The ferocious might of the Blood‑Shadow Demon Wolf swept through the mountain forest, its scarlet blood mist intertwining with the screams of the Blackwind disciples, turning this forbidden land into a living hell.
Though the leading disciple at the Late True Martial Stage was not weak in cultivation, he was still like an ant before the Spirit Sea Realm Blood‑Shadow Demon Wolf. He brandished his long blade, slashing out several sharp streams of energy, only for them to be shattered by a single claw of the demon wolf. Its sharp claws tore right through his protective true energy, leaving three deep, bone‑exposing gashes across his chest.
"Pfft—"
The leading disciple spewed a mouthful of blood, flying backward and slamming heavily into a tree trunk, which snapped in two. The other disciples fared even worse. Some had their flesh corroded and rotted by the demon wolf's blood mist; others had their necks bitten off by its fangs. In mere moments, over half of the seven or eight Blackwind disciples lay dead or dying, leaving only three struggling desperately, soaked in blood and gasping for breath.
The Blood‑Shadow Demon Wolf was not unscathed either. The dying counterattacks of the Blackwind disciples were frantic; several blades had pierced its forelegs and abdomen, scarlet blood flowing from the wounds and darkening its jet‑black fur. Its movements slowed, and its once‑violent aura now carried a hint of exhaustion—yet the madness and bloodlust in its eyes remained undiminished.
An injured demonic beast was always more brutal.
Shaking its bleeding body, it pounced again toward the last three Blackwind disciples, its howl filled with dying ferocity.
Lin Chen, hidden behind the giant tree, watched it all unfold. His gaze remained icy and unwavering, like a calm hunter patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Both sides crippled.
Exactly the outcome he wanted.
As the demon wolf's claws fell once more, crushing the last disciple's skull, the beast finally exhausted its last ounce of strength. Its massive body staggered, then crashed heavily to the ground, heaving violently as blood continued to seep from its wounds, staining the earth beneath it red.
It was not dead yet, but it was on its last legs.
Now!
A sharp glint exploded in Lin Chen's eyes. He darted out from behind the tree like a ghost, wasting no time. Concentrating all his Early True Martial Stage true energy into his palm, he formed an icy palm strike and slammed it ferociously onto the demon wolf's skull!
Boom!
A dull, heavy sound echoed.
The already mortally wounded Blood‑Shadow Demon Wolf could not resist this fatal blow at all. Its massive body jolted violently, the scarlet light in its eyes instantly fading, its head tilting to one side as life left it completely.
Having slain the demon wolf, Lin Chen did not pause for a second. He turned and walked toward the Blackwind disciples who still clung to life.
One disciple was not yet dead, lying on the ground covered in blood. At the sight of Lin Chen approaching, terror and begging filled his eyes. "Spare… spare me! I was only following orders! Please, let me live!"
Lin Chen did not slow his steps. Looking down at him coldly, a cruel smile tugged at his lips.
Following orders?
He still vividly remembered how these people had wielded their blades when they massacred Canglan Martial Academy.
To show mercy to one's enemies is to be cruel to oneself.
He slowly drew the short blade at his waist, its light glinting coldly.
"All who took part in the slaughter of Canglan deserve death."
With those words, the short blade flashed, and blood spattered.
No mercy. No hesitation.
Step by step, he walked over the mountain of corpses, slaying every Blackwind disciple who still breathed, leaving none alive. To cut the grass, one must pull up the roots. If any survived today, they would surely become a future disaster.
Once finished, Lin Chen sheathed his short blade. Glancing down at the bloodstains on his body, he wiped them away with an expressionless face.
He knelt down, extracting a scarlet‑glowing demon core from the Blood‑Shadow Demon Wolf's skull. He then rummaged through the Blackwind disciples' corpses, taking all their storage pouches and weapons.
These were the spoils he rightfully earned.
With that done, Lin Chen looked up toward the deeper reaches of the Canglan Mountains. There was no fear in his eyes, only unyielding resolve.
The road ahead was still dangerous, and the pursuit might not be over.
But from this day forward, he would never again give anyone the chance to harm or threaten him.
Whoever blocks his path—kill them.
Whoever is his enemy—destroy them.
This was his way of surviving.