The Red Winter Wolf
The bloody trail stretched deep into the white wilderness, cutting across the snow like a crimson wound. Each step left behind the crunch of frost and the heavy silence of the mountains pressing in from all sides. A faint mist hung in the air, carrying with it the coppery scent of blood — sharp, raw, and unmistakable.
The disciples moved cautiously, breaths misting, eyes sharp. Their boots sank into the snow as they followed the scarlet stains, each one leading them closer to something dreadful. The wind whistled through the pines, almost like a warning.
Then they reached it.
A clearing opened before them, small yet heavy with tension. The snow there was no longer white — it was painted red, soaked through with the blood of something recently slaughtered. And at the center of that crimson field stood the creature responsible.
A Spiritual Red Winter Wolf.
Its fur blazed like molten embers beneath the pale sun, every strand shimmering with a deep fiery hue. Muscles rippled beneath that fur, and its golden eyes gleamed with intelligence far beyond that of any common beast. Between its fangs was the broken, twitching body of a black boar — its life force draining away, absorbed into the wolf's own.
The creature tore into its prey with unhurried precision, every crunch echoing through the silent woods.
Fu Yang's eyes narrowed. "A Red Winter Wolf…" he muttered under his breath. "Far stronger than a Spiritual Black Wolf."
Even among spirit beasts, the red variant was — a rare predator born only in the harshest lands. The disciples occasionally hunted black wolves, but this… this was something else entirely.
A murmur spread through the group.
"Wow… it's huge," whispered one of the younger disciples, unable to hide his awe. "Should we… just watch it?"
Another, bolder one clenched his fists. "If we sneak in while it's eating, we can kill it before it reacts!"
Several nodded hesitantly, stepping forward. But before they could take another step, a sharp, commanding voice cut through the cold air.
"Stop!"
Everyone froze.
Cin Yan stood at the front, her crimson robes fluttering lightly in the mountain wind, a living contrast to the snow that surrounded them. Her eyes blazed with authority.
"You cannot act individually," she said, her tone carrying the weight of command. "None of you are ready to face a Red Winter Wolf alone!"
The younger ones paled. Even the reckless fell silent at her word "winter wolf".
Cin Yan took a step forward, the hem of her robe brushing against the snow. "We will move as one. Only through unity can we subdue it — and leave this place alive."
A chorus of voices followed, some filled with fear, others with determination.
"Yes!"
"We'll follow your command!"
The tension broke slightly as they gathered around her, discussing strategy.
Cin Yan lowered her voice. "It's dangerous if we face it in small groups. But with twenty of us together, we can overwhelm it. We'll form a ring formation and attack from every direction — confuse its senses. Once it loses focus, we strike for its weak points."
Chen Hua bit her lip nervously. "But… what if it doesn't get injured seriously?"
Cin Yan turned to her, replying coolly, "Then we switch to attack and defense formation. Simple."
"But… if one of us gets hurt — or killed—"
Cin Yan's brows furrowed. "No one will die if we move together," she interrupted, her tone showing irritation. "Have some faith."
"But but, it's dangero...."
Before Chen Hua could say another word, a sharp male voice cut in.
"Shut that filthy mouth of yours, Chen Hua."
It was Le Wei, his expression twisted with disdain. "Are you questioning Miss Cin Yan? She's an inner disciple — a topper. Know your place! If you're so scared, leave."
"You and that coward behind you make a perfect pair. Hahaha!"
A flicker of humiliation flashed across Chen Hua's face. She clenched her fists, eyes glistening. She loved Le Wei, even cared for him — but now he threw those memories into the dirt.
Le Wei smirked. "Heh, go on then. We don't need you."
Cin Yan stepped between them, her tone firm but not unkind. "Enough. She's just worried for everyone's safety. Sister Hua, stay with me."
Le Wei tried to protest again. "Miss Cin Yan—"
But Cin Yan raised a hand, silencing him. "We attack now. Everyone, to your positions!"
Chen Hua looked at her in surprise, then glanced at Le Wei, who turned away following cin yan's order, with a question.
At once, the disciples spread out, their figures blending into the snow as they took their spots.
