Chapter 205: The Distance Between Wolf and Hound

If one listened closely, they could hear Zhao Ruoxi singing, “A little white sheep, come to the bowl…”

She roamed the wilderness like a maiden in spring, freely and effortlessly. Blooms of Acheron flowers appeared and withered, each emergence propelling Zhao Ruoxi forward.

In the distance, Bai Kongzhao continued to run, her speed not slowing down in the slightest. Her innate ability to hide was at its peak. Whenever the environment permitted, she would sprint at full speed, but when it became easy to leave traces, she would hide once more. Relying on her natural talent for escape and concealment, Bai Kongzhao had left Qian Ye frustrated many times, escaping pursuit even after being chased for thousands of miles.

But this time, she encountered her nemesis. No matter how well she hid or tried to deceive, as soon as she changed direction, Zhao Ruoxi behind her would sense it and follow accordingly.

Zhao Ruoxi’s speed was not fast. Without the aid of origin power, her naturally frail body could not withstand extreme speed fluctuations. However, with the support of the Manjushaka, her pursuit never ceased. Once she locked onto her target, her innate terrifying intuition would guide her, ensuring she never lost the trail.

This was the power of the Acheron, from which all beings, no matter their life paths, would ultimately return to its dark, endless embrace.

At this moment, the wilderness was nearly under the dominion of the dark races. Numerous powerful dark race members lurked everywhere, waiting to ambush passing humans. Many dark races noticed Zhao Ruoxi, but upon seeing the Acheron flowers, an instinctive, soul-deep chill made them flee.

However, there were always those who feared nothing—these were the lowest of the low, still unaware of the horror of the Acheron flowers. As they rushed towards Zhao Ruoxi, Acheron flowers bloomed and withered before them, and their lives slipped away.

Even the most ferocious and savage dark races would awaken in the presence of their fallen comrades, thus leaving a wide area around Zhao Ruoxi devoid of any dark race presence.

Bai Kongzhao exerted herself to the utmost, yet the distance between her and Zhao Ruoxi continued to shrink. She was indeed gifted in many ways, but challenging the Manjushaka was too premature.

Suddenly, Bai AoTu appeared beside Zhao Ruoxi, several dozen meters away, walking alongside her.

Bai AoTu was still dressed in loose robes, her steps light as if walking on water. When her indifferent gaze met Zhao Ruoxi, dozens of Acheron flowers suddenly appeared around Zhao Ruoxi, blocking Bai AoTu’s view, and Zhao Ruoxi’s speed slowed slightly.

“Hmm?” Zhao Ruoxi turned her head, meeting Bai AoTu’s gaze. Their eyes clashed, sparks seemingly ready to fly, neither willing to back down.

Without hesitation, Zhao Ruoxi raised the Manjushaka, aiming it at Bai AoTu. Given her previous actions, everyone knew she would not hesitate to shoot.

But Bai AoTu did not intend to retreat. Instead, she clenched her right hand into a fist, from which sharp, needle-like currents of energy shot out. If Zhao Ruoxi fired, she would not block but counterattack, leading to a mutually destructive outcome.

At that moment, Wang Bo’s figure slowly materialized. As soon as he appeared, the sharp energy from Bai AoTu’s fist redirected towards him. Bai AoTu’s face changed slightly; she knew that if she struck, the blow would inevitably land on Wang Bo. This would cause serious injury to Wang Bo, but Zhao Ruoxi’s shot could also cost her dearly.

“Miss, continue your pursuit. I can handle things here,” Wang Bo said.

Zhao Ruoxi nodded, “Very well! I will first kill that little wretch, then settle accounts with her.”

Wang Bo bowed to Zhao Ruoxi, watching her depart. Bai AoTu stood by, her gaze fixed on Wang Bo, realizing she could not strike. Despite Wang Bo’s proximity, he seemed both present and absent, his form shifting countless times in each instant. Her attack would likely miss.

Recognizing this, Bai AoTu dispelled any underestimation, understanding that Wang Bo was a formidable foe. If they engaged, it would be a long and costly battle, even if she won, it would be a Pyrrhic victory, and Zhao Ruoxi’s return would seal her fate.

With a solemn expression, Bai AoTu shouted, “Are you so intent on wiping us out that you would start a war with my clan?!”

Bai AoTu’s position in her clan was esteemed, and small-scale conflicts could be decided by her word. But a war with the Zhao clan was not within her authority. Thus, her words lacked the force of conviction.

Unexpectedly, Wang Bo replied, “The young master instructed me that anyone daring to obstruct Miss’s mission, regardless of who they are, must be fought, no matter the cost.”

Bai AoTu was taken aback, then laughed coldly, “Can such a significant matter really be decided by Zhao Si alone?”

“Indeed, the young master can decide it now.”

