51: Blood Crystal Demon Wolf King

Lu Chen's expression turned grave as he quickly popped several qi recovery pills into his mouth. The Medicinal Pills transformed into a faint warm flow, which had little effect on his Thunder Dao Foundation, but could still replenish some of his consumed spiritual power.

The three Blood Crystal Demon Wolves from earlier, individually, were only at the Qi Refining eighth or ninth layer in terms of strength, but their seamless coordination and ferocity had given him quite a bit of trouble.

The approaching Wolf King's strength would undoubtedly far surpass that of its subordinates, likely having reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, or even touched the edge of Foundation Establishment!

This was definitely not an easy opponent.

He tightly gripped the flash thunder spear and startling thunder whip in his hands, with faint thunder light circulating around his body, standing ready for battle.

The oppressive wolf howl from deep within the valley grew closer and closer, accompanied by slight tremors in the ground, clearly indicating the Wolf King was approaching in anger.

However, Lu Chen was completely unaware that he had already become the "mantis" in someone else's eyes.

Just dozens of yards behind and to his side, behind a massive, dark red rock half-concealed by blood mist, two figures lay in ambush.

"Boss, your foresight is truly divine!"

A Round-faced Cultivator lowered his voice, his face full of admiration. "Deliberately startling those three beasts to test this kid really revealed his capabilities. This guy's methods aren't weak, and his Magical Artifacts are sharp—definitely a fat sheep!"

The one he called "Boss" was a Square-faced Man with a shrewd appearance and sharp eyes.

A smug sneer curled at the corner of his mouth as he whispered, "Nonsense! Which Disciple sent by the Sect to brave the Burning Blood Valley doesn't have some assets and high expectations placed on them? How could they not have a few life-saving treasures? We brothers make a living here in the Meteorite Ruins relying on our eyes and brains. Fighting head-on is for fools."

"Boss is wise!"

The Round-faced Cultivator hurriedly flattered, then eagerly asked, "Then... now that the Wolf King has been lured out, should we continue watching the show and wait for them to wear each other out?"

"Watch my ass!"

The Square-faced Man glared at him, his tone carrying a sense of frustration.

"All you think about is snatching ready-made gains? With the Wolf King out in full force, its lair must be empty now! That litter of Blood Crystal Demon Wolf cubs is the real priceless treasure! Capturing them alive and selling them on the Black Market would keep us brothers living comfortably for years! Quick, now's our chance—let's take a detour and sneak into its lair!"

The two men suppressed their Auras as much as possible, keeping their voices extremely low. Using the dense blood mist and jagged rocks as cover, they ghosted away toward another direction in the valley, intending to play the role of the "oriole behind the mantis."

Meanwhile, Lu Chen's full attention was locked onto the terrifying pressure growing ever closer ahead.

The blood mist churned as a massive wolf shadow, stout as a small calf, with dark red fur gleaming brightly, a Blood Crystal on its forehead burning like a blazing sun, and exuding a suffocating presence, slowly emerged from the fog. Its cruel and savage emerald-green pupils were fixed intently on him!

The Blood Crystal Demon Wolf King advanced with steady, oppressive steps, each footfall seeming to sync with the rhythm of Lu Chen's heartbeat.

Its stout, calf-like body flickered in and out of view within the blood mist. The crystal core on its forehead, resembling a burning blood sun, emitted a heart-palpitating crimson glow. Its pair of cruel and savage emerald-green pupils remained locked on Lu Chen, carrying a cold and mocking gaze as if appraising prey.

Lu Chen's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he unconsciously swallowed. His fingers gripping the flash thunder spear and startling thunder whip turned pale from the force.

The Spiritual Pressure brought by this Wolf King was as heavy as a mountain. Although it hadn't truly stepped into Foundation Establishment, it was far beyond an ordinary Great Perfection of Qi Refining—undoubtedly the strongest enemy he had encountered since beginning his cultivation!

However, the slight trembling of his body didn't stem from fear, but from an uncontrollable excitement and Battle Intent when facing a powerful foe!

The Power of Thunder accelerated its flow through his Meridians, emitting a faint hum.

The moment the Wolf King stepped within three yards—

A sudden change occurred!

The Blood Core on the Wolf King's forehead flashed with a brilliant red light! Its massive body moved so fast it left behind a crimson afterimage, with only a low sonic boom remaining in its original spot!

In the next instant, it appeared ghost-like before Lu Chen. A millstone-sized giant claw, covered in sharp barbs, accompanied by a pungent Blood Wind and a shriek tearing through the air, descended upon his head!

The claw's wind was sharp and fierce; even before making contact, it already scraped painfully against Lu Chen's cheeks!

"Thunder Flash!"

Lu Chen's pupils contracted sharply as he inwardly roared!

He had already strained his spirit to the limit. At the exact moment the Wolf King's Blood Core flashed, the silver patterns on the thunder wing cloak behind him suddenly brightened!

"BOOM—!!!"

