Fifteen days passed.
The wolf tide became fiercer with each passing day.
At first, the Gu Yue clan could still rely on the village walls, traps, and patrol groups to suppress the wolves outside. But as the days went by, the pitfall traps were filled again and again with corpses, the wooden defenses were repeatedly broken, and the medicine hall no longer had a quiet hour.
Every day, the battle merit board changed.
Some names rose higher.
More names turned grey.
The village was still standing, but everyone could feel that the hardest moment had not yet arrived.
Fang Ming had also fought during these fifteen days.
As a newly promoted elder, he was placed on defense rotations, reinforcing weak points and suppressing wolf packs that approached the walls. He used Thunderwings Gu to move between sections, Sky Canopy Gu to block dangerous attacks, and Moon Edge Gu to cut down wolves.
He did not reveal his true cultivation.
To the other elders, he was still a young Rank three initial stage Gu Master with good Gu worms and calm judgment. Only Fang Ming knew that beneath this appearance, his aperture had already reached Rank three peak stage.
But the deeper the wolf tide became, the more he understood one thing.
Rank three peak was not safety.
It was only a little more room to struggle.
On the fifteenth morning, the first rays of sunlight had just broken through the sky when a long howl came from the depths of the mountain forest.
The sound spread across the battlefield.
The elders on the wall all changed expression.
The Thunder Crown Wolf had appeared.
Behind the wolf tide, its body was like a small hill. Blue scales covered its body, and golden fur grew at its claws and tail. The fur on its head stood upright like a crown, making it look like a king sitting behind its army.
Around it, five frenzy lightning wolves raised their heads and howled.
The ordinary lightning wolves surged forward like waves.
If one wanted to fight the Thunder Crown Wolf, one had to strike first.
Its strength was too great. If it entered the village, the walls would not hold for long. The bamboo buildings would collapse, mortals would die in large numbers, and even Rank one and Rank two Gu Masters would only become meat under its claws.
Thus, Gu Yue Bo moved.
The clan leader rushed out from the village first. Behind him were the clan elders.
Fang Ming was among them.
This group's strength was great. Gu Yue Bo was Rank four, and the elders behind him were all Rank three. Against ordinary wolf packs, they were an unstoppable force.
The wolf tide rushed forward violently, but the elders moved in a compact formation. They were like a sharp boat cutting through waves. Wherever they passed, the wolves were swept away.
Gu Yue Bo walked at the front.
His expression was calm. He raised his right hand and slashed forward.
Swoosh!
A golden moonblade appeared.
After flying several steps, the moonblade split into three, opening three bloody paths inside the wolf tide. Wolves were cut apart, limbs flew, and blood splashed onto the wet ground.
A frenzy lightning wolf charged from the right.
"Let me!" an elder shouted.
His thin body suddenly swelled into a round fat shape. With a heavy collision, he knocked the frenzy lightning wolf away. The wolf flew into the air, crossed a long distance, and smashed into the ground.
The other elders also used their methods.
One elder's hair became long and sharp, shooting out like needles.
Another elder's body was covered in armor light, allowing him to forcefully withstand the wolves' claws and teeth.
A female elder spat out orange flames, burning the wolves that tried to block the path.
Fang Ming moved at the side.
Thunderwings Gu flashed behind him from time to time, letting him keep his position without being surrounded. He did not fly high, nor did he use too much speed. A newly advanced Rank three elder could not waste primeval essence so freely.
At least, that was what he had to show.
Moon Edge Gu activated.
A thin blue-white crescent flew from his palm. It was smaller than ordinary moonblades, but faster and sharper. It cut through a bold lightning wolf's front leg, causing the wolf to fall and block those behind it.
Fang Ming did not chase kills.
In this kind of battle, killing one more wolf did not matter much. What mattered was keeping the formation moving.
The Thunder Crown Wolf slowly stood up.
Its dark eyes looked at the charging Gu Masters. It opened its mouth and let out a low roar.
The surrounding bold lightning wolves and frenzy lightning wolves immediately rushed forward. The elders' speed slowed down.
Inside the village, countless clansmen were watching.
"Clan leader!"
"Elders, you must win!"
"This battle cannot be lost!"
Their voices mixed with the wolf howls.
This was the most important battle since the wolf tide began.
If the elders won, the village would survive the hardest moment. If they lost, Gu Yue village would face destruction.
