Chapter 73: Flaming Ghost Wolf

"Senior Xu, Senior He."

As Huo Yuhao's voice echoed, the spiritual detection he had activated instantly shared the situation with everyone—Nether Wolves were closing in fast, and every one of them had at least 500 years of cultivation.

Standing at the front, Chen Junting's gaze sharpened. "Prepare for battle!"

"Heh!"

Xu Sanshi smirked and activated his second soul skill. The Xuanming Turtle Shield in his hand split into countless palm-sized fragments, dispersing around the group to form a barrier—leaving only the front open.

Simultaneously, metal clanked as He Caitou transformed—metal barrels and attack-type soul tools deployed from hidden compartments on his body. In seconds, he looked like a human turret, his shoulder cannons gleaming ominously.

Low, guttural growls echoed from the darkness as dozens of glowing eyes lit up the shadows. Then, the Nether Wolf Pack surged forward like phantoms, surrounding them from all sides. Their movements were silent, their gazes calculating—but they didn't immediately attack.

Then came a wave of heat.

The leader stepped into view.

A towering Nether Wolf with flame-colored fur, its eyes glowing like burning embers. It was clear—this was no ordinary wolf. This was a Flaming Ghost Wolf, a mutant variant.

The atmosphere tensed. Chen Junting's Seven Killing Sword began to hum.

"Senior He, firepower coverage."

Boom!

The battle erupted as Xu Sanshi pushed forward, Xuanming Shields flickering. Beibei surged with lightning, unleashing his third soul skill—Thunder Serpent Barrage—lightning bolts splitting through the air toward the wolves.

He Caitou didn't hesitate. White-hot beams of energy blasted from his turrets, lighting up the dark forest. The forest trembled under the soul power eruption. Trees splintered, and dirt was blown skyward.

The wolf pack charged.

Huo Yuhao's spiritual detection shared everything in real time, creating a perfect tactical advantage. Wu Feng stayed by his side, guarding him fiercely while unleashing her own fire-based soul skills.

"Now!" Beibei ordered. "Junting, take the front! Wu Feng, stay on Yuhao!"

"Understood!"

Chen Junting leapt forward. His Seven Killing Sword shimmered, releasing dark-golden sword energy in the shape of a cross. Two beams flashed out—his third soul skill, Sword Wings Flying—slicing into the incoming wolves with unrelenting force.

A howl pierced the air.

The Flaming Ghost Wolf charged, its jaws glowing red-hot. It released a breath of flame that turned into writhing fire serpents, spiraling toward the sword light.

Boom!

Flame met steel. The air sizzled.

But Chen Junting's sword aura didn't falter. He stepped forward, sword raised.

"Third Soul Skill—The Power of Darkness!"

Six streaks of murderous sword light followed his swing, cutting into the wolf pack's ranks. Wolves screamed and fell. Those not incinerated were torn apart. Severed limbs fell around them, and the smell of scorched fur filled the air.

"Now!" he called.

He Caitou fired again—twenty energy beams flooded the battlefield, disintegrating anything in their path. The explosion was so intense, even Xu Sanshi and Wu Feng flinched from the shockwave.

The Flaming Ghost Wolf howled in pain. Fire surged around its body as it tried to retreat—but it was too late.

Chen Junting slashed forward once more. "You're not going anywhere."

Dark-gold sword light swept out. The Flaming Ghost Wolf leapt, teeth bared, unleashing its final move—its fiery fur combusted completely, and it detonated in a self-destructive burst of flame!

BOOM!

A flaming shockwave exploded outward, burning nearby trees and sending waves of heat crashing through the forest.

Xu Sanshi stepped forward and raised his shield. Water energy condensed around him, rushing forward to smother the blaze.

As the fire cleared, the charred body of the Flaming Ghost Wolf lay still on scorched ground. The other Nether Wolves, leaderless and terrified, fled into the forest. Dozens of yellow spirit rings floated into the air—proof of their defeat.

Chen Junting stepped over the corpses and inspected the wolf king.

"Roughly five thousand years of cultivation. Maybe a bit over, but not much," he said calmly. "If either of you needs it, it's within safe absorption range."

He looked over his shoulder.

"Who's taking this one?"

----

(End of Chapter 74)

---