Ishin didn’t hesitate. He yanked his spear free from the corpse of the thunder horned wolf and took off running, Zhu Rhee right beside him. All thoughts of retrieving the chakra vanished, replaced by a singular desire—to survive—as another chorus of howls erupted behind them.

  They leapt over the fallen log they’d climbed earlier and dashed through the thick trees of the Howling Scape Forest. Ishin silently thanked Zhu Rhee for suggesting they leave their packs behind that morning. If they hadn’t, the extra weight would have slowed them down and sealed their fate.

  “Keep going,” Zhu Rhee urged, starting to pass him. Her two-stage cultivation advantage was showing—she could cycle more qi to her legs and maintain the speed. That, and not having to carry a spear. She glanced back at him and visibly slowed, careful not to pull too far ahead.

  “Don’t wait for me,” Ishin insisted. He was cycling qi into his legs as well, but his reserves weren’t as deep, and his control was rougher. “I’ll meet you there.”

  Zhu Rhee looked like she wanted to argue—but then her eyes widened. Her gaze darted behind him, filled with alarm.

  Ishin turned, already bracing himself.

  A massive thunder horned wolf, easily three times the size of the cub he had killed, vaulted clean over the log in a single bound. Its eyes locked on him.

  A quick flash from his third eye told him everything he needed to know. It’s at the Adept Realm!

  Six smaller wolves followed on its heels, each one snarling and low to the ground. They were in the Initial Realm, but still dangerous. Their yellow horns glinted like spears in the shifting morning light.

  What do we do? Ishin’s thoughts raced as he pressed forward. We can’t fight it. Should I throw away my spear to move faster?

  He glanced back. The Adept Realm wolf was closing fast. No. I’ll be defenseless, and it’ll still catch me before I’ve gone a hundred paces.

  Then he saw the glow forming inside the wolf’s maw—qi concentrating.

  It’s using a technique!

  Ishin veered sharply to the left. A blast of sound exploded from the wolf’s jaws, tearing through the air like thunder. It collided with a pine tree behind him, splitting its trunk in half and spraying wood chips through the air.

  That would’ve killed me. We’re not going to outrun this thing.

  As he sprinted, Ishin noticed Zhu Rhee was still alongside him. She hadn’t fled.

  “Senior Sister, get out of here!”

  “I’m not leaving you to face them alone!” she shouted back, voice shaking.

  There was no time to debate. The pack leader was closing in fast, and there was only one option left.

  Ishin spun on his heel, planting his feet as he turned to face the oncoming beast. The old scars on his face burned, a visceral reminder of the Sun Tiger’s claws. But he didn’t flinch.

  I’m not helpless this time.

  He stabbed his spear into the ground to anchor himself and raised his palm. Blue and white lightning coiled around his fingers. He focused his qi with everything he had left, forming the Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike. It wouldn’t kill the beast, but it didn’t need to. He just needed to create an opening for Zhu Rhee to escape.

  The wolf lunged, mouth open, fangs gleaming, thirty feet away—then twenty.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Ishin didn’t aim for the head. He fired the lightning directly at its front right leg. The bolt struck with a flash and a deafening crack, severing the limb mid-joint.

  The thunder horned wolf let out a thunderous yelp and twisted in the air. It slammed into the earth, blood pouring from the blackened stump.

  But its momentum hadn’t stopped.

  Ishin braced himself, knowing he couldn’t dodge.

  Suddenly, he was yanked backward. His vision spun as he tumbled across the ground. When he came to a stop, he was beside Zhu Rhee. The massive wolf smashed face-first into the earth where he had stood just seconds before.

  What the—

  He looked down. A tendril of shadow was wrapped around his waist, connecting him to Zhu Rhee.

  “You okay?” she asked, panting.

  He nodded, heart still pounding.

  The pack leader thrashed, trying to rise on three legs. The wound had been cauterized by lightning, preventing it from bleeding out, but the beast was clearly disoriented.

  The rest of the pack arrived. They surrounded their injured leader but didn’t attack. They could sense something had changed.

  Ishin’s limbs trembled. His meridians were strained, his qi nearly depleted. He couldn’t even cycle properly anymore.

  One of Zhu Rhee’s shadow tendrils extended, wrapping around his spear still stuck in the ground. It lifted and floated toward him.

  “Thanks,” Ishin muttered as he took the weapon and returned to a defensive stance.

  “No need.” Zhu Rhee formed a staff of shadow in her own hand. Her breathing steadied, qi beginning to circulate again.

  She’s still prepared to fight, Ishin thought, awed. Even after everything… she’s not running.

  One of the Initial Realm wolves stepped forward, lips curled in a snarl.

  If this is where my Immortal Path ends… at least it ends beside someone worthy.

  Zhu Rhee stepped up beside him, qi surging. The wolf crouched low, preparing to pounce.

  Then the pack leader barked. A low, guttural sound—more command than warning.

  The smaller wolf paused, its ears perked.

  The leader barked again and made a chomping motion. The pack hesitated. A low growl rippled between them, followed by several more vocalizations that almost sounded like conversation.

  Are they… deciding whether or not to attack?

  After another tense moment, the pack leader locked eyes with Ishin again. Then, with a sharp, final howl, it turned away.

  The rest of the pack followed, fading into the forest. The leader limped last, never taking its eyes off the two cultivators until it disappeared into the underbrush.

  Only when the last sound of rustling leaves faded did Ishin lower his spear.

  Beside him, Zhu Rhee exhaled shakily. “I thought we were done for.”

  Ishin wiped the sweat from his brow. “Me too.”

  He leaned on his spear, too tired to stand without it. “So much for hunting fifteen of them.”

  Zhu Rhee pushed back strands of hair clinging to her face. “Yeah… that may have been a little ambitious.” She looked west. “Do you think we could still collect the one you killed?”

  Ishin started to shake his head—but before he could speak, a fiery bolt exploded from the trees and struck Zhu Rhee in the back.

  She cried out and hit the ground hard, her robes scorched and skin seared.

  “Who’s there?!” Ishin shouted, spear raised in an instant. That attack hadn’t come from a wolf.

  A familiar female voice answered. “Who do you think?”

  Qu Yan emerged from the trees, flanked by the two Iron Mantises from the Western Quarter.

  Zhu Rhee lay moaning on the ground, her back blackened with a large burn. Ishin’s stomach twisted.

  They were after me… and she got caught in it.

  “What are you doing here?” he growled.

  “I’m here for justice,” Qu Yan said, fire curling in her hands. “For my brother. The one you murdered.”

  Ishin’s jaw clenched. “Fine. I understand why you want to kill me. But why attack her?” He motioned to Zhu Rhee. “She’s not part of this.”

  “And my brother wasn’t part of your business either!” Qu Yan spat, eyes wild. “Like him, she’s just unlucky.”

  Ishin lifted his spear again, opening his third eye. All three of them were at the second layer, but Qu Yan’s qi felt denser—thicker. She’s close to a breakthrough.

  This wasn’t good. He had no qi left for his lightning strike. Zhu Rhee was wounded and struggling to even move.

  First the wolves… now this.

  Qu Yan sneered. “Nothing else to say?”

  “You’d better pray to the Heavens that you succeed this time,” Ishin said through gritted teeth, lowering his stance and gripping the spear tightly. “Because there won’t be a third.”