The town of Xiao Gu Shan suddenly emptied as all the powers left together, everyone following the masters of the four great clans rushing toward Shi Village to witness a great battle. The mountains and forests were thick, the ground blanketed with years and years of accumulated fallen leaves, over a foot thick, soft beneath one’s steps. And that was not even counting the black earth formed from long-decayed foliage, which would have made it even thicker. Rich in soil, towering ancient trees filled the landscape. Many fierce beasts roamed the forest, but with so many people marching forth, no matter how massive the beasts or savage the birds of prey, they all retreated in fear—because the group was simply too large, like a mighty river surging forward.
“Is this the village?” Still over two or three miles away, the four great clans halted their advance unwillingly. They climbed up the cliffs and took high ground, occupying advantageous terrain from which to overlook the village. From the outside, nothing seemed amiss—an ordinary, simple little hamlet. Animal hides were drying atop the stone houses built from mountain rock, smoked meat hung in the air. Dogs barked, chickens crowed, old men leaned against walls soaking in the sun, and children ran laughing through the streets.
“Such a mere village… Is all this really necessary? In my opinion, we could just charge straight through with our cavalry and reduce it to dust.”
These words came from warriors of the Golden Wolf Tribe. Clad in shining armor, mounted on scale-backed steeds, their spears sharp and bright, their wide-bladed swords gleaming in the sunlight, they pointed forward toward the village below.
“He who dares to violate the sacred dignity of Luo Fu Marsh will be hunted down without mercy! This village shall fall today!” yelled a group of youths, cold and furious—their comrade Jiao Cang had lost an arm, left crippled, and they craved revenge.
Yet the commanding figures among the four clans gave strict orders: No rash actions. All must await strategic deployment above, or face severe punishment for disobedience.
“It seems this village is indeed not as simple as it appears, if these mighty figures are being this cautious,” murmured one nearby.
“Hey, where are the Clan Leaders? Why aren’t they here? What are they doing?” The following experts discussed in hushed tones, watching the scene closely.
Shi Village stood quiet and peaceful. In the courtyard at the head of the village, Little Stone held a small clay jar, preparing to boil some beast milk. He moved secretly, glancing repeatedly toward the gate, fearful of being noticed by older children.
“How fragrant!”
The beast’s milk boiled atop the fire. His tiny nose twitched delightfully as his eyes half-closed in blissful pleasure.
“Swoosh! Swoosh!” Suddenly, flapping wings sounded overhead. Startled, Little Stone looked up.
“So many birds… Could there be another monstrous beast surge?”
Standing, he stepped out of the yard and gazed skyward. Quickly spotting something odd—flocks of birds rising from the woods in all directions, each at about two or three li away—he realized the truth in an instant:
“No, someone—or something—is surrounding us!”
Little Stone cried out in alarm, warning the villagers. Indeed, Shi Lin Hu, Shi Fei Jiao, and others had sensed it immediately too. Though humble and straightforward folk, the villagers maintained ever-watchful instincts born from decades of life in the dangerous wildlands.
“Do you think those damn bastards have come back again?” shouted Er Meng’s father.
Among the encroaching force, expressions of surprise flashed across the faces of the four clan experts—these villagers’ promptness showed they were truly no ordinary folk.
“Just now!” someone from the Golden Wolf Clan gasped. “Our Chief is coming!”
A tall, muscular old man appeared before them—his pupils a pale gold, crackling with arcs of lightning powerful enough to strike terror into any beholder’s heart. At his side loomed a divine golden wolf, not particularly huge, yet proudly stepping forth as if challenging every living soul present with supreme arrogance. Bathed in radiant gold light, exuding majesty surpassing that of humankind, it gazed coldly, piercing every expert’s spirit until even they took steps back breathless. It was far more terrifying than the old chief himself.
All understood immediately: this must be the most formidable Spirit within five thousand li—its might unparalleled.
“You of the Golden Wolves will not move ahead recklessly!” the imposing elder commanded. “Retreat one li further. Wait patiently for my orders.”
With that declaration echoing forth, he transformed into a streak of golden radiance vanishing deep into the forest.
