Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World-Chapter 238: Training XIV

Before the first light of dawn, a soft rustling came from the edge of the valley. Ling’s eyes opened instantly.

"Everyone wake up," she whispered, her voice calm but firm. "Something is near. Stay alert."

Han Yi groaned, rubbing his eyes.

"...Already? My body refuses... I just slept!"

Mu Chen sat up quickly, scanning the shadows.

"...I don’t see anything yet... but I don’t like this."

Yue’s eyes darted to the trees at the valley’s edge.

"...I feel it... something’s moving... slowly, quietly..."

Lei Feng stood, tense.

"...After everything yesterday... we can’t let our guard down now."

Ling gestured for them to form a tight circle.

"Keep your weapons ready. Watch the perimeter. No sudden movements."

The rustling grew louder, leaves cracking under something heavy. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Suddenly, a pack of strange, wolf-like creatures appeared, moving fast and silent. Their fur was dark, almost blending into the shadows, and their eyes glowed faintly in the dim morning light.

Han Yi’s voice trembled.

"...Not again... wolves? Really? After that boar?"

Mu Chen gritted his teeth.

"...We survived one big monster. We can survive more. Stay calm."

Yue held a small rock in her hand, ready to throw.

"...They’re circling us... we have to act fast."

Ling stepped forward, raising her hand.

"Don’t attack recklessly. Watch their movements. We use their momentum against them. Together."

The creatures growled, their teeth bared, eyes locked on the group.

Han Yi whispered, voice barely audible.

"...One step at a time... one step at a time..."

Mu Chen nodded, gripping a stick tightly.

"...Just like yesterday... teamwork."

Ling glanced around.

"Positions. We need to control the space around us. Don’t let them surround us."

The wolves lunged forward almost at the same time.

"Move! Spread out! Watch each other!" Ling shouted.

The group scattered slightly, keeping the wolves from closing in. Dust and loose grass kicked up under their feet.

Han Yi stumbled but managed to regain balance.

"...I’m not dying yet... maybe..."

Mu Chen swung his stick at a wolf that came too close, hitting it lightly but enough to slow it down.

"...Keep moving! Don’t let them flank us!"

Yue ducked under a low swipe, throwing her rock at another wolf. It howled, yipping angrily, but didn’t stop.

"...They’re fast... really fast..."

Lei Feng grabbed a fallen branch, holding it in both hands, ready to push a wolf back if it charged.

"...We can’t fight them all head-on... we need to use the space... the terrain..."

Ling moved deliberately, guiding the group as the wolves circled.

"Stay calm. Let them come toward us, then push them into open areas where we can control them. Watch each other. Don’t get separated."

One wolf lunged at Han Yi. Han Yi yelped and rolled sideways. The wolf’s momentum carried it past him, giving Yue an opening to hit it with another rock.

Mu Chen shouted,

"...Good! Keep them moving! Don’t let them pin us down!"

Ling focused, eyes sharp.

"Han Yi, step back slowly toward me. Mu Chen, push that wolf toward the slope. Yue, cover the left side. Lei Feng, ready to intercept any that get past!"

The wolves were relentless, but the group’s coordination began to pay off. Each wolf that lunged was deflected, pushed, or avoided. Slowly, they started controlling the fight instead of just reacting.

Han Yi panted,

"...I survived the boar... I can survive these things too... I think..."

Mu Chen gritted his teeth, swinging again,

"...Focus. Don’t stop. We can do this together!"

Ling’s voice cut through the chaos, steady and commanding,

"Keep moving as a unit. One step at a time. Don’t panic. We fight smart, not hard."

The wolves hesitated for a moment, confused by the group’s coordination. That pause was all they needed.

"Now! Push them toward the clearing!" Ling shouted.

The group moved as one, forcing the wolves into a more open area where they could’t easily circle them. Each member covered the other, and gradually, the wolves began retreating, realizing the group was no easy prey.

Han Yi fell to his knees, gasping,

"...We actually did it... we survived again..."

Mu Chen wiped sweat from his brow,

"...Together. That’s the key. We survive together."

Yue nodded, still trembling,

"...We survived... and we’re still alive..."

Lei Feng finally allowed himself a small, exhausted smile,

"...Every trial... every danger... we can handle it, if we stick together."

Ling stood tall, scanning the retreating wolves,

"The fight is over... for now. But remember this. Stay alert. Stay together. That is how we survive."

The group lowered their weapons, breathing heavily, muscles aching from the fight. The plains were quiet again, only the sound of the wind and the distant stream filling the air.

Han Yi slumped against a rock, still shaking.

"...I think I’m done with monsters for a while... can we just walk quietly now?"

Mu Chen let out a small laugh, exhaustion in his voice.

"...Quiet walking sounds perfect. As long as nothing else decides to attack us."

Yue wiped dirt from her clothes, glancing around nervously.

"...I can’t believe we survived that. I keep expecting something worse to appear... but maybe... we can keep going."

Lei Feng nodded, still catching his breath.

"...We’ve faced impossible things already. If we can survive those, maybe we really can make it through anything."

Ling checked the group carefully, making sure no one was seriously injured.

"Minor cuts and bruises, nothing broken. That’s a good sign. We’ve learned to fight, to move together, and to think under pressure. That is our real strength."

Han Yi groaned again, rubbing his head.

"...Strength... feels like a lie right now, but I’ll take it."

Mu Chen smiled faintly.

"...We’ll take it, and tomorrow we’ll keep moving. No matter what comes, together."

Yue stood up slowly, looking at the path ahead.

"...I’m tired... but I feel... ready. Ready to face whatever comes next."

Lei Feng straightened his back, determination in his eyes.

"...We face it together. One step at a time."

Ling looked at the horizon, the plains stretching out before them.

"Rest now, tonight. Tomorrow, the journey continues. We survived the wolves, and we’ll survive what comes next. Always together."

The group settled down near the stream again, exhausted but safe, their bond strengthened by another day of survival. The sun dipped lower, and the valley was calm for the first time in hours.