Chapter 13: Pursuing the Silver Moon Ferocious Wolf

In County Suburb No. 0201, inside a ten‑story residential building with a fairly intact room.

Li Chao, thanks to his exceptional eyesight, kept watch on the side of the window, while the other six gathered around, bathed in moonlight streaming through the glass.

Xiao Dingguo laughed and said, "Today we slayed one high‑level Beast General, two mid‑level Beast Generals, four low‑level Beast Generals, and hundreds of Beast Soldier‑rank monsters. We can say the haul was abundant."

The others nodded, each eyeing their backpacks that had only a small amount of space left, waiting for the captain to finish speaking.

"Before we came, I received word that a Silver Moon Ferocious Wolf is roaming inside County 0201," Xiao Dingguo said. "Moreover, the price of a Silver Moon Ferocious Wolf is more than fifty percent higher than that of ordinary monsters of the same level."

"Hmm, the Silver Moon Ferocious Wolf is exceptionally fast and adept at hunting, known as the Hunter. Even at its lowest, it's a mid‑level Beast General; if we encounter a high‑level Beast General, we might not be able to take it down," Liu Shu said, his words tinged with concern.

"What's there to hesitate about? We have six War General‑rank members; we're not exactly walking around unnoticed in County 0201!" Zuo Yan declared boldly. "Besides, if you want to make big money, there's no way without risk."

"My brother is right!" Zuo Xuan replied.

"Exactly right!" Zhang Shaoyong said.

"We don't have any cowards here!" Liu Shu added.

"Alright, tomorrow we'll find a concealed spot to store these monster materials, then continue tracking the Silver Moon Ferocious Wolf," Xiao Dingguo concluded decisively.

"Good!" the others nodded in agreement.

"Today, Li Chao, Xiao Yu, Zhang Shaoyong, Zuo Yan, and Zuo Xuan will take turns standing watch, one hour each," Liu Shu arranged the night‑watch roster.

Even in the Wilderness Zone, a safe spot still requires night watch. In Iron Blood Squad, the captain and deputy captain—both high‑level War Generals—must stay at peak condition and are exempt from watch; everyone else, including Xiao Yu, must take turns, normally no more than two hours each.

What they call rest is merely entering cultivation; once in the wilderness, no one truly sleeps.

Around two a. m., it was Xiao Yu's turn to stand watch.

He quickly inspected each alert point, found nothing amiss, and moved to the window facing a commercial plaza, where numerous monsters roamed and required constant vigilance.

"System fulfills First Wish: Perfectly comprehend the First Layer of the Ninefold Thunder Blade."

Warm currents materialized out of nowhere, flooding his body and making his physique stronger and more robust.

Suddenly Xiao Yu entered a moment of sudden enlightenment; his previous mistaken understandings of the Ninefold Thunder Blade's swordplay, Flowing Light Body Technique, and the First Layer of the Ninefold Primordial Source Guiding Technique were now perfectly clarified.

In a short time, his grasp of the First Layer of the Ninefold Thunder Blade rivaled that of its creator Lei Shen, even surpassing Lei Shen in the guiding technique and power‑release skills.

Regarding that power‑release skill, he had previously been able to emit two force streams simultaneously but didn't know why; now he understands.

The same applies to the guiding technique.

He knows both the phenomenon and its underlying reason.

【Wish Achieved】

This system infusion not only let him perfectly comprehend the First Layer of the Ninefold Thunder Blade, but also proved highly inspiring for his subsequent cultivation.

"System, set First Wish: Body Quality reaches Apprentice Fourth Tier."

【Setting Successful!】

【Host: Xiao Yu】

【First Wish: Body Quality reaches Apprentice Fourth Tier】

【Wish Progress: 1581.2/300 Wish Points】

It seems his physique, after all this fighting and cultivation, is close to advancing to Low‑level War General.

"System fulfills First Wish."

【Wish in Progress】

A wave of comfort surged through his whole body, and Xiao Yu was fully immersed in the sensation.

【Wish Achieved】

"System, set First Wish: Body Quality reaches Apprentice Fifth Tier."

【Setting Successful!】

【Host: Xiao Yu】

【First Wish: Body Quality reaches Apprentice Fifth Tier】

【Wish Progress: 1281.2/8000 Wish Points】

Having finished these tasks, Xiao Yu resumed his duties.

An hour passed quickly; Xiao Yu went to the still‑intact room, woke Zhang Shaoyong, who was resting cross‑legged, and completed today's shift change.

Xiao Yu casually found a flat patch of ground, sat cross‑legged, and used the Five Hearts to Heaven Method to continue cultivating the Ninefold Primordial Source Guiding Technique.

