Over the past two months, Wen Buhuo had not only seen his own strength soar but had also not forgotten about Li Zhuang. Using the bells, he controlled Li Zhuang to undergo basic physical and swordsmanship training. Although Li Zhuang lacked self-awareness, his naturally powerful physique soon displayed strength and speed far exceeding that of ordinary men. The current Li Zhuang had become a living, human killing machine.

On this day, Wen Buhuo was practicing the Wind-Swaying Art atop the peak of the back mountain, his body weaving through the forest like a swift. He peered inward at the spiritual energy within his body—that cool, surging power made him feel stronger than ever before. As he closed his eyes to focus, a powerful spiritual sense suddenly radiated from afar. This was an ability he had inadvertently gained after practicing the Heart-Clearing Art, allowing him to detect every subtle vibration within a twenty-meter radius. He snapped his eyes open and looked toward the opposite mountain.

In the distance, the "Black Iron Sect" base where Zhang Xiaopang resided was engulfed in soaring flames and billowing smoke.

"Oh no!" Wen Buhuo’s heart tightened. Zhang Xiaopang had mentioned before that they were sworn enemies with the "Blood Wolf Stockade." The Blood Wolf Stockade was a den of pure evil, committing every atrocity from murder to looting—compared to the morally ambiguous Black Iron Sect, they were an utter abyss of villainy. With the base now ablaze, the Blood Wolf Stockade must have struck while they were vulnerable.

Without a second thought, he rushed back to the woodshed and shook Li Zhuang awake.

"Let’s go, Li Zhuang!"

The two moved like lightning, bolting toward the Black Iron Sect base. Arriving at the foot of the mountain, they indeed saw the lackeys of the Blood Wolf Stockade standing guard. Wen Buhuo ordered Li Zhuang to charge ahead while he himself activated the Wind-Swaying Art, darting through the periphery of the battlefield like a black shadow, searching for any sign of Zhang Xiaopang.

"You handle them; I’m going to find Fatty!"

Upon receiving the order, Li Zhuang’s eyes instantly turned blood-red. Like a ferocious tiger, he lunged into the enemy ranks. The common soldiers of the Blood Wolf Stockade were like paper dolls before him; severed limbs flew through the air as screams echoed incessantly.

Wen Buhuo charged straight toward the core area of the Black Iron Sect. From a distance, he sensed a violent fluctuation of spiritual energy—it was coming from Zhang Xiaopang’s direction!

By the time he arrived, Zhang Xiaopang had been surrounded by dozens of Blood Wolf Stockade elites. He was drenched in blood, his longsword chipped and dulled. Although he had cut down over a dozen men, he was ultimately outnumbered. Exhausted and collapsing, several deep gashes—some reaching the bone—marred his body. The leader of the Blood Wolf Stockade sneered, swinging a blade toward Zhang Xiaopang, intending to knock him off the cliff!

"Don't you dare!" Wen Buhuo roared, descending like a god of death from the heavens.

He lunged forward, the cold glint of his short sword flashing with incredible speed. In an instant, three or four lackeys hit the ground. He snatched Zhang Xiaopang back from the gates of hell.

"Buhuo!" Seeing Wen Buhuo, a flash of surprise and confusion crossed Zhang Xiaopang’s eyes.

"Save the talk for later. Let's fight!" Wen Buhuo drew his short sword, his gaze sharp and fierce.

The two stood back-to-back, engaging in a desperate struggle against the remaining Blood Wolf enemies. Wen Buhuo’s Wind-Swaying Art made his movements unpredictable, allowing him to evade attack after attack. Despite his heavy injuries, Zhang Xiaopang’s bloody courage remained; he roared and swung his longsword, coordinating with Wen Buhuo’s strikes to quickly and completely crush the enemy.

Wen Buhuo hurriedly pulled out the hemostatic pills and Qi-supplementing elixirs he had refined, stuffing them into Zhang Xiaopang’s mouth.

"Quick! We have to run. The main force of the Blood Wolf Stockade could arrive at any moment!"

To his surprise, Zhang Xiaopang pushed Wen Buhuo’s hand away. Staggering to his feet, his eyes were filled with determination. "No! I have to go back! The Sect Leader and his daughter are still inside!"

Wen Buhuo was stunned. "The Sect Leader? His daughter?"

"Buhuo, I... I like the Sect Leader’s daughter..." A hint of shyness flickered across Zhang Xiaopang’s face, but it was quickly overtaken by urgency and resolve. "I can’t leave them behind!"

Looking at the sincere light in Zhang Xiaopang’s eyes, Wen Buhuo sighed. He knew that with Zhang Xiaopang’s temperament, once he made up his mind, nothing could pull him back.

"Fine! I'm with you!" Wen Buhuo sheathed his short sword and looked toward the burning Black Iron Sect base with a steadfast gaze.