Chapter 234: Crisis and the Unexpected Breakthrough (5k)

Accompanied by a teeth-grinding sound, the protective barrier above everyone's heads shattered like fragile glass under the powerful bite of the Mist Wraith Wolf.

Crack!

One of the high-tier wraith wolves plunged straight through, charging toward Fa Ao and the others below.

With the help of its kin, these humans would surely be wiped out with ease.

But it was still too hasty—it had miscalculated one thing.

This barrier was, after all, a divine art rather than a physical artifact; it wasn't that fragile.

The instant the barrier shattered, the elder of the twin nuns let out a muffled groan, fresh blood trickling from her lips, nearly dropping to her knees on the spot.

Yet the younger nun was completely unscathed; her eyes suddenly lit up, words of prayer spilling from her lips, and she flung open the scripture.

"Please protect Your people!"

Accompanied by trembling light, the protective barrier actually healed once more!

Boom!

Another wraith wolf's jaws slammed into the barrier and was sent flying backward by the rebound.

"Awoo!?"

At that moment, the lead wraith wolf also realized the problem; the savagery in its eyes vanished in an instant, and it frantically tried to tuck its tail and flee.

But... it was already too late!

"Now! They've been separated!"

The elder nun, blood still trickling from the corner of her mouth, flashed a strange smile at the wraith wolf and hoarsely called out to her teammates.

"Strike!"

What the twin nuns had appeared to use together just now was actually nothing more than a disguise put on for the wraith wolves.

In truth, only the elder sister had been the one casting the divine art.

Which meant only one person bore the backlash of the divine art!

Monsters are cunning.

But humans are far more cunning than monsters!

Her purpose in doing this was only one—to have the younger sister recast the divine art and trap the intruder inside the barrier.

All for the sake of buying less than ten seconds, creating an opportunity to split them apart.

As a race whose average upper limit isn't particularly outstanding and whose abilities are also quite average, humans often have a considerable gap when facing monsters of the same tier.

However, that doesn't mean humans aren't a match for monsters.

Especially since the Mist Wraith Wolves don't possess the crushing size advantage that the earlier Mud-Swamp Boars did.

Although Fa Ao and the others were unwilling to fight the two Phantom Wraith Wolves and had been on the back foot the whole time, scrambling in retreat,

that didn't mean they had no way to deal with them.

One-on-one might not be a match, but five-on-one?

So long as they paid a slightly greater price, they were confident they could kill these two beasts outright!

Only, these two wraith wolves had come a bit too early; their preparations weren't thorough enough, and they hadn't rested sufficiently.

But even so, it was enough to make the wraith wolves pay dearly!

Because they had coordinated many times before, the tall Wu Seng Varo had long understood this point.

"This is what I've been waiting for!"

Before the wraith wolf landed, he struck without hesitation, one hand reaching for the wolf's neck, the other trying to grab its hind legs, attempting to seize it in a bear hug and tear it in half.

From the very start of the fight he knew time couldn't be wasted, so he chose a quick-decisive method, striving to land the blow in one strike.

But... a cornered beast still fights.

Cunning monsters wouldn't be subdued that easily.

After realizing its predicament, the Mist Wraith Wolf, which had still been somewhat panicked, fell into utter frenzy.

"Awoo!!!"

It threw back its head and let out a piercing shriek!

At such close range, Varo, who had no time to guard against it, went blank in the head; the movements of his hands faltered uncontrollably, and his whole body froze in place.

By the time he came back to his senses, the wraith wolf's figure before his eyes had already vanished!

!!!

"Where is it!?"

Just as Varo was about to search, the Mist Wraith Wolf silently appeared at his side.

Slicing sound!

Its sharp claws slashed fiercely toward the Wu Seng's arm, instantly carving several deep wounds into his arm.

The body Varo had painstakingly tempered seemed so fragile before the wraith wolf's razor claws.

Fresh blood gushed like a spring, streaming down the Wu Seng's thick arm.

Varo clearly saw a flash of mockery in the wraith wolf's eyes as it lunged to bite his neck.

Not good!

If his arm was so fragile beneath those claws, how could his neck, already lacking protection, withstand its fangs?

Varo's eyes nearly split with rage as he tried to forcibly reclaim control of his body, forcing out the words: "You beast! Get... off! Me!"

At this hair-raising, critical moment, another Wu Seng, Zar, arrived!

Although he too had been hit by the shockwave of the shriek, because he was a bit farther away, he wasn't affected as severely.

Moving at extreme speed, he brought his fingers together like a blade and chopped a palm strike onto the wraith wolf's waist.

Crack!

"Awooo!"

The ghost wolf, which had been utterly domineering a second ago, let out a pained wail, its body twisted into a snapped shape.

The ghost wolf's lumbar spine had been broken clean in two by Zarl with a single palm strike!

The threat of death did not rouse the ferocity within it; instead, it made it timid and hesitant.

Fear had gained the upper hand.

The ghost wolf tried to flee, but Varo, who had fully come back to his senses, had already locked it by the neck.

