Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 160: Chapter 157: Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo

Ji An slapped a Golden Armor Talisman onto himself and activated the Earth Spirit Bead, golden and earthy lights lit up in succession, protecting his body.

The Earth Spirit Bead orbited around his body like a satellite.

After setting up defenses, he twisted his hand in a spell, and a bright yellow fireball hovered before him, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

Ji An had already caught sight of Ge Luoying pursuing from afar, and saw blood splattering from the running Black Wind Wolf, understanding that this wolf demon was likely the other’s prey.

His group had unfortunately stumbled into this hunt, indeed quite unlucky.

However, he also knew that as long as they held off the Black Wind Wolf for a few moments, their mission would be considered complete.

Before setting out, he had speculated that their task was to attack Mingfeng Mountain, so he had gained quite detailed knowledge of the distribution of demon beast habits here.

The Black Wind Wolves mainly inhabited Mingfeng Mountain, these wolf demons relied mostly on physical brawling, occasionally awakening wind element magic talent.

He had already devised various contingency plans and considered how the battle should proceed, thus he wasn’t surprised when the demon wolf blew away the fire clouds.

The moment the fire cloud was dispersed by Wind Roar, he roughly judged the flight trajectory based on the demon wolf’s jumping arc, and without hesitation unleashed the Bursting Fireball.

He didn’t hold out much hope that the fireball would hit; this demon wolf was evidently stronger than the one slain yesterday, faster too, his aim was to force the demon wolf to maneuver in mid-air.

At the same time, he once again twisted his hand and released a Bursting Fireball, this time the attack was the main course.

Most demon beasts instinctively feared fire element techniques, and the Black Wind Wolf was no exception, unless a demon beast reached a certain realm, only then could they overcome this instinct.

Meanwhile, Zhong Yue activated the Fire Cloud Gourd attack without stopping his figure.

As a cultivator of the Law Enforcement Hall, he had long battled with demon beasts, knowing well the speed of high-tier Black Wind Wolves.

When the fire cloud was dispersed by the demon wolf, he was startled, and immediately heard a muffled sound from behind.

He saw a disciple behind him struck by a large, nearly transparent wind mass, his chest had caved in, his whole body flung straight up, as if hit by a mad bull.

All of Ji An’s attention was focused on the demon wolf, when the demon beast leapt from the fire cloud, his first Bursting Fireball arrived.

The Black Wind Wolf glimpsed the arriving fireball, a trace of disdain flashed in its eyes. Though chased by a female cultivator behind, it paid no mind to this group before it.

In the void, it leapt once more, avoiding the Bursting Fireball’s impact, like an elegant wind sprite.

As it jumped upward, the corner of Ji An’s mouth held a slight smile, calmly triggering the second, long-prepared Bursting Fireball in his hand.

I doubt you can dodge if you attempt a second airborne leap!

Ji An sneered, simultaneously moving his position and casting spells again, until the enemy was vanquished, he couldn’t relax.

In disbelief, Ji An watched the Black Wind Wolf twist its body once more, dodging the second fireball.

But Zhong Yue’s second attack hit!

As a cultivator of the Law Enforcement Hall, with years fighting demon beasts, his battle intuition was similarly sharp.

When the Black Wind Wolf’s attention was drawn by Ji An’s attack, he quickly shifted his position, arriving at the side’s blind spot of the demon beast.

Allowing the enemy to face threats from both sides maximizes the advantage of numerical superiority.

When the Black Wind Wolf realized a large cluster of fire clouds was descending from behind, it was too late, its fluffy, glossy fur ignited in an instant.

“Ao!”

Urgent wolf howls sounded, filled with anger and frustration.

In the Black Wind Wolf’s understanding, if not for the female cultivator’s pursuit behind, it should have been able to tear these cultivators to shreds in a short time.

Now, unexpectedly hit by opponents it disregarded, the clanging of flying swords drew increasingly near, carrying a chilling malice.

It knew escape was impossible, but unwilling to die so easily.

The Black Wind Wolf shook itself, like a waterlogged dog shaking off water, the burning flames were swept away by wild winds.

Revealing large scorched patches, as if plagued by sores, clinging to dark red skin.

The Black Wind Wolf let out a furious roar, a breeze seemed to accompany its body, scattering a mirage in the air, lunging straight at Ji An.

Before dying, it intended to drag one down with it.

“Run!”

Zhong Yue shouted, he could tell the demon beast was now desperate, this moment was when the danger peaked, but as long as endured, the demon beast would be encircled.

The Black Wind Wolf’s speed had significantly exceeded Ji An’s judgment compared to just earlier.

Ji An twisted his body, moved in a small range, simultaneously casting a spell, activating the Pan Mountain Technique, the yellow spirit light unobtrusively concealed by the Earth Spirit Bead.

At closer range, the Black Wind Wolf opened its mouth, unleashing Wind Roar, a mass of wild wind rushed at him like a cannonball.

Ji An had no time to evade, directly hit by the magic, sent flying.

The Black Wind Wolf pounced forward, intent on tearing the enemy to pieces.

The protective spirit light from the Earth Spirit Bead dissipated under the wolf demon’s furious strike, Ji An saw the gaping, blood-red maw enlarging in his view, a stench blew over.

He saw the Black Wind Wolf flashing claws’ cold gleam, the eyes filled with overwhelming hatred, and the chilling shine of serrated white teeth.

Your resentment against me is great, your eyes I dislike… Ji An grinned, revealing a good set of teeth, some excitement faintly brewing.

