Mister Xiao Yan?"

"More or less. I'm going to Jia Nan Academy, and Iron Ridge City is on the way."

"That's wonderful!" Ya Fei's eyes lit up. "We can travel together and look after each other on the road. I'm not very strong, but I know Iron Ridge City well. I can help you find somewhere to stay and buy supplies."

Xiao Yan thought it over. Traveling with someone familiar with the roads would indeed be good, so he nodded. "All right."

The two gathered their things, packed up the supplies they could still use, and set off along the shortcut marked on the map. Though Ya Fei was a woman, she was not delicate. She walked mountain paths faster than most men, and occasionally recognized herbs Xiao Yan did not know, giving him quite a few pleasant surprises.

Along the way, they encountered several more groups of blind beasts, all of which Xiao Yan dealt with easily. Watching his clean, efficient moves, Ya Fei grew increasingly curious. "Mister Xiao Yan, you're so strong. You reached the Da Dou Shi realm at such a young age, and you can even challenge Dou Ling-level magical beasts above your own level."

"I was just lucky." Xiao Yan smiled faintly and said no more.

Ya Fei tactfully refrained from pressing him and instead spoke about the local customs of Iron Ridge City. "Iron Ridge City is the largest city outside the Black Wind Mountain Range. Its city lord is a Peak Dou Ling expert, and he's fairly just. There are many hunters in the city who come out of the Black Wind Mountain Range. They often have good things to sell, like magical beast cores and rare medicinal herbs. You might find what you need."

Xiao Yan's heart stirred. He happened to need some materials to refine a Beast Spirit Pill. Perhaps he really could find something in Iron Ridge City.

(4)

After walking for two days and two nights, the two finally emerged from the Black Wind Mountain Range and spotted the outline of Iron Ridge City in the distance. The city truly lived up to its reputation. Its walls were built from dark gray stone and stood more than ten zhang high. Covered in marks left by blades and axes, they gave off a fierce, rugged air.

As soon as they reached the city gate, they saw a group of soldiers questioning travelers entering the city. Their leader was a one-eyed man with a vicious knife scar across his face and a fierce look in his eye.

"Ten copper coins per person to enter the city!" Scarface shouted impatiently. "Hurry up! Don't dawdle!"

The travelers all paid up, not daring to utter a single complaint.

Xiao Yan and Ya Fei exchanged a glance and prepared to pay as well, only to hear Scarface call out, "Stop! You two, come here!"

Xiao Yan frowned slightly and walked over. "What is it?"

Scarface looked Ya Fei up and down, greed flashing in his eye. Then he looked at Xiao Yan and, seeing his ordinary clothes, showed a disdainful expression. "This little beauty looks pretty good. What a waste for her to be with a poor brat like you. How about this? Let her stay and have a few drinks with me, and I'll waive your entry fees. What do you say?"

The soldiers around them burst into laughter, their eyes roaming over Ya Fei.

Ya Fei's face went pale, and she instinctively stepped behind Xiao Yan.

A chill gradually entered Xiao Yan's eyes. "Out of the way."

"Hey, you've got some nerve!" Scarface sounded as if he had heard a joke. "Brat, do you know who I am? I'm Wang Hu, captain of the city lord's residence guards! Here in Iron Ridge City, no one has ever dared speak to me like that!"

He stepped forward and reached for Ya Fei's arm, a lecherous smile on his face.

"You're courting death!"

Killing intent surged in Xiao Yan's eyes. Moving as fast as lightning, he drove a punch into Wang Hu's face before the man's hand could touch Ya Fei.

Bang!

Wang Hu screamed and flew backward, spinning like a top. He crashed into the city wall and fell unconscious.

The surrounding soldiers froze, plainly not expecting this seemingly ordinary young man to be so fierce.

"What are you standing around for? Get him!" A squad leader came to his senses and roared as he charged forward.

Xiao Yan snorted coldly and blurred into the soldiers like a tiger among sheep. He did not use his iron ruler, fighting with his bare hands instead. His fists and feet seemed to carry a thousand jin of force, and every blow knocked down a soldier.

Screams rose one after another. In moments, dozens of soldiers lay on the ground howling, their faces battered and bruised.

[Ding! Defeated Iron Ridge City guard (Initial Dou Shi). Gained 20 points!]

[Ding! Defeated Iron Ridge City guard captain (Initial Da Dou Shi). Gained 200 points!]

Xiao Yan walked over to the unconscious Wang Hu and planted a foot on his chest. "Go back and tell your city lord to keep his people in line. If they dare behave outrageously again, they'll get off with more than just a faint."

With that, he ignored the terrified looks around him and walked straight into Iron Ridge City with Ya Fei.

The city was even livelier than the area outside. Stalls lined both sides of the streets, and the cries of vendors and sounds of haggling rang out without pause. The aroma of roasted meat and a faint medicinal scent filled the air. Sure enough, many hunters were selling magical beast materials.

"Mister Xiao Yan, let's find an inn first and ask about the road to Jia Nan Academy while we're at it," Ya Fei suggested.

"All right."

The two found an inn called Welcome Guests and took rooms. They had only just settled in when they heard a commotion downstairs.

"Have you heard? Someone beat up the city lord's son!"

"Who would be so bold? Don't they know the young city lord is an Initial Dou Ling expert?"

"I heard it was two young people who just entered the city, a man and a woman. The man can really fight. He crippled Captain Wang with one punch!"

"They're finished, finished! The city lord will be furious. Those two young people are in for it!"

Xiao Yan and Ya Fei exchanged a glance, each seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes.

"Looks like Iron Ridge City isn't peaceful either," Xiao Yan said with a wry smile.

[Ding! Expert from the city lord's residence approaching. Strength: Peak Dou Ling!]

["Iron Ridge City Incident" side quest triggered!]

[Quest requirement: Quell the anger of the city lord's residence and prove your innocence (or put the other side in the wrong).]

[Quest rewards: 15,000 points, friendship of the Iron Ridge City lord (allows purchase of supplies in the city at low prices), and unlock the high Xuan-class Dou Technique "Wind Spirit Shadow-Splitting Step."]

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. Peak Dou Ling? It seemed the lord of Iron Ridge City was even stronger than he had imagined.

He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the iron ruler at his waist.

It looked like another tough battle lay ahead.