C11 The Wails of the Forest

"Bang!"

With the sound of a skull shattering, Ling Yunfan, drenched in blood, delivered a fiery punch that finished off the last Crimson Wolf.

After a grueling two-hour battle, Ling Yunfan had finally wiped out the pack of Crimson Wolves that had come for his life, though not without sustaining numerous injuries.

Despite the apparent disadvantage, the Crimson Wolves' teeth, fur, and sharp claws were highly valuable. Conveniently, Ling Yunfan was in dire need of money, making the sale of these items a lucrative venture. Moreover, consuming the flesh of the Crimson Wolf could aid a Martial Cultivator in recovering from minor wounds.

"These Crimson Wolves are too large; I can only manage to take two with me. The rest will have to stay here for now. It's no concern if they're taken by others or demonic beasts." With only three sacks at his disposal, Ling Yunfan sighed in resignation. After collecting all the valuable materials from the remaining wolves, he turned and made his departure.

As expected, shortly after Ling Yunfan's departure, the stripped remains of the Crimson Wolves were scavenged by other demonic beasts. Among these creatures were even Rank Two Demonic Beasts. Had Ling Yunfan lingered any longer, he might have met his end at the claws of these formidable foes, given that a Rank Two Demonic Beast could easily take his life.

And there were other demonic beasts to consider.

Thanks to the Healing Ointment provided by Ling Hong, Ling Yunfan's wounds mended swiftly. While not fully healed, the pain had all but vanished.

...

Meanwhile, at the Ling Family Mansion, Ling Yunfan's father, Ling Tianba, gazed at an empty chair with a look of deep satisfaction. He spoke to himself, "My child, your efforts are finally starting to pay off. Judging by the current state of affairs, your talent for cultivation may well exceed that of your peers. This foray into the mountains is likely to yield even greater rewards, and I see no need to continue watching over you in secret."

With that, Ling Tianba took a sip of his tea.

"Fann, I hope you realize that even the most exceptional jade requires countless rounds of polishing before it can shine. Right now, you're like unpolished jade, and whether you'll become a peerless gem or remain an ordinary stone depends entirely on your dedication and effort," Ling Tianba said, before immediately addressing the space before him, "Don't you agree, Third Elder Ling Jiang?"

With that, Ling Tianba smiled at the empty space in front of him, saying nothing more.

"You've hit the nail on the head. A flower raised in a greenhouse will never thrive. If we want Fann to grow into a formidable individual capable of standing on his own, he must face and overcome countless perils. In matters of life and death, it's not strength that's most crucial, but rather a brave heart determined to survive," said a man in a black cloak, entering from the doorway.

Recognizing the newcomer, Ling Tianba rose with a welcoming smile and proposed, "Should Fann advance to Body Refining Level Eight after his trials, let's reward him with that complementary martial skill to the Flaming Fist."

"I've been considering just that," Ling Jiang replied, then added, "Enough talk. Let's savor this exquisite tea instead."

With that, Third Elder Ling Jiang, unconcerned with Ling Tianba's presence, indulged in his tea.

Ling Tianba simply shook his head and remained silent.

......

Days later, in a forest clearing, Ling Yunfan sat in meditation, cultivating with the image of a phoenix with a dragon's head soaring behind him, drawing in all the Cosmic Spiritual Energy from the surroundings.

Aided by his Divine Devil Bloodline, Ling Yunfan's body absorbed the spiritual energy much faster than an average person, though it came at a greater cost.

"Huff... Huff..." In no time, Ling Yunfan's eyes snapped open, his forehead beaded with sweat, as he gasped for air, forcibly exiting his deep state of cultivation.

Just as he was settling down for a well-deserved rest, the tantalizing aroma of the freshly roasted meat nearby captured his senses, leaving him unable to resist.

Ling Yunfan, determined not to rest, seized the last remaining chunk of wolf thigh meat and began to devour it with gusto. The greasy wolf meat was exceptionally tender, far surpassing the taste of fish by leaps and bounds.

"Help... Help..."

In the midst of his meal, Ling Yunfan's ears picked up a faint cry for help. Without hesitation, he dashed towards the source of the sound.

...

"Is today the day I perish here? I cannot reconcile with this fate!" In a secluded part of the forest, a man in ragged clothing, gravely injured and barely clinging to life, lay on the ground. He watched helplessly as a formidable Crimson Wolf approached, a look of defiance etched on his face.

This was no ordinary Crimson Wolf; its aura was significantly more potent. Its very presence commanded the air, exuding the dominance of a wolf sovereign. Though it was at the Rank One Peak, its might was likely greater than that of a Martial Cultivator at Body Refining Level Eight.

The Crimson Wolf King bore wounds of its own, clear evidence of a recent fierce battle with the man now sprawled before it—a battle it had won, albeit at a cost.

With a menacing howl, the Crimson Wolf King lunged at the defenseless man.

"My life is over." As the lethal attack bore down on him, the man resigned himself to his fate and closed his eyes.

"Clang! Clang!"

But in the blink of an eye, as the Crimson Wolf King's assault was about to land, a slender figure in a black robe intervened. With a sword chilling to the touch, he deftly parried the barrage of claws, and in a swift counter, wounded the Wolf King's leg.

Upon realizing he was unharmed, the man slowly opened his eyes to the sight of his savior, Ling Yunfan.

"Battle inevitably brings casualties; today, I've borne witness to this truth," Ling Yunfan reflected somberly, surveying the fallen humans and the Crimson Wolf.

The Crimson Wolf King, enraged by the turn of events, let out another roar and prepared to strike with renewed ferocity.

"There's no time for a drawn-out fight. Let's settle this in one move." Anticipating the Crimson Wolf King's advance, Ling Yunfan bellowed. His fists clenched, he channeled his spiritual force, summoning fiery streams that enveloped him, transforming the gloomy surroundings into a blazing inferno as the temperature soared.

"It's over."

As the formidable Flaming Fist manifested, the Crimson Wolf King, who should have been brimming with confidence, sensed a flicker of anxiety. Without hesitation, he quickened his pace, determined to take down Ling Yunfan before the Flaming Fist could strike.

Though the plan was sound, Ling Yunfan, still gathering his strength, was well aware of his opponent's intentions. In the nick of time, as the Crimson Wolf King's claws neared, Ling Yunfan nimbly evaded the assault. With a thunderous cry, he unleashed the Flaming Fist, sending the Crimson Wolf King hurtling through the air.

Struck by Ling Yunfan's Flaming Fist, the already wounded Crimson Wolf King perished without uttering another sound.