Suddenly, he felt cosmic energy flowing more smoothly within his body, accompanied by a faint, mysterious sensation.

Immersed in cultivation, the feeling of his body slowly growing moment by moment was truly wonderful!

…

Suddenly, a rustling sound reached Xiao Yu's ears.

Reluctantly opening his eyes, he saw the Iron Blood Squad teammates, each beginning their morning preparations.

"Xiao Yu, awake!" Xiao Dingguo said. "Then quickly get ready; we'll have a simple bite first, then find a concealed spot to store the Beast Soldier‑rank materials we gathered, so we can retrieve them when we return."

"Alright." Xiao Yu nodded and began packing his things.

…

County Suburb No. 0201, urban‑rural junction, inside the underground parking of Wei Da Plaza.

"Captain, this underground garage isn't large; it has only one entrance‑exit, no monsters inside, and no buildings taller than three stories nearby. It's quite remote, so no one should notice it," Liu Shu said with a smile.

"After we leave, we can block that exit hole with a few cars, making it even safer," Xiao Dingguo said, pointing at the entrance where the fire door had a human‑height breach.

"Leave that to my brother and me; I just saw two rundown vans nearby, perfect for the job," Zuo Yan said.

"Alright." Xiao Dingguo nodded.

…

County 0201, at the entrance of a dilapidated residential complex, the surrounding buildings lay in ruins. On the stone pillars of the main gate, the four characters 'Xia Nation Bank' were still faintly visible. It was a twenty‑four‑story office tower, its lobby guarded by two stone lions, both damaged, one lion's head having fallen beside it.

"Let's go up to the rooftop."

"Everyone, be careful; the floor above might be hiding some monsters somewhere!"

"Walk lightly!"

The seven members of the Iron Blood Squad advanced cautiously along the stairs.

"Awoo~~"

Xiao Yu saw a monster suddenly emerge around the corner, its size far larger than an F‑grade Tiger Cat.

"Xiao Yu, watch out! That's an E‑grade Tiger Cat," Zuo Yan warned, rushing to Xiao Yu's side.

Xiao Yu had just been promoted to the Junior War General rank last night and was eager to test his skills!

When the tiger‑cat monster burst out and saw a human, it let out a low growl, surged forward with a whiff of blood, covering ten meters in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Yu instantly dodged onto the adjacent platform, while Zuo Yan, relying on his Intermediate War General strength, raised his shield in a step and struck from the side; at the same time a curved flash of cold light swept by, the blade of his Silver Moon Battle Knife cutting across the tiger‑cat's limb joint.

Simultaneously, the dodging Xiao Yu saw the tiger‑cat lose its balance, and instantly employed his perfectly comprehended First Layer of Nine‑fold Thunder Blade Power Technique with the Silver Moon Battle Knife, slashing from below upward across the tiger‑cat's abdomen.

The tiger‑cat monster was flung back dozens of meters, its blood spilling onto the ground.

Just as the tiger‑cat tried to rise, its two front paws staggered, and it fell to the ground.

Zuo Yan and Xiao Yu seized the chance, relentlessly pursuing; almost simultaneously, one throttled the throat while the other pierced the heart.

The two exchanged smiles.

Xiao Yu said apologetically, "Brother Yan, I stole your monster!"

"We're brothers; what's there to steal?" Zuo Yan whispered.

This time Xiao Yu's on‑the‑spot response to a Beast General Rank monster reassured everyone even more.

……

On the rooftop terrace, the seven members of the Iron Blood Squad each held high‑magnification telescopes, scanning the distance.

"Captain, I see a Bloodthirsty Tank Beast Pack in a nearby eastern block!" Zuo Yan reported.

"I spot a High‑grade Beast General over here, though that area seems to be a beast pack!" Li Chao said.

"Captain, they're all Beast Soldier Rank monsters,"

"I don't see any Beast General Rank ones here either,"

A long while passed.

"Found it! I've found the Silver Moon Fierce Wolf!" Liu Shu said excitedly.

"Where? Let me take a look," Xiao Dingguo asked eagerly.

"Five kilometers north," Liu Shu replied. "It seems to be fighting something; I can't make out the opponent!"

In an instant, everyone in the Iron Blood Squad lifted their telescopes toward the north.

"The Silver Moon Fierce Wolf is approaching us; it looks like it's fleeing!" Xiao Dingguo also saw the Silver Moon Fierce Wolf through his telescope.

"This Silver Moon Fierce Wolf's speed is almost on par with a War God,"

"It's already within three kilometers, and it's a human martial artist riding a shield, soaring through the air!"

