Wolf King Returns
"Lan Ying! Hong'er!"
Ling Zhan let out a sharp shout.
Lan Ying was already anxiously digging at the snow at the edge of the pile, letting out short, urgent sobs.
The wolf king with the round ears was also assisting.
Lan Ying suddenly looked up upon receiving the order and let out another long howl in one direction to summon everyone!
The wolf king with the wide ears also let out a menacing roar!
A breathtaking scene unfolded!
Amidst the wind and snow, shadowy figures began to gather.
First there were a few, then a dozen, then dozens! Gray wolves and white wolves, of varying sizes, with wary and wild eyes.
They responded to the call of the Snow Wolf King Lan Ying and the Wolf King with the wide ears.
Emerging from the depths of the Broken Soul Gorge, from the crevices of ice and rock.
They gathered behind Lan Ying, forming a terrifying wolf pack!
At a glance, it appears that three different wolf packs are subtly confronting each other.
Clearly, this fertile valley has long been their coveted territory.
The original pack of the Wolf King with the round ears was the first to respond.
They crouched low, trotted around to gather behind the ear-like creature, and whimpered obediently.
The other two wolf packs appeared much more cautious.
Each wolf, led by its alpha, maintained a distance.
He eyed Lan Ying and Ling Zhan warily.
The wolves even bared their teeth and growled threateningly at each other due to their territorial instincts.
Lan Ying's dark green wolf eyes swept over coldly.
A deep, rumbling roar, like muffled thunder, rolled out from his throat!
The voice contained absolute authority.
In an instant, all the small disturbances in the wolf pack were suppressed.
The wolves, baring their teeth, instinctively shrank back.
The wolf king with the wide ears also stepped forward at the right time, letting out a low growl urging the alpha wolves of the two packs.
The strongest alpha wolf.
His muscles were tense, his throat bobbed, and his gaze swept over Lan Ying, Huo Er, and Ling Zhan.
Baring its massive teeth, it was filled with resentment and struggle.
Ultimately, under Lan Ying's icy, almost tangible gaze and Huo Er's undisguised threat,
It let out a low growl, squeezed out from deep within its throat, filled with extreme resentment.
Slowly, almost crawling, it lowered its front half.
Its ears were pressed tightly back, and its tail was stiffly tucked between its legs.
It even tilted its head slightly, making a gesture of complete submission, typical of wolves.
Upon seeing this, the alpha wolf of another small wolf pack immediately submitted, whimpering as he led his pack to prostrate themselves in submission.
Shen Hong stepped forward, stood beside Ling Zhan, closed his eyes, and gently pressed his hands onto the snow again.
A moment later, he suddenly pointed to the spot where Lan Ying was frantically digging, his voice tinged with exhaustion but utterly certain.
"Mother! My eldest brother's life force is the strongest! He's right down here! And... there's warmth! There's a warm place underground!"
Ling Zhan's cold gaze swept over the restless wolf pack.
She didn't speak, but slowly raised her hand and pointed to the location that Shen Hong had confirmed.
"Find him! Find him!"
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange, undeniable power, as if it pierced through the wind and snow.
At the same time, there was an invisible, powerful aura belonging to the apex predator.
It spread out as if it were a tangible entity, carrying with it the bloody carnage and the coldness of the icy plains.
It instantly suppressed the wild restlessness of the entire wolf pack!
Lan Ying rushed to the spot she and Shen Hong had marked and began frantically shoveling snow.
With a low growl, the Wolf King with the wide ears led its subservient pack to join the digging!
The alpha wolves of the other two wolf packs were intimidated by Ling Zhan's terrifying aura and watched intently by the wolf king with the wide ears.
He also growled and commanded his tribe to join the digging!
They are natural-born snow creatures, with a keen sense of smell, sharp claws and teeth, and digging efficiency far exceeding that of humans!
Hundreds of wolf claws flew at the same time, and snow spray was thrown backward like a waterfall.
The scene was spectacular yet eerie.
Ling Zhan personally directed the soldiers to clear the area around the wolf pack's digging.
And use a long rod to probe the cavity below.
Shen Yan knelt in the snow, disregarding everything.
He dug alongside the wolf pack with his bare hands, his fingernails cracking and blood staining the snow, but he didn't even notice.
Time slipped away amidst the howling wind and snow and the frantic digging.
"There's something there!"
