Chapter 223: Everything Familiar

As the wolf demons remained deep in thought, puzzled by the situation, Qiao Min continued swinging her iron sword, hacking at the limping wolf’s leg.

It didn’t actually hurt, but it was very irritating.

If it weren’t afraid that the moment it laid a claw on Qiao Min, the “Universal Immortal” would jump out and kill it, the limping wolf would have already swallowed this annoying yet oddly appetizing little thing in one bite.

Seeing that the lead wolf still hadn’t made a decision, the limping wolf stepped back a few paces.

But no matter how far it retreated, Qiao Min chased after it relentlessly, her blade aimed squarely at its leg!

Even when it backed up to stand beside its companions, the girl’s obsession with its leg remained unwavering!

“Little brat! Can’t you go chop up the lead wolf instead?!” The limping wolf roared in frustration, standing in place.

The foul-smelling breath made Qiao Min squint slightly, but she showed no fear. She simply kept chanting “Kill” under her breath, fixated on that one wolf’s leg.

Dripping water can wear through stone!

That’s what her father had told her!

She believed that if she just kept chopping the same wolf, kept hacking at the same spot, she’d eventually be able to cut through it—within 15 minutes!

“Old Nine, catch her. But don’t kill her.” The lead wolf added, “And keep your claws in—don’t even let her bleed.”

The limping wolf immediately understood its leader’s plan.

Capture the girl unharmed—that meant using her as leverage against the Universal Immortal, forcing them to let the wolves go…

The problem was, while this seemed like a good idea, did they really think the Universal Immortal hadn’t foreseen it?

The first one to make a move—even without harming the girl—would be in the most danger!

Damn it! Just because I’m crippled, I have to be the sacrificial pawn again?!

Cursing internally, the limping wolf cautiously reached out with a front paw that looked almost feeble.

It was careful—very careful—but the sheer size difference between it and Qiao Min was simply too great.

With a loud thud, Qiao Min was pinned to the ground!

At the sight, the other wolves immediately distanced themselves from the limping wolf, eyes scanning the surroundings with extreme vigilance.

This was the most dangerous moment!

If the Universal Immortal was going to act, now would be the time!

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Even pinned down, Qiao Min refused to let go of her sword. Straining her wrist, she desperately tried to stab the wolf demon.

The limping wolf extended its tail and pressed down on her hand, then looked toward the lead wolf.

The lead wolf narrowed its eyes and called out, “Sir! No matter what, this child is the last survivor of her village… If you spare us, we will also spare her. How about that?”

Silence.

Bowing deeply, the lead wolf pleaded, “Sir! If you let us go this time, we swear to leave Great Wu forever and never return!”

The lead wolf’s humble plea for mercy echoed through the empty stone cave.

None of the wolves thought their leader was disgracing himself.

After all, among demonkind, strength ruled all.

And when survival was at stake, bowing to the strong was nothing to be ashamed of.

Yet even after a long, deep bow, the lead wolf received no answer.

“Ahhh…”

Letting out a long sigh, the lead wolf slowly straightened up, a thick killing intent radiating from its body.

“Old Nine, kill her.”

“Big Brother, you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” The limping wolf’s expression tensed.

After years together, it could tell—

The lead wolf truly meant to kill the girl.

Not as a bluff.

Not to threaten the Universal Immortal.

But to end her life for real.

“Do it.”

The moment the lead wolf issued the command a second time, the limping wolf hesitated no longer!

With a swift swipe of its claws—

The struggling girl stiffened, her unwilling gaze tilting to the side.

At the same time, the other wolf demons remained on high alert, scanning their surroundings.

Now that the last believer in the village was dead, if the “Universal Immortal” was truly here, they had to show themselves now.

Unless… that so-called immortal had intended for this believer to die all along!

Time passed—second by second.

The wolves grew increasingly tense, eyes darting around warily. Until about 15 minutes later…

The limping wolf, in a brief moment of distraction, suddenly noticed something off—

The girl’s corpse was gone.

Not a single trace of blood remained on the ground.

“W-WHERE IS SHE?!” The limping wolf howled in shock. “That girl—SHE DISAPPEARED!”

The words were like a boulder dropped into a still lake, sending shockwaves through the pack!

“She’s gone?! Could someone have saved her?!”

“Impossible! We didn’t hear a single sound!”

“But where’s the blood?! If someone rescued her, why isn’t there any blood left behind?”

Qiao Min’s sudden disappearance plunged the wolves into sheer terror.

In fact, some even wondered—

Had they just witnessed a ghost?!

Tap-tap-tap! Tap-tap-tap!

“Kill~~ Kill~~ Kill-Kill!”

Suddenly, hurried footsteps and that sharp, bone-chilling chant of ‘Kill’ rang out once more!

And then—

That familiar face, that familiar iron sword—

Once again appeared before their eyes!

Everything was exactly as before. So familiar that it made the wolves’ fur stand on end, their pupils trembling in shock!

Among the vast sea of wolves, Qiao Min locked onto the limping wolf at first glance!

The moment their eyes met, fear gripped the limping wolf’s heart, and it instinctively sucked in a sharp breath, stepping back.

But before it could even move a full step—

The lead wolf’s voice rang out again.

“Don’t retreat. Let her chop you a few times and see what happens.”

…Motherf—!

The limping wolf froze, its feet rooted in place.

Qiao Min rushed forward at full speed, swinging her sword straight at its leg!

Damn it!

Why the hell is it always me?!

Despite the chilling horror of Qiao Min’s apparent resurrection, the limping wolf wasn’t exactly afraid of her.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Though the girl’s blade met its flesh, the sound it made…

Wasn’t one of metal slicing through skin—

It sounded exactly like a wooden stick thudding against a tree trunk.

“Big Brother, how long are you gonna let her keep hacking at me?”

The lead wolf muttered, “When she hits you… does it hurt?”

“Huh?” The limping wolf frowned. “A little, I guess?”

The lead wolf pressed further. “Compared to last time—which hurt more?”

The limping wolf let out a strained chuckle. “Big Brother, it makes no damn difference to me!”

A brief silence.

Then—

“Kill her. One strike. Make it clean.”

Annoyed beyond words, the limping wolf lashed out with its claws, a violent gust of wind surging as its razor-sharp talons ripped through Qiao Min’s body!

Yet—

Fifteen minutes later, the wolves finally realized something was terribly wrong.

Even after being torn apart—

Qiao Min didn’t bleed.

And then—her shattered body began to turn transparent.

Until, at last—

She completely faded into nothing.

The lead wolf stood still for a long moment, deep in thought.

Then, slowly, it walked over to where the limping wolf stood and began searching the ground.

“Big Brother… what are you looking for?” The limping wolf asked, confused.

The lead wolf, still crouching, replied in a low voice:

“Your fur.”

Limping Wolf: …?