Chapter 14: Here, I Reign! (1)

"You..."
Without even thinking, Xu Tao instinctively raised his hand and fired a shot at Fang Qingyun.
Bang!
The bullet whistled past Fang Qingyun’s left side.
Xu Tao’s marksmanship was poor to begin with, and in this secret realm, that shot wasn’t even close to a glancing hit.
Even with his eyes closed, Fang Qingyun was a better marksman.
But that shot thoroughly enraged him.
"You shameless thing, I was willing to let you off, but you just won’t quit. Do you really think I’m easy to bully?"
Fang Qingyun’s face darkened as he exerted force with his hand and brought it down in a heavy blow.
His pistol smashed straight into Xu Tao’s knee.
With Fang Qingyun’s strength and precision, Xu Tao had no chance to dodge.
Crack!
"Fang Qingyun!"
With a shrill scream, Xu Tao crashed to the ground.
The violent impact sent him rolling across the earth.
The giant wolves seized the opportunity and surged forward.
"Pathetic trash!" Watching Xu Tao surrounded by the wolves, Fang Qingyun sneered, "Get out of here. Your exam ends now!"
"And as a bonus—a leg!"
"Oh, and an arm, too!"
Fang Qingyun knew exactly how much force he’d used.
Once Xu Tao was out, he’d be in the hospital for at least a month.
As for the arm—that was Xu Tao’s own doing, snapped during his heavy fall under the immense force.
Xu Tao glared murderously at Fang Qingyun, his expression twisted with hatred. "Fang Qingyun, this isn’t over. I’ll never let you go."
"Idiot! You’re right, it’s not over. I’m better looking than you. When we get out, watch your girlfriend. I’ll make sure she gets a lovely green hat—a gift from us both."
Fang Qingyun raised a middle finger.
If this weren’t the secret realm…
If the other didn’t have a guardian treasure…
Fang Qingyun would have thrown his blade and lopped off Xu Tao’s head.
But for now, the blade was better reserved for the giant wolves.
"You, you..."
Xu Tao was nearly driven mad with rage.
At the same time, a sense of dread gnawed at him.
Fang Qingyun was tall and handsome. If he became a martial artist, damn it, what woman could resist him?
He couldn’t speak for others, but as for his girlfriend, his confidence…wasn’t very high.
The giant wolves encircled Xu Tao. The leader lunged, jaws wide.
Bang!
A formless shield shimmered into view, flinging the wolf aside.
"The guardian treasure activated?"
Fang Qingyun frowned. This was nothing like what Old Li had described.
In the next moment, something unexpected happened.
"Begone!"
A thunderous voice, brimming with authority, erupted from Xu Tao.
At the sound, all the wolves recoiled, watching Xu Tao warily.
"Huh, this bastard has another secret treasure?"
Fang Qingyun was astonished.