A soldier suddenly shouted.
The long pole in his hand struck a hard object.
Several wolves also let out excited howls from the same spot and scratched even harder.
Soon, a Di people's leather shield, deformed by the weight of the snow, was dug out!
Next came several frozen, stiff corpses of the "snow hawks".
Their contorted faces still bore the frozen terror of impending death.
"It's not Tiger... Keep digging! Dig deeper!"
Chen You's heart leaped into his throat.
Lan Ying suddenly pointed to a figure next to her that was half-buried by a huge block of ice.
A narrow ice crevice entrance, allowing only one person to pass sideways.
It let out a rapid and affirmative cry!
It even tried to push its enormous head inside.
The wolf king with the gap-eared ears also came over, sniffed, and let out a low growl of affirmation.
Shen Hong also pointed there.
"Below! The warmth is even more pronounced!"
"Here!" Ling Zhan's eyes narrowed.
The soldiers immediately widened the entrance with ice axes and crowbars.
Lan Ying let out a low growl.
He ordered several smaller, more agile wolves, including some from the wolf king's pack, to go inside and scout ahead.
A moment later, the excited howling of wolves came from inside!
"There are survivors!" The soldiers' spirits soared.
The entrance was painstakingly widened.
Without hesitation, Ling Zhan was the first to duck and squeeze in.
Chen Yan followed closely behind.
The inside of the ice crevasse was deeper and much warmer than I had imagined!
A warm, sulfurous geothermal current surged from the depths, dispelling the biting cold.
The light was dim, but it was clear that it was a naturally formed, winding, downward-facing cave.
After walking less than ten paces, the view suddenly opened up before us!
A stronger, warm wind, carrying the smell of sulfur, blew in.
It completely dispelled the chill of the passageway.
A huge underground cavity came into view!
The stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling shimmered with a moist, iridescent glow under the faint light that seeped in from somewhere.
Beneath my feet was dry, warm sandy soil.
A misty underground river flows quietly beside them.
It made a gurgling sound.
The temperature was more than ten degrees higher than outside, like a small underground greenhouse.
Several lead wolves were circling a corner half-hidden by a boulder, barking excitedly.
In the corner.
A lone figure was like a piece of ice forgotten in a warm corner.
They curled up in the natural grooves of the rocks.
Covered in thick frost and dust, it almost blended into the background.
It was Shen Xiao!
His face was bluish-purple, his lips were cracked and bleeding, and his breathing was so weak that it was almost non-existent.
"Tiger!"
Shen Yan scrambled forward, her trembling hand reaching for his breath.
Upon sensing that faint breath, this fearless man burst into tears.
"Alive! God! He's still alive!"
Lan Ying had already squeezed to the very front.
It was extremely careful, avoiding Shen Xiao's injuries.
She gently rubbed her wet, warm nose against his cold, bluish-purple cheek.
A low sob escaped from his throat, filled with endless worry and longing.
Then it quietly lay down.
The enormous, silvery-white body pressed tightly against Shen Xiao.
Like a living heater, it continuously transmits precious body heat.
His eerie green eyes were fixed on Shen Xiao's pale face.
Their commitment to protection is as firm as a rock.
Ling Zhan quickly stepped forward to check, his brow furrowed.
"Severe hypothermia, fractured left arm, possibly broken ribs, internal organ damage, and internal bleeding! Immediate warming and treatment are necessary!"
She quickly took off her cloak and wrapped it around Shen Xiao.
At the same time, he took out a jade bottle from his bosom.
He poured out a bright red pill that emitted a spicy medicinal aroma, pried open Shen Xiao's mouth, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Where are the strong liquor and ginseng slices that Hong'er prepared? Quickly!"
The people outside immediately passed the items in.
Without hesitation, Ling Zhan wiped Shen Xiao's limbs and chest with strong liquor to stimulate blood circulation, and then pressed a ginseng slice under his tongue.
Shen Yan hugged her son tightly, warming him with her own body heat.
Under the triple stimulation of strong liquor, ginseng slices, and Ling Zhan's precious pill.
Shen Xiao's cold body finally began to feel a little warm...
His purplish complexion also eased slightly.
"Waaah..."
The wolf king with the round ears also came in and quietly guarded the cave entrance.
Ling Zhan watched this scene, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.
