Abyss Magic Cave, ninth level.
In the center of a grand palace stood a throne.
On either side of the throne, six Shadow Abyss Wolves lay prostrate on the ground, their demeanor incredibly respectful.
The golden patterns on their bodies were even more intricate than those of ordinary Shadow Abyss Royals, and the shadow aura surrounding them was heavy and terrifying. Their strength was all at Tier 7 or Tier 8.
If even one were released, the entire current City Defense Army of Hangzhou would be no match for it.
Seated upon the throne was a Shadow Abyss Wolf.
It wasn't particularly large—slightly smaller than the Tier 7 and 8 wolves beside it, only a bit larger than a standard Shadow Abyss Wolf—with deep purple fur.
Its entire body was covered in golden patterns, but these remained dark. Only its eyes, when opened, were entirely golden, with pupils that were thin vertical slits, exuding immense pressure.
This was a Tier 9 powerhouse, the Shadow Abyss Wolf King!
Below the throne, a Tier 6 Shadow Abyss Wolf lowered its head and spoke cautiously, yet filled with confusion:
“My King, His Highness the Imperial Prince is only at Tier 2, Level 6. Going to Hangzhou alone is too dangerous. Even if most of the human powerhouses in Hangzhou have been lured away by the Blood Eye Cult...”
“Tier 2 strength is also too weak. Why not wait for more layers of the seal to open and send clansmen of Tier 7 or higher?”
Hearing this, the Shadow Abyss Wolf King merely glanced at him, and the wolf immediately felt an invisible pressure.
“Do you truly believe those few people from the Blood Eye Cult can break a century-old seal?”
The Shadow Abyss Wolf King spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it was heavy, echoing throughout the entire ninth level with an undeniable authority.
The Tier 6 Shadow Abyss Wolf stiffened, and several wolves nearby also raised their heads, faces full of confusion.
The Shadow Abyss Wolf King slowly stood up, the shadow aura around him flowing sluggishly, so heavy it was impossible to resist.
“This seal was not created by humans. It was formed by the planet itself, condensing the laws of heaven and earth to protect the humans on the surface.”
“For centuries, we have attacked countless times, but the seals restricting Tier 6 and above have not budged an inch. Those small fries from the Blood Eye Cult couldn't possibly break it!”
“Currently, the seal obstructing Tier 6 and above is gradually weakening. Even without the Blood Eye Cult, in a few more years...”
“The seal would open on its own. They are simply helping a little at the right time.”
The Shadow Abyss Wolf King's golden eyes looked up at the dark purple crystals above and said flatly:
“I never expected the Blood Eye Cult to open the seal. They are merely a pawn I am using.”
“I sent Little Seven so he could take the item and find that statue.”
“The Blood Eye Cult thinks we are helping them. It’s laughable. From start to finish, we have been the ones using them!”
“As for Little Seven only being at Tier 2?”
A cold smile curled the Wolf King's lips, like a chess player watching his opponent walk right into a trap.
“Tier 2 is precisely the best! The aura of a Shadow Abyss Wolf at Tier 3 or above is too obvious. Once they enter Hangzhou, they would be detected by human instruments, immediately drawing high-level ability users for a purge.”
“Little Seven has the stealth technique I taught him. Even with his Imperial bloodline, he can completely hide his presence.”
“Even if human masters pass right by him, they will only think he is the most ordinary Tier 2 Shadow Abyss Wolf. It is the safest way.”
Hearing this, all the Shadow Abyss Wolves below lowered their heads, no longer daring to ask further.
This was a game the Wolf King had been planning for centuries; it was not something they could interfere with.
The Wolf King sat back down on his throne, his voice calm:
“Furthermore, if I’m not mistaken, human powerhouses are already rushing toward Hangzhou. Half of tonight's game is already played; the rest will be settled later.”
...
Meanwhile, in the sky northwest of Hangzhou, a hundred miles away.
The night was heavy, and the moonlight was tinged with red.
A faint green light streaked rapidly from the north. At first, it was just a small dot, but it grew larger and larger, its speed reaching the extreme.
It sliced through the sky, tearing the clouds in half like a perfect part in a head of hair.
What approached was not a meteor, but a middle-aged man!
