The Cyan Wolf King's fur was as fine as silk, emitting a faint cyan glow. It was incredibly burly, like a small calf, and stood out from the pack like a crane among chickens.
Its eyes were cold and eerie, with glints of cyan light flickering within, giving off a dangerous feeling.
A lone, ordinary Cyan Wolf was not very strong. A Mortal Warrior of the Sixth Level or higher could easily slay one.
But Cyan Wolves were pack Spirit Beasts and rarely acted alone. A pack of nearly a hundred was something even a Spirit Cultivator at the Ninth Level Mortal Realm would not dare to face, to say nothing of a Cyan Wolf King whose strength was profound and unpredictable.
In a situation like this, even an Innate Realm Spirit Cultivator would likely choose to retreat.
The dozen or so Spirit Cultivation Guards all had Cultivation at the Seventh or Eighth Level of the Mortal Realm. Only their leader was at the Ninth Level Great Perfection Mortal Realm.
Facing the pack of Cyan Wolves, the faces of the dozen-plus Spirit Cultivation Guards were filled with terror. The image of their companions being torn to shreds just moments ago was still fresh in their minds, refusing to fade.
"Everyone, don't panic! As long as we hold out until the master returns, we'll be safe!"
Just then, a scrawny, old servant in black robes walked out of the tent. He spoke with an air of arrogance.
"That's right! If the master returns, he could wipe out this entire wolf pack with a wave of his hand!"
Thinking of that powerful, mysterious person, the Spirit Cultivation Guards instantly regained their confidence and fighting spirit. Their grip on their weapons steadied.
The old black-robed servant was satisfied to see his words had an effect. He glanced at the wolf pack again and said, "However, before that happens, you must protect the little one in the tent. If anything happens to her, even if you don't die to the Cyan Wolves, the master will never let you off. I'm sure you are all well aware of the master's methods."
The fear that had just faded from the eyes of the Spirit Cultivation Guards resurfaced, even stronger than before. It was clear they were utterly terrified of that mysterious master.
Seeing their reaction, the old black-robed servant grew even more pleased. He nodded and added, "Of course, your reward will be exceptionally generous. Instead of the original two Second-Grade Condensing Spirit Pills, each person will now receive three, plus one additional Water Spirit Pill."
Hearing the reward offered by the old black-robed servant, the expressions of the Spirit Cultivation Guards changed, and a fervent light flashed in their eyes.
The Second-Grade Condensing Spirit Pills were one thing; refining three would be enough for them to break into the Innate First Realm. For commoner Spirit Cultivation Guards like them, that alone was enough to make them fight with all their might.
But with the addition of a Water Spirit Pill, the Spirit Cultivation Guards present would likely risk their very lives to obtain it.
The Water Spirit Pill had mild medicinal properties. It was a harmonizing-type pill and was extremely precious.
Generally, when using potent pills for a breakthrough, the success rate would be halved without a harmonizing pill.
The Water Spirit Pill was the most common aid for breaking through from the Ninth Level Great Perfection Mortal Realm to the Innate First Realm.
For these commoner, Mortal-Warrior-level Spirit Cultivation Guards, their greatest hope was to break through the Mortal Realm and step into the Innate Realm.
But the Water Spirit Pill was incomparably precious, far beyond what a Second-Grade Condensing Spirit Pill could compare to. It was essentially an item exclusive to noble Spirit Cultivators, out of reach for commoner Spirit Cultivators.
Therefore, when commoner Spirit Cultivators tried to break through to the Innate Realm, they had to bear immense risks. Not only was the success rate low, but they could also perish from a failed breakthrough.
With the help of a Water Spirit Pill, their path to the Innate Realm would be free of obstacles and risks.
The leader of the Spirit Cultivation Guards was also visibly moved. He shouted with heroic fervor, "The Innate Realm is right before our eyes! Brothers, what are we waiting for? Fight!"
"Fight!"
The dozen or so Spirit Cultivation Guards roared, their morale soaring like a rainbow, and actually took the initiative to charge the pack of Cyan Wolves.
For the Water Spirit Pill, for the Innate Realm, they cast aside all thoughts of life and death, fearless.
'Is this what commoner Cultivators are like? Even if they are humble and weak, they still pursue cultivation without regret, composing the song of a Cultivator with their life and blood!'
Watching this scene from high up in the ancient tree, Jiang Jichen was deeply shaken and felt a sense of understanding dawn on him.
However, Jiang Jichen was, after all, an observer. He could tell at a glance that the old black-robed servant had malicious intentions.
Although the terms he offered were incredibly generous, it was doubtful that many would survive a battle with the pack of Cyan Wolves.
The old black-robed servant stood before the tent entrance, a sinister smile flickering across his face as he watched the group of commoner Spirit Cultivation Guards charge forward with no regard for their own lives.
Seeing the dozen or so humans launch the first attack from a distance, the Cyan Wolf King felt insulted. It let out a great howl, and the pack of Cyan Wolves also charged recklessly toward the Spirit Cultivation Guards.
A chaotic and brutal battle thus began. The dozen or so commoner Spirit Cultivation Guards fought with bloodshot eyes, but they had not lost their senses. They formed a Battle Array and engaged in a fierce struggle with the Cyan Wolves.
SQUELCH, SQUELCH…
The sound of flesh being torn and pierced was constant. Every commoner Spirit Cultivator was drenched in blood and severely wounded. Men fell one after another, their bodies torn to pieces and devoured by the savage Cyan Wolves.
