Chapter 36: Limited Learning

Deep within the dense forest, a strange mist weaved its way through the trees. Here, a fierce battle unfolded: three ferocious wolves led by the Horned Wolf against a horde of hundreds of rats. Both sides were blinded by rage, fighting desperately and without regard for their own lives.

As time passed, countless rats fell, and of the three wolves, two collapsed as well. Only the Horned Wolf remained standing, its powerful body withstanding the onslaught. Any rat daring to attack was torn apart in an instant. Yet, faced with the relentless charge of the rats, wounds began to appear on its body, and its strength was no longer at its peak.

On a nearby branch, Rat Heaven’s Pride watched in silence. This shadowed forest, thick with the stench of decay, was chosen precisely because it weakened the Horned Wolf’s tracking abilities. After several probes to gauge its strength, Rat Heaven’s Pride set the trap here, instructing the rats to coat themselves with mud like wild boars and hide within the gloom.

Through bait and lure, the Horned Wolf was drawn in, and now it was surrounded by the rat horde. “The Horned Wolf possesses remarkable intuition, but it’s only that—intuition. It’s not true intelligence,” Rat Heaven’s Pride mused. “Charging in alone is a fatal mistake; it truly suffers from a lack of learning.” He didn’t rush to intervene, instead observing the Horned Wolf’s actions and reaffirming the importance of knowledge.

Watching the Horned Wolf grow more desperate under the siege, and certain there were no hidden tricks left, Rat Heaven’s Pride finally decided to act. Though the Horned Wolf lacked powerful killing techniques, it was a monster nonetheless, with a robust body and sharp claws. The rat horde alone couldn’t defeat it; indeed, without his command, the rats would have fled long ago given their losses.

A sharp, urgent squeaking sounded—the rat horde began to withdraw, as if responding to a signal. Noticing this shift, the Horned Wolf tensed, lowering its body and emitting a threatening growl, eyes fixed on a certain spot.

In the next instant, a massive figure burst from the darkness—larger even than the Horned Wolf. The two collided, and the weakened Horned Wolf was sent flying. Witnessing this, Rat Heaven’s Pride knew his patience had paid off.

“Now’s my chance.”

His tail whipped through the air with a crack, and Rat Heaven’s Pride unleashed his Willow Whip technique. Whip shadows lashed again and again, leaving the Horned Wolf powerless to resist.

Sensing mortal danger, the Horned Wolf went berserk, its bloodshot eyes blazing. Summoning the last of its strength, it charged at Rat Heaven’s Pride, claws unsheathed in a desperate attack meant to deal a grievous blow.

But Rat Heaven’s Pride’s small eyes flashed with cunning. “I know you inside and out, but you know nothing of me. I’ve been prepared for this move of yours.” He activated his magic, shrinking his massive form and perfectly evading the Horned Wolf’s strike.

“It’s time to end this.”

His tail shifted, seizing the Horned Wolf’s vulnerability. He wrapped the beast’s neck and, with explosive strength, slammed it into the ground again and again.

After several brutal impacts, the Horned Wolf’s bones shattered—it was thoroughly defeated. Rat Heaven’s Pride paused, not intending to kill it just yet. Jiang Chen had not arrived.

“This should be enough. I can’t let it die yet; the master needs a living captive.” He glanced at the Horned Wolf, relieved that his strength had been just right.

Now, the Horned Wolf lay sprawled like a heap of broken flesh, drenched in blood and barely breathing. Still, as a monster, its vitality was stubborn; it would not die soon.

Sharp squeaks issued from Rat Heaven’s Pride, alerting him that it was not time to relax. He quickly directed the rat horde to lure the wolves elsewhere to prevent any unforeseen accidents.

Finished with these arrangements, Rat Heaven’s Pride dragged the Horned Wolf deep into the forest and locked it in a pit prepared long ago.

“Hopefully the master arrives soon.”

Certain everything was secure, Rat Heaven’s Pride gazed toward Golden Sands Valley. The wolves excelled at tracking, so taking the Horned Wolf directly to Golden Sands Valley was unwise. Only the decayed forest could suppress their tracking abilities, making it the perfect hiding place.

Outside, the wolf pack remained oblivious to the Horned Wolf’s disappearance. All the wolves out hunting were still intoxicated by the thrill of the kill, their ranks disorganized and scattered.

Meanwhile, upon receiving Rat Heaven’s Pride’s message, Jiang Chen, well-prepared, hurried toward the decayed forest.

Knowing that time was critical, Rat Heaven’s Pride sent word to Jiang Chen immediately after gathering information and finalizing the plan to lure the Horned Wolf. This allowed Jiang Chen to respond optimally.

Three days passed. The wolves, roaming and hunting, finally sensed something amiss. At first, the Horned Wolf’s absence seemed normal, but after three days without a trace, it could no longer be ignored.

Some wolves instinctively gathered to search for the Horned Wolf, while others, leaderless, returned to Ram Horn Mountain. The pack the Horned Wolf had brought was only a portion; many wolves remained at Ram Horn Mountain.

Amidst all this, Jiang Chen arrived quietly at the decayed forest without delay.

“Well done,” he praised Rat Heaven’s Pride, tossing him a Blood Condensation Stone. Rat Heaven’s Pride’s performance had exceeded expectations.

“Let me see what secrets this wolf pack is hiding.”

With a thought, Jiang Chen ended the Horned Wolf’s life. This was a limitation of his ability: he could only search the souls of creatures freshly dead. If the soul dissipated, his power was useless.

A hum—the light of the soul shone forth. Soul-searching activated, memories from the Horned Wolf’s spirit flooded Jiang Chen’s mind. Though its awareness was less than a human’s and some memories were blurry, Jiang Chen still uncovered much of value within its soul.