Xiao Feng and his three companions had been racing through the mountain ranges alongside the wolf pack for over three hours, having already crossed several towering peaks.
Guided by Rain, they arrived at the foot of a lofty summit, which stood nearly half again as tall as the surrounding mountains. The peak was capped with pristine, glistening snow. Yet, as they neared this towering mountain, a colossal demon bear suddenly leapt before them. Its massive frame was nearly three to four times larger than that of Baibai, and it bared a ferocious snarl at both Baibai and Xiao Feng, unleashing a stench so foul it seemed to warp the very air.
Baibai, undeterred, roared back defiantly at the demon bear. The wolf pack behind him swiftly encircled the beast, their eyes burning with savage intent. They awaited only Baibai's command before lunging without hesitation to tear into the bulky black bear, despite it being of a significantly higher rank.
Xiao Feng immediately recognized this bear as no ordinary beast—it was clearly a demon creature tamed by the Evil Dragon Sect to guard the mountain's base.
Without a moment's hesitation, Xiao Feng sprang from Baibai's back with agile grace, flipping over and landing atop the demon bear.
Rain and the two mercenaries watched in stunned disbelief, utterly baffled by the enigmatic youth they had just met. Earlier, he had swiftly dispatched a pack of D-ranked beasts, largely thanks to his massive sniper rifle. Yet now, facing what appeared to be a C-ranked demon bear, he forsook his firearm and leapt bare-handed onto its back.
Their astonishment deepened when they witnessed something even more extraordinary.
Perched on the enormous bear's back—its size comparable to a two-story building—Xiao Feng's hands crackled with blazing arcs of electricity.
In that instant, Rain and the two mercenaries could hardly believe their eyes. Their mouths hung agape, eyes wide, transfixed by the impossible spectacle.
The bear writhed violently, electric sparks surging along its bulk. Within mere seconds, Xiao Feng had forced the monstrous creature to the ground, its once-imposing presence reduced to desperate spasms.
Xiao Feng then gave Baibai a sharp glance. With a low growl, Baibai lunged, sinking his teeth into the demon bear's neck, tearing off a chunk of flesh and severing its arteries.
A torrent of blood gushed forth, igniting the feral instincts of the wolf pack. They surged forward in a frenzy, rending the demon bear limb from limb until it lay a mangled ruin of shredded flesh.
Rain and the mercenaries were utterly shaken. To see a C-ranked demon beast fall within seconds at the hands of this youth was beyond anything they had imagined.
Rain finally understood why Xiao Feng dared to approach the Evil Dragon Sect's headquarters alone—he was an esper. As for his rank, Rain dared not speculate, but she suspected he was at least level five.
Seeing their awe, Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "Let's move quickly. There will likely be more guardian beasts nearby. If the scent of this bear's blood draws them here, it won't bode well."
Rain, still pale but now tinged with newfound respect—and a growing admiration—nodded quietly. Which young woman could remain unmoved by such a handsome and capable man?
Somewhat flustered, she mounted her wolf and followed Xiao Feng and Baibai as they ascended toward the summit.
Rain's mind replayed the electrifying scene Xiao Feng had just unleashed, drawing her thoughts irresistibly toward him.
For a girl on the cusp of youth, these feelings stirred the first tender buds of affection, even though they had known each other less than a day.
Yet Xiao Feng's thoughts were far from romance. His brow furrowed as he fixed his gaze on the peak above. His foremost desire was to reach the Evil Dragon Sect's headquarters swiftly and rend that black dragon bastard into shreds.
He was well aware the headquarters would be heavily guarded by many demon beasts—far more than just the black bear. In fact, this C-ranked bear might well be among the weakest of their sentinels.
His instincts proved true. From the summit, a blurred pack of shapes charged toward them—sleek black panthers, far bulkier than the six-legged panthers Xiao Feng had encountered before, yet just as swift. These black panthers promised fiercer combat prowess.
Upon sighting the wolf pack behind Xiao Feng, the panthers erupted into fierce howls, a primeval clash between two rival species swiftly unfolding.
Without hesitation, the panthers pounced from above, descending upon the wolves.
But they had not anticipated Baibai, who stood resolute at the forefront, distinct from the others. Calmly, Baibai met the first panther's charge with a swift, powerful swipe to its head.
Though these C-ranked panthers were formidable fighters, they paled beside Baibai, the B-ranked wolf king.
With a resounding crack, the panther was slammed headfirst against a rock, its skull shattering instantly. Baibai had dispatched it in a single, devastating blow.
The terrifying might of Baibai's combat prowess stunned the three mercenaries anew. The partnership of this white wolf and Xiao Feng seemed nothing short of miraculous.
Inspired by Baibai's heroic stance, the wolf pack let out several resonant howls before surging recklessly toward the higher-ranked C-ranked panthers, plunging into a chaotic and blood-soaked melee.
Baibai dominated the fray with ruthless efficiency, swiftly dispatching a majority of the black panthers with brutal precision.
Once all the panthers lay defeated, Baibai stood triumphantly, pressing a paw onto the head of a fallen foe and howling defiantly to the heavens.
Rain and the two mercenaries, standing by Xiao Feng's side amidst the carnage, were once again left utterly awestruck.