The members of the Tiemu Mercenary Group were stunned. They had never imagined that Ye Han would have the courage to charge directly at the Wolf King!
"Brother Ye, fall back, quickly!" Tiemu, coming back to his senses, roared at Ye Han's back, his face drained of color.
But at that moment, Ye Han was already landing lightly on the wolf’s head, his figure moving with lethal agility.
*Awoooo!*
The surrounding pack of wolves bared their claws and lunged at him.
"You're courting death!"
Ye Han let out a cold snort. Golden spiritual energy surged over his arms, making them look as if they had been cast from pure gold. He didn’t bother to dodge; he simply clenched his fingers into fists and struck out.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Eight Iron-Back Wolves, all at the Eighth Layer of the Spirit Spring Realm, were blasted into mists of blood by Ye Han’s fists!
"This..."
Behind him, Tiemu and his men stared with wide eyes, gulping hard. A full eight Iron-Back Wolves had been slaughtered by Ye Han in a single blow! They drew a deep breath, finally realizing that they might have underestimated this new member.
*Swish, swish, swish—*
A blur of afterimages flickered as Ye Han landed on a giant boulder in the blink of an eye.
*Roar!*
A howl erupted, shaking the leaves from the surrounding trees. The Iron-Back Wolf King was clearly enraged. It stood up, reaching two meters in height, and bared its claws—claws that were as sharp as high-grade spiritual weapons!
"Great Sun Burning Heaven Palm!"
Ye Han shouted inwardly, launching a finishing move the moment he attacked. With a hum, his palm glowed with brilliant golden light, resembling a rising sun. Under the shocked gazes of Tiemu and the others, his hand collided with the Wolf King’s claws.
*Boom!*
*Awoooo—*
Flames exploded, and the terrifying shockwave of spiritual energy formed a gust of wind that rippled outward, splitting the rocks. A moment later, a mournful howl rang out; the massive shadow tumbled off the boulder and died on the spot. Its chest bore a charred, blackened palm print.
*Hiss—*
"The... the Wolf King has been killed by Brother Ye!"
Tiemu and his men stood with eyes wide, gasping in unison. They were completely shaken by the scene, their hearts filled with terror and their eyes wide with disbelief. This Peak Spirit Spring Realm Wolf King had been killed in a single strike!
*Awoooo, awoooo—*
With the Wolf King dead, the remaining wolves were terrified. Not daring to linger, they let out whimpers and turned to flee. Within moments, the area was empty, save for the corpse of the Wolf King and dozens of bloodied Iron-Back Wolves strewn across the ground.
*Swish!*
"Brother Tiemu, are you all right?" Ye Han shot over and brushed off his robes.
Tiemu was still lost in shock and didn't respond for a long time. Finally, he managed to say, "I... I'm fine!"
He took a deep breath, looked at Ye Han with newfound respect, and then laughed heartily. "I misjudged you! I never expected Brother Ye to be so capable of hiding his true strength!"
Behind Tiemu, the rest of the men looked at Ye Han with deep admiration.
***
After the intense battle, the surrounding shrubs were a ruin. Not far away, bloodied, mangled wolf carcasses lay scattered everywhere. Seeing that the area had finally quieted down, Tiemu let out a long sigh of relief. He hadn't expected their mercenary group to survive being surrounded by such a massive pack of Iron-Back Wolves; they were truly lucky to be alive.
The members of the Tiemu Mercenary Group hobbled toward each other, their gazes filled with gratitude as they looked at Ye Han. If not for Ye Han killing the Wolf King and cowing the pack, they would have likely been wiped out. Tiemu felt a surge of secret relief that he had recruited Ye Han.
"Brother Ye, words cannot express our gratitude." Tiemu was so moved he nearly dropped to one knee.
"Brother Tiemu, please, get up." Ye Han hurriedly helped him up. He knew Tiemu was a man of principle who valued his brothers’ lives more than his own.
"That's right, Brother Ye. This time we owe everything to you; otherwise, our group would have been buried here. I never expected someone as young as you to have such hidden depth. It's a good thing that Lu Qingshan was blind, or we wouldn't have gained such an ally." Tie Wu clutched the wound on his arm, forcing a grim, pained smile.
Seeing the gory wound on Tie Wu’s arm, Ye Han said to the group, "Everyone, let’s rest for a moment and tend to your injuries."
"Right!"
They sat on the ground and set their weapons aside. Aside from Ye Han, a bald youth named Tie Zhu was the only one who wasn't injured, and he skillfully took bandages from his bag to dress Tie Wu’s wound.
Ye Han pondered for a moment, then pulled a bottle of pills from his robe and handed it to Tiemu.
"This is..." Tiemu looked puzzled, but when he opened the bottle, a rich, medicinal fragrance wafted out, causing him to inhale sharply. "High-grade spiritual pills?!"
"These are Third-Grade Fuming Purple Spirit Pills. Swallow them to speed up your recovery." Ye Han explained with a smile.
"Brother Ye, we can't accept this! Such rare pills aren't for rough men like us." Tiemu waved his hands repeatedly, trying to shove the bottle back. "These are Third-Grade pills! The value of a single one is worth more than hunting a Spirit Sea Realm monster."
