C9 Blossoming Black Lotus

Spectators watched in horror as Zhang Hao and the blood-furred wolf became entangled in a vicious brawl.

For half an hour, the blood-furred wolf was battered until it coughed up blood, while Zhang Hao was left with over a dozen gashes.

Whether it was Yu Hu or the onlookers from Red Maple Stronghold, all were too petrified to even breathe.

The sight was overwhelmingly shocking: a black-haired youth battling the blood-furred wolf with his bare hands.

Post-battle, the room was in shambles—furniture shattered, walls crumbled, leaving cracks spiderwebbing in every direction.

The entire building teetered precariously, threatening to collapse at any moment, yet Yu Hu and the rest remained steadfast by the door.

A resounding boom echoed as the blood-furred wolf's sweeping tail sent Zhang Hao hurtling through the air.

The bloodied wolf, having flung Zhang Hao aside, bolted for the door.

Yu Hu and the others tensed up, breaths caught in their throats, as the wolf charged them, its furious howls sending chills down their spines, some even contemplating flight.

Had Yu Hu not been standing firm, the crowd might have already scattered in terror.

Even Yu Hu felt a surge of panic, gripping the broken hilt of his sword, fully aware of its futility against the beast.

With a roar, Yu Hu charged, his broken blade arcing towards the blood-furred wolf.

The wolf countered, swiping its massive paw at Yu Hu.

Another thunderous crash, and Yu Hu was sent reeling backward, only to be caught by his comrades from Red Maple Stronghold, saving him from being thrown outside.

Yu Hu, barely caught, winced at the searing pain in his chest where the wolf's claws had torn through, leaving deep lacerations.

No time for thought, he scrambled to his feet, only to see the blood-furred wolf lunging at him again.

Its jaws wide, aiming for Yu Hu's head, the stench of death filled the air.

But before its teeth could clamp down, the colossal blood-furred wolf was seized by its tail and spun through the air.

Upon witnessing the blood-furred wolf being dragged away, Yu Hu finally let out a sigh of relief, grateful to have dodged a bullet.

Had it not been for Zhang Hao seizing the wolf's tail and yanking it back, Yu Hu would have undoubtedly met his demise.

Zhang Hao caught the tail of the blood-furred wolf, twirling it through the air several times before it crashed to the ground with a thunderous thud.

The wolf, slammed to the earth, was still reeling when Zhang Hao leaped on top of it, pinning its head down with a single hand.

Feeling the imminent threat, the wolf pinned to the ground let out a piercing howl, its body writhing in a desperate attempt to escape.

But Zhang Hao was relentless, his left hand securing the wolf as his right fist hammered down on its skull.

Boom after boom, the ground beneath them gave way, forming a small crater.

A cloud of dust billowed up, and within it, the sound of heavy blows echoed for nearly five minutes, the number of punches to the wolf's head unknown.

Then, a faint, lingering howl signaled the end, followed by silence.

The swirling dust obscured the view, leaving Yu Hu and the onlookers from Red Maple Stronghold holding their breath in anticipation.

Eventually, the dust settled, revealing the scene in the crater and leaving everyone aghast.

The massive blood-furred wolf lay lifeless in the pit.

The black-haired youth, despite being marred with wounds, sat cross-legged on the ground, his body radiating a dark aura.

"Boss Hu, what's our move? Should we strike while he's down and finish him off?"

The black-haired youth, having slain the blood-furred wolf, sat there seemingly tending to his injuries.

His body was riddled with deep cuts, suggesting severe harm. This might be their chance to take him out.

If they succeeded, the carcass of the blood-furred wolf would be theirs for the taking.

The carcass of the blood-furred wolf was a treasure beyond compare.

Its horn, claws, and bones could be forged into formidable weapons, while its hide was perfect for crafting leather armor.

Above all, the beast core of the blood-furred wolf brimmed with immense energy. Should Yu Hu assimilate it, he might just advance to the Blessed Late Period.

A flicker of greed shone in Yu Hu's eyes, but it vanished swiftly, replaced by a stern voice.

"Everyone from Red Maple Stronghold, gather outside!"

With that command, Yu Hu took the lead, exiting first. The rest, upon hearing his directive, dared not linger.

Yu Hu had wavered briefly before, ultimately choosing not to succumb to avarice, given the enigmatic nature of the black-haired youth's identity.

A mere ten-year-old, yet capable of slaying the blood-furred wolf, clearly indicated his extraordinary cultivation level.

Such a prodigious young man must have a powerful backing.

Yu Hu, a renowned powerhouse near Conriston, wouldn't risk crossing paths with the enigmatic black-haired youth.

He was acutely aware that mishandling the situation could spell his demise.

Moreover, it was this youth who had rescued him; without that intervention, Yu Hu would have met his end in the jaws of the blood-furred wolf.

Meanwhile, seated in meditation, Zhang Hao experienced a transformation within his dantian.

The lotus seed there, already fissured, now teemed with cracks, ready to burst at any moment.

Roots sprouted from the seed, swiftly extending throughout his body, drawing upon Zhang Hao's blood.

The roots intertwined with Zhang Hao's flesh, becoming one with him in a bizarre fusion.

An eerie occurrence unfolded—if Yu Hu and the others had stayed, they might have witnessed the black-haired youth's wounds healing at an astonishing rate visible to the naked eye.

Crack, crack, the crisp sounds echoed.

The lotus seed in Zhang Hao's dantian radiated a dark glow as it fragmented.

A black lotus emerged, its petals unfurling slowly, blossoming into a sinister and mesmerizing bloom.