11: Demon Wolf Lair

As the surrounding scenery became clear, Lin Feng immediately observed his environment, while his consciousness was already connected to the Spirit Beast Space, ready to summon the Alien Queen at any moment.

The bright, sunny plaza had vanished, replaced by the suffocating depths of a mountain canyon.

Lin Feng stood on a relatively flat, circular platform constructed from some kind of luminous white stone.

In the center of the platform stood a stone pillar of the same material, and beside it, a guard in standard Bronze-level armor, holding a halberd.

The guard was tall, with a calm and restrained aura, and eyes sharp as an eagle's, vigilantly scanning the dim and treacherous canyon outside the platform.

Lin Feng could clearly feel the energy fluctuations emanating from him—Bronze-level Rank Five!

This strength was absolutely crushing in the current dungeon.

One must know that the novice dungeon only allowed Black Iron Level professionals to enter; a Bronze-level Rank Five against a Black Iron Level was like an adult dealing with an infant.

His duty was to protect the teleportation array platform beneath his feet and the small safe zone nearby.

The entire teleportation array was enveloped by a faint glow from this Bronze-level Rank Five puppet, a protective measure of the novice dungeon to prevent newcomers from dying as soon as they entered.

On either side of the canyon were steep black rock walls, as if cleaved by a giant axe, with grotesque rocks like beast fangs pointing towards the oppressive sky.

From deeper within, successive wolf howls, like a surging tide, came in layers, full of primitive wildness, as well as hunger and icy killing intent.

Just as Lin Feng was surveying the canyon, the Bronze-level guard's gaze fell upon him.

The guard's voice was cold and emotionless.

"Welcome to the Novice Dungeon [Dire Wolf Den (Easy)]."

"This is the initial safe zone, protected by the guard. Leaving the platform's range means entering a dangerous area."

"The main monsters within the dungeon are the Shadowclaw Wolf, which can be divided into three types based on their form and strength:"

"First, Shadowclaw Wolf (Normal): They are the size of a calf, with grey-black fur, sharp claws and teeth, swift in movement, and skilled at group hunting.

Their strength generally ranges from Black Iron Level Rank One to Rank Three, they are numerous, and form the basic combat force of the den."

"Second, Shadowclaw Raiders (Elite): They are larger, nearly human height at the shoulder, with deep black fur streaked with dark red patterns. Their claws are longer and sharper, imbued with faint shadow energy, allowing them to briefly merge with shadows for deadly surprise attacks.

Their strength ranges from Black Iron Level Rank Three to Rank Five, and they usually lead small packs of wolves, serving as the main force for patrols and ambushes."

"Third, Blood-Eyed Wolf King (BOSS): He is far larger than his kin, like a small giant elephant, covered in dark red, needle-like manes, with eyes as crimson as blood, exuding an aura of brutality and cunning.

His claws can tear through rocks, his roar can intimidate the mind, and he can command all the dire wolves in the den.

His strength is at the peak of Black Iron Level Rank Six, and he lurks in the deepest part of the den, representing the ultimate challenge of this dungeon."

"Dungeon tasks have been randomly assigned to your personal identity token. Task content may include: killing a specified number of dire wolves, collecting dire wolf fangs, finding specific ore 'Darkfire Crystal', etc."

"Task items are limited; first to complete receives priority for rewards."

"Completion condition: complete at least one assigned task and successfully return to the teleportation array."

"Newcomers, please remember, survival is the first priority. Good luck to you."

After speaking, the guard no longer looked at Lin Feng, continuing his protective duty like a statue.

Lin Feng immediately checked the watch-like identity token on his wrist.

Sure enough, the screen lit up, displaying his task information: [Collection Task: Obtain 30 complete Shadowclaw Dire Wolf fangs (0/30)]

While Lin Feng was checking his task, in another novice dungeon, as the light of the teleportation array flickered violently, figures appeared one after another.

The same Bronze-level guard, the same introduction to dungeon monsters and task assignments for the dungeon challengers.

Only after Xiong Gang checked that their dungeon task was a shared team task did they have time to examine the oppressive and terrifying canyon before them.

The incessant wolf howls in the valley made all of them turn pale, with a hint of fear and unease in their eyes.

Especially Su Wanqing, being a girl and entering a novice dungeon for the first time, her performance was the worst, her legs so weak she almost leaned on Xiong Gang.

They looked at each other, seeking a shred of courage and comfort, but only found more unsettling panic from one another.

After a brief silence, Xiong Gang, as an Eight-Star Beast King, was the first to step forward.

He roared, "Gear up! Let's go!"

This statement, imbued with the aura of an Eight-Star Beast King, instantly dispelled much of the fear in Su Wanqing and the other three's hearts.

Although these people had not yet transformed from startled sheep into sharks scenting blood, their fear had significantly decreased, especially when they saw Xiong Gang already walking towards the outside of the teleportation array.

Following closely behind Xiong Gang, they stepped out of the teleportation array's light circle, Su Wanqing and the other three seemingly afraid that a moment's delay would leave them behind.

However, danger came much faster and more fiercely than they imagined!

Barely ten meters out of the safe zone, before Xiong Gang even had time to clearly see the path ahead, dozens of swift, grey-black figures suddenly pounced from the shadows of the jagged black rock walls on both sides!

It was precisely those Shadowclaw Wolf!

They were like hunters already lying in ambush, their claws tearing through the air with piercing shrieks, and their fangs glinting coldly in the dim light.

"Watch out! It's a surprise attack!"

"Ah! Help!"

"Wolves! So many wolves!"

Screams instantly broke the canyon's silence, accompanied by the terrifying sound of claws tearing into flesh.

A student at the very back of the team was almost defenseless, instantly tackled to the ground, blood splattering.

Xiong Gang and the others were instantly terrified, but the instinct for survival quickly overcame their fear.

Especially Xiong Gang, who was the quickest to regain his composure, roaring as he fiercely swung his glowing giant warhammer at a pouncing Shadowclaw Dire Wolf.

"These are just ordinary Black Iron Level Rank One dire wolves! All five of us are professionals with Five-Star or higher talent!"

Xiong Gang's words instantly sobered up the others. They each took out their weapons, which Xiong Gang had specifically distributed to them, every one of them Black Iron Level!

Especially Su Wanqing, as she was his woman, her weapon was naturally better than the others', not to mention Su Wanqing also had her innate armament that came with her awakening.

Led by Xiong Gang, the five-person team began to battle the wolf pack... Lin Feng, alone, looked at the suffocating canyon, without a trace of fear on his face.

Under the guard's gaze, Lin Feng stepped out of the white light enveloping the teleportation array, and the next moment, wolf howls echoed through the canyon.

Before he had walked a few steps, seven or eight Shadowclaw Wolf leaped out from the shadows.

Their greedy, bloodthirsty eyes fixed on Lin Feng, who was not far away.

They crouched low, emitting threatening growls from their throats.

"Awooo—!"

A wolf howl, full of provocation and greed, rang out like a call to attack.

The Shadowclaw Wolf surrounding Lin Feng began to close in from all directions, the grey-black wolf pack, set against the dark red rocks, like a surging wave of death...