Tie Lan also refused to take them, shaking her head.
"It’s no trouble. I have as many of these as I need. Please, help yourselves." Ye Han shoved the bottle back into Tiemu’s hand and laughed.
"This..."
Hearing this, Tiemu and his men were secretly stunned. Such a valuable, high-grade item was considered worthless in Ye Han’s eyes. They couldn't help but wonder if the faction behind Ye Han was truly formidable.
*Could it be the Ye Family...* Tiemu’s heart stirred with speculation.
"Alright, then! I am eternally grateful, Brother!" Tiemu cupped his hands in thanks. No longer standing on ceremony, he poured out several pills, distributed them to his men, and swallowed one himself. A warm sensation flooded his stomach, and Tiemu sat cross-legged, circulating his cultivation technique.
Nearby, Tie Zhu stacked the slaughtered Iron-Back Wolves and began skillfully harvesting their beast bones and spirit essences. Ye Han stood a short distance away; the scent of blood was too strong, and he feared it might attract other powerful beasts. Although a few were prowling nearby, they sensed the formidable Mid Spirit Sea Realm aura radiating from Ye Han and dared not approach.
Half an hour later, Tiemu and his group opened their eyes and exhaled a cloud of murky air.
"Brother Ye, thank you for the spirit pills! My wounds are almost completely healed." Tiemu stood up and stretched, his bones cracking. Not only were his wounds healed, but his spiritual energy felt even more robust.
"Thanks to Brother Ye's generosity, these high-grade pills are truly miraculous." Before long, Tie Wu and Tie Lan also finished. Tie Wu was particularly amazed; the flesh on his arm had been torn away by the wolves, but now it was as good as new, save for a few faint scars.
The members of the Tiemu Mercenary Group felt even more gratitude toward Ye Han. After all, not everyone would be willing to give such precious pills to people like them.
"Big Brother, I’ve processed the wolves. I retrieved twenty-five beast bones and spirit essences in total. It’s a pity that some of them were blasted into blood mist and their essences were destroyed." Tie Zhu walked over and handed everything to Tiemu.
"Even if we almost died, this harvest was worth it!" The men were so excited they were trembling. Usually, they considered a trip successful if they managed to bag just a few beasts. This time, they had dozens! And among them was a Peak Spirit Spring Realm Iron-Back Wolf King!
"Brother Ye, you killed the Wolf King single-handedly. Its spirit essence belongs to you." Tiemu generously handed a dark orb to Ye Han. Beside him, the others watched with fiery eyes, yet they didn't protest.
"Brother Tiemu, you keep it. We’ve only just entered the Spirit Beast Valley; there might be even bigger rewards later." Ye Han waved it off dismissively.
"Well... alright then." Tiemu put the Wolf King’s essence away. After a brief rest, the group set off again.
***
Deep in the northern part of the Spirit Beast Valley, the terrain was rugged and filled with ravines. At the bottom of one deep ravine, a dark cave mouth was vaguely visible, from which a cold, black wind whistled incessantly.
Deep within that darkness, a massive shadow moved slowly. Suddenly, two cold red glints shot out from the gloom like eerie pupils.
"Dammit! I never imagined that Human-Faced Demon Spider would be so strong. Even our Soul-Piercing Arrows had no effect on it!"
High above, several figures leaped onto the rocks, looking battered and bruised as they cursed in anger. These men were members of the Lone Wolf Mercenary Group. Their faces were ashen, their teeth clenched, and they were carrying several injured comrades.
Lu Qingshan looked down from the high ground at the dark cave entrance, his face liver-colored with rage. He slammed a palm onto the rock wall, leaving a deep print. They had discovered the monster—a Human-Faced Demon Spider—in that secret cavern, but they had underestimated its strength and were nearly wiped out.
"I have a plan. We can deal with that Human-Faced Demon Spider without losing a single man." Lu Xue’s eyes flickered as she gave a cold smile.
"Oh? What is it?" Lu Qingshan and the others frowned. The spider was ferocious; how could they possibly subdue it without casualties?
Lu Xue smoothed her black hair and squinted. "Why not spread the news about the Human-Faced Demon Spider? Other mercenary groups will come to deal with it. We just need to wait for them to weaken each other, then step in to finish off the spider."
Hearing this, Lu Qingshan and the others looked surprised and delighted.
"Sister Xue is as clever as ever. We never thought of that." Lu Qingshan laughed grimly. It was a brilliant plan.
***
In the vast mountain range, mist steamed upward, as if draped in a thin veil. In the dense, primeval forest, many mercenary groups were busy hunting. In the core of the Spirit Beast Valley, a group was currently heading toward a ravine.
This was the Black Wind Mercenary Group, easily one of the top five in all of Yancheng. They had received word that a Spirit Sea Realm monster had appeared in the depths of the valley. For any mercenary group, a Spirit Sea Realm monster was an irresistible temptation.
On the rugged mountain path, the eight members of the Black Wind Mercenary Group stopped on a rock.
