Once the terrifying thought appeared in Ye Tian's mind, it seemed to take root. He was actually going to give it a try.
He was well aware of the Gale Wolf's power. Mastering a Martial Skill required constant practice, and desperate situations could often unlock one's potential for greater results.
The wound from the Gale Wolf's Wind Blade was still bleeding profusely. Ye Tian found it strange. 'Why hasn't the Dragon Pearl inside me made a move? Shouldn't it be releasing Energy to heal my injuries?'
'Is this injury too minor? Not enough to trigger the Dragon Pearl?' Ye Tian wondered in frustration.
The Gale Wolf was surprised its Wind Blade had struck Ye Tian but failed to kill him. It lunged at him again, ready to finish him off with its sharp teeth.
Meanwhile, Ye Tian was mentally rehearsing the Second Form of the Flowing Cloud Step. Only he would be so audacious as to use the Gale Wolf to help him achieve a breakthrough under these circumstances.
The moment the Gale Wolf pounced, Ye Tian moved. The Second Form of the Flowing Cloud Step was a true combat Evasion Technique.
Though it was his first time using it and he felt awkward, he managed a narrow escape. The Gale Wolf had once again lunged at nothing but air.
This time, however, Ye Tian didn't counterattack with his Thunderbolt Fist. He was still trying to grasp the finer points of the Second Form he had just used to dodge.
The Gale Wolf, fearing another blow from Ye Tian's Thunderbolt Fist, spun around and attacked again at top speed. The previous punch hadn't seriously injured it, but the pain had been excruciating.
It didn't try to bite this time, instead swiping at Ye Tian with its sharp claws.
If those claws connected, the damage would be no less than that from Ye Feng's Wind-Splitting Claw.
He dodged again with another flash of movement. And so it went, man and beast, attacking and evading under the moonlight…
Ye Tian was struck once or twice during the exchange, sustaining heavy injuries, but he was delighted. His execution of the Flowing Cloud Step's Second Form had become exceptionally proficient.
By now, the Gale Wolf's attacks were useless against him. Neither the Wind Blades formed from its Energy Balls nor its claw strikes could touch him.
The Dragon Pearl inside Ye Tian began to emit its energy again, healing his injuries.
But Ye Tian had a new problem. The energy in his body had become overwhelming, putting him on the verge of a breakthrough to the Fifth Layer. If he kept tangling with the Gale Wolf, this potent energy rampaging through his meridians could cause him great harm.
He was anxious, but there was nothing he could do. As time passed, the painful, swelling pressure became increasingly unbearable.
Sweat already drenched Ye Tian's face. He needed to release it—to unleash the powerful energy surging within his meridians.
Having failed to land a blow for so long, the Gale Wolf was furious. It had also expended a great deal of stamina and was no longer as fast as it had been.
It lunged at Ye Tian again, but this time, he didn't move. He just stood there, presenting the Gale Wolf with a perfect opportunity.
In truth, Ye Tian was frantically channeling the immense Dragon Ball Energy within him. He knew if he didn't release it now, his meridians would likely rupture from the strain.
He channeled all of the immense energy into his arm. The instant the Gale Wolf reached him, he struck.
The blow was earth-shattering. He threw a swift Thunderbolt Fist, striking the Gale Wolf directly on its head.
With a loud BANG, the Gale Wolf was sent flying nearly ten meters. The recoil knocked Ye Tian back several meters before he could regain his footing.
His right fist was now a bloody mess. The Gale Wolf lay motionless on the ground, as if dead.
'Killing a Gale Wolf in one punch? That's impossible for me.' He knew wolves were cunning, and some Demon Beasts possessed intelligence rivaling that of humans.
The Gale Wolf was probably playing dead, waiting for him to get closer before launching a surprise attack.
After throwing that punch, the agonizing pressure in his body eased considerably. The remaining energy began to heal his injured fist, but he remained standing perfectly still.
After a long moment, the Gale Wolf still hadn't moved. Suspicious, Ye Tian slowly approached it.
When he got closer, he saw that the Gale Wolf was really and truly dead. Its massive skull had burst open, spilling blood all over the ground. It was completely lifeless.
His last Thunderbolt Fist had shattered its skull. He had actually killed the formidable Gale Wolf in a single blow. If anyone else found out, they would never believe it.
"Dead so soon? And here I was, just getting started," Ye Tian said with a smile. "Still, I've more or less mastered the Second Form of the Flowing Cloud Step, so I suppose I should thank you! Now, it's time to break through to the Fifth Layer."
Finding a spot to sit, Ye Tian began circulating the potent Dragon Spiritual Power through his meridians. An unknown amount of time later, a faint, crisp sound echoed from within his Dantian.
The sound was like music from the heavens, for he knew what it meant: he had broken through to the Fifth Layer of the One Vein realm.
However, when Ye Tian opened his eyes, he found a beautiful, veiled woman watching him.
Seeing someone the moment you open your eyes is a startling experience, and Ye Tian was no exception. He nearly toppled over from his seated position but quickly composed himself.
"Ye Feifei, what are you doing here?" Ye Tian asked hurriedly. He had to act as if nothing was wrong. He didn't dare to imagine the consequences if she knew he had accidentally seen her bathing.
"Ye Tian, did you kill that Gale Wolf?" Ye Feifei asked, though she knew the question was unnecessary. There was no one else around; it had to have been him.
She just found it hard to believe. Judging by its size, this was at least a Tier Three Demon Beast, equivalent in strength to a One Vein Sixth Layer Martial Artist.
It should have been impossible for Ye Tian to kill a creature at that level. The whole thing was too bizarre, too incredible.
"I did," Ye Tian replied. "I almost died in its jaws. At the last second, I took it out with a single punch. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"I came looking for you, specifically. What are *you* doing out here?" Ye Feifei immediately shot back.
He would have been fine if she hadn't asked that. The question left him tongue-tied. His heart sank. Her being here wasn't a coincidence; he was sure she knew.
"I… I…" Ye Tian stammered, unsure what to say.
Ye Feifei glared at him. "I think we're both perfectly clear on what you did. I know it wasn't intentional, but I need an explanation. Otherwise, I won't let this go!"
Ye Tian was stunned. His worst fear had come true. "I… I really didn't mean to. What kind of explanation do you want?" he forced himself to ask.
Ye Feifei felt a surge of exasperation. 'This guy is such a blockhead.' When a man saw a woman's body, there were only two outcomes: she either killed him, or he married her.
But this idiot didn't have a clue. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to slap him across the face. He was unbelievably dense…