The man wore deep green robes emblazoned with the white crane emblem of Kyoto Academy. His face was lean, and his temples were touched with gray.
At this moment, his brow was furrowed, and he was enveloped in intense wind energy, his speed terrifyingly fast.
He was a Tier 7, Level 3 powerhouse, the Chief Wind Tutor of Kyoto Academy, Fang Qing, possessor of the S-rank wind ability—Nine Heavens Wind Control!
He had been on a business trip for a meeting in Ning City, a thousand miles away. He had just finished the meeting and lay down in his hotel room...
When he received news of the breach of the Hangzhou Magic Cave seal and an emergency request for reinforcements.
Upon seeing the news, Fang Qing didn't say a word. He pushed his ability to the limit and rushed toward Hangzhou without stopping.
As he traveled, he used his authority as an S-rank ability user to check the latest situation in Hangzhou.
Looking at the scenes in the holographic projection, Fang Qing's heart sank completely.
Hangzhou had long lost its former prosperity. The West District was ablaze with fire and billowing smoke. Under the red moonlight, the entire city was a mess, covered in scars.
Fang Qing's brow furrowed even tighter, and his speed increased further.
...
On the other side, in the lobby of the Hexagon Building.
The Shadow Abyss Royal pinned to the pillar was still twitching slightly, the green light in its eyes fading as it neared its final breath.
Lin Yuan walked over barefoot, stepping on rubble, wolf blood, and dust, one step at a time until he reached the pillar.
He reached out, grabbed the shaft of Purple Lightning, and pulled with one hand.
The spear was instantly wrenched from the pillar. Crimson wolf blood flowed down the shaft, leaving a hole through the pillar. The firelight from outside filtered through, shining onto the pool of blood on the floor.
Lin Yuan casually flicked the tip of the spear, shaking off the blood.
His movements were as nonchalant as if the creatures he had just killed weren't three Tier 2, Level 5 Shadow Abyss Royals, but merely three insignificant little monsters.
Purple Lightning, imbued with electricity, shot through the air and slammed into the abdomen of the second Shadow Abyss Wolf.
This wolf had just tried to dive into the shadows to escape, having only half-completed its Shadow Traverse. Its body was half-ethereal and half-solid, not yet fully concealed.
The Purple Lightning spear pierced through instantly. The lightning energy on the spear clashed violently with the shadow energy inside its body, exploding into a cloud of silver-purple lightning on the spot.
The Shadow Abyss Wolf was blasted out of the shadows and slammed heavily into the ground, sliding over ten meters. Its body plowed a deep furrow into the floor.
The third Shadow Abyss Wolf was scared out of its wits. It turned and fled, muttering to itself incessantly:
“A monster... he’s simply a monster! How can someone who just broke through to Tier 2, Level 1 kill us Tier 2, Level 5 Royals as easily as slaughtering chickens?”
It pushed its Shadow Traverse to the limit, its entire body transforming into a streak of eerie green light as it scrambled toward the center of the hall where the Imperial Prince was. It didn't dare look back.
It didn't dare flee toward the old airport; it headed straight for the Imperial Prince. At this moment, it had lost all its pride as a monster, pouring every ounce of its shadow energy into escaping at top speed.
But it had forgotten that the Purple Lightning Cloud-Chaser spear came with an extremely powerful tracking effect. It couldn't be shaken off!
In mid-air, the Purple Lightning spear suddenly changed direction, initiating its third stage of acceleration. The lightning on the spear flared up, its speed far exceeding that of the Shadow Traverse as it relentlessly pursued the wolf.
During its flight, the wolf looked back in terror, only to see the tip of the Purple Lightning spear rapidly enlarging in its pupils. It let out a shrill scream of despair:
“His Highness the Imperial Prince! Save me—”
Before it could finish, the Purple Lightning spear pierced straight through its heart, pinning it ruthlessly to a load-bearing pillar deep in the hall.
The spear passed through the entire stone pillar, the tip emerging from the other side, wolf blood dripping from it.
The wolf's massive body hung from the pillar, its limbs twitching uncontrollably. Mouthfuls of bloody foam surged from its throat as the eerie green light in its eyes slowly faded into nothingness.
Three spears—a triple kill of Tier 2, Level 5 Shadow Abyss Royals!
Rate on N.U.