But at the same time, the Spirit Cultivation Guards, their fighting spirit ignited, fought with extraordinary power. Fearless of death and coordinating seamlessly, they continuously cut down Cyan Wolves with their sharp weapons.
A battle that began in a blaze of glory ended in silence.
The ground was piled high with the corpses of Cyan Wolves. Fewer than ten now stood by the Cyan Wolf King, a hint of fear in their eyes.
On the Spirit Cultivation Guards' side, however, only the guard leader remained standing. The bodies of the others were nowhere to be found, long since torn apart by the Cyan Wolves.
The Cyan Wolf King had not attacked from beginning to end. It merely stood in the distance, its cold, eerie cyan eyes fixed on the blood-soaked man before it.
The guard leader's strength was spent, and he had trouble even standing, but his gaze met the Cyan Wolf King's, still fearless.
All his comrades had fallen in battle; he was the only one left alive. But he knew that the moment the Cyan Wolf King attacked would be the moment of his death.
He was waiting for death, yet there was no fear in his heart. He faced it with composure.
"AWOOO!"
However, the Cyan Wolf King let out a howl, took one last, deep look at the guard leader, and then turned to leave. The remaining Cyan Wolves followed.
The Moonlight Grass cast specks of moonlight, illuminating the blood-soaked earth!
'Silence, sorrow, helplessness. Life is both fragile and strong...'
The old black-robed servant, his clothes pristine and unstained by a single drop of blood, stood at the tent entrance and looked at the guard leader, who had been reduced to a blood-soaked figure. "Such a fearless will," he said. "Even the Cyan Wolf King was moved enough to spare your life. That, I did not expect!"
The guard leader did not show much sadness. In the world of commoner Spirit Cultivators, life and death were commonplace.
He recovered a bit of his strength, then walked up to the old black-robed servant and said, "Since I survived this, I can now break through to the Innate Realm. Lord Black Servant, please honor your promise. Give me my reward, the Second-Grade Condensing Spirit Pills and the Water Spirit Pill!"
After a battle of life and death, the guard leader was not concerned with the fate of his comrades, but with his own reward. That was the foundation for him to grow stronger and continue living.
"Here is your reward."
The old black-robed servant impassively took out a small medicine bottle containing three Second-Grade Condensing Spirit Pills and one Water Spirit Pill.
Seeing the Spirit Pills he had dreamed of right before him, the guard leader couldn't help but reveal a look of delighted surprise. He reached out to take the bottle.
"PFFT!"
However, the very instant his hand touched the bottle, he suddenly felt a cold hand pierce through his chest. He could even hear the sound of his own heart shattering.
"You…"
The guard leader's eyes flew wide open. He managed to utter only one word before his consciousness plunged into endless Darkness. His cold body collapsed to the ground, motionless.
The old black-robed servant took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his hand and sneered, "What a bunch of fools. I did have the Spirit Pill rewards the master left for you, but if all you lowlifes are dead, why would I need to hand them out? Your rewards now belong to me!"
"With my Cultivation, I'm more than capable of protecting the little one. Why would I need a bunch of trash like you?"
"If it weren't for needing an explanation for the master, why would I have gone through the trouble of luring a pack of Cyan Wolves here? Everything is perfect now. If the master asks, you all naturally died under the wolves' attack. What does that have to do with me?"
The old black-robed servant muttered to himself, then kicked the guard leader's corpse, causing it to explode. His head and limbs scattered in every direction.
Faint Spiritual Patterns appeared around his body, shielding him so that not a single drop of blood splattered onto him.
Manifesting Spiritual Power into patterns was a clear sign that one had stepped into the Innate Realm. The old black-robed servant was clearly a formidable Innate Realm Spirit Cultivator.
But just then, his expression suddenly changed. He looked toward where the tent had been and sneered, "Trying to escape? Don't even think about it."
As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve. The tent flew up, shrinking continuously until it became a palm-sized cloth talisman.
The spot where the tent had stood was now completely empty!
As if he had expected this, the old black-robed servant condensed his Spiritual Power into a hand and swiped it in Jiang Jichen's direction.
Jiang Jichen was stunned, staring blankly at the little girl who had suddenly appeared before him.
She was a little girl of about four or five, exquisitely carved like a jade doll. With a pair of expressive, talking eyes, she looked incredibly pure, adorable, and endearing.
'But that wasn't what mattered. The real question was, how had this little girl gotten so high up in the tree?'
Even with his powerful Soul Power, Jiang Jichen had been so focused on the old black-robed servant that he hadn't noticed the little girl's presence. By the time he did, she was already right in front of him.
The little girl's nimble eyes twinkled as she stared at Jiang Jichen.
Neither of them spoke, but the large hand formed from the old black-robed servant's Spiritual Power was already reaching for them.
The little girl just stared intently at Jiang Jichen, seemingly unaware of the large hand behind her.
For some reason, looking into the little girl's eyes—as pure as an azure sky—Jiang Jichen found himself unable to stand by and do nothing.
In that instant, Jiang Jichen finally moved!
He reached out, scooped up the little girl, and threw a punch at the giant hand of Spiritual Power.
"POOF!"
The giant hand of Spiritual Power was meant for grappling, not attacking, so Jiang Jichen easily destroyed it.
"Big Brother, I knew you wouldn't leave Little Yue'Er behind! Hee hee..."
A sweet, childish voice rang out. The little girl cheered and hugged Jiang Jichen's neck tightly as he flew down to another ancient tree. Behind them, the roar of the old black-robed servant echoed.