Chapter 108: The Battle of Tigers and Wolves (Part Thirteen)

Kou Li gazed at the mighty wolf before him, involuntarily recalling Wang Shennu from the martial arts school—both possessed extraordinary innate talent and boundless strength. If this Kunlun descendant were to grow fully, could he become a second Mighty Wolf, or perhaps even stronger?

But now, there was no way to confirm any of that.

This debt would have to be settled sooner or later!

“Stay here!”

Before the words had even left his mouth, the One-Eyed Wolf and Ironclad Wolf lunged from either side. The One-Eyed Wolf’s claw snapped forward; twisting his step, wrenching tendons, flicking his wrist, and thrusting his fingers—using them as guns, human heads as targets—within three yards, the sound of exploding fingers rang out, shattering countless skulls.

The Ironclad Wolf on the right wore an expressionless face, executing a simple archer’s stance with a locked hand charging a punch, but the surface of his fist radiated a faint silver metallic sheen, and the dense scent of lead swept through the air with the wind from his strike.

Kou Li’s complexion remained unchanged. The joints of his body instantly rubbed together, his Yin-Yang illusion body forming—he became his own Yin and Yang, his form transforming into a phantom, especially under the power of a triple explosion force, his figure overlapping rapidly in a dazzling array.

The gun-finger and charging punch both missed their mark at the same time.

With feet spreading and planting, palms bent and rotated inward, using his waist as an axis, power surged from his feet through his limbs, twisting ankles, feet, hips, waist, chest, and shoulders, his entire body radiating strength like a tiger flicking off fleas.

When this move was unleashed again, it instinctively incorporated the internal martial arts energy. With a sharp crack, two boxing stances were shaken apart. Seizing the opportunity, Kou Li bent at the waist and raised his hips; his claws like demons, feet stepping firmly, the Waŋu nation’s sword-drawing technique exploded forth. The blade’s gleam became a streak of white silk, slicing straight through.

The blade struck Ironclad Wolf’s arm with a clash of metal, gray blood spraying out, yet the sword remained stuck within muscle and bone.

Though it lacked the destructive power of a blade cutting through cannonballs as before, it still carried about thirty to forty percent of that force, astonishingly lodged deep inside the man’s arm.

How was this possible!?

Kou Li frowned, withdrawing the blade with a harsh screech. Taking advantage of this moment, Ironclad Wolf advanced, pressing the sword forward, aiming a stabbing blow to the heart.

This vicious, ruthless move looked oddly familiar.

But Kou Li was no swordsman rendered useless without his blade; his throat swallowed with a "gulp" like swallowing a duck egg, channeling breath to inflate his abdomen and chest, his tiger stance heavy as a mountain. The punch aimed at his chest was blocked by his guard, soft and hard energy swallowed and expelled, explosive inch-power bursting forth. Ironclad Wolf was blasted back three steps, his wrist bending unnaturally.

At the same moment, the pores on Kou Li’s back tightened and hardened, a chill rising. The tiger pounced and dodged with a flash. Simultaneously, a loud snap sounded at his ear as several strands of hair were broken off.

And then, Ironclad Wolf’s fingers were only an inch and a half away from Kou Li.

“Airborne Energy!”

Without a doubt, this was a unique form of Qi power—the hallmark of a perfectly mastered palm strike delivered from a short distance. The explosive finger snap combined with sinew flicking, mixed with sweat, struck invisibly, most insidious.

“Die!”

The energy in his dantian exploded; the wind roared like waves. His muscles and joints twisted, contorting into a massive whip of flesh and blood, smashing downward. This was also an external strike of power. If the Airborne Energy was a hidden arrow, then this Dantian Whip God was the emperor’s own royal whip, wielding overwhelming might—striking down the foolish ruler and crushing treacherous ministers.

The One-Eyed Wolf’s expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, he clasped his ten fingers together like a forest of swords and halberds, smashing down to shred the opponent into pieces.

But it was all futile. His sinews, bones, and flesh twisted together, as strong as a real steel whip, emitting a long, mournful howl. Even the sharpest blade would be shattered and broken by the impact.

At the moment of contact, three of the One-Eyed Wolf’s fingers were broken. Nine finger joints scattered like broken blades mixed with blood, flying everywhere—some lodged in Kou Li’s tiger claw, others falling to the ground. The whip strike knocked both man and guard sprawling.

The steel rod staff of the Mighty Wolf, Luo Yi’s steel spikes, and Ironclad Wolf’s fists surged forward again.

