Are these wolves an outcast group? In that case, I could certainly fight them. Is there any way for me to confirm this? Zixin thought, leaning back against the thick tree behind him.
He sat down, continuing his thoughts: The Wolf Lord usually sends out ten wolves to scout the areas ahead, so is that proof? I suppose, but they're injured, which would be unlikely unless they were recently kicked out or… they were hunted down.
Zixin took a peek, muttering, "Bite marks… they really were kicked out."
Zixin took his gaze back, sitting with the tree as his cover.
"If I fight them, I need to understand my surroundings." Zixin subconsciously mumbled, shifting his gaze to his surroundings.
He stood up, observing the thick trees. The trees were both thick and tall, reaching roughly twenty, if not forty, meters tall. Their thickness could be compared with that of an obese person's round belly, being at roughly one and a half meters. Upon lifting his gaze, he noticed the odd tree branches. Some were thick with countless leaves sprouting from them, while others were thin and weak.
After having understood the trees, Zixin carefully shifted his gaze to the wolves so as not to attract their attention. The wolves were moving slowly in a star-like formation, with two wolves guarding the rear whilst one watched the front.
Zixin watched carefully, noticing dozens of injuries on their skin. Some were still fresh, while others had already healed.
Nose injuries? That's interesting, they shouldn't be able to sense my scene then. Zixin nodded, shifting his gaze to the ground below.
The ground was mainly pebbles of different sizes; some were small while others were as large as a fist.
Zixin sat down, contemplating his next course of action. He closed his eyes, focusing his attention on the task at hand.
A few minutes later, Zixin began tossing pebbles at random, alerting the wolves. With each rock thrown, he would sneak slightly ahead, not enough to go too far but enough to be noticed.
The wolves stopped in their tracks, growling with every sound they heard. Their scarlet red eyes shifted from left to right; from up to down.
A few seconds later, the wolves howled, scattering in three directions, leaving the area.
Huh? Why did they run? Running means losing stamina, which they surely can't afford, especially when they're split up. No, this must be a scheme, or at least I feel like it is. Zixin thought before shaking his head.
But what would their schemes be? Sigh, think Zixin, think. Zixin closed his eyes, his mind slipping into the Wolf Lord's memories.
Wolves that leave the Wolf Lord's pack naturally have human-like intelligence, which is why they even try to leave, because they want freedom–free from the Wolf Lord's control. Wait, don't tell me… Zixin opened his eyes, realizing the wolves' plans.
"So they were hoping that I would reveal myself after they left, huh? Not bad." Zixin praised, clenching his fist as he re-adjusted his plans.
After half an hour, Zixin sat down, leaning his back against the tree.
Ugh, where are they? Did they actually leave? I thought wolves held grudges, so escape didn't cross my mind. I suppose I could wait it out. Zixin closed his eyes, listening closely to the surroundings.
After an hour, the wolves returned, forming the same formation with two guarding the rear and one watching the front. Zixin gradually stood up, stretching his hand, gathering dozens of rocks. Without a second thought, he started tossing rocks as he did before, but something had changed.
A wolf's ear perked up, sensing where the sound originated. Zixin's heart sank as he hid behind the tree.
His mind raced for answers: They actually used the hour to make plans and recover their wounds?! This is bad. I completely overlooked this.
Zixin bit his lips, closed his eyes, and split his mind, stepping into the White Palace a minute later. Strength surged through his body as the Body Enhancements took effect.
He peeks at the wolves, throwing rocks at them in hopes of damaging them. Unfortunately, only a quarter of the rocks thrown hit, leading the wolves to split up into three adjacent directions. One moved to the left while another rushed to the right, leaving one to run straight ahead at the center.
The furthest right wolf sensed his movements, changing its direction towards the tree.
Zixin's pupils shrank as his thoughts raced like wildfire: I have to find a way to leave its range, but how? Running would be pointless, after all, they're wolves, they'll catch up within seconds. Hmm? How about climbing the tree? I… don't know how to…
Suddenly, Zixin recalled another piece of the Wolf Lord's memories.
…
Back when the Wolf Lord had yet to completely adapt to its newfound strength, it would often train itself, be it jumping, running, or even biting. It honed its skills, reaching unforeseen heights.
One day, when the Wolf Lord was training, it noticed the tall trees that touched the clouds, deciding to test the fruits of its labor.
It dug its feet beneath the hardened ground before taking one large jump. Its body shot above the trees, reaching the clouds!
…
Uh… why did I suddenly remember that? It's not like the Wolf Lord learned to climb; it learned to jump. I suppose it's my best choice, since once the wolves learn my identity, they would be able to form better plans to take me on. Zixin let out a sigh, copying the Wolf Lord's posture, his limbs digging into the surface.
He concentrated his strength on his four limbs and jumped. His body shot up but immediately fell.
Zixin groaned upon hitting the ground and thought: Why didn't it work? Do I need to practice it like the Wolf Lord? But I don't have enough time. Or, perhaps I could alter the posture. Hmm, that sounds good.
Zixin stood back up, digging his two legs beneath the ground and jumping. His body was flung ten meters up.
After he stopped rising, he hurriedly grabbed a branch, hanging on for dear life. He took a deep breath before concentrating his strength in his arm, and then he launched himself up. He continued doing this for a whole minute until he found a suitable branch to rest on. He pulled himself up, sitting on the thick branch.
A few minutes later, he continued launching himself, finally reaching the tree's peak, where he sat and watched the wolves gather underneath.
The wolves sensed his presence and howled in anger, deciding to rest there. They lay down, closing their eyes and falling into slumber.
The shade of darkness slowly enveloped the Land as night grew closer. Stars covered the sky, shining brilliantly, whilst moonlight was cast atop the tree where Zixin was.
Zixin broke a few branches, tossing them towards the sleeping wolves as a means to probe.
One of the branches landed on a wolf, causing it to wake up and grind its teeth. It watched Zixin as it growled.
If I could just lead this wolf away and kill it, I would be able to escape the two wolves' grasp, but right now, there doesn't seem to be any way to do so. Zixin thought, rubbing his chin whilst still tossing beaches.
The wolf's patience ran thin, its muscles suddenly bulging, its size growing; eventually, it grew by a meter. It rushed ahead, leaping into the tree and running like gravity failed to affect it.
"Huh? It's running on the tree bark?!" Zixin's pupils dilated, his heart falling into panic.
How did it suddenly gain so much strength? Wait. Zixin realized, recalling a document that he read a few years back.
I see, it's the–Madness Enhancement! It has entered its Berserk mode, gaining immense strength but not without a cost, because it has already lost its mind. Zixin understood, letting out an exhausted smile.
But why didn't the wolves that I fought before enter their Berserk mode? Is it because they are already under the Wolf Lord's control and thus couldn't lose their minds? Zixin questioned before quickly shaking his thoughts off, because the wolf had now closed the gap.
Zixin bit his lips, entering the Hex Zone and searching for a nearby tree. Once he found one, he walked on the nearest branch.
Just as he was about to jump, the wolf had already lunged behind him, its fangs covered in saliva.
His legs trembled momentarily, catching a glimpse of the fall. He held his breath, leaping forward, catching himself on a tree branch.
The wolf howled, lunging ahead with bloodshot eyes. Zixin strengthened his grip, launching himself up, using the branch as a swing, and kicking the wolf back.