Liu Qing also gave Xu Wuyi a slight nod, her gaze carrying a hint of a reminder, "Be careful of their claws and sense of smell."

Xu Wuyi said no more. The Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace within him began to operate silently. He contained his Qi and Blood, and his entire aura instantly dropped to its lowest point.

With a shift of his feet, he executed Instant Shadow Step to its fullest. His figure, like a specter melting into the dark night, silently left the camp and crept away to the southeast.

...

Once outside the range of the camp’s Energy Shield, the raw, wild scent of the vegetation grew much clearer.

The 1.5 times gravity forced him to expend more effort with every movement, but it also made each of his steps steadier.

Xu Wuyi extended his Spiritual Perception to its limit, like invisible tentacles, carefully catching any movement ahead.

He avoided dry branches and leaves, using the jagged, strange rocks and dark-red, twisted tree trunks for cover as he approached quickly and quietly.

The distance continued to shrink.

Seven hundred meters, five hundred meters, three hundred meters...

He could already clearly hear their suppressed panting and the faint scraping of claws occasionally dragging across rock.

He crouched behind a raised earthen mound and slowly peeked his head out.

Through the sparse, dark-red bushes, he saw the Werewolf Squad.

A total of five Werewolves.

Four of them were relatively shorter, standing just over two meters tall.

Their bodies were covered in coarse, gray-black fur. Their muscles were gnarled, and they wore simple leather armor, with crude bone or stone weapons hanging from their waists.

They were slightly hunched over, their crimson eyes flashing with a savage light in the darkness. Their nostrils twitched constantly, as if sniffing for something.

These were all ordinary Werewolf Warriors, with Life Energy Levels between Level 25 and Level 28.

The one in the lead, however, was clearly much taller and more robust, nearly two and a half meters tall, with fur so dark it was almost black.

It wore a simple breastplate inlaid with metal plates. The exposed muscles on its arms were like the gnarled roots of an old tree, filled with explosive power.

Its gaze was even more ferocious, holding the scrutiny and vigilance unique to intelligent beings. The aura it emanated had shockingly reached around Level 33.

It was a Wolfman War General.

They moved cautiously, but their direction was clear—they were heading straight for the camp.

Xu Wuyi’s eyes turned cold.

He confirmed the targets’ composition; it matched his perception exactly. One War General, four warriors.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the killing intent that roiled within him from deep-seated hatred. His gaze became as cold and calm as ancient ice.

The Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace inside him began to accelerate, and his Qi and Blood surged through his meridians like molten lava, gathering power.

In his sea of consciousness, the "Mountain" True Intention solidified, steadying his Heart and Spirit. The "Burn" True Intention was drawn but not released, accumulating power for the impending explosion.

He slightly adjusted his grip on the spear. The cold touch of the Meteor Iron Long Spear made his Heart and Spirit even more focused.

’Now!’

...

Back in the camp, Xiang Yong and Liu Qing were fully focused, their eyes fixed on the direction where Xu Wuyi had disappeared, watching for any sign of trouble.

The three researchers inside the Energy Shield didn’t even dare to breathe, their palms sweating with tension.

Time ticked by, second by second. Each one felt exceptionally long.

Suddenly—

"AWOOO—!"

A shrill, short wolf howl came from the southeast, immediately followed by the explosive clash of weapons, furious roars, and the sickening thud of something being violently torn apart!

The battle had begun!

Xiang Yong and Liu Qing exchanged a look, and both could see the gravity in the other’s eyes.

Liu Qing tightened her grip on her twin blades, while Xiang Yong’s fists also clenched, his Alloy Gloves making a faint scraping sound.

But they remembered their duty and held their ground, not rashly rushing to provide support.

They trusted Xu Wuyi’s judgment and strength, but they also had to ensure the absolute safety of the camp.

...

In the dense forest, the battle had already reached a fever pitch.

Xu Wuyi’s surprise attack was as fast as lightning!

Like a cheetah pouncing in the dead of night, he unleashed Instant Shadow Step at maximum speed, crossing dozens of meters in an instant. His Meteor Iron Long Spear, carrying an unstoppable resolve, thrust straight for the Wolfman War General’s back!

In this thrust, he made his initial use of the Shocking God Spear’s Divine Spear, his Spiritual Will highly condensed as it locked onto the target!

However, the Wolfman War General’s reaction speed was astonishingly fast!

At the very moment the spear tip was about to strike its body, it let out a furious roar. Its massive frame twisted sharply to the side with an agility that defied its size.

Simultaneously, it swung a backhanded claw strike. Dark-red Qi and Blood enveloped its claws, which met the long spear with a shriek that tore through the air!

"CLANG—!"

The sound of metal clashing rang out, sending sparks flying!

Xu Wuyi felt a tremendous force travel up the spear shaft, making his arm go slightly numb.

But his form didn’t break. His footwork was a flurry of steps as the spear followed like a shadow. In an instant, he unleashed several spear flourishes, enveloping the vital points of the Wolfman War General.

’Shocking God!’

He roared in his mind, and the Spiritual Cold Radiance hidden within his Spear Momentum suddenly erupted!

The Wolfman War General’s crimson pupils constricted. It clearly hadn’t expected the attack to contain a bizarre power that directly assaulted its Heart and Spirit.

Its movements froze for a split second. Although it instantly broke free with its formidable will, that momentary opening was enough!

"PFFT!"

The spear tip seized the opening and drilled directly into the gap in its shoulder blade!

The dark-gold Undying Flame instantly surged from the spear tip into its body!

"ROAR—!"

The Wolfman War General let out a roar of pain and fury. An intense, burning pain spread from the wound; the flame was actually madly devouring its Qi and Blood!

The other four Werewolf Warriors reacted at this moment. With bloodthirsty howls, they pounced at Xu Wuyi from different directions, their claws and crude weapons slicing through the air with a foul stench.

Xu Wuyi’s eyes were ice-cold, showing no fear.

With a shake of his long spear, he sent the Wolfman War General staggering back. He spun, using Instant Shadow Step to weave and dodge within a small area, easily evading two claw strikes and the chop of a stone axe.

At the same time, Qi and Blood surged into his left fist as he threw a simple, unadorned straight punch!

The formidable physique granted by reaching the Minor Achievement stage of the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace was on full display at this moment!

"BAM!"

A Werewolf Warrior pouncing from the side was struck squarely in the chest by the punch. The sound of its sternum cracking was clearly audible. It spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with chunks of internal organs, flew backward into a tree, and fell silent after a few twitches.

With one enemy down, the pressure on Xu Wuyi eased slightly.

He ignored the other three frantically attacking warriors and locked his gaze firmly on the injured Wolfman War General.

’I have to end this quickly!’

The Wolfman War General endured the searing pain in its shoulder, its eyes turning bloodshot as it fell into a complete frenzy.

It no longer tried to extinguish the bizarre flames. Instead, it pushed its Qi and Blood to the absolute limit, its claws whipping up gusts of bloody wind as it madly attacked Xu Wuyi, determined to tear the human who had wounded it to shreds!