The snow wolf king, who had been with them on the mountaintop since it was a cub, had long regarded Tiger as its closest relative.
Shen Xiao was carefully carried out of the warm floor on a stretcher.
He remained unconscious after being exposed to the wind and snow again.
However, with the support of medication, his vital signs temporarily stabilized.
Back on Earth, even bigger problems lay ahead.
The three wolf packs were temporarily summoned by Lan Ying and the Wolf King with Hollow Ears.
After the rescue mission was completed, territorial instincts resurfaced, and they began baring their teeth and growling at each other at the edge of the debris pile.
The atmosphere became tense again.
The alpha wolf of one of the wolf packs.
Not a former subordinate of the Wolf King with the large ears, they were robust in size with huge, white fangs.
They seemed somewhat unconvinced by Lanying's authority.
It defiantly dug into the snow.
Ling Zhan handed Shen Xiao over to Shen Yan and Wang Ji'an for care, and then slowly walked towards the restless wolf pack.
Lan Ying immediately followed.
Standing beside her, his eerie green wolf eyes coldly stared at the provocative alpha wolf.
The Wolf King with the round ears also growled, standing to the side and behind Lan Ying, forming a protective stance.
Shen Hong stood beside his mother, and his presence seemed to soften the natural atmosphere around them.
Ling Zhan ignored the provocative alpha wolves.
Their gaze, however, turned to the terrain further away.
The entrance to Broken Soul Gorge was mostly blocked by an avalanche.
But this newly exposed area.
Especially near the narrow ice crevasse entrance leading to warmer areas, the terrain is relatively open.
With a huge, difficult-to-climb ice wall behind them, and an open area gradually sloping down in front of them, the view was excellent.
"here."
Ling Zhan pointed to the area backed by the ice wall and close to the entrance of the underground cave, his voice clearly reaching the ears of every wolf.
It penetrated into the minds of every wolf with an unquestionable will.
"Lan Ying, guard the entrance to the land, watch over this place. This place belongs to you."
Lan Ying immediately let out a majestic howl, asserting her dominance.
The wolf king with the round ears also let out a low growl at his old subordinates.
The wolf pack quickly converged on the area behind Lan Ying.
Ling Zhan then pointed to a slightly further away area with several small caves and abundant moss and lichen.
Against the strongest, seemingly somewhat defiant, giant-toothed wolf.
“You, take your people and occupy that place. The caves will provide shelter, and the lichens and mosses will attract herbivores.”
The lead wolf surveyed the area.
Then he glanced at the imposing Lan Ying and Ling Zhan.
A low gurgling sound came from his throat, as if he was weighing his options.
Finally, under Lan Ying's cold gaze and the threatening growl of the Wolf King with the round ears, the battle ended.
It let out a low growl in reluctance, which could be considered an admission of guilt.
They led their people to that area.
Finally, Ling Zhan pointed to the outermost area.
Near the depths of Broken Soul Gorge.
The area with relatively more abundant prey resources but also closer to the dangerous ice crevasse is for the remaining smaller wolf pack.
"You, go over there. There's plenty of prey, but be careful of the ice crevasses."
The alpha wolf of that small wolf pack seemed to be more compliant.
With a sob, it led its tribe to retreat to the designated area.
Three wolf packs.
Ling Zhan's "division" is simple and direct.
The conflict was temporarily quelled by the combined force of Lan Ying and the Wolf King with Hollow Ears.
Each occupied a new territory.
Lan Ying let out a satisfied growl.
They surveyed their new territory, including the entrance to the underground palace and the surrounding area.
The Wolf King with the round ears led his pack to operate on the outskirts of the Lan Ying territory.
It was considered their own territory, and a protective aura was subtly formed around it.
At this moment, Lan Ying walked back to Shen Xiao's stretcher.
The enormous head slowly rotated between the edge of the stretcher, the warm entrance to the underground cave, and the open territory that had just been claimed from it, backed by an ice wall. Its eerie green eyes shimmered with light, as if it were making a silent choice.
Finally, its gaze settled on the unconscious Shen Xiao's face.
His eyes became incredibly clear and determined.
It quietly lay down again.
Gently place the head on the edge of the stretcher.
She pressed herself tightly against Shen Xiao's body.
A low, choked sob escaped from his throat, a sob filled with longing and an undeniable vow.
The Wolf King with the round ears let out a low growl as it watched Lan Ying's actions.