This whole time fu yang only watched them then approached a disciple stationed near Cin Yan and Chen Hua. "You. Leave this spot. It's mine."
The disciple frowned. "Who do you think you are—"
Before he could finish, Fu Yang's hand shot out like lightning, gripping the man's throat and lifting him off his feet.
"Huek!—Let go—"
Fu Yang threw him aside effortlessly, his cold eyes showing no hint of remorse. "Go stand somewhere else."
The disciple glared but didn't dare retaliate. He stumbled back, muttering curses under his breath.
Cin Yan noticed, her brows twitching slightly — but with the beast still feeding, she chose to ignore the conflict. There were more pressing matters at hand.
The Red Winter Wolf, unaware of the hunters encircling it, continued gnawing at the boar's bones. The sound was sickeningly sharp — crunch, crunch — echoing through the still forest.
Then, suddenly, it stopped.
Its ears twitched. Its head lifted.
A deep growl rumbled from its throat — low and thunderous.
"Now!" Cin Yan shouted.
The snow erupted as twenty disciples launched forward.
Rocks, wooden spears, and blades glinted in the pale light. Those from poorer families — outer disciples — wielded makeshift weapons of wood and stone, for the village forbade real steel to the untrained. But the inner disciples, born of wealthy clans, brandished polished swords and spears that shimmered with spiritual energy.
Cin Yan charged in first, her crimson blade gleaming. Shi Tian followed close behind, his twin blades slicing the air. Mo Rian drew his bow, loosing arrows with deadly precision. Sha Tian spun his spear, charging from the flank.
The wolf moved — a blur of red and gold.
It leapt aside just as the first wave struck, the snow exploding beneath its paws. But an arrow from Mo Rian pierced its shoulder, making it howl in fury.
"Keep attacking! Don't let it recover!" Cin Yan commanded.
Screams and shouts filled the clearing. Spears flew through the air, whistling past. One struck true — embedding deep into the wolf's back. Blood splattered across the snow like ink.
The beast snarled, eyes blazing with pain and rage. It turned, jaws snapping, scattering those who stood too close.
Fu Yang watched, calm and cold. He could see its pattern, its intelligence. This wasn't a mindless beast — it was thinking, adapting.
Shi Tian stepped in front of it, sword flashing. The wolf lunged, fangs bared, but Shi Tian deflected the strike, steel meeting fang with a sharp clang!
The wolf realized it couldn't break through his guard. In a flash, it turned, bounding toward another side of the ring — straight toward Cin Yan.
"Don't let it escape!" she shouted.
The disciples tightened their circle, closing in. The wolf's movements grew erratic, its breath heavy, its fur soaked in its own blood. Desperation gleamed in its eyes.
Then, in a final act of fury, it made a choice.
It bolted — straight toward the one area that seemed less guarded.
Everyone's eyes widened as they realized where it was headed.
"Miss! It's coming your way!" Le Wei yelled.
The "unguarded" area was where Cin Yan and Chen Hua stood.
The wolf tore through the snow, ignoring the arrows and daggers that struck its side. Blood sprayed in its wake as it barreled forward.
"Stay behind me!" Cin Yan commanded.
"Woooooo!"
With a thunderous leap, the Red Winter Wolf launched itself into the air, fangs gleaming. Cin Yan's sword flashed upward to meet it.
"Hyaaah!"
Her blade struck true — slicing across the wolf's face and gouging out one of its eyes. The beast howled in agony, blood spraying in an arc. But its momentum didn't stop. It crashed down, jaws snapping at her throat.
Cin Yan twisted midair, bringing her sword up again.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of steel meeting fang rang out as she deflected the killing bite. She landed gracefully, snow scattering beneath her boots.
The wolf, half-blind and enraged, roared again — its cry shaking the mountain air. It lunged at her once more.
Cin Yan met it head-on, slashing at its chest. Sparks of red and silver danced through the clearing as blood sprayed from the wound.
"Die, beast!"
But before she could strike again — a sharp sound sliced through the chaos.
Whizz!
A wooden spear shot through the air.
But not toward the wolf.
"Cin Yaaaaaaan!" Chen Hua screamed.
Kachak!....