Wind danced through the crumbled ruins of what was once a ceremonial hall, now buried under years of moss and decay.
Tall, skeletal trees loomed on the edges of the Wolf Tribe's inner territory, their bark charred and split as if struck by lightning long ago.
Shadows flickered under a dusky sky, where dull purple clouds hung low, veining the heavens with streaks of darkness. The air reeked of iron and rot.
A sudden burst of laughter pierced the silence like a dagger.
"Ha ha ha ha!" the human-beast roared, his deep voice echoing off broken stones. His beastly snout curled in arrogance. "You humans… always too bold to live, too weak to matter."
His claws twitched slightly as he pointed toward the trio. "Negotiate? Then bring me a 7-tier breakthrough pill… only then will I consider giving you the Thousand-Trunked Soul Hammer."
Jian Dao's eyes, calm yet sharp as always, narrowed slightly. His voice was cool like flowing water.
"A 7-tier pill… You joke, beast. I'll offer a 5-tier. That's more than generous."
The Messiah's expression darkened. "How dare you insult me, offering a 5-tier pill in exchange for a legendary artifact? You humans… always trying to bargain down the weight of legends."
Inside Mike, Huo Chuntian stirred and scoffed with disdain.
"Why are we even talking with this mutt?"
"Agreed," Jian Dao replied, his tone laced with distaste. "Wasting breath on beasts…"
"Beast? Mutt? I am the Messiah and King of the Wolves!" the human-beast snarled, his aura flaring like wildfire.
But Huo Chuntian mocked back with childlike glee. "I am the great Messiah," he said in a mocking tone, mimicking the beast's speech, "Bow before me, for I smell like wet dog!"
Mike couldn't help but snort slightly.
"You dare insult me? You little bug! I'll crush you all!" the Messiah roared, summoning his strength. His muscles bulged, and his eyes flashed crimson.
"Bug? Me? We'll see who squashes who," said Huo Chuntian with a smirk, his spiritual energy building rapidly within Mike's vessel-body. Crimson and orange flames spiraled around him, and in a flash of light, his own sword appeared, forged with ancient engravings along its jagged edge.
At the same time, the beast drew his own jagged, dark blade. Sparks flew as metal met metal.
Clang! Clang!
Their swords struck several times under the shadow of a fractured archway. Fallen columns lay scattered around them, half-swallowed by overgrown roots. Despite his effort, Huo Chuntian limited by Mike's cultivation was slowly pushed back.
He landed on one knee, panting. "Jian Dao! Are you just going to watch?"
"Didn't you say you'd teach him a lesson?" Jian Dao leaned casually against a tilted stone pillar, arms folded, amused. "I'm watching the lesson unfold."
Mike pleaded, "Master, please help him! Old Huo's using all he has use my flame too! He's trying hard!"
"Hmm…" Jian Dao's eyes softened. "Well, when you put it like that."
Meanwhile, the beast king clenched his fists, calculating. If I can break through this final barrier… I could
But his eyes widened in horror. Wait… that man Jian Dao he's at Dou Wang, 1-star!
Mike muttered, "Master… His aura feels even more monstrous now."
Huo Chuntian responded grimly. "Yeah… Wang Zhe peak, 10 stars. One step more and he becomes a monster among monsters. But lucky for us he's only half beast. Strong, yes, but not invincible. Still…"
Flames swirled across the cracked ground.
Suddenly, Mike's voice cracked in fear, "Master, he's charging something!"
The Messiah raised both hands. A storm brewed between his palms a swirling orb of dark purple energy laced with lightning, black tendrils arcing around it.
"Move!" shouted Huo Chuntian.
The blast hit a deafening roar tore through the land, leaving a crater in the soil. Dust spiraled into the air. Trees cracked and fell. Jian Dao raised a thin energy shield, and Mike guided by Huo Chuntian braced through the blow.
The smoke cleared, and Jian Dao dashed forward, his sword slicing through the air like lightning. Blades clashed again, and then Huo Chuntian followed, charging with his Fire Turbine Technique. The spinning flames burst into the beast's chest, forcing him backward.
"Enough!" the beast screamed, blood now dripping from his side.
He lunged again. A new wave of attacks began. Their fists moved faster than the eye could follow. Every strike shattered stone. Each collision cracked the very air. The surrounding land buckled walls trembled, tree trunks snapped, and the ground tore like parchment.
Amid the chaos, wolves watched from the shadows. Whimpering, one by one, they turned and fled as their king's rage echoed.
"Retreat! Do not let the Wolf Tribe fall here!" his command rippled through their minds.
Jian Dao's Thousand Blade Formation was next. Countless swords rose like spears from the earth and rained down toward the Messiah.
In return, the beast unleashed his ancestral bloodline: Wolf Ancestor Claws. Massive spiritual claws ripped through the air in retaliation, turning the battleground into a storm of fury.
Blood soaked into the dirt.
But the tide turned.
Cornered and bleeding, the Messiah let out a final roar and ignited a forbidden flame a Purple Demonic Fire, high-grade and volatile. Thick mist flooded the area. Everything turned to haze. Even the trees swayed as if cowering.
Then… silence.
The beast vanished into the mist.
Only scorched grass and broken stone remained.
As the smoke cleared, Huo Chuntian slowly stepped out from Mike's body, his form faint and flickering like a candle near extinction.
He stretched, bones cracking. "Ughh… I'm exhausted. Time for a nap."
Mike lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Old Huo. I'm too weak. It's because of me you're tired…"
Huo Chuntian smiled warmly. "Don't say that. I'm a spiritual remnant, remember? Fatigue is part of my nature. You did well, kid."
He floated back into Mike's body, fading like a breeze.
Jian Dao approached, placing a hand on Mike's shoulder.
"Don't blame yourself. You're not like your father… you'll be better. Stronger. And unlike him, you have time use it well."
Mike's eyes lit with purpose. "Yes, Master."
"Now then…" Jian Dao looked around at the war-torn land, glancing at a rocky altar half-buried under vines. "Let's finally go see that hammer."
Mike nodded. Wind blew through the broken walls as the trio walked deeper into the remnants of the Wolf Tribe's inner sanctum.
And the chapter ended with the sun finally piercing through the purple clouds above.