"No, he can only fly briefly; he must be a War General‑level Spiritual Mind Master! If he were a War God‑level Spiritual Mind Master, the Silver Moon Fierce Wolf wouldn't have survived that long!"

"The Silver Moon Fierce Wolf ran southeast; there seems to be a Bloodthirsty Tank Beast Pack there, its leader at least an Intermediate Beast General!"

"Bad, the Silver Moon Fierce Wolf might escape,"

"Let's go, we'll follow," Xiao Dingguo ordered.

The seven‑person squad moved cautiously when ascending, yet descended with incredible speed.

Xiao Yu made four consecutive jumps, leaping from the twenty‑fourth floor down to a stairwell entrance.

The seven moved forward rapidly in formation.

Near the Bloodthirsty Tank Beast Pack at a street's end, a six‑lane two‑way road flanked by dilapidated shops; some lingering signs were famous brands from before the Great Nirvana, some still active.

"Captain, the Silver Moon Fierce Wolf vanished as it approached the Bloodthirsty Tank Beast Pack; the Spiritual Mind Master just broke into the pack," Li Chao reported.

"Captain, what should we do?" Zuo Yan asked.

"As long as that Spiritual Mind Master doesn't act foolishly, there's no danger," Xiao Dingguo said. "How many Beast Generals are in the Bloodthirsty Tank Beast Pack, and how many Beast Soldier Rank monsters?"

"Three Beast General Rank ones; the leader is an Intermediate Beast General, there are some near‑high‑grade monsters, and the other two are Junior Guard Generals," Li Chao said cautiously. "There are also no fewer than a hundred Beast Soldier Rank monsters."

"Among porcine monsters, this Bloodthirsty Tank ranks second; its whole body is covered in scale armor, with astonishing defense. Its only weak points are the eyes, mouth, and nostrils, making it troublesome to handle—far beyond what the Lion Mastiff Pack can match," Liu Shu explained.

"Even I find the leader troublesome to deal with!" Xiao Dingguo said gravely.

"Captain, that Spiritual Mind Master entered a tall building; the leader and several Bloodthirsty Tanks followed, leaving only a single Junior Beast General outside, and fewer than ten Beast Soldier Rank monsters patrolling the territory," Li Chao periodically reported.

"Captain, that Spiritual Mind Master entered a tall building, the leader and some bloodthirsty tanks followed inside; outside, the only guard left for now is a single low‑level Beast General Rank monster, and there are fewer than ten Beast Soldier Rank monsters patrolling various areas of the Domain," Li Chao intermittently reported what he saw.

Before he could finish, Xiao Dingguo said, "Let's go, we'll follow in. This Bloodthirsty Tank pack is a bit troublesome for us, but it's nothing special!"

Xiao Yu and the six others closed in swiftly.

They stopped at the street intersection; two tangled wrecked cars blocked the view, while two Bloodthirsty Tanks patrolled back and forth, occasionally crushing a glass bottle and making a loud noise.

They stopped near the street; at the street intersection two interlaced dilapidated cars blocked the view, and two bloodthirsty tanks patrolled back and forth, occasionally crushing a glass bottle and raising a fairly loud noise.

When the Bloodthirsty Tanks sensed movement, the two were already at their heels; their actions were almost rehearsed—one stepped forward to the tank, and before it could react, a shield slammed into its forehead, rendering it unconscious.

A massive boom rang out as the two Bloodthirsty Tanks' heads slammed into the ground, sinking at least ten centimeters, sending dust and stones scattering.

Li Chao hurried forward, firing two successive shots that pierced both Bloodthirsty Tanks, each bullet entering the tanks' eyes and driving the heads through.

Xiao Yu stepped up, testing the Bloodthirsty Tank's defense; a flash of cold light sparked countless sparks. He didn't use full force—only about half strength—but his strike hit the tank's dorsal scale armor.

"The Bloodthirsty Tank's defense is like steel; the name truly fits!" Xiao Yu exclaimed.

The commotion still alerted the Bloodthirsty Tank pack; a Junior Beast General led over a dozen Bloodthirsty Tanks rushing forward.

The seven‑person squad surged ahead. Xiao Dingguo raced toward the leading Junior Beast General.

The three‑meter‑tall Bloodthirsty Tank saw the humans charging, its eyes blood‑red, hind legs thrust powerfully, charging like a massive steel tank.

Over three meters tall, the bloodthirsty tank saw the human sprinting toward it, its eyes filled with a bloody hue, its hind legs kicked powerfully, and it barreled forward like a massive steel tank.

