Chapter 11: Ashes and Awakening
The battlefield remained silent, the only sounds being the faint crackle of dying flames and the distant rustle of leaves as the remaining wolves fled. Luo stood amidst the carnage, his posture steady despite the exhaustion gnawing at his body. His siblings, cousins, and guards stared at him in stunned disbelief, their faces a mix of awe and bewilderment.
"Did... did he just take down the leader?" Sun Jian whispered, his voice trembling.
Sun Hao, usually quick with insults, was speechless, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Sun Meilin rushed to Luo's side, her daggers still in hand. "Luo! How did you do that?" she demanded, her tone a blend of amazement and worry. "That wasn't just luck—you had power I've never seen before."
Luo tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Guess I've got a few tricks up my sleeve," he said, his voice calm despite the pounding in his chest.
Sun Qing approached, his spear resting on his shoulder. "You've been hiding your strength all this time?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "Why didn't you tell us?"
Before Luo could respond, his vision blurred. The adrenaline that had kept him standing began to fade, replaced by an overwhelming wave of exhaustion. His knees buckled, and the branch slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.
"Luo!" Meilin cried, catching him just as he collapsed.
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**A Chaotic Scene**
Panic erupted as Luo fainted in Meilin's arms. The guards and younger Sun family members surrounded them, their earlier fear of the wolves now replaced by concern and curiosity.
"He's burning up," Meilin said, her voice urgent. "We need to get him back to the camp."
One of the guards stepped forward. "I'll carry him."
"No," Meilin snapped, her fiery aura flaring. "He's my brother. I'll take him."
The crowd parted as she lifted Luo onto her back, her determination evident in the way she ignored her own injuries. Sun Qing followed closely, his expression unreadable.
As they moved toward the camp, whispers spread like wildfire.
"Did you see that? He took down the leader wolf on his own!"
"He's only at Body Tempering Level 3. How could he have that much power?"
"Maybe... maybe he's not the loser we thought he was."
Sun Jian and Sun Hao exchanged nervous glances, their earlier scheming now overshadowed by the growing respect for Luo.
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**A Father's Watchful Eyes**
From the edge of the battlefield, Sun Suo observed the scene with a stony expression. His arms were crossed, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. The other elders stood beside him, their faces filled with curiosity and intrigue.
"Impressive," one elder said, stroking his beard. "For someone who's been seen as weak, Luo has surpassed all expectations tonight."
Another nodded. "He may not have the finesse of his siblings, but his raw determination and ingenuity are remarkable."
Sun Suo remained silent, his gaze fixed on his unconscious son. His heart swelled with pride, but his face betrayed none of it.
"He's not weak," he finally said, his tone clipped. "But he still has a long way to go."
The elders exchanged glances, understanding the unspoken words. Sun Suo's strict demeanor masked a deep love for his son, a love that he could not openly express.
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**The Awakening**
Luo woke to the sound of crackling flames and the murmur of voices. His body felt heavy, and his head throbbed, but the warmth of a fire and the softness of a blanket offered some comfort.
"Finally awake, are we?"
He turned his head to see Sun Meilin sitting beside him, her arms crossed and her expression stern. Despite her tough exterior, there was relief in her eyes.
"What happened?" Luo asked, his voice hoarse.
"You fainted," Meilin said bluntly. "You pushed yourself too far."
Luo chuckled weakly. "Guess I overdid it."
Sun Qing approached, a bowl of steaming broth in his hands. "Here," he said, handing it to Luo. "You need to regain your strength."
Luo accepted the bowl, the warm liquid soothing his parched throat.
As he ate, the tent flap opened, and Sun Suo entered. The atmosphere shifted instantly, the air growing heavy with tension. Luo sat up straighter, his body tensing at the sight of his father.
"You fought well," Sun Suo said, his tone neutral.
Luo's eyes narrowed. "I didn't do it for your approval," he replied, his voice sharp.
Sun Suo's expression didn't change, but his hands clenched behind his back. "You may not realize it now, but everything I do is for this family," he said. "Including you."
Luo scoffed, his bitterness evident. "Yeah, sure. Because calling me a disappointment is so supportive."
Sun Suo's gaze hardened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned and left the tent, leaving Luo to stew in his frustration.
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**Ending Hook:**
As the tent flap closed, the system's voice rang in Luo's mind.
**"New Quest: Discover the Truth Behind the Patriarch's Actions."**
Luo stared at the fire, his thoughts swirling. "The truth, huh? Guess I've got more to figure out than just my strength."
Outside, Sun Suo paused, glancing back at the tent. His eyes softened for a brief moment before he walked away, the weight of his responsibilities pressing heavily on his shoulders.
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