C30 Ironback Blue Wolf

The Ironback Gray Wolf, notorious for being one of the most formidable creatures among the Origin Beasts, boasted impressive explosive power, swift speed, and an exceptionally robust defense. These traits had earned it a fearsome reputation. Typically, only Cultivators at the Primer level stood a chance of defeating one, though the likelihood of actually killing it was exceedingly slim.

Time flew, and within a quarter of an hour, the young woman re-entered, pushing the door open.

"Your Excellency, we are all set. Please follow me."

Following the woman out of the room, they descended underground, just as before. Whether by chance or design, the animal fighting ring had assigned him to the same Challenge Ground, number three.

Navigating the narrow corridor, Ye Xiao once again took his place on the Challenge Platform, still opting to forego any weapons or armor.

Ye Xiao's physique was not particularly imposing, and despite the fierce mask adorning his face, his simple green attire and lack of weaponry did little to inspire confidence among the spectators.

A handful of onlookers recalled the Masked Man's previous victory over the fox bear, yet the dossier on his current adversary, the Ironback Gray Wolf, left few with much hope for his success. Boos filled the air, unbidden.

Unruffled, Ye Xiao's mind was a still pond, undisturbed by the jeers that surrounded him. He stood in calm anticipation of the Ironback Gray Wolf's entrance.

The opposite iron gate swung open, and like a bolt of lightning, a gray silhouette burst forth, lunging at Ye Xiao.

The shadow moved with blinding speed, its abrupt assault catching Ye Xiao off guard. In a split-second reaction, his palm sliced through the air, meeting the oncoming gray mass with a surge of potent Essence.

After a brief standoff, both combatants withdrew slightly. Ye Xiao's keen gaze fell upon the two-meter-long colossal wolf, its teeth bared menacingly at him. Clearly, his palm strike had inflicted no harm.

Without giving the behemoth a chance to react, Ye Xiao sprang into action. His feet skimmed the ground, and he propelled himself toward the wolf with the agility of a primate. Essence swirled around his clenched fist, a hint of lethal intent in his strike, as he bore down on the massive creature.

Sensing the deadly momentum, the wolf felt the threat of the powerful Essence. It recoiled, issuing a piercing howl before dodging to the side. Its enormous claws, gleaming with a chilling light, swept toward Ye Xiao's incoming fist.

With a resounding crash, the impact sent both figures stumbling backward uncontrollably.

Ye Xiao staggered five or six steps before steadying himself on the balls of his feet. The massive wolf, too, rolled and righted itself, ready to pounce again.

Ye Xiao's hand bore several gashes from the wolf's razor-sharp claws—a testament to his resilience. His powerful, yet concealed, vitality provided significant protection. Had it not, those wounds would have been more than mere scratches.

In the head-on clash, it was clear the giant wolf had taken the brunt of the damage. Its vitality paled in comparison to Ye Xiao's, and though it didn't bleed, the wolf seemed disoriented, as if its very insides had been shaken.

The wolf's blood-red eyes glared at Ye Xiao with a violent fury, fully aware that a single misstep could lead to its demise at the hands of the formidable opponent before it.

Atop the animal fighting ring, Xue Yaner, who had been closely following the match, couldn't help but gasp upon seeing Ye Xiao wounded.

"Grandfather Tong, surely Yama isn't outmatched by the giant wolf, is he?" Xue Yaner inquired, her concern evident.

Despite her experience with countless battles, including those of life and death, Xue Yaner found herself unusually anxious about this particular fight.

Old Man Tong gave Xue Yaner a curious glance before reassuring her, "Rest easy, Miss. Though he may be slower than the giant wolf, his vitality is far more potent. He's unlikely to lose. And even in the unlikely event of defeat, his life is not at risk. His only real disadvantage is the lack of a weapon."

Xue Yaner patted her ample chest, relieved, and murmured, "The fool, why doesn't he arm himself?"

Several more rounds of combat ensued. Despite Ye Xiao's superior vitality, the giant wolf's greater speed put him at a disadvantage.

As the giant wolf lunged at him with renewed ferocity, Ye Xiao's eyes flashed coldly. He charged headlong into the fray, their forms intertwining. The wolf's claws raked across Ye Xiao's arm, causing intense pain, but the maneuver also drastically reduced the beast's momentum.

Ye Xiao paid no mind to the wounds on his arm, clenching his teeth as he summoned all his energy, focusing it into his other fist. The giant wolf was caught off guard, unable to dodge the ferocious punch that carried a massive surge of energy, striking its back with a thunderous impact.

"Boom!" The sound echoed as Ye Xiao's full-powered blow tore open a fissure in the Ironback Blue Wolf's back, as tough as metal, causing blood to gush forth.

The wolf howled in pain, its roar filled with fury.

Atop the animal fighting ring, Xue Yaner gasped at the sight of the brutal exchange of blows.

Old Man Tong, standing beside her, nodded in approval. "Impressive, very impressive indeed!"

Xue Yaner shot Old Man Tong a disapproving look. "How can you say that when it's come to this? Shouldn't we put an end to the match?" She couldn't hide her concern for Ye Xiao's battered arm.

Wang Han felt helpless; the rules of the animal fighting ring were clear—unless there was a surrender, the fight would not be stopped.

Old Man Tong chuckled. "My dear Miss, you may not realize, but while the lad has taken a hit, it's merely a flesh wound. It's not overly dangerous. However, that Ironback Blue Wolf has taken a serious blow. Its speed will be greatly reduced. This trade-off of injuries is actually quite advantageous for the lad. Without it, the wolf could have used its speed to wear him down. Now that it's lost its agility, and its energy pales in comparison to the lad's, victory is nearly in his grasp."

"Brave boy, to be so harsh on himself, he's quite the character!" Old Man Tong couldn't help but praise Ye Xiao again, watching him intently in the Challenge Ground.

Xue Yaner gave Old Man Tong a puzzled look. Although he had always been courteous around her, his discerning eye was exceptional, and today he was full of praise for Ye Xiao, prompting her to purse her lips in mild annoyance.

The battle unfolded just as Old Man Tong had predicted. The giant wolf, now critically injured and slowed, was steadily overpowered by Ye Xiao's immense vitality, as he steadily steered towards victory.

In the end, the wolf failed to evade and was struck once more by Ye Xiao's punishing fist to its back. Blood sprayed as the wolf let out a pained howl, collapsing to the ground, struggling briefly before it lay still, unable to rise again.

Ye Xiao swiftly wrapped his arm with his clothing before turning to leave the Challenge Platform.

The battle, fraught with tension and tumultuous turns, left the previously dismissive audience utterly astonished. No one had anticipated such an outcome.

A few moments later, the stands erupted with thunderous applause and cheers as the spectators shook off their disbelief.

Escorted by the woman, Ye Xiao made his way back to the animal fighting ring. After a brief pause inside the building, Steward Wang Han entered, extending a beast skin pouch to Ye Xiao. "Your Excellency's skill is commendable. Here are your twenty azurites as a reward."

He then produced a jade box from within his robes. Inside, a white pill shrouded in a misty vapor caught the eye. "Your Excellency, this is a healing pill prepared by our animal fighting ring for you, a second-grade Ice Profound Pill."

With that, he handed the jade box to Ye Xiao.