Chapter 13: This is magic

Zhan Kong's squad was in disarray and injured. They hadn't faced the wolf yet they had been injured! That's how fragile were mages to a Commander level creature. 

"Fall back and treat yourselves and others" said the Zhan Kong's aide as he helped a couple of the soldiers stand up.

At this point a stay slash of wind launched by wolf came revving towards them. The slash was faster than theses primary mages could even comprehend. Cao Guang was only able climb upon Fenrir after placing an unconscious Gao Xuan and Song Xia on Fenrir's back when it came at them.

'Not enough, faster , faster ' thought he as he cast his fire spell towards a tree nearby in front of him. The spell hit the tree and fell in front of them and placed itself between the squad and the incoming Hurricane Slash.

The wind cleaved the tree in half as Cao Guang desperately cast another spell even though he knew it was a bad match against the Hurricane Slash. If he could observe himself at the moment he would realise his Mental Strength reached the peak of the first level almost breaking to the second. Yet it wasn't enough to stop the Hurricane Slash.

At this point a silver light enshrouded the squad as a wall of Telekinesis seperated them from the Hurricane Slash. If they were to look down they would see an unassuming old man casting the Space spell with a silver glow in his eyes.

"This isn't a fight you guys can interfere in. Just watch your Commander fight the Darkwing Wolf. Nothing will harm you here" said the old man plainly as if it were an ordinary statement for him.

Oddly the soldiers found extreme comfort in the man's words even though their reason told them they should retreat as far away from the battle zone as they could. They quickly focused on waking up their unconscious teammates or dealing with their wounds.

"Senior Pang Lai" said Cao Guang coming out of his reverie.

"You recognise me huh! You are not bad kid. You thought about saving your friends first, you had the presence of mind to find a solution and a small breakthrough as well. My trip here has been entirely fruitful" said Pang Lai towards Cao Guang " For now watch your Commander. This is a good opportunity for you" the old man added.

Zhan Kong had already fought the wolf for a couple more rounds while the conversation was going on. He had enlarged and reopened the wolf's wounds. 

'This wolf lost was forced to attack a City and lost his tribe. He was looking to eat me to grow stronger and recover' concluded Zhan Kong.

His wind element was useful for evading against this monster it clearly had a better foundation at wind magic than him.

Plummeting Rays :Holy Word

Zhan Kong cast his magic, only this he did not dodge the wolf's attack and used his Magic Shield to keep the wolf in place as hundreds of rays of light shaped like sword fell on the wolf.

The Darkwing Wolf roared in pain and flinched before activating another Hurricane Slash. Zhan Kong managed to doge them but his energy of the wind element was dropping as well. A few of the slashes hurt him after his Magic Armour ran out. 

Zhan Kong decided to activate anothe rod his fire spell forming a thousand petals to attack the wolf again. Watching the fight Cao Guang could help but be enamored by magic. After his transmigration he had viewed this world as a second chance at life and wanted to reach the peak of magic while achieving some of his goals. But for him magic was just a tool. 

For he who had read and seen footages of missile systems and bombs and guns magic was nothing more than another tool. He hadn't yet realised what it was capable of yet and the fact that cultivation needed more mindless behavior and plans that he had made for it. At this moment he felt the Stardusts of the Summoning element finally saturate.

'So this is what was missing? I need to accept this world and immerse myself and not behave as if he playing a game. Winning over NPCs having subordinates won't be enough'.

As Cao Guang organised his thoughts Zhan Kong's battle came to a close. The wolf had left wounds on Zhan Kong that was bleeding yet it's wounds were severe. Zhan Kong had taken a bottle of medicine discreetly and it barely sealed his wounds. 

But the wolf wasn't so lucky. It wounds kept on bleeding as Zhan Kong opened them again and again. Magical wolves were famed for their healing. Zhan Kong would not let it be.

Sky Flame Funeral: Hellish Flames 

Zhan Kong casted a more concentrated version of his spell. The spell made a clean hit on the wolf almost paralysing it. Here the vitality of Commander level creatures were obvious as the spell still didn't kill it in a single shot. Although Zhan Kong casted the second tier of the Advanced spell it carried the energy of a third tier Star Galaxy, the spell was just as powerful as the previous spell just a different version of it.

But the wolf was pretty much incapacitated as Zhan Kong's next Plummeting Rays killed it.

Zhan Kong quickly checked on his squad and after assessing their condition he collected his loot. 

"Thank you senior for your help"

Zhan Kong said earnestly. Every death of his companions would weigh on him. He didn't know how many of his two hundred troop would be alive after the mission. His squad had survived because of his quick actions.

Even then if Pang Lai had not acted a few would have died. Cao Guang would have had no choice but to abandon the others and save himself and his friends.

The struggle against demon beasts were always a bloody one. The army had large losses every year. Every human city was built upon their corpses. 

" The exterminating mission will continue after you guys rest up" 

The squad rested for five full hours before continuing forward. They traversed for a couple more hours before camping up for the night. The extermination mission would have continued for atleast a week. Now after a Commander was slain Zhan Kong was waiting for more info from military eagles.

A detailed mission report and even back up from the military base that let the Darkwing Wolf escape came soon after they rested up.

Two of his squads were eliminated by the wolf. That was fifty soldiers! Zhan Kong and his squad was extremely downcast after reading the report.

Zhan Kong adjusted himself and ordered his squad to return and the end of the mission. They returned to the military base early in the morning. Through out return trip the atmosphere was sombre. Mages barely spoke and waited anxiously to check upon their friends.

" I'll leave him to senior, I have a few matters to attend"

"I understand" said Pang Lai comforting the man.

---

After being checked out of the medical ward. Cao Guang quickly met with his friends.

" I am thinking of transferring to another place" stated Cao Guang seriously.

" Why brother, we have another year of service here?"

Even Song Xia looked a bit reluctant. They were clearly attached to Bo City. 

" Don't misunderstand me Bo City will always be our home. But for us get stronger we have see the world and fight strong enemies. If we want to be strong enough to protect Bo no not just Bo City fast enough then we have to grow strong quickly"

"One of the faster ways to do that is join for World College tournament. The military has quotas for participation. I believe we can make it past the selection process in four years time. Military will give us more resources for our performance during this period after selection and before the tournament. For all of that we need a bigger stage."

After his rhetoric even the emotional Gao Xuan was convinced.

-- 

Cao Guang was later summoned by Pang Lai. The man had come to meet him.

" I heard about your talent from a friend, elaborate a bit for me, will you?" asked Pang Lai with a smile on his face.

After Cao Guang stated the full extent of his talent. Pang Lai was agape.

"Contract Strengthening you say, you are faelr from the truth. It is nothing short of an Innate Heavenly seed of the Summoning element. The talents of yours are merely it's accompanying effect!" stated Pang Lai to a surprised Cao Guang.