The elders pushed forward while covered in blood.
None of them retreated.
Finally, they broke through the surrounding wolves and reached the Thunder Crown Wolf.
At this moment, a middle-aged female elder stretched out her hands.
Therapy Light Gu.
A warm white light spread out. It first covered Gu Yue Bo, then reflected onto the other elders. Their bleeding wounds stopped, and the lighter wounds quickly closed.
"Continue!" Gu Yue Bo shouted.
Five elders raised their hands at the same time and sent moonblades into the sky.
Another elder roared. His muscles expanded, and white fur grew over his skin. In a few breaths, he turned into a white giant ape.
The giant ape jumped forward and clasped both hands together.
Gu Yue Bo stepped on his hands.
The giant ape elder bent his waist, then threw Gu Yue Bo high into the air.
Moon-invite Gu.
Purple moonlight appeared in Gu Yue Bo's left palm like a whirlpool. The five moonblades in the sky were pulled into it and merged.
Gu Yue Bo's eyes shone.
"Slash!"
A huge purple moonblade flew toward the Thunder Crown Wolf.
The blade looked slow, but it arrived in an instant.
The Thunder Crown Wolf howled. Blue lightning gathered over its body, forming lightning armor.
Bam!
Purple moonlight and blue lightning collided.
The explosion forced many people to narrow their eyes. Ordinary lightning wolves nearby were thrown away by the shockwave.
When the light faded, a deep wound had appeared on the Thunder Crown Wolf's right front leg. Blood flowed out continuously.
The elders immediately attacked.
The old elder with needle-like hair shot countless needles.
The female elder spat out flames again.
Several elders moved around the Thunder Crown Wolf, drawing its attention and attacking from different directions.
One elder threw out many Puppet Gu. Under his primeval essence, they turned into vine-armored grass soldiers and wooden servants holding red spears. They rushed forward as fodder, using their bodies to delay the Thunder Crown Wolf's movements.
Healing Gu Masters stayed outside the circle. Defensive Gu Masters protected them.
Fang Ming also entered the rhythm.
His Thunderwings Gu flashed once, allowing him to dodge the Thunder Crown Wolf's tail sweep. After landing, he used Moon Edge Gu again.
A thin crescent struck the Thunder Crown Wolf's injured front leg.
The blade cut through scales, but the wound was not deep.
Fang Ming's heart became heavy.
He had restrained his strength, but even if he used more, this was still a myriad beast king. It was not something a single Rank three elder could handle.
The Thunder Crown Wolf turned its gaze toward him.
Fang Ming immediately activated Sky Canopy Gu.
A white canopy-like barrier formed around his body.
A lightning ball came at once.
Bang!
The lightning ball struck the canopy, causing the barrier to shake violently. Fang Ming was pushed back several steps before stabilizing himself.
His face became pale.
This time, it was not entirely an act.
The Thunder Crown Wolf roared continuously. It had fallen into the Gu Masters' prepared trap, but it was still not easy to suppress.
The elders surrounded it and attacked from all sides.
For a short while, the situation seemed favorable.
But the good situation did not last.
The wound on the Thunder Crown Wolf's front leg began to heal.
"It has a healing Gu!" an elder shouted.
The elders' expressions changed.
Wild Gu could use natural essence from the air, while Gu Masters could only rely on the primeval essence in their apertures. If the battle dragged on, the Thunder Crown Wolf would have the advantage.
After fifteen minutes, the Thunder Crown Wolf raised its head and howled.
Lightning burst across its body, and its speed suddenly rose.
The white ape elder could not dodge.
The Thunder Crown Wolf bit down. With one pull, his head was torn apart.
Blood scattered.
The formation immediately showed a gap.
The Thunder Crown Wolf swung its tail. Purple-blue lightning swept out, forcing several elders back.
Gu Yue Bo stepped forward.
He was Rank four, and at this moment he became the pillar of the group. Golden moonlight flashed again and again, blocking the Thunder Crown Wolf's advance and giving the elders time to adjust their positions.
Fang Ming retreated slightly, then moved to the side using Thunderwings Gu.
He did not expose his peak stage cultivation.
But he also did not dare to conserve too much.
If the formation collapsed, hiding strength would be meaningless.
Moon Edge Gu activated again.
This time, the crescent blade carried more force. It cut into the Thunder Crown Wolf's wounded leg and deepened the injury.
