C7 Struck by the Beast

The two sentries at Red Maple Stronghold had barely snapped out of their daze when they frantically struck the alarm bell, not daring to delay for even a moment.

Inside the stronghold, members were feasting on meat and swigging wine when the alarm suddenly pierced the air. A middle-aged man, tipsy and befuddled, broke into a goofy grin and slurred, "Uh, am I that drunk? Did I just hear the enemy attack bell?"

"Hahaha, guess I'm plastered too, 'cause I heard it as well..." he chuckled.

Before the two half-sober men could say another word, a bald, one-eyed man lashed out with a swift kick.

Thud! Thud! The pair were sent tumbling several meters, crashing to the ground with a thud.

"Get up, all of you! Red Maple Stronghold is under attack. Everyone to your posts!" the bald man bellowed, his energy aura flaring up.

The crowd, feeling the surge of his power, scrambled to their feet in alarm. Even the two men who had been kicked were jolted into sobriety by his command.

Everyone present was incredulous, yet none dared to slack off. Red Maple Stronghold had stood unchallenged for over two decades, and now, the alarm bell had sounded.

Nearly a hundred members charged out, only to be met with a resounding boom. Two of their comrades were hurled back through the shattered gates, lifeless upon the ground.

At the sight of the two bodies, Yu Hu and the others were struck dumb with shock.

"Who dares to intrude upon Red Maple Stronghold? They're asking for death!" Yu Hu's fury erupted, but in that moment, an immense shadow leaped into view.

The colossal beast stood its ground, fixing the stronghold's defenders with a furious glare and unleashing a wrathful howl.

Yu Hu and the rest of Red Maple Stronghold froze, staring in disbelief at the creature before them.

"How can it be! A blood-furred wolf here, at Red Maple Stronghold!"

"Why has the blood-furred wolf come to us?"

"It's rumored that the blood-furred wolf is a late-stage Blessed demonic beast! We stand no chance against it!"

The sight of the massive creature before them, the blood-furred wolf, drained the color from the faces of the Red Maple Stronghold's people.

In that moment, Yu Hu's eyes narrowed, his attention riveted on the blood-furred wolf.

Noticing the wolf's numerous wounds and its limping gait, a wild fervor took hold of Yu Hu's expression.

"Fear not. The blood-furred wolf bears grave injuries. Together, we can slay it!"

Amidst the pervasive terror, Yu Hu's command thundered forth.

Members of the Red Maple Stronghold lifted their heads, their eyes locking onto the blood-furred wolf ahead.

The sight of the beast's battered form drew out grim smiles; weapons were drawn in anticipation of the assault.

Yu Hu, however, stood a short distance away, calmly observing, with no intention of intervening.

More lucid than the rest, Yu Hu understood the gravity of the situation. Despite the wolf's severe injuries, it remained a formidable late-stage Blessed demonic beast.

Yu Hu, a middle-stage Blessed himself, knew that engaging the wolf now would be futile.

A cornered beast's fight is perilously unpredictable, and a blood-furred wolf pushed to the brink would become wildly ferocious.

Nevertheless, upon Yu Hu's command, the nearly hundred-strong force of the Red Maple Stronghold launched their attack on the blood-furred wolf.

Enraged, the wolf lashed out. It had been severely wounded by a youth earlier and was seething with pent-up fury.

It was inconceivable to the wolf that these frail humans would dare challenge its might!

With a series of thunderous crashes, the wolf's tail swept across, its claws struck out, and its fangs ripped through flesh. Red Maple Stronghold's warriors were flung aside.

Some were struck by the wolf's tail, coughing up blood where they fell.

Others suffered broken limbs from the vicious swipe of its claws.

And a few unfortunate souls met their end between the crushing jaws of the beast.

Piercing screams suddenly filled the air as the blood-furred wolf knocked down the Foundation Stage cultivators, leaving them sprawled helplessly on the ground.

In under two minutes, over thirty members of the Red Maple Stronghold lay motionless.

Witnessing the carnage, Yu Hu could contain himself no longer. If he didn't act now, the stronghold stood on the brink of annihilation at the paws of the blood-furred wolf.

With an enraged shout, Yu Hu's energy surged, infusing his sword with a golden glow.

He charged at the blood-furred wolf, his sword cleaving through the air towards the beast.

The wolf spun, its claw meeting the sword in a clash that sent a metallic resonance echoing around them.

The force sent Yu Hu reeling back more than ten meters, his sword hand tingling from the impact.

His face twisted with ferocity, Yu Hu hadn't anticipated the grievously wounded blood-furred wolf to still possess such formidable power.

But retreat was not an option. If he didn't slay the blood-furred wolf today, the Red Maple Stronghold would surely fall.

Gripping his sword, Yu Hu joined the others in a renewed assault on the beast.

The battle raged for less than five minutes before a dull thud signaled a figure being hurled through the air.

Yu Hu hit the ground nearby, crouching and coughing up blood, his complexion ashen.

The fight had made it clear: even in its weakened state, the blood-furred wolf was beyond his match.

"Kid, this is Red Maple Stronghold. If you value your life, beat it!"

Just then, the furious bellow of the stronghold's guards echoed from outside.

Yu Hu's face contorted with rage upon hearing the shout.

Under normal circumstances, no one would dare target the Red Maple Stronghold.

Could it be that rivals from other strongholds were looking to loot amidst the chaos?