An ear-splitting thunderclap exploded on the spot!

Lu Chen's figure vanished into thin air, leaving behind only wildly erupting blinding thunder light and violent shockwaves!

This sudden loud noise and flashing thunder light clearly also exceeded the Wolf King's expectations.

Its pouncing movement abruptly stiffened, its massive body even showing a hint of uncoordinated tremor mid-air. For the first time, a flicker of surprise and doubt appeared in its cruel wolf eyes!

And in the split second its claws struck empty air and its body descended—

"Ssshh!"

A condensed purple thunderbolt, like a venomous snake striking from its hole, silently yet lightning-fast, shot from behind the Wolf King, aiming straight for its vulnerable lower back!

It was precisely Lu Chen's counterattack, launched without hesitation after using Thunder Flash to create distance!

However, the Wolf King's reaction was astonishingly fast!

Without even fully turning its head, its thick tail, like a steel whip, lashed out with a whooshing sound!

"Crack!"

A crisp sound!

That formidable purple thunderbolt was precisely and accurately shattered mid-air by the wolf's tail, dispersing into a shower of electric sparks!

The Wolf King slowly turned around, its emerald-green pupils coldly gazing at Lu Chen, who had now reappeared four or five yards away.

It casually shook its thick tail, easily dispersing the few lingering arcs of electricity, its posture carrying undisguised contempt.

Lu Chen's cheek twitched slightly, his heart heavy.

Thunder Flash ambush followed by a flash thunder spear sneak attack—this was currently his fastest combo, yet it had been so effortlessly and completely neutralized by the opponent!

This Wolf King's strength, reaction speed, and defense were all far beyond his estimates!

The Wolf King seemed to lose patience, exhaling two streams of scorching crimson air from its nostrils. The Blood Crystal on its forehead once again glowed with a dangerous light as it slightly crouched its limbs, clearly indicating its next attack would be even more violent and deadly!

Lu Chen took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down as the Thunder Pool within his body accelerated its rotation.

With a flick of his wrist, the flash thunder spear emitted a low hum, its tip flickering with uncertain thunder light, ready to strike.

The Wolf King, evidently angered by the earlier sneak attack, had an even fiercer blood light in its eyes. It let out a low growl and forcefully pushed off the ground with its limbs!

"Boom!"

The ground trembled slightly as its massive body transformed into a crimson afterimage barely visible to the naked eye, accompanied by a shriek tearing through the air, pouncing toward Lu Chen once more!

Its speed was even faster than before!

Already prepared, Lu Chen, the instant the Wolf King exerted force, slapped his left hand against his Storage Pouch!

The thick black tortoise shield instantly appeared, which he forcefully planted in front of himself!

Simultaneously, pure Power of Thunder madly surged into the shield!

"Hum—!"

The black tortoise shield's surface erupted with a sudden burst of earthen-yellow spiritual light. The thick halo solidified like substance, forming a solid barrier!

"BANG!!!"

The Wolf King's claws solidly struck the shield's surface, producing a deafening roar!

The black tortoise shield trembled violently, its spiritual light flashing wildly. Even Lu Chen behind it was pushed back several feet by the tremendous force, his feet plowing two shallow grooves in the ground!

But, the shield held!

In the split second the Wolf King was slightly hindered by the recoil force—

Lu Chen's figure ghosted out from behind the side of the black tortoise shield!

Thunder light shot from his eyes as the flash thunder spear in his right hand, already primed, transformed into a purple thunderbolt tearing through space, shot forward with an unstoppable momentum!

It aimed straight for the Wolf King's exposed chest and abdomen, left vulnerable by its attack!

This strike was fast! Accurate! Ruthless!

For the first time, a flicker of astonishment appeared in the Wolf King's crimson pupils. It hadn't expected its prey's counterattack to be so swift and cunning!

Its massive body twisted forcefully mid-air, attempting to dodge sideways!

"Rip!"

The flash thunder spear narrowly grazed past the fur on its flank, failing to land a direct hit.

However, the violent purple electric arcs Entanglement on the spear shaft, like maggots clinging to bone, instantly conducted onto the Wolf King's body surface!

"Crackle-pop—!"

A series of Dense explosions erupted from the Wolf King's body!

The Extremely Yang and Extremely Strong Power of Thunder Frenzied Erosion the blood Killing Qi surrounding it, emitting a "sizzling" burning sound!

When the Wolf King landed, its massive body noticeably stiffened for a moment, its movements lagging briefly. A patch of charred black appeared on its dark red fur, with electric arcs still dancing across it!

It let out a pained roar mixed with shock and anger, clearly finding the paralysis and burning effects of the thunder extremely uncomfortable!

Opportunity!

How could Lu Chen let slip such a hard-won opening?

His mind raced, attempting to control the flash thunder spear to circle back for another strike, while the startling thunder whip had already risen like a venomous snake, its tip aimed straight at the Wolf King's exposed throat, left vulnerable by its stiff!