Though the protective spirit light of the Earth Spirit Bead had broken, he still had Pan Mountain Technique, Golden Armor Technique, and the defense strength akin to a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast with the Silver Armor Hide forged under the Glaze-Gold Jade Bone Body.

Ji An’s hand lightly swung, a similar-sized golden crescent moon plunged into the Black Wind Wolf’s wide-open mouth.

The light blade swirled inside the demon beast, coincidentally emerging from its anus, leaving its internal organs destroyed.

Hatred in the Black Wind Wolf’s eyes was replaced by unbearable pain, strength amassed through outrage drained completely.

Its body listlessly slumped against Ji An, reflexively convulsing.

Ji An hit the ground, clutching the demon beast’s two forelimbs thicker than his arms, forcefully pushed it away, rolling to the side himself.

…

“Ding!”

Sword humming whistled in, the belated Sword Light cut through the Black Wind Wolf.

Ge Luoying dashed over, casting a spell to reclaim the flying sword.

She felt something was off. A living Demon Beast wouldn’t lie still on the ground and let Sword Light slice through it without moving. Even if it couldn’t dodge, it would at least howl a few times.

Zhong Yue rushed over, shouting quickly and urgently:

“Senior Brother Ji, are you alright?”

Ji An slightly cupped his hands, revealing an expression of lingering fear:

“Thanks for your concern. Fortunately, I was well-prepared and brought enough High-Tier Talismans.”

Ge Luoying swooped down, landing on the ground, and asked coldly:

“What did you do just now?”

At this moment, she had already realized that the Demon Beast was dead before her attack arrived.

She knew Ji An was just a Spirit Farmer and logically couldn’t have killed the Black Wind Wolf.

Ji An replied:

“Nothing much, just activated a Golden Light Talisman in the wolf’s mouth at the right time.”

Ge Luoying raised an eyebrow slightly. Though the other party spoke lightly, for a Spirit Farmer, the difficulty was significant.

Being able to quell the excitement of a Demon Beast pouncing and find the right moment to activate a Talisman indicated a natural sharpness for grasping battle opportunities.

“Not bad, this Black Wind Wolf is yours.”

Ge Luoying urged her Sword Light, merging with it and flying into the distance.

She didn’t complete the fatal blow to the Demon Beast, so she didn’t want such spoils.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Ji An shouted, although he didn’t like her tone, which always seemed as if others owed her money. But he appreciated her current approach.

The corpse of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast was exceedingly valuable, better to take it than not.

Hearing their conversation, Zhong Yue speculated about the sequence of events and swallowed:

“Senior Brother, truly impressive!”

In any case, another Late-stage Foundation Establishment Black Wind Wolf had died at his hands, something he himself wouldn’t have accomplished.

“It was almost like betting my life, and the Demon Beast was already quite injured before fighting with us.

If I had encountered this Black Wind Wolf alone, I’d probably have become its meal.”

“What ifs don’t matter in battle. The current outcome is the Black Wind Wolf is dead, and Senior Brother is alive!”

…

A Qi Refining disciple stumbled over, traces of tears still on his face:

“Two Junior Martial Uncles, Zhang Cheng is dead.

His chest bone is completely fractured, and his internal organs shattered.”

He and Zhang Cheng were selected into the Sect from the same Daoist School, standing side by side for more than ten years, closer than biological brothers.

Zhong Yue sighed deeply and said:

“Prepare his body. I will report this, and maybe the Sect will give more compensation to his family.”

A Qi Refining disciple hit directly by the Wind Roar of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast had no chance of survival.

“Yes,” the Qi Refining disciple pressed his lips, turned, and left with heavy steps.

Ji An silently watched his back, gently sighing. After the Demon Calamity outbreak, no one knows how many more times they’ll face life and death apartings.

“Encountering a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Black Wind Wolf with awakened Wind Talent, we only lost one person. This outcome is already quite good.”

Zhong Yue understood the brutality of fighting Demon Beasts; the roles of hunter and prey could switch at any time.

He took out bottles from his Storage Bag and rolled up his sleeves, saying:

“Senior Brother, we can’t waste the Demon Beast Essence Blood.”

Wolf skin, wolf bones, and Demon Beast Essence Blood are all valuable materials. The demon core beginning to form in a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast is even more priceless.

The demon core was black, occasionally flashing a faint cyan light. Ji An carefully placed it in a Jade Bottle.

…

The team continued forward.

An hour later, Golden Fur emerged from the soil and stones, letting out an excited cry.

“Squeak squeak!”

It stood up, extending a paw forward like a little person pointing ahead.

Ji An understood its intention; there was something good ahead!

“Lead the way!”

He slapped a Golden Armor Talisman onto himself and followed with his Wind Control Technique behind Golden Fur.

“Be careful,” Zhong Yue shouted.

Ji An turned past a giant rock over two zhang high, only to be dazzled by flashing light.

He immediately shielded his eyes with his hand, squinting to see a cluster of golden-leafed Spiritual Bamboo ahead, glistening in the sunlight like the shimmering surface of water.

Golden Fur climbed onto a stalk of Spiritual Bamboo, shaking it vigorously.

The bamboo pole was the dry yellow of sun-dried ordinary bamboo, with sword-shaped leaves.

Ji An flew past, touching a Golden Leaf with his fingers, feeling as if cut by something sharp.

His eyes suddenly brightened as he grinned widely:

“Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo!”