Chapter 85: A Man Faces Challenges Head-On

Although Zhang Shu had witnessed Xiao Nan’s strength, he did not believe that Xiao Nan could hunt the bloodthirsty wolf alone. Even Han Zhang’s team always acted together when facing such beasts. The only consolation was that these wolves never ventured beyond the ten-mile meadow; as long as they escaped, the wolves would not pursue too far. So, lingering on the outskirts, even encountering a lone wolf posed little danger. But if someone went deeper inside, it would be courting death.

“Let’s give it a try. Besides the bloodthirsty wolf, are there any other beasts whose blood contains abundant vital energy?”

“There are, but they dwell in White Fang Forest and Bear King Ridge—places we absolutely shouldn’t go. Not only do wild men appear there from time to time, but the beasts are even fiercer, with third- and fourth-ranked ones being common.”

Xiao Nan smiled, his pace never faltering. Deep within, he sensed a faint danger, light as wisps of cloud. It meant that no matter how savage the bloodthirsty wolf was, it posed little threat to him. When such a premonition arose, the source of danger was already close.

Was there a wolf nearby?

“Such clever concealment,” Xiao Nan laughed.

“Careful!” A shadow darted forth, kicking up a wild gust of wind, a stench hitting their noses.

Zhang Shu was still advising caution, warning against venturing further… Suddenly, the shadow charged with fierce momentum, his face turning pale with horror, though his reaction was swift. He shouted loudly, drew his long blade, and struck with a tremendous force.

A clang resounded.

The shadow halted.

A massive wolf, as large as a calf, its fur oily and jet-black, crouched low, growling with bared fangs.

Zhang Shu tumbled backward, rolling twice on the ground to disperse the force… Half-kneeling, blade ready, he prepared to fend off further attacks.

Usually, when facing a bloodthirsty wolf, it took several people working together to barely hold their own. Alone, he was outmatched. He was weaker, slower, and even if he landed a hit, wounding the beast was unlikely.

He cursed inwardly, watching as the shadow moved again. The wolf’s body tensed, leaping into the air and pouncing, saliva dripping from its jaws.

“Why does it pick on me? Is it because I’m big, and look appetizing?” Zhang Shu felt a touch of melancholy.

Just then, a clear sword-song rang out…

The giant wolf, mid-air, was suddenly slashed across its waist, blood spurting, its howl rising to a sharp pitch.

With a whimper, the black wolf twisted, landed, and dashed to the side, eyes glowing blood-red, attacking in a new direction.

Its reaction was astonishingly quick.

…

Xiao Nan had landed a hit, yet seeing the wolf still vigorous and fierce, he was surprised.

“It truly is difficult to kill. My sword is sharp enough that even Han Zhang, a peak first-rank fighter, couldn’t withstand it, yet this wolf seems almost unaffected.”

But not entirely unaffected.

He saw clearly: the blade had cut half a foot deep into the wolf’s waist, but hadn’t severed bone; the force was absorbed. Its muscles and hide were remarkably tough, offering immense resistance.

“Silken Threads and Slanting Rain are not purely offensive techniques. Though subtle and ingenious, difficult to block, they are less effective against larger beasts.”

Still, a beast is a beast, far less complex than a human.

This black wolf’s attacks were relatively fixed: leap, bite, claw—swift as lightning.

For Xiao Nan, such predictable moves could be countered with his quick wit and reflexes.

As for his neural response, Xiao Nan knew that since his spirit had grown stronger, he was so fast that even his hands struggled to keep up.

He did not retreat; sword in hand, its light shimmering like the moon, he thrust seven or eight times in rapid succession.

As the black wolf’s attack direction shifted, his blade adjusted minutely, each thrust landing on the wolf’s forehead.

Like nails hammered in, the sharp yet flexible force penetrated deeply and suddenly burst forth.

The black wolf howled, stumbled as it landed, the red glow in its eyes fading…

Like a puppy beaten to tears, it whimpered and burrowed into the grass.

“Still alive?” Even Xiao Nan was surprised.

Before the thought finished, the black wolf collapsed with a thud, twitching on the ground, red and white fluid oozing from its forehead.

Brain matter was spilling out.

…

“You—you actually killed a bloodthirsty wolf with a single strike?” Zhang Shu’s eyes were wide as oxen, utterly incredulous.

“That was eight strikes, not one,” Xiao Nan clarified.

“Eight?” Zhang Shu was at a loss, his face full of dejection.

He simply couldn’t see it clearly.

The previous duels between Xiao Nan and Han Zhang, he’d followed, but only because Han Zhang’s power and speed were far superior, and he used the Bloodletting Sword Hall’s Breaking Army style—every move forceful, every attack deadly.

This forced Xiao Nan to defend first, attack later. The intricacies of his swordplay were hard to observe.

But the black wolf’s speed and strength were on par with an ordinary first-rank fighter, posing no threat to Xiao Nan, so his true capabilities shone.

When Xiao Nan struck, his sword moved like spring wind and night rain; Zhang Shu could only glimpse a blurry shadow.

He had no idea where the actual blade was.

Only when the wolf lay sprawled, did he notice the bloody hole in its head.

“If I fought him, wouldn’t I die without knowing how?”

The opponent had not even broken through the first rank.

He was so young, hadn’t even graduated high school.

…

Suddenly, Zhang Shu felt a pang of sympathy for Han Zhang.

He had recruited a formidable teammate, only to make him an enemy, thus destroying his last chance for survival.

…

Zhang Shu was awed, bewildered, sinking into deep frustration.

He felt his twenty-nine years had been wasted.

Xiao Nan, meanwhile, shook his head quietly.

He was not satisfied.

It appeared he had dispatched the beast with ease, but in truth, he had used every trick, and it was far from effortless.

He wielded a chrysanthemum-patterned steel sword, employed the refined Slanting Rain technique, and used his powerful spirit to predict the wolf’s moves, striking eight times in the same spot.

All he managed was to bore a hole in the wolf’s head…

A single hole.

In the end, it was the subtle force invading its brain, bursting suddenly, that killed it.

Such vitality, such physical strength—indeed formidable.

Though somewhat weaker than a bear wildman, the difference was not great.

The real issue was the efficiency of his attacks.

Against the bear wildman and Han Zhang, Xiao Nan had noticed the same problem.

Han Zhang’s sword was as steady as a mountain, while Xiao Nan’s attacks were gentle yet penetrating, lacking a decisive finishing move.

He could only use superior skill to sever his opponent’s tendon and win.

That was cleverness.

Against the bear wildman, it was only because of the foe’s carelessness.

He risked all to stab the man’s eyes, gaining the upper hand.

That was a sneak attack.

If Han Zhang reached the second rank, refining his sinews, his flesh tougher, tendons like steel wire—could Slanting Rain still inflict serious injury?

If the bear wildman fought cautiously, with tight defense, avoiding reckless attacks—would there be any opening?

Of course, life offers no “ifs.”

Victory is victory, defeat is defeat.

But from this, it was clear his arsenal was still too limited.

What he had learned in his past life was craftiness suited to low-level martial arts, mostly for unarmed combat.

Here, with weapons, unless he had forceful, explosive skills and finishing moves that amplified power and speed, he could not claim true combat prowess.

He would have to visit Four Seasons Sword Hall this Friday.

It was said that the Four Seasons Swordplay was not only gentle in its Spring Three Moves, but also fierce in Summer, stern in Autumn, and ruthless in Winter. Would he be able to master them?