Bearing the blue sky

Chapter 271 Obedient Dog

Zhu Ge spent the night meditating in the inn.

The Dongba painting scroll covered the entire tabletop, with "Tiger Roaring in the Snowy Mountains" hanging in the most prominent position in the center.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, falling on the white tiger in the painting. The tiger seemed to come alive, roaring to the sky, as if the wind and snow on the mountaintop were about to burst out of the painting.

Zhu Ge sat cross-legged at the table, his gaze sweeping over each painting, his understanding of "skill approaching the Tao" growing ever deeper.

Ordinary people can spend their entire lives honing a skill and thus reach the threshold of "Tao".

What about the cultivators?

Cultivators possess abilities and lifespans far exceeding those of ordinary people, yet they are often blinded by power and forget the essence of cultivation.

He recalled his own path in martial arts.

Starting from Jianshan Village, they fought their way through, from the Mushroom God to the Fisherman in the Raincoat, from the Mantis with Knife and Axe to the Red Rice Immortal. Every step was a desperate struggle, and every step was a step towards becoming stronger.

But what is his "Tao"?

"It's dawn."

He put away the painting and stood up.

The sky was beginning to lighten, and a new day was dawning.

After breakfast, Zhu Ge, along with Liu Jianjian, Zhu Sisi, and the True Lord of Extinction, left Lijiang City and continued northward.

The carriage drove out of the city gate and proceeded along the official road.

In the distance, the outline of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain gleamed with golden light in the morning glow, and the snow on the summit, which never melted, shone brightly in the sunlight.

The official road is flanked by rolling mountains covered with pine and fir trees, and occasionally a few eagles fly overhead, emitting sharp cries.

"Master, where are we going next?" Liu Jianjian rode her horse alongside the carriage, idly swinging the silver bracelet on her wrist.

"Shujiang," Zhu Ge said. "After passing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, we'll soon reach the territory of Shujiang."

"What's fun to do in Shu?" Liu Jianjian asked curiously.

"I don't know. I've never been there either." Zhu Ge shook her head.

Liu Jianjian pouted and continued shaking her bracelet.

The True Lord of Annihilation lay in the carriage, his head covered by a blanket, muttering indistinctly, "Shu-jiang—spicy—hot pot—rabbit head—"

I don't know if he was talking in his sleep or really reminiscing.

The carriage traveled for about an hour, and the road gradually became rugged.

The mountains on both sides grew higher and higher, and the fog in the mountains grew thicker and thicker.

The air was filled with a damp chill, mixed with the scent of pine resin and earth.

Zhu Ge lifted the carriage curtain and glanced out the window.

On the mountainside of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance, a patch of dark dots could be vaguely seen moving.

It's not a bird, it's not a cloud, but a monster?

"Something's up." Zhu Ge raised an eyebrow.

Ma Zhu stopped, and Liu Jianjian also reined in, looking up at the black dot.

The black dot got closer and bigger, gradually revealing its outline.

Those were a pack of giant, pure white wolves!

Each of these giant wolves is the size of a calf, covered in thick white fur that blends seamlessly with the color of the snow-capped mountains.

They ran on the mountainside, their hooves flying, snowflakes flying everywhere.

The lead wolf was twice the size of the other wolves, with a shoulder height of over six feet. Its pair of eerie blue eyes, like two will-o'-the-wisps, coldly stared at the carriage on the official road.

"The Third Realm." Zhu Ge narrowed his eyes. "You've got guts."

"Master, it's a snow wolf!" Liu Jianjian's voice was filled with excitement. "Snow wolf fur is a treasure! It can be made into a high-grade spirit-level protective garment!"

"What are you afraid of the cold for?" Zhu Ge laughed and jumped off the horse.

The pack of snow wolves drew closer, and the lead giant wolf let out a long howl. The pack immediately scattered, forming a fan shape to surround the carriage.

Their seamless teamwork clearly indicates they are seasoned hunters.

