Chapter 8 – Lightning Wolves at Dawn
Baifang yawned as the first rays of dawn broke through the misty canopy. The campfire had long burned out, leaving only thin trails of smoke curling into the chill morning air. "Another day, another chance to almost die," he muttered, rubbing his neck.
Yin Jin sat cross-legged on a boulder, crimson flame flickering faintly in his palm as he meditated. His breathing was steady, calm — but the air around him shimmered with rising heat. When he finally opened his eyes, the fire pulsed once, then vanished.
Baifang stretched, twirling his spear lazily. "You done playing with fire yet? Because my stomach's about to start eating itself."
"Quiet," Yin Jin said softly. His eyes sharpened, scanning the fog. "We're not alone."
Before Baifang could ask, a low growl rippled through the silence — then another, and another.
From the ridge above, golden eyes began to appear — dozens of them. The sound of claws scraping against stone echoed through the trees. Within seconds, they were surrounded.
"Lightning Wolves," Baifang breathed. "Mid-tier pack beasts… and there's at least thirty."
The lead wolf stepped forward, its mane crackling with blue electricity. The air itself hummed with voltage.
Yin Jin stood, dusting off his cloak. "Thirty against two. Seems fair."
Baifang grinned, lowering into stance. "Finally, something fun."
The pack lunged.
Baifang moved first — his spear spun into a cyclone of lightning, cutting through the first wave in a blur of blue light. "Thunder Arc—Pierce!"
Sparks erupted as he cleaved through three wolves in a single motion. The rest leapt over their fallen, fangs flashing. Yin Jin's hand flared crimson — flames exploded outward in a sweeping arc.
"Crimson Flare — Circle of Ash!"
A fiery ring erupted around him, consuming any beast that dared cross. The air roared with heat and thunder, smoke rising into the pale dawn.
But even as they fought, the ground trembled. From the pack's rear, a deeper growl echoed — heavier, older.
The wolves parted, and the Alpha emerged. Twice the size of the others, its entire body was wreathed in lightning. A scar ran down its snout — proof of countless battles.
Baifang's grin faltered. "Oh… that's new."
"Mid–high grade," Yin Jin said, tightening his stance. "Be careful."
The Alpha howled, and lightning cascaded across the clearing. Both cultivators were thrown back, skidding across dirt.
Baifang spat blood, laughing breathlessly. "Guess this one doesn't like guests."
Yin Jin's aura ignited, red fire licking up his arms. "Then we'll burn our invitation."
Baifang rose, his spear buzzing like a thunderclap. "Let's see whose lightning shines brighter!"
They charged in unison. Yin Jin's crimson fire intertwined with Baifang's blue lightning, their energies spiraling together. The Alpha lunged, jaws snapping — but Baifang met it head-on, spear thrusting forward with unstoppable force.
"Lightning Spear—Heaven's Descent!"
The attack struck, splitting the sky with blinding light. The Alpha reeled, its hide scorched and cracked. Yin Jin leapt above, his flames concentrating into a sword of molten red.
He whispered, "Time to perfect my test skill."
The blade flared brighter than ever — crimson turned gold, pure and searing.
"Flame Art: Solar Edge!"
He descended in a blinding arc, the world shaking as fire met lightning in a storm of destruction. When the smoke cleared, the Alpha lay motionless — its body charred, sparks dying across its fur.
The remaining wolves fled into the forest, whimpering.
Baifang collapsed onto the ground, chest heaving. "Okay... that one might've actually killed me."
Yin Jin's flames dimmed, his expression unreadable. "No," he said quietly. "We killed it."
Baifang laughed weakly. "You really know how to ruin a moment."
But even through exhaustion, both could feel it — their qi pulsing stronger, deeper. Yin Jin's fire now burned with streaks of golden red, while Baifang's lightning had taken on a silver tint.
Their powers were evolving.
And somewhere, deep within the Wudong
Mountain Range, something ancient stirred up as if awakened by their clash.