Chapter 54: Attack!

'Arion, show me my panel,' Elan commanded.

Without hesitation, Arion displayed the panel in Elan's vision.

Name: Elan Starwind

Age: 13

Race: Human

Health: 100%

Spiritual Energy: 100%

Body: Ethereal Harmony Body

Cultivation Technique: Ethereal Synergy Technique

Cultivation: 5th stage (Radiant Body Realm)

Ability: Shadow Eclipse

Weapon: Scarlet Reaper (Mystic Grade Weapon)

Martial Art Skills: Gale Strike Technique (Mortal Technique-Expert)

Attributes:

Strength: 6 tons

Speed: 200 mph

Leap: Vertical: 60 meters Horizontal: 80 meters

'I was right, my strength really doubled. And this ability, Shadow Eclipse, must be the one I gained after comprehending the Shadow Element?' Elan asked, considering his new power.

'You're right, it was because of the Shadow Element,' Arion confirmed.

'Show me the description of the Shadow Eclipse,' Elan requested.

Ability: Shadow Eclipse

Type: Stealth

Description:

Shadow Eclipse is a potent stealth ability that allows the user to blend seamlessly into the shadows, becoming nearly invisible to the naked eye. By manipulating ambient shadows, the user can cloak themselves in darkness, effectively avoiding detection and moving silently through their surroundings.

Key Features:

Invisibility: The user can become nearly invisible when standing still in areas with sufficient shadows.

Silent Movement: Enhances the user's ability to move without making any noise.

Shadow Merge: Allows the user to merge with shadows.

Enhanced Perception: Heightens the user's awareness of their surroundings.

After reading the key features of Shadow Eclipse, Elan nodded with a smile spreading across his face. 

'This ability is perfect for infiltrating, escaping, and launching sneak attacks,' he mused.

He could now move unseen in enemy areas, gather information without being noticed, and attack from the shadows. Being able to blend with shadows and sense his surroundings better would make him hard to catch and a tough opponent, able to handle dangerous situations and outsmart even the most watchful enemies.

'Hmm, let's see if that Alpha will remain unbothered,' Elan thought, a determined glint in his eyes as he contemplated testing his new abilities against the powerful Alpha wolf.

As Elan pondered strategies to defeat the Alpha Wolf, his parents and fellow clansmen rushed towards him, their faces beaming with excitement. Seeing this, Elan stood up immediately.

"Elan, you did it! You broke through!"

"You're the best, Elan! With you breaking through, we now have a high chance of taming the wolves!"

Elan smiled modestly, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Thank you, everyone. I just got lucky," he replied humbly.

"Lucky, my ass. Stop being so modest," Jarek retorted with a playful grin.

Everyone burst into laughter, the tension from the previous night melting away. The mood was noticeably lighter now, especially with the significant improvements everyone had made, particularly Elan. The group felt more optimistic about taming the wolves.

-----

The next day, the clansmen were engaged in rigorous sparring sessions to prepare for their fight against the wolves. Some groups practiced fighting five against one, while others sparred in combinations of one against three, one against four, one against two, and one-on-one. Elan had organized these diverse sparring scenarios because he knew the battle with the wolves would be unpredictable. The wolves wouldn't simply line up to fight in a one-against-five format; instead, the clansmen would have to create situations where they could isolate each wolf and overwhelm it with superior numbers.

They understood that the wolves' tactics would be chaotic and varied. They couldn't rely on the wolves cooperating by engaging in a five-on-one fight as soon as the battle started. Instead, they needed to be adaptable and ready to turn the tide in their favor, making sure every wolf faced multiple opponents. Elan wasn't even sure if they would be able to force the wolves into these advantageous positions, but he knew they had to be prepared for any worst-case scenario.

This sparring was essential for the clansmen to prepare for the worst. They needed to be ready for unpredictable and challenging situations that could arise during the battle. In addition to their rigorous sparring sessions, they also took the time to craft sizable oval-shaped water containers, each about a meter in length, made from Skyforge Crystal. These containers were specifically designed to store water, which was crucial for countering the wolves' fire-based abilities and providing an additional layer of defense.

Understanding the importance of versatile and effective combat skills, Elan took it upon himself to teach the Gale Strike Technique to his clansmen. Originally designed as a sword technique, Elan adapted the fundamental movements to accommodate various weapons. He ensured that his clansmen mastered these basic movements, making them applicable for wielders of spears, axes, halberds, and staffs. By doing so, he aimed to equip his clansmen with adaptable combat skills, ensuring they could efficiently use the technique with their preferred weapons. This approach not only improved their individual skills but also strengthened the clan's overall combat capability, seamlessly integrating into their rigorous preparations.

