Ye Tian found that the wolf-like monster had blocked the path ahead, leaving him only the options of fleeing left or right. Behind him was the mountain, which surely held even more ferocious creatures; he would not choose to retreat.
This was the first time Ye Tian had encountered such a colossal beast, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Yet, his mind was exceptionally calm.
Only in a state of calm could he make the most correct choice. So, for now, he waited, waited for the wolf-like monster before him to charge.
If he tried to flee left or right now, he would instantly become a target for attack. But if it pounced head-on, he could use its momentum to slow its reaction, buying himself more time.
The night was hazy. Even the bright moonlight seemed to have dimmed considerably with the appearance of the wolf-like monster, making his vision somewhat blurry.
However, this wasn't a major issue for Ye Tian. He had already chosen his escape route: a breakout to the left. A few miles in that direction was a dense forest with enormous trees. Perhaps he could climb one and escape this calamity.
It wasn't that Ye Tian was a coward. He was without a Weapon and had no idea of the wolf-like monster's true strength. However, he had a nagging feeling that this was no ordinary beast, but a powerful Demon Beast.
The wolf-like monster before him stuck out its long tongue, saliva dripping continuously from it as its massive body slowly closed in on Ye Tian.
Ye Tian knew it wanted to close the distance before launching a sudden pounce to take him down in one go.
Seeing the monster get closer and closer, Ye Tian prepared to execute his Flowing Cloud Step and flee at a moment's notice. A deafening howl erupted from the monster's mouth, making Ye Tian's eardrums ache as if he were going deaf.
"Damn you! What's with all the racket in the dead of night? Trying to show off how strong you are?" Ye Tian muttered in frustration.
Suddenly, the wolf-like monster opened its massive maw. Ye Tian saw powerful Energy fluctuations within its mouth, as if it were about to spit something out.
Ye Tian's heart skipped a beat. His eyes were fixed on his opponent, his mind now on high alert. At the slightest change, he would flee instantly, no longer waiting for it to pounce.
In truth, Ye Tian didn't know that this wolf-like monster was called a Gale Wolf, a Demon Beast ranging from Tier Two to Tier Three. Its Attack Power was roughly equivalent to a cultivator at the One Vein Fifth Layer to Sixth Layer.
Had he known this and had his Fine Steel Sword, he might have put up a fight. Even if he couldn't win, he would have had a chance to escape.
The Gale Wolf's primary method of attack is the Wind Blade, which it forms by gathering the Energy in its body into its mouth before attacking its opponent. They are generally pack animals.
That only one Gale Wolf had appeared was a stroke of luck for Ye Tian. If there had been a few more, he might not have had any chance of escape at all.
Just then, the Gale Wolf suddenly spat out a huge, cyan Energy Ball that shot rapidly toward Ye Tian. The Energy Ball instantly dispersed, transforming into numerous cyan Wind Blades.
The moment Ye Tian saw the Energy Ball, his entire body shot to the right like an arrow loosed from a bow. He had no intention of finding out what this unknown Energy Attack could do.
He could now be certain that this creature was no ordinary beast, but a true Demon Beast—a powerful one at that.
If Ye Tian had looked back, he would have discovered that the spot where he had just been standing was now in complete ruins.
The weeds in a several-meter radius had been shredded into countless fragments, now dancing in the air and scattering with the mountain breeze.
As Ye Tian left an afterimage and sprinted toward the distant forest, the Gale Wolf gave chase. It couldn't let prey that was already in its grasp slip away.
The Gale Wolf was incredibly fast. After less than a mile, it had already caught up to Ye Tian. This was a terrible development, and a cold sweat broke out on Ye Tian's back.
Just as it was about to pounce, Ye Tian abruptly changed direction, swerving to the side and once again putting some distance between them.
He knew he couldn't outrun this massive Demon Beast. Now, his only chance of survival was to risk everything on a fight.
With a surge of determination, he decided to stop running. The forest wasn't far from his current position, but he suspected other powerful Demon Beasts might be lurking within. 'There's no need to run into another danger.'
"Damn you! You really think I'm a pushover? Bring it on if you've got the guts!" Ye Tian couldn't help but roar. Being chased by a Demon Beast was honestly a bit humiliating.
Even though no one was around, he still felt disgraced. 'I believe that when it comes to life and death, that sleeping fellow will definitely help me.' This was his greatest trump card.
The Gale Wolf was surprised to see Ye Tian suddenly stop running. It tilted its large head to the sky and once again let out a deafening roar.
Ye Tian inwardly lamented not having his Fine Steel Sword. Otherwise, he could have taken the initiative. Now, he could only rely on his Thunderbolt Fist to fight it head-on.
This time, the Gale Wolf didn't release a Wind Blade. It seemed to have decided that Ye Tian was a weakling it could easily kill, so it leaped, preparing to pin him down with its claws.
Ye Tian had been waiting for this exact opportunity. As the Gale Wolf pounced, he quickly dodged aside. He used Flowing Cloud Step during the evasion, sidestepping the attack with ease.
Due to its momentum, the Gale Wolf's huge body continued to plunge forward. In the instant Ye Tian dodged, he rapidly executed his Thunderbolt Fist.
At this moment, Ye Tian used his full strength, channeling the Dragon Spiritual Power in his body to its absolute limit, and struck the Gale Wolf's back with unerring accuracy.
The strike produced an enormous BANG. The Gale Wolf, which weighed at least five hundred pounds, was sent flying several meters by Ye Tian's punch. In turn, Ye Tian was knocked back several steps by the recoil.
His fist throbbed with a dull pain, as if he had punched an iron plate. He shook his arm continuously.
The Gale Wolf never expected to be sent flying by an ant who only knew how to flee. It instantly became enraged. The fur on its body stood on end, and it radiated a terrifying aura.
"Not happy about getting hit? Come on, then! You really think I'm a pushover? I'll finish you today!" Landing the punch filled Ye Tian with confidence. 'This Gale Wolf isn't so tough after all,' he thought.
However, he didn't dare get too careless. 'That last strike was just a fluke. The next one might not be so easy.'
The Gale Wolf turned, opened its massive mouth, and spat out a green Energy Ball. It shot toward Ye Tian with the force of a thunderbolt.
Ye Tian knew the Energy Ball was incredibly powerful and hastily dodged. He hadn't expected it to disperse on its own. Several of the powerful Wind Blades struck him, instantly drawing blood.
Crimson blood instantly stained his clothes. Thankfully, the wounds hadn't reached the bone, but the pain still made Ye Tian grimace.
"Damn it! To think it had such a powerful Energy Attack! I really underestimated you!" Ye Tian cursed.
Finding an opportunity to strike now would be difficult. The only option seemed to be to flee. However, a bold idea suddenly formed in his mind: he could use this Gale Wolf to help him quickly comprehend the Second Form of Flowing Cloud Step...