The cave shuddered, dust cascading from the ceiling, but Shen Yue's uncle, still weakened from his wounds, failed to notice the subtle rustle of leaves outside. A bone-chilling howl pierced the forest's silence, freezing the air.
Shen Yue and his uncle froze, their breaths catching. The sound wasn't from any ordinary beast—it was the unmistakable cry of a Raging Wind Wolf, a predator so feared that even seasoned cultivators trembled at its name. Shen Yue's mind raced, recalling passages from the books he'd devoured. *Raging Wind Wolves… rare as a miracle. Surviving one? Near impossible.* His hand instinctively gripped his sword's hilt, the cold metal grounding him.
Something felt wrong. The texts had been clear: these wolves hunted in packs, often six or more. Yet, in the misty dawn light filtering through the cave's entrance, only three stood before them. The largest, its fur silver-gray, loomed in the center, flanked by two others—one noticeably smaller, almost a pup. *Why so few?* Shen Yue's pulse quickened, unease coiling in his gut.
His Hyper Sense skill tingled, a faint hum in his ears. He turned, heart lurching as he saw his uncle on his knees, trembling, his face pale as ash. The man who had faced barbarians without flinching now looked broken. "Uncle!" Shen Yue called, his voice sharp with worry. "Snap out of it!"
His uncle didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the wolves. After a long pause, he muttered, voice barely audible, "They're just watching… why aren't they attacking?"
Shen Yue forced a calming breath, his mind racing. "There's only three," he said, keeping his tone steady. "And they haven't moved yet."
His uncle's eyes flickered, some courage returning. He rose unsteadily, gripping his sword. Shen Yue straightened, their shared resolve a fragile shield. Both were at Blood Qi Realm 9th Grade, their strength formidable if they stayed calm. *We can do this… we have to.* The wolves' crimson eyes gleamed, but they held their ground, their silence unnerving.
Cautiously, they took a step forward. To Shen Yue's surprise, the wolves stepped back, their movements hesitant. "They're… wary," he whispered, his voice low. "Keep moving."
They inched toward the forest's edge, each step deliberate. The wolves mirrored them, maintaining distance, their growls soft but menacing. Shen Yue's Hyper Sense prickled again, a warning he couldn't place. *Something's off.* The forest felt too quiet, the air heavy with an unseen threat.
His uncle's voice broke the tension, urgent and low. "We split up," he said. "You hide deeper in the forest. I'll draw them away."
Shen Yue's frown deepened. "Wait—that's too risky—"
But his uncle was already moving, bolting into the trees with surprising speed for a wounded man. Shen Yue's protest died in his throat. He glanced at the wolves, expecting them to give chase.
They didn't.
Their crimson eyes locked onto Shen Yue, burning with a hunger that sent ice down his spine. *Why me?* Before he could think, they charged, their claws tearing into the earth.
Shen Yue's Hyper Sense roared to life, heightening his senses to a razor's edge. He spun on his heel and sprinted into the forest, weaving through gnarled trees and jagged rocks. The wolves' howls echoed behind him, relentless and furious. His heart pounded, his breath ragged. *I can't outrun them forever.*
He dove behind a massive boulder, its surface slick with moss and debris. Holding his breath, he suppressed his presence, his Hyper Sense cloaking him in stillness. The wolves paused, sniffing the air, their growls low. For a moment, he dared to hope.
Then their eyes found him, piercing through his concealment. They lunged again.
Shen Yue bolted, leaping to another hiding spot—a hollow beneath a fallen log. Again, they tracked him, their noses twitching as if drawn by an invisible thread. *This isn't right,* he thought, panic rising. *My concealment should work. Why do they keep finding me?*
He clenched his teeth, resolve hardening. *No more running.* He gripped his sword, its weight a familiar comfort, and turned to face the wolves. Their strength likely rivaled the 1st Realm of Muscle Strengthening, outmatching his own. But his calisthenics training had honed his agility, his body refined to near-perfection at Blood Qi Realm 9th Grade. *I'm not helpless.*
The largest wolf lunged, its jaws snapping. Shen Yue sidestepped, his movements fluid, and kicked it mid-air, sending it crashing into a tree. He spun, driving his sword through the second wolf's neck with a sickening crunch. It collapsed, blood pooling beneath.
The remaining two snarled, their fury palpable. They attacked together, claws gleaming. Shen Yue rolled aside, grabbing a thick vine dangling from a branch. With a swift tug, he ensnared one wolf mid-charge, pinning its legs. His blade flashed, severing its head in a single strike.
The young wolf, smaller but fierce, howled and leapt. Shen Yue dodged narrowly, his sword grazing its side. It stumbled, then charged again, eyes blazing. Bracing himself, Shen Yue drove his blade into its chest, the beast thrashing before falling still.
He sank to his knees, bloodս
System Interface:
Name: Shen Yue
Age: 14
Physique: High-Level Iron-Copper Molting Physique
Bloodlines:
- Mid-Level Flame Scorpion Bloodline
- High-Level Raging Wind Royal Wolf Bloodline (Rare) – 13%
Cultivation:
- Blood Qi Realm – 9th Grade (89%)
- Beast Qi – 2nd Rank
Skills:
- Literacy and Knowledge (Great Success) – 9%
- Calisthenics (Small Success) – 2%
- Hyper Sense (Beginner) – 33%
- Raging Wind Wolf Steps – 0%
Spiritual Roots:
- Low-Level Fire Spiritual Root (Mixed) – 0%
- Mid-Grade Ice Spiritual Root (Rare) – 0%
Talents:
- Mid-Level Sword Talent – 17%
- Low-Grade Spear Talent – 9%
- Low-Level Archery Talent – 0%
- Mid-Level Comprehension – 0%
Unique Traits:
- Clones: 0 (Locked)
Stats:
- Strength: 27
- Dexterity: 17
- Wisdom: 3.5
- Spirit: 1.9
Shen Yue's eyes widened at the High-Level Raging Wind Royal Wolf Bloodline. *A royal bloodline… from that pup?* The Beast Qi, normally destructive to humans, had been seamlessly integrated by the system, a rare gift. His gaze lingered on the new skill: *Raging Wind Wolf Steps: Increases speed by 100%. Legend says the strongest wolves could fly across the land like wind itself.* His jaw dropped. "Insane," he whispered, his mind racing with possibilities.
His stomach growled, pulling him back to the moment. With a faint smile, he dragged the young wolf's body back to the cave. He set its meat over the rekindled fire, the scent of roasting flesh filling the air—wild, potent, like strength itself. He ate slowly, each bite grounding him, fueling his resolve.
As midnight fell, Shen Yue lay on the cave floor, the fire's embers casting faint glows. His body ached, but his mind was sharp. *I'm stronger now… but what's Uncle hiding?* The betrayal gnawed at him, a wound deeper than any blade's.
His Hyper Sense tingled, a faint rustle breaking the silence. His eyes snapped open. *Someone's coming.* The forest's shadows seemed to tighten, the air thick with impending danger.