This was definitely not one of the school-issued, single-use guardian treasures.
That voice alone was enough to inspire fear—even in Fang Qingyun.
A martial artist!
Only a true martial artist could command such presence.
Buzz!
A blinding light enveloped Xu Tao.
Within the radiance, his wounds began to heal.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Fang Qingyun clicked his tongue. "Xu Tao, that’s quite the treasure. Your family’s wealthier than mine—no wonder you have something like this."
But Xu Tao was trembling with terror, lips quivering.
His eyes burned with frosty hatred.
Not valuable?
This thing was worth a life!
Xu Tao’s father was the owner of a publicly listed company, their assets nearing ten billion.
With that kind of money, their desires had changed.
The Xu family’s ambitions had turned to power, influence, and even extended life.
They went to great lengths to create and recruit martial artists, gathering treasures and rare medicines alike.
They wanted to expand their power, earn merit on the battlefield, and win themselves fiefs and noble titles.
The treasure Xu Tao used was from his father’s private collection.
"I must become a martial artist. I have to!"
Xu Tao muttered desperately, on the edge of collapse.
The treasure was a single-use item he’d stolen.
Now that it was spent, if he didn’t become a martial artist, his father would tear him apart.
The Xu family had nine sons in this generation alone—not counting daughters, nor the extended branches.
Merchants valued profit above all. Xu Tao’s worth was nothing compared to this treasure.
Fang Qingyun!
It was all because of Fang Qingyun!
Xu Tao’s fury exploded into a hysterical scream.
"Tch!"
Fang Qingyun shot him another middle finger.
How is this my fault?
Awooo!
The giant wolves howled and renewed their assault.
One wolf kept its gaze locked on Xu Tao; the other seven lunged at Fang Qingyun and Xu Tao’s followers.
The followers had already run far off.
As for Xu Tao?
Who cared about him?
But the giant wolves, part demon, part beast, and masters of speed, would catch up eventually.
Fang Qingyun observed that only one wolf was headed his way, so he drew his longsword and readied his stance.
Awoo!
The wolf roared and pounced.
Fang Qingyun twisted his body in a strange, serpentine motion, dodging the claws. His blade slashed lightly across the wolf’s hide.
A deep gash appeared.
Awoo!

The wolf howled in pain and anger.
"Shut up!"
Fang Qingyun stepped forward, blade raised to strike.
The wolf tried to dodge.
Fang Qingyun’s physique had reached 10—the level of a true martial artist, with speed boosted to 9.
He forced his attack into a new trajectory and slashed again.
Rip!
Another wound opened on the wolf’s body.
The wolf had hoped to dodge and counterattack, but this blow ruined its plans.
Seeing Fang Qingyun aim another strike at its throat, the wolf retreated, growling menacingly.
"Trying to run?" Fang Qingyun sneered and closed in.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
Fang Qingyun’s expression changed. He stopped his pursuit and stepped back, coldly eyeing Xu Tao behind the shield, his gaze icy.
Courting death!
Xu Tao, gun in hand, stared in shock at Fang Qingyun.
He knew the top martial arts candidates were strong but never imagined Fang Qingyun could fight a half-demon wolf head-on—let alone drive it back.
This couldn’t be allowed!
Driven by desperation, Xu Tao fired again.
Yet Fang Qingyun dodged it easily.
How fast was he?
With a chilling smile, Fang Qingyun called out, "Nice treasure, Xu Tao. It’ll be mine soon enough!"
Xu Tao’s treasure was changing, the shield morphing into a cage, which allowed him to fire outwards.
But with Xu Tao’s aim, it didn’t matter much.
Fang Qingyun kept part of his attention on Xu Tao’s shots and pressed the attack on the wolf.
In the blink of an eye, another wound appeared on the wolf’s body.
Along the way, Xu Tao fired two more shots—both easily evaded.
"What are you waiting for? Kill him already!"
Realizing he couldn’t stop Fang Qingyun, Xu Tao grew more frantic and shouted to the wolf watching him, "Let’s work together—take him down!"
Xu Tao’s words left the wolf a little stunned.
It had some intelligence.
Aren’t you and Fang Qingyun the same species?
It glanced at its wounded companion, hesitated, then leapt at Fang Qingyun.
"Good, very good!" Xu Tao’s eyes were wild, his voice feverish. "Two half-demon wolves and me—there’s no way you can survive, Fang Qingyun! You’re not a martial artist yet!"
"Heh, Xu Tao, you’ve really grown," Fang Qingyun said, flexing his body. "Teaming up with half-demon wolves? Do you realize that’s a betrayal of humanity?"
As he spoke, a murderous intent surged from Fang Qingyun.
"Xu Tao, you’re dead. Mark my words."
"Hahaha!" Xu Tao laughed maniacally. "Come and kill me then, Fang Qingyun! Let’s see who survives!"
"Don’t phrase it as a question. The answer is certain—you’re the one who will die."
Fang Qingyun sneered and stepped forward, engaging both half-demon wolves in a deadly melee.