Anyone who knew Xiao Kunshan understood one terrifying truth — the leader of the Thunder Marked Wolves was a Commander-level demon beast!
When word spread that the Thunder Wolf leader had arrived, fear appeared on everyone's faces.
Uncle Lin immediately said, "We have to leave, now! It's too dangerous to stay here any longer!"
"But Uncle Jin and Jiaojiao haven't come back yet!" Mu Lei looked anxiously toward the dense forest.
"He has the Golden Crane with him — he'll be fine. We'll leave a mark for them so they can find us later and understand what happened."
Uncle Lin quickly pulled out his dagger and carved several communication symbols onto a nearby tree.
Then, he placed something bright and conspicuous next to it.
"Retreat, now!" he ordered sharply.
Mu Lei hesitated, glancing back toward the forest, but could only sigh and follow the others as they withdrew.
At least this way, he thought, maybe they'd lure the Thunder Wolves away — and Mu Nujiao's group wouldn't encounter them.
Not long after they left, the Thunder Marked Wolves followed the lingering scent and arrived at the place where Mu Lei and the others had rested.
But by then, they were gone.
The Thunder Wolf leader sniffed the ground, raised its head, and roared in fury before charging in one direction.
At once, the entire wolf pack surged forward like a storm, tearing through the forest with frightening speed.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Song Jie returned to where he had separated from the group.
He frowned. The clearing was completely empty.
Looking around, he spotted fresh footprints in the dirt and instantly became alert.
"A demon's been here…" he muttered, crouching down to study them.
The shape looked familiar — wolf tracks.
His expression hardened, "The Thunder Marked Wolves?"
He scanned the area again. There were no signs of a fight, which meant the group hadn't been attacked here.
Song Jie noticed the strange symbols carved on a nearby tree, but since he couldn't read them, he ignored them.
"Looks like they didn't encounter trouble. Maybe they just left early," he reasoned.
Even so, staying here alone was dangerous. It was nearly dark, and spending the night in this forest would be suicide.
Fortunately, he had memorized the layout of Xiao Kunshan before coming.
He recalled the routes taken by the other two teams — one path had been safe earlier, the other infested by Thunder Wolves.
Now, however, the previously safe path was covered in wolf tracks.
That meant his only option was the route that had been dangerous before.
"The Thunder Wolves went after Mu Lei's group," he thought. "That road should be clear now."
Without hesitation, Song Jie set off.
Time passed. Though the forest around him darkened, he encountered no danger. The silence was eerie.
"Just ten more minutes and I should be out," he thought while running steadily forward.
But suddenly, faint footsteps echoed nearby.
Song Jie froze — then melted into the darkness, his body vanishing from sight.
"Uncle Jin, how are the others?" Mu Nujiao's anxious voice came from the shadows.
"I lured some of the Thunder Wolves away. They should be safe," Uncle Jin replied calmly.
Then, with a flick of his hand, he cast his spell.
"Sky Boom!"
A blast of flames erupted, lighting up the forest. Several Thunder Marked Wolves howled in agony as they were engulfed by fire.
"Miss, go! There are too many of them — I can't protect you while fighting!" Uncle Jin said firmly.
"Alright!"
Mu Nujiao knew she would only hold him back.
"Run that way!" he pointed. "You'll reach the outer area in a few minutes!"
"I'll wait for you outside!" she promised.
Uncle Jin gave a brief nod before turning back to face the horde.
"Ice Lock — Pierce!"
Chains of icy crystals shot from the ground, skewering several wolves in place.
But more kept coming — dozens of them, including three General-level Thunder Wolves.
And it was night — the Thunder Wolves' domain.
With their incredible speed and the advantage of darkness, even a high-level mage like Uncle Jin found himself outmatched.
Not far away, Song Jie spotted shadows flickering between the trees.
"Is that… Mu Nujiao?"
He turned his gaze toward Uncle Jin's direction and swiftly completed his Light Star Path.
"Glorious Light! Flash!"
A burst of golden radiance shot skyward, illuminating the night like dawn.
Uncle Jin looked up, momentarily stunned — then realized someone was helping him.
"Glorious Light…" he murmured.
Under the sudden brightness, the Thunder Wolves lost their cover and were forced into the open.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Song Jie turned and sprinted toward the fleeing figure — Mu Nujiao.
She might be a mid-level mage, but her magic system wasn't suited for nighttime battles.
In the dark forest, Mu Nujiao ran as fast as she could, sweat dripping down her face and soaking her hair.
"Wind Track — Speed!"
She cast her spell again, the wind wrapping around her legs as she pushed forward.
But the crackling of dry leaves behind her made her heart tighten.
They were catching up.
Her magic power was almost spent — she couldn't keep fighting. All she could do was run.
Even with Wind Track's boost, the Thunder Marked Wolves closed the distance.
She could no longer see them in the pitch-black woods — only hear their rapid, relentless steps.
Suddenly, one lunged from the shadows!
Mu Nujiao instinctively rolled aside, but the wolf's claws still grazed her arm, tearing her sleeve and skin.
Pain seared through her, but more wolves were already circling.
She gasped for breath, trembling. Her limbs felt heavy, her body cold.
She couldn't fall — not yet.
"Kun's Forest — Prison!"
Vines burst from the ground, forming a thick cage around her.
As the spell completed, her strength gave out, and she collapsed inside the vine barrier.
Before losing consciousness, the last face that flickered through her mind was Song Jie's.
Outside, the Thunder Wolves slammed against the vine prison again and again, their furious roars echoing through the forest.