The ghost wolf thrashed wildly, claws swiping through the air, tearing at the flesh on Wu Seng's body.

But Varo did not dodge. His arms, hard as boulders, held it firmly in place, veins bulging, every muscle straining.

"Die!"

He let out a thunderous shout, then wrenched the ghost wolf's neck with all his might.

Crack! Crack!

Under that tremendous force, he twisted the ghost wolf's head a full one hundred and eighty degrees!

The ghost wolf's struggles ceased entirely. Its jaws hung open, tongue lolling out, and it died on the spot.

From the moment the ghost wolf fell into the barrier to the instant it breathed its last, a total of ten seconds had passed.

"Ha! Ha…"

Through a reckless fighting style of trading injury for injury, Varo and Zarl finally managed to take down one of the ghost wolves before the barrier shattered.

But the present crisis was far from over.

That was merely the beginning.

Under the furious gnawing of the other high-rank ghost wolf and the charges of the rest, the barrier finally met its end.

Crack!

This time, there was no second barrier left for them to trap their prey in.

"Awooo!!!"

Upon realizing their companion had died, the pack grew even more frenzied.

After the barrier shattered, they charged chaotically at Lord Fa Ao and the others.

And at that very moment, Lord Fa Ao, who had not struck until now, finally moved.

He had stood before the two wounded nuns like a solemn statue, his gaze burning as he stared down the other ghost wolf.

At that moment, his armor gleamed especially brilliant in the light, and a faint orange glow shimmered across his body.

He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, exhaled the last breath from his lungs, and drew the blade.

Clang—

In an instant, a surging sword qi swept out in all directions.

"Ho — ly — Slash!"

That crimson sword qi, as if imbued with the great power from the depths of the sun, radiated outward rapidly from where Lord Fa Ao stood.

After his earlier attempt to sacrifice himself earned him the Sun God's recognition, Lord Fa Ao's attacks now carried an added, god-bestowed power.

The sword qi of Holy Slash surged like a tide, sweeping mercilessly toward the charging ghost wolves.

Those ghost wolves had looked ferociously savage before, but now they had no power to resist at all.

The few ghost wolves at the very front were cleaved clean in two!

After cutting through the front rank of ghost wolves, the sword qi's power diminished greatly, but it did not stop outright; it kept pushing forward, ravaging through the wolf pack.

That single strike directly wiped out over a dozen ghost wolves, leaving many severed limbs scattered across the ground.

"Awooo! Awooo!"

Under such a gruesome scene, the ghost wolves' wails rose without end.

And this sight also made the other surviving high-rank ghost wolf calm down, its eyes clearing considerably.

It had leapt up desperately at the critical moment just now, narrowly dodging the Holy Slash.

In just that one strike, nearly a fifth of the companions it had brought were killed or wounded!

The strength of these few opponents was considerably greater than they had imagined.

They were not its prey.

The thought of giving up flashed through the high-rank ghost wolf's mind.

Magical creatures were no fools.

Although hunting and devouring powerful humans could make them stronger, the prerequisite was that they lived long enough to enjoy it.

Otherwise, fighting to the death against an enemy only meant others reaping the benefits.

Should it flee?

But when it looked at the twisted, mangled corpse of its mate still clutched in Varo's arms, its retreating steps halted.

"Wooooo! Awooo!"

It let out a low growl from its throat, then roared unwillingly, calling its fleeing kin to stop.

No, they could not retreat!

The enemy numbered only five, and they were all already very weak!

On its own side, there were still many companions!

The advantage was mine!

The high-rank ghost wolf's reasoning was actually correct — Lord Fa Ao's group of five truly was nearly at the end of their rope.

Even the earlier kill of one high-rank ghost wolf had taken both Wu Seng exhausting every ounce of their strength, without any display of overwhelming, crushing power.

It was not that they did not wish to display it — they truly had no strength left.

And Lord Fa Ao's Sacred Slash had completely drained all his Sacred Power.

Though he still held the pose of drawing his sword to strike, his body was utterly dried out, standing only because the nun behind him held him upright.

"Damn, we didn't scare them off…"

Varo's whisper echoed the same regret in everyone's heart.

They had done their best, but the cunning beast had not abandoned its attack.

They were at the critical moment—should the Ghost Wolves launch one more assault, they would die outright.

Yet at this very moment, the High Ghost Wolf hesitated.

"... Aow!"

Its caution kept it from acting rashly; instead, it retreated a distance and let its kin test the waters with an initial attack.

Something felt off—its instincts screamed danger from the Holy Knight.

It felt that if it drew closer, it would die—and it was right.

Though Lord Fa Ao was spent, his will had not dimmed; silently, in his heart, he prayed to the deity he served.

His face was etched with piety and resolve as he silently prayed to the Sun God, his lips trembling slightly, each whispered word brimming with boundless longing.

"Great Sun God, you are the sovereign of light and power."

"I, your most faithful Holy Knight, on this battlefield of life and death, beseech you—grant me strength…"

The demons could not comprehend the Holy Knight's prayer, but his companions soon noticed his anomaly.

