Chapter 20: Sudden Turn

Shen Duo grasped the silvery fur on the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf’s neck with one hand, and with the other, she drove her sword swiftly toward its remaining eye. At this moment, if the beast were blinded, it would become much easier to handle.

The Iron-Winged Silver Wolf, a high-level magical beast whose intelligence rivaled that of humans, was already wary of her as her sharp blade thrust forward. Its head jerked aside and its body leapt quickly in another direction, causing Shen Duo not only to miss her mark but to be flung away by sheer momentum.

Lei Lie seized the opportunity, channeling all his spiritual energy and shouting, “Exploding Demon Bear!” Wrapped in pure blue spiritual energy, a terrifying orb of power smashed toward the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf.

As Shen Duo was hurled through the air, her cold, youthful face twisted into a grim smile. At this height, an ordinary person would be seriously injured or dead; yet she harbored no regrets. Lei Hang was the first in this world to show her genuine kindness, and now her only wish was that his injuries would not be too grave.

Lei Lie was locked in battle with the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf, while Lei An and Lei Bai tended to Lei Hang. Among the gathered sorcerers, only Sky Mages possessed the ability of flight.

Shen Duo could feel the immense force propelling her body. She closed her eyes, as time seemed to stretch endlessly, waiting quietly for the moment to arrive.

Just then, at the brink of disaster, another long howl echoed from the depths of Katra Forest, different from the previous two, layered with unmistakable anger.

Lei Lie’s berserk Demon Bear, overwhelmed by the immense pressure in the howl, lost its armored form. The Iron-Winged Silver Wolf, however, seemed empowered by the roar, agilely evading Lei Lie’s Sky Sorcery. Then, in a startling turn, it leaped wildly, soaring through the air; from its broken wing, a new one sprouted, and with lightning speed, it shot toward the airborne Shen Duo.

The mercenaries stood slack-jawed, unable to believe what they saw. Many began to pity Shen Duo—high-level magical beasts were proud creatures. She had blinded one of its eyes, and now, with its vigor restored, who could say how it would torment her?

Some quick-witted mercenaries shouted, “Miss Nine, beware the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf!”

Shen Duo, alert, opened her eyes just as she landed on the beast's back. Contrary to the mercenaries’ fears, the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf merely snorted twice, then spread its massive wings and turned, flying deep into Katra Forest.

The mercenaries rubbed their eyes in disbelief—how had the high-level beast not killed Shen Duo outright? In the stunned silence, Lei Lie had already taken flight, pursuing the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf. Lei Hang was poisoned; he could not allow the beast to escape.

With the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf’s retreat, the magical beasts at the forest's edge abruptly halted their assault, abandoning the fight and following the wolf back into the depths.

The leaders of the Lava Mercenary Group and Gale Mercenary Group agreed not to pursue further. The beast that triggered this magical beast frenzy was unfathomably powerful—none among them could contend with it. The two representatives of the Wei family nodded in agreement; though they had come to investigate the frenzy and hoped to capture a divine beast, this event had far surpassed their expectations. They needed to return and report at once.

The battle at the edge of Katra Forest was over. Lei Lie continued his pursuit into the depths, and Lei An swiftly arranged the aftermath, entrusting Lei Bai with Lei Hang’s care, then led several top experts from the Flame Mercenary Group into the forest as well.

Riding on the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf’s back, Shen Duo initially feared it sought vengeance and struggled to jump off. But the wolf was flying so high that leaping would be suicide. She tried to fight it, but unexpectedly, it whimpered and looked back at her. The blinded eye was fierce; yet in the other, a shimmering green, there was a watery light, almost pleading.

She could not explain why such a thought arose in her mind, but she stopped struggling. The disparity in their strength was vast, and now, suspended in midair, she had no advantage. The beast could kill her effortlessly.

Seeing her cease her resistance, the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf snorted softly, then focused on flying deeper into the forest.

Its speed was swift, icy wind cutting her cheeks, Shen Duo’s black robes billowing. About half an hour later, the wolf stopped beside a lake deep within the forest.

Shen Duo dismounted, surveying her surroundings. Here, the atmosphere was entirely unlike the bleak, wintry edge of Katra Forest. The lake sparkled, its banks lush with verdant trees, a faint mist hovering above the water, and not far away, colorful flowers and grasses grew in abundance. The scene before her was like a fairyland.

After setting her down, the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf let out a low howl, then strode toward the far side of the lake. Shen Duo watched its strange behavior, unable to fully trust it—after all, it had harmed her closest friend.

She glanced around, searching for a way out, but the mist around the lake was so dense there was no path in sight.

The Iron-Winged Silver Wolf seemed to sense her uncertainty, turning back to fix her with those sorrowful, pleading eyes.

She met its gaze, her heart softening, and followed it to the other side of the lake. Alone, she could not hope to safely leave Katra Forest, so she decided to see what purpose this high-level magical beast had.

Through swirling mist, Shen Duo followed the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf to the mouth of a cavern glowing with faint red light and radiating heat.

She regarded the beast warily, her delicate brows furrowed. “Why did you bring me here?” Though high-level magical beasts could not speak, they understood human words.

The wolf only looked at her with pleading eyes and whimpered low. Its expression stirred countless speculations within her, but as she became lost in thought, it suddenly raised its massive claw and struck her, sending her tumbling into the strange cavern. Though Shen Duo reacted quickly and was adept, she could not anticipate such a blow, and was helplessly thrown inside. In that final moment, she seemed to glimpse a sly smile flickering in the Iron-Winged Silver Wolf’s eyes.

*――*――*

Dear reader, don’t forget to cast your recommendation vote after finishing the story!