Soon he arrived one li from Shi Village, standing on a mountaintop alongside his spiritual guardian, staring intensely toward the peaceful-looking hamlet.
At that same moment, three peerless sovereigns emerged at once from three other directions—perching upon sheer cliffs overlooking the village. The leaders of Thunder, Luo Fu Marsh, Zi Shan Clan, and the Golden Wolves had all arrived, positioning themselves in cardinal directions like celestial generals ready to unleash devastation.
Roaring thunder erupted from the west, the rumble rolling as if summoned—originating from a vast river threading its way through dense forests in the land claimed by Luo Fu Marsh. Their ruler now manifested, engulfed in water mist. His body shone, undergoing a transformation—the emergence of a mighty aquatic monster forming from within.
He activated Blood Essence Arts. Yet his means bore eerie qualities. From along his spine writhed and rose forth an enormous sea-dragon, slowly detaching into existence. Its coiled form covered mountainous terrain ominously, its aura dread-filled. Glowing, ancient glyphs drifted mid-air flickering spectrally while fog clung densely to its immense form.
Letting loose a thunderous bellow shaking everything for miles around—mountains crumbling, leaves flying—the gray-beast launched itself downward in attack mode, striking the village fiercely.
Skyward blotted out, the beast loomed—a chaos-born shadow. Its roar unleashed beams capable of obliterating the land below into rubble instantly. Outer borders of the village saw structures and woodland suffer heavy devastation, cracked ground splitting wide; this creature’s power shook bones and spirits to the core.
“An astonishingly strong Treasure Spell!”
Everyone watching beyond two or three li gasped inwardly, hairs bristling as awe overwhelmed them—all such strength capable of eradicating a complete tribe easily!
“But…the village remains undamaged!”
Above the village entrance, upon that luminous willow tree, sprouted glowing branches whose faint glow spread across the whole hamlet acting like shield deflecting incoming destruction entirely.
The very limb extended swiftly into heavens piercing upward aimed precisely at slaying that monstrosity in retaliation!
**BOOM!!**
From the north surged radiant storm-lightnings—inky black bolts cascading off rocky cliff towards stone hamlet intercepting skyward green limbs. Leihou attacked—a king-level powerhouse wielding absolute might invoking godhood resembling lightning divinity incarnated.
“Dying wood reawakens as springtime rebirth?” His voice rumbled through lands akin quake. Every figure nearby clamped ears protectively from overwhelming sound wave resonance tearing forests violently. His focus wasn’t upon main trunk—but specifically targeted young shootlets.
Entire space turned pitch-black amidst torrential onslaught waves raining downward suffocating cosmos under roaring nightglare energy flows.
Meanwhile southern quarters resonated deep wolf howls reaching heavenwards—the moon-singing Divine Beast emanating dazzling gold light bathing entire peak while fearsome metamorphosis unfolded upon Spirit Guardian’s form. Back splits open—golden rift formed separating fur sides apart releasing previously hidden entity. Emerging phoenix-like newly-revived golden wolf shimmered metallic shine rivaling precious metal sculptures.
“Aaah! That Golden Wolf indeed lives up to legends—it has already been reborn gaining renewed strength by casting away old hide turning into potent treasure weapon.” Witnesses stunned.
Daily disguising former self hiding authentic ferocity till now, golden pelt peeled revealed vibrant essence fully-formed replica imbued living qualities including fangs gleaming threateningly.
Its haunting wail echoed reality, effluvium irradiating transforming surroundings entirely golden hue charging forth attacking Willow directly.
Onlookers trembled profoundly knowing no match existed locally among territorial spiritual guardians matching current horror-inducing dominance manifest here.
Golden skin transmuted wolf charged full-tilt toward charred roots of willow seeking total destruction, golden waves surging submerging entrance area completely.
Thunderclap heralded arrival—
Purple Qi flowing east—rising dense purple mists cloaking horizons becoming thickened cloud cover enshrouding mountainscape beneath omnipotent pressure presence.
Zi Shan Hou—the first-rank warrior—made appearance unleashing final move!
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