Chapter 9: The Rising Flame
**Part 3: The Leader's Command**
The leader wolf's thunderous growl echoed through the battlefield, silencing even the most valiant of fighters. Its crimson eyes swept over the humans with cold calculation. Then it howled—a chilling, blood-curdling sound that pierced the air.
The pack responded instantly, their movements synchronized. Smaller wolves darted forward, snapping at the humans' legs to force them into disarray. Meanwhile, larger wolves formed a circle, their glowing eyes locked on their prey.
"They're creating a formation!" Meilin shouted, her voice strained. "Stay close! Don't let them separate us!"
The younger Sun family members tightened their ranks, their fiery techniques lighting up the night. Sun Qing twirled his spear, warding off three wolves at once.
"Flaming Gale Spin!" he yelled, releasing a whirlwind of fire that forced the beasts back.
Meilin was a blur of motion, her twin daggers slashing through the air with precision.
"Blazing Slash Barrage!" she cried, her attacks leaving trails of fire that scorched the wolves' fur.
Despite their efforts, the wolves' coordination was unparalleled. They moved as one, their attacks precise and relentless.
Luo found himself facing three wolves, their growls deep and menacing. He gripped his flaming branch tightly, sweat dripping down his brow.
"Bring it," he muttered, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.
The first wolf lunged, its claws aiming for his throat. Luo ducked low, swinging the branch upward.
"Sunfire Strike!" he yelled, the flames flaring as the branch connected with the wolf's jaw. The beast yelped, staggering back.
The second wolf attacked from the side, its jaws snapping at his arm. Luo twisted his body, barely dodging in time.
"Damn it!" he hissed, swinging the branch in a wide arc to keep the wolves at bay.
**"Attitude Points: +7 for maintaining composure under pressure."**
The system's voice echoed in his mind, but there was no time to celebrate. The third wolf charged, its claws raking across his chest. Pain shot through him, and he stumbled, blood seeping through his torn robes.
"Luo!" Meilin shouted, her voice tinged with panic.
Luo gritted his teeth, his vision blurring. The wolves closed in, their growls growing louder. But as the leader wolf watched from the edge of the battlefield, its gaze locked on Luo, something shifted within him.
The system chimed in.
**"Attitude Points: +10 for defiance in the face of certain death. Threshold for advancement reached."**
A surge of heat erupted within Luo, his body trembling as energy coursed through him.
**"Advancing to Body Tempering Level 3. Power increased by 25%."**
The pain in his chest faded, replaced by a fiery strength that radiated through his limbs. Luo's eyes snapped open, his expression sharp and determined.
The wolves hesitated, sensing the change in their opponent. Luo smirked, raising his flaming branch.
"My turn," he said, his voice calm but filled with a newfound confidence.
The first wolf lunged again, but Luo was faster.
"Sunfire Descent!" he roared, slamming the branch down with incredible force. The flames erupted, engulfing the wolf in a fiery explosion.
The second wolf growled and pounced, but Luo stepped aside with ease.
"Burning Counterstrike!" he shouted, spinning and striking the beast's side. The flames burned through its fur, and it collapsed with a pained
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Ending hook
As the leader wolf watched its pack fall, its crimson eyes narrowed with rage. With a low growl, it stepped forward, its presence commanding and suffocating. The younger Sun family members froze, their confidence wavering.
"Everyone, regroup!" Meilin shouted, but even her voice carried a hint of fear.
Luo wiped the blood from his lip, his grip on the flaming branch tightening. His eyes met the leader wolf's, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall silent.
The beast growled, baring its fangs, and Luo smirked, a defiant gleam in his eyes.
"So, you're finally stepping in," he said, his voice low but unwavering. "Good. Let's see what you've got."
The leader wolf let out a deafening howl, and the remaining wolves rallied behind it, their growls echoing like thunder. The battlefield burned with tension as the final confrontation loomed.
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