The disdain in his eyes faded.
It adds a touch of complexity and a sense of "understanding like-minded people".
This appears to indicate support.
Ling Zhan nodded slightly as he observed Lan Ying's actions.
A hint of understanding and approval flashed in his eyes.
She walked to the stretcher and said to Chen Yan, who was holding her son's hand tightly.
"It has made up its mind. This place is its territory, and also its vow—to protect the tiger cubs."
Lanying.
He has become the new "Guardian Wolf King" of this valley, belonging only to Shen Xiao.
Shen Yan looked at the magnificent, intelligent, and revered snow wolf king beside her son.
Then I looked at my son's pale but peaceful sleeping face.
My heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Ultimately, it turned into a heavy sigh and a faint sense of relief.
At least, my son survived!
There is also such a powerful guardian.
A few days later, at the Blackstone Fortress camp, in a temporary recuperation tent.
With meticulous treatment and Lan Ying's constant protection, Shen Xiao finally woke up from his coma.
Although still weak, she was now conscious.
When Lan Ying saw him open his eyes, she sobbed with emotion.
She rubbed her wet nose against his palm and wagged her tail rapidly.
Shen Xiao smiled weakly and gently stroked Lan Ying's head with his uninjured right hand.
"Lan Ying...you little brat, you're the one who found me? Thanks..."
Ling Zhan brought in a bowl of medicine, and upon seeing this scene, his cold and sharp eyes softened for a moment.
She handed the medicine to Shen Yan so he could feed it to his son.
Then he walked over to Lanying and stroked its thick neck fur.
He said to Shen Xiao, "It wasn't just it. Huo'er, Huo'er's original clan, and two other wolf packs all contributed a lot."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao's eyes were filled with gratitude.
"Mother, those...those wolves..."
Ling Zhan looked at his son, his gaze deep.
With the vision of Space Marines traversing civilizations.
"Tiger, remember this. The wolf pack is not a tool. This assistance is a call of loyalty from Lan Ying, and an instinct for survival and mutual assistance among wolves. However, loyalty and instinct are like snow that melts easily and cannot be relied upon for long."
Shen Xiao listened attentively, knowing that his mother was imparting profound wisdom.
"I want them to truly settle down here, to regard this valley as their home, to multiply and grow, and even to become my future bulwark and ally."
Ling Zhan's voice was clear and powerful.
"We cannot just take without giving back. They need food to fill their stomachs, a place to reproduce, and a safe environment."
She pointed out into the distance, as if she could see into the future.
"Following the old practice on the mountaintop, I will have your father take people to clear out several sheltered, water-closed depressions in the Lan Ying territory and the area where the Huo Er wolf pack is active. We will bring in hardy mountain goats and wild rabbits from Black Stone Castle to graze freely there, which will be called the 'Wolf Clan Hunting Grounds'. They can hunt there, and I will regularly replenish them with old and weak livestock to maintain a balance and ensure their continued existence."
Shen Xiao's eyes shone even brighter: "Like a 'hunting ground' left for the wolf pack on the mountaintop?"
"good."
Ling Zhan nodded.
"This valley is blessed with natural advantages, including geothermal energy, water resources, and natural barriers. With proper planning, it can become a paradise for humans and wolves to coexist. The wolves will be able to live in peace and multiply, while we will be able to keep watch over the surrounding area with the help of nature."
She gazed at Shen Xiao, her tone carrying both admonition and expectation.
"Only by respecting their nature and giving them a way to live can we win their hearts and jointly protect this land."
"The might of the Storm Shadow, and my intimidation, can only subdue you temporarily. Mutual benefit and coexistence are the only way to ensure lasting peace. Do you understand?"
Shen Xiao nodded emphatically, his pale face full of determination.
“I understand, Mother! Do not take everything, give it a chance to live, and manage it together. Just as you taught me and Hongdi to treat all things in the mountains and forests. When I can get up, I will help Father plan the ‘hunting grounds’!”
A look of satisfaction appeared in Ling Zhan's eyes.
"Good. Now, take your medicine and rest."
She looked at the Snow Wolf King, her gaze deep and unfathomable.
"Lan Ying, protect your territory, protect your vow."
Lan Ying let out a low moan.
He pressed his head even closer to Shen Xiao.
The loyalty and determination in its eyes are like those of someone guarding the core of its world.
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