Early winter arrived.
The first snowfall covered Qing Mao Mountain in pale white. The sky was grey, the wind was cold, and snowflakes drifted across the mountain paths.
Fang Ming walked out from a deep cave, carrying the materials required by the mission.
This mission was not difficult by itself.
The clan needed certain cave materials, and Fang Ming had accepted the task because it was suitable for a lone Gu Master. The cave was deep, but the route was clear. As long as he avoided wild beasts and returned before the weather worsened, the mission would be completed without much trouble.
But the moment Fang Ming stepped out of the cave, his expression changed slightly.
Heat Detection Gu sent feedback.
Warm bodies.
Many of them.
They were scattered around the cave entrance, hidden behind rocks, trees, and snow-covered slopes. Some were still moving, slowly tightening the space around him.
Wolves.
Fang Ming's gaze swept across the surroundings.
Soon, pairs of eyes appeared in the wind and snow.
These wolves did not look strong. Some were thin, some limped, and some carried old wounds. A few had damaged ears or broken tails. They were crippled wolves, forced out from stronger packs during winter.
But Fang Ming did not relax.
Old, injured, and sickly wolves were not necessarily easier to deal with.
Young wolves were stronger and more vigorous, but these crippled wolves had survived longer. They were cunning. They did not like direct engagement. Instead, they preferred to surround their prey, harass it constantly, test its weakness, and slowly drive it to run until it exhausted itself.
Only when the prey weakened would they truly bite.
Fang Ming moved first.
A moonblade flew out.
The eerie blue blade cut through the snow and struck a wolf near the left side. Blood splashed against the white ground.
The encirclement shifted.
The wolves did not rush forward all at once. Instead, they gave way slightly, leaving an opening between 2 snow-covered rocks.
Fang Ming's eyes narrowed.
They were letting him leave.
No, they were forcing him to run.
If he stayed, more wolves would gather until the encirclement became complete. If he broke out, they would chase him, wear down his primeval essence, and wait until he weakened.
Fang Ming understood their plan.
But he still rushed through the opening.
Step on Wind Gu activated.
His body moved quickly across the snow, leaving the cave behind. Behind him, the wolves howled and gave chase. More figures appeared from both sides, keeping pace at a distance.
Fang Ming was not afraid of a long chase.
He had Essence Storage Gu.
His primeval essence reserve was far greater than what ordinary Rank 2 Gu Masters could maintain. He was also Rank 2 upper stage now, and his primeval essence was strong and efficient. With Step on Wind Gu and Heat Detection Gu, running did not place him in immediate danger.
The longer he ran, the closer he moved toward the village.
That was to his advantage.
The wolves followed.
At first, they remained patient.
They ran behind him and along his sides, occasionally closing in, then pulling back before fully engaging. They wanted Fang Ming to keep spending primeval essence. They wanted him to grow anxious, make mistakes, and slow down.
But time passed.
Fang Ming did not slow.
Step on Wind Gu remained active, and his movement stayed steady. His breathing was controlled, his steps light, and his direction clear.
The wolves began to change.
A wolf rushed from the right.
Fang Ming turned his hand.
A moonblade cut across its body and threw it into the snow.
Another wolf lunged from behind.
Fang Ming twisted his waist, wolf strength guiding the movement, and punched back. Burning Stone Skin Gu covered his body, while Burning Steam Gu rose as a hot layer outside it. The wolf's claws struck the steam and stone skin, but Fang Ming's fist smashed into its skull.
The wolf fell.
The chase continued.
One wolf after another took risks.
Fang Ming killed them as they came close.
Some were cut down by Moonglow Gu.
Some were struck dead by his fists.
By the time the chase reached the lower mountain path, 8 wolves had already fallen behind him.
The pack grew more restless.
Then another wolf attacked.
It came from the side, thin and wounded, looking no different from the others. Fang Ming turned toward it, planning to deal with it the same way.
At that moment, his heart suddenly shook.
An invisible force struck him.
It was not a claw.
It was not teeth.
It was a strange attack that pierced directly into his mind and soul.
Fang Ming's body stiffened.
Mutated wolf.
A wolf with soul attack.
For a few seconds, his senses blurred.
The snow, wind, and wolf howls seemed to twist together.
That was enough.
Another mutated wolf rushed from behind, and 2 ordinary wolves attacked from the side. Their timing was precise, taking advantage of the short moment when Fang Ming could not move properly.
The burning steam layer shook violently.
The Burning Stone Skin Gu beneath it cracked under the combined attack.
Blood splashed.
Fang Ming was thrown forward, pain tearing through his body.
But the 2 defensive layers had done their job.
They broke, but they kept him alive.
Before the wolves could tear deeper into him, Fang Ming regained control. His eyes turned cold. He no longer tried to continue the chase calmly.
Step on Wind Gu erupted with full force.
Fang Ming accelerated.
He rushed toward a nearby valley, blood dripping behind him. The wolves howled and chased harder, thinking their prey had finally been wounded and panicked.
Fang Ming did not look back.
Heat Detection Gu showed their positions clearly.
They were closing in.
The valley entrance appeared ahead.
Fang Ming entered first.
Then he turned and threw out Vine Entanglement Gu.
The Gu landed near the entrance.
In the next moment, thick vines burst out, spreading across the narrow path. They twisted together, blocking the valley entrance and entangling the wolves that rushed too close.
Howls sounded from behind the vines.
The wolves clawed and bit, but the passage had been sealed for the moment.
Fang Ming did not stop.
He continued deeper into the valley, found a covered corner, and finally slowed down.
His injuries were serious.
The mutated wolf's attack had stunned him, and the following assault had nearly broken through his body. Blood continued to flow from several wounds. If not for Burning Stone Skin Gu and Burning Steam Gu, he might have been torn apart before he could recover.
Fang Ming took out vitality leaves.
One.
Two.
Three.
He used 3 vitality leaves in succession.
The wounds began to close slightly, and the bleeding slowed. The pain eased enough for him to move without collapsing.
But that was all.
Vitality leaves were only Rank 1 consumable healing Gu produced by Nine Leaf Vitality Grass. They were useful, and without them his condition would have been much worse. But against this kind of injury, they could only stabilize him.
They could not restore him to peak condition.
Fang Ming bandaged himself carefully.
Then he climbed out from another side of the valley without delay.
He did not stay to rest.
He did not return to collect wolf corpses.
The mission materials were still with him, and that was enough.
As he moved through the snow, Fang Ming's expression remained calm, but his gaze was colder than before.
He had underestimated the wolves.
Not their strength.
Their danger.
These were only old, injured, experienced wolves. The young and stronger wolves had not truly arrived yet. Even so, a mutated wolf with a soul attack had nearly created a fatal opening.
His Gu set had saved him.
Investigation.
Movement.
Attack.
Defense.
Endurance.
Even a restraining trump card.
But one weakness had become obvious.
Healing.
Rank 1 vitality leaves could keep him alive, but keeping alive was not enough. In a true critical situation, he needed a proper Rank 2 healing Gu.
Fang Ming looked toward the direction of Gu Yue Village.
The medical hall would have healing Gu Masters.
And where there were healing Gu Masters, there might be healing Gu worth copying.
This matter had to become a priority.