The Thunder Crown Wolf turned angrily.
At that moment, Gu Yue Bo moved.
Swift Wind Walking Gu.
His body blurred and appeared near the wolf's neck.
Eclipse Moonlight Gu.
A nearly invisible moonlight flashed.
There was almost no sound.
A narrow wound appeared at the Thunder Crown Wolf's neck. Only after a breath did blood spray out.
Fang Ming's gaze moved slightly.
This was Gu Yue Bo's Rank four attack Gu.
Eclipse Moonlight Gu.
Its attack was fast, hidden, and vicious. It was most suitable for sudden killing. The Flower Wine Monk had died to a higher-rank variant of this type of Gu in the past.
Fang Ming had already copied this Gu.
But seeing Gu Yue Bo use it in real battle made him understand it more clearly.
A hidden blade did not need to be grand.
It only needed to arrive before the enemy could react.
The Thunder Crown Wolf became completely furious.
A bright red light covered its body.
Rank four Berserk Gu!
Its strength, speed, and ferocity rose sharply.
Boom!
One elder was struck by its claw and turned into meat paste.
With a flick of its tail, an electric net spread out and burned a field of grass soldiers and wooden servants into charcoal.
"I cannot continue, my Puppet Gu are used up!" the elder shouted in fear.
The situation changed quickly.
The terror of a myriad beast king was fully revealed.
Gu Yue Bo gritted his teeth and shouted, "Trap it! Use Iron Chain Snake!"
The elders' hearts shook.
This was a method to be used only when there was no other choice.
"Wind Snare Gu!" an elder shouted.
Green wind flew from his nostrils and wrapped around the Thunder Crown Wolf's claws.
"Swamp Gu!"
Another elder slammed both palms onto the ground. The earth beneath the Thunder Crown Wolf turned into mud, slowing its movements.
At the same time, the other elders stretched out their hands.
Black shadows shot out from their sleeves and trouser legs.
Each shadow was a snake Gu shaped like an iron chain. Their bodies were black and made of metal rings. They crawled over the ground and climbed onto the Thunder Crown Wolf's body.
Their heads and tails linked together.
In a few breaths, they formed a black metal net and pinned the Thunder Crown Wolf to the ground.
The Thunder Crown Wolf struggled violently.
One chain snapped.
Then another.
This could only hold it for a short time.
"Chi Guang, Suo Ping, stay here and stop the wolf pack from attacking the chains. The rest follow me back to the village!" Gu Yue Bo shouted.
The elders did not show surprise.
They already knew the next step.
They quickly retreated.
Fang Ming followed them back. Before leaving, he looked once at the struggling Thunder Crown Wolf.
Its body shook the ground each time it moved. The Iron Chain Snake formation was breaking piece by piece.
The Gu Yue clan had not defeated it.
They had only bought time.
Soon, Gu Yue Bo and the elders returned to the clan pavilion.
In the plaza before the pavilion, over a hundred Gu Masters were already seated on the ground. Most of them were heavily injured and could no longer fight. Their faces were pale, but their expressions were calm.
They understood why they had been gathered here.
At this point, the clan had already used almost everything it could use. Even mortals had been sent to delay the wolf tide, using flesh and life to buy moments of rest for the Gu Masters.
Gu Yue Bo led the elders into the ancestral hall.
Under the memorial tablets of the ancestors, everyone knelt.
Fang Ming also knelt among them.
"To the great ancestor above, we descendants are greatly ashamed," Gu Yue Bo said in a low voice. "The wolf tide is turbulent, and the village has reached the moment of life and death. We beseech the great ancestor to lend us strength and help the village pass this calamity."
The ancestral hall fell into silence.
Blood dripped from the elders' hastily bandaged wounds and landed on the floor.
No one spoke.
Back then, when the first generation clan leader felt death approaching, he left behind a testament. If the clan ever reached the danger of destruction, the descendants could pray before his memorial tablet. At that time, Gu worms would descend and help the clan pass the crisis.
Throughout the Gu Yue clan's history, this final method had been used several times.
This was the Gu Yue clan's last trump card.
Fang Ming lowered his head, but his thoughts were not calm.
Even a clan that had stood for centuries could be forced to kneel before dead men.
Rank three peak stage was still not enough.
Rank four had to be reached before the final disaster arrived.