The Four Tigers and Eight Wolves of the Water Dragon Gang were indeed battle-hardened. Their offense and defense were nearly flawless, and their ferocity surpassed other fighters of equal rank.

Around them, wolf shadows watched like hawks, blades drawn and bows strung, ready to pounce the instant a weakness appeared.

If the delay continued here, Kou Li’s advantage would be completely depleted, and he risked being killed on the spot.

His body moved as his hands followed; his body retreated as his feet ground forward. His form was like a dragon or a serpent, phantom after phantom. These illusions were not merely from speed alone, but from every joint rubbing and rotating, creating a visual mirage.

At the exact moment the three struck, Kou Li formed the swastika seal, releasing an infinitely surging dragon-shaped spirit.

A monstrous creature with azure scales, long whiskers, deer antlers, a camel’s head, and a massive body suddenly appeared in the eyes of the three attackers, its enormous blood-red eyes staring fixedly at them.

Infinite vitality and soaring spirit surged forth, the very essence of life crashing out, causing a momentary crack in the attackers’ minds. At the same moment, Kou Li’s figure shot forward.

The thunderous rumble on the ground faded quickly, almost vanishing within three breaths of time. Aside from the occasional rustle of grass, there was no further movement.

After the incense burned down, the wolf soldiers reported: the man was lost.

Four of the wolves from the Four Tigers and Eight Wolves bore faces as dark as water, murder intent rolling like waves.

They had witnessed the man-wolf unconscious on the ground and, right under their noses, saw the opponent abduct the man-wolf.

An unprecedented humiliation!

“How could his skill have risen to this level?” Luo Yi muttered, his face complicated.

He had been present during the death match aboard the gambling ship, personally witnessing every move exchanged between Kou Li and Diao Fengsheng. Although Kou Li had ultimately won, it was a narrow victory.

He had estimated Kou Li’s true strength to be mid-tier among their group of wolves and tigers. It was not surprising he could kill the weakest Pursuit Wolf, but that was the extent of it.

Yet now, only a month or two later, Kou Li’s boxing realm, tactics, and martial spirit had soared to a level nearly worthy of reverence.

“He’s incredibly strong,” the Mighty Wolf said in a muffled voice. Among the four wolves, he and Winged Wolf had sustained the lightest injuries. Kou Li’s kick had shattered the steel staff in his tiger claw, but given his thick skin and flesh, the damage was minor.

Still, his expression was complex, like that of a fool seeing something utterly unfamiliar, filled with incredulous wonder.

The Water Dragon Gang’s Four Tigers and Eight Wolves were famed warriors, but according to the old timers, it should actually be Four Tigers, Seven Wolves, and One Dog.

Tigers had their territory; wolves were cruel by nature. Only the dog was blindly loyal but lacked intelligence, biting whoever it was told to bite, always leading the charge in battle. The Mighty Wolf was such a dog, scarred from countless battles, bearing dozens, if not hundreds, of wounds.

In many encounters, Mighty Wolf had met many masters—those skilled in boxing, astonishing agility, and masterful blade arts—but none had ever been stronger than him. This bewildered him deeply.

“Brother Wei, Old Wei, don’t lose your mind now. They’re injured too, and we still have to rescue our comrade!” Luo Yi suddenly shouted.

The One-Eyed Wolf, Wei the Blind, showed a twisted and ferocious expression unlike his usual calm, as if he were a powder keg about to explode.

Though known as the wise wolf of the gang, since losing an eye, he had a flaw: when his emotions exceeded a certain limit, he would lose control, attacking friend and foe alike.

But it had been a long time since anyone had provoked such a reaction.

“It’s okay, I’m fine. Although it seems we’ve been slapped in the face, their injuries are no less than ours. Among the Four Great Refinements, even the shortest Skin and Flesh Refinements cannot be achieved in a mere month, so this must be some method to unlock human potential.”

“Besides, what does kidnapping the man-wolf mean? Are they trying to threaten us or lure us into a trap? Whatever the case, we cannot let them succeed. Split the forces into thirty wolf soldiers, march day and night to Guangcheng. If the new Dragon Gate House leader does not follow the rules, we will join with the pirates to wipe out their base.”

“The rest must pursue and uncover what trick they are playing—”

Having spoken these words, it seemed the One-Eyed Wolf had exhausted his spirit. His bloodshot eyes suddenly closed, and his twitching broken-fingered palm spasmed intermittently.

Wolf howls echoed relentlessly. After the sudden attack, the packs of wolves began their savage hunt once more…