The forest fell silent, broken only by the low growls echoing from all directions. The air smelled of iron and blood, heavy with killing intent.
The Ironback Wolves circled like shadows, their eyes glowing crimson beneath the canopy. Each step pressed into the earth, claws leaving deep scars.
Zhang Mu swallowed hard, clutching his short sword so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Brother Long Chen… there are too many…"
Long Chen didn't answer. His golden eyes narrowed, fixed on the largest wolf at the center of the pack—the Alpha. Its aura pulsed like thunder, suppressing weaker cultivators by sheer force.
Long Chen raised the Iron Fang Blade, his voice calm.
"Stay behind me. If you can't fight, then survive."
The wolves lunged as one, black blurs ripping through the underbrush.
Long Chen moved first. His blade swept upward in a flash, slicing clean through the throat of the nearest wolf. Blood sprayed across the clearing, the beast collapsing with a dying howl.
The System chimed:
[ Enemy Defeated ]
Ironback Wolf (Qi Condensation, Peak)
Beast Essence Devoured → +1 Bloodline Purity
A golden flame flickered in Long Chen's dantian. Strength surged instantly, every fragment of the wolf's Qi absorbed.
The second wolf lunged from behind. Long Chen twisted, elbow slamming into its jaw with bone-crushing force. Its body crashed into a tree, bark exploding into splinters.
Zhang Mu gasped. He's not even fighting like us… it's like watching a beast devour its prey.
But there were too many.
Three wolves broke past Long Chen, rushing at the siblings.
Zhang Mu froze, legs trembling. "N-no!"
Steel hissed as Zhang Wei stepped forward, blade flashing. She struck with precision, cutting across a wolf's paw. Blood spurted, but the beast hardly faltered, snapping its jaws toward her throat.
At the last second, Long Chen appeared, his blade cleaving down like thunder. The wolf's head rolled across the grass.
"Do not move without my command." His tone was cold, merciless.
Zhang Wei clenched her jaw, but nodded.
The Alpha wolf's eyes gleamed with killing intent. With a thunderous roar, it leapt forward, its spiked back glinting like steel under sunlight. Its claws descended, shattering the earth where Long Chen had stood a moment before.
The shockwave sent Zhang Mu tumbling backward.
Long Chen's gaze sharpened. His bloodline surged, scales flickering across his arm. He raised his blade—then struck.
Steel met steel. Sparks exploded as the Alpha's iron hide resisted the strike.
But Long Chen only smiled.
"Devour."
Golden flames erupted from his palm, wrapping around the blade. The strike pulsed with unnatural hunger, drilling through the Alpha's defenses. Its iron hide cracked, blood spraying as the blade bit deep.
The Alpha howled, staggering backward. Its aura trembled, fragments of its Qi siphoned into Long Chen's body.
The System chimed again:
[ Bloodline Effect Activated ]
Target: Ironback Wolf Alpha (Foundation Establishment, Late)
Energy Devoured: 12%
Bloodline Purity: +3
Strength: +5%
Long Chen's eyes glowed brighter. Every heartbeat made him stronger.
The remaining wolves lunged desperately to protect their Alpha.
Long Chen spun, blade sweeping in a deadly arc. Two wolves fell instantly, their essence absorbed before their corpses hit the ground.
Zhang Mu finally found courage, slashing clumsily at one wolf's flank. His blade barely scratched it, but the effort bought a moment's time.
"Brother Long Chen! Behind you!"
Another wolf pounced from the shadows. Long Chen twisted, his foot slamming into its ribs with crushing force. Bones shattered, the beast whimpering before falling limp.
Zhang Wei's blade pierced another wolf's eye, her expression grim, sweat dripping down her brow.
But still, the Alpha fought like a demon. Its massive body barreled into Long Chen, claws ripping across his shoulder. Blood splattered the ground.
The siblings shouted in panic.
Long Chen only laughed, golden flames licking across the wound as the devouring power absorbed the wolf's essence through the very injury.
"Your strength… is mine."
With a roar, Long Chen struck again. This time, his blade glowed with a golden dragon phantom, scales shimmering as if reality itself bent around it.
The strike cleaved through the Alpha's ironback hide, piercing its heart.
The beast howled one last time before collapsing, its crimson eyes fading.
The System exploded with notifications:
[ Boss Defeated ]
Ironback Wolf Alpha (Foundation Establishment, Late) slain.
Beast Essence Devoured → +10 Bloodline Purity.
Cultivation Advancement: Foundation Establishment (Early → Mid).
Long Chen's aura surged, the ground trembling beneath him. Golden dragon scales shimmered faintly across his skin before fading.
The surviving wolves whimpered, scattering into the forest.
Silence fell.
Zhang Mu collapsed onto the ground, panting. "W-we… survived…"
Zhang Wei sheathed her sword slowly, her eyes locked on Long Chen. His presence now radiated like a storm, oppressive yet awe-inspiring.
"You're not human…" she whispered softly, almost inaudible.
Long Chen glanced at her, golden eyes glowing faintly. "I am more than human."
He turned, wiping the blood from his blade.
"Come. We still need proof of the kill."
Long Chen carved out the Alpha's ironback core, placing it into his jade token's storage.
The System pulsed:
[ Mission Progress ]
Ironback Wolves Subjugated → Complete.
Reward Pending: +15 Contribution Points.
Unseen by the three disciples, figures watched from the trees. Outer disciples from the rival faction—the arrogant youth's lackeys—stood pale, eyes wide.
"He… he killed the Alpha… alone…"
"This isn't human. This is a monster."
Their leader clenched his fists, eyes burning with hatred.
"Then we'll use this. Spread word to the Inner Sect Elders. A monster walks among us."