C13 Fighting Against the Stormblade Wolf

"Excellent!" Xuan Yizhou reveled in the fearful stares from those around him and went on, "In a few days, the deputy leader of the Black Knife Order, the esteemed Lord Black Hawk, will arrive to collect tribute."

Lee Lang, with a hint of anxiety, responded, "I've reviewed the records. Wasn't it just two months ago that the former City Lord paid tribute? How could it be..."

The so-called 'tribute' was a payment of one hundred thousand gold coins that previous City Lords of Heavenly Luo City had been forced to pay annually to the Black Knife Order to avoid invasion.

Since a City Lord three years prior had refused to pay and was subsequently annihilated by the Black Knife Order, subsequent City Lords had chosen to capitulate to ensure their survival.

"Lee Lang, have you gone senile? What the previous City Lord did is in the past. You, as the current City Lord, have yet to show your respect to the Black Knife Order! I'm simply here to give you a friendly reminder to be wise and ensure a proper welcome for the deputy leader," Xuan Yizhou said with a smug undertone.

Lee Lang sighed deeply and said, "Excuse my frankness, Mr. Xuan, but didn't you profess a deep love for the city? Why then have you sided with the Black Knife Order?"

Xuan Yizhou's face twisted in anger as he rebuked him on the spot. "My love is for Heavenly Luo City, not Grimgarth. Even if this city were still named Heavenly Luo City, my love would be for the city itself, not its City Lord! And for your information, I've merely earned the Black Knife Order's favor; I remain a citizen of this city."

Lee Lang was seething internally; he saw Xuan Yizhou as the epitome of a fence-sitter.

"The message has been delivered. If the deputy leader feels your hospitality is lacking, don't say I didn't warn you!" Xuan Yizhou declared, then added under his breath, "The dogs of this Keep's administration are truly disobedient, only knowing how to offer up some gold coins, alas."

Liang Zun was seething with anger, barely containing his desire to confront Xuan Yizhou violently.

Once Xuan Yizhou had departed, Liang Zun followed Lee Lang back to the council chamber, his mood somber. He turned to Lee Lang and asked, "Elder Lee! What are we going to do?"

Lee Lang let out a sigh and said, "You're certainly more aware than I am that the Black Knife Order's strength is more than enough to overwhelm our Keep. Without the Master, we stand no chance against them."

Upon hearing the term "Master," Liang Zun's tension eased, and he relaxed considerably, smiling as he asked, "Do you think our Master will be able to let this slide when he returns?"

"I have faith in the Master's wisdom, and I'm convinced that he will not allow Xuan Yizhou to wreak havoc any longer!" Lee Lang's eyes shone with renewed confidence.

"Absolutely!" Liang Zun chuckled, then became serious again, "However, as a precaution, if something unexpected occurs, I'd ask that you, Elder Lee, take my younger brother and flee with me. I will cover our retreat and wait for the Master's return to seek vengeance!"

...

In the depths of the forest, led by the Stormblade Wolf King, three thousand Stormblade Wolves were closing in on Xing Yun. Another Stormblade Wolf King emerged from the rear of the pack.

"Two Stormblade Wolf Kings?" Ling Ji's brow furrowed slightly.

Stormblade Wolves were slightly more intelligent than Rock Wolves, making it easier for their kings to coexist and benefit from each other.

Without hesitation, Xing Yun released the Greedy Wolf from the Voidlands.

As soon as the Greedy Wolf materialized, its imposing stature intimidated the two Stormblade Wolf Kings, who retreated several steps, eyeing the Greedy Wolf with caution.

The imminent clash between the wolf packs was palpable, and Xing Yun still had over a thousand untamed Rock Wolves whose combat prowess was significantly less than that of the Stormblade Wolf pack.

The Greedy Wolf let out a resounding howl to the sky, and after a moment, the two Stormblade Wolf Kings exchanged a glance and advanced together to face the Greedy Wolf.

It was challenging the two kings, ready to take on both at once.

Perched on a rock, Ling Ji watched with eager anticipation for the Greedy Wolf's first battle since its advancement, thinking to herself,

"Is it your turn to step in?"