As a member of the Knight Order, Varo knew exactly what this meant; his face twitched, and he growled low, "Lord Fa Ao! What are you doing?"

"It's not time yet! We still have other hopes!"

Sacrifice.

The Holy Knight's signature skill—and last resort.

"..."

Zhal also stepped forward involuntarily, his bound mouth twitching, trying to say something to stop him.

But the mute could not speak… not even one who had willingly become mute.

All he could do was flail his arms in frantic, incomprehensible gestures—yet the speed of his movements radiated terrifying force, making the already nervous High Ghost Wolf even more wary and delaying its attack.

The nun sister also spoke softly: "Don't rush—the commotion here is too great; other teams must have noticed us!"

Though other demon-hunting teams were rivals, they were all brethren of the Monastery—they could not stand by and let them die.

Once anyone noticed this scene, they would come to investigate and offer aid.

Their gazes, filled with worry and pity, begged him not to act rashly.

But when they saw Lord Fa Ao's eyes, they fell silent.

His burning eyes blazed with fiery resolve, brimming with unshakable determination.

Lord Fa Ao had not spoken aloud, but all understood his intent.

No more words—my will is fixed.

"I understand your thoughts. It is the best choice for now."

"After I strike this sword, you must flee at once… do not waste the chance I give you."

After the others reluctantly gave up, Lord Fa Ao slowly nodded and continued his prayer.

"My Lord, hear my plea."

"My companions suffer under the enemy's torment; their lives hang by a thread. I witness all their pain and despair—and feel my own strength so pitifully small."

"I beg you, Great Sun God—grant me power, even if I must pay with my own life. I will not retreat."

"I offer my life as the price to gain strength to destroy these evil foes, and to save my companions from endless suffering."

As the Holy Knight recited his prayer, a mysterious force began to encircle him.

Slowly, faint, shimmering lights emerged on his body, converging upon the blade in his hand.

It was the divine response to his prayer!

Each ray carried immense power—power capable of eradicating darkness!

Yet these forces did not come from the deity—they arose from within himself.

The power flowed like a trickle, surging from his body into the blade—Lord Fa Ao was draining his own potential.

His complexion grew paler; his once-strong frame began to wither.

With every ounce of power channeled into the blade, a piece of his life was siphoned away—he grew ever weaker, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be snuffed out at any moment.

Yet as Lord Fa Ao grew weaker, he also grew more dangerous.

The weaker he became, the more dangerous he was.

When he was at his weakest, he was at his most dangerous.

He might grow so feeble that he could not even survive the backlash from striking this single blow.

Lord Fa Ao knew his condition perfectly—he would die the moment he swung this sword!

Even the High Ghost Wolf now noticed the anomaly in Lord Fa Ao's aura.

"Ugh…"

It wanted to strike early, but halted abruptly, staring in dread at the Holy Knight, now terrifyingly transformed.

It would die.

It would die, it would die, it would die!

Should it abandon its kin and flee?

Or should it launch a probing attack first?

Lord Fa Ao was extremely dangerous—and yet, impossibly alluring.

Once he failed to land a hit, he would die on the spot and become its food!

Just as Fa'ao was about to borrow this powerful force to strike, several long, eerie howls of wolves suddenly came from the distance.

"Awoo—oooo—"

That sound echoed across the silent battlefield, carrying a mysterious, intimidating force that made every ghost wolf freeze for a moment.

The ghost wolves that had been snarling and baring their fangs around him, as if hearing some irresistible command, flashed confusion in their eyes and looked toward their leader at the same time.

The leader, who had been thinking about how to escape, now hesitated as well. Its ears twitched slightly as it silently weighed something.

Then, they heard a second wolf howl.

"Awoo—oooo—"

This time, the howl was closer than before, as though a large force were steadily advancing toward them.

A flash of imperceptible hesitation and fury crossed the ghost wolf leader's eyes.

"Woooo…"

But very quickly, it made up its mind, raised its head, and let out a long, piercing howl in reply.

"Awoooo!!!"

Immediately after, the ghost wolf turned and left without the slightest hesitation. Its lithe body erupted with astonishing speed, vanishing into the mist in the blink of an eye.

The other ghost wolves, hearing the leader's howl and seeing it withdraw first, heaved a sigh of relief. Without hesitation, they followed its pace one after another.

In just a few breaths, the ghost wolves' figures vanished into the mist that brimmed with a mysterious aura.

That mist was like a colossal curtain, completely covering the ghost wolves' tracks and leaving only a silent battlefield, as if the tense standoff just now had never happened.

"Hm!!?"

The whole thing happened so fast that even Fa'ao didn't realize something was wrong. He could only watch helplessly as the ghost wolves departed.

Fa'ao:???

They left?

How could you just leave?

I've already gotten myself into this state, and you… don't want to play anymore???

That can't be right!

Or could it be that this was actually an act by the ghost wolves—a plot to lure the enemy deeper?

"…"

He did not let his guard down from the start, keeping a vigilant posture the whole time.

Yet after waiting quite a while, he still saw no sign of them returning…

Did they really just withdraw like that?

(End of this chapter)