Tang Wen forced himself not to think about the Silver Wolf, but it was of no use.
It was like telling a lecher: Don't think about women!
After hearing that, images of women would inevitably pop into one's mind.
This was almost unavoidable.
After more than ten minutes, Tang Wen found a way to counter it. Every time he thought of the terrifying Silver Wolf, he would simultaneously imagine a steel cage, trapping it inside.
The Silver Wolf could only rage helplessly, unable to escape even if it broke its head.
"Exhale, Inhale"
He squinted his eyes, barely calming down, just about to enter the state.
Suddenly, he felt a wave of tension in his heart.
Huh?
Why does it always feel like my back is cold?
Is it a Mental Alarm?
Tang Wen couldn't help but sigh. In the stance, his perception of the surroundings became even more acute.
He could vaguely sense that there was a ferocious creature locked below, which naturally triggered the Mental Alarm!
Damn it!
This is a vicious cycle.
"Can't calm your mind in the stance?"
A voice sounded, startling Tang Wen. He looked up and saw three guards at the door, who had somehow arrived without him noticing, looking at him with interest.
What?
His pupils contracted: He hadn't heard a single footstep?
These three were definitely not ordinary guards.
Well, that makes sense. Ordinary guards like Li Da Niu, whose combat skills were inferior to his own, wouldn't be assigned to guard the Silver Wolf!
The leading guard, seeing that he didn't respond, didn't mind: "The unknown is the most terrifying. If you're constantly on edge, always wary of the Silver Wolf's roar, how can you possibly calm your mind to practice the stance? Unless..."
Tang Wen was taken aback and quickly asked for advice: "Sir, unless what?"
"Unless you face the Silver Wolf directly!"
"Ah?"
"Besides relying on breathing and internal vision to Enter Stillness in the stance, there's another method. Didn't you know?"
Tang Wen looked utterly confused.
The guard leader smiled: "The Contemplation Method! You can observe the Silver Wolf, then sketch its form and posture in your mind, to counter its pressure."
"Contemplate, sketch, counter," Tang Wen murmured to himself.
Seeing that he seemed to be pondering, the other smiled, and the three of them turned and left, returning to their posts under the gate.
"Old Zhao, do you think highly of this kid?"
The guard leader looked up at the overcast sky: "We all have descendants. While we're alive, we can protect this piece of sky. But more importantly, we must educate the next generation of the camp well."
The two nodded in silence. They understood the principle; the camp's experts must not be interrupted for even a generation. If they are, the camp would be gone.
Everyone inside and outside the camp would die. Or, worse than death.
"Bet a round of drinks, do you think that kid dares to go down?"
The two perked up.
"I think he dares."
"Then I bet he doesn't."
Inside the room.
Tang Wen stood before the deep hole, hesitating whether to go down.
"Howl!" The Silver Wolf roared.
His legs went weak, and he nearly tumbled into the hole.
"Damn! That beast is really sneaky!"
"Go, I must go down! At worst, I'll wet my pants and wash them myself when I get home! Besides, I spent a whole ten copper coins, how can I not take a look?"
Thinking this, he gripped his long knife, leaned against the wall, and stepped down one by one.
One step, two steps... fifteen steps, turn downward, counting all the way to forty-five steps.
Finally, the staircase was much deeper than he had imagined.
On both sides of the underground walls, kerosene lamps were burning.
Tang Wen stood at the corner, fingers clinging to the wall, cautiously peeking inside.
"Howl!"
Thud!
Before he could even curse, Tang Wen plopped down on the ground, feeling dizzy and disoriented, like someone with a fear of heights just stepping off a roller coaster.
After a few deep breaths, he leaned against the wall and stood up. The solid stone bricks provided him with a sense of security.
Experiencing the Silver wolf's roar up close was even more terrifying.
Do I really have to stand in front of it, observe it closely, and then practice my Stance?
Forget it, let's not overthink it. I'll set a small goal: I'll just take a quick look at it. Yes, just one glance.
He crouched down, one hand on the ground and the other on the wall, slowly peeking his head around the corner.
His posture was rather awkward, like a delinquent spying on the girl next door.
Tang Wen didn't care about that. If it weren't inconvenient to look from a sitting position, he might have even preferred to stay seated.
As soon as he peeked out, he was met with a pair of emerald-green eyes the size of car headlights, filled with ferocity, cruelty, and savagery!