She was eager to see whether Xing Yun would be able to handle a second-tier Hellbeast and the three thousand first-tier demonic beasts.

As the two Stormblade Wolves approached within five meters of the Greedy Wolf, it suddenly turned and provocatively wiggled its rear at the two kings.

Ling Ji was left speechless.

It was clear that this had to be an order from Xing Yun; no ordinary Hellbeast would act so brazenly.

As expected, the two Stormblade Wolf Kings were infuriated and lunged simultaneously.

The Greedy Wolf let out an excited howl and sprang into action, its claws clashing with those of its adversaries.

With a thunderous crash, the combined assault of the Stormblade Wolf Kings was thwarted, and they were sent tumbling several yards across the ground, landing in disarray.

The once formidable presence of the Stormblade Wolves diminished considerably, while the Rock Wolves under Xing Yun's command erupted into triumphant howls.

Xing Yun couldn't help but smirk to himself. Defeating the two Stormblade Wolf Kings would ensure the Rock Wolves' submission and possibly bring a portion of the Stormblade Wolves under his control.

The two Stormblade Wolf Kings exchanged incredulous glances, then extended their spiny tongues to lick around their mouths.

Baring their fangs, they charged at the Greedy Wolf, but as they neared their target, they suddenly split and attacked from both sides!

They aimed to exploit their speed to encircle and overpower the Greedy Wolf!

Ling Ji, noticing Xing Yun's reluctance to intervene, felt a pang of disappointment. Her gaze fixed on the Greedy Wolf's blinded left eye, her heart ached with empathy. "Could it be that the Greedy Wolf is destined for another bloody battle?"

The most severe injuries the Greedy Wolf had sustained were to its left shoulder and eye. The scar across its eye was as jarring as a knife wound, and the shoulder injury had yet to fully heal, likely hindering its movements.

On the battlefield, the Greedy Wolf faced off against both kings, enduring their relentless harassment and biding its time to strike.

But they quickly sensed that something was amiss.

The Rock Wolf King's reflexes and speed were on par with theirs!

Despite being outnumbered, the Greedy Wolf managed to hold its ground, avoiding any lethal blows and suffering only minor scratches in the melee.

Soon, the Greedy Wolf's primal instincts were ignited. With a fierce swipe of its claw, it flung the Stormblade Wolf King on the left aside and then lunged at the one on the right.

The Stormblade Wolf King on the right was caught off guard, its right shoulder taking a direct hit. Blood gushed out like a fountain.

In a panic, the two Stormblade Wolf Kings unleashed a light blue breath toward the Rock Wolf King, which rapidly morphed into sharp blades.

This was the Stormblade Wolf King's signature move, the Stormblade Edge!

The wind blades, coming from both sides, left the Greedy Wolf with almost no room to escape!

In a critical moment, the Greedy Wolf let out a furious roar. A faint yellow glow enveloped its body, conjuring an earthen wall that blocked every wind blade!

"Is that the Rock Shield?" Ling Ji exclaimed in astonishment.

The Rock Shield, a skill known to some Earth-type Hellbeasts, was unexpectedly mastered by the Greedy Wolf after its advancement!

Bolstered by Astral Power, the Rock Shield effortlessly withstood the wind blades.

The Rock Shield burst apart, and the Greedy Wolf sprang forth, striking the two Stormblade Wolf Kings with lightning speed, turning the tables on them!

Outnumbered two to one and now facing a counterattack, the Stormblade Wolf Kings were overcome with fear and began to howl desperately.

Hearing their king's call, the distant Stormblade Wolf pack charged towards Xing Yun's position.

The Greedy Wolf also let out a rallying howl, prompting all the Rock Wolves to join the fray.

Xing Yun's forces, comprising only two hundred Stormblade Wolves and approximately two thousand five hundred Rock Wolves, were at a numerical disadvantage.

Yet, while the Stormblade Wolves might have the upper hand in one-on-one combat, the Rock Wolves' superior strength and defense became apparent in the melee, leaving little room for evasion.

