Chapter 114: Sudden Appearance of the Wolf Pack (Part 1)

Chapter 114: The Unexpected Appearance of a Wolf Pack (Part 1)

A few days later, Lin Xing finally entered the intermediate-level magical beast zone.

Truthfully, the boundaries within the Magical Beast Forest weren't very distinct. Typically, the outermost edges were inhabited by the lowest-level magical beasts, and only the very weakest would perish there.

However, in the intermediate-level magical beast zone, intermediate-level beasts were the main inhabitants. But high-level magical beasts could also be found there, because some intermediate-level beasts could mutate. Mutated beasts might become very powerful, pushing them beyond the intermediate level. Thus, high-level magical beasts could exist within the intermediate-level zone.

Now, Lin Xing found himself in the intermediate-level magical beast territory. He usually encountered beasts of intermediate strength; even the lower-level beasts he saw were likely juveniles of intermediate-level species.

At night, with the firelight flickering, Lin Xing sat by the campfire, eating. This was the place he had chosen to rest for the night, surrounded by towering trees and ground covered with thorns.

However, where Lin Xing had settled was an open area, even without any thorns.

Lin Xing threw a few more branches into the fire, making the already bright flames flare up even brighter. He then sat cross-legged by the fire, cultivating.

After a long while, Lin Xing, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open, looking directly ahead.

Lin Xing's keen senses clearly detected footsteps approaching from the front. Although the footsteps were light, the faint cracking sounds of stepping on and breaking dry branches and decaying leaves were strikingly obvious and jarring in the quiet night.

Lin Xing frowned. He could tell that three sets of footsteps were heading this way, clearly drawn by the firelight.

Could it be bandits again? Lin Xing thought to himself. Why were these bandits so incessant and annoying? He couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.

No, wait. Lin Xing immediately dismissed that judgment. If they were humans, they would likely have already spread out to surround him, or would typically have taken to the trees. But now, they were clearly walking over, and walking together at that. Their footsteps were chaotic!

Magical beasts! Lin Xing suddenly realized. Immediately, six pairs of glowing green eyes appeared in front of him!

Three intermediate-level magical beasts. Lin Xing's tense heart relaxed a little. Mere intermediate-level beasts were nothing to him. With his current strength, he could even put up a fight against a high-level magical beast.

The three beasts slowly approached Lin Xing. It seemed their target was indeed him. As they drew closer, Lin Xing finally saw their forms clearly!

Swift Wind Wolves! Level five magical beasts, adept at speed and wind magic. Recognizing the beasts, Lin Xing's eyes narrowed, and his heart tightened. He focused his senses, spreading his spiritual awareness outward. There were no other Swift Wind Wolves nearby, which allowed his tense heart to relax slightly.

Against three Swift Wind Wolves, Lin Xing was confident he could handle them. However, as was well known in any world, wolves were pack animals—social, ferocious, cunning, and relentless. Coupled with the fact that the wolves here possessed mysterious magic, their threat level was significantly heightened.

The three Swift Wind Wolves stopped before Lin Xing. Their six eyes, glowing green in the firelight, fixed on him. From those gleaming green eyes, Lin Xing saw ferocity and cunning.

Lin Xing stood up with a 'whoosh,' flipping his hand to reveal his blade. Gripping the sword, he stared at the three Swift Wind Wolves opposite him. One man and three wolves stood in a tense standoff.

Suddenly, the wolf in the middle moved. It opened its mouth and spat out a Wind Blade, slashing toward Lin Xing. Simultaneously, the other two wolves were not far behind, each firing a Wind Blade at Lin Xing.

Lin Xing dared not underestimate them. With three consecutive slashes, he dispersed the three Wind Blades and charged toward the three wolves.

Seeing Lin Xing disperse their Wind Blades and charge at them, the middle wolf let out a low growl and spat out another Wind Blade. At the same time, it pushed off with its front paws, leaping into the air and pouncing toward Lin Xing. Hearing the middle wolf's growl, the two wolves on either side fired two more Wind Blades at Lin Xing, then split apart, flanking him from the left and right to attack.

These wolves were unusually clever.

Dispersing those Wind Blades with quick slashes, Lin Xing pushed off with his feet, propelling himself into the air. Gripping his blade with both hands, he brought it down on the Swift Wind Wolf pouncing toward him.

The Swift Wind Wolf suddenly brought its two front paws together, meeting the tip of Lin Xing's blade head-on.

'Clang!' The man and wolf collided fiercely, the impact point producing a sound like steel striking steel!

Swift Wind Wolves were not only adept at wind magic but also skilled in close-quarters combat. Their bodies were tough, and most importantly, their paws were the sharpest and hardest parts of their entire bodies!

With a 'boom!' the Swift Wind Wolf was slammed hard onto the ground. A trickle of blood immediately seeped from the corner of its mouth, its entire body appearing somewhat weakened, its eyes dimming a little.

Although it had blocked Lin Xing's slash with its hard claws and hadn't been cut through, the Swift Wind Wolf's internal organs had been shaken and injured. After all, Lin Xing's strength was several levels above its own.

Lin Xing landed as well, the force of his blow having nowhere else to go. But at that moment, the other two Swift Wind Wolves had already charged forward.

Lin Xing's body shot backward, evading the two Wind Blades, while simultaneously slashing out with his blade.

That Swift Wind Wolf agilely twisted its body, actually managing to dodge Lin Xing's slash. It then swiped a paw toward Lin Xing's neck.

Lin Xing had no choice but to retract his blade. With a backhanded slash, he smacked the wolf on its body, sending it flying away forcefully. Meanwhile, the other wolf's sharp, pointed claws had already reached Lin Xing's side.

Lin Xing spun around, but it was too late. A 'rip' sound—the sound of fabric tearing—was heard, followed by a cool sensation under his left armpit. A burning pain spread from there; the clothing and flesh in that area had been torn by the wolf's claws.

Lin Xing lifted his leg, his left foot kicking hard into the wolf's abdomen. With an 'awoo' of pain, the wolf was sent flying sideways by Lin Xing's kick. Just as Lin Xing was about to pursue and finish it off, the remaining two wolves had already pounced on him again.

Lin Xing felt a wave of helplessness. The Swift Wind Wolves' speed was simply too fast. He had just blocked one attack and hadn't had time to finish off that wolf before the other one was already tangling with him again!