"Brother Chen, the ravine in the rumor is down there. They say that Human-Faced Demon Spider is hiding in a secret cavern." A lean, monkey-like youth hopped down from an ancient tree and pointed toward the ravine in the distance.
Leading the eight was a handsome man in blue robes, his eyes deep and intense. He carried a sword and possessed a steady, calm demeanor. This was Chen Ye, the leader of the Black Wind Mercenary Group.
Hearing the words "Spirit Sea Realm monster," Chen Ye’s eyebrows lifted, and a look of unrestrained fervor filled his eyes.
A graceful woman in black stepped forward, her face full of concern. "I heard that several groups have already stormed the cavern in the last few hours, but none have returned."
"That's right. I heard one group was wiped out entirely. Brother Chen, we must be very careful." Another member nodded solemnly.
Chen Ye looked down at the ravine, the corners of his mouth curling upward. He clenched his fist. "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cubs? This is the perfect chance for the Black Wind Mercenary Group to make a name for ourselves. If we can slay this beast, even groups like the Lone Wolf Mercenary Group will be forced to bow before our reputation."
With that, Chen Ye leaped off the rock and signaled his team. "Let’s move!"
Before long, the eight figures were dashing toward the ravine like leopards.
"Heh, Captain, another group has arrived." High on a rock, a youth bit into a fruit, spat it out, and spoke excitedly to Lu Qingshan.
Lu Qingshan stood with his hands behind his back, the green ribbon on his waist fluttering in the wind. He sneered, "The Black Wind Mercenary Group. Chen Ye is no weakling, but he isn't enough to handle that Human-Faced Demon Spider."
Lu Xue walked over and said, "Captain, they’re the fifth group to go in. No matter how strong the spider is, it must be severely weakened after five rounds of fighting. It’s almost time for us to strike."
"No rush. Let’s wait for one more group. We don't need to close the net just yet." Lu Qingshan said calmly.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Moments later, loud explosions erupted from the cave below.
"Heh, they’re fighting." The members of the Lone Wolf Mercenary Group smirked, their plan working perfectly.
Half an hour later, several figures, bloodied and disheveled, scrambled out of the cave.
"Hurry! Retreat!" Chen Ye roared, clutching his severed arm, his body covered in blood.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
"Damn it!" The other members of the Black Wind group were also dead or injured; only five of the eight managed to flee.
Watching from above, Lu Qingshan sneered, a strange smile touching his lips. He watched the battered survivors retreat.
"Chen Ye is so heavily injured; he must have fought for his life. That spider must be in a bad way now, too." Lu Qingshan narrowed his eyes, laughing mockingly to himself.
They continued to wait, but another half-hour passed without another group entering. This left the members of the Lone Wolf Mercenary Group puzzled.
"I think this method might not work anymore. If word gets out that the Black Wind Mercenary Group was so badly mauled, others will weigh their own strength and decide it’s not worth the risk," Lu Xue said, her brow furrowed.
"In that case, let's close the net. The spider should be severely weakened, and this is the best time for us to strike." Lu Qingshan nodded and prepared to lead his men toward the ravine.
Unexpectedly, another group appeared in their line of sight.
"Boss, it's the Tiemu Mercenary Group!" one of the men exclaimed, both shocked and delighted.
Lu Qingshan’s eyes narrowed as he looked down and saw Ye Han and Tiemu heading into the ravine. A sinister, barely perceptible smile crept onto his face.
"Tiemu... so you’ve finally arrived."
The sinister smile was tinged with a faint, murderous intent. Of all the groups, none had a deeper grudge against the Lone Wolf Mercenary Group than Tiemu’s.
"Heh, heh, heh. Tiemu, I told you—there’s no good ending for those who cross the Lone Wolf Mercenary Group." Lu Qingshan’s knuckles cracked. He almost wanted the Tiemu group to be completely wiped out.
"Captain, I have a plan to make their losses even greater, maybe even lead to their total destruction," Lu Xue suggested.
"Tell me." Lu Qingshan looked at her.
Lu Xue smiled charmingly and gestured toward a massive grey boulder near the cave entrance. "Once they enter the cavern, we can use that boulder to seal the entrance."
*Hiss—*
Hearing this, the rest of the Lone Wolf members shivered. It was a vicious plan! Once the entrance was sealed, the Tiemu Mercenary Group would have nowhere to retreat—they would be sitting ducks.
"Tiemu, you walked right into our trap!" Lu Qingshan laughed, filled with smug satisfaction.
***
"Captain, we're almost there." Tie Wu led the way with his blade, pointing to the ravine ahead.
Ye Han looked up and observed the surroundings. He realized they were in a natural pit, dark and enclosed. Because his soul power was exceptionally strong, his perception was sharper than others. He frowned, sensing that someone was watching them.
"Brother Ye, what's wrong?" Seeing Ye Han’s frown, Tiemu walked over, puzzled.
Ye Han looked up, scanning the high ground, but Lu Qingshan’s position was too well hidden for him to spot them. After a long moment, he shook his head and said, "It’s nothing. Let’s go down."
The group descended along the rugged, rocky path. Before long, they arrived at the dark, eerie cavern.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—*
A cold, damp wind whistled from within.