Upon seeing Zhu Ge dismount, Liu Jianjian immediately rode her horse back to the side of the road.

"Crunch crunch—" Zhu Sisi peeked out from her shoulder, looking at the pack of snow wolves. There was no fear in her eyes, only curiosity. She ate mulberry leaves while watching the show.

"So noisy—" The Annihilation True Monarch peeked out from under the covers, glanced out the window, then shrank back in and went back to sleep.

The lead giant wolf stopped ten feet away from Zhu Ge, its dark blue eyes fixed on him, and it let out a low growl.

"Humans, this is our territory," the giant wolf spoke, its voice low and hoarse. "Go back, and I'll spare your life."

"Territory?" Zhu Ge didn't move.

He sized up the giant wolf. It was at the mid-stage of the Devouring Essence Realm, a third realm, and its body was full of demonic energy. Its fur was as white as satin. It was indeed a rare and exotic beast.

Let Liu Jianjian tame her.

However, just as Zhu Ge was observing, the snow wolf moved.

Although the snow wolf told Zhu Ge to retreat, it was actually planning a sneak attack.

"Awooo!!"

The snow wolf pounced on the ground with all four hooves, its massive body like a white lightning bolt, lunging towards Zhuge.

Its claws gleamed coldly, and it opened its blood-red maw, revealing its menacing fangs.

"If I eat you, I can devour even more essence!" The snow wolf's eyes were filled with greed.

"As expected." Zhu Ge shook her head.

He did not retreat. Instead, he drew the Purgatory Star Staff from his waist, its silver-red light shining brightly, and swung it out.

"clang"

The clubs clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

The giant wolf was forced back several steps, but Zhu Ge remained motionless.

A hint of caution flashed in the giant wolf's eyes; it hadn't expected that this human could withstand its attack head-on.

"Again!"

Zhu Ge spoke softly, and then took the initiative.

He activated the Incense Lighting Technique, his figure moving like smoke and mist as he charged towards the giant wolf.

He spun the Infernal Star Staff in his hand and slammed it down on the giant wolf's ribs.

The giant wolf dodged to the side and clawed at Zhu Ge's chest.

Zhu Ge neither dodged nor avoided the claw attack, taking it head-on.

"laugh"

His robes were torn, and pale golden dragon scale patterns appeared on his skin, absorbing eighty percent of the wolf claw's power.

The remaining 20% ​​of the force only left a few shallow white marks on his chest, without even breaking the skin.

Upon seeing this, the giant wolf's eyes widened: "You—you're a demon beast?"

"I—" Zhu Ge was about to answer when the giant wolf seized the opportunity to rush up.

"A sneak attack is useless." Zhu Ge shook his head and slammed his staff down on the giant wolf's head with lightning speed.

"Clang!"

This time, the giant wolf was so dizzy from the impact that it staggered backward.

Zhu Ge pressed his advantage, striking the giant wolf's head with each blow of his staff.

Although the giant wolf had thick skin and thick flesh, Zhi couldn't withstand such a beating.

It wanted to retaliate, but Zhu Ge was too fast and too agile, and it couldn't hit him at all.

At that moment, the surrounding snow wolves seemed to receive a command and suddenly swarmed forward, pouncing on Zhu Ge.

Instead of retreating, Zhu Ge advanced, sweeping his Purgatory Star Staff across the battlefield, sending three snow wolves flying with a single blow.

His speed was astonishing; he weaved through the wolf pack, his staff flashing, each strike landing precisely on the snow wolves' vital points.

In less than a quarter of an hour, all of the dozen or so snow wolves were lying on the ground, howling incessantly.

"This isn't the second realm, it's a hidden third realm! And it's a human body-refining martial artist!" Fear finally appeared in the giant wolf's eyes.

"You seem to have a broad knowledge base, even knowing about body cultivation." Zhu Ge chuckled, continuing to suppress the pack of snow wolves.

But when the alpha wolf turned to flee, how could Zhu Ge give it the chance?

"Good puppy, stay."