Whoosh.
Tang Wen quickly pulled his head back.
"Howl~"
The Silver wolf let out a long howl, its voice carrying an irresistible force. Tang Wen's face turned pale, and his heart pounded like a drum.
As the Silver wolf quieted down, Tang Wen frantically tried to psych himself up: I'll have to face this thing sooner or later, unless I hide in the camp and stick to Farming! No, even Farming in the camp isn't safe. These Silver wolves come every year.
I've already taken a glance, and it's not that big of a deal. It's nothing compared to the likes of Sadako, The Grudge, or Silent Hill!
Can it even float out of its cage?
I'll take another look.
Whoosh, swish.
In the blink of an eye, Tang Wen peeked out again, took a quick look at the Silver wolf, and then swiftly ducked back.
"Howl~ Howl~"
Feeling that the puny two-legged creature was provoking it, the Silver wolf grew furious!
Its roars came one after another.
Tang Wen felt waves of dizziness, his heart racing as if he were engaged in some intense, fast-paced activity.
This is too intense!
Even though I'm crouching on the ground, why does it feel like I'm bungee jumping from a great height?
If I could bring this Silver wolf back to Earth and sell tickets for people to see it, I'd make a fortune!
But ordinary people can't get too close. People with heart conditions, the elderly, and children shouldn't be allowed in.
Hmm, I could sell tickets at different distances and stages—first-class, second-class, third-class seats, each with different prices and levels of excitement.
Thinking this way, Tang Wen was no longer afraid. Instead, he felt a bit excited, as if he had already become the Silver wolf's owner and struck it rich.
He peeked out again, staring at the Silver wolf for one second, then two, without looking away.
What a magnificent creature!
The Silver wolf had a patch of snow-white fur on its chest, while the rest of its body was a shimmering silver.
The bloodstains on its body didn't diminish its beauty in the slightest; instead, they added a wild, untamed allure.
Hiss!
The Silver wolf bared its teeth.
As Tang Wen watched, he thought to himself, Hmm, I could offer a project where people can take close-up photos with the Silver wolf through the cage.
Yes, and feeding it—that's a must.
The meat can only be bought from me. No outside food allowed. A pound of meat should cost at least 100 bucks, right?
Don't complain about the price; no bargaining.
After a series of wild thoughts, Tang Wen slowly stood up.
Even in the face of the Silver wolf's roars, he could now hold his ground. This is my path to wealth. Sure, it's a bit fierce, but making money is what matters! Who's afraid of their own money-making project?
Do fishermen fear the waves?
Do shepherds fear the smell of sheep?
Tang Wen took a step forward, walked around the corner, and appeared in front of the Silver wolf.
The Silver wolf suddenly stood up, its overwhelming presence hitting him like a wave.
This was reckless!
The wolf stood taller than a moose, with a body length spanning several meters.
Tang Wen stood before it like a three-year-old child facing a lion.
Was he supposed to visualize it and confront it?
Impossible. In its presence, even breathing became unsteady.
Well, maybe he could start by practicing the Eight Section Brocade?
After all, the underground space was empty, and no one would see him.
Thinking it, he immediately took action. Tang Wen assumed the starting stance. "Awoo!" The giant wolf roared!
His body swayed, but his arms quickly supported him, preventing him from falling.
"Hehe, big guy, stop howling! You can't scare me!"
With attributes twice that of an ordinary person, Tang Wen's mental resilience was stronger than expected.
The Silver wolf's cruel green eyes showed a hint of confusion.
This two-legged creature hadn't soiled itself?
But his aura didn't seem strong.
Preparation stance,
First Section: Hands Inserted Above to Benefit the Triple Burner
"Awoo!"
Tang Wen's body swayed, and his head spun, but the well-practiced movements continued through muscle memory. The sequence wasn't interrupted.
The Eight Section Brocade was performed, albeit clumsily.
The Attribute Panel flickered rapidly:
[Eight Section Brocade, Proficiency (2961→2979/3000)]
18 points of experience?!
"Haha," Tang Wen laughed out loud.
"Bang!"
"Awoo~"
The Silver wolf slammed into the cage, letting out a furious roar.
Caught off guard, Tang Wen fell to the ground again, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed: "Damn it, you little trash, you ambushed me, you're not even strong!"
(End of Chapter)