Rain addressed the two mercenaries beside her, "If either of you fears getting entangled in trouble, you may turn back now. I intend to escort Xiao Feng to the Evil Dragon Sect's headquarters."
After exchanging a few words, one of the soldiers replied, "Mistress, to ask us to retreat now would be a grave insult. We are willing to follow your lead, even if it means death. Besides, if only the two of us return, we might still encounter other beasts—danger lurks everywhere."
Rain nodded solemnly. "Very well. Let us gather ourselves, bury our fallen comrades, and then escort Brother Xiao Feng forward."
Xiao Feng observed Rain's composed efficiency; it was evident this girl had endured much. Beneath her pure exterior lay a heart matured by hardship.
As for burying the mercenaries' corpses, it required little effort. Xiao Feng instructed Baibai to dig several deep pits in a nearby clearing with his claws. The bodies were carefully laid to rest and covered with soil. The two mercenaries crafted crude wooden crosses, which they planted before the graves. After a brief moment of mourning, the group prepared to move on.
The magical crystals from the slain leopards' abdomens were extracted by Baibai, who clawed open their bellies. The mercenaries eagerly retrieved the glowing orange crystals, their excitement palpable.
The two soldiers stowed the crystals in their backpacks, while Xiao Feng roasted some leftover bear meat. By the time they had eaten their fill, it was well past two in the afternoon. Rain glanced up at the blazing sun and said, "We must hurry. Nightfall comes in just a few hours. It's best we reach our mountain camp before darkness. The night here is perilous."
Xiao Feng smiled wryly. "Your pace is far too slow. We must devise another way, or we'll never reach the Evil Dragon headquarters in time."
Rain furrowed her brow. "Traveling through these mountains is always slow. Our stamina is limited; we cannot cover much ground in a day."
Xiao Feng grinned, looking at the worried Rain. "I'm not criticizing you. I'm merely thinking of a solution." He spun around, scanning the towering peaks. Then he asked, "Are there magical wolves in these mountains?"
Rain blinked in surprise. "Yes, of course there are magical wolves. Why do you ask?"
Xiao Feng chuckled. "Good. Then Baibai, this task is yours—summon some magical wolves to aid our journey."
Baibai hesitated, glancing uneasily at the three mercenaries and then at Xiao Feng. Reluctantly, he complied. He leapt onto a massive rock and howled loudly. Moments later, the mountains echoed with answering wolf calls.
Standing tall atop the rock, Baibai lifted his head and howled with pride. His royal lupine aura radiated might and dominance. Rain and the mercenaries were struck with awe at this commanding display.
Minutes later, Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed at the approaching silhouettes. Several enormous black shapes darted swiftly toward them.
Frowning, Xiao Feng noted their size far exceeded typical magical wolves, even rivaling Baibai himself. They were clearly a distinct breed from the wolves of the wasteland—pitch black with glowing emerald eyes. At sight of Baibai, the wolves froze in place.
Baibai's B-rank beast aura was an unyielding force that these lower-ranked magical wolves dared not defy.
With a low grunt, Baibai asserted dominance, and the black wolves promptly lay down before him in submission.
Rain turned to Xiao Feng, awestruck. "What kind of beast is this white wolf? It's truly incredible—beyond belief."
Xiao Feng smiled. "Don't underestimate Baibai. He's a B-rank beast—the only magical wolf to ever achieve that rank."
"What? A B-rank beast? No wonder..." The two mercenaries expressed astonishment. For them, even D-rank beasts were formidable foes; encountering a C-rank beast could annihilate their entire squad. A B-rank beast was practically unfathomable.
Having subdued the black wolves, Baibai let out two soft howls, signaling Xiao Feng. Understanding, Xiao Feng turned to Rain. "Mount up. We'll head straight to the Evil Dragon Sect's headquarters."
Surprised, Rain asked, "We can ride them?"
"Certainly. Riding magical wolves is stable and swift." With that, Xiao Feng vaulted onto Baibai's back.
The two mercenaries eyed the D-rank wolves warily, fearing they might be devoured on the spot.
Frowning in determination, Rain was the first to leap atop a black wolf. Though initially startled, she soon relaxed, sitting firmly as if on horseback.
The other two mercenaries followed suit, mounting their wolves. After a brief flurry of panic, they too adapted to the sensation.
Xiao Feng chuckled at the trio's unease. "You'll get used to it soon enough. Now, let's move. Rain, lead the way."
Rain patted her wolf's neck, and it surged forward, followed by Baibai, the other two soldiers, and the black wolves trailing behind.
Under the scorching sun, the wolf pack thundered through the mountain passes with alarming speed. Their presence alone was a menace to surrounding beasts, who wisely avoided provoking these cunning and ferocious magical wolves.
Rain quickly acclimated to the ride; jagged rocks, trees, and brush blurred behind them. The wolves sprinted at speeds nearing eighty kilometers per hour—formidable even on flat terrain, but all the more astonishing across treacherous, rocky peaks.
"Ahhh..." Rain finally could contain herself no longer and let out a piercing scream.