Chapter 226: Being Pampered, Always Pampered

Chapter 226: Chapter 226: Being Pampered, Always Pampered

The Abyssal Giant Wolf lunged forward and collided with the Iron-Backed Bear. The two colossal beasts became a tangled mass, rolling several meters and snapping several large trees.

The Iron-Backed Bear’s sharp claws tore a gash in the giant wolf’s abdomen, spattering black blood.

The giant wolf cried out in pain with a low growl. It bit down on the Iron-Backed Bear’s foreleg and, with a vicious jerk, slammed it to the ground.

The Iron-Backed Bear struggled back to its feet, but the giant wolf gave it no chance to recover. It pounced again, pinning the bear firmly beneath it.

The Abyssal Giant Wolf’s sharp teeth sank deep into the Iron-Backed Bear’s throat. Black blood trickled down its neck.

The Iron-Backed Bear thrashed wildly, its claws tearing bloody gashes across the giant wolf’s shoulders and back. The giant wolf grunted but refused to release its death grip. Instead, it pressed down on the bear even harder.

Its ethereal blue flames danced around its body, scorching the Iron-Backed Bear’s fur. The stench of burnt flesh filled the air.

Yun Sheng’s fingertips trembled. Spiritual power gathered and dispersed in her palm, over and over again.

She didn’t know where to strike. The two beasts were too tightly entwined; she was afraid of accidentally injuring the little wolf.

All she could do was stare, not even daring to blink.

The Iron-Backed Bear’s struggles grew weaker as the giant wolf’s teeth sank deeper.

As more and more black blood flowed, the Iron-Backed Bear finally let out a desperate roar. Its massive body stiffened and then crashed to the ground, motionless.

The Abyssal Giant Wolf released its bite and shook the black blood from its head. Then, as if unintentionally, it glanced over at Yun Sheng.

In those ethereal blue eyes was a gentleness only she could understand, as if to say: ’Don’t be afraid. I’m fine.’

Then it averted its gaze, its ethereal blue eyes sweeping over everyone present. Its heavy stare made their scalps tingle with fear.

Guo Kai stared at the Abyssal Giant Wolf, his expression grave. Spiritual power slowly gathered around him, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

Ma Yu also tightened his grip on his blade, his eyes locked on the giant wolf.

They didn’t know why it had appeared, nor why it had helped them. But regardless, this was Si Jin’s spiritual body.

Si Jin was a Dark Sentinel, wanted by both the Star Alliance and the Tower. He was an enemy, not a friend.

They couldn’t afford to be complacent. If the Abyssal Giant Wolf turned on them, they would likely die even faster than the Iron-Backed Bear.

Cheng Nian stood beside Yun Sheng, glancing from the giant wolf to Guo Kai and the others before gently tugging on Yun Sheng’s sleeve.

"Yun Sheng, Brother Guo and the others aren’t going to fight that giant wolf, are they?"

Yun Sheng’s taut nerves had finally relaxed, so she wasn’t as tense anymore. She replied casually, "It just saved Brother Guo, and it hasn’t attacked us. It probably means no harm. Brother Guo and the others are just being cautious; they won’t make the first move."

Cheng Nian nodded, then asked, "So... that Si Jin, could he be nearby? It seems like he’s always around us."

A spiritual body cannot be separated from its host for too long. With the Abyssal Giant Wolf here, Si Jin had to be nearby.

This was the third time they had encountered Si Jin, and it seemed he helped them every time. It was truly strange.

Yun Sheng found it hard to answer. She feigned distress and shook her head. "That’s not for little trainees like us to worry about. Let’s leave the headaches to Brother Guo and Brother Ma."

Beside them, Li Wen reached out and poked Cheng Nian’s forehead. "Exactly. You worry too much."

Although they spoke quietly, Guo Kai and Ma Yu heard every word.

The two men exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of resignation in the other’s eyes.

Guo Kai had once admired Si Jin. Even after he fell and became a Dark Sentinel, Guo Kai still remembered Si Jin’s past contributions to the entire Star Alliance.

When he saw the Abyssal Giant Wolf, he felt no actual hostility. It was simply his duty to protect these trainees that forced him to act with caution.

Seeing that the Abyssal Giant Wolf showed no aggressive behavior, he consulted briefly with Ma Yu before slowly withdrawing his spiritual power.

"The Iron-Backed Bear is dealt with. We’ll continue clearing the area to the east. Let’s try to sweep this whole sector before nightfall," Guo Kai said in a deep voice.

"Yes, sir!" the group responded in unison.

The team started moving east.

But they hadn’t gone far before they realized the Abyssal Giant Wolf hadn’t left. It was following them at a distance—neither too close nor too far, never disappearing from sight.

Guo Kai paused, glancing back with a slight frown, but said nothing.

The team headed east for nearly an hour without spotting a single contaminant.

Even without releasing its spiritual power, the natural oppressive aura of an SSS-level spiritual body was enough to make all the restless contaminants in the area turn tail and flee elsewhere.

This entire area had been automatically cleared of contaminants without them having to lift a finger.

Guo Kai simply ordered the team to halt and rest where they were.

Ma Yu sat beside him, took a sip of water, and said in a low voice, "We can’t go on like this. It’s safe, sure, but with no contaminants, it’ll affect everyone’s final evaluation and performance points."

Guo Kai frowned, glanced toward Yun Sheng and the others, and sighed. "This is tricky... If it doesn’t leave, there’s nothing we can do."

Yun Sheng overheard them. She lowered her eyes and, under the pretense of taking a drink of water, snuck a peek at the little wolf.

Her movement was just a sidelong glance, but the Abyssal Giant Wolf seemed to sense something. Its ethereal blue eyes stared at her for a few seconds.

Then, understanding Yun Sheng’s intention, it suddenly turned and strode into the forest. Its speed was astonishing, and it vanished among the shadows of the trees in the blink of an eye.

Cheng Nian was stunned. She muttered under her breath, "Huh, it left?"

The others all breathed a sigh of relief, their frayed nerves finally calming.

With the giant wolf gone, the danger was reduced, and they could resume clearing contaminants.

The group rested for a while longer, preparing to set out again.

Yun Sheng stood up and brushed the grass clippings from her clothes when she suddenly felt something climbing up her pant leg.

She looked down. The little wolf had shrunk to the size of a fingernail and was silently scrambling up her pant leg—a tiny, furry ball, like a little spider.

It climbed quickly and steadily, diving into her pocket in the blink of an eye. Then it grew slightly, to about the size of her palm, and nuzzled against the inside of her pocket, as if seeking praise or affection.

Yun Sheng felt it and the corners of her mouth curved up slightly. She reached down, pressed her hand against her pocket, and gently squeezed its small, furry head.

The little wolf, enjoying the sensation, let out a low purr from its throat. It curled up obediently in her pocket and went still.

...

「Elsewhere, deep within the forest.」

Xing Che was moving rapidly, trying to reach Yun Sheng’s side as quickly as possible.

Suddenly, he stopped. His amber-gold eyes stared at a spot ahead as he said coldly, "Come out."

A group of people then emerged from the shadows of the trees directly in front of him.

Leading them was none other than Su Yuanzhou. Zhao Heng and several other Sentinels followed close behind, fanning out in a semicircle to block Xing Che’s path.

Xing Che looked at them, his face expressionless. His voice was devoid of emotion. "What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to block my way?"

Su Yuanzhou met his frigid gaze, raised a hand, and gave a light wave. Zhao Heng and the others exchanged a look and quickly backed away.

He looked at Xing Che, his gaze calm and his tone unhurried. "I mean you no harm. I just want to talk to you... about Yun Sheng."