“Wolves can be killed, but not humiliated!”
For the sake of the pack’s dignity, the alpha wolf could no longer endure the disgrace.
You keep bullying us—do you really think we won’t fight back?
With a resounding “Awooo—!” it led the pack in another abrupt change of direction…
As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don’t look down on young wolves in their lean years!
I’ll be back…
Wu Heng caught up to the wolf pack and fell into step beside Su Mo, naturally joining the chase. He frowned in confusion. “What are you guys doing?”
Su Mo had noticed him earlier but, seeing he was a stranger, replied offhandedly, “Just working out.”
“Working out?”
“Yeah. Wolf marathon.”
Wu Heng’s pupils constricted slightly, his expression darkening. “You think I’m an idiot?”
“Wow, self-awareness. Impressive.” Su Mo exchanged a glance with Xia Qingqing before bursting into laughter.
“You—!”
The prodigy, revered by so many, had never been “insulted” like this. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Xia Qingqing muttered beside Su Mo, “If you wanted to hit on us, you could’ve just said so. No need to pretend to be all nice.”
Wu Heng let out an incredulous laugh. “I don’t think I’ve done anything to offend you, right? This is our first meeting—can’t we talk calmly instead of being so hostile?”
Su Mo rolled her eyes and suddenly quickened her breathing. “Sorry, I’m doing anaerobic training right now. Can’t really chat peacefully.”
Wow, how considerate of you to even apologize!
He took a deep breath, slowing his pace, and muttered to himself, “Fine, whatever. Not gonna argue with women.”
He genuinely couldn’t understand why these two were tailing the wolves, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
“Why’d you stop?” Yin Yanyan was the first to catch up to him, panting in confusion.
Wu Heng, still fuming over Su Mo’s tone earlier, thought bitterly, Just because you’re pretty doesn’t mean you can look down on people like that.
“They’re too ugly. Makes me sick just looking at them.”
Yin Yanyan gave him a weird look.
That’s Ye Qingyi we’re talking about! She’s gorgeous—flawless looks, killer figure, and an aura that even I, a girl, find mesmerizing. And you’re calling her ugly?
Wait… is Wu Heng gay? Maybe he’s just not into women…
In Yin Yanyan’s mind, Su Mo was already halfway to being her sister-in-law. Hearing her slandered like this, anger flared inside her.
You’re the one who might be gay, and yet you dare call my future sister-in-law ugly?
Unbelievable.
With a cold snort, she sprinted off after Su Mo.
Wu Heng stared blankly at her retreating figure. “She snorted at me…”
Unbelievable.
He chased after her, quickly overtaking Yin Yanyan and closing in on Su Mo and Xia Qingqing.
Their petty rivalry left the stragglers in despair.
Not everyone could match their speed. Some managed to keep up at first, but over time, their legs grew weak, their energy drained.
But with their “carry” right ahead, losing them now would make the rest of the trial unthinkably difficult.
Sigh… guess I’ll just push through. This is what I get for being weak…
No options for noobs.
And so, the grand opening of the First Wolf Marathon at Longshan Ruins commenced.
Wolves in front, “marathoners” behind… ahem, humans.
…..
Su Mo had assumed his sarcastic rebuttal would scare off the seemingly impressive guy. But no—he came right back.
Guess he really is something.
“Qingyi, what do we do? He’s catching up again!” Xia Qingqing looked worried.
“Relax, there’s two of us. He can’t steal our treasure.” Su Mo gave her a reassuring glance.
Xia Qingqing trusted her unconditionally. “Okay. I believe you.”
Just then, Wu Heng arrived. “I’ve figured it out. I don’t know what you’re after, but there must be something good here. Otherwise, why would you deliberately provoke me into leaving?”
Confident in his deduction, he was caught off guard when Su Mo ignored him entirely, instead slapping the rear of a nearby wolf. “Hyah!”
“Awoo…!” The wolf let out a humiliated howl.
Wu Heng gritted his teeth. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll just keep following. It’s not like I have anything better to do.”
“Suit yourself.” Su Mo’s reply was indifferent.
Strangely, Wu Heng wasn’t as angry as before. He studied Su Mo’s face—mostly hidden behind a mask—but her eyes alone were striking.
If she weren’t so sharp-tongued and bad-tempered… I might’ve actually fallen for her.
Then Yin Yanyan caught up.
Her cultivation was weaker than the others, and without the benefit of the red fruit, she was already exhausted just from keeping pace, unable to even speak.
“Oh, you’re here too?” Su Mo feigned surprise (though she’d noticed long ago). “Here for the wolf marathon?”
Huh?
Wolf marathon?
What’s that?!
Yin Yanyan’s breath hitched, and she nearly tripped—but Su Mo caught her just in time.
Sister-in-law touched me!
Her heart soared straight to the heavens…
…..
In the distance, another group noticed the commotion and rushed over.
Leading them was Luo Xiu, along with someone from Yicheng whose name Su Mo couldn’t recall.
Luo Xiu stared at Su Mo and Xia Qingqing in shock before asking, “What are you two…?”
“Working out,” Xia Qingqing echoed Su Mo’s earlier words.
“Working out?” Luo Xiu was baffled.
“Yep. Wolf marathon.”
“Childish.” He gave Xia Qingqing a deadpan look.
“Wow, more self-awareness… Hey! Are you insulting me?!”
Since they were all still running, their conversation was broken by heavy panting, draining their energy. Soon, they fell silent, focusing on the “race.”
Are you all insane?
Su Mo was at a loss. You don’t even know why we’re doing this, yet you’re all following like idiots.
By now, the group wasn’t just Wu Heng, Yin Yanyan, and Luo Xiu—dozens of other young cultivators were desperately sprinting behind them, their eyes filled with pure, unadulterated cluelessness.
If someone interviewed them now, the answers would probably be:
“Huff… puff… I—I saw them running… huff… didn’t wanna get left behind… puff… hah… actually kinda fun… huff… BLERGH—!”
If this scene needed a soundtrack, everyone would unanimously sing:
“Blue skies, white clouds drifting high~
Under them, fools sprint and cry~
Slapping wolves with all their might~
Tears in the pack’s eyes so bright~”
Just as some were about to collapse and consider quitting, a piercing wolf howl cut through the air.
Many paled at the sound.
Oh no.
In an instant, the running wolves slowed, then turned—their crimson eyes locking onto the humans behind them.
Every single one was consumed by rage.
Uh-oh… Su Mo glanced around nervously. Everyone’s got the red-eye effect now.
Something told her things were about to get very lively.