After imparting the technique, Elan drove his clansmen to spar relentlessly until the sun dipped below the horizon. This training mirrored the intense regimen they had undergone to become hunters, but this time, the difficulty was exponentially harder, ten times harder. The demanding sessions pushed the clansmen to their absolute limits, honing their skills and building their endurance to new heights. Elan's strict approach ensured that every member of the clan was not only good at the Gale Strike Technique but also tough and ready for any unexpected challenges. The exhausting drills strengthened their bodies and sharpened their combat instincts, fostering a level of preparedness that was crucial for their survival and success.

During their training, Daren decided to test his son's abilities by challenging Elan to a one-on-one match, using only their fists. He wanted to see how long he could last against a 5th-stage Radiant Body Realm cultivator. The result was quick and clear, Elan sent Daren flying with a single palm strike. However, Elan observed something interesting, his father's strength seemed to increase slightly after the hit. This realization gave Elan an idea. He called his clansmen to fight him one-on-one every day before their regular sparring sessions. This not only tested their progress but also provided them with the unique benefit of growing stronger through direct combat with a more powerful opponent.

The clansmen were initially filled with dread when Elan announced his plan for them to fight him daily. The prospect of enduring a beating from Elan was frightening. However, their perspective shifted when Elan explained the benefits of being beaten by him. As sadistic as it sounded, the clansmen came to understand that this rigorous training was a strategic move to strengthen them. The promise of enhanced resilience and combat skills persuaded them to agree.

Over the next two weeks, Elan subjected his clansmen to daily combat training, sparing no one from the intense regimen. He treated everyone equally, from the youngest to the oldest. The elderly, in particular, were vocal in their protests, lamenting that this brutal training would bring them two steps closer to their graves. They wanted to cry and repeatedly protested to Elan, expressing their fears about the demanding regime. Despite their complaints, Elan remained steadfast. With a confident smile, he reassured them, promising that while he might push them towards their limits, he would also ensure they gained strength and vitality, effectively pulling them two steps back from the grave.

Thankfully, Elan did not unleash his full strength; otherwise, they would have perished from a single punch. Despite the grueling nature of the training, the clansmen endured, and their perseverance yielded remarkable results. The relentless sparring and constant beatings led to significant breakthroughs in their cultivation.

Notably, Rolan, Jarek, Elder Aric, Elder Mira, Lyra, and Gawin all advanced to the 3rd stage of the Radiant Body Realm. The most notable improvement was among the first-stage cultivators, every single one of them broke through to the 2nd stage.

Even those who did not achieve a breakthrough to the next stage, such as Elan's mother, Elara, Aiden, Lian, the other elders, and the others, reached the very peak of the 2nd stage of the Radiant Body Realm.

Elan observed his clansmen with a satisfied smile as he felt their strength and skills had improved significantly. He watched them sparring and training with a newfound vigor and resolve.

As he stood on the boulder, Elan thought to himself, 'Once we finish building the houses and the structures needed for our livelihoods, I will definitely build training obstacles to ensure my clansmen continue to improve steadily.' He envisioned a series of challenging courses designed to test their agility, strength, and combat skills, pushing them to grow stronger.

Arion's voice echoed in his mind,'Good idea. I'll make the blueprints for the obstacle course.'

'Don't forget the blueprints for the houses and other infrastructure,' Elan added.

'That's already done,' Arion replied confidently.

'Good,' Elan said with satisfaction as he jumped down off the boulder and walked towards his clansmen, and he decided to stop the training session early that day. He gathered his fellow clansmen and addressed them.

"Let's stop for today. Go back and rest, and make sure you are in top condition. Because tomorrow."

He paused, letting the anticipation build, before adding, "We attack."

-----

The next day, Elan and his two hundred clansmen crouched silently on the edge of the clearing, just outside the range where the wolves could not detect their presence. The dense foliage provided them with perfect cover, allowing them to observe without being seen. The air was thick with tension, and every breath was taken with careful restraint as they awaited the perfect moment to strike.

Elan carefully peeked through the leaves to get a glimpse of the clearing. Unsurprisingly, the wolves were still lounging lazily on the grass, their powerful forms stretched out in a display of relaxed dominance. The Alpha, in particular, appeared utterly nonchalant, its piercing eyes half-closed as it surveyed its territory with an air of supreme confidence. The other wolves seemed content to follow its lead, their casual demeanor suggesting they felt no immediate threat.