The two wolf packs clashed fiercely.

Amidst the chaos, Xing Yun stood motionless at the heart of the Rock Wolves, his expression as somber as the deep sea.

Ling Ji was frustrated by this. She believed that a true leader should intervene to minimize the casualties of their troops.

But she failed to grasp the depth of Xing Yun's pride and the strategy behind his apparent inaction.

Only through the crucible of battle could one emerge as a formidable Hellbeast in the Voidlands.

In the midst of a fierce battle, a mournful howl suddenly pierced the dense forest.

A Stormblade Wolf King had been fatally stabbed in the heart by the Greedy Wolf!

The Greedy Wolf repeated its tactic, swiftly extending its claws for a surprise attack on the Rock Wolf King!

The Stormblade Wolf King fell to the ground with a pitiful cry, its throat slashed open by the Greedy Wolf's claw, dying instantly.

The other Stormblade Wolf King, realizing the dire situation, attempted to flee, but the Greedy Wolf's speed matched its own, despite its injuries.

The Greedy Wolf's massive body lunged, pinning it down, and then clamped onto its throat.

"Wu..."

The Stormblade Wolf King, its vital point compromised, struggled desperately but to no avail. Its strength was insignificant compared to the Greedy Wolf, like a child against an adult.

Xing Yun immediately blew a whistle, emitting a wolf howl in the language of the beasts.

All the Stormblade and Rock Wolves halted, turning their attention to the center of the battlefield.

In an instant, the Stormblade Wolves' morale plummeted, and they scattered in retreat.

"Now's our chance!"

Xing Yun quickly commanded the Rock Wolves to pursue, while he approached the Greedy Wolf and delivered a punch to the Stormblade Wolf King's forehead.

Enraged, the Stormblade Wolf King fought back, spewing a Wind Wolf Blade at Xing Yun, who skillfully evaded it with Phantom Step.

The Greedy Wolf, seeing the Stormblade Wolf King's defiance, plunged its claw into the monarch's chest.

The Stormblade Wolf King, immobilized by fear, was rendered unconscious by Xing Yun's flurry of punches.

Then, Xing Yun began the incantation of the Beast Tactic to tame the beast.

"With my power, command all beasts! Join me in battle, and together we shall forge endless fortunes!"

As the incantation was completed, Astral Power surged wildly into the creature. The Stormblade Wolf King shook violently, struggling within its unconscious state.

But it was no match for the Greedy Wolf's firm grip. Overwhelmed by the torrent of Astral Power, it was finally subdued, transforming into a blue light that entered the Voidlands.

Xing Yun immediately released the Stormblade Wolf King, commanding it to howl and signal the fleeing Stormblade Wolves to halt.

Simultaneously, the Greedy Wolf also let out a commanding howl, directing the Rock Wolves to take control of the surrendering Stormblade Wolves.

"A good number have escaped," Xing Yun remarked with a shake of his head, observing the many Stormblade Wolves now subdued by the Rock Wolf pack.

Out of the original three thousand, only a thousand remained, but even this number was enough to exhaust Xing Yun.

Currently at the Profound Vein Realm, he was not yet capable of subduing Hellbeasts en masse. He had to tame them individually, a time-consuming and laborious process.

The forest began to echo with a chorus of wolf howls...

In the dim Rock Wolf cave, Xing Yun ensured there was no danger before sitting down and illuminating the space with a Night-Luminescent Pearl.

He had spent the better part of the day taming two thousand Rock Wolves and one thousand Stormblade Wolves.

Including his original forces, Xing Yun now commanded a formidable legion of 2600 Rock Wolves and 1200 Stormblade Wolves, totaling 3800 Hellbeast subordinates!

He had dispatched the majority of his wolf packs, led by the Greedy Wolf and the Stormblade Wolf King, to forage for herbs and gather intelligence from the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, Ling Ji watched Xing Yun from the Voidlands, her gaze fixed on him as if he were an oddity.

Xing Yun had indeed amassed a vast number of followers, all unwaveringly loyal, without a hint of rebellion!

Such a feat was unheard of in the Empyrean!