Bai AoTu laughed mockingly, “Trying to intimidate me?”

Wang Bo smiled, “If General Bai does not believe, you may try. You should know that some people are reckless, while others can make decisions, and the results are often similar.”

Bai AoTu’s fists trembled slightly, her face turning pale. After much hesitation, she still could not make up her mind. A war between the Zhao and Bai clans would shock the entire empire, even the imperial family would intervene. In such a fateful conflict, the dispute would be resolved with strong interference, using swift and decisive means. As the source of the conflict, even Bai AoTu’s high status could not protect her. If she couldn’t protect herself, Bai Kongzhao would have no chance.

Moreover, such a major decision was not within her power.

While she hesitated, Zhao Ruoxi had already gone far. Bai AoTu gritted her teeth, speaking coldly, “Fine! Your Zhao clan, and you, remember this!”

Wang Bo, like an old man who had seen through the world, said, “My life is not worth much. If you want it, you can take it anytime.”

Facing someone like Wang Bo, even Bai AoTu was helpless. Such figures were common in the great families, though none as deep as Wang Bo. It was not worth it for Bai AoTu to fight such a loyalist.

Bai AoTu said no more and turned to leave. As she departed, Wang Bo’s figure slowly faded away.

On the distant horizon, a tall, handsome man appeared, bright and innocent as a boy new to the world. He looked around, puzzled, muttering, “Strange, not a single soul in sight? Where did they go? We were supposed to meet here.”

This was William. He looked at a nearby, steep hill, frowning, “Yes, this is the place. The Blackback Tribe, the Fangtooth Tribe, where are they? Are getting lost and being late not just my specialties?”

William was very confused and headed towards the hill. Once he let go, he felt increasingly happy, especially with the open wilderness, allowing him to run freely. He quickly reached his maximum speed, and still not satisfied, he howled and leaped, transforming mid-air into a giant wolf, a silver bolt of lightning, heading towards the hill.

As he neared the foot of the hill, William suddenly stopped, his claws digging deep furrows. His neck hair stood on end, fixated on an Acheron flower that had suddenly appeared in front of him.

The flower, just a meter from his nose, quivered, on the brink of withering. But at the last moment, it miraculously halted, as if time itself had stopped.

William remained motionless, staring at the flower’s center, holding his breath, afraid to disturb the Acheron flower and allow its withering to continue.

The Manjushaka’s reputation in the Evernight camp was far greater than in the Empire. Rooted in the Acheron, the otherworldly flower thrived on dark origin power, a natural bane to the dark races. Its power over humans, born of the dawn origin power, was weaker. Even someone as strong as William dared not move.

William’s control over his body was unparalleled. He froze, his heart stopping, blood ceasing to flow, and his body temperature dropping to match the surroundings. Yet, even this only paused the withering process, not stopped it.

After a few seconds, William began to falter, a bead of sweat forming on his nose. As the sweat appeared, the Acheron flower began to sway again, and more flowers appeared around him.

William’s inner turmoil was interrupted by a joyful voice, “Such a cute big dog!”

Upon hearing the voice, William recognized it as a non-origin power ordinary girl. With a silent curse, he leaped, positioning himself between the girl and the Acheron flowers, his neck hair bristling, growling. He triggered the withering of all the Acheron flowers, ready to take the impact with his body.

Just as the Acheron flowers began to wither, William let out a mournful cry, closing his eyes. He knew the terror of the Acheron flowers, and the imminent impact would likely leave him critically injured, possibly even affecting the girl behind him.

But the anticipated soul-shattering impact never came. The Acheron flowers vanished as if they had never existed. Then, William felt his neck hair being grabbed, and a small hand turned his head. Before him was a pure, ethereal face, her eyes so innocent they made his heart tremble.

“Such a cute big dog!” she repeated.

William’s neck hair bristled again, feeling the urge to roar, “I am a wolf!”

But as he spoke, he realized he was still in his giant wolf form and could only howl. William, the proud son of the Peak Clan, could not tolerate being mistaken for a dog. This was an unforgivable insult. If it spread, his reputation would be ruined.

Determined, William was about to transform back into human form to declare his true identity. But then he saw the ornate short gun hanging from the girl’s waist—the Manjushaka. Recognizing the girl as Zhao Ruoxi, the current wielder of the Manjushaka, he resignedly closed his eyes.

But Zhao Ruoxi was not done with him. She forcefully lowered his head, petting him roughly and pulling his neck hair, exclaiming, “So cute! So cute! Golden fur!! Feels so good!!”

William finally realized the girl, though without origin power, had quite a grip. Wanting to resist, he opened his eyes and saw the Manjushaka, resigning himself to the abuse.

The distance between a wolf and a dog, it seemed, was measured by a Manjushaka.