Elan scoffed quietly, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes. "Let's see if you can still remain nonchalant later," he muttered under his breath.

He then turned to his clansmen, his expression shifting to one of serious focus. Every one of them had their weapons at the ready, gripped tightly in anticipation. They also held their oval-shaped water containers. The containers were sealed, but a quick cut would open them when needed, releasing the water to neutralize the wolves' attacks.

"Alright, are you all ready? There's no going back now," he said, his voice firm and steady.

In response, a chorus of voices rang out, filled with determination.

"I'm born ready!"

"Let's do this!"

"No doubt."

Elan smiled at their unwavering confidence, knowing that it was a direct result of the intense training they had undergone. The countless hours of sparring, the relentless drills, and the harsh conditioning had forged them into a united and powerful force. There was no hesitation, no fear—only a shared sense of purpose as they prepared to face the challenge ahead.

"Good. Let's go," Elan said with finality.

He then turned and began walking toward the clearing, his steps steady and resolute. His clansmen slowly stood up and followed Elan with determined steps, moving as one cohesive unit. Elan was the first to emerge from the thick forest, stepping into the open clearing. Seconds later, his clansmen followed, the transition from the cover of the trees to the openness of the clearing was seamless, and their movements were synchronized and purposeful.

The moment Elan and his clansmen appeared, the wolves detected their presence. Instantly, they sprang to their feet, their powerful bodies shifting from a relaxed state to one of alertness. Their keen eyes locked onto the approaching humans, and their muscles tensed, ready to react. The once serene atmosphere was now charged with tension as the wolves faced the intruders.

The Alpha wolf, too, stood up, its nonchalant demeanor vanishing the instant it sensed over two hundred humans advancing. Its piercing gaze scanned the group, and for the first time, a flicker of caution crossed its features. 

The other wolves, sensing the change in their leader, looked worried. This was their first time encountering so many humans at once. In their genetic memory, passed down from their ancestors, they had only ever seen one or perhaps three humans at a time. The sight of such a large number of humans together was unsettling, and they instinctively looked to their Alpha for guidance.

The Alpha, sensing the fear growing among the wolves, let out a deep, resonant growl. Telepathically, it communicated with its pack, its voice echoing with authority, 'These are just weak humans. We are more powerful than them. Do not let their numbers intimidate you.' The Alpha's words were a stark reminder of their inherent strength, a rallying cry to restore their confidence.

The wolves growled in approval, their fear dissipating as they turned their focus back to the humans. Their growls became more menacing, and one by one, they began to glow a fiery red, their bodies radiating with the intense heat of their power. The clearing seemed to pulse with energy as the wolves prepared for the impending confrontation.

The Alpha then signaled to its Beta, the second in command, to lead the wolves into battle. The plan was clear—the beta would take charge of the pack while the Alpha would confront the human child who had trespassed into their territory two weeks ago.

The Alpha could feel that the strength of this human child had grown significantly. There was a palpable threat emanating from him, something the Alpha had not sensed before. The Alpha knew it could not underestimate the human child, who stood at the forefront of the advancing group.

As the group watched, the wolves began to glow a fiery red, their bodies radiating with intense heat. Suddenly, in a terrifying display of power, all the wolves, including the Alpha, burst into flames. Their fur was consumed by the blaze, turning them into living infernos. The flames danced and flickered across their bodies, casting an eerie light that made the entire clearing shimmer with heat. The air around them was distorted by the sheer intensity of the fire, warping the environment.

Elan and his clansmen stood in awe and apprehension as the wolves, now walking infernos, began to advance towards them. The flames didn't seem to harm the wolves; instead, they enhanced their menacing appearance, making them look like beasts born from the heart of a volcano. The heat radiating from the wolves was so intense that it made the air around them shimmer and ripple, adding to the surreal and dangerous atmosphere. The clansmen tightened their grips on their weapons, their faces a mix of determination and fear.

'Damn, they've already activated Crimson Blaze,' Elan thought.

'It seems the Crimsonmane Wolves aren't underestimating you or your clansmen, Elan,' Arion's voice echoed in his mind, a hint of admiration in his tone.

'I know,' Elan replied, steeling himself for the battle ahead.

Elan turned to his clansmen, his voice calm but commanding. "Get ready to use the water. Stay sharp."

As they moved forward to meet the advancing wolves, Elan raised his hand, his voice ringing out with authority, "Attack!"