Xiao Dingguo, with a single jump, reached above the Blood‑thirsty Tank, dodged the fangs on its top, and his dual Great Axes struck the tank's head four times, each hit landing on the same spot.

At the first axe, sparks flew, and a blade scar sank five centimeters deep.

At the second axe, it tore through the scales on its skull, smashing its cranium and filling it with cracks.

At the third axe, the Great Axe broke the Blood‑thirsty Tank's skull, pulling out a chunk of brain matter.

At the fourth axe, the Blood‑thirsty Tank opened like a fully ripened bean pod.

"Old Xiao's Mountain‑Cracking Axe is still this awesome!" Uncle Liu praised after just stabbing an F‑grade Blood‑thirsty Tank to death with a single gunshot.

"The Mountain‑Cracking Axe has nine forms; each strike is stronger than the last, and the ninth strike can split a mountain," Xiao Dingguo said, his eyes filled with expectation.

Liu Yuanping advanced a step, timed it, and with another gunshot pierced the head of an F‑grade Blood‑thirsty Tank straight through; the tank shivered violently, was flung backward, and could not rise again.

An F‑grade Blood‑thirsty Tank surged toward Xiao Yu, its speed far exceeding that of a tiger cat, comparable to a same‑level single‑horned wild boar; at the moment of impact, Xiao Yu leapt from the cement slab at the corner of the wall, while another Blood‑thirsty Tank crashed toward the spot where Xiao Yu landed.

"These monsters actually cooperate!" Xiao Yu said, powering his waist and abdomen, activating the first layer of the Nine‑fold Thunder Blade; while airborne he spun half a turn, and the Silver Moon Battle Knife slashed the tank's head, leaving a cut, blood gushing from the wound. He used the recoil to land beside the Blood‑thirsty Tank.

The Blood‑thirsty Tank he held surged forward more than ten meters, shaking its wounded head, and countless drops of blood splattered to the ground.

Xiao Yu's recent slash did not kill it, but it was still seriously wounded.

Xiao Yu launched the first attack, advanced a step, and reached the side of the Blood‑thirsty Tank; a flash of cold light, the tip of the Silver Moon Battle Knife pierced its eye, and with a "pang" sound the tank's eye burst open, the socket cracked, and when the knife was withdrawn it brought out a reddish‑white paste.

The Blood‑thirsty Tank staggered back a few steps, fell to the ground, tried to crawl up, but could not.

At this moment the Blood‑thirsty Tank that had first attacked Xiao Yu charged at him; Xiao Yu dodged, and the Silver Moon Battle Knife sliced from back to front across the tank's bent fore‑limb joint, causing the tank to lose balance and stumble; the sharp fangs pierced its other eye, reaching the brain, and its whole body trembled incessantly.

Xiao Yu instantly closed the distance, watching the tank thrash its head and tail, trying to pull out the fangs; a flash of cold light, the first layer of the Nine‑fold Thunder Blade activated again, and the Silver Moon Battle Knife, as if charged with thunder, pierced the tank's eyeball and entered the skull at least ten centimeters deep; the tank shivered, not dying instantly.

To ensure the tank was not merely mortally wounded, Xiao Yu struck the same spot again, this time driving the blade thirty centimeters in and swirling it back and forth, confirming its death.

"Old Xiao, look, Little Yu's swordplay carries a thunderous momentum between motion and stillness; it should have already reached the first layer of the Nine‑fold Thunder Blade, right?" Liu Yuanping said.

"Hmm, not bad." Xiao Dingguo replied.

A Blood‑thirsty Tank that saw Xiao Dingguo just fall to the ground seized the chance to ambush from behind, charging forward; however, its massive weight made its footsteps audible, and Xiao Dingguo turned and dodged, the Great Axe swung at its neck in a single strike, breaking the neck and embedding it half a meter into the ground, its eyes raging at the people before it, yet it could not move.

Xiao Dingguo, with his second axe, sliced the tank's neck, spraying blood.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Dingguo killed two more Blood‑thirsty Tanks.

"All right, the Blood‑thirsty Tanks outside are cleared; let's enter the building, finish the sweep, then gather materials," Xiao Dingguo said.

"With such a commotion, why haven't any Blood‑thirsty Tanks come out of the building to check?" Uncle Liu asked, puzzled.

"Captain, there's a big hole in front of the small plaza of the building; below should be a parking lot," Zuo Yan said.

"Let's go, enter the building; that Spiritual Mind Master hasn't emerged yet, it'll be bad if we're late."

The seven of them entered the building, climbed two floors, and found no signs of prior combat.

"Let's go to the parking lot and see; the monsters are probably there," Xiao Dingguo said.

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(End of chapter)