Chapter 17

C17 – Wild Battle

Hu Wang was in a state of panic. He hadn’t anticipated that Chen Wu’s Iron-feather Eagle, even when injured, would not only maintain its speed but become even more rapid and vicious!

In a frantic voice, he yelled, “Blood Wolf, dodge the Berserk Attack!”

Yet, the Berserk Attack was merely an explosive skill, enabling Blood Wolf to build up energy and, in a split second, lunge at its prey at double its usual speed. But against the onslaught of Blood Rain, which was descending even faster, Blood Wolf was instantly seized by a pair of iron-like claws on its spine. The grip tightened abruptly, and as Blood Rain’s wings beat, a whirlwind lifted it sharply into the air. Simultaneously, it ripped away a large chunk of bloody flesh and fur.

Blood Wolf howled in agony and collapsed to the ground!

The wound on its back was horrific. Not only was there a massive loss of flesh, but the bones were nearly visible. The blood had instantly turned it into a true Blood Wolf!

“Ahh!”

Hu Wang was so enraged he was nearly losing his mind. Struck by such a devastating blow, Blood Wolf entered a Berserk state, its size doubling to almost three meters tall, and it charged at Blood Rain, the instigator of its pain.

But Blood Rain stayed aloft, out of reach. Leveraging its slightly superior speed and aerial advantage, Blood Wolf’s leaps were futile, only managing to chase after Blood Rain’s tail.

As the Hawk Strike Force continued, Blood Rain’s speed kept accelerating, doubling and then tripling, leaving Blood Wolf chasing its own tail in confusion!

It was clear to any observer that once Blood Wolf’s Berserk state wore off, it would succumb to weakness from the blood loss, and then, it would be Hu Wang’s turn to face death.

In stark contrast to the Demonic Pet Masters’ wide-eyed shock at Hu Wang’s defeat to a youth, the Everyman below was buzzing with excitement. Their delight was palpable, for Hu Wang’s infamy for terrorizing the village was well-known, and many had lost loved ones to the Hu Family’s servants. They couldn’t help but cheer enthusiastically, tears streaming down their faces in a mix of excitement and relief.

Hu Wang found himself in a perilous situation as the Blood Rain targeted him, with Feather Arrows raining down from the sky in a deadly barrage!

“This fool is trying to take someone else’s life, yet he’s risking his own in the process!”

Shan Yuanxu inwardly cursed, while also recalculating his strategy. Hu Wang’s death would be convenient. Were it not for the concern of crossing Hu Wang’s brother, Hu Liang, Shan Yuanxu would have dealt with Hu Wang’s reckless and tyrannical behavior long ago, which had tarnished his reputation significantly. He would have gladly fed Hu Wang to the dogs!

The law enforcement officer watched in amazement as Chen Wu coolly and indifferently directed the Iron-feather Eagle, pressing the attack with precision. He couldn’t help but admire Chen Wu’s command.

“Haha, see what I mean? I told you, this kid must have had some incredible luck. The Iron-feather Eagle has even mastered a Wind-type Skill, which is like adding wings to a tiger for a speed-focused demonic pet. It’s only right that his Blood Wolf got taken down!” Loong Yang took a swig of his drink and laughed uproariously, completely ignoring the disapproving looks from the other Demonic Pet Masters as he reveled in Hu Wang’s misfortune.

​Beside him, Hui Wenyao narrowed his eyes and cautioned, “Don’t celebrate too soon. Hu Wang has a Second Demonic Pet up his sleeve. The outcome is still uncertain, especially in a Life And Death Battle with no Demonic Pet Battle restrictions. If Chen Wu fails to kill the Blood Wolf, and Hu Wang summons his Second Demonic Pet, the two demonic pets could coordinate their restraint and assault, making it difficult for the Iron-feather Eagle.”

As if on cue with Hui Wenyao’s words, Hu Wang performed an agile roll, narrowly evading several Iron-feathers, and urgently called out, “Come forth, Venomous Thorn Vine!”

Six slender vines sprouted from the ground, swelling rapidly to the thickness of an arm. Without any support, they stretched skyward like saplings, extending five meters with the six vines thrashing wildly. Adorned with long, purple barbs, the vines looked menacingly capable of lacerating flesh with a single lash.

Hu Wang ceased his frantic escape and bellowed, “Venomous Thorn Vine, Vine Whip!”

“Blood Wolf, get up! Your task isn’t finished. Execute A Berserk Attack!”

Hu Wang issued the command with a mix of rage and icy resolve.

With no other option, Blood Wolf whimpered before mustering the strength to rise, clumsily pursuing Blood Rain.

“What is this?”

Chen Wu sensed trouble the moment the Venomous Thorn Vine emerged, yet it fell within his expectations. Within the Spiritual Mist Stage, possessing two Demonic Pet Spaces, it was only logical for Hu Wang to have cultivated a second Demonic Pet. Given the combat prowess of his Blood Wolf, it could certainly aid Hu Wang in capturing a nearly equal Demonic Pet. The surprise lay in the fact that it was a Plant-type.

A Plant-type Demonic Pet was notably disadvantageous for Blood Rain, a Flight-type.

[Creature]: Venomous Thorn Vine

[Skills]: Vine Whip, Entanglement, Venomous Thorn

Potential: High-grade Bronze

Bloodline: None

Level: Bronze Grade 3

Status: Healthy

Plant-type Demonic Beasts are even more uncommon. Demonic Beasts possess consciousness, which allows for rapid growth in intelligence and Spiritual Energy, making their evolution into Demonic Beasts much easier than instinct-driven plants absorbing Heaven-earth Energy.

Yet, the average combat strength of Plant-type Demonic Beasts tends to surpass that of Beast-types, characterized by three attributes: resilience, binding, and persistence.

While Plant-type Demonic Beasts may lack the attack power of Beast-types, they excel in entangling and wearing down their opponents. Rooted in the soil, they draw endless strength and nourishment from the earth, easily ensnaring Beast-type Demonic Pets. After depleting their prey’s energy, they capture them, using the common poisonous thorns to inflict damage or inject their toxins.

Confronted by six vine whips that completely obstructed his escape, striking fiercely from various directions, Blood Rain was understandably flustered. Its sharp claws attempted to sever the vines, a daunting task, and any lapse in attention risked being swiftly bound by the vines, immobilizing its body and claws.

The Blood Rain soon found itself in peril, its feathers shattered by the relentless assault of six vines, exposing its bloodied and mangled back.

Just then, the Blood Wolf arrived, leaping forcefully and lunging at the Blood Rain from behind!

In that critical moment, Chen Wu whispered, “Blood Rain, Eagle Eye!”

The eyes of the Blood Rain shone with an unusual sheen. Unflinchingly, it continued its forward charge, directly into the path of eight oncoming vines.

Yet, the Blood Rain’s speed remained constant, its evasive maneuvers nothing short of remarkable. With a series of subtle shifts and rapid aerial changes, it effortlessly avoided the vine attacks. In a swift turnaround, it dove back towards the Blood Wolf, now plummeting towards the ground!

“This is bad!”

Hu Wang cried out in terror, but it was already too late.

The Blood Rain’s vicious claws struck true, piercing the Blood Wolf’s skull in an instant!

​With a pained howl, the Blood Wolf collapsed into a bloody heap, its head fatally penetrated.

Hu Wang, in turn, coughed up a great deal of blood. With the death of his Zodiac Demonic Pet, his world spun, his Spiritual Energy taking a massive hit.

“No — —!”

Bloodshot eyes wide with terror, Hu Wang watched as the Iron-feather Eagle continued its assault on the Venomous Thorn Vine. He was about to recite a spell to recall his Demonic Pet, but in a Demonic Pet Battle, a Demonic Pet Master is not just for show!

Chen Wu fixed his gaze upon him and unleashed a skill he had been cultivating for some time — Spiritual Impact!

This was the System Reward for the fifth day’s sign-in, a low-level Psychic Technique.

[Spiritual Impact]: A low-level attack Psychic Technique that, once the Secret Arts Seal is formed, can be activated to strike the target’s Spiritual Ocean with a burst of Spiritual Energy, disrupting the enemy’s skill preparation and causing a delay in their consciousness.

Chen Wu, having arrived late, had focused on mastering this Secret Art quickly. Compared to Middle-grade Secret Arts, the low-level ones were easier for him to execute, especially since no one in Green-mount Town was even aware of the existence of Middle-grade Secret Arts. Chen Wu certainly didn’t want to draw attention to his possession of such advanced knowledge.

Mastering a low-level secret art was considerably simpler, as even small families like the Hu Family had one at their disposal. For instance, the Blood Wolf’s ability to launch an attack despite being gravely injured was undoubtedly due to Hu Wang covertly employing a skill akin to Berserk. Without it, the Blood Wolf would have succumbed to its wounds and lost its combat effectiveness much earlier.

Hu Wang was already psychologically devastated by the Blood Wolf’s demise. Now, clutching his head and shaking, he missed the prime opportunity to recall his Demonic Pet. The Iron-feather Eagle seized the moment, latching onto the vine’s root and ruthlessly shredding it to pieces!

For a Plant-type, damage to the root spelled doom.

With the Venomous Thorn Vine weakening and nearing death, Hu Wang let